Iontophoretic device having a reservoir

Abstract

A device for the cosmetic treatment of keratin materials with an electric current, including: a current generator (1), a reservoir (3) containing a cosmetic composition (P), an end piece (2) comprising an electrode (4) and at least one applicator member (6, 7), said applicator member (6, 7) delimiting an outer wall (61, 71) that is able to be filled with product contained in the reservoir (3), a counter electrode (5), a system for regulating the quantity of composition (P) exiting the reservoir (3) on the basis of the impedance measured between the electrode (4) and the keratin materials, the electrode (4) and the applicator member (6, 7) being designed such that the composition (P) is the only conductive substance in contact with the skin while the device is being used.

Claims

1. A device for the cosmetic treatment of keratin materials with an electric current, comprising: a reservoir containing a cosmetic composition; an end piece configured to receive the cosmetic composition from the reservoir; an applicator member disposed in the end piece, such that a portion of the applicator member is exposed outside of the end piece and configured to contact the keratin materials; a first electrode disposed in the end piece and configured to transmit an electric current to the cosmetic composition disposed on the applicator member; a counter electrode; a current generator configured to generate an electric potential between the first electrode and the counter electrode and measure an impedance between the first electrode and the keratin materials; and a dispensing system configured to regulate an amount of the cosmetic composition that is dispensed from the reservoir onto the applicator member, based on the measured impedance, wherein the first electrode and the end piece are configured such that the first electrode is prevented from directly contacting the keratin materials while the device is being used.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode is at a distance (d.sub.min) of between 0.2 mm and 5 mm from the applicator member.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member can rotate about a rotation axis.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member is a ball.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir has an elastically deformable outer wall.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises a duct configured to supply the cosmetic composition to the end piece.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member further comprises a plurality of applicator members.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a source of light.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a source of heat.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the heat source comprises an infrared source or a resistor.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is removable.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is a single-use reservoir.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic composition is chosen from: a face care or body care composition; a composition for making up the face or body; a hair treatment composition; or a composition for the scalp of a user.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic composition is a face care or body care composition having an active agent chosen from humectant or moisturizing active agents, anti-ageing active agents, active agents that act on cutaneous microcirculation, or seboregulating active agents.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the anti-ageing active agent comprises a depigmenting agent.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic composition is a hair treatment composition chosen from: a composition for washing the hair, for hair care or conditioning, or for temporary form retention or shaping of the hair; a composition for temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent dyeing of the hair; or a composition for relaxing or permanent-waving the hair.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic composition is a composition for the scalp of a user chosen from an antidandruff composition, a composition for preventing hair loss or for promoting regrowth of the hair, an anti-seborrheic composition, an anti-inflammatory composition, an anti-irritation or soothing composition, a mark-preventing composition, or a composition for stimulating or protecting the scalp.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description, which is given with reference to nonlimiting embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically and partially illustrates a perspective view of a device in accordance with the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 schematically and partially illustrates the device from FIG. 1, in axial section,

(4) FIG. 3 schematically and partially illustrates a side view of the device from FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 4 schematically and partially illustrates a top view of the device from FIG. 1,

(6) FIG. 5 schematically and partially illustrates a perspective view of the device from FIG. 1, with the end piece detached,

(7) FIG. 6 schematically and partially illustrates a perspective view of an end piece of the device from FIG. 1.

(8) FIGS. 1 to 6 show a device in accordance with the invention. It comprises a body 12 on which there is mounted an end piece 2 comprising two applicator members 6 and 7 and an electrode 4. A product reservoir 3 is housed inside the body 12.

(9) The device is supplied with power by a current generator 1 (electronic board). This generator 1 is supplied with power by a battery 25 (non-rechargeable or rechargeable battery).

(10) It can deliver: a constant DC current I programmed for an iontophoresis mode (+ or ) or electric pulses for an electroporation mode or a constant DC current I coupled with electric pulses V from time to time for an ionto-stimulation mode. The duration and frequency of these pulses are programmable.

(11) The polarization of an electrode 4 and that of a counter electrode 5 are reversible (+ or ) depending on the nature of the cosmetic composition (P) used.

(12) The device also comprises a system for regulating the quantity of composition (P) exiting the reservoir 3 on the basis of the impedance measured between the electrode 4 and the keratin materials. The operation of this system is known per se.

(13) In the example in question, the body 12 is made of thermoplastic material. In a variant, it can be made of any other material.

(14) In the example in question, the applicator members are balls (roll-on) made of plastics material. They are mounted on the shell 11 of the end piece 2. The applicator members 6 and 7 could have any other shape, for example that of rollers.

(15) In its upper part, the body 12 comprises a head 121 extending along an axis Y and intended to receive the end piece 2.

(16) The end piece 2 is clip-fastened to the head 121 of the body 12. It could be mounted in some other manner.

(17) The body 12 comprises an end wall 122 having a substantially concave shape, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

(18) The end piece 2 is made up of three parts: the electrode 4, the balls 6 and 7 and the shell 11. The shell 11 is removable to facilitate cleaning after use. The electrode 4 is connected to one pole of the electric current generator 1. It communicates with the reservoir 3 in order to ensure the transmission of electric current to the cosmetic composition. The cosmetic composition is ionized on exiting the reservoir 3. It then passes over the balls 6 and 7 in order to reach the skin for the purpose of an iontophoretic and/or electroporation treatment. In some embodiments, the device may include a source of light 127 and/or a source of heat 129, which may include a resistor or an infrared source.

(19) The counter electrode 5 is disposed on the external face of the body 12. It is connected to the other pole of the current generator 1. The counter electrode 5 makes it possible to close the circuit at the time of the treatment. The electric current generated passes through a connector 8. The latter is placed on the head 121 of the body 12. It is thus joined to the electrode 4. Finally, it conveys the ionized formulation into the space 9 and around the balls 6 and 7. The current then reaches the skin before returning to the counter electrode 5, passing through the hand holding the device.

(20) In this configuration, the electrode 4 is not in direct contact with the skin. It is housed entirely inside the end piece 2. If there is not enough composition between the electrode 4 and the skin to close the circuit, the current generator 1 detects an increase in impedance. It activates a pump to push the composition out of the reservoir through the ionization system in order to re-balance the level of impedance. This principle makes it possible to ensure a sufficient quantity of composition between the electrode 4 and the skin and optimizes the penetration of the composition.

(21) The end piece 2 defines openings in its head wall 21 so as to leave free approximately half of the applicator members 6 and 7.

(22) Each applicator member 6 and 7 is held on the end piece 2 so as to rotate freely about a core, in a manner known per se (roll-on).

(23) The applicator members 6 and 7 also comprise an outer wall 61 and 71 that is able to be filled with product contained in the reservoir 3 and has a spherical shape in the example in question.

(24) The reservoir 3 is fitted in a removable manner between the walls of a housing 123 in the body 12. It is extended by a duct 36.

(25) The reservoir 3 is in the form of a bellows. It defines a variable internal volume and has two elastically deformable walls 31 and 32 that are disposed opposite one another, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

(26) This reservoir 3 is compressed in a controlled manner by an air pump system 17 which creates a certain pressure in the shell and makes the flow rate of the formulation regular. A unidirectional valve at the end of the reservoir also makes it possible to preserve the formulation from contact with the air.

(27) The reservoir 3 comprises an end wall 34 provided with one or more outlet orifices 33. This outlet orifice 33 may be circular or in the form of a slot for example.

(28) The reservoir 3 may comprise, on its lateral sides, two longitudinal grooves that are each intended to engage with two corresponding longitudinal ribs on the housing 123.

(29) When the reservoir 3 is in place on the body 12, the end wall 34 of the reservoir 3 is positioned against the head 121 of the body 12.

(30) The conductive material used for the electrode 4 may be metal or conductive plastics material or graphite and preferably have a chemically inert nature with respect to the formulation (e.g. gold, platinum, or gold-plated metal, graphite, vitreous carbon, plastic or elastomer or silicone filled with carbon fibre).

(31) In another configuration of the device, a single-dose package in the form of a capsule having flexible membranes can be used to replace the reservoir 3.

(32) The device is separable into two parts: the body 12 and the end piece 2. When the end piece 2 is fastened to the body 12, the connector 8 makes it possible to connect the electrode 4 to one pole of the generator 1 housed in the body 12.

(33) The composition reservoir 3 may be preserved by a cap, in the body 12.

(34) One or more switches 19 make it possible to detect the presence of the end piece 2 in order to ensure the safety of the device. If the end piece 2 is present, it is possible to start the treatment, if the end piece 2 is not present, the body 12 is deactivated.

(35) The reservoir 3 contains a cosmetic product, for example a gel or a liquid, in particular a low-viscosity liquid.

(36) In order to start the treatment, the user starts up the device, causing the balls 6 and 7 to rotate.

(37) In contact with the surface to be treated, said balls produce a massaging effect on the surface.

(38) The outer walls 61 and 71 are filled with product.

(39) As soon as the impedance measured between the skin and the electrode 4 is too high, the pump activates the outlet of the product.

(40) The device outputs a current with the deposition of product being regulated on the basis of the impedance measured.

(41) The electrode 4 is not in contact with the skin.

(42) The non-conductive balls 6 and 7 are always covered with cosmetic composition while the appliance is in operation.

(43) The composition is the only conductive substance in contact with the skin while the device is being used.

(44) The present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments that are illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, and with reference to particular examples, but it will be understood that further variants may be envisaged by a person skilled in the art, in particular the number and types of electrodes may vary and other arrangements than those described may be envisaged in order to form appliances according to the invention. In particular, the shape of the end piece may vary or the position of the electrodes and the counter electrode. The latter may be disposed on the end piece for example. The device may have an angled shape such that the longitudinal axis Y of the body 12 makes an angle with the head wall 21 of the end piece 2 of 30 for example.

(45) The expression comprising a should be understood as being synonymous with comprising at least one, unless specified to the contrary.