Patent Publication Number: US-10758026-B2

Title: Cosmetic device having leaktight compartments

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     
         
         
           
             This is a national stage application of PCT/EP2016/054036, filed internationally on Feb. 25, 2016, which claims priority to French Application No. 1551682, filed on Feb. 27, 2015, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
           
         
       
    
     The present invention relates to devices for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, and more particularly but not exclusively a cosmetic product, in particular for the skin, eyes or lips. 
     The invention aims more particularly to improve devices that comprise a container defining a plurality of compartments, a closure cap for closing the container and optionally an applicator comprising an application element and a gripping member. 
     US675971 describes a container having two compartments that contain a brush and a product, respectively. The chamber which contains the brush also contains water for moistening the brush. 
     US2004194796 describes a container with two compartments, containing two different compositions which are intended to be dispensed and mixed during application. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,599 describes a container comprising a compartment intended to contain a liquid and a chamber inside this compartment. The chamber and the compartment comprise an elastic bottom. During use, an applicator is inserted into the chamber. By pushing the bottom with the applicator, the chamber and the compartment are brought into communication. 
     EP0380182 describes a container that defines a compartment in its middle for placing the applicator. In the variant illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the compartment is closed and can be opened so as to allow the product to pass through by virtue of a spring. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,232 describes a container comprising a tube that houses an applicator. The tube delimits narrow passages, which only allow a small quantity of liquid product to pass into the tube and to be absorbed by the applicator. 
     However, the devices described in these documents are:
         either complicated to manufacture,   or not very leaktight.       

     There is a need to benefit from a device that makes it possible to ensure that the closure of the compartments of the container is leaktight. 
     There is also a need to benefit from a device that is simple to manufacture and is inexpensive. 
     There is also a need to benefit from a device which is practical to use, takes up little space and makes it possible to carry out neat application. 
     A subject of the invention, according to a first of its aspects, is a device for packaging and applying at least one cosmetic product, comprising:
         a container delimiting at least two compartments,   a closure cap for closing the container, designed to close each compartment in a leaktight manner.       

     The device according to the invention can be produced in a relatively compact manner while being practical to use. 
     By virtue of the leaktight closure of each compartment, different cosmetic products can be stored and transported in the same device without being mixed. It is also possible to store a cosmetic product and an applicator separately in the same device. The space requirement is reduced. Storage and transport are simplified. Hygiene is improved. The products can be preserved for longer. 
     A further subject of the invention is a cosmetic treatment process comprising the application of a makeup or care product with the aid of a device as defined above. 
     The invention is very particularly suitable for the application of a compacted and/or cast product which can be cast or compacted directly in each compartment. 
     The container can be made of glass, thermoplastic material or other natural or synthetic materials. 
     The closure cap can be detachable entirely from the container to allow access to the product contained inside with the applicator. 
     The application element may be removable and washable. It may for example comprise a brush, a sponge, a spatula, a comb or a nonwoven. 
     Main Definitions 
     A “compartment” is understood to be a division made in a device in order to house cosmetic compositions or an applicator, separating them. 
     “A capsule is designed to close each compartment in a leaktight manner” means that when the cap is placed on the container, the contents of one compartment cannot migrate towards another compartment or escape from the device when the device is turned over for 1 minute, preferably 1 hour, more preferably 3 hours, the possible applicator being placed in the device. The pressure is 1 atmosphere and the temperature is equal to 20° C. 
     The “device is turned over” means that the bottom of the container is disposed above the cap. 
     A “leaktight zone” is a zone which prevents or helps to prevent the contents of the container from passing between:
         a compartment and the outside of the device, or   one compartment and another,
 
when the device is subjected to the above test.
       

     “In one piece” means monolithic. 
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The device according to the invention may include one or more of the following features, taken separately or in any technically possible combination(s):
         The device comprises at least two leaktight zones.   The container is in one piece.   The leaktightness of each compartment is ensured by at least one seal or lip.   An applicator is housed in one compartment.   The compartments have parallel or coincident longitudinal axes.   A cosmetic product in the form of a paste, gel or powder is housed in one compartment.   The closure cap comprises a protruding handle.   The container has a transparent wall.   The product is a makeup product, in particular a foundation, blusher, eyeshadow, lipstick, lip gloss or lip balm       

    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting illustrative embodiments thereof and from examining the appended, schematic and partial drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of a packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention, 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the cap of the device from  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the cap in  FIG. 2 , 
         FIG. 4  is a section AA from  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 5  is a section BB from  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 6  shows the detail C from  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 7  shows the detail D from  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the device from  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 9  is an oblique exploded view of the device from  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
       FIGS. 1 to 9  show a device  1  of longitudinal axis X, produced in accordance with the invention, which comprises a container  2 , a closure cap  3  and an applicator  4  which serves to pick up and apply the product. 
     The container  2  comprises an external wall  67  with a substantially cylindrical shape. The height H of the device is 61.7 mm. The diameter D of the pot is 36.1 mm. 
     The container  2  is advantageously produced in one piece by molding thermoplastic material, for example a thermoplastic material chosen from polyolefins, polyamides, polyacetals, PET, and polystyrenes. 
     The closure cap  3  is for example screwed onto a threaded neck  5  of the container  2 , but the closure cap  3  can be fixed on the container in various other ways, for example by snap-fastening, friction or a bayonet-type fastener. 
     The closure cap  3  can comprise a mounting skirt  7  that can be fixed to the neck  5  of the container in various ways, for example by screwing, as illustrated. 
     The closure cap  3  can be produced in one piece by molding thermoplastic material. 
     The container  2  can have a transparent wall that allows the user to see the color of the product for example. 
     The container  2  delimits two compartments:
         an internal compartment  12  for housing the applicator  4 , and   an external compartment  11  for housing the product.       

     The cosmetic product may have been cast and/or compacted in the compartment  12 . 
     The leaktightness of the closure of each compartment is ensured by a sealing lip:
         the annular lip  53  ensures the leaktightness between the external compartment  11  and the outside of the device  1 ,   the annular lip  54  ensures the leaktightness between the compartments  11  and  12 .       

     The annular lip  53  surrounds the mounting skirt  7  and defines an annular groove  126  therewith. 
     The compartment  12  is delimited inside the container  2  by a cylindrical wall  65  of axis X that is closed at its lower end by the bottom wall  66  of the container. 
     In the closed position of the cap  3 :
         the applicator  4  comes into contact with the annular lip  54  and the cylindrical wall  65 ,   the neck  5  of the container  2  comes into contact with the annular lip  53  and the external wall  67  of the container  2 .   In order to use the device  1 , the user can separate the closure cap  3  from the container  2 , and then separate the applicator  4  from the compartment  12 . They can use the applicator  4  to pick up the product from the compartment  11  and apply it to the skin or the lips. They can then insert the applicator into the compartment  12  and close the device  1  again by replacing the closure cap  3  on the container  2 .       

     The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments that have just been described. 
     Provision can be made in particular of nonconcentric compartments or compartments that have other shapes in cross section. 
     Other applicators can be provided. The mirror can be fixed to the cap. 
     The expression “comprising a” is synonymous with “comprising at least one”.