DEFORMABLE DISPOSABLE CAPSULE CONTAINING A COSMETIC PRODUCT

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of deformable single-use capsules comprising a cosmetic product, in particular a cosmetic product intended to be entered into a mixture of cosmetic products to give a ready-to-use cosmetic product for its user. CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

[0002] According to a prior art, for example presented in European patent EP 2038189, a system for manufacturing a personalized cosmetic product from pods containing different base products is known, these pods being opened, their contents mixed with water within a machine.

[0003] The opening of the pods is not calibrated for a fairly limited force, therefore is not completely controlled in the case of a reduced pressure force, and their subsequent flow is not channeled at the outlet of the pod, but this does not present a disadvantage in the context of patent EP 2038189 since their contents are dispersed into a mixing chamber in which water is also mixed with the cosmetic product from the pod.

[0004] According to a second prior art, for example described in US patent 4759472 or in patent application FR2673916 or in patent application WO2017 / 204257, a capsule comprising a pouch of cosmetic product closed by a frangible wall having a re-entrant angular sector whose opening causes the cosmetic product to exit the pouch and even the capsule, the cosmetic product then being directly ready for use and not entering into the manufacture of a mixture.

[0005] However, even if the opening of the capsule is more finely calibrated in the case of a reduced pressure force, once the frangible wall is broken, i.e. opened, the cosmetic product flows out of the capsule in an uncontrolled, or even completely uncontrolled, manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The aim of the present invention is to provide a deformable capsule that at least partially overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0007] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a deformable capsule that allows both, on the one hand, good control of the opening of the capsule when pressure is exerted on the deformable capsule beyond a given opening threshold, and on the other hand, good channeling of the flow of the contents of the deformable capsule out of this deformable capsule after its opening.

[0008] Indeed, the invention has highlighted a twofold problem encountered by single-use, frangible-walled deformable capsules. Firstly, when the capsule is opened, the opening is poorly controlled, resulting either in an uncontrolled tear causing the contents to burst out of the pouch in an uncontrolled direction and intensity, or in intermittent failure to tear, preventing the capsule from opening and the contents from flowing out. Secondly, once the contents have flowed out of the pouch, their path is also uncontrolled, resulting in spontaneous bursts of the contents from the capsule, which are then not channeled.

[0009] The invention aims to solve at least partially this dual problem. On the one hand, when opening the capsule, this opening will be better controlled, thanks to the presence of both a re-entrant sector, also called a re-entrant angular sector, of the frangible wall and the separation by peeling of the two sheets forming the frangible wall.On the other hand, once the contents have flowed out of the pouch, their path to the outside will be better controlled, thanks to the presence of both a guide channel forming a narrowing of the cross-section and a connector located at the end of the guide channel allowing the coupling of the capsule to another capsule in order to mix the contents of the two capsules together to make the final ready-to-use cosmetic product, the passage of the mixture between the two respective pouches of the two capsules via a channel of narrowed cross-section between the pouches, encompassing the two connectors, also achieving a better homogenization of this mixture, this passage being advantageously carried out once or several times, alternately in one direction and then the other, preferably inside a machine which alternately presses one and then the other of these two deformable capsules.

[0010] Thus, when two deformable capsules are joined together, the contents of one can flow into the other first, and then the mixture can pass from one capsule to the other for better homogenization, all while remaining within the pair of capsules, without leaving to enter a mixing chamber that would contaminate the mixing machine. This pair of connected capsules can be used in a machine for manufacturing a cosmetic product, as described, for example, in patent application FR1755749, incorporated herein by reference.

[0011] French patent application FR1755749 describes a system for manufacturing a personalized cosmetic product from pre-measured packaging units, also known as pods. The contents of the pre-measured packaging units are mixed automatically by a machine. The end consumer of the personalized cosmetic product simply inserts the pre-measured packaging units into the machine and retrieves the ready-to-use personalized cosmetic product. The mixing takes place inside the pair of interconnected capsules, without touching the rest of the mixing machine, thus preventing it from becoming soiled.

[0012] The particular internal structure of the single-use deformable capsule of patent application FR1755749 can be further improved so as to better control the opening of these deformable capsules, to allow them to open whenever opening is required and also to allow them not to open unintentionally during a shock or mishandling.

[0013] To this end, the present invention proposes a deformable single-use capsule comprising: a pouch containing a cosmetic product, the periphery of which is formed by two sheets plated and fixed to one another; a channel connecting the pouch to the outside of the capsule, forming a narrowing in cross-section relative to the pouch; a frangible wall separating the pouch from the channel, having the shape of an angular sector re-entrant within the otherwise convex shape of the pouch's periphery; the rupture of which, caused by pressure exerted on the pouch, is effected by peeling, at the level of this re-entrant angular sector, of these two sheets plated and fixed to one another, thus connecting the pouch with the channel so that the cosmetic product flows from the pouch into the channel; a male or female connector, intended to couple with a female or male connector of another capsule.sufficiently rigid to ensure a watertight connection between the capsules, once the connectors are coupled together, located at one end of the channel opposite one end of the channel on the pouch side, or located at a channel opening separate from the end of the channel on the pouch side, leading outside the capsule.

[0014] According to preferred embodiments, the invention comprises one or more of the following features which can be used separately or in partial combination with each other or in total combination with each other.

[0015] Preferably, the channel is a guide channel: forming a constriction, of constant or almost constant cross-section to within ±20%, preferably to within ±10%, over all or part of its length, relative to the pocket, this constriction of constant or almost constant cross-section having a length at least 3 times greater than its greatest width, preferably at least 7 times greater than its greatest width, the greatest width of this constriction of constant or almost constant cross-section being at least 4 times less than the greatest width of the pocket, preferably at least 8 times less than the greatest width of the pocket.

[0016] The shape and dimensions of the guide channel allow both better control of the flow of the mixture between the pockets of the capsules and better homogenization of this mixture during its channeling in the guide channel and its passage through this guide channel, this passage being advantageously carried out once or several times, in one direction and in the other.

[0017] Preferably, the periphery of the pocket is formed by two sheets welded together.

[0018] Thus, the presence of a weld between the two sheets allows the contents of the capsule pocket to remain well isolated from the external environment for longer and in a more secure manner, reducing or even preventing both leaks and accidental tears.

[0019] Preferably, the single-use deformable capsule also includes two welds: a first weld going around the pouch encompassing most of the channel, a second weld going around the pouch without encompassing most of the channel, the second weld being disposed, at least in part, preferably totally, inside the first weld, the second weld being more fragile than the first weld, the re-entrant angular sector being materialized only by the second weld and not by the first weld.

[0020] Thus, when the capsule is opened, when the frangible wall is opened, the direction of the flow of the contents of the bag towards the outside of the bag is, on the one hand, better controlled, on the other hand, directed towards the guide channel, to then flow towards the other capsule to which this capsule will have been connected.

[0021] Preferably, the second weld is more fragile than the first weld, the pressure threshold causing the opening of the second weld being between 20% and 50%, preferably between 30% and 40%, of the pressure threshold causing the rupture of the first weld.

[0022] Thus, when the capsule is opened, when the frangible wall is opened, the direction of the outflow of the pouch contents is, on the one hand, even better controlled, and on the other hand, better channeled towards the guide channel, before flowing towards the other capsule to which this one has been connected. In this way, it is easy to calibrate a pressure force that will almost always open the second seam without almost ever tearing the first seam.

[0023] Preferably, the rupture of the frangible wall occurs by peeling, at the level of this re-entrant angular sector, of these two sheets welded one on the other, this weld is carried out by melting only the two outermost layers of the two sheets.

[0024] Thus, peeling is easier, further reducing the risk of accidental tearing which could cause the contents of the pouch to burst out completely from the capsule without passing through the canal, resulting in a partial loss of these contents, and improving the sharpness and cleanliness of the opening of this frangible wall.

[0025] Specific weld structures between the faces of the pocket are particularly suitable. They are given below.

[0026] Preferably, the weld has: a welding temperature between 160°C and 200°C, advantageously between 170°C and 190°C, and / or a welding pressure between 2 bar and 6 bar, advantageously between 3 bar and 5 bar, and / or a welding time between 0.5 s and 3 s, advantageously between 1 s and 2 s. This refers to the second weaker or most fragile weld when there are two different welds.

[0027] Preferably, the shape of the capsule pocket, in its average plane perpendicular to the direction of its thickness, is circular.

[0028] Thus, this circular shape ensures a better concentration of the pressure exerted for the opening of the capsule, towards the re-entrant angular sector, thereby allowing a better controlled opening of the capsule, thanks to the balanced distribution of forces around the perimeter of a circular shape.

[0029] Preferably, the bag is flattened, one of its two faces being flat, the other of its two faces being convex at least in part and flexible so as to allow the expulsion of the contents of the bag by mechanical pressure on it.

[0030] Thus, the ease of use of the capsule is improved. On the one hand, the flat surface of the pouch allows for simple and even heating, preferably with a single heating element of simple structure and advantageously constant thickness, when two capsules are placed opposite each other. On the other hand, the curved and flexible surface of the pouch allows for easy and complete expulsion of the pouch's contents by simple mechanical pressure, preferably with two mechanical elements, for example, pistons, placed opposite each other, when two capsules are placed opposite each other. Each mechanical element is responsible for alternately applying pressure to one of the capsules to empty its contents into the other capsule, and vice versa.

[0031] Preferably, the domed shape also includes a recessed part into which the re-entrant angular sector projects.

[0032] Thus, when the capsule is opened, when the frangible wall is opened, the direction of the flow of the contents of the bag towards the outside of the bag is, on the one hand, better controlled, on the other hand, directed towards the guide channel, to then flow towards the other capsule to which this capsule will have been connected.

[0033] Specific pocket face structures are particularly well suited. They are given below.

[0034] Preferably, the curved face is a thermoformed film, preferably single-layer, even more preferably polyolefin, advantageously with a thickness between 100µm and 300µm, even more advantageously with a thickness between 150µm and 250µm.

[0035] The thickness of the curved face is, for example, 200µm.

[0036] Preferably, the flat face is a flat and flexible film, preferably multilayered, even more preferably formed by a PET / aluminium / PP stack, advantageously with a thickness between 50µm and 250µm, even more advantageously with a thickness between 100µm and 200µm.

[0037] The thickness of the flat face is, for example, 150µm.

[0038] The thickness of the flat face is preferably less than the thickness of the curved face.

[0039] Preferably, the pouch contains a predetermined quantity of only one of the two phases whose mixture forms a ready-to-use cosmetic product.

[0040] Thus, until the moment of use by mixing the two phases, each phase contained in one of the two capsules can remain completely isolated from the other phase contained in the other capsule, thus allowing the complete or almost complete elimination of preservatives in the composition of the phases, each of these phases being natural, that is to say without preservatives or almost without preservatives.

[0041] Specific pocket face structures are particularly well suited. They are given below.

[0042] Preferably, the re-entrant angular sector has a depth that is greater than half the width of that angular sector and less than the width of that angular sector.

[0043] Thus, a good compromise is achieved between, on the one hand, controlling the opening of the frangible wall and, on the other hand, a minimum threshold required for the opening of this frangible wall, reducing or even avoiding the risk of accidental opening of this frangible wall.

[0044] Preferably, in a first embodiment, for certain materials of sheets plated one on top of the other, more strongly fixed to one another, leading to an intrinsically somewhat stronger frangible weld, the width of the frangible wall of the re-entrant angular sector is constant over the entire length of the frangible wall of the re-entrant angular sector.

[0045] Thus, on the one hand the manufacture of the re-entrant angular sector is simplified and on the other hand the reproducibility of the properties of this re-entrant angular sector is better guaranteed, the other characteristics of the frangible wall, or where applicable the weld, of this re-entrant angular sector, thickness, width and depth, as well as shape, being sufficient to guarantee a start of opening of the frangible wall, or where applicable the weld, well localized at the most advanced part of the re-entrant angular sector, without needing an additional complexification consisting of refining the width of the frangible wall, or where applicable the weld, of the re-entrant angular sector at the level of its most advanced part in relation to its branches attaching it to the perimeter of the capsule.Then we obtain a clear and complete opening of the entire re-entrant angular sector, including when this opening is caused by the exercise of a calibrated force, coming for example from the pressure of a piston of a machine on the deformable capsule, whereas in the case of a variable width of the frangible wall of the re-entrant angular sector, this opening is likely to be only partial and to vary from one time to the next.

[0046] Preferably, in a second embodiment, for certain other materials of sheets plated one on top of the other, less strongly fixed to one another, leading to a frangible weld that is intrinsically a little less strong, the width of the frangible wall of the re-entrant angular sector is greater at the most advanced part of the re-entrant angular sector than at the branches of the re-entrant angular sector.

[0047] Thus, the reproducibility of the properties of this re-entrant angular sector is better guaranteed. The variable width of the frangible wall of the re-entrant angular sector, decreasing from the most advanced part towards the branches, helps to better ensure that the opening of the frangible wall, or, where applicable, of the weld, is precisely localized to the most advanced part of the re-entrant angular sector. Therefore, even in this case, a clean and complete opening of the entire re-entrant angular sector is obtained, including when this opening is caused by the application of a calibrated force, such as the pressure of a machine piston on the deformable capsule.

[0048] Preferably, the width of the frangible wall of the re-entrant angular sector is between 1mm and 2.5mm, preferably between 1.5mm and 2mm.

[0049] Preferably, the re-entrant angular sector has a pointed shape inwards, preferably a V shape, even more preferably a V shape whose angle at the point is an acute angle.

[0050] Thus, the opening pressure exerted on the deformable capsule is more localized at the tip of the re-entrant angular sector, if this tip is narrower.

[0051] Preferably, the frangible wall is dimensioned in terms of its thickness, width, length, and shape, to open when the pressure exerted on the pocket corresponds to a force between 10N and 45N, preferably between 15N and 40N (N=Newton).

[0052] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] There figure 1 schematically represents a top view of an example of a deformable capsule with a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention. figure 2 schematically represents a perspective view of an example of a deformable capsule with a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 1 . There figure 3 schematically represents a side view, along a first direction A, of an example of a deformable capsule with a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 1 . There figure 4 schematically represents a side view, along a second direction C, of ​​an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown in the figure 1 . There figure 5schematically represents a top view of an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention. figure 6 schematically represents a perspective view of an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 5 . There figure 7 schematically represents a side view, along a first direction A, of an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 5 . There figure 8 schematically represents a side view, along a second direction C, of ​​an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown in the figure 5 . There figure 9 This precisely represents a bottom view of an example of a deformable capsule with a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 10represents precisely a side view, along a first direction D, of an example of a deformable capsule with a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 9 . There figure 11 This precisely represents a bottom view of an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention. figure 12 schematically represents a side view, along a first direction A, of an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 11 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] There figure 1 schematically represents a top view of an example of a deformable capsule with a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0055] There figure 2schematically represents a perspective view of an example of a deformable capsule with a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 1 .

[0056] There figure 3 schematically represents a side view, along a first direction A, of an example of a deformable capsule with a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 1 .

[0057] There figure 4 schematically represents a side view, along a second direction C, of ​​an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown in the figure 1 .

[0058] A deformable capsule 1 comprises a pocket 11 extended by a channel 20 itself extended by a female connector 14 extending orthogonally to the average plane 10 of the capsule 1 which is substantially overall planar.

[0059] Capsule 1 is formed by the superposition of two sheets 2 and 3, one on top of the other, attached to each other, preferably welded together along weld zones. These two sheets 2 and 3 enclose the base 18 of a female connector 14, or more precisely, of a female connector tip 14, intended to receive the insertion of a male connector 44 from another capsule 4 shown in Figure 1. figures 5 to 8 Sheet 2 is a thermoformed shell while sheet 3 is a flat film which covers the thermoformed shell in a plane 10 to close it.

[0060] Capsule 1 comprises a pouch 11 filled with a cosmetic product intended to be mixed with another cosmetic product from another pouch 41 of another capsule 4 shown in figures 5 to 8The mixture of these two cosmetic products, once homogenized, yields the final cosmetic product ready for use by the user, for example, a face cream. One of the cosmetic products to be mixed is the base, for example, an oil phase, while the other cosmetic product is an active complex, for example, an aqueous phase. Here, capsule 1 contains the base and has a larger capacity than capsule 4, which contains the active complex. The volume of pouch 11, for example, is approximately 1 ml and can expand through elastic deformation up to 1.2 ml, or even slightly more.

[0061] Channel 20 comprises three parts: two parts extending from the pouch 11 to the female connector 14, consisting first of the inner part 21 and then the central part 22, which opens on one side into the inlet of the female connector 14 and on the other into the third part; and the outer part 23, which opens directly outside the capsule 1. This is the outlet to which the homogenized mixture is expelled. During the back-and-forth movement of the mixture between capsules 1 and 4, the outlet of the outer part 23 remains blocked; it will only open once the mixture is fully homogenized.During the homogenization of the mixture, when pressure is exerted on the pouch 11 of capsule 1, its contents empty to go first into the internal part 21 of the channel 20, then into the central part 22 of this channel 20 before entering the female connector 14 destined for the male connector 44 of the other capsule 4, the outlet of the external part 23 of the channel 20 remaining blocked, either by an obstruction or by a pinch of an element of the machine into which the pair of capsules 1 and 4 have been introduced.After the mixture has been homogenized, when pressure is simultaneously exerted on the pouch 11 of capsule 1 and on the pouch 41 of capsule 4, once the outlet of the external part 23 of the channel 20 has been unblocked, either by opening its obturator or by releasing its pinch, the contents of the pouch 11 empty themselves to go first into the internal part 21 of the channel 20, then into the central part 22 of this channel 20 before entering the female connector 14 destined for the male connector 44 of the other capsule 4.

[0062] The entire pocket 11 and channel 20 is surrounded by an external weld 12 which first goes around the periphery 16 of the pocket 11 almost entirely, then encompasses the channel 20 as well as the base 18 of the female connector 14.

[0063] The pocket 11 is also surrounded by an internal weld 15 that completely encircles the periphery 16 of the pocket 11, first following the external weld 12, then closing this periphery 16 with a re-entrant angular sector 13, which enters the interior of this convex and practically circular periphery 16 of the pocket 11, this re-entrant angular sector 13 having a re-entrant V-shape and being separated from the external weld 12. This internal weld 15 does not encompass the channel 20 at all. This re-entrant angular sector 13 is opposite a concavity 17 of the pocket 11 allowing it to enter more deeply inwards and towards the center of the pocket 11.

[0064] The re-entrant angular sector 13 thus exhibits a concavity in the periphery 16 of the otherwise convex pocket 11. The re-entrant angular sector 13 has a V-shaped form, but could also have a rounded apex tending more towards a U-shape. The re-entrant angular sector 13 has an acute angle aa at its apex, a depth p between the apex and the line connecting the ends of its branches, and a width 1 from one branch end to the other. The depth p is advantageously between half and the full width 1.

[0065] When pressure is applied to the central part of pocket 11, for example using a piston of a machine whose stroke is orthogonal to the plane of the figure 1 and vertically upwards in the plane of the figure 3, a force is exerted mainly on the tip of the V of the re-entrant angular sector 13, the two sheets 2 and 3 then move apart at the level of this tip of V and continue to move apart along the branches of the V until they reach the ends of these branches of the V arriving at the level of the outer weld 12.

[0066] Only the re-entrant angular sector 13 of the inner weld 15 forms the frangible wall, the rupture of which releases the contents of the pocket 11, which then flows into the channel 20 towards the female connector 14. The advantageously constant width lpf of the inner weld 15 along the re-entrant angular sector 13 allows for a cleaner and more decisive opening of this frangible wall 13, in fact, of this frangible weld 13. The rupture of this frangible wall 13, of this frangible weld 13, occurs smoothly, by peeling of the sheets 2 and 3, which were only welded by their outermost layers facing each other. These two sheets 2 and 3 thus separate from each other without tearing or opening outwards from the capsule 1. Peeling is the way in which two sheets attached only by their outermost layers detach from each other. by moving away from each other, without tearing apart and without opening outwards.The cosmetic product, pressing against the frangible wall 13, separates the two leaves from each other by peeling, and progresses in the channel 20 while remaining confined in the capsule 1, before arriving in the capsule 4.

[0067] There figure 5 schematically represents a top view of an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0068] There figure 6 schematically represents a perspective view of an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 5 .

[0069] There figure 7 schematically represents a side view, along a first direction A, of an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 5 .

[0070] There figure 8schematically represents a side view, along a second direction C, of ​​an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown in the figure 5 .

[0071] A deformable capsule 4 comprises a pocket 41 extended by a channel 50 itself extended by a male connector 44 extending orthogonally to the average plane 40 of the capsule 4 which is substantially overall planar.

[0072] Capsule 4 is formed by the superposition of two sheets 5 and 6, one on top of the other, attached to each other, preferably welded together along weld zones. These two sheets 5 and 6 enclose the base 48 of a male connector 44, or more precisely, of a male connector tip 44, intended to fit into a female connector 14 of another capsule 1 shown in Figure 1. figures 1 to 4Sheet 5 is a thermoformed shell while sheet 6 is a flat film which covers the thermoformed shell in a plane 40 to close it.

[0073] Capsule 4 comprises a pouch 41 filled with a cosmetic product intended to be mixed with another cosmetic product from another pouch 11 of another capsule 1 shown in figures 1 to 4The mixture of these two cosmetic products, once homogenized, yields the final cosmetic product ready for use by the user, for example, a face cream. This homogenization occurs by passing the mixture of the two cosmetic products, initially contained in pockets 11 and 41 of capsules 1 and 4 respectively, through channels 20 and 50 and female connectors 14 and 44, one or more times. The assembly formed by channels 20 and 50 and female connectors 14 and 44 creates a narrower cross-section compared to the cross-sections of pockets 11 and 41, shearing the mixture and significantly contributing to its homogenization, both more effectively and more rapidly. One of the cosmetic products to be mixed is the base, for example, an oil phase, while the other is a complex of active ingredients, for example, an aqueous phase.Here, capsule 4 contains the active complex and has a smaller capacity than capsule 1, which contains the base. The volume of pocket 41, for example, is approximately 0.5 ml and can expand through elastic deformation to 0.7 ml, or even slightly more.

[0074] The channel 50 comprises two parts going from the pocket 41 to the male connector 44, which are first the internal part 51 then the central part 52 opening through an opening at the inlet of the male connector 44. During the back and forth between capsules 1 and 4 of this mixture, the outlet of the external part 23 of the channel 20 of the other capsule 1 remains blocked, it will only be opened at the end of homogenization of the mixture.During the homogenization of the mixture, when pressure is exerted on the pouch 41 of the capsule 4, its contents empty to go first into the internal part 51 of the channel 50, then into the central part 52 of this channel 50 before entering through an opening of the central part 52 into the male connector 44 destined for the female connector 14 of the other capsule 1, the outlet of the external part 23 of the channel 20 of the capsule 1 remaining blocked, either by an obstruction or by a pinch of an element of the machine into which the pair of capsules 1 and 4 have been introduced.After the mixture has been homogenized, when pressure is simultaneously applied to the pouch 11 of capsule 1 and to the pouch 41 of capsule 4, once the outlet of the external part 23 of the channel 20 of capsule 1 has been unblocked, either by opening its obturator or by releasing its pinch, the contents of the pouch 41 empty first into the internal part 51 of the channel 50, then into the central part 52 of this channel 50 before entering the male connector 44 destined for the female connector 14 of the other capsule 1.

[0075] The entire pocket 41 and channel 50 is surrounded by an external weld 42 which first goes around the periphery 46 of the pocket 41 almost entirely, then encompasses the channel 50 as well as the base 48 of the male connector 44.

[0076] The pocket 41 is also surrounded by an internal weld 45 that completely encircles the periphery 46 of the pocket 41, first following the external weld 42, then closing this periphery 46 with a re-entrant angular sector 43, which enters the interior of this convex and practically circular periphery 46 of the pocket 41. This re-entrant angular sector 43 has a re-entrant V-shape and is separated from the external weld 42. This internal weld 45 does not encompass the channel 50 at all. This re-entrant angular sector 43 is opposite a concavity 47 of the pocket 41, allowing it to enter more deeply inwards and towards the center of the pocket 41.

[0077] The re-entrant angular sector 43 thus exhibits a concavity in the periphery 46 of the otherwise convex pocket 41. The re-entrant angular sector 43 has a V-shaped form, but could also have a rounded apex tending more towards a U-shape. The re-entrant angular sector 43 has an acute angle aa at its apex, a depth p between the apex and the line connecting the ends of its branches, and a width 1 from one branch end to the other. The depth p is advantageously between half and the full width 1.

[0078] When pressure is applied to the central part of the pocket 41, for example using a piston of a machine whose stroke is orthogonal to the plane of the figure 5 and vertically upwards in the plane of the figure 7, a force is exerted mainly on the tip of the V of the re-entrant angular sector 43, the two sheets 5 and 6 then move apart at the level of this tip of V and continue to move apart along the branches of the V until they reach the ends of these branches of the V arriving at the level of the external weld 42.

[0079] Only the re-entrant angular sector 43 of the inner weld 45 forms the frangible wall, the rupture of which releases the contents of the pocket 41, which then flows into the channel 50 towards the male connector 44. The advantageously constant width lpf of the inner weld 45 along the re-entrant angular sector 43 allows for a cleaner and more decisive opening of this frangible wall 43, in fact, of this frangible weld 43. The rupture of this frangible wall 43, of this frangible weld 43, occurs smoothly, by peeling of the sheets 5 and 6, which were only welded by their outermost layers facing each other. These two sheets 5 and 6 thus separate from each other without tearing or opening outwards from the capsule 4. The cosmetic product, pressing against the frangible wall 43, separates the two sheets from each other by peeling, and progresses in channel 50 while remaining confined in capsule 4, before going into capsule 1.

[0080] The various dimensional values, widths, lengths, heights, diameters shown on the plans of figures 9, 10 , 11 and 12 These allow us to create a detailed example of the structure of capsules 1 and 4. All these values ​​are given in mm. figures 9 to 12 are all to scale and on the same scale relative to each other.

[0081] The mixing machine provides for the connection of two doses, each consisting of two flexible, deformable capsules 1 and 4, each containing a liquid cosmetic product and equipped with male connectors 44 and female connectors 14, advantageously made of plastic. The two capsules 1 and 4 are connected to each other to then alternately receive the mixture of the two liquid cosmetic products from one to the other until a homogeneous mixture is formed, for example, an emulsion. In fact, the two capsules 1 and 4, thus connected, form an intrinsically sealed mixer, before the external part 23 of the channel 20 is opened to the outside to expel the final cosmetic product, ready for use by the user.

[0082] Capsules 1 and 4 are placed in a mechanical mixer, and the mixing of the initial contents of their respective pouches 11 and 41 will be done by means of two mobile pistons operated alternately and therefore pressing alternately on each of the capsules 1 and 4, which forces the transfer of the mixture from one pouch 11 of capsule 1 to the other pouch 41 of capsule 4, and vice versa.

[0083] The flexible and deformable nature of capsules 1 and 4 easily allows one of these capsules (1 and 4) to be flattened to a near-zero volume by the pistons, and the other capsule (1 and 4) to be inflated by releasing the opposite piston, thus absorbing the entire volume of both capsules (1 and 4) into the capsule opposite the one that is flattened. This alternating action between capsules 1 and 4 is performed cyclically.

[0084] The liquids of the cosmetic products contained in the pockets 11 and 41 of the capsules 1 and 4 will advantageously be heated to a temperature of about 85°C, the films 2 and 3 as well as the films 5 and 6 are also chosen to be able to withstand this rise in temperature and the pressure put under the pistons of the mixing machine, without degrading during the time of homogenization, these capsules 1 and 4 being for single use.

[0085] All dimensions on the figures 9 to 12 are indicated in mm (mm = millimeter).

[0086] There figure 9 represents precisely a bottom view of an example of a deformable capsule with a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0087] The structure of the thermoformed shell of pocket 11 is made in a stepped and concentric manner. The inner part 21 of the channel 20 penetrates well into the V formed by the re-entrant angular sector 13. The re-entrant angular sector 13 penetrates into the concavity 17 of pocket 11. The channel 20 maintains a constant width and cross-section along its three parts, successively along its inner part 21, its central part 22, and its outer part 23.

[0088] These re-entrant angular sectors 13 and 43 of weak weld, whether in the shape of V or arc of a circle, allow both better control of opening of weak weld 15 and 45 and a lowering of the opening threshold of these weak welds 15 and 45, which is particularly interesting in the case of a limited pressure force of small pistons in the machine making the mixing between the contents of the pockets 11 and 41 of the capsules 1 and 4.

[0089] In these re-entrant angular sectors 13 and 43, the support zone of the liquid of the pockets 11 and 41, when these pockets undergo vertical pressure, is closer to the center of force exerted by this vertical pressure, which has in particular the following two advantages, namely on the one hand that the threshold necessary to "break" the weak weld 15 or 45 is lower and on the other hand a better control of the opening of the weak weld 15 or 45 because the force of the pressure is exerted there first.

[0090] The fine control of the opening of the weak weld 15 or 45 at the level of its re-entrant angular sector 13 or 43, is achieved by the variation of the parameters of this re-entrant angular sector 13 or 43, which are in particular the re-entrant depth p and the length of the perimeter of the re-entrant angular sector 13 or 43, refining the gap between minimum and maximum force to open the weak weld 15 or 45 at the level of this re-entrant sector 13 or 43, the thickness of the weld which refines the offset, that is to say the average value around which the previous gap is positioned, this weld thickness corresponding to the outermost layers of sheets 2 and 3 (or 5 and 6) welded together, this thickness being between 5 and 15µm, advantageously on the order of 10µm, as well as the shape of the re-entrant angular sector 13 or 43 which is less important than the previous dimensions.

[0091] The internal weld or weak weld 15 or 45 has a weak weld perimeter limited to the circumference of the pocket 11 or 41 instead of going around the entire capsule 1 or 4. Thus, this weak weld 15 or 45 having a reduced perimeter on the one hand and a simpler shape (circular and not in 8), the opening of this weak weld 15 or 45 can be better controlled, because the pressure force is exerted on a more limited area which distributes the force better.

[0092] There Figure 10 represents precisely a side view, along a first direction D, of an example of a deformable capsule with a female connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 9 The two volumes indicated, respectively 1.2ml and 1 ml, correspond to the capacity of the deformable capsule, respectively to the maximum capacity and the useful filling volume of the deformable capsule (ml = millilitre).

[0093] The axis of the female connector 14 is orthogonal to the average plane 10 of the capsule 1. The female connector 14 is completely hollow, so a cosmetic product can pass completely through it.

[0094] The opening of the weak weld 15 or 45 by peeling two films 2 and 3 (or 5 and 6) placed one on top of the other and fixed one on top of the other by melting only their outer layers which are very thin, instead of a pre-cut tearing classically in two, allows the opening of the frangible weld 15 or 45 to be on the one hand well controlled, thanks to the separation of the films 2 and 3 (or 5 and 6) previously joined, and on the other hand very clean, so as to avoid accidental tears or small particles, which is all the more interesting as the number of multiple back and forth movements between capsules 1 and 4 of the mixture to be homogenized increases.

[0095] The extension of channel 20 or 50 towards pocket 11 or 41 so that the end of the internal part 21 or 51 of channel 20 or 50 "enters" the re-entrant angular sector 13 or 43 of the weak weld 15 or 45, instead of stopping well before, results in a reduction of the buffer zone, located between pocket 11 or 41 and channel 20 or 50, thus allowing a better fluidity of passage between pockets 11 and 41 through the complete channel (integrating channels 20 and 50 as well as connectors 14 and 44), and in particular to pass almost directly from pocket 11 or 41 to channel 20 or 50, therefore practically without "dead zone" where otherwise the mixture could stagnate a little, which, in fact, as a consequence, further improves the quality of the emulsion of the cosmetic mixture which had to be homogenized.

[0096] The doubling of the re-entrant angular sector 13 or 43, in the shape of V, by the concavity 17 or 47 of the pocket 11 or 41, instead of having pockets 11 and 41 perfectly circular, allows the shape of this pocket 11 or 41 to follow at a short distance the contour of the re-entrant angular sector 13 or 43 of the weak weld 15 or 45, thus further improving the effect of "peelability" (peelability = being more or less peelable) when opening this frangible wall 13 or 43.

[0097] There figure 11 represents precisely a bottom view of an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0098] The structure of the thermoformed shell of the pocket 41 is made in a stepped fashion. The inner part 51 of the channel 50 penetrates well into the V formed by the re-entrant angular sector 43. The re-entrant angular sector 43 penetrates into the concavity 47 of the pocket 41. The channel 50 maintains a constant width and cross-section along both parts, successively along its inner part 51 and its central part 52.

[0099] Capsule 4 behaves similarly to capsule 1.

[0100] There figure 12 schematically represents a side view, along a first direction A, of an example of a deformable capsule with a male connector according to an embodiment of the invention already shown on the figure 11The two volumes indicated, respectively 0.7ml and 0.5ml, correspond to the capacity of the deformable capsule, respectively to the maximum capacity and the useful filling volume of the deformable capsule.

[0101] The axis of the male connector 44 is orthogonal to the mean plane 40 of the capsule 4. The male connector 44 is completely hollow, allowing a cosmetic product to pass completely through it. When the male connector 44 has fully penetrated the female connector 14, the mixture of cosmetic products initially contained in the pockets 11 and 41 of the capsules 1 and 4, now coupled together, will be able to circulate between the pockets 11 and 41, passing each time through the hollow interior of the male connector 44, which is itself located within the hollow interior of the female connector 14.

[0102] Capsule 4 behaves similarly to capsule 1.

[0103] The mixer operates using two capsules, 1 and 4, connected by a self-contained mechanism that actuates pistons on them. This mechanism first opens the frangible seals 13 and 43 to release their contents, initially present in pouches 11 and 41. Next, it pushes these contents towards the other capsule. Finally, it mixes the contents of one capsule (1 and 4) with the other, and vice versa, alternating between the two. The opening force of the frangible seals 13 and 43 is controlled to ensure precise and repeatable opening with reliability. Additionally, these frangible seals 13 and 43 are designed to withstand a minimum safety pressure before use in the mixer. They are also sealed to protect their contents from contamination or accidental opening.Indeed, this can happen due to unexpected pressure during handling during capsule manufacturing, transport, or placement in the mixer.

[0104] The shape and dimension parameters of capsules 1 and 4 proposed in connection with the figures 1 to 8 , and in the example shown to figures 9 to 12 in particular, allow control of the minimum and maximum opening pressures within a relatively narrow range and with a reliable repeatability rate during the production of each of these capsules 1 and 4 on the one hand and while ensuring the compatibility of this range with the capacity of a consumer-type mixing machine, therefore relatively light, so as to be able to open these frangible welds 13 and 43 by the simple actuation of its pistons from the first movements of the latter.

[0105] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples and embodiment described and represented, but is susceptible to many variations accessible to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A single-use deformable capsule comprising: ➢ a pocket (11, 41): ∘ containing a cosmetic product, ∘ whose periphery (16, 46) is formed by two sheets (2 and 3, 5 and 6) pressed against and attached to one another, ➢ a channel (20, 50): ∘ connecting the pocket (11, 41) to the outside of the capsule (1, 4), ∘ forming a cross-sectional narrowing with respect to the pocket (1, 4), ➢ a frangible wall (13, 43): ∘ separating the pocket (11, 41) from the channel (20, 50), ∘ having the shape of a angular sector (13, 43) going inside of the otherwise convex shape of the periphery (16, 46) of the pocket (11, 41), ∘ whose rupture, ▪ caused by pressure exerted on the pocket (11, 41), ▪ is carried out by peeling, at this ingoing angular sector (13, 43), these two sheets (2 and 3, 5 and 6) pressed against and attached to one another, ▪ communicates the pocket (11, 41) with the channel (20, 50) in such a way that the cosmetic product flows from the pocket (11, 41) to the channel (20, 50), ➢ a connector (14, 44): ∘ male (44) or female (14), for mating with a connector, either female (14) or male (44), of another capsule (1,4), ∘ sufficiently rigid to ensure tight connection between the capsules (1, 4), once the connectors (14, 44) are mated together, ∘ located at an end (52) of the channel (50) opposite to an end (51) of the channel (50) located on the side of the pocket (41) or located at an opening (22) of the channel (20) distinct from the end (21) of the channel (20) located on the side of the pocket (11), ∘ opening to the outside of the capsule (1).

2. The single-use deformable capsule according to claim 1, characterised in that: ➢ the channel (20, 50) is a guide channel: ∘ forming a narrowing, of constant or almost constant cross-section to within 20%, preferably to within 10%, over all or part of its length, with respect to the pocket (11, 41), ∘ this constant or almost constant cross-sectional narrowing having a length at least 3 times greater than its largest width, preferably at least 7 times greater than its largest width, ∘ the largest width of this constant or almost constant cross-sectional narrowing being at least 4 times less than the largest width of the pocket (11, 41), preferably at least 8 times less than the largest width of the pocket (11, 41).

3. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the periphery (16, 46) of the pocket (11, 41) is formed by two sheets (2 and 3, 5 and 6) welded to one another.

4. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises: ➢ two welds (12 and 15, 42 and 45): ∘ a first weld (12, 42) going around the pocket (11, 41) by encompassing the majority of the channel (20, 50), ∘ a second weld (15, 45) going around the pocket (11, 41) without encompassing the majority of the channel (20, 50), ∘ the second weld (15, 45) being disposed, at least partially, preferably entirely, inside the first weld (12, 42), ∘ the second weld (15, 45) being more fragile than the first weld (12, 42), ▪ the pressure threshold causing opening of the second weld (15, 45) being preferably between 20% and 50%, and even more preferably between 30% and 40%, of the pressure threshold causing rupture of the first weld (12, 42), ∘ the ingoing angular sector (13, 43) being realised only by the second weld (15, 45) and not by the first weld (12, 42).

5. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of claims 3 to 4, characterised in that rupture of the frangible wall (13, 43) is carried out by peeling, at this ingoing angular section, these two sheets (2 and 3, 5 and 6) that are welded to each other, with this weld (15, 45) being carried out by fusing only the two outermost layers of the two sheets (2 and 3, 5 and 6).

6. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that: ➢ the weld (15, 45) has: ∘ a welding temperature between 160°C and 200°C, advantageously between 170°C and 190°C, ∘ and / or a welding pressure between 2 bar and 6 bar, advantageously between 3 bar and 5 bar, ∘ and / or a weld time between 0.5 s and 3 s, advantageously between 1 s and 2 s.

7. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shape of the pocket (11, 41) of the capsule (1, 4), in its midplane (10) perpendicular to its thickness direction, is circular.

8. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that: ➢ the pocket (11, 41) is flattened, ∘ one (3, 6) of its two faces being planar, ∘ the other (2, 5) of its two faces being at least partially bulging and flexible so as to allow the contents of the pocket (11, 41) to be expelled by mechanically pressing it.

9. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bulging shape (2, 5) also comprises an ingoing portion (17, 47) inside which the ingoing angular sector (13, 43) advances.

10. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of claims 8 to 9, characterised in that: ➢ the bulging face (2, 5) is a thermoformed, preferably single-layer, film even more preferably made of polyolefin, advantageously with a thickness ranging from 100µm to 300µm, and even more advantageously with a thickness ranging from 150 µm to 250 µm; ➢ and / or in that the planar face (3, 6) is a flat and flexible, preferably multilayered, film even more preferably formed by a stack of PET / aluminium / PP, advantageously with a thickness of between 50µm and 250µm, and even more advantageously with a thickness of between 100µm and 200µm.

11. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pocket (11, 41) contains a predetermined amount of only one of the two phases, the mixture of which constitutes a ready-to-use cosmetic product.

12. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ingoing angular sector (13, 43) has a depth (p) that is greater than half the width (1) of this angular sector (13, 43) and less than the width (1) of this angular sector (13, 43).

13. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that: ➢ either the width (1pf) of the frangible wall of the ingoing angular sector (13, 43) is constant along the entire length of the frangible wall of the ingoing angular sector (13, 43), ➢ or the width (1pf) of the frangible wall of the ingoing angular sector (13, 43) is greater at the most advanced part of the ingoing angular sector (13, 43) than at the branches of the ingoing angular sector (13, 43).

14. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the width (1pf) of the frangible wall of the ingoing angular sector (13, 43) is between 1 mm and 2.5 mm, preferably between 1.5 mm and 2 mm.

15. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ingoing angular sector (13, 43) has an inward tip shape, preferably a V-shape, and even more preferably a V-shape whose angle (aa) at the tip is an acute angle.

16. The single-use deformable capsule according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the frangible wall (13, 43) is dimensioned as regards its thickness, width, length and shape to open when the pressure exerted on the pocket (11, 41) corresponds to a force between 10 N and 45 N, preferably between 15 N and 40 N.