The present invention relates to applicators for the application of a product. The invention can be particularly advantageous as an applicator for a cosmetic or dermatological product.
The application of a cosmetic or dermatological formulation for topical use is sometimes accomplished directly with the finger. However, in applying the product in this manner, one is confronted with the problem of hygiene and contamination of the product.
For this reason, a variety of cosmetic or medical applicators have been proposed. These generally include an applicator element on which is fixed a solid support allowing the applicator to be grasped. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,371,132, 6,435,195, 4,053,242, 5,615,440 and 6,009,887 describe such applicators. In some instances, the applicator element may be pre-impregnated with the product to be applied, as is the case with the applicator described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,956. U.S. application ser. No. 2001/036384 describes a system enabling a sponge type support to be impregnated extemporaneously with a liquid. The system includes a reservoir for the liquid at one end of which the sponge is attached. When pressure is applied to the reservoir, the inside of the reservoir is placed in communication with the sponge. To apply the product, the device must be grasped with one hand.
However, these devices can be cumbersome and do not allow a very precise quantity of product to be applied to a precisely delineated application zone. In addition, these devices limit the effectiveness of a massaging effect such as can be obtained with the finger.
A system that can be attached to the end of the finger has been proposed for use in dental hygiene. U.S. Pat. No. 2,763,885 describes such a system composed of an abrasive foam impregnated with toothpaste. U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,273 describes a similar system. However, the supports described are not suited to the application of a cosmetic or medical preparation.
Moreover, such systems pre-impregnated with product do not ensure the requisite stability of certain products.
One of the objects of the invention is therefore to provide an applicator which does not present the drawbacks of the prior art.
It is a particular object of the invention to provide an applicator having compact dimensions that will allow a precise quantity of product to be applied to a precisely defined application zone.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an applicator that promotes penetration of the product by massage.
Another object of the invention is also to provide an applicator that ensures the absence of external contamination of the product.
A further object of the invention is to provide such an applicator in ready to use form.
According to the invention, these objects can be achieved by an applicator for the application of a product, such as a cosmetic or dermatological product, including a reservoir of which a first side includes means intended to attach the applicator to a finger, with an applicator portion arranged on a second side of the reservoir opposite the first. The applicator portion preferably is isolated from the reservoir at least before first use of the applicator. In addition, means are provided at least during first use of the applicator to establish communication between the reservoir and the applicator portion in response to an operating action.
The product contained in the reservoir can be isolated from the applicator portion, and the applicator can therefore avoid contamination and soiling of the product contained in the reservoir before application. In addition, the applicator can optionally be used to apply two mutually incompatible products or product components, or products/product components that are unstable over time by extemporaneously mixing the products at the time of application. As a further alternative, products which produce an exothermic reaction when placed in contact can be used with one of the products being held in the reservoir and the other in the applicator portion.
The arrangement can also be advantageously used to apply products that are highly soluble in water which cannot be picked up directly with the fingers due to their sensitivity to moisture.
Also, this applicator can be used to apply relatively precise “finger” makeup without, however, touching the product.
The means of attachment can be composed of an adhesive layer formed by the first side of the reservoir, a ring or loop encircling the finger, a finger stall, or a “velcro” (hook and loop) type system.
The means to establish communication between the reservoir and the applicator portion can include a membrane capable of breaking in response to pressure exerted from the first side of the reservoir during the first use of the applicator.
Alternatively or additionally, the means to establish communication between the reservoir and the applicator portion can include an element capable of piercing the second side of the reservoir. This element can be formed, for example, by a spike integral with the first side of the reservoir.
In another embodiment, the means to establish communication between the reservoir and the applicator portion can include at least one valve capable of opening in response to an excess pressure generated inside the reservoir. The communication between the reservoir and the applicator portion can then be reversible if desired.
The first side of the reservoir can be configured so as to deform in response to external pressure thereby establishing communication between the reservoir and the applicator portion. In particular, this first side can be pushed inward towards the inside of the reservoir when pressed with a finger. Thus, the interior volume of the reservoir can be reduced and excess pressure generated inside the reservoir causing the membrane to rupture. When the first side of reservoir is depressed, this can also, for example, cause a spike to engage with the membrane so as to pierce it.
The applicator portion can be made of a porous or fibrous material, such as a thermoplastic foam material, sponge, felt, or natural fibers such as cotton.
The applicator portion can be made of a resiliently deformable material so as to obtain a relatively flexible application.
The applicator portion can include an application surface covered with a flock material, a non-woven or a woven material.
An adhesive layer can be provided, for example, with a hypoallergenic adhesive.
By way of example, when viewed in cross-section through the thickness, the applicator can have a convex shape, at least on that side of the face used to apply the product.
Also by way of example, when viewed in cross-section through the thickness, the applicator can have a concave shape on the first side of the reservoir or a side of the device that faces the finger. This shape facilitates the placement of a finger on that side.
Alternatively, when viewed in cross-section through the thickness, the applicator can have a flattened shape with a first side of the reservoir substantially parallel to the face used to apply the product.
In frontal view, the applicator can have a circular shape or a non-circular shape, for example a generally triangular, square, oval, a drop shape or an almond shape.
The first wall of the reservoir can be coated with adhesive and can be covered with a removable protective film before the first use.
The product contained in the reservoir can be in liquid, semi-liquid or paste form.
The applicator portion can optionally contain an additional or second product (or, in other words, a second product component) intended to be mixed with the product held in the reservoir, with the second product being, for example, preferably in the form of a liquid, semi-liquid, paste or in powder form.
The reservoir can define a volume which is substantially cylindrical, spherical or any other shape. The reservoir can be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, polyamide, thermoplastic elastomers (SEBS), polycarbonates or teflon.
The objects of the invention can also be achieved by providing a packaging and applicator device incorporating a closed recess containing at least one applicator such as those just described.
The packaging or container can be in the form of a sachet or a cell closed by a film.
The applicator device according to the invention is particularly useful for the application of a cosmetic or dermatological product, such as a disinfectant product, a sunscreen, a moisturizing product, an anti-wrinkle product, a nail varnish or nail product, a foundation, a lip product such as a lip color or gloss product, a makeup remover, a hair care product, a hair coloring product, a deodorant or antiperspirant product, or a perfume.
The invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in conjunction with the drawings in which:
The applicator 10 shown in
The applicator portion 20 can include, for example, a layer of a porous or fibrous material. By way of example, the applicator portion can include an elastically deformable material such as open or closed cell foam, felt or any other cellular structure, such as a natural or artificial sponge material, or fibrous structures such as cotton or textile materials, or a combination of these.
The applicator portion can also include or be composed of a film, which can have a relatively small thickness.
In a frontal view, the applicator portion 20 can have a circular shape. In addition, the applicator can have a substantially constant thickness e, giving it a flattened shape.
On one side, the applicator portion 20 defines an application surface 21 intended to be applied to an area to be treated and, on the opposite side, a surface 22 can be glued around its periphery to a membrane 41. Alternatively, the surface 22 can be heat-sealed to the membrane 41 around its periphery.
The membrane 41 forms a wall of the reservoir 30 holding the product on one side 32 of the reservoir. The membrane is leaktight with respect to the product so as to isolate the applicator portion from product held in the reservoir. The membrane 41 can be made, for example, of polyethylene or polypropylene, PVC, polyamide, thermoplastic elastomers (SEBS), polycarbonates, or polyurethane.
The reservoir 30 includes a sidewall 33 having a circular cross-section on the free edge of which the membrane 41 is glued or heat-sealed. The sidewall is made, for example, of plastic, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, polyamide, thermoplastic elastomers (SEBS), or polycarbonates. Preferably, a sufficient thickness is chosen so that this sidewall is relatively rigid.
On the side opposite the side 32 of the reservoir, the sidewall 33 of the reservoir in the illustrated embodiment is closed by a slightly concave wall 31. The wall 31 is relatively thin, being for example between 200 μm and 2000 μm, and preferably between 500 μm and 1000 μm, so that it can deform in response to pressure exerted by a finger.
On its surface opposite the inside of the reservoir, the wall 31 is coated with a layer of adhesive 310. The adhesive can be a permanent, water-resistant, hypoallergenic adhesive which adheres more strongly to the wall 31 than to the skin. The adhesive layer 310 can be in the form of a film-which can cover the entire surface of the wall 31. The adhesive layer can also be in the form of a pattern of points, a series of bands, or may extend only in the central region of the wall 31. The adhesive layer can also be covered, for example, by a mesh to reduce its bonding capacity.
The adhesive layer 310 can be covered, before first use, with a removable protective film 50 which can incorporate a tab 51 projecting beyond the sidewall 33 of the reservoir 30 to facilitate its removal. The protective film 50 can be made, for example, of silicone-treated paper or polyethylene film.
The reservoir 30 preferably contains a liquid, semi-liquid or paste form product P, in the form of a cosmetic or dermatological preparation.
The applicator portion 20 can also be pre-impregnated with a second product or product component, also in the form of a liquid, semi-liquid, paste, or in powder form. This notably facilitates the application of two mutually incompatible preparations or components, or preparations or components that are unstable over time with the products separate from each other for storage and then mixed for application.
To use the applicator 10, the user peels off the removable protective film 50 and places a finger on the face of the wall 31 coated with adhesive. The applicator 10 is thus attached to the first pad of the index finger, for example, as can be seen in
The applicator 10 can, for example, be used to apply anti-wrinkle preparations based on vitamin C or retinol to crowsfeet or to the area above the top lip. In a similar manner, it can be used for the application of anti-viral preparations to cold sores.
Again by way of example, the applicator can also be used to apply eyeshadow or lipstick or other lip products. It can also be used to apply perfume spots or nail polish remover, or to apply micro-peels to the face.
The applicator 10 can of course have a shape different from that just described, such as one adapted to suit the part of the body or face to which it is to be applied. The applicator 10 can, for example, have a domed application surface 21, for example, outwardly convex, as illustrated in
In the example illustrated in
When viewed from the front, the applicator 10 can have a shape other than circular, for example to enable a product to be applied more easily or more precisely to a given part of the face, for example the eyelids or lips.
In a variant not shown, the applicator portion 20 can include or can be formed by a thin film polymer. This film can, for example, contain a preparation to be applied which will be dissolved extemporaneously by an aqueous solution contained in the reservoir.
In accordance with the scope of the present invention, one applicator 10 can be placed on the ends of two fingers together, as illustrated in
The applicator 10 can be packaged, for example, in a sachet. Alternatively, the applicator 10 can be placed in a cell 60 made, for example, by thermo-forming a plate of thermoplastic material, as illustrated in
The cell can also delineate several recesses 61, each holding one or more applicators 10, as illustrated in
In another embodiment shown in
The means of attaching the applicator to one or more fingers can be different from a layer of adhesive such as that just described. By way of example,
In
Purely by way of illustration, particular examples of an applicator according to the invention will now be described in reference to particular applications.
The applicator 10 can be used to apply a skincare cream with a salicylic acid base. In this example, the applicator portion 20 is made of polyurethane foam. The surface 22 of the applicator portion is glued around its periphery, by means of an acrylic adhesive, to a polyethylene membrane 41. The sidewalls 33 and the wall 31 of the reservoir 30 are made of low density polyethylene. The reservoir 30 contains 0.2 ml of a skincare cream containing 1% salicylic acid. Finally, the wall 31 of the container is covered with a silicone adhesive.
The applicator 10 can be used to apply an exact dose of pure vitamin C. In this example, the applicator portion 20 is a sponge. The sponge is impregnated with pure vitamin C in powder form. The surface 22 of the applicator portion is glued around its periphery, by means of an acrylic adhesive, to a polyethylene membrane 41. The sidewalls 33 and the wall 31 of the reservoir 30 are made of polypropylene. The reservoir 30 in this example contains 0.2 ml of thermal water. Thermal water or water from a hot/warm natural spring is used by way of example in this embodiment. Such water is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,885, which is hereby incorporated by reference. See, e.g., '885 col. 3, lines 10-18. Finally, the wall 31 of the container is covered with a silicone adhesive. At the time of application, the thermal water soaks into the sponge and wets dissolves the vitamin C thereby enabling it to exert its action on the skin. Such an applicator preserves the integrity of the vitamin C, which is unstable in solution, in comparison with a dissolved form, such that the vitamin C does not deteriorate while the product is stored and remains active.
In the foregoing detailed description reference is made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is evident that variants thereto can be proposed without departing from the invention as claimed herebelow. Accordingly, it is to be understood that numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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03 04711 | Apr 2003 | FR | national |
This document claims priority to French Application Number 03 04711, filed Apr. 15, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/474,675, filed Jun. 2, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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