CN1148132C - Device for applying fluid orgel shaving product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for applying (1) a fluid or gel shaving product, comprising a body (2) including a reservoir (3) for said product, an application head (4) comprising bristles (5) fixed on a support (7) having at least an orifice, said head being adaptable to said body, means for conveying (6) the product from the reservoir to the application head. The invention is characterised in that the length of the bristles is less than 20 mm, preferably less than 15 mm, and more preferably still not more than 10 mm. The bristles are preferably made of natural materials, more preferably of mohair. The invention is useful for shaving products such as gels, foams and creams.

Description

Apparatus for applying liquid or gel shaving preparations

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying shaving products, especially gel, foam or cream shaving products, more precisely, the object is to provide an applicator device, on which there is an applicator The applicator head has bristles on it.

In order to facilitate shaving, a soapy water mixture is traditionally used to moisten and soften the beard to be shaved with a brush, and to generate foam by mechanical agitation of the brush. The soapy water mixture acts on the main component of the beard, keratin, causing it to change from an alpha form (helical) to a beta form (sinusoidal) through hydrogen bond breaking. This structural change allows for easier cutting of the beard, thereby allowing for a more effective shave.

Herein, the ability to form foam is expressed by "foaming effect".

Over time, new products were developed that facilitated shaving without the need for a brush to lather up the soap-water mixture. These products include shaving creams, foams, and gels, sometimes in aerosol form, which are applied to bearded skin by hand, and the hands are simply rubbed into the skin to create a lather, or even simply exposed to air. It will foam. There are also non-foaming gels, which form a film on the skin and perform the same function as the foam, even though the beard structure becomes brittle and facilitates cutting.

Devices have also been developed with a container from which the shaving product can be applied without requiring the user's hands to come into direct contact with the shaving product. To obtain shaving foam from suitable shaving products stored in the container, the user simply rubs these devices on bearded skin.

Document FR2087992 very succinctly describes a shaving brush with long bristles, the handle of which serves as a container for shaving cream.

Other existing documents also describe devices with containers, but they all mainly address the problem of supplying applicator heads with supplies stored in containers. Reference can be made, for example, to documents EP0142651, FR2571230, FR2582921, DE9015155, WO97/08970.

These documents describe shaving brushes or bristles. In most cases, they are limited to simply illustrating the presence of bristles, or the presence of the end portion of a shaving brush, and the figures all show devices with long or even very long bristles relative to the rest of the device, whereby For the applicator head of the unit, reproduce the look and structure of a regular shaving brush. This is consistent with the intended purpose, namely effective foaming. Indeed, conventional shaving brushes are known to be able to produce such a foaming effect. Thus, it seems logical that the application area of these different devices should not be changed differently than conventional shaving brushes, and keep the long bristles in the tufts in order to produce the foaming effect of the shaving brush. The term "bristle" (French "soie") used in some literature also reproduces the concept of conventional shaving brushes, as the French word refers to the long, thick pigs (e.g. wild boar) used to make traditional shaving brushes )mane.

However, the prior document FR2588460 describes an improved shaving brush including a container specifying the properties of the bristles, or rather one of these properties, namely their length. It states that bristle length has a direct effect on lather formation and that long bristles should be used. Long bristles are defined as being longer than 2.5 cm, and the document adds that bristles longer than 2 cm can achieve 30% better foaming than 2 cm bristles.

Therefore, the general teaching of these various documents is that it is possible to combine the container of shaving products with a conventional shaving brush, but to obtain the required foaming effect, use the bristles in the conventional shaving brush, i.e. the long bristles is important. To improve shaving efficiency, it is even recommended to extend the bristle length.

However, the applicant has found that these devices with long bristles are far from satisfactory.

Firstly, when wet, the wet bristles are extremely unattractive due to their shapelessness and lack of rigidity, which sometimes remain shapeless even after drying. The length of the bristles and their lack of stiffness and shapelessness when wet can also make it difficult to attach a cap or cap to the device after use.

However, also and briefly, the Applicant has found that, contrary to the teachings of the prior art, the use of short bristles in these devices enables a significant foaming effect to be obtained, while at the same time providing a clear advantage to the user.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for applying a liquid or gel shaving product comprising:

· the housing in which the container for said product is housed;

· an applicator head consisting of bristles fixed on a support having at least one opening, which applicator head is adapted to said housing;

• Conveyor to convey the product from the container to the applicator head.

The device is characterized in that said bristles have a length of less than 20 mm, preferably less than 15 mm, more preferably not greater than 10 mm. However, the length is preferably not less than 5 mm.

According to the invention, the bristles used in the device may be of synthetic material, such as polyester, polyamide or acrylic, or of natural material, such as wild boar or pig bristles, sheep's hair, camel hair or mohair , the material is pure or mixed. In a preferred embodiment, natural bristles, preferably mohair, are used for the bristles, especially in view of the comfortable feeling obtained in contact with the skin.

The diameter of the bristles can vary. For example, bristles having a diameter of about 15-60 microns, preferably about 20-40 microns, more preferably about 35-40 microns, can be used. When the bristles used are mohair, they can have a diameter of about 15-40 microns, preferably about 30-40 microns, more preferably about 35-40 microns.

In a preferred embodiment, the support on which the bristles are fixed is a surface of small thickness, called a backing. In the present invention, the term "cart" refers to the combination of bristles and backing.

The thickness of the backing is preferably less than 1 mm, for example about 0.5 mm. The backing is made of a hard yet elastically deformable material. It can be made of, for example, polyester or polyester reinforced with an elastomer.

In one embodiment it is formed from a network of polyester threads having a warp and weft structure. The density of the backing and thus its stiffness and deformation properties are determined by the number of warp and weft threads per centimeter, parameters which are readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The weft thread count may be about 25-50/cm, preferably about 30-40/cm, more preferably 35-38/cm. The warp count may be about 15-40/cm, preferably about 20-30/cm, more preferably 22-24/cm.

When the support is a backing, the opening present in the backing and allowing access to the bristles of the shaving product is preferably a slit. In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of slits arranged in various ways relative to each other, such as crossing or parallel to each other. The number, size and location of the slits depend on the size and profile (eg circular or oval profile) of the backing which in turn depends on the size and profile of the casing used. These parameters can be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, for a backing with a diameter of 4 cm, three parallel slits ensure effective results. The orientation and cut of the slit(s) is completely independent of the position of the bristles on the backing and the position of the polyester threads in the case of a web.

Such backings have exceptional hardness and elastic deformation properties due to their structure. Indeed, the backing is only deformed by the pressure of the shaving product (due to mechanical pressure, propellants, etc.), causing those slit(s) to open, and when the pressure ceases, the slits resume their original closure state. This enables sufficient fluid tightness of the device. This fluid-tightness is particularly useful in its intended use for applying shaving products, since such use usually means exposure of the device to water, and even sometimes rinsing under running water. The backing used in the present invention prevents water from entering the housing and container, thereby preventing contamination of shaving products stored in the container.

The bristles may be secured to at least a portion of, and preferably the entire surface of, the backing surface by any suitable means such as weaving, bonding, flocking or ultrasonically, such that the bristles are substantially parallel to one another. In this way a "felt" like structure is formed.

A suitable density of bristles on the support, in particular the backing, depends inter alia on the bristles used, depending on the type and diameter of the bristles. It was found that the bristle density should be about 30-500 bristles/ ^cm2 , preferably about 50-200 bristles/ ^cm2 , more preferably about 90-110 bristles/ ^cm2 .

In a preferred embodiment, the bristles, which are preferably secured to a backing to form a felt, are secured to a base that can fit into the housing of the applicator. The form of the base should be selected to facilitate the installation of the felt layer on the shell. More specifically, the base has a central surface on which the bristles or backing are placed, and has a portion that can be attached to the body by screw or snap fit. The profile and dimensions of the base depend on the profile and dimensions of the housing or coating device into which the base is to be incorporated.

The bristles or backing are secured to at least a portion of, preferably the entire central surface of the base by any suitable means such as gluing or heat staking; the bristles project at least several millimeters beyond the height of the base. In such embodiments, bristle length (less than 20 mm, preferably not less than 5 mm) as defined herein refers to the length of the bristle extending beyond the base.

Of course, the base must have at least one opening allowing the shaving product to pass from the container to the slit(s) of the backing. In one embodiment, the base has a large opening through its center. It can also have multiple crossing openings.

The shape and material of construction of the base are selected to facilitate the attachment of the applicator head to the housing and to allow the applicator device to be comfortably in contact with the user's skin. The profile and dimensions of the base depend on the profile and dimensions of the applicator into which the base is to be incorporated. The base thickness is preferably a few millimeters. The base can be made of any hard material that is comfortable against the skin, such as plastic or polyethylene or sintered polyethylene. In a preferred embodiment, the outer edges of the base are rounded for a more comfortable skin contact.

Such a base improves the overall appearance and feel of the device against the skin, protects the bristles on the outer edge of the backing, especially when caps or stoppers are attached, and facilitates the attachment of the applicator tip to the housing for application. device.

Accordingly, the applicator head described above is capable of being fitted to the housing to form an applicator for liquid or gel shaving products, the various components (container, housing, backing, holder, etc.) constituting the device having at least An opening allows shaving product to pass from the container to the applicator head. The applicator head itself can be covered with a cap or stopper.

According to the invention, "liquid or gel shaving preparation" is understood to mean any suitable shaving preparation, such as foaming aerosol gel, foaming non-aerosol gel, non-foaming gel or foaming cream. Foaming shaving preparations, which form upon application as a result of dissolved gases (aerosols) or the presence of surfactants (non-aerosols) and/or under the mechanical action of the user (directly or by means of an applicator) Foam. Specifically, non-aerosol gels known as "post-foaming" gels, which come out of the container in gel form and because of , a bubble will form. The non-foaming shaving products are spread under mechanical action (by the user's hand or through a coating device) to form a film, which acts like foam on the beard, that is, changes the structure of the beard to make it easy to cut. The foaming effect of the present invention also includes the ability to form a film from a non-foaming shaving product that has the same effect as foam.

Shaving product applicators, and thus the housings of these devices, vary according to the type of shaving product to be applied. They may comprise any type of known device such as an aerosol can, tube or stick, sized for the desired use (eg a travel or home use device).

The applicator head can be attached to the housing by any known means such as screw or snap attachment, through the intermediary of a bracket or backing or base. It is also possible to successively attach several different applicator heads to the same housing.

In some embodiments, the housing is integral with the container of the shaving product, and the walls of the housing are the walls of the container. This may be the case for example sticks or aerosol cans, ie cans containing shaving products mixed with a gaseous propellant. In other embodiments, the container fits within the housing. In particular, non-aerosol cans, (which are a window or bag containing shaving preparations surrounded by a gaseous propellant in the space between the casing and the container so that the propellant does not come into contact with the shaving preparations), are such a situation.

In some embodiments, the applicator head and container are formed as an integral, ie, one-piece structure (eg, by injection molding). Especially with sticks, this can be the case. In other embodiments, the applicator head can be mounted directly to the housing. Finally, in other embodiments, the applicator head can be fitted to a completely known applicator device, which is placed on, for example, an aerosol or non-aerosol can that already has an applicator head (usually including a valve), or a single piece on stick. Thus, an applicator device is formed having two applicator heads: the original applicator head and the applicator head containing the bristles of the invention.

The applicator head can be positioned along the longitudinal axis of the housing (see Figure 1) or it can be positioned obliquely relative to this axis (see Figure 2).

The means for delivering the shaving product from the container to the applicator head can be in any known manner for dispensing cosmetic or shaving products. It can be, for example, a delivery screw that drives a piston, a pusher-type piston that slides under pressure, a gas propellant mixed with the shaving product (aerosol gel) or a gas propellant separate from the shaving product (non-aerosol gel). ), manual pressure (in the case of deformable housings or containers such as hoses). It is also conceivable to incorporate the delivery means on the metering means in order to control the amount of shaving product applied.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the device of the invention comprises an applicator head comprising a felt layer secured to a non-aerosol can containing the post-foaming gel contained in a flexible flexible pouch. , the deformable bag is surrounded by a propellant, preferably compressed air. Compressed air is preferred over other propellants such as butane or propane for ecological reasons.

The applicator head 4 is also preferably fixed to a valve 10 of a non-aerosol can, which valve may be of annular configuration, ie open in the center. The user slides a finger into the ring and presses the valve 10, which forces the gel out. Thus, the shaving product can be squeezed out with one finger pressure. Other types of valves can also be used to press out the shaving supplies with one or two fingers.

In the case of a canister, whether aerosol or non-aerosol, whatever way the user depresses the valve of the canister will press the shaving product onto the applicator head, thereby applying it to the skin. Depending on the device, it is possible to apply pressure centrally or on one side relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaving appliance or inclined relative to this axis.

Thus, the device of the invention achieves a remarkable foaming effect while avoiding contact between the user (of course outside the shaving zone) and the shaving appliance.

Now in conjunction with accompanying drawing, the present invention is described in more detail, in the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 has shown the longitudinal section schematic diagram of an embodiment of device of the present invention;

Fig. 2 has shown another embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show cross-sections of several backings that can be used in devices of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a partial longitudinal schematic view of one embodiment of the applicator head of the device according to the invention, which has a base with rounded outer edges;

Figure 5a shows a partial schematic view of the applicator of the present invention using a non-aerosol can with valve and applicator head;

Figures 5b-5e show schematic diagrams of other forms of valves.

Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal view of an embodiment of an applicator device 1 according to the invention comprising a housing 2 and an applicator head 4 adapted to said housing, said housing being a container 3 suitable for shaving products , said applicator head 4 comprises short bristles 5 secured to a support 7, and the device also includes means 6 for transferring the shaving product from the container to the applicator head. In this embodiment, the conveying means 6 is a piston 6c controlled by a conveying screw 6a rotated by a base 6b of the housing. The support 7 is a backing, fixed on a base 9 having an opening for the shaving supplies to pass to the outside.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an aerosol can 2 fitted with an applicator head 4 comprising short bristles 5 secured to a backing 7 which itself is secured to a base 9 .

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show some different backings 7 with slit openings 8 .

FIG. 4 shows a schematic longitudinal view of an embodiment of an applicator head 4 of a device according to the invention comprising a base 9 rounded on its outside, to which a backing 7 with short bristles 5 is fastened.

Figure 5a shows a non-aerosol can 2 filled with post-foaming gel and an applicator head 4 forming an applicator device 1 according to the invention. Inside the tank 2 is a flexible flexible bag 3 containing a gel and surrounded by a gaseous propellant, preferably compressed air. The applicator head 4, which is circular here, is fixed on the valve 10 of the non-aerosol can, and the valve is annular, that is, the opening is in the center. The user is able to slide a finger into the ring and depress the valve 10 with only one finger (indicated by the arrow) to press the gel through the applicator head and create a lather for the user to shave.

Figures 5b-5e show different applicator heads mounted on different valves 10, and the arrows indicate the direction in which the user applies pressure with one or two fingers.

Some of the tests described below demonstrate that the device of the present invention can achieve effective lathering, especially since the bristles retain their structure even after several successive wetting and drying cycles for convenient and comfortable use by the consumer. In addition, compared with the prior art devices with long bristles, it is also easier to clean in running water.

test

A group of 10 experimented with several applicator devices shown in Figure 1.

The shaving gel used has the following composition:

Myristic Acid 8%

Lauric acid 4%

Deionized water to 100

Sodium N-Lauryl Sarcosinate 10%

Glycerol 2%

PEG-150 pentaerythritol tetrastearate 2%

Aloe Vera Gel 1%

PEG-7 cocoa glyceride (glyceryl cocoate) 2%

Hydroxyethyl Cellulose 1%

Potassium Hydroxide 50% QS

Fragrances, colorants, preservatives QS

The support is a backing formed from a network of polyester threads with 24 warp threads and 37 weft threads per centimeter. The density of the bristles on the backing is about 104/ ^cm2 .

Several types of devices were tested, varying in type and length of bristles.

For each tested device, the following properties were evaluated:

The effectiveness of foaming;

· Easy to clean with water after use;

· Appearance after use;

· Comfort when in contact with the skin.

In the first phase, different types and lengths of bristles between 3-30 mm were tested. The results are shown in Table I below. Each result represents an "average" of the responses of 10 individuals. These are qualitative results:

(+) = good

(-) = bad

(±) = Moderate

Table I trial bristles characteristic foaming effect to clean Appearance after use Touch Mohair 3mm - + + + 15 mm + + + + 30 mm + - - + Acrylic 3 - + + - 15 + + + ± 30 + - ± ± Wool 3 - + + + 15 + + ± + 30 + - - + boar bristle 3 - + + - 15 + + + ± 30 + - - ±

These test results indicated that too short bristles (3 mm) could not obtain the basic foaming effect, while the length of 30 mm could not obtain the desired easy-cleaning performance, appearance after use and comfortable touch.

It can also be noted that, of the bristle types tested, mohair is particularly good.

This was followed by a second phase of the series, testing a range of mohair and acrylic bristles ranging in length from approximately 5-20 mm. The results are shown in Table II.

Table II trial bristles characteristic foaming effect to clean Appearance after use Touch Mohair 5 mm ± + + + 7 mm + + + + 10mm + + + + 15 + + + + 20 + ± - + 25 + - - + Acrylic 5 ± + + ± 7 + + + ± 10 + + + ± 15 + + ± ± 20 + ± - ± 25 + - - ±

It may be noted that the use of mohair is generally preferred due to its particularly pleasant feel to the touch.

The bristles having a length of more than 20 mm cannot obtain the desired appearance quality and easy-cleaning properties. Note that most effective lengths are not less than 5mm, but less than 20mm, preferably less than 15mm, more preferably not greater than 10mm.

Conducting these tests can help in obtaining the desired combination of foaming efficacy, ability to maintain good bristle shape after wet/dry cycles, and bristle hardness, and the desired flexibility of the bristles for comfortable contact with the skin. to choose the preferred bristle length.

Claims (28)

1. A device (1) for applying liquid or gel shaving products, comprising: · the housing (2) of the container (3) in which said product is contained, an applicator head (4) comprising bristles (5) fixed on a support (7) having at least one opening, which applicator head is adapted to said housing, A conveyor (6) for conveying the product from the container to the applicator head; It is characterized in that the length of the bristles is less than 20 mm. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said bristles are less than 15 mm in length. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of said bristles is not greater than 10 mm. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the bristles (5) is not less than 5 mm. 5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said support (7) is a backing. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein said backing is rigid and elastically deformable, and said opening is a slit. 7. The device of claim 5, wherein said backing is formed from a network of polyester threads consisting of warp and weft threads. 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bristles (5) are fixed on the backing by weaving, bonding, flocking, ultrasonic methods. 9. The device of claim 5, wherein the material of the backing is polyester or an elastomer reinforced polyester material. 10. The device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said bristles are of synthetic or natural material, said material being pure or mixed. 11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that said synthetic material is polyester, polyamide or acrylic. 12. The device of claim 10, wherein said natural material is sheep's wool, camel's hair, mohair, wild boar or pig's bristle. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said bristles are mohair. 14. The device according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that said bristles or support or backing are fixed to the central surface of a base having at least one opening suitable for said device housing. at least partly. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the base has rounded contoured edges. 16. The device of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the bristles are about 15-60 microns in diameter. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein said bristles have a diameter of 20-40 microns. 18. The device of claim 16, wherein said bristles have a diameter of 35-40 microns. 19. The device according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the bristles are on a support, and the density of the bristles is about 30-500/ ^cm2 . 20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that the density of the bristles is 30-200/ ^cm2 . 21. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that the density of said bristles is 90-110/cm ² . 22. The device of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the shaving product is a foaming aerosol gel, a foaming non-aerosol gel, a non-foaming gel, or a foaming gel. Bubble cream. 23. Device according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the applicator head (4) and container (3) are made in one piece. 24. The device according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the housing (2) comprising the container (3) is an aerosol or non-aerosol can, the applicator head (4 ) is fixed on the aerosol or non-aerosol can. 25. Device according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the housing (2) is integral with the container (3). 26. The device according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that the housing (2) comprising the container (3) is a non-aerosol tank, which contains a non-aerosol condensing A flexible deformable bag (3) of glue and surrounded by a gaseous propellant, the applicator head (4) is fixed on the non-aerosol can. 27. The device of claim 26, wherein said gaseous propellant is compressed air. 28. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that there is an annular valve (10) near the non-aerosol can, and the applicator head (4) is fixed on the non-aerosol can.

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