Dispensing device comprising an aqueous composition in gel or thick cream form

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispensing device comprising: a) a container comprising a deformable wall, and b) a composition stored in the container, and comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium: i) at least one aqueous phase, and ii) optionally at least one oily phase, iii) at least one structuring agent; the said composition having a stiffness modulus G*>5000 Pa, and c) a dispensing head closing off the container and comprising an application wall defining at least one product dispensing orifice which is a slit. The present invention also relates to a cosmetic process for treating and/or caring for human keratin materials, characterized in that it consists in applying to the surface of the keratin material a composition dispensed via the device as defined previously. The present invention also relates to a cosmetic process for treating human perspiration and/or perspiration-related body odour, which consists in applying to the surface of a human keratin material a composition dispensed via the device as defined previously.

Claims

1. A dispensing device and composition comprising: a) a container comprising a deformable wall, and b) a composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion stored in the container, and comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium: i) at least one aqueous phase, wherein the at least one aqueous phase represents from 10% to 90% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, and ii) at least one oily phase, which is at least isopropyl palmitate and wherein the at least one oily phase represents from 10% to 90% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, iii) at least one structuring agent in an amount of 2% to 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition; wherein the at least one structuring agent comprises polyurethane polyether, hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, and at least one of beeswax or silica iv) at least one antiperspirant active agent and/or one deodorant active agent; and v) at least a mixture of a nonionic surfactant and of a fatty alcohol selected from the group consisting of a mixture of arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol and arachidylglucoside, a mixture of cetearyl alcohol and cetearylglucoside, and mixtures thereof; said composition having a stiffness modulus G*>5000 Pa measured at 25 C. using a Haake RS600 imposed-stress rheometer equipped with a 60 mm diameter plate-plate measuring body fitted with a bell jar anti-evaporation device with the measurements starting 5 minutes after placing a sample of the composition in a 2 mm air gap and wherein the sample is subjected to a stress ramp from 10.sup.2 to 10.sup.3 Pa at a set frequency of 1 Hz, and c) a dispensing head closing off the container and comprising an application wall defining at least one product dispensing orifice which is a slit.

2. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one oily phase comprises at least one hydrocarbon-based oil; and the composition comprises at least one wax with a melting point of greater than 45 C. comprising one or more C.sub.40-C.sub.70 ester compounds and not comprising any C.sub.20-C.sub.39 ester compounds.

3. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 2, wherein, in the composition, the wax is chosen from candelilla wax, rice bran wax, beeswax and sunflower wax, and mixtures thereof.

4. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 1, wherein each product dispensing orifice has at any point a smallest transverse dimension of less than 1.3 mm.

5. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 1, wherein the total extent of the orifices is less than 5% of the total extent of the surface of the application wall.

6. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 1, wherein the application wall is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer.

7. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 1, wherein the container is a deformable tube.

8. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 7, wherein the tube comprises a pocket.

9. A cosmetic process for treating and/or caring for human keratin materials, which comprises applying to the surface of the keratin material a composition dispensed via the device as defined in claim 1.

10. A cosmetic process for treating human perspiration and/or perspiration-related body odour, which comprises applying to the surface of a human keratin material a composition dispensed via the device as defined in claim 2.

11. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition has a stiffness modulus G*>8000 Pa.

12. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 1, iii) wherein said at least one structuring agent comprises beeswax, silica, polyurethane polyether and hydroxypropyl starch phosphate.

13. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 1, wherein the total extent of the orifices is less than 2.5% of the total extent of the surface of the application wall.

14. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 1, wherein said dispensing device is adapted for dispensing said composition as a tube.

15. The dispensing device and composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one aqueous phase represents from 30% to 90% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition; the at least one oily phase represents from 10% to 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, the composition comprises a water-soluble polysaccharide in an amount of 0.5% to 6% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition and a hydrocarbon oil in an amount of 5% to 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

Description

(1) A dispensing device that is particularly suited to this composition will be described with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side view of a dispensing device, the lid occupying its closing-off position;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of three-quarters of the face of the device of FIG. 1, the lid having been removed from the dispensing head;

(4) FIG. 3 is a view in cross section along a vertical median plane of the device of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top view of the dispensing head of the device of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the lid for closing off the device of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the head of the device of FIG. 1;

(8) FIGS. 7 to 10 are views similar to FIG. 4 of dispensing head variants;

(9) FIG. 11 is a view of a detail labelled XXIV in FIG. 3.

(10) Throughout the following text, the terms upstream and downstream are understood generally to mean with respect to the normal direction of circulation of a fluid, in particular a cosmetic product.

(11) The device 310 is intended to store, dispense and apply the cosmetic composition onto a keratin surface, especially the skin, of a user.

(12) The dispensing device 310 comprises a container 12 delimiting an inner volume 14 for receiving the cosmetic product, and a head 16 for dispensing cosmetic product, closing off the container 12 (visible in FIG. 2).

(13) In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 12 comprises a wall 18 which advantageously forms a tube. The wall 18 is closed off in leaktight manner at its upstream end 20 opposite the head 16. At its downstream end 22, the wall 18 is closed off by the head 16.

(14) The base of the wall 18 is advantageously closed by pinching and by soldering the wall 18.

(15) The wall 18 is deformable. The term deformable means that the wall can be deformed when pressed by the user, for example when it is squeezed between a user's fingers.

(16) The wall may be sufficiently rigid to return to its initial position when the exerted pressure is released, for example when the wall is made of a mixture of polyethylene (PE) comprising 30% low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and 70% high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The advantage of having a sufficiently rigid wall is that it affords the user a good grip on the device to facilitate the application of the product.

(17) As a variant, it is possible for the wall not to return to its initial position when the pressure is released; in this case, the wall remains in its deformed position, for example when the wall is made mainly of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or of a metallic material.

(18) The container 12 extends along a longitudinal general axis A-A between the ends 20, 22.

(19) Advantageously, the head 14 is engaged on the neck of the container 12 and is attached to the neck by click-fastening. To this end, the head 14 is click-fastened onto the neck of the container 12 and is held on the neck by stops.

(20) As a variant, the head 16 is attached by soldering, or by overmoulding of the wall 18 of the container 12 onto the head 14. In another variant, the head 14 and the container 12 are at least partially made from the same material.

(21) The inner volume 14 is delimited inside the container 12. It contains the cosmetic composition.

(22) When the user wishes to apply cosmetic product, he extracts the cosmetic product present in the inner volume 14 by generating a pressure of product in the inner volume 14, for example by exerting a pressure on the deformable wall of the container 12.

(23) As a variant, not shown, the container is a tube comprising an inner deformable pocket making it possible to delimit a volume containing the cosmetic composition and a volume not containing any composition in the container. The deformable wall of the tube is closed off at its upstream end onto the dispensing head and is closed at its downstream end. The wall of the tube may have an air intake orifice in communication with the inner volume of the container not containing any composition. The deformable wall of the tube is sufficiently rigid to return to its initial position when the exerted pressure is released, whereas it is possible for the pocket, for its part, not to return to its initial position. The volume containing the composition is in communication with the dispensing head. Thus, to dispense the composition, the user exerts a pressure on the tube while holding, for example, a finger over the air intake orifice to close it off. The excess air pressure generated in the tube, especially in the volume not containing any composition, is then exerted on the pocket and on the volume of the container containing the composition so as to expel the product via the dispensing head.

(24) As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 11, the head 14 comprises an application wall 30 and optionally a lid 32 intended to cover the application wall 30. It advantageously comprises a support 34 bearing the application wall 30.

(25) As illustrated in FIG. 3, the support 34 comprises an inner skirt 38 connected to the wall 18 of the container 12, and an outer sleeve 40 for attaching the lid 32 fitted around the skirt 38. The support 34 also comprises at least one member 42 for retaining the lid 32 on the support 34 and, with reference to FIG. 6, a perforated reinforcement 44 for holding the application wall 30.

(26) In this example, the support 34 is made as a single piece, being made from the same material. It is made, for example, by injection moulding using a thermoplastic material that is more rigid than that forming the application wall 30, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or mixtures thereof. As a variant, the support 34 directly forms the application wall 30.

(27) The skirt 38 delimits a central product circulation passage 45 which emerges via an upstream aperture 46 via a downstream aperture 48. The circulation passage 45 extends downstream the inner volume 14.

(28) The sleeve 40 comprises a peripheral tubular wall 50 and a downstream bridge 312 connecting it to the skirt 38. The skirt 38 advantageously delimits an annular rim 52 which partially projects towards the axis A-A, the rim 52 being extended upstream by a sealing skirt 313 inserted in the neck of the container 12 to retain the product.

(29) In this example, the support 34 has a cross section of circular outer contour. As a variant, the outer contour is elongated, for example oval or polygonal.

(30) In the example shown in the figures, the lid 32 can be screwed onto the support 34. The retaining member 42 is then formed by a thread 54 projecting radially outwards relative to the sleeve 40. As a variant, the lid 32 is click-fastened onto the support 34. When it is present, the retaining member 42 is formed, for example, by click-fastening or holding means by gripping the lid 32.

(31) The reinforcement 44 projects transversely into the passage 45 at the downstream aperture 48. It is rigid or semi-rigid.

(32) The reinforcement 44 is perforated. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the reinforcement 44 comprises an inner disk 62 and a plurality of outer lugs 64 for connecting between the rim 52 of the skirt 38 and the reinforcement 44.

(33) The outer lugs 64 connect the rim 52 of the skirt 38 to the disk 62. They define, between the skirt 38 and the disk 62, a plurality of outer apertures 68 for the passage of product.

(34) In this example, the outer lugs 64 define several C-shaped apertures 68 opening towards each other facing the axis A-A.

(35) In this example, the number of apertures 68 is equal to 3. More generally, this number is between 1 and 10.

(36) The inner disk 62 has an outer contour contained in the inner contour of the skirt 38.

(37) The application wall 30 is advantageously formed by a body 80 made of polymeric material. The thickness of the body 80 is, for example, less than 5 mm. The body 80 is advantageously made from an elastomer, such as elastomer, thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer material, PEBD, PVC, PU, thermoplastic elastomer polyesters, especially copolymers of butene terephthalate and of esterified polytetramethylene glycol oxide, Hytrel, EPDM, PDM, EVA, SIS, SEBS, SBS, latex, silicone, nitrile, butyl, polyurethane, polyether block amide, polyester or a copolymer of ethylene and of -olefin.

(38) The support 34 and the wall 30 are advantageously formed by twin injection of material. In one variant, the support 34 and the wall 30 are formed by injection of the same material.

(39) In this example, the body 80 has an outer contour whose shape is substantially complementary to the outer contour of the support 34. It is thus capable of covering the support 34 to close off the downstream aperture 48.

(40) In this example, the body 80 has a convex dome shape, of convexity directed downstream. It bears at its periphery on the support and is attached thereto. To this end, it is applied to the annular rim 52 and to the bridge 312.

(41) In addition, the body 80 rests on the perforated reinforcement 44, being attached thereto.

(42) The convex dome advantageously has a circular contour, for example with a diameter of greater than 20 mm, better still greater than 30 mm, for example equal to 35 mm. The radius of curvature of the convex dome is, for example, between 30 mm and 150 mm.

(43) As illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 6, the body 80 of the wall 30 delimits at least one product dispensing orifice 82A, passing through the body 80 to emerge facing the downstream aperture 48, advantageously facing the passage apertures 68 made in the reinforcement 44.

(44) In the example represented in the figures, the body 80 of the application wall 30 delimits a plurality of dispensing orifices 82A, which are especially C-shaped.

(45) The orifices 82A advantageously extend facing the apertures 68.

(46) In this example, the dispensing orifices 82A are formed by incurved slits 84 made through the body 80 between a downstream surface 86 of the body 80 and an upstream surface 88 of the body 80. The downstream surface 86 forms the application surface of the convex dome.

(47) In this example, the slits 84 extend, in section in a median plane, along a general axis D-D corresponding to a normal N to the downstream surface 86, taken at the outlet of the slit 84. As a variant, the slits 84 extend along an axis D-D which is inclined relative to a normal N to the downstream surface 86.

(48) As illustrated in FIG. 4, the dispensing orifices 82A are eccentric relative to the central axis A-A of the wall 30. The central axis A-A is defined as the axis passing through the centre of the downstream surface 86 of the wall 30, normal to this surface. In this example, the central axis A-A is the same as the general axis A-A of the container 12.

(49) The distance do radially separating the axis A-A of each orifice 82A is greater than the maximum radial extent er of each orifice 82A. Thus, as illustrated by FIG. 17, the wall 30 has a solid central zone 320, lacking an orifice 82A, in particular at the axis A-A.

(50) The slits 84 have a length which is very much greater than their radial extent er. Thus, the length of each slit 84 is at least greater than twice the maximum radial extent er of the slit 84. It should be noted that the radial extent er is then the smallest transverse dimension measured between two opposite edges of the dispensing orifice.

(51) More generally, the maximum radial extent er of each orifice 82A, taken relative to the axis A-A, is less than 1.3 mm and especially less than 1 mm. This transverse extent is advantageously between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm and better still between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm, for example equal to 0.6 mm; in this case, the edges of each orifice 82A are permanently located separated from each other.

(52) The length of the slits 84 may be greater than 2.5 mm, for example equal to 10 mm.

(53) Furthermore, for each slit with a radial extent er of less than 1.3 mm, the coefficient determined by the ratio of the area of the orifice to the parameter of the said orifice may advantageously be less than 0.6, or even less than 0.4 and better still less than 0.3. The smaller this coefficient, the greater the length of the slit and the smaller its area. A large perimeter thus makes it possible to dispense product over a large extent of the application surface, whereas a small area makes it possible to limit and to control the amount of product dispensed.

(54) The orifices 82A are disjointed, i.e. they are separated from each other by solid regions of the application wall 30. In this example, the minimum distance do separating two adjacent orifices 82A is greater than the maximum radial extent er of each orifice 82A.

(55) In the example of FIG. 4, the orifices 82A are angularly distributed around the axis A-A along a circumference around this axis.

(56) The angular extent of each orifice 82A taken around the axis A-A is less than 360/N in which N is the number of orifices 82A on a circumference. The angular extent of each orifice 82A is especially less than (36010N)/N.

(57) Each dispensing orifice 82A is placed facing an aperture 68.

(58) However, each orifice 82A has an area less than the area of the aperture 68 opposite which it is placed. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the wall 30 defines about each orifice 82A, and facing the aperture 68, a peripheral rim 322.

(59) As a variant, each orifice 82A has an extent substantially equal to the aperture 68 opposite which it is placed. In yet another variant, the orifice 82A is located along an edge of the aperture 68, being off-centred relative to the aperture 68. In this case, the peripheral rim 322 has a substantial width and is capable of directing the dispensing of product through the orifice 82A to improve its distribution over the downstream surface 86.

(60) In the example represented in FIGS. 1 to 6, the downstream surface 86 of the wall is smooth. To this end, it is free of macroscopic roughness or unevenness.

(61) The term macroscopic roughness or unevenness means roughness or unevenness with a thickness, taken perpendicular to a normal to the wall 30, greater than the thickness of the wall 30.

(62) Thus, the wall 30 is capable of gliding over a user's skin. It is especially free of macroscopic roughness or unevenness at the periphery of the apertures 82A, which allows pleasant application of product over an area of the user's body.

(63) In the dispensing position, a lid 32 is provided separated from the support 34 and from the application wall 30.

(64) In this position, and as will be seen hereinbelow, the dispensing orifices 82A are freed to allow the passage of cosmetic product from the inner volume 14 through the passage 45 to the downstream surface 86 of the application wall.

(65) In the example in which the lid 32 is intended to be screwed onto the support 34, the additional retaining member 110 is formed by a thread additional to the thread present on the support 34.

(66) The application wall 30 is advantageously manufactured as a single piece by moulding.

(67) The orifices 82A, 82B are then manufactured, either during the moulding of the application wall 30, or subsequent to this moulding, by making apertures via laser or mechanical cutting of the wall 30.

(68) The use of a flexible material to make the application wall 30 ensures that the moulding of the orifices 82A, 82B can be performed simply.

(69) The device 310 according to the invention functions as follows.

(70) Initially, when the device 310 is stored, the lid 32 occupies its closing-off position engaged on the support 34, as shown in FIG. 1. The application wall 30 is received in an upstream volume 104. The retaining members 54, 110 co-operate together to hold the lid 32 in position relative to the support 34 and relative to the application wall 30.

(71) When the user wishes to apply cosmetic product, he removes the lid 32 to separate it from the head 16. Next, he extracts the cosmetic product present in the inner volume 14 by generating a pressure of product in the inner volume 14.

(72) The cosmetic product present in the container 12 then passes into the passage 45. It then flows through the orifices 82A to the downstream surface 86 of the application wall 30. The cosmetic product can raise the rim 322 around the orifice 82A.

(73) The cosmetic product then becomes deposited on the downstream surface 86.

(74) The user brings the downstream surface 86 of the application wall 30 in contact with a body surface, for example in contact with the skin. The cosmetic product is then applied to the body surface.

(75) When the user has finished applying product, he returns the lid 32 to its closing-off position.

(76) In one variant, the downstream surface 86 of the application wall is textured. It has, for example, a plurality of hollows and bumps, like on a golf ball.

(77) In one variant, illustrated, for example, by FIG. 7, the dispensing orifices 82A, 82B are rectilinear, and not incurved.

(78) The orifices 82A, 82B have lengths that may be different from each other. For example, a first group of orifices 82A has a length shorter than that of a second group of orifices 82B.

(79) In another variant illustrated by FIG. 8, the application wall 30 delimits a first group of orifices 82A located radially outside a second group of orifices 82B.

(80) The orifices 82A are distributed, for example, on an outer circumference of the application wall 30, whereas the orifices 82B of the second group are distributed on an inner circumference of the application wall 30.

(81) Another variant of the application head 16 is illustrated by FIG. 9. In this variant, the dispensing orifices 82A are formed by holes of circular or oblong cross section, and not by slits.

(82) The maximum transverse dimension of each orifice 82A may be less than twice the minimum transverse dimension of the orifice 82A. Furthermore, at any point of each orifice, the smallest transverse dimension measured between two opposite edges of the orifice at this point is less than 3 mm, better still less than 1.3 mm and especially less than 1 mm. This smallest transverse dimension is advantageously between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm and better still between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm, for example equal to 0.6 mm. In other words, no orifice of the dispensing head comprises a point for which the smallest transverse dimension measured between two opposite edges of the orifice at this point is greater than 1.3 mm.

(83) Yet another variant of the head 16 is illustrated by FIG. 10. In this variant, the dispensing orifices 82A are formed by slits extending radially relative to the centre of the applicator.

(84) Generally, in all the embodiments, the total extent of the orifices 82A is less than 5% or even less than 2.5% of the total extent of the downstream surface 86 of the application wall 30.

(85) The container with a deformable wall of the invention combined with a formulation of rheology described previously makes it possible to dispense a precise dose of the composition onto the application wall. Furthermore, it makes it possible to dispense the product with just one hand while at the same time applying the product to the skin.

(86) The dimension of the dispensing orifices of the invention combined with a formulation of rheology described previously makes it possible to dispense a dose of the composition onto the application wall, by adjusting the desired amount in a precise manner by controlling the pressure generated on the container. Furthermore, with this combination, it is easier to dispense a specific dose of product by applying a substantially constant pressure in the container.

(87) Furthermore, the dimension of the dispensing orifices combined with a formulation of rheology described previously limits the phenomenon of suction of the dose of product dispensed onto the application wall into the tube when the pressure in the container is released.

(88) Finally, the application wall is particularly suited to distributing and spreading the composition of the invention onto the skin while at the same time conserving an immediate dry, soft, non-wetting and non-tacky feel.

(89) The examples that follow serve to illustrate the present invention. The amounts are given as mass percentages relative to the total weight of the composition.

EXAMPLES

(90) The examples were prepared according to the following protocol: the aqueous phase containing the gelling agents or thickeners and the aluminium salts is heated to 80 C.; the waxes and the surfactant mixture are heated with the oils to 80 C.; the two phases are mixed together and sheared in a Rayneri blender for 10 minutes; the filler is then added while blending with a Rayneri deflocculator; the formulation is cooled to room temperature while blending with a Rayneri deflocculator, before being conditioned in a device in the form of a flexible tube according to the invention.

(91) TABLE-US-00001 Example 1 Example 2 Phase Ingredients (invention) (invention) A Arachidyl alcohol, behenyl 3 1.5 alcohol and arachidylglucoside (Montanov 202) Isopropyl palmitate 10 5 (Dub IPP) Dimethicone (10 cSt) 10 5 (Element14 PDMS 10-A) Isohexadecane Beeswax 3 1.5 White beeswax (GR B 889) B Hydroxypropyl starch phosphate 1 1.5 (Structure XL) Steareth-100/PEG-136/HDI 0.5 0.5 Copolymer (Rheolate FX 1100) C Silica 3 3 (Sunsphere H 51) D 50% aluminium chlorohydrate 20 20 solution (Chlorhydrol 50) Water qs 100 qs 100 Preserving agents 0.6 0.6 G* (Pa) 18 000 9000 Stability after 24 hours at 25 C. Stable Stable

(92) These tubes make it possible easily to dispense, by pressing just once with the fingers, a correct dose with a thick formulation and to produce at the outlet in a uniform manner, both in terms of restitution (volume) and distribution, a product which combines an immediate dry, soft, non-wetting and non-tacky feel.