IONTOPHORETIC SOFT CAPSULE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for applying a cosmetic composition (P), comprising: —a capsule (1) that delimits a housing (10), —an application member (6) positioned in the housing (10) and impregnated with a cosmetic composition (P), —an electric exciter (29) comprising at least two electrodes (4, 5) in contact with the application member (6) and making it possible to circulate an electric current between these two electrodes (4, 5).

Claims

1. Device for applying a cosmetic composition (P), comprising: a capsule (1) that delimits a housing (10), an application member (6) positioned in the housing (10) and impregnated with a cosmetic composition (P), an electric exciter (29) comprising at least two electrodes (4, 5) in contact with the application member (6) and making it possible to circulate an electric current between these two electrodes (4, 5), the capsule (1) being made of soft material.

2. Device according to claim 1, the capsule (1) being removable and disposable.

3. Device according to either one of the preceding claims, the capsule (1) comprising a multilayer material.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the capsule (1) being obtained by means of a beam of metal ions.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the capsule (1) being closed by a lid.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the application member (6) being compressible.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the application member (6) being porous or fibrous.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the application member (6) being selected from a nonwoven, a felt, a paper, a foam, a sponge, a sintered product, a porous ceramic or a biocellulose substrate.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, designed so that the current is applied continuously or sequentially.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the capsule (1) comprising several compartments.

11. Capsule intended to be fitted on a device according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Cosmetic method comprising the steps consisting in: providing a device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, putting the device in place on a body area, and circulating an electric current between the skin and the device in place.

13. Method for manufacturing a device as defined according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a step of decontaminating the capsule (1).

Description

[0245] The present invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples of the invention and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

[0246] FIG. 1 schematically and partially represents, in axial cross section, an application device in accordance with the invention,

[0247] FIG. 2 schematically represents, in perspective, an example of a capsule of the device according to the invention,

[0248] FIG. 3 is a schematic and partial transverse cross-sectional view of a capsule from FIG. 2,

[0249] FIG. 4 schematically and partially represents a palette comprising several capsules to be mounted on a gripping member in order to form a device according to the invention.

[0250] Represented in FIG. 1 is an application device 1 in accordance with the invention, comprising a capsule 1 and a gripping member 2, the capsule 1 possibly being separated from the gripping member 2. This device is provided in order to apply a composition P.

[0251] The capsule 1 comprises a housing 10, of axis X. The housing 10 is delimited by a bottom wall 11 and a side wall 13.

[0252] In the example in question, the composition P is a cosmetic or dermatological composition intended to be applied to the skin. As a variant, the composition P may be a hair composition. The composition P is for example a liquid or gel.

[0253] The composition P may contain at least one cosmetic or dermatological active agent, in particular at least one compound selected from the following list: metals and alloys thereof, cobalt, barium, chromium, aluminium, silver, copper, titanium, bronze, manganese, metal oxides, iron oxides, in particular ferrite, rare earths, silicates, sulfates, in particular barium sulfate, carbonates, in particular calcium carbonate, non-ferrous compounds, in particular sulfur, magnesium, calcium, boron, potassium, carbon, trace elements, sea salt, rock salts, clay, steatite, algae and planktons and extracts thereof, roots, liquorice, ginger, oily waxes, proteins, hormones, collagens, alums, in particular alum stone, glucose, vitamins, in particular vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin F, vitamin B, vitamin E, vegetable extracts, glycerin, laponite, surfactants, collagen, acids, in particular salicylic acid, thio acid, caffeine, aromatic essential oils, dyes, antioxidants, free radical scavengers, water-absorbing agents, moisturizers, depigmenting agents, lipid-regulating agents, anti-acne agents, anti-seborrhoeic agents, anti-ageing agents, emollients, antiwrinkle agents, keratolytic agents, anti-inflammatories, refreshing agents, healing agents, vascular protectors, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, antiperspirants, deodorants, skin conditioners, insensitizing agents, immunomodulators, nourishing agents.

[0254] The device comprises a handle 20 of longitudinal axis, for example perpendicular to the axis X.

[0255] As a variant, the handle 20 and the capsule 1 may be arranged in order to allow a positioning by snap-fastening, by friction or by bayonet-type locking, of the capsule 1 on a skirt 21 of the handle 20.

[0256] The handle 20 and skirt 21 may be produced by moulding as a single part made of plastic.

[0257] The application member 3 is housed in the housing 10.

[0258] The application member 3 is impregnated with a composition P.

[0259] The application member 6 has an outer surface 611 capable of being loaded with composition P and that is used for the application.

[0260] In the example considered, the application member 6 comprises a foam. As a variant, the application member 6 may comprise a felt or a sintered product for example.

[0261] Before use, the capsule may be sealed by a lid (not represented).

[0262] The application number 6 may be configured so that, before opening the lid, the application member 6 is received in the housing 10 by being compressed. As a variant, the application member 6 is received in the housing 8 without being compressed.

[0263] The device comprises an electric exciter 29 provided with two electrodes 4 and 5 that may be electrically connected to an electric power source housed in a compartment of the handle 20. These electrodes 4 and 5 are for example rigidly fastened to the handle 20.

[0264] The electric power source may comprise, for example, a plurality of batteries 7 arranged in series. As a variant, the electric power source may comprise a dry battery of 4.5 or 9 volts, for example. Of course, the invention is not limited to a particular electric power source, and use may be made of other types of electric batteries or rechargeable batteries or batteries of predefined intensity or else an AC adapter, not represented.

[0265] The voltage delivered by the electrodes 4 and 5 is, for example, a continuous voltage, but the electric exciter 29 could comprise an electronic circuit that makes it possible, for example, to deliver a pulsed or alternating current of lower or higher voltage relative to that delivered by the source.

[0266] The electric exciter 29 may comprise a switch 37 positioned on an outer face of the gripping member 2, making it possible to control the electric power supply of the electrodes 4 and 5.

[0267] The electric exciter 29 may also comprise an indicator light 38 that may light up for example when a voltage is applied to the electrodes 4 and 5.

[0268] As a variant, the indicator light 38 may only light up when an electric current of predefined intensity circulates between the electrodes 4 and 5.

[0269] As another variant, the indicator light 38 may light up for example with a first colour when the electrodes 4 and 5 are live and light up with a second colour when an electric current circulates between the two electrodes 4 and 5. The indicator light may then be, in this case, a bi-colour light-emitting diode.

[0270] In the example in question, the electrodes 4 and 5 are substantially cylindrical and each comprise a terminal portion completely embedded, permanently, in the application member 6, even when this application member is compressed.

[0271] Of course, when the electrodes 4 and 5 have a different shape, it being possible for the electrodes 4 and 5 to be flexible or rigid, and metallic or non-metallic, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0272] The electrodes 4 and 5 may also have, where appropriate, a curved shape so as to assist with keeping the application member 6 in the capsule 1.

[0273] The electrodes 4 and 5 may or may not be concentric.

[0274] The electrodes 30 may be fastened by any means to the rest of the device, in particular by crimping, welding, snap-fastening, over-moulding.

[0275] The skirt 21 may optionally be metallic and constitute an electrode.

[0276] The application device may be used, for example, in the following manner.

[0277] The user removes a lid that covers the application surface 6.

[0278] He/she may bring the surface 611 of the application member 6 into contact with the area to be treated, for example the skin.

[0279] At the same time as the composition P is applied to the area to be treated, the user may activate the switch 37 in order to electrically power the electrodes 4 and 5.

[0280] Since the application member 6 is loaded with composition P, which is electrically conductive, an electric current may circulate between the two electrodes 4 and 5 and in the region of the body in contact with the surface 611 of the application member 6.

[0281] The flow of current over the skin may activate the blood microcirculation in particular, which may optionally facilitate the penetration of at least one active agent contained in the composition into the skin.

[0282] As a variant, the user may use the device to simply apply the composition to an area to be treated, without generating electric current.

[0283] As another variant, the user may, firstly, apply the composition to the area to be treated using the device without generating electric current, then, secondly, once the composition has been applied, generating an electric current on the skin while massaging the treated area for example.

[0284] The user may also alternate treatments with application of an electric current and treatments without.

[0285] The electric current may also be applied periodically, for example by manipulating the switch 37 so as to cause the flow of electric current intermittently.

[0286] In the example from FIG. 2, the capsule 1 is produced by moulding material as a single part.

[0287] In the example illustrated, the housing 10 is produced with a flange 8 at one end and has, for example, a shape that is generally rotationally symmetrical about an axis X.

[0288] The flange 8 may be provided with a mistake-proofing device 100 that is for example in the form of a recessed or protruding relief, for example a notch.

[0289] The capsule comprises a bottom 11 and a side wall 13.

[0290] The capsule 1 comprises for example a film that is heat-sealed to the flange 8 so as to seal it in an airtight manner.

[0291] FIG. 3 shows the composition P impregnated on the substrate 6.

[0292] FIG. 4 shows a palette 111 of capsules intended to equip a device according to the invention. The capsules may be identical or different. For example, they may contain complementary products, such as care products and makeup products. The palette 11 may be provided with a notch 101 in order to facilitate the gripping thereof.

[0293] The user may for example use the palette as follows: [0294] he/she prepares his/her face 200, [0295] he/she places a capsule 61 comprising an exfoliating composition on the gripping member 2, [0296] he/she places the capsule 61 on his/her face 200, [0297] he/she actuates the device according to the invention for 2 minutes, [0298] he/she detaches the consumed capsule 61 and replaces it with a care capsule 71, [0299] he/she places the capsule 71 on his/her face 200, [0300] he/she actuates the device according to the invention for 2 minutes, [0301] he/she detaches the consumed capsule 71 and replaces it with a capsule 81 for making up the cheeks and/or with a capsule 91 for making up the eye contour area, [0302] he/she actuates the device according to the invention for 2 minutes.

[0303] The invention is not limited to the devices described in the examples. In particular, the capsule may have a different structure and contain another application member. The composition may be different. The electric exciter may comprise other elements.

[0304] Throughout the description, including the claims, the term “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, unless otherwise specified.