Alcohol deodorant aerosol equipped with a hollow dispensing head

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a device for dispensing a cosmetic composition, said device comprising a dispensing head (1) intended to be fitted on a container containing said cosmetic composition to be dispensed, (i) the dispensing head comprising: a body (3) that is open at its two opposite axial ends, an engaging part (10) that is open at its two opposite axial ends and at least partially defines a dispensing orifice (12), and (ii) the cosmetic composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one cosmetic active agent, in particular at least one deodorant active agent and/or antiperspirant active agent, at least one C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alcohol, at least one propellant,
the concentration of propellant being between 60% and 90% by weight with respect to the total weight of the pressurized composition.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing a cosmetic composition, the device comprising a dispensing head comprising: a base fitted on a container containing the cosmetic composition; an annular housing disposed on the base and comprising a supply duct configured to guide the cosmetic composition from the container to an inner surface of the housing; an annular core disposed inside the housing such that an annular distribution chamber is formed between an outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the housing, the core having an inner surface that defines an opening of the dispensing head; and axial ribs disposed between the core and the housing, the ribs at least partially defining dispensing orifices configured to divide the cosmetic composition received from the distribution chamber into separate streams and dispense the separate streams from the dispensing head, such that the streams are oriented parallel to one another and to a dispensing axis that extends axially through the annular core or converge upon the dispensing axis outside of the opening of the dispensing head, wherein the dispensing orifices each have a cross section of at least about 0.005 mm.sup.2 to about 0.01 mm.sup.2, such that the cosmetic composition is dispensed from the dispensing heat as an aerosol mist, and wherein the cosmetic composition comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable medium: at least one cosmetic active agent; at least one C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alcohol; and at least one propellant; wherein the concentration of the propellant ranges from about 60% to about 90% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the pressurized composition.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each dispensing orifice is annular and has a constant width in the circumferential direction.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein each dispensing orifice exhibits axial symmetry.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing orifices vary in size, such that the dispensing orifices are configured to accelerate the streams of the cosmetic composition via the Venturi effect.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the number of dispensing orifices is greater than or equal to 10.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the C.sub.1-C.sub.5 alcohol(s) are present at a concentration ranging from about 38% to about 55% by weight with respect to the total weight of the non-pressurized composition.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic composition is free of solid particles.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic composition is free of polymer.

9. A process for the dispensing of a cosmetic composition comprising: dispensing a cosmetic composition from a dispensing device, the device comprising a dispensing head comprising: a base fitted on a container comprising a cosmetic composition to be dispensed; an annular housing disposed on the base and comprising a supply duct configured to guide the cosmetic composition from the container to an inner surface of the housing; an annular core disposed inside the housing such that an annular distribution chamber is formed between an outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the housing, the core having an inner surface that defines an opening of the dispensing head; and axial ribs disposed between the core and the housing, the ribs at least partially defining dispensing orifices configured to divide the cosmetic composition received from the distribution chamber into separate streams and dispense the separate streams from the dispensing head, such that the streams are oriented parallel to one another and to a dispensing axis that extends axially through the annular core or converge upon the dispensing axis outside of the opening of the dispensing head, wherein the dispensing orifices each have a cross section of at least about 0.003 mm.sup.2 to about 0.01 mm.sup.2, such that the cosmetic composition is dispensed from the dispensing heat as an aerosol mist, and wherein the cosmetic composition comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable medium: at least one cosmetic active agent; at least one C.sub.1 to C.sub.5 alcohol; and at least one propellant; wherein the concentration of the propellant ranges from about 60% to about 90% by weight with respect to the total weight of the pressurized composition.

Description

(1) The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting illustrative embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an example of a dispensing head produced in accordance with the invention, before the engaging part is fitted on the body of the head,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the dispensing head after the engaging part has been fitted in the body,

(4) FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 in partial section,

(5) FIGS. 4A to 4F illustrate various arrangements, among others, of the engaging part and the body,

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates the possibility of producing the dispensing head with two dispensing orifices according to the invention,

(7) FIG. 6 shows a front view of a dispensing head having concentric dispensing orifices,

(8) FIG. 7 is an axial section through a variant embodiment of the engaging part,

(9) FIGS. 8A and 8B are partial front views of different examples of configurations of the engaging part from FIG. 7,

(10) FIG. 9 is a partial axial section through a variant embodiment of the dispensing orifice,

(11) FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views along X of different examples of configurations according to FIG. 9,

(12) FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a variant embodiment of the head,

(13) FIGS. 12A to 12C illustrate various examples of arrangements of the reliefs on the body,

(14) FIGS. 13A to 13C illustrate various examples of configurations of the engaging part with respect to the body,

(15) FIG. 14 is a partial axial section through a variant embodiment of the dispensing orifice,

(16) FIG. 15 is a section along XV in FIG. 14,

(17) FIG. 16 is an exemplary embodiment of the body according to FIG. 14, and

(18) FIG. 17 is a cutaway perspective view of an example of a dispensing head according to the configuration in FIG. 14.

(19) In the drawing, the actual respective proportions of the various constituent elements have not always been respected, for the sake of clarity.

(20) The dispensing head 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is intended to be fitted on a container (not shown) provided with a hollow valve rod or hollow pump rod, through which the product to be dispensed that is contained in the container is conveyed towards the head 1.

(21) The container may in particular be a pressurized container of the aerosol can type, containing a propellant gas such as compressed air, for example, or a liquefied gas.

(22) The container may be provided with a valve and the valve may be opened for example by pressing the hollow rod or alternatively by tilting the latter. When the container is provided with a pump, the pump may be actuated for example by pressing the hollow rod along its longitudinal axis.

(23) The head 1 comprises a body 3 which may be produced in an integral manner by moulding a single part or may comprise a plurality of elements produced separately and joined together.

(24) The dispensing head 1 may comprise, as can be seen in FIG. 2, a housing 6 intended to engage with the hollow rod in order to allow the product delivered through the latter to reach a supply duct 7 which opens into a housing 8 in the body 3. The housing 6 has a size adapted to the outside diameter of the rod, so as to obtain a sealed fit of the rod in the housing 6, in order that the product delivered through the rod passes entirely into the supply duct 7. The latter is for example coaxial with the rod of the container but could be oriented in some other way and have for example a plurality of differently oriented portions.

(25) An engaging part 10, called core in the following text when it is inside the body, is fixed in the housing 8 and defines for example with the body 3 a dispensing orifice 12 having an annular section, as illustrated.

(26) The expression annular section should be understood within the meaning of the present invention as meaning any section that follows a closed contour, whether this contour is circular, elliptical, polygonal or some other shape.

(27) Passing axially through the core 10 is an opening 90, the inside diameter D of which may be relatively large, for example greater than or equal to 10 mm, better still 15, 20 or 30 mm.

(28) The opening 90 helps to give the head a particularly aesthetic appearance. In addition, the opening 90 can allow air to flow through the head under the entrainment effect of a spray emitted through the dispensing orifice 12. This can help to increase the range of the spray and can increase the freshness effect provided thereby, if need be.

(29) The opening 90 may also allow a finger or a lock of hair to be inserted through the head, and this can make it possible to apply a product in a single movement over the entire circumference of the element inserted through the head. This can be an advantage for applying for example an antiseptic or care product to a finger or for treating a lock of hair.

(30) The dispensing axis Z may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the container on which the head is fitted, as illustrated.

(31) The head 1 comprises a base 92 which defines a surface 4 which the user can press in order to bring about dispensing.

(32) The bottom of the base 92 can be extended by an enclosing skirt 93 which covers the upper part of the container.

(33) The housing 8 which receives the core 10 is defined by a crown 94 of axis Z, the lower side of which is joined to the base 92. The supply duct 7 passes through the base 92 and leads into the housing 8 at a distance from the axial ends, along the axis Z, of the crown 94, being preferably closer to the rear end 94a than to the front end 94b, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

(34) The body 3 may have, as illustrated, a shoulder 95 close to the rear end 94a, against which the core 10 can come into axial abutment, if need be, at the end of its fitting.

(35) The core 10 and the housing 8 may have annular surfaces 96 and 97, in sealed contact, in order to close the space formed between the core 10 and the body 3 at the rear of the supply duct 7.

(36) Preferably, the circumferential width l of the dispensing orifice 12, around the spraying direction Z, is constant. If this width l varies, for example so as to take into account the possibly non-uniform pressure drop experienced by the flow of product upstream of the dispensing orifice 12, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention. This non-uniform pressure drop results for example from the geometry of the space between the core and the body, in particular the presence of angles or intersections. By varying the width l, it is possible to ensure that the product can emerge more easily at the point where this pressure drop is greatest, if a spray which is as homogeneous as possible is desired.

(37) The width l of the dispensing orifice is for example between 0.01 and 2 mm.

(38) The core 10 can be fixed to the body 3 in various ways. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the core 10 is retained on the body 3 by friction.

(39) In the example illustrated, the core 10 is produced separately from the body 3 and is attached to the latter. The core 10 can be produced from the same thermoplastic material as the body 3 or alternatively from a different thermoplastic material. It is also possible to use a metal material to produce the core 10.

(40) Axial ribs 38 are formed on the internal circumference of the housing 8, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 3, in order to centre the core 10 in the housing 8. The centring reliefs 38 may be, as illustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12C, parallel or oblique in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis Z, or curved. Each relief 38 may have, when seen in a top view, a contour that is polygonal, in particular rectangular or trapezoidal, or that has a shape that is flared in the direction of the dispensing edge. Two centring reliefs 38 may define, between one another, a narrowing 39 in the vicinity of the dispensing orifice so as to accelerate the fluid via the Venturi effect. The number of centring reliefs 38 is preferably at least 10, better still 20, even better still 40.

(41) The space 22 formed between the core 10 and the body 3 may have the configuration illustrated schematically in FIG. 4A, and open onto the dispensing orifice 12 by way of an annular terminal portion 22c formed between two surfaces 3a and 10a which are in the form of cylinders of revolution about the axis Z.

(42) The terminal wall 22c is attached to a proximal portion 22a by way of an inclined intermediate portion 22b formed between opposite surfaces 3b and 10b.

(43) The centring reliefs 38 extend in the proximal portion 22a. The latter is supplied with product via the distribution chamber 22d.

(44) When the user actuates the dispensing head 1, the product passes through the supply duct 7 into the space 22 between the core 10 and the body 3 and can be delivered in the form of a spray through the dispensing orifice 12.

(45) In the example in FIGS. 1 to 3, the spray is continuous angularly around the dispensing axis on account of the absence of contact between the core 10 and the body 3 in the region of the dispensing orifice 12. Specifically, the bearing region or regions between the core 10 and the body 3 are for example located, as illustrated, set back from the dispensing orifice 12 by a distance (measured along the dispensing axis Z) of at least 0.5 mm.

(46) The spray may be discontinuous angularly around the dispensing axis on account of the presence, in particular at the reliefs 38, of contact between the core 10 and the body 3 where the product emerges.

(47) Preferably, the cross section of the supply duct 7 is greater than the section of the dispensing orifice 12 so as to allow the space located upstream of the dispensing orifice to be filled rapidly with the product, this being able to help to form a homogeneous spray right from the start of spraying.

(48) The distribution chamber 22d formed upstream of the space 22a in which the centring reliefs 38 extend receives the product delivered through the supply duct 7.

(49) The width of the distribution chamber 22d is greater than that l of the terminal portion 22c which opens onto the dispensing orifice 12.

(50) The distribution chamber 22d improves the distribution of the product before the latter reaches the narrower portions of the passage through which the product is evacuated.

(51) FIGS. 4B and 4C illustrate different other examples of possible configurations for the space 22 formed between the core 10 and the body 3 for the product to flow to the dispensing orifice.

(52) In the example in FIG. 4B, the space 22 formed between the core and the body comprises a proximal portion 22a in which the reliefs 38 for centring the core 10 in relation to the body 3 extend, extended by an intermediate portion 22b which forms an angle with the spraying direction Z, for example a re-entrant angle. This intermediate portion 22b can be attached to a terminal portion 22c, which opens onto the dispensing orifice 12, this terminal portion being defined for example, as illustrated, between two surfaces 3a and 10a, in the form of cylinders of revolution, parallel to the dispensing direction Z. The variant in FIG. 4B does not have a distribution chamber.

(53) In the variant in FIG. 4C, the terminal portion 22c communicates directly with that portion 22a in which the centring reliefs 38 extend. The terminal portion 22c forms, for example, an angle with the dispensing direction Z. Thus, in axial half-section, the axis Z.sub.1 of the orifice 12 is for example convergent, as illustrated.

(54) In the variant in FIG. 4D, the engaging part 10 is outside the body 3. The engaging part 10 is fixed to the body 3 so as to form with the latter the distribution chamber 22d, facing the supply duct 7. The portions 22a, 22b and 22c allow the product to be conveyed to the dispensing orifice 12.

(55) The supply duct 7 opens for example into the distribution chamber 22d via a portion oriented parallel to the dispensing axis Z.

(56) Centring reliefs 38 are produced for example on the body 3. The engaging part 10 can be produced, as illustrated, with an annular lip 39 which partially delimits the distribution chamber 22d and forms a narrowing 47 of the section between the chamber 22d and the portion 22a.

(57) FIG. 4E illustrates the possibility of having an angle which is divergent between the axis Z.sub.2, in axial half-section, of the orifice 12 and the dispensing axis.

(58) In the variant in FIG. 4F, the possibility of having no angle between the dispensing axis and the axis Z of the engaging part 10 is illustrated. The supply duct 7 opens for example onto a distribution chamber 22d. The product is conveyed towards the dispensing orifice 12 via ducts 22 comprising the reliefs 38. The reliefs 38 extend as far as the edge of the dispensing orifice 12 and define a plurality of orifices allowing the product to be delivered in the form of a plurality of jets.

(59) The invention is not limited to a dispensing head comprising only one dispensing orifice 12 produced in accordance with the invention.

(60) By way of example, FIG. 5 illustrates a dispensing head 1 which comprises two dispensing orifices 12.

(61) When there are a plurality of dispensing orifices, these may be distributed in multiple ways on the dispensing head. For example, the spraying axes are parallel, or form an angle, in that, for example, they intersect.

(62) FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B illustrate the possibility for the dispensing head to have a plurality of dispensing orifices 12 formed entirely in the core 10 in order to dispense the product in the form of a plurality of jets for example. The dispensing orifices 12 may have many shapes when observed along their transverse axis, especially being circular or triangular, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The dispensing orifices 12 may be drilled into the core 10, for example by laser drilling.

(63) The core 10 may have a U-shaped axial half-section, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The body 3 may comprise two concentric mounting skirts 41 which define between them a space for mounting the core 10, and may comprise, at its centre, a crown 43 serving to support the engaging part 10. The skirts 41 define, with the crown 43, two annular ducts 45 into which the arms of the U fit. The crown 43 may have, for each orifice 12, two ducts 22 for supplying liquid to this orifice 12.

(64) During mounting, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 17, the core 10 may bear against the protrusion 43, the end face 48 of the crown 43 being in contact with the internal face 11 of the core 10. The arms of the U of the core 10 are fixed in the ducts 45, the internal face 46 of the mounting skirts 41 being in contact with the face 13 of the core 10. The internal faces 14 of the arms of the U and the lateral surfaces 49 of the crown 43 may define, between one another, the ducts 22 for supplying liquid to the dispensing orifice 12. The crown 43 may have, especially in the form of impressions, on its outer face 48, supply ducts 23 allowing the liquid to pass from the supply ducts 22 to the dispensing orifice 12.

(65) The supply ducts 22 open, upstream of the dispensing orifices 12, onto the supply ducts 23, which lead to the dispensing orifice 12. The supply ducts 23 generate, via their orientation relative to the dispensing orifice, a swirling flow at the outlet of the dispensing orifice 12. This configuration is more particularly useful in the case of a non-liquefied carrier gas.

(66) In one variant, the supply ducts 22 may take the form of impressions on the lateral surface 49 of the body and/or on the internal faces 14 of the core 10.

(67) In one variant (not shown), the core 10 possesses, especially in the form of impressions on its internal face 11, supply ducts 23, the end face 48 of the crown 43 being able to be smooth.

(68) In one variant, the crown 43 is not circumferentially continuous and defines protrusions. The protrusions are placed upstream of the dispensing orifices 12 and may possess, upstream of the dispensing orifices 12, supply ducts 22 and 23 such as described above.

(69) In the variant in FIGS. 4F, 9 and 10, the dispensing orifices 12 are formed between the core 10 and the body 3, being for example distributed all around the spraying axis Z. The core 10 or the body 3 may have centring reliefs 38 that circumferentially bound the dispensing orifices 12. The centring reliefs 38 may, as illustrated in FIGS. 12A to 12C, extend as far as the edge of the core 10 over its entire periphery and define, between one another, dispensing orifices 12. The number of dispensing orifices 12 is preferably at least 10, better still 20, even better still 40. The cross section of a dispensing orifice 12 is for example greater than 0.003 mm.sup.2. The dispensing orifices 12 are preferably spaced apart by a space of at least 1 mm, which is the same as the pitch p between the centring reliefs. As illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the dispensing orifices 12 can have a polygonal cross section, in particular a triangular cross section.

(70) The core 10 may, as illustrated in FIG. 13A, extend set-back relative to the body by an amount between 0 and 1 mm, better still between 0 and 0.5 mm. The body 3 protrudes into the dispensing orifice and may generate a convergent spray.

(71) The core 10 may, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, be flush with the body 3. The spray can then be straight.

(72) The core 10 may extend, as illustrated in FIG. 13C, forwards relative to the body 3 by an amount between 0 and 1 mm, better still between 0 and 0.5 mm. The spray can then be divergent.

(73) If an additional dispensing orifice is provided, for example by attaching inside the core 10 a second core 50 which defines with the first core 10 a second dispensing orifice 51 which is coaxial with the first dispensing orifice, as illustrated in FIG. 6, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention. A passage 90 continues to be formed through the dispensing head.

(74) The dispensing orifice may be supplied with more than one product.

(75) The dispensing head may be supplied with two products which are dispensed through separate dispensing orifices.

(76) It is possible for the axis Z not to be perpendicular to the axis of the rod of the container on which the head is fitted, as illustrated in FIG. 11. In this example, the axis Z is oriented upwards when the container is vertical with the dispensing head at the top.

(77) The supply duct 7 can be oriented substantially parallel to the dispensing axis Z, at least in the case of the portion which opens out next to the engaging part 10. The latter may be produced with an annular lip 39 which defines a narrowing of the section 47.

(78) The configuration may be similar to that in FIG. 4D apart from the fact that the engaging part 10 is outside the body 3 in the example in FIG. 4D and inside it in the example in FIG. 11.

(79) The dispensing head may be arranged so as to allow a protective cap to be fitted and to comprise, if need be, an on/off system that makes it possible to prevent the actuation of the device when the dispensing head is in a certain position with respect to the container or when a locking element of the dispensing head is in a certain position in relation to the latter.

(80) In variants which are not illustrated, the dispensing orifice is formed between a body and an engaging part, the body being radially on the inside with respect to the engaging part, the supply duct for the product passing through the body. All of the features described with reference to the figures can be found in variants in which the body is radially on the inside with respect to the engaging part.

(81) The expression comprising a should be understood as being synonymous with comprising at least one.

EXAMPLE

(82) i) Device A device 1 and a device 2 are prepared. These devices are identical in all ways. They differ only in their concentration of propellant. The devices 1 and 2 are equipped with the spray head shown in FIG. 1.

(83) ii) Chemical Composition The fluid contained in the deodorant Ushuaia orchide Lascad is packaged in two devices according to the invention. Isobutane is used as propellant gas.
Device 1:

(84) TABLE-US-00001 Concentration of propellant Concentration of fluid 55% by weight with respect 45% by weight with respect to the total weight of the to the total weight of the pressurized composition pressurized composition
Device 2:

(85) TABLE-US-00002 Concentration of propellant Concentration of fluid 75% by weight with respect 25% by weight with respect to the total weight of the to the total weight of the pressurized composition pressurized composition

(86) iii) Evaluation of devices 1 and 2 a) Evaluation of the quality of the spray:

(87) TABLE-US-00003 Device number 20 holes 40 holes Device 1 +++++++ Device 2 +++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++ : too wet, runs over the head of the diffuser, accumulation of formulation on the head of the diffuser, disruption of diffusion +++++++++++++++++: Very light mist, very good appearance +++++++: Light mist, good appearance b) Conclusion from the above table Device 2 gives better results than device 1, for 20 and 30 holes. With a level of propellant of 75%, a light mist and a very good appearance are obtained for 20 and 40 holes. By contrast, with a level of propellant of 55%, the spray is too wet for 20 holes. For 40 holes, the appearance is good.

(88) The expression comprising a should be understood as being synonymous with comprising at least one.