Cosmetic product packaging and / or application device with anti-fingerprint effect and associated process

Abstract

Cosmetic product packaging and / or application device with anti-fingerprint effect and associated method. The present invention relates to a cosmetic product packaging and / or application device (10), comprising: - at least one cosmetic article (12) intended to come into contact with at least one cosmetic product, the cosmetic article (12) having an outer surface (14); and - a coating (16) covering at least partially the outer surface (14) of the cosmetic article (12); characterized in that the coating (16) comprises at least one outer layer (18) of polymeric composition, intended to come into contact with fingers, having a surface energy greater than 40 mN / m, preferably greater than 45 mN / m, and even more preferably greater than 50 mN / m. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for packaging and / or applying cosmetic products with an anti-fingerprint effect and associated method

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for conditioning and / or applying cosmetic products, comprising: - at least one cosmetic article intended to come into contact with at least one cosmetic product, the cosmetic article having an external surface; and - a coating covering at least partially the external surface of the cosmetic article;

[0002] The cosmetic product is, for example, a hair product, a hygiene product, a face and / or body care product, a makeup product, or a sun protection product.

[0003] More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

[0004] For packaging and / or dispensing cosmetic products, it is known to create new packaging and / or application devices with an attractive design, while offering satisfactory handling and ease of use. Therefore, the surface of a cosmetic article intended to be grasped by a user is frequently provided with a solid, smooth, and glossy substrate.

[0005] However, when such a device is grasped by a user's hand, it is observed that fatty substances from the fingers are deposited and adhere to the surface of the device, and form fingerprint patterns, in other words, fingerprints.

[0006] This phenomenon is further accentuated for a surface that has a low affinity for fingerprint grease, because the grease on the surface tends to form droplets and therefore exhibits an uneven distribution on the surface of the cosmetic article. This makes fingerprints even more visible to the naked eye.

[0007] Thus, during use, the surface of the device gradually becomes soiled by successive deposits of fingerprints. The appearance and accumulation of these fingerprints on the surface of the device detract from its aesthetic appearance, complicates its maintenance, and in some cases, discourages users from continuing to use it.

[0008] In this context, it is known to implement a functional coating for a smooth and solid surface in order to reduce, or even eliminate, the appearance of fingerprints. This functional coating generally includes hydrophilic materials, which allow easy wetting of the surface in the presence of water, and consequently carry dust and oily granules away from the surface.

[0009] As an alternative to increasing the hydrophilicity of the surface, a second approach consists of developing functional coatings with photocatalytic properties. For example, a layer of titanium dioxide capable of initiating radical reactions is deposited on the surface; this layer then causes the oxidation of the organic compounds that form fingerprints under the effect of suitable light radiation.

[0010] A functional hydrophilic coating exhibiting photocatalytic properties is described in particular by application WO 200387005 Al. In this document, the self-cleaning coating consists of a hydrophilic layer and a photocatalytic layer, intended to be applied to a transparent surface based on glass, polymer, or glass-ceramic.

[0011] Such a method of protection against fingerprints is not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, the self-cleaning effect described in this document requires at least one external phenomenon, namely the appearance of moisture or light irradiation, to remove grease from the surface. Moreover, light irradiation requires a source of ultraviolet radiation, which is not common in the environment where cosmetic products are used. Consequently, a self-cleaning coating does not allow for the instant removal of fingerprints.

[0012] Furthermore, two different layers must be applied to the substrate surface, resulting in a complex process and a significant coating thickness. This increases the cost, particularly for a cosmetic device.

[0013] Other types of methods are also described in WO 2010147738, WO 2010129624, WO 202391372, WO 2015179739 and US 2017106390.

[0014] An object of the invention is therefore to propose a cosmetic packaging and / or application device having a coating comprising a layer of polymeric composition, which provides very effective protection against fingerprints on the surface of the device, without requiring an external intervention such as wiping, the appearance of water or the presence of light.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to propose an anti-fingerprint polymer composition which exhibits less toxicity for humans and for the environment.

[0016] To this end, the invention is therefore to propose a cosmetic packaging and / or application device, intended to be grasped by the fingers, of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the coating comprises at least one outer layer of polymeric composition, intended to come into contact with the fingers, having a surface energy greater than 40 mN / m, preferably greater than 45 mN / m, even more preferably greater than 50 mN / m.

[0017] Such a device implements a coating comprising an outer layer of polymeric composition with a highly effective effect against fingerprints. The polymeric composition forms a layer with a surface energy greater than 40 mN / m², a value higher than that of the grease in fingerprints. This higher surface energy promotes the spontaneous wetting of grease onto the outer layer of polymeric composition. Consequently, when fingerprint grease comes into contact with this layer, instead of forming droplets, it spreads homogeneously across the surface and forms a thin, flat, and transparent layer, making it much less visible compared to droplets that would form with a lower surface energy.

[0018] According to one variant, the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device according to the invention comprises the following feature: - the outer layer of polymeric composition has a refractive index between 1.4 and 1.5, preferably between 1.43 and 1.47.

[0019] Being in the same range as the refractive index of fingerprints, the outer polymeric layer eliminates the difference between the light reflected by the coating of the cosmetic device and by fingerprints. As a result, fingerprints on the surface of the device are even less visible.

[0020] According to one variant, the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device according to the invention comprises the following characteristics: - the outer layer of polymeric composition is free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). - the outer layer of polymeric composition comprises polymers selected from silicones, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyolefins, polyamides, epoxies and their mixtures.

[0021] Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) appear to be best avoided to reduce environmental impact. Furthermore, the fluorine atom has a high electronegativity, which reduces surface energy and consequently prevents the spreading of fingerprint grease droplets on the surface.

[0022] The outer polymeric layer of the device according to the invention is based on a polymer free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The materials used in the outer polymeric layer thus make it possible to obtain an outer layer with a lower environmental impact and greater hydrophilicity. This layer, as well as the device according to the invention, therefore addresses environmental concerns while being more effective at concealing fingerprints.

[0023] According to one variant, the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device according to the invention comprises the following feature: - the outer layer of polymeric composition has a thickness between 2 pm and 25 pm

[0024] An outer layer of thin polymeric composition, with a thickness strictly less than 25 pm, does not limit or only slightly limit the visual effect generated by the substrate of the device, while ensuring an appropriate reduction in the visibility of fingerprints.

[0025] According to one variant, the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device according to the invention comprises the following feature: - the outer surface of the cosmetic article is formed of a polymeric, metallic, glass-based material or mixtures thereof.

[0026] The materials mentioned above give the cosmetic article a glossy, clean, smooth, and robust appearance. However, fingerprints are also more apparent on these types of surfaces. Therefore, the outer layer used in combination with these materials is particularly useful for preventing the appearance of fingerprints, while maintaining a highly satisfactory surface appearance.

[0027] According to one variant, the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device according to the invention comprises the following features: - the coating further comprises a bonding layer disposed between the outer surface of the cosmetic article and the outer layer of polymeric composition. - the bonding layer has a surface tension in the liquid state lower than the surface energy of the outer surface of the cosmetic article and a surface energy in the solid state higher than the surface tension of the outer layer of polymeric composition. - the bonding layer comprises polymers selected from silicones, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyolefins, polyamides, epoxies and their mixtures.

[0028] If the surface tension of the outer layer of polymeric composition is greater than the surface energy of the cosmetic article, the outer layer of polymeric composition may in some cases not spread completely on the surface of the cosmetic article.

[0029] Thus, the use of the bonding layer, which, before its crosslinking and / or drying, has a surface tension greater than the surface energy of the cosmetic article's surface, first allows the creation of an intermediate layer that homogeneously covers the surface of the cosmetic article. Then, after the crosslinking and / or drying of the bonding layer, the surface energy of the bonding layer is greater than the surface tension of the outer polymeric layer, this which facilitates the application of the outer layer of polymeric composition to the surface of the cosmetic item, thereby improving the appearance and anti-fingerprint effect.

[0030] According to one variant, the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device according to the invention comprises the following feature: - a cosmetic article is a container intended to hold at least one cosmetic product and / or a cosmetic product applicator.

[0031] According to one variant, the invention relates to the use of a cosmetic product packaging and / or application device to be grasped with a user's fingers with an anti-fingerprint effect.

[0032] According to one variant, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a device for packaging and / or applying a cosmetic product, comprising the following steps: - the step of supplying a cosmetic article intended to come into contact with at least one cosmetic product, the article having an external surface; - the step of preparing a fluid material intended to be applied to the outer surface to form a polymeric composition; - the step of applying the fluid material to the outer surface of the cosmetic article by deposition, spraying or immersion; and - the solidification stage of the fluid material to form an outer layer of polymeric composition.

[0033] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0034] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation illustrating on the left a substrate of a cosmetic article, on which the fingerprint oils take the form of a droplet; and on the right the same substrate covered by a bonding layer on which is deposited an external layer of polymeric composition on the outside, on which the fingerprint oils form a thin and flat layer;

[0035] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic comparison between the pattern of the traces of fingers on a hydrophilic surface of a device according to the invention and on a hydrophobic surface;

[0036] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic comparison between the pattern of the traces of fingers on a layer with a refractive index of 1.45, in a device according to the invention and on a layer with a refractive index of 1.5;

[0037] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] presents experimental results obtained by a measurement of the Angular distribution function between 0° and 180° of bidirectional reflectance for a cosmetic article with an external surface not covered by a coating, a first graph above illustrating the behavior of light reflected in the absence of fingerprints, a second graph below illustrating the behavior of reflected light in the presence of fingerprints;

[0038] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] presents experimental results similar to those of [Fig.4], for a cosmetic article having an outer surface covered by a coating comprising an outer layer of polymeric composition in a device according to the invention.

[0039] With reference to [Fig. 1], a first cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 comprises at least one cosmetic article 12 intended to come into contact with at least one cosmetic product for conditioning and / or applying it.

[0040] The cosmetic product is, for example, a hair product, a hygiene product, a face and / or body care product, a makeup product, or a sun protection product.

[0041] Cosmetic article 12 is, for example, a container defining an internal volume intended to hold at least one cosmetic product, in particular a bottle or jar, possibly including a removable cap or a cosmetic product dispenser. Alternatively, cosmetic article 12 is a cosmetic product applicator, such as a brush.

[0042] The cosmetic article 12 includes an outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12 intended to be grasped by the fingers of a user, either to open the container or to move it and place it near a body surface onto which the cosmetic product is to be applied. Alternatively, the outer surface 14 is that of a handle intended to be grasped by the fingers of a user to manipulate an application head and bring it first into contact with cosmetic product, to load it with cosmetic product, and then into contact with a body surface to apply the loaded cosmetic product.

[0043] Preferably, the outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12 is an appearance surface of the cosmetic article 12, intended to offer a satisfactory external appearance for the user.

[0044] The outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12 is formed of a polymeric material, a metallic material, a glass or glass-based material or a mixture of these materials.

[0045] The term "outer surface" refers to the surface furthest from the innermost point of the cosmetic article 12. In the case of a container, it is generally opposite a surface delimiting the volume for receiving the cosmetic product.

[0046] For the purposes of this invention, "polymer or polymeric" means a compound corresponding to the repetition of one or more motifs (these motifs being derived from compounds called monomers). This motif or these motifs are repeated at least twice and preferably at least 3 times.

[0047] The polymeric material may be, for example, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), their copolymers or mixtures thereof.

[0048] The metallic material may be, for example, a metal, a metal oxide, an alloy, comprising at least one metallic material selected from aluminium, iron, copper, zinc, titanium, gold, silver, and nickel, their mixtures or their alloys.

[0049] According to the invention, the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 further comprises a coating 16 covering at least partially the outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12. The coating 16 is configured to limit or prevent the appearance of fingerprints when the cosmetic article 12 is grasped by the user's fingers.

[0050] The coating 16 includes at least one outer layer 18 of polymeric composition intended to come into contact with the user's fingers and on which grease droplets may be deposited.

[0051] The term "outer layer" refers to the layer furthest from the innermost point of the cosmetic article 12.

[0052] The outer layer 18 of polymeric composition has a hydrophilic outer surface 20.

[0053] A hydrophilic outer surface 20 is defined as the surface of the material exhibiting a good affinity for water molecules. The hydrophilic character of the outer surface 20 is advantageously characterized by a measurement of its surface energy.

[0054] According to the invention, the outer surface 20 is hydrophilic when the surface energy is greater than or equal to 40 mN / m.

[0055] Thus, the outer surface 20 of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition has a surface energy greater than 40 mN / m, preferably greater than 45 mN / m, even more preferably greater than 50 mN / m.

[0056] The surface energy of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition can be determined by the contact angle, using the OWRK (Owen Wenft Rabel Kable) method

[0057] The contact angle can be measured by goniometry following the protocol described below:

[0058] A sample consisting of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition according to the invention having a flat surface is placed on a horizontal and stable surface.

[0059] A liquid chosen from water and diiodomethane is introduced into a syringe. The syringe containing the liquid is placed above the sample.

[0060] A 1 pL drop of the liquid is formed at the tip of the syringe containing the liquid by pushing the syringe. Then, the 1 pL drop of liquid is deposited onto the surface of the sample by bringing the tip of the syringe towards the surface of the sample until the drop adheres to the surface of the sample.

[0061] An image of the 1 pL droplet of liquid deposited on the surface of the sample is then taken, in particular at the point of contact, i.e. the interface between the liquid, the air and the surface of the sample. The contact angle is measured from the image.

[0062] Optionally, the outer surface 20 is hydrophilic when the angle of contact of water on the surface of the material is less than 90°.

[0063] Thus, the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition has a contact angle in the presence of water of less than 90°, preferably less than 80°, even more preferably less than 70°.

[0064] The contact angle in the presence of water can be measured by the protocol described above.

[0065] The outer layer 18 of polymeric composition may include polymers selected from silicones, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyolefins, polyamides, epoxies, their possible copolymers and mixtures thereof.

[0066] The term "silicone" means all organosilicon polymers or oligomers with a linear or cyclic, branched or cross-linked structure, of variable molecular weight, obtained by polymerization and / or polycondensation of suitably functionalized silanes, and consisting essentially of a repetition of principal motifs in which silicon atoms are linked together by oxygen atoms, having the following structure:

[0067] in which:

[0068] n is an integer between 1 and 100,

[0069] RI and R2, whether identical or different, represent a group chosen from: - hydrogen; - halogen atoms chosen from fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br) and iodine (I); - the nitric group (-NO2) - hydrocarbon groups, linear, branched or cyclic, in the C1 to C40 range, saturated or unsaturated, which may contain in their chain one or more atoms of oxygen, sulfur and / or nitrogen, and which may be partially or totally substituted by halogen atoms; and - aryl groups in C6 to Cæ, possibly substituted by one or more alkyl groups in C1 to C4.

[0070] Examples of silicone include polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS), polydiphenylsiloxane, polymethylphenylsiloxane (PMPS), polydimethylco-diphenylsiloxane, and polyethylenepropylsiloxane.

[0071] The term "polyurethane" means all polymers or oligomers whose main chain repeating motifs contain the urethane (RiO-(C=O)-NHR2) or, more commonly, carbamate function, with a linear or cyclic, branched or cross-linked structure, of variable molecular weight, obtained by polymerization and / or polycondensation between isocyanates and suitably functionalized alcohols, and having the following formula:

[0072] in which n, RI and R2 are defined previously.

[0073] Examples of polyurethane include poly(hexamethylene diisocyanate-co-polycarbonate), poly(isophorone diisocyanate-co-polyester), poly(xylylene diisocyanate-co-polyacrylate), poly(toluene diisocyanate-co-polyether), and poly(methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-co-polyether).

[0074] The term "polyacrylate" means all acrylate polymers or oligomers, with linear or cyclic, branched or cross-linked structure, of variable molecular weight, obtained by polymerization and / or polycondensation of suitably functionalized acrylates, and having the following formula:

[0075] in which n and RI are defined previously.

[0076] Examples of polyacrylate include poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(butyl acrylate), poly(ethyl acrylate), and poly(vinyl acrylate).

[0077] The term "polyester" means all polymers or oligomers whose main chain repeating motifs contain the ester function (Ri-O-(C=O)-R2), with a linear or cyclic, branched or cross-linked structure, of variable molecular weight, obtained by polymerization and / or polycondensation between suitably functionalized carboxylic acids and alcohols, and having the following formula:

[0078] in which n, RI and R2 are defined previously.

[0079] Examples of polyester include poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), poly(glycol terephthalate) (PETG) and poly(ethylene adipate).

[0080] The term "polyolefin" means all polymers or oligomers of alkenes, with linear or cyclic, branched or cross-linked structure, of variable molecular weight, obtained by polymerization and / or polycondensation of suitably functionalized alkenes, and having the following formula:

[0081] in which n and RI are defined previously.

[0082] Examples of polyolefins include low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP).

[0083] The term "polyamide" means all polymers or oligomers whose main chain repeating motifs contain the amide(Ri-NH-(C=O)-R2) function, with a linear or cyclic, branched or cross-linked structure, of variable molecular weight, obtained by polymerization and / or polycondensation between suitably functionalized carboxylic acids and amines, and have the following formula:

[0084] in which n, RI and R2 are defined previously.

[0085] Examples of polyamide include polyamide 6 (PA 6), polyamide 66 (PA 66), polyamide 11 (PA 11), and polyamide-imide (PAI).

[0086] The term "epoxy" refers to all polymers or oligomers functionalized with epoxy. By way of example, suitable epoxy-functionalized compounds for use include monoepoxides, diepoxides, and polyepoxides (compounds containing three or more epoxy groups per molecule). Alicyclic polyglycidyl compounds and cycloaliphatic polyepoxides are two classes of suitable epoxy-functionalized compounds. Such compounds contain two or more epoxide groups per molecule and may have a cycloaliphatic cyclic structure that includes epoxide groups as side groups (pending to the cycloaliphatic ring) or may have a structure in which the epoxide groups are part of an alicyclic cyclic structure.

[0087] Alternatively, the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition is free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

[0088] The term “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)” means organic compounds formed from fluorine, carbon, and hydrogen, as defined in the European Chemicals Agency’s PFAS Restriction Proposal Publication dated 7 February 2023. Examples of PFAS include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).

[0089] The outer layer 18 of polymeric composition has a thickness of less than 25 pm and advantageously between 2 pm and 25 pm, preferably between 15 and 20 pm.

[0090] The thickness of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition is considered to be the minimum distance between an outer surface 20 of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition opposite the inner surface of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition facing the outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12.

[0091] Advantageously, the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition has a refractive index greater than 1.4, in particular between 1.4 and 1.5, preferably between 1.43 and 1.47.

[0092] The refractive index of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition can be determined according to Snell's second law:

[0093] M^sinz = «2sinr

[0094] in which:

[0095] n , represents the refractive index of air, which is equal to 1;

[0096] n 2 represents the refractive index of the outer layer 18 of composition polymeric;

[0097] i represents the angle of incidence defined as the angle formed by the incident ray and the normal, which represents the line perpendicular to the plane of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition;

[0098] r represents the angle of refraction defined as the angle formed by the refracted ray and the normal.

[0099] Thus, by measuring the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction of the light, the refractive index of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition n2 can be calculated as:

[0100] „-^2. 2 sinr

[0101] Preferably, the refractive index is measured according to Standard NF EN ISO 489.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the refractive index of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition is adjusted by using polymers with a higher chain length.

[0103] Thus, to have a refractive index between 1.4 and 1.5, the average molecular mass of the polymer is greater than 100 g / mol and is in particular between 100 and 100,000 g / mol, measured by size exclusion chromatography.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the refractive index of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition is increased by adding additives, for example, inorganic nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide or silica nanoparticles, having an average size between 200 nm and 240 nm in diameter.

[0105] Particle size is measured for example with a scanning electron microscope.

[0106] Advantageously, in the example shown in [Fig.1], the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 further includes a bonding layer 22 disposed between the outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12 and the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition.

[0107] The bonding layer 22, in the liquid state at the time of the layer deposition, has a surface tension lower than the surface energy of the outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12. This surface tension is for example less than 1000 mN / m and is between 1000 mN / m and 10 mN / m, as measured by the method described above.

[0108] The bonding layer 22 also has a surface energy, in the solid state after drying and / or crosslinking, greater than the surface tension of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition.

[0109] The bonding layer 22 is, for example, made in the form of a composition comprising at least one polymer selected from silicones, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyolefins, polyamides, epoxies, their possible copolymers and their mixtures.

[0110] The bonding layer 22 generally has a thickness of less than 20 pm, between 10 pm and 20 pm.

[0111] The thickness of the bonding layer 22 is considered to be the minimum distance between an outer surface of the bonding layer 22 opposite the outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12 and an inner surface of the bonding layer 22 facing the outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12.

[0112] To manufacture a device 10 for conditioning and / or applying cosmetic product according to the invention, a cosmetic article 12 intended to come into contact with at least one cosmetic product is first provided.

[0113] Then, a fluid material intended to be applied to the outer surface 14 to form a polymeric composition is prepared and is applied to the outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12 by deposition, spraying or immersion.

[0114] The fluid material is then solidified to form an outer layer 18 of polymeric composition.

[0115] A method of using the device 10 will now be described.

[0116] The user initially has a cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 as described above.

[0117] The cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 is grasped by the user's fingers, and the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition covering the outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12 comes into contact with the user's fingers.

[0118] Droplets of grease from the user's fingers are transferred onto the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition.

[0119] Since the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition has a surface energy greater than 40 mN / m, which is therefore hydrophilic, the grease droplets spread out on the outer surface 20 of the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition, forming a thin and homogeneous layer and not visible fingerprints.

[0120] Moreover, the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition advantageously has a refractive index between 1.4 and 1.5.

[0121] For this purpose, the behavior of the light reflected by the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition not contaminated by fingerprints is similar to that of the light reflected by the outer layer 18 of polymeric composition covered by fingerprints.

[0122] Finally, fingerprints are no longer visible to the user. The cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 retains a shiny and clean appearance after use.

[0123] The cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 is thus capable of instantly masking fingerprints during and after its use.

[0124] A characterization of the anti-fingerprint properties of an example of a cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 according to the invention is illustrated by figures 2 to 5.

[0125] The cosmetic product packaging and / or application device 10 is, for example, a jar having a container and a lid which are intended to be grasped by the fingers of a user.

[0126] The outer surface 14 of the lid and the pot is for example made of metallic, polymeric, glass or mixtures thereof which gives it a uniform glossy appearance with a dark colouring, in the absence of being grasped by the fingers of a user.

[0127] The lid and the pot of the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 are covered with a coating 16 with a surface energy of 45 mN / m and a refractive index of 1.45.

[0128] The cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 according to the invention is compared to a prior art device, without a coating.

[0129] The cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 according to the invention and the prior art device are provided to a user who opens the lid with his fingers.

[0130] The external appearance of the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 according to the invention and of the prior art device are then examined.

[0131] The part of the device coming into contact with the user's fingers is observed under a confocal optical microscope (keyence VHX 7000) in reflection by ring illumination with a magnification of 20 times.

[0132] As illustrated by the first image on the left of [Fig. 2], it can be seen that fingerprints are barely visible on the cosmetic product packaging and / or application device 10 according to the invention, thanks to the hydrophilicity of the outer surface 20, characterized by a water contact angle of 88°. In contrast, the second image on the right of [Fig. 2] illustrates that fingerprints form noticeable patterns on the outer surface of the device in the state of the technique, which is not hydrophilic, characterized by a water contact angle of 110°.

[0133] Furthermore, as illustrated by the first image on the left of [Fig. 3], it can be seen that fingerprints are barely visible on the cosmetic product packaging and / or application device 10 according to the invention, the hydrophilic outer surface 20 of which also has a refractive index of 1.45, corresponding to that of fingerprints. In contrast, the second image on the right of [Fig. 3] illustrates that, since the refractive index of the outer surface is 1.5 and therefore higher than that of fingerprints, fingerprints are consequently visible on the prior art device.

[0134] Thus, the results presented in Figures 2 and 3 demonstrate that the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 according to the invention, equipped with a coating 16 with a surface energy of 36.8 mN / m and a refractive index of 1.45, has better performance in reducing the appearance of fingerprints compared to the prior art device without a coating.

[0135] This surface energy was determined using the OWRK (Owen Wenft Rabel Kable) model, with the water contact angle being 88° and the diiodomethene contact angle being 49°.

[0136] The behavior of the light reflected by the outer surface of a cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 according to the invention is also examined by measuring the angular distribution function between 0° and 180°, of the bidirectional reflectance.

[0137] Samples made of the same material as the device 10 according to the invention are prepared. The samples are covered with a coating 16 with a surface energy of 36.8 mN / m and a refractive index of 1.45.

[0138] The thickness of the coating 16 is between 20 pm and 40 pm and it is applied by spraying.

[0139] During the measurement, a sample is placed at the center of the measuring instrument. A laser beam illuminates the outer surface of the sample along the direction normal to the outer surface of the sample. A sensor measures the distribution of the intensity of the reflected light by scanning from 0° to 180° in the plane normal to the outer surface of the sample.

[0140] The measuring chamber is plunged into darkness. The laser sources used have wavelengths of 450 nm, 520 nm and 635 nm.

[0141] After the measurement, the sample is touched by a user's fingers to obtain a sample covered by fingerprints. This fingerprint-covered sample is measured under the same conditions as before to evaluate the change in the behavior of the reflected light.

[0142] Samples of the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 according to the invention are also compared to samples of the device 10 without coating 16.

[0143] The measurement results are presented in Figures 4 and 5, in which the concentric circles represent the intensity of the reflected light, from the inside to the outside, the intensity of the light increasing from le-8 to 100. The numbers outside the circles represent the angles of reflection.

[0144] As illustrated by the first graph above [Fig.4], when the device 10 is devoid of coating 16, the incident light is completely reflected by the outer surface 14 of the cosmetic article 12, a narrow and strong reflection peak being observed in the opposite direction to the direction of incidence, resulting in a glossy appearance.

[0145] The second graph below [Fig.4] illustrates that when the sample of the device 10 without coating 16 is covered by fingerprints, the reflection peak becomes flat.

[0146] Thus, by comparing the two graphs in [Fig. 4], it is observed that the presence of fingerprints on the outer surface of the uncoated device 10 16 can significantly affect the behavior of the reflected light. As a result, the fingerprints become visible on the outer surface of the uncoated device 10 16.

[0147] As illustrated by [Fig.5], the first graph above illustrates the behavior of light reflected by a sample of the cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 according to the invention, and the second graph below illustrates the behavior of light reflected by the same sample in the presence of fingerprints.

[0148] It is therefore observed that the light is reflected by the sample which is not covered by fingerprints in a similar manner to that reflected by the sample covered by fingerprints, which indicates that the appearance of the device 10 according to the invention is not affected by fingerprints.

[0149] Finally, the results of Figures 4 and 5 demonstrate that a cosmetic product conditioning and / or application device 10 according to the invention is capable of preventing the appearance of fingerprints, while maintaining a very satisfactory surface appearance.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (10) for packaging and / or applying cosmetic products, comprising: - at least one cosmetic article (12) intended to come into contact with at least one cosmetic product, the cosmetic article (12) having an outer surface (14); and - a coating (16) covering at least partially the outer surface (14) of the cosmetic article (12); characterized in that the coating (16) comprises at least one outer layer (18) of polymeric composition, intended to come into contact with fingers, having a surface energy greater than 40 mN / m, preferably greater than 45 mN / m, even more preferably greater than 50 mN / m.

2. Device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the outer layer (18) of polymeric composition has a refractive index between 1.4 and 1.5, preferably between 1.43 and 1.

47.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer layer (18) of polymeric composition is free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

4. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer layer (18) of polymeric composition comprises polymers selected from silicones, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyolefins, polyamides, epoxies and mixtures thereof.

5. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer layer (18) of polymeric composition has a thickness between 2 pm and 25 pm.

6. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface (14) of the cosmetic article (12) is formed of a polymeric, metallic, glass-based material or mixtures thereof.

7. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating (16) further comprises a bonding layer (22) disposed between the outer surface (14) of the cosmetic article (12) and the outer layer (18) of polymeric composition.

8. Device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the bonding layer (22) has a surface tension in the liquid state lower than the surface energy of the outer surface (14) of the cosmetic article (12) and a surface energy in the solid state higher than the surface tension of the outer layer (18) of polymeric composition.

9. Device (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the bonding layer (22) comprises polymers selected from silicones, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyesters, polyolefins, polyamides, epoxies and mixtures thereof.

10. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cosmetic article (12) is a container for holding at least one cosmetic product and / or a cosmetic product applicator.

11. Use of a device (10) for packaging and / or applying cosmetic product, according to any one of the preceding claims, to be grasped with the fingers of a user with an anti-fingerprint effect.

12. A method for manufacturing a device (10) for packaging and / or applying a cosmetic product, comprising: - supplying a cosmetic article (12) intended to come into contact with at least one cosmetic product, the article having an outer surface (14); - preparing a fluid material intended to be applied to the outer surface (14) to form a polymeric composition; - applying the fluid material to the outer surface (14) of the cosmetic article (12) by deposition, spraying or immersion; and - solidifying the fluid material to form an outer layer (18) of polymeric composition.

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