WO2013014099A1

WO2013014099A1 - Massaging end piece for the face

Info

Publication number: WO2013014099A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/064333
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilles Baudin
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2011-07-28
Filing date: 2012-07-20
Publication date: 2013-01-31
Also published as: FR2978349A1; FR2978349B1

Abstract

Massaging end piece (1 ) having a mount (2) and massaging elements (4) standing on this mount, the massaging elements (4) comprising: - at least one first element (5) having a first cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount, - at least one second element (7) having a second cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount, having an external contour that has at least one cavity (8), one end (51 ) of the contour of the first element (5) at least partially closing a cavity (8) in the second element (7).

Description

MASSAGING END PIECE FOR THE FACE

The subject of the present invention is an end piece for massaging the skin, to be used with or without a cosmetic composition being applied beforehand, and in particular useful for the cosmetic treatment of the face. In particular, this end piece is particularly advantageous in the field of cleansing the skin, and in particular in deep cleansing for removing impurities from the pores of the skin. It may also be useful in applications for cleansing the body.

The expression "cosmetic product" is understood to mean a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35/EEC of 14 June 1993.

In the prior art, there are known massaging end pieces comprising a mount, the surface of which is provided with spikes, the whole being produced as a single moulding. The mount is generally planar, and the spikes rise from one side of the mount. On the other side of the mount, the end piece comprises means for gripping it, such as rings or protrusions that are able to engage with the fingers.

Also known are massaging end pieces which are mounted on the end of a packaging and application device and which have massaging reliefs. In this case, they may be mounted so as to act as an application surface for the product contained in the device, or may also be arranged so as to allow massaging independently of any function of applying said product.

In the technical field of toothbrushes, the operation of which has the objective of avoiding the formation of dental plaque, there are known particular brushing heads, in particular those described in documents WO9628994 and WO9901054. Dental plaque is characterized by the formation on the surface of the tooth enamel of a material that promotes the proliferation of bacteria, leading to the occurrence of tooth decay. Dental plaque has a very hard structure and can be removed by the use of a scaler at the dentist's. The abrasive force developed by the use of prior art toothbrushes contributes to the erosion of this dental plaque. Such toothbrush end pieces are not suitable for cleansing the skin: their surface is too small for effective cleansing.

Furthermore, it would be desirable to increase the amount of foam formed by mixing water, toothpaste and air, with the brushing heads described in these documents WO9628994 and WO9901054. Within the scope of cleansing the surface of the face, massaging end pieces which are soft but nevertheless effective for obtaining clean skin, without imperfections, having a uniform complexion and without redness, are desired. To this end, the objective of cleansing the face, in particular for greasy skin or skin prone to acne, is to avoid the proliferation of bacteria, such as P. acnes, in the pores of the skin. For what is known as normal to dry skin, the main objective of cleansing the face is to remove dead skin.

Generally, there exists a need to increase the cleansing power of massaging end pieces. In particular, the cleansing power is characterized by an ability to effectively deep cleanse the pores of the skin and then to push the impurities towards the outside of the skin. In order to remove the impurities, users apply water to the face in order to wash the impurities off the face. Alternatively, they may also use an end piece to swab the face and collect said impurities on the swab. Even if, advantageously, the face is deep cleansed by using at the same time a suitable cosmetic composition, before, during or afterwards, there exists a need to improve the hand movements in relation to this cleansing, and the result of the cleansing finally obtained.

There also exists a need to provide low cost massaging end pieces, in order that they can be attached to any device for packaging a cosmetic composition, in particular when these devices contain active agents for cleansing the face.

There also exists a need for a massaging end piece, the operation of which enables different levels of cleansing of the skin.

There also exists a need for a massaging end piece suited to the hollows and reliefs of a face, in order to enable the cheekbones to be cleansed as well as the sides of the nose.

There also exists a need for a massaging end piece which encourages the foaming of a product already applied to the skin, by encouraging the incorporation of air into the film of product deposited, and thus the formation of bubbles. Encouraging the product to foam makes a contribution to effective deep cleansing since it makes it easier for the massaging end piece to slide over the entire surface of the skin. The invention relates to a massaging end piece 1 having a mount 2 and massaging elements 4 standing on this mount, the massaging elements 4 comprising:

- at least one first element 5 having a cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount, having a closed contour 54 including at least one internal concavity 6 defined by a bottom 53 and two ends 51 and 52 representing the points of this internal concavity 6 that are furthest away from the bottom 53,

- at least one second element 7 having a cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount, having a closed contour 74,

at least a portion 71 of the second element 7, which portion is defined in cross section in a region of attachment to the mount, being received inside the space 66 formed by the concavity 6 and a concavity 6' which is symmetrical to the concavity 6 with respect to the plane P at right angles to the mount, and passing through the ends 51 and 52,

characterized in that said portion 71 of the second element 7, which portion is defined in cross section in a region of attachment to the mount, occupies at least a twentieth of the surface area of the space 66, preferably at least a tenth of the surface area of the space 66 and even more preferably at least a quarter of the surface area of the space 66, better still at least half the surface area of the space 66.

The particular geometry and positioning of the first and second elements give rise to an increased foaming effect compared with prior art massaging end pieces. The air trapped in the at least partially closed cavities promotes the formation of the foam.

In the cavity or cavities located between the standing elements, the free space is occupied by the air and the composition to be foamed. By way of this possible contact between air and foam in a limited space, the amount of foam formed is more abundant than with prior art devices.

With two types of standing elements on the surface of the mount, synergy is created between the elements, this synergy thus contributing towards better cleansing of the skin than that obtained by massaging end pieces that comprise only one type of standing elements or comprise standing elements that are separated from one another. The advantage provided by the standing elements in accordance with the invention is that they provide an effective contact surface with the skin. This surface is much greater than the effective contact surface provided by the prior art end pieces.

Advantageously, the end piece according to the invention has at least 3, and preferably at least 5 first and second standing elements that are disposed in accordance with the invention. Specifically, the more standing elements there are that are arranged in accordance with the invention, the more the synergy can be observed.

In the invention, the massaging end piece may have a single surface having elements arranged in accordance with the invention. However, as an alternative, it may also have more than two different surfaces. They may each have elements having different shapes.

The cross section of the elements, defined in a region of attachment to the mount, may extend along a curve. For example, this curve may be defined by an average radius of curvature. The curved shape gives a certain rigidity to the standing element, in particular when the thickness of the contour of the element, defined in a region of attachment to the mount, is small.

Moreover, it is possible to produce elements of variable length, the length being defined between the two ends of the contour of the internal cavity, defined in a region of attachment to the mount, the two ends representing the points of this internal cavity that are furthest away from the bottom.

It is also possible to choose to reduce the average radius of curvature, the greater the length of the contour of the elements.

Different levels of cleansing can thus be achieved by simply modifying the way in which the end piece is held, while preserving the same hand movements in relation to the skin. Specifically, this simple manipulation will bring about a position of the massaging elements which is completely different in relation to the skin. By means of a back-and-forth hand movement over the skin, the simple reorientation of the elements in relation to the skin can provide a different type of cleansing.

For example, all of the first elements may have the same cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount.

Similarly, all of the second elements may have the same cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount. Advantageously, in order to make it easier for the standing elements to bend, the latter may have a cross section that decreases in size between their region of attachment to the mount and their free ends. Thus, the standing elements are more flexible at their free ends than at their bases.

According to a particular embodiment, the applicator may comprise an implantation of massaging elements having axial symmetry about an axis at right angles to the mount. It thus makes no difference if the user decides to operate the massaging end piece with his left hand or his right hand.

For example, the surface of the mount on which the elements stand is planar. In this case, the cross section of the elements in their region of attachment to the mount corresponds to the section produced on the plane of the surface of the mount.

In order to be more particularly suited to the reliefs found on the surface of the face, a surface passing through the free ends of each of the standing elements may define a concavity.

The embodiments described below constitute preferred embodiments of the end piece according to the invention.

Advantageously, the contour of the cross section of the first element has at least one cavity. In this case, the number of cavities in the mount is increased. The foaming effect is further enhanced.

Advantageously, the internal concavity 6 in the cross section of the first elements 5, which is defined in a region of attachment to the mount, has a depth 55, defined by the distance between the bottom of the cavity 53 and the mid-point of the segment connecting the two ends 51 and 52, of less than 30 mm, preferably less than 15 mm, ideally of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.

Thus, the cavities have a closure more suitable for promoting stores of air and the formation of the foam.

Preferably, the first and second elements 5 and 7 have the same shape and advantageously have the shape of two hollow half-cylinders which are disposed opposite one another, and even more advantageously the shape of two hollow half-cylinders which are offset from one another by a distance equal to a radius of the half-cylinders. Within the meaning of the invention, the radius of a hollow half- cylinder is measured, in cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount, between the centre of the hollow cylinder formed by the hollow half- cylinder and its symmetrical counterpart with respect to the plane P and the external wall of the hollow half-cylinder.

This symmetry between the two elements and the absence of an angle at the cavities further promotes mixing between the air and the product and the formation of the foam. This type of cavity reinforces the spring effect of the elements in contact with the skin.

Even more advantageously, the first and second elements are made of flexible material, in particular elastomer, and preferably have angular edges in order to promote the deep cleansing effect. Thus, the elements are flexible. They bend on contact with the skin and return quickly to their original position.

Preferably, each element is formed in one piece. In particular, each element is not formed by a tuft of bristles.

Preferably, the elements 5 and 7 have a maximum height, measured in cross section, in a plane at right angles to the mount, of between 0.1 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 5 mm, and a minimum height of between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 0.15 mm and 1 mm.

The effect of this height is to improve the cleansing of the skin during the application of the foam thereto. Furthermore, the elements can bend, but with limited bending appropriate for friction.

Preferably, the closed contour 54 of the elements 5 has a maximum thickness, defined in a region of attachment to the mount, of between 1 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 1 .5 mm and 2.5 mm.

With such a thickness, washing is particularly effective. Furthermore, the foam can leave the cavities while it is being formed. This makes it easier to rinse the end piece.

More advantageously, the second element extends along a line that has a concavity facing the centre of the surface on which the elements stand.

In this way, the foam can be directed towards the centre of the elements and the foaming effect is enhanced.

Even more advantageously, all of the elements have the same cross section at their base.

The foam formed is distributed uniformly on the end piece. It is applied more regularly to the skin. Preferably, the elements have a cross section that decreases in size between the cross section in the region of attachment and their free ends.

With this feature, the elements are fixed more firmly to the mount. Cleansing is more invigorating and energetic.

In order to reinforce the invigorating effect of the massaging elements, the applicator comprises an implantation of massaging elements having axial symmetry about an axis at right angles to the mount.

Preferably, the surface of the mount on which the elements stand is planar. Such a relief of the mount provides much greater fluency during handling of the end piece.

Even more preferably, the surface passing through the free ends of each of the standing elements defines a concavity. In this way, they contribute more to the foaming effect and to cleansing.

Advantageously, the first massaging element comprises a single concavity. Even more advantageously, the second massaging element also comprises a single concavity.

Another subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising a container, a member for closing the container and such a massaging end piece according to the invention.

More particularly, in such a device, the applicator may comprise at least one orifice that is able to be put into fluidic communication with the contents of the container so as to enable the product to be dispensed at the mount and to be spread by the standing elements. In such a configuration, the massaging end piece may be secured to the closing member.

The invention will be understood better from reading the following description and with reference to the accompanying figures. The latter are only presented by way of non-limiting indication of the invention. In the figures:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective side view of a massaging end piece according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a top view of the end piece from Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a top view of a cross section, defined in a region of attachment to the mount, of a pair of massaging elements of the end piece from Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 shows a longitudinal section view of a closing member provided with the massaging end piece;

- Figures 5 to 13 show various examples of cross sections through massaging elements, defined in a region of attachment to the mount;

- Figures 14 to 17 illustrate pairs of massaging elements according to the invention, in cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount;

- Figure 18 illustrates the terms "maximum thickness", depth 55, ends 51 and 52, on a massaging element according to the invention, in cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount;

- Figures 19 to 21 illustrate the ends 51 and 52 and the bottom 53 on a massaging element according to the invention, in cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a massaging head 1 (or end piece) according to the invention is shown. The head 1 comprises a rigid or flexible mount 2. As seen from above, the mount 2 has a surface 3 on which massaging elements 4 stand. The surface 3 has an approximately oval shape having a major diameter D1 and a minor diameter D2. The major diameter D1 is for example between 20 mm and 65 mm. The minor diameter D2 is for example between 15 mm and 65 mm. The overall surface area of the mount 2 is advantageously greater than 3 cm², preferably greater than 5 cm².

The surface 3 could alternatively have any other type of geometric shape, namely square, round, rectangular or polygonal.

The surface 3 is planar. The ratio of the minor diameter D2 to the major diameter D1 is for example between 0.6 and 1 . According to one particular embodiment, this ratio is approximately equal to 0.72.

The massaging head 1 is for example produced as a single moulding. It is non-porous. It may be produced from any thermoplastic material, for example from SEBS, a silicone, latex, a natural rubber, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer "TPE", a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, in particular low density PE, EVA, PS, PET, POM, PU, SAN, PA or PMMA. Such materials have rapid drying characteristics when they are wetted on the surface, on account in particular of suitable surface tension characteristics. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under the trade names Teflon^®, Hytrel^®, Cariflex^®, Alixine^®, Santoprene^®, Pebax^® and Pollobas , this list not being limiting. The material used to produce the applicator member may contain a softening agent and/or a bactericidal agent, such as silver ions, for example.

The standing massaging elements 4 are disposed in pairs. Each element has the shape of a hollow half-cylinder. The second hollow half-cylinder is offset with respect to the first, such that the end of the second hollow half-cylinder penetrates into the core of the first hollow half-cylinder. Starting from the plane (Ρ') passing through the ends of the first hollow half-cylinder, the position of the second hollow half-cylinder is obtained by translational movement, by a distance equal to a hollow half-cylinder radius, of the symmetrical counterpart to the first hollow half-cylinder with respect to the plane (Ρ'), the translational movement being carried out parallel to the plane (Ρ').

Among the massaging elements, there may be elements having different heights, the height being measured along their main axis of extension in the direction of their free ends. This main axis of extension is approximately perpendicular to the surface 3. All of the massaging elements have generally a height greater than 1 mm, and preferably less than 15 mm, preferably less than

10 mm. In particular, in the example shown, all of the massaging elements 4 have the same height of the order of 8 mm.

The mount 2 comprises at least ten or so pairs of standing elements, and in the example about twenty pairs of standing elements.

The minimum distance between two adjacent and identical elements of two different pairs is not zero. This distance is for example greater than or equal to

0.4 mm. It is for example of the order of 0.55 mm.

The standing elements are implanted in a grid arrangement having columns arranged perpendicularly to the lines, the lines being parallel to the major diameter

D1 and the columns being parallel to the minor diameter D2.

Each line may be split into a pair of parallel lines, one line having the hollow half-cylinders arranged in one direction and the other line having the hollow half- cylinders arranged in the other direction. Each hollow half-cylinder of one line is arranged head to tail with a hollow half-cylinder of the other line of the same pair.

As can be seen in Figure 2, each standing element has a cross section in the form of a circular arc on the plane of the surface 3. A length is thus defined for this second cross section corresponding to the length L of the path produced along the main axis of extension of this cross section inside the element 5, between the ends 51 and 52. A thickness of this section perpendicular to this path is also defined. In the example, the length L is the perimeter of the circular arc.

Thus, the massaging elements 4 may also be called cleansing strips. These strips remain standing on the surface 3 and have sufficient flexibility to bend easily when they are pressed against the skin and to return to their position when no stress is being applied to these elements. The strips are deformed simply by being pressed against the skin, and deformation is at a maximum when the movement bringing them into contact with the skin is perpendicular to their length.

The massaging elements extend continuously over the entire mount in which they are implanted. These elements could also be discontinuous according to an embodiment which is not shown.

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a pair of massaging elements shown in Figure 1 . The two elements 5 and 7 are symmetrical with respect to a plane P connecting the ends 51 and 52 of the element 5. Each element has a section in the form of a circular arc. The concavity 6', which is symmetrical to the concavity 6 with respect to the plane P, is shown by way of dotted lines in the plane of the cross section. The space 66 formed by connecting the concavities 6 and 6' has a cylindrical shape. It has the shape of a circle in the depiction in cross section. The cavity 66 is partially occupied by a portion 71 of the element 7. More than a quarter of the cavity 66 is occupied.

As is shown in Figure 4, the massaging end piece 1 can be secured to a closing member 15 that is intended to engage with a container surmounted by a hoop mounted about a neck of a container, such that the closing member 15 is mounted such as to be able to move in relation to the hoop. Thus, depending on the angular position of the closing member on this hoop, a product contained in the container can be dispensed selectively.

In particular, the massaging head comprises an orifice 18 that opens out at the surface 3.

The massaging end piece 1 is for example obtained by being overmoulded on the closing member 15 produced beforehand as a single moulding. Since the closing member 15 is intended to be mounted on a hoop by snap-fastening, it is preferably produced from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene. The surface 3 of the massaging end piece 1 is inclined in relation to the axis Y, and for example has an inclination at an acute angle of the order of 45° to the axis Y.

Use can be made of elements that have in cross section one of the shapes shown schematically in Figures 5 to 13, for example a cross shape having three or four arms, a U shape, H shape, T shape, V shape, M shape or S shape, or a circular shape having at least one groove. It may also have the shape of an E.

Figures 14 to 17 show examples of pairs of massaging elements in accordance with the invention. In Figure 14, the pair of massaging elements is formed by an element 5 in the form of a sine wave in cross section and an element 7 in the form of a rectangle in cross section, in a region of attachment to the mount.

In Figure 15, the pair is formed by U-shaped elements 5 and 7. The Us are positioned opposite one another and offset by half a base.

In Figure 16, the pair is formed by elements 5 in the form of a sine wave and by elements 7 in the form of a disc, the discs being disposed in the hollows in the sine wave.

In Figure 17, the pair is formed by U-shaped elements 5 and 7 which are disposed opposite one another and interlinked with one another. The two elements 5 and 7 overlap one another.

A plane (P) defined according to the invention has been shown in section in these figures. It passes through the ends 51 and 52 of the internal concavity 6. Starting from this plane (P), the concavity 6', which is symmetrical to the concavity 6 with respect to this plane, has been shown by way of dotted lines. That portion 71 of the element 7 that penetrates into the space 66 formed by the concavities 6 and 6' is indicated by way of hatching. In the four figures, the surface area of the portion 71 is greater than a twentieth of the surface area of the space 66. The pairs shown in these Figures 14 to 17 are in accordance with the invention.

The pairs 5 and 7 shown in Figures 16 and 17 are disposed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the end piece according to the invention. Specifically, in a cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount 2, the surface area of that portion 78 of the end piece 7 that penetrates into the space 67, formed by the concavity 6 and the line that forms the intersection between the plane (P) at right angles to the mount 2 and the mount 2 itself, occupies at least a twentieth of the surface area of the space 67, preferably at least a tenth of the surface area of the space 67, and even more preferably at least a quarter of the surface area of the space 67.

In Figure 16, the portions 71 and 78 have a virtually identical surface area. Only the references 71 are indicated. By contrast, in Figure 17, the references 71 and 78 are different. The portion 71 is singly hatched. The portion 78 is doubly hatched. The space 67 is shown with a dotted background.

In Figure 18, an element 5 is shown, and also certain parameters which characterize it. The ends 51 and 52 represent the points at which concavity of the circular arc of the element 5 changes.

In Figures 19 to 21 , the ends 51 and 52 are shown for other shapes of element 5.

In the entire description, the term "of the order of should be considered as being synonymous with "within bounds defined at + and -10%, respectively, and in particular + and -5% of, unless specified to the contrary.

In the entire description, the expression "comprising a" should be considered as being synonymous with "comprising at least one", unless specified to the contrary.

Claims

1 - Massaging end piece (1 ) having a mount (2) and massaging elements (4) standing on this mount, the massaging elements (4) comprising:

- at least one first element (5) having a cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount, having a closed contour (54) including at least one internal concavity (6) defined by a bottom (53) and two ends (51 ) and (52) representing the points of this internal concavity (6) that are furthest away from the bottom (53),

- at least one second element (7) having a cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount, having a closed contour (74),

at least a portion (71 ) of the second element (7), which portion is defined in cross section in a region of attachment to the mount, being received inside the space (66) formed by the concavity (6) and a concavity (6') which is symmetrical to the concavity (6) with respect to the plane (P) at right angles to the mount, and passing through the ends (51 ) and (52),

characterized in that said portion (71 ) of the second element (7), which portion is defined in cross section in a region of attachment to the mount, occupies at least a twentieth of the surface area of the space (66), preferably at least a tenth of the surface area of the space (66) and even more preferably at least a quarter of the surface area of the space (66), better still at least half the surface area of the space (66), the total surface area of the mount (2) being greater than 3 cm².

2 - End piece according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the second element (7) has at least one cavity (8).

3 - End piece according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal concavity (6) in the cross section of the first elements (5), which is defined in a region of attachment to the mount, has a depth (55), defined by the distance between the bottom of the cavity (53) and the mid-point between the two ends (51 ) and (52), of less than 30 mm, preferably less than 15 mm, ideally of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm. 4 - End piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second elements (5) and (7) have the same shape and advantageously have the shape of two hollow half-cylinders which are disposed opposite one another, and even more advantageously the shape of two hollow half-cylinders which are offset from one another by a distance equal to the radius of the hollow half-cylinders.

5 - End piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second elements (5) and (7) are made of flexible material, in particular elastomer, and preferably have angular edges.

6 - End piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closed contour (54) of the elements (5) has a maximum thickness (e_max), defined in a region of attachment to the mount, of between 1 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 1 .5 mm and 2.5 mm.

7 - End piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elements (5) and (7) have a maximum height, measured in cross section, in a plane at right angles to the mount, of between 0.1 mm and 15 mm, preferably between 0.8 mm and 5 mm, and a minimum height of between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 0.15 mm and 1 mm.

8 - End piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second element extends along a line that has a concavity facing the centre of the surface on which the elements stand.

9 - End piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all of the elements have the same cross section defined in a region of attachment to the mount.

10 - End piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elements have a cross section that decreases in size between the cross section in the region of attachment and their free ends. 1 1 - End piece according to any one of the preceding clainns, characterized in that the surface of the mount on which the elements stand is planar.

12 - End piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface passing through the free ends of each of the standing elements defines a concavity.

13 - Packaging and application device provided with an end piece according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 and comprising a container and a member (15) for closing the container.

14 - Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the massaging end piece comprises at least one orifice that is able to be put into fluidic communication with the contents of the container so as to enable the product to be dispensed at the mount and to be spread by the standing elements.