Device Comprising a Mesh Portion and a Sealing Member

Abstract

A device (1) for packaging a product (P), in particular a cosmetic product, comprising: a cup member (2) defining a reservoir (3) for the product (P); an elastically deformable mesh portion (6) through which the product (P) is dispensed; a support part (10) on which the mesh portion (6) is mounted and which includes an inner ring (31); a tensioning member (16) configured to stretch the mesh portion (6), wherein a sealing member (52) is trapped between the mesh portion (6) and the inner ring (31).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for packaging a product, in particular a cosmetic or care product, such as a make-up product.

[0002] The present invention more specifically, but not exclusively, relates to a device that includes a container that contains the product to be applied and a flexible, porous membrane through which the product contained within the container can exit for dispensing. [Background technology]

[0003] Many such devices are well known and come in a variety of shapes and configurations.

[0004] For example, US Pat. Nos. 5,299,443, 5,343,621 and 5,497,892 relate to devices having a product container with a porous membrane through which the product can be removed.

[0005] However, there is a relatively high risk of the porous membrane being damaged due to leakage during transport or overflowing of the device.

[0006] Easy-open lids are used to close the opening of a container that has a sealing member so that the contents of the container can be accessed by a consumer by relatively easily removing the sealing member. The sealing member is generally relatively weak and is removed from its container support by grasping a tab that is connected to or integral with the sealing member. Lifting the tap and applying a relatively small force will result in the sealing member being removed from the container support.

[0007] For example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,233,633, 5,291,522 and 5,363,663 disclose such easy-open lids in which the sealing member is attached to the container, which attachment can be achieved by gluing or heat treatment, depending on the particular structure of the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 155301 Brochure [Patent Document 2] French Patent No. 3027200 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09289918 [Patent Document 4] European Patent No. 2366634 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent No. 5115956 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10286116 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] There is a need for further improvements in packaging devices that include flexible, porous membranes through which products can be dispensed.

[0010] There is a need to further improve such packaging devices by reducing the risk of leakage of the composition without complicating the manufacturing process of the device.

[0011] There is a need to further improve such packaging devices to prevent splashing of the composition during shipping, without adding any parts or recesses within the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a device for packaging products, in particular cosmetic products, comprising: - a cup member defining a product reservoir; - an elastically deformable mesh part through which the product is dispensed; - a support part, the mesh portion being mounted on the support part at a peripheral fastening area, the support part being fixed relative to the cup member during dispensing of the product and including an inner ring; - a tensioning member configured to stretch the mesh portion by pressing the mesh portion at at least one location radially inward of the peripheral fixation region; wherein the sealing member is trapped between the mesh portion and the inner ring.

[0013] The structure of the device according to the invention allows the sealing member to be safely sandwiched between the mesh portion and the inner ring of the support portion, thereby quickly preventing leakage of cosmetic from the device and avoiding complex structures for holding the mesh portion.

[0014] The cosmetic composition remains within the cup even during transportation of the device.

[0015] Preferably, a tamper evident sheet is placed over the sealing member as evidence of first use.

[0016] More preferably, the sealing member includes a tear-open tab, making opening easier for the user.

[0017] Even more preferably, the sealing member includes an aluminum layer, which reduces the manufacturing cost.

[0018] Even more preferably, the sealing member includes a pre-cut line, making opening easier.

[0019] The mesh portion attached to the support part is not a driven portion.

[0020] It should also be noted that the mesh portion and support piece are attached to one another prior to assembly of the device.

[0021] Advantageously, the support part is fixed by other than a snap fastening of the support part to the cup member.

[0022] The expression "other than by snap fastening" means that the support part is fixed to the cup member by friction, bonding, welding or by at least one axial locking element.

[0023] In such a case, corresponding recesses for snap fastening do not have to be provided in the support part and the cup member. The tension of the mesh part can be adjusted more easily with less risk of under- or over-stretching the mesh part. Manufacturing tolerances can be larger.

[0024] Furthermore, this increases the possibility of providing seals at the joints of the various elements, if required.

[0025] The support part is preferably fixed at at least one position of the support part that does not contact the mesh part, whereby the absence of contact between the support part and the mesh part at said at least one fixing position allows for good fixing of the support part.

[0026] During assembly of the device, the support part may be inserted on the cup member until it abuts against the surface of the cup member or until it reaches a desired position, depending on the embodiment. The insertion of the support part may generate a frictional force that fixes the support part in the cup member. The mesh part may or may not be pressed between the support part and the cup member, depending on the embodiment. If the mesh part is pressed, this may help to fix the support part in the cup member. The support part may be inserted into the cup member until it abuts against the upper edge of the skirt of the cup member. The support part may include one or more ribs that contribute to the generation of a frictional force against the cup member. The one or more ribs preferably abut against the cylindrical surface of the cup member. Advantageously, there is no engagement of the ribs with the corresponding grooves of the cup member.

[0027] The present invention allows for adjustment of the tension or stretch of the mesh portion during assembly of the device.

[0028] The support part is advantageously made of a hard polymeric material, for example a hard thermoplastic material.

[0029] The lack of snap fastening of the support part within the cup part allows for harder materials to be used to make the support part and the cup part, since the support part or the cup part do not need to deform significantly when the support part is inserted into the cup part. The lack of snap fastening may also make it easier to mold the support part and the cup part, since there is no need to make snap fastening grooves.

[0030] The mesh part is advantageously sufficiently elastically deformable so that it can contact the bottom of the reservoir when the product in the reservoir is exhausted. After the device is assembled, the mesh part is not stretched to its elastic limit. The device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a good recovery rate of the product. The recovery rate may be, for example, more than 80%, more desirably more than 85%.

[0031] The tensioning member is configured to stretch the mesh portion when the device is assembled. This tensioning of the mesh portion remains during use of the device. Prior to physical contact between the mesh portion and the tensioning member, there is no tensioning of the mesh portion by the tensioning member. The mesh portion attached to the support piece may be flat prior to contacting the tensioning member. The support piece does not include a tensioning member.

[0032] The tension member may be part of the inner peripheral skirt. In such a case, the tension member is, for example, at least partially constituted by the upper end of the inner peripheral skirt. In one variation, the tension member is constituted by the lower end of the inner peripheral skirt, depending on the orientation of the skirt (upwards or downwards).

[0033] In certain embodiments, the inner perimeter skirt has a constant height. In one variation, the inner perimeter skirt has a varying height.

[0034] The support component may be secured at at least one location on the support component radially outward of the peripheral fastening region.

[0035] The support part may be secured by contact with the outer peripheral skirt, for example by friction, bonding or welding to such outer peripheral skirt.

[0036] Where the device includes an inner peripheral skirt and an outer peripheral skirt, the support component may be at least partially sandwiched between the inner and outer peripheral skirts. In such cases, the support component may be secured by friction, bonding or welding.

[0037] The inner and outer peripheral skirts, if present, are concentrically arranged.

[0038] The support piece may be prevented from moving axially by at least one axial locking element. The at least one axial locking element may axially cover the support piece to prevent the support piece from moving axially.

[0039] The cup member may include an elongate member.

[0040] The device may include a cover portion that cooperates with the cup member. In such a case, the cover portion may include an elongate member.

[0041] If the device includes an outer peripheral skirt, the outer peripheral skirt may be part of the cup member or part of the cover portion (if present).

[0042] In certain embodiments, the device does not have a cover portion.

[0043] The support component may include a circumferential rib, and contact between the circumferential rib and another portion of the device contributes to securing the support component.

[0044] The mesh part is advantageously welded to the support part in the peripheral fastening region, for example by ultrasonic welding or high frequency welding.

[0045] The support part comprises, for example, a ring, and the peripheral fastening area is preferably at the lower end of the ring. Otherwise, the peripheral fastening area may be at the upper end of the ring. The support part advantageously comprises a single skirt ring. This means that the support part does not have two or more concentric skirts.

[0046] In one embodiment, the support part comprises an outer edge which extends radially outward from the remainder of the support part, in particular from the upper end of the ring, and which preferably rests on, for example, the upper end of the element and participates in the fixing of the support part.

[0047] The support component may include an inner edge that extends radially inward from the remainder of the support component, the inner edge resting, for example, on the elongate member, and a portion of the mesh portion being sandwiched between the inner edge and the elongate member.

[0048] The device or part of a device may be a refill. In such cases, the refills may be individually packaged, for example in a sealed bag or box.

[0049] In one particular embodiment, one of the support part and the cup member includes at least one first partition wall, and the other of the support part and the cup member includes at least two second partition walls. The at least two second partition walls surround the first partition wall such that a mesh portion is interposed between the at least one first partition wall and each of the at least two second partition walls. This embodiment allows for the creation of a product compartment within the cup member.

[0050] The peripheral fixation region defines an area having a shape selected from among, for example, a circle, an oval, and a polygon, such as a rectangle or a square.

[0051] The peripheral fixation region may have an annular shape.

[0052] The mesh portion may be a fabric mesh portion and may include a woven, nonwoven, or knitted fabric. The mesh portion may be a foam membrane or another non-woven mesh portion, such as, for example, a perforated plastic film.

[0053] The mesh portion is permeable so that the product can be removed through it.

[0054] The mesh portion includes a lower surface oriented toward a product contained within the reservoir and an upper surface opposite the product contained within the reservoir.

[0055] The maximum thickness between the lower surface and the upper surface of the mesh part is the thickness of the mesh part. The thickness of the mesh part may be 0.4 to 5 mm.

[0056] The area of ​​the top surface of the mesh part is 180 mm 2 ~3800mm 2 Such an area of ​​the upper surface and such a thickness of the mesh portion allows the user to have a large surface area for accessing the product, while minimizing the amount of fabric material required and the amount of product remaining pooled in the mesh portion at the end of use.

[0057] When the user is not applying pressure to the mesh portion, the product placed within the reservoir may or may not contact the underside of the mesh portion, depending on the initial degree of filling of the cup member.

[0058] Preferably, the mesh portion is capable of adhering to the surface of a product contained within the reservoir while said product is being dispensed.

[0059] The upper surface of the mesh portion may be substantially flat where the product passes during use. The lower surface of the mesh portion may be substantially flat where the product passes during use. The areas of the upper and lower surfaces of the mesh portion may be the same or different.

[0060] The thickness of the mesh portion may be substantially constant throughout the portion through which the product passes during use.

[0061] The support piece may be secured to an upper surface of the mesh portion. Alternatively, the support piece is secured to a lower surface of the mesh portion.

[0062] The bottom of the reservoir may be substantially flat or may have a concave shape towards the mesh portion. The bottom of the reservoir may have a parabolic, elliptical or spherical shape. The bottom of the reservoir may be approximately flush with the bottom of the device.

[0063] The cosmetic product is preferably one of a foundation, a concealer product, a complexion corrector and a care product.

[0064] The product may be either liquid, pasty or in unsolidified powder form.

[0065] The product may be a fluid. The viscosity of the product may be 40-90 UD (deviation units), preferably 55-80 UD, or 366-569 cP (centipoise), or 0.37-0.57 Pa.s.

[0066] This viscosity is chosen for low to medium viscosity products and is measured at 25° C. using a Rheomat 180 (Lamy) with an MS-R2 spindle rotating at a speed of 200 rpm. The measurement is carried out after a rotation time of 10 minutes. The viscosity measurement is carried out within the last week after production. Such a viscosity makes it possible to improve the release of the product from the upper surface of the mesh and to avoid the flow of the product during use.

[0067] The device may include a protective lid that covers the mesh portion when the product is not dispensed. The protective lid may be secured by friction, screw fastening, bayonet locking or snap fastening. In one variation, the protective lid may be connected in an articulating or sliding connection.

[0068] The product can be dispensed from the top surface of the mesh portion using an applicator which may include or consist of an applicator member such as a foam, brush, sponge, nonwoven or flocked end piece.

[0069] In one variation, the product is dispensed with the fingers by running the fingers over the mesh portion.

[0070] The device may not have an applicator housed between the protective lid and the mesh portion, allowing for simplified manufacturing and providing the user with greater freedom of choice regarding product application compared to devices with integrated applicators.

[0071] In one variation, the device includes an applicator to provide a complete system to the user.

[0072] The device may include, inter alia, a mirror housed within a protective lid.

[0073] The device does not have a wiper member to pass over and remove the applicator.

[0074] The device need not include a bellows, specifically within the cup member.

[0075] The cup member may comprise a rigid body, which may be fabricated by molding of a thermoplastic material, with a cavity defining a space for holding the product and forming a reservoir, and is not a flexible sheet.

[0076] The cup member may include concentrically arranged inner and outer peripheral skirts, with the support component being interposed between the inner and outer peripheral skirts.

[0077] The support part may be supported by an upper edge of an inner peripheral skirt or an outer peripheral skirt that is part of the cup member, the support part being sandwiched between the cup member and the retaining part.

[0078] Where the cup member includes concentrically arranged inner and outer peripheral skirts, the support piece may rest at the bottom of a cylindrical space between the two skirts.

[0079] There may be one single part that includes the tension members and the radial clamp retention.

[0080] How to assemble the device A further subject of the invention is a method for assembling a device as defined above, comprising the steps of: - filling the cup member with product; - providing a support part with an attached mesh part; - contacting the mesh portion with a tension member and pushing the mesh portion with the tension member to stretch the mesh portion; - Fixing the support part to the cup member The method includes:

[0081] How to apply makeup A further subject of the invention is - loading the applicator with the product by using the device defined above; - applying the product to the area to be treated of human keratinous material; A makeup method comprising the steps of:

[0082] The applicator may be filled without moving the applicator, rather than by moving the applicator into contact with the mesh and then away from the mesh, thereby depositing product onto the applicator.

[0083] In one variation, the user can rotate and / or translate the applicator in contact with the mesh portion as the product is dispensed.

[0084] The product may be captured by rubbing or tapping the mesh portion with the applicator or finger.

[0085] A further subject of the invention is a method of use of a device according to the invention, comprising: (i) providing a device according to the invention; (ii) removing any sealing material trapped between the mesh portion and the inner ring; (iii) optionally, removing a tamper-evident sheet disposed above the sealing member; The method includes:

[0086] The invention can be better understood on reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0087] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic partial top perspective view of an example of a device according to the present invention prior to first use. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic top perspective view of an example of a device according to the invention immediately after removal of the sealing member; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional perspective view of a support part of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 having a tamper-evident sheet. [Figure 4] 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a device according to the invention including the support part of FIG. 3 after assembly. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the device of FIG. 4 prior to assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0088] In the remainder of this specification, identical elements or elements with equivalent functionality will bear the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated for each figure, but will focus only on the main differences between the embodiments.

[0089] Figures 1 to 5 show one embodiment of a device 1 for packaging a product according to the invention. The device 1 is assembled according to an axis X. The device 1 includes a cup member 2 defining a product reservoir 3. As shown, the reservoir 3 is defined by a cylindrical inner peripheral skirt 4 and a partly flat bottom 5. In this example, the diameter of the inner peripheral skirt 4 is greater than the height of the inner peripheral skirt 4.

[0090] The device 1 also includes an elastically deformable, permeable mesh portion 6 through which the product is removed. In this example, the mesh portion 6 is made of a woven fabric, but it could also be made of a nonwoven or knitted fabric or another non-woven material, such as a foam, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0091] The device 1 also includes a support part 10, on which the mesh portion 6 is mounted at a peripheral fastening region 12. The support part 10 includes a cylindrical ring 15, in this example a single skirt ring. In this example, the mesh portion 6 is welded to the support part 10. Furthermore, in this example, the peripheral fastening region 12 is constituted by the lower end of the ring 15.

[0092] The device 1 includes a tensioning member 16 configured to stretch the mesh portion 6 by pushing against the mesh portion 6 at least at one location radially inward of said peripheral fixation region 12. In this example, the tensioning member 16 is part of the inner peripheral skirt 4 of the cup member 2 and is defined by the upper end of the inner peripheral skirt 4. In this example, the inner peripheral skirt 4 has a constant height.

[0093] The support part 10 is fixed to the cup member 2 by other than a snap fastening. The support part 10 is in this example partially fixed by frictional contact to another part of the device at a location 20 radially outside of said peripheral fixing region 12. In this embodiment, the cup member 2 includes an outer peripheral skirt 25 that is radially outside of and parallel to the inner peripheral skirt 4. There is an annular space 26 between the inner peripheral skirt 4 and the outer peripheral skirt 25. In this example, the support part 10 is fixed to the cup member 2 by friction.

[0094] The two concentric peripheral skirts of the cup member 2, constituted by the inner peripheral skirt 4 and the outer peripheral skirt 25, are connected at the lower end of the cup member 2 by a wall 27. The wall 27 is flat and has an underside. The underside is aligned with the underside of the bottom 5 of the reservoir 3. The wall 27 also extends radially outwardly relative to the outer peripheral skirt 25. The skirts 4 and 25 are integral with the cup member.

[0095] The ring 15 of the support component 10 includes a circumferential rib 29 that contacts the outer peripheral skirt 25 at location 20. The circumferential rib 29 extends on a radially outer surface 30 of the ring 15 substantially along the middle of the radially outer surface 30.

[0096] The ring 15 of the support part 10 also includes a radially inner rib 31. The radially inner rib 31 extends on the radially inner surface 32 of the ring 15 to the middle of the radially inner surface 32.

[0097] The sealing member 52 is freely positioned between the mesh portion 6 sealed to the ring 15 and the inner ring 31 provided on the inner surface of the ring 15. The sealing member 52 may include a tear-open tab 54 on the sealing sheet 57.

[0098] The support piece 10 includes an outer edge 33. The outer edge 33 extends radially outward from the upper end of the remainder of the support piece 10, in this example the ring 15.

[0099] Tamper evident sheet 66 is disposed on the outer edge 33, for example by gluing or fusing.

[0100] Prior to assembly, the mesh portion 6 attached to the support component 10 is flat, as shown in FIG.

[0101] During assembly of the device along axis X, the support part 10 is assembled to the cup member 2 such that the tension member 16 presses against the mesh portion 6 at one annular location 34 radially inward of the peripheral fastening region 12 to stretch the mesh portion 6, as shown in Figure 4. The mesh portion 6 is deformed.

[0102] Thus, the mesh portion 6 includes a welded outer region 35, a cylindrical region 36, and a flat circular inner region 37. The outer region 35 corresponds to the peripheral fastening region 12. The cylindrical region 36 is between the peripheral fastening region 12 and the annular location 34. The inner region 37 is the region of the mesh portion 6 inside the annular location 34. This inner region 37 is the region of the mesh portion 6 through which the product is dispensed. In this example, the inner region 37 is circular, but could be square, rectangular, or have another shape without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0103] When the support part 10 is inserted into the annular space 26, the sealing member 52 is pressed upwards towards the inner edge 31 which acts as an abutment, so that in this area the sealing sheet 57 is sandwiched between the mesh part 6 and the inner edge 31.

[0104] A tear-open tab 54 may extend radially on the outer surface of the sealing member 52 with its end 56 trapped between a sealing sheet 57 and the inner edge 31 .

[0105] Preferably, the sealing member 52 completely covers the opening of the cup 2 and forms a barrier film that prevents the composition from flowing out of the cup 2 .

[0106] Preferably, the sealing member 52 has a thickness, measured along the longitudinal axis X, of between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

[0107] When device 1 is assembled, support piece 10 is at least partially sandwiched between inner peripheral skirt 4 and outer peripheral skirt 25. The presence of ribs 29 and ribs 31 serve to frictionally retain support piece 10 and mesh portion 6 within device 1. Support piece 10 cannot move within device 1 when device 1 is assembled.

[0108] The outer edge 33 is secured to the upper edge 40 of the outer peripheral skirt 25 by snap fastenings. Thus, the outer edge 33 rests on the upper edge 40 of the outer peripheral skirt 25.

[0109] The device 1 may include other components in addition to the cup member 2, the support component 10, and the mesh portion 6. In this example, the device 1 includes a case 50 having a substantially cylindrical opening 51 for receiving the cup member 2 and the support component 10 attached to the mesh portion 6.

[0110] To use the device 1 according to the invention, the user pulls the tear tab 54 between two fingers and raises the sealing sheet 57 until it is completely peeled off from the cup member 2. The sealing sheet 57 slides gradually under the inner edge 31. The sealing sheet 57 can be removed by the user and discarded.

[0111] The sealing sheet 57 may be a single layer barrier, such as a single layer comprising aluminum.

[0112] The sealing sheet 57 may also be a multi-layer barrier film, which may include at least one upper thermoplastic layer and at least one auxiliary layer such as an aluminum layer, a metallized plastic layer, a polyamide layer, and any suitable barrier layer. The multi-layer barrier film is advantageously configured to form an effective barrier for preserving cosmetic products contained within the cup.

[0113] The sealing sheet 57 may include a pre-cut portion.

[0114] The device 1 may be a refill. In such a case, the refill may be individually packaged, for example in a sealed bag or box.

[0115] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown: there may be more than one product compartment inside the cup member 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1 Device 2 Cup member 3. Storage 4. Skirt 5 Bottom 6 Mesh section 10 Support parts 12 Periphery Fixation Area 15 Ring 16 Tension member 25 Skirt 26 Annular Space 27 Wall 29 Ribs 30 Radial outer surface 31 Radial internal rib 32 Radial inner surface 33 Outer edge 34 Circular Position 35 Outer area 36 Cylindrical Region 37 Inner area 40 Upper end 50 cases 51 Opening 52 Sealing material 54 Tear-off tab 56 End 57 Ceiling Sheet 66 Tamper evident sheet

Claims

1. A device (1) for packaging a cosmetic product (P), comprising: a cup member (2) defining a reservoir (3) for said cosmetic product (P); - an elastically deformable mesh part (6) through which the cosmetic product (P) is dispensed, a support part (10), on which said mesh portion (6) is mounted in a peripheral fastening area (12), said support part (10) being fixed relative to said cup member (2) during dispensing of said cosmetic product (P) and comprising an internal ring (31); - a tensioning member (16) configured to stretch said mesh portion (6) by pressing said mesh portion (6) at at least one location radially inward of said peripheral fastening region (12); a sealing member (52) attached to an opening of the reservoir (3) for closing the opening is trapped between the mesh portion (6) and the inner ring (31); The support part (10) further includes an outer edge portion (33) extending radially outward from the support part (10), the outer edge portion (33) being spaced apart from the mesh portion (6) in an axial direction perpendicular to the radial direction; A device (1) characterized in that a tamper-evident sheet (66) is disposed on said outer edge (33), whereby said tamper-evident sheet (66) is disposed above said sealing member (52).

2. The device (1) of claim 1, wherein the sealing member (52) includes a tear-open tab (54).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing member (52) comprises an aluminium layer.

4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing member (52) comprises a pre-cut line.

5. A method of use of the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: (iv) providing a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, (v) removing the sealing member (52) trapped between the mesh portion (6) and the inner ring (31); (vi) optionally removing a tamper evident sheet (66) disposed over said sealing member (52); The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

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