EP1188687A1 - Device for the extemporaneous mixture of at least three products - Google Patents

Abstract

A mixer (1) consists of a first container divided into two compartments, a second container having an outlet, and a connecting system to allow the three products, of which the first two are in powder form, to be mixed together. A mixer (1) consists of: (a) a first container (100) with an inner partition (120) dividing it into two compartments (121, 122) for separate products and with its ends closed by a cap (114) and a base (107); and (b) a second container (10) for the third product, having an outlet for the mixture. The two containers have a connecting system (50, 57, 115) to allow the three products, of which the first two are in powder form, to be mixed together.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the extemporaneous mixing of at least three products, in order to produce for example a hair composition, including coloring or perm. The invention is particularly suitable for mixing three products, at least two of which are in the form of powders.

The devices used for the extemporaneous mixing of two products can be present in different forms.

• un premier flacon destiné à contenir un premier produit, ce flacon étant ouvert à sa base en forme de jupe et étant muni, au sommet, d'un embout de distribution;
• des moyens de raccordement fixés sur la base du premier flacon, comportant une cheminée centrale propre à recevoir en partie haute un obturateur séparable permettant la fermeture du premier flacon;
• un deuxième flacon destiné à contenir un second produit, muni d'un goulot apte à être engagé dans ladite cheminée centrale, ce goulot étant équipé d'un moyen de fermeture amovible, le goulot portant des moyens d'entraínement pour, après enlèvement du moyen de fermeture, coopérer avec des moyens complémentaires prévus sur la cheminée centrale, pour permettre l'expulsion de l'obturateur et permettre le mélange des deux produits.

An example of such a device commonly used in the hair field is described in particular in patent FR 2 680 357. According to this patent, the device is of the type comprising:

• a first bottle intended to contain a first product, this bottle being open at its base in the form of a skirt and being provided, at the top, with a dispensing nozzle;
• connection means fixed on the base of the first bottle, comprising a central chimney suitable for receiving in the upper part a separable shutter allowing the closure of the first bottle;
• a second bottle intended to contain a second product, provided with a neck capable of being engaged in said central chimney, this neck being equipped with a removable closure means, the neck carrying drive means for, after removal of the means closure, cooperate with additional means provided on the central chimney, to allow the expulsion of the shutter and allow the mixing of the two products.

So, the first product can be an oxidant, and the second product, a dye oxidation. Alternatively, the first product can be an activator (acid thioglycolic for example) and the second product, a base lotion for permanent capillary.

In the field of hair perms, new ones are being developed formulas in which the second product itself results from the mixture of two active, in particular in the form of powders, and which can only be mixed with extemporaneous way when using the composition. So the mixture must be capable of packaging three products separately incompatible with each other, and to allow mixing at the time of use of composition.

Thus, the second bottle should be designed so that it can contain separately two separate powders, so that when expelling the shutter, the two powders are brought into contact with each other simultaneously with bringing them into contact with the product contained in the first bottle.

The problem then arises of introducing each of the powders into a its own compartment inside the second bottle, each of the compartments communicating with the opening delimited by the neck of the second bottle. Indeed, because of the active role it plays in the expulsion of the shutter, except to size the entire mixer in a manner totally incompatible with the marketing imperatives of cosmetics, the neck of the second bottle is necessarily of reduced section, which requires introducing the powders into their respective compartments by means of tubing and rods of small section. Of such small cross-section pipes and rods do not lend themselves to good flow powders, which tend to clump together and form plugs. This phenomenon is sometimes called "caking".

Devices for the simultaneous distribution of two packaged products of separately are described in patents GB 687 733, FR 983 279, or US 2 661,871.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to be able to carry out a device for the extemporaneous mixing of at least three products, two of which at less are in particular in the form of a powder, and resolving in whole or in part, the problems discussed above with reference to conventional systems.

It is in particular an object of the invention to produce a device whose filling the containers making it up is easy to use, including in the case of products in the form of powders.

It is another object of the invention to produce such a device which is simple and economical to achieve.

Still other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

a) un premier récipient pour le conditionnement séparé d'au moins deux produits, comprenant un corps et une paroi intérieure séparant au moins un premier compartiment contenant un premier produit, d'un second compartiment, contenant, de manière isolée du premier, un second produit, ledit corps comportant une première ouverture obturée de manière réversible par un bouchon et une seconde ouverture obturée par un fond rapporté, lesdites première et seconde ouvertures communiquant chacune avec lesdits premier et second compartiments ;

b) un second récipient contenant un troisième produit à mélanger avec lesdits premier et second produits, ledit second récipient étant équipé d'un premier orifice pour la distribution du mélange ; et

c) des moyens pour réaliser le couplage des premier et second récipients en vue de la réalisation du mélange des premier, second, et troisième produits.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a device for the extemporaneous mixing of three products, and comprising

a) a first container for the separate packaging of at least two products, comprising a body and an interior wall separating at least a first compartment containing a first product, from a second compartment, containing, isolated from the first, a second product, said body comprising a first opening closed reversibly by a plug and a second opening closed by an attached base, said first and second openings each communicating with said first and second compartments;

b) a second container containing a third product to be mixed with said first and second products, said second container being equipped with a first orifice for dispensing the mixture; and

c) means for coupling the first and second containers for the purpose of mixing the first, second and third products.

Due to the communication of the first opening with the two compartments, bringing the first and second products into contact, in particular in the case of two powders, simultaneously with their contact with the third product is largely facilitated.

In addition, the filling of the first container is facilitated in a wide measurement due to the communication of the second opening with each of the compartments that it delimits.

Preferably, the second opening has a cross section greater than the cross section of the first opening.

Thus, in the case where the two products contained in the first container are in the form of powders, they can be introduced easily through the second opening, before closing it with the attached bottom. By the larger section of the second opening, the powders can be brought in via pipes and tubes with sufficiently large cross-sections important to avoid the phenomenon of "caking" discussed with reference to conventional systems.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the term "plug" designates any means of closure, whether screwed, snapped on, glued or welded, the main thing being that the first opening can be released.

Concerning the added base of the first container, its mounting is preferably as it is irreversible. However, this is not an obligation.

The design of the device according to the invention, and in particular of the first container is such that it can be obtained using low-cost industrial techniques cost, such as injection in particular.

Preferably, the first opening of the first container is separated from the second by a portion of said body, of section progressively decreasing in direction of the first opening. Such a profile allows complete emptying of the first container when it is turned upside down for production of the mixture in the second container.

Preferably, the second opening is of section substantially equal to the maximum section of the first container. We thus maximize the section of means can be used to fill the first container.

The bottom can be mounted by screwing, snapping, gluing or welding (thermal, ultrasound or laser) on said body.

The body of the first container as well as the inner wall can be obtained in one piece by injection of a thermoplastic material chosen from polyethylenes (PE), polypropylenes (PP), polyethylene terephthalates (PET), polyvinyl chlorides (PVC), or in a PE / Ethylene type complex vinyl alcohol (EVOH) / PE, or PE / PET. Still other materials may be used.

The cap associated with the first opening is preferably screwed onto the body of the first container.

According to a particular embodiment, the inner wall extends along the axis longitudinal of the first container between a first end located substantially in the plane of the first opening and a second end is found substantially in the plane of the second opening.

The inner wall can be centered on the longitudinal axis of the first container, or off-center, depending on the respective volumes of first and second products. The first container can be of circular section or not. So in the field mixers, it is common to use containers of elongated section, especially oval. In the latter case, the wall may be parallel to the most large dimension of the container, or parallel to the smallest dimension. Wall can be designed to define more than two separate compartments.

Additional sealing means can be associated with the plug and / or the background reported. Such sealing means can consist of a gasket triseal ™ type.

Preferably, the dispensing orifice of the second container is equipped with a nozzle. for localized distribution, in particular on the scalp. Such a tip can be of the self-breaking end type.

a) le second récipient comporte à l'opposé du premier orifice, une base dont un bord libre délimite un second orifice ;

b) des moyens de raccordement fixés sur ladite base comportent une cheminée centrale propre à recevoir en partie haute un obturateur séparable permettant d'obturer ledit second orifice, ledit premier récipient étant muni d'un goulot dont un bord libre délimite ladite première ouverture, et apte à être engagé dans ladite cheminée centrale ; et en ce que :

c) ledit goulot porte des moyens d'entraínement pour, après enlèvement du bouchon du premier récipient, coopérer avec des moyens complémentaires prévus sur la cheminée centrale, pour permettre l'expulsion de l'obturateur et permettre le mélange des trois produits;

Advantageously:

a) the second container comprises, opposite the first orifice, a base, a free edge of which delimits a second orifice;

b) connection means fixed on said base include a central chimney suitable for receiving in the upper part a separable shutter making it possible to close off said second orifice, said first container being provided with a neck whose free edge delimits said first opening, and able to be engaged in said central chimney; and in that :

c) said neck carries drive means for, after removing the cap from the first container, cooperate with complementary means provided on the central chimney, to allow the expulsion of the shutter and allow the mixing of the three products;

The separable shutter can be mounted by snapping on the upper part of the central fireplace.

A sealing lip can be placed on an internal surface of the chimney central, so as to seal between said internal surface and the neck when the latter is in the shutter expulsion position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the drive means include at least one nipple on an external surface of the neck, and protruding radially outwards, the additional means provided on the surface internal of the central chimney comprising at least one portion of a ramp helical suitable for cooperating with the nipple. Such a nipple can have the form general of a grain of rice.

More preferably, the drive means comprise two pins, diametrically opposite, said complementary means comprising two diametrically opposite helical ramp portions.

In the case where the cap fitted to the first container is screwed, the (or) portion (s) of helical ramp (s) preferably have a pitch greater than that of plug thread. Such an arrangement allows the shutter to be expelled from faster.

Thus, and more specifically, the cooperation of training means with the complementary means causes an axial displacement of the neck at inside the central chimney, in response to a rotation of the first container relative to the second, the pitch of the portion (s) of helical ramp (s) preferably being such that the axial displacement of the neck relative to the central chimney, necessary to expel the shutter, is obtained by a rotation of less than one revolution of the first container relative to the second.

The composition resulting from the mixture of the three products can be a composition hair, especially coloring or perm. The first and second products are preferably in the form of a powder.

• la figure 1 est une vue éclatée d'un mode de réalisation préférentiel d'un dispositif de mélange selon l'invention ;
• les figures 2A-2B illustrent différentes vues du premier récipient utilisé dans le dispositif de la figure 1 ; et
• les figures 3A-3F illustrent les principales étapes de fonctionnement du dispositif de mélange représenté à la figure 1.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a mixing device according to the invention;
• Figures 2A-2B illustrate different views of the first container used in the device of Figure 1; and
• FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate the main stages of operation of the mixing device shown in FIG. 1.

The mixing device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2A-2B comprises a first container 100 for separately containing a first and a second product, especially in the form of powders, which products are put simultaneously in contact with a third product contained in a second container 10, for example for the production of a composition of permanent capillary. The first container 100 will be described detailed below, in particular with reference to FIGS. 2A-2B.

The container 10 has a body 17, of axis X, open at its base. A section transverse of the body 17 is of substantially oval shape. The base ends with a neck 11 with circular section. An opening 16 is delimited by a free edge of the neck 11. The neck 11 is connected to the body 17 of the container 10 by a shoulder 12. A its top, located on the opposite end to the skirt 11, the bottle 10 is provided with a neck 13 delimiting an opening 18 for the distribution of the mixture. On pass 13, is mounted in a sealed manner a closed dispensing nozzle 14, and the tip 15 can be broken to create an opening when use, in order to pour the product.

A connection piece 50, made of plastic, forms a chimney central 51, circular section. The part 50 is forced into the interior of the opening 16 of the container 10. The central chimney 51 comprises an upper part of smaller diameter 52. This portion 52 of smaller diameter, is suitable for receive a shutter 53, formed by a sort of cup engaged so watertight, for example by snapping, on the free edge of the chimney 51. The shutter 53 can be separated from the central chimney 51 under the action of a thrust exerted on this shutter 53, towards the bottle 10, inside which will release the shutter thus expelled. The interior surface of the chimney central unit 51 has a lip 56 capable of forming a seal when the container 100 is mounted on the device 1 and that the mixing is carried out.

The central chimney 51 further comprises a lower part 55, of more section important than the section of the upper part 52. The lower part 55 of the chimney central 51 is clean, as will be seen later, to receive the neck of the first container 100.

A dressing skirt 54 whose cross section has a shape similar to that of the cross section of the container 10, is mounted in particular by breakdown, fixed in rotation on the neck 11 of the container 10.

The container 100 appears in more detail in Figures 2A and 2B to which reference is now made.

The body 101 of the container 100 comprises a main part 102, of section elongated, gradually increasing towards a cylindrical portion 103 of low height. A free edge of the cylindrical portion 103 defines an opening 104. As will be seen in more detail below, after filling the container 100, the opening 104 is closed by means of a cup 107, welded or glued on the cylindrical part 103 of the container 100. The height of the cup 107 is greater than the height of the cylindrical portion 103 so that, in position mounting of the container 100 on the device 1, a free edge of the cup 107 comes substantially in contact with a corresponding edge of the covering skirt 54 (see Figures 3C-3F).

At its end opposite to the cylindrical part 103, the body 101 forms a neck 108 of which a lower part 109 is of section greater than the section of a part high 110. The high part 110 has a free edge delimiting an opening 111. A thread 112 is provided on the upper part 110 of the neck 108, and is suitable for cooperate with a corresponding thread 113 provided on a plug 114. Alternatively, the neck 108 of the container 100 can be closed by a cover heat sealed, or other equivalent means.

Advantageously, the outside diameter of the plug 114 is slightly smaller the inside diameter of the lower part 55 of the central chimney 51, so that the plug 114, in the storage position of the device 1 can be inserted in this chimney, as shown in Figure 3A.

An inner wall 120 is formed inside the body 101 and extends from the plane of the opening 111 to the plane of the opening 104. The wall 120 extends parallel to the minor axis of the container section 100, slightly decentered. Such a wall 120 allows, in the mounted position of the plug 114 and the added back 107 to delimit two compartments 121, 122, isolated from each other, each of two compartments opening on the one hand to the opening 104 on the other part on the opening 111. A seal 116 of the triseal ™ type is placed in the bottom of the cap 114. Similarly, a seal 117, of the same type as the seal 116, is disposed in the bottom of the cup 107. The container 100 is formed by injection.

Drive means, in the form of two pins 115 diametrically opposite, are arranged on the lower part 109 neck 108. Means complementary drive 57 are provided on the internal surface of the part lower 55 of the central chimney 51. Such complementary means 57, form two portions of helical ramps suitable for cooperating respectively with nipples 115. The pitch of the ramps is preferably much greater than the not threads 112 and 113 of neck 108, respectively of plug 114.

Advantageously, the pitch of the portions of helical ramps 57 is chosen to such that the axial travel of the neck 108, relative to the chimney central 51, and necessary to drive the shutter 53 is obtained for a rotation of the neck 108 less than one revolution relative to the part 50.

The lower part 55 of the central chimney 51 is of section greater than the maximum outside diameter of the thread 112 so that the portions of helical ramps 57 cannot interfere with thread 112 when the neck 108, released from its plug 114, will be introduced into the chimney 51.

Particularly in the case where the products to be packaged separately in compartments 121 and 122 are powders, these, for the reasons mentioned in the introductory part of the description, are introduced via the opening 104, before mounting and welding the bottom 107. To do this, first positions the cap 114 on the neck 108, and the container upside down. The powders are brought in by means of filling whose diameter is such that the powder flows easily.

Filling the container 10 with the third product to be mixed with the two powders contained in the container 100, is made via the opening 18 after have taken care to properly position the part 50 fitted with the shutter 53 in the opening 16. The dispensing nozzle 14 is then mounted on the neck 13 of the bottle 10.

If necessary, bottles 10 and 100 can be stored side by side in a auxiliary packaging, especially in cardboard. Preferably, however, for the storage, engage plug 114, fixed on neck 108, in the lower part 55 of the chimney 51, as illustrated in FIG. 3A.

When the operator wishes to use device 1 by mixing the three products, he withdraws the bottle 100 from the central chimney 51 and then unscrews the cap 114 of container 100 (FIG. 3B).

The operator introduces the neck 108, free of its cap, into the chimney 51 and push the neck axially by rotating it until the nipples 115 come into engagement with the base of the helical ramps 57. By a movement of rotation between the bottle 100 and the part 50, the operator ensures the raising of the pins 115 in the ramps 57. At the end of the upward stroke, as illustrated in the figure 3C, the upper part 110 of the neck 108 drives out the shutter 53 and opens the bottle 10. In the meantime, the sealing lip 56 has come into leaktight contact with the external surface of the neck 108. An audible sound in the form of a "click" can inform the user about the expulsion of the shutter 53. In this position, the free edge of the cup 107, is substantially in contact with the lower edge of the dress skirt 54.

The operator then returns the device 1 so that the three products to mix flow into the bottle 10 (Figure 3D). He shakes the whole so as to homogenize the mixture obtained.

It then proceeds to open the dispensing nozzle 14 by breaking the end 15 (Figure 3E).

It applies the mixture to the desired location in the head-down position of the device (figure 3F).

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously there may be variations made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (18)

Device (1) for the extemporaneous mixing of at least three products, the device comprising: a) a first container (100) comprising a body (101) and an interior wall (120) separating at least a first compartment (121) containing a first product, from a second compartment (122), containing, in isolation from the first, a second product, said body (101) comprising a first opening (111) closed reversibly by a plug (114) and a second opening (104) closed by an attached base (107), said first (111) and second (104) openings each communicating with said first (121) and second (122) compartments; b) a second container (10) containing a third product to be mixed with said first and second products, said second container (10) being equipped with a first orifice (18) for dispensing the mixture; and c) means (50, 57, 115) for coupling the first and second containers for the purpose of mixing the first, second and third products. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the second opening (104) has a cross section greater than the cross section of the first opening (111). Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the first opening (111) is separated from the second (104) by a portion (102) of said body, of section progressively decreasing towards the first opening (111) . Device (1) according to claim 3 characterized in that the second opening (104) is of section substantially equal to the maximum section of the first container (100). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the bottom (107) is mounted by screwing, snapping, gluing or welding on said body (101). Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said body (101) and the interior wall (120) are obtained in one piece by injection of a thermoplastic material chosen from polyethylenes (PE), polypropylenes (PP), polyethylene terephthalates (PET), polyvinyl chlorides (PVC), or a complex of PE / Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) / PE, or PE / PET type. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said plug (114) is screwed onto the body (101) of the first container (100). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said inner wall (120) extends along the longitudinal axis (X) of the first container between a first end lying substantially in the plane of the first opening (111) and a second end lying substantially in the plane of the second opening (104). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that added sealing means (116, 117) are associated with the plug (114) and / or the attached bottom (107). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that : a) the second container (10) comprises, opposite the first orifice (18), a base, a free edge of which delimits a second orifice (16); b) connection means (50) fixed on said base form a central chimney (51) suitable for receiving in the upper part a separable shutter (53) making it possible to close said second orifice (16), said first container (100) being provided with a neck (108), a free edge of which delimits said first opening (111), and capable of being engaged in said central chimney (51); and in that : c) said neck (108) carries drive means (115) for, after removal of the cap (114) of the first container (100), cooperate with complementary means (57) provided on the central chimney (51), for allow expulsion of the shutter (53) and allow mixing of the three products. Device (1) according to claim 10 characterized in that the separable shutter (53) is mounted by snapping on the upper part of the central chimney. Device (1) according to claim 10 or 11 characterized in that a sealing lip (56) is disposed on an internal surface of the central chimney (51), so as to seal between said internal surface and the neck ( 108) when the latter is in the expulsion position of the shutter (53). Device (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12 characterized in that the drive means comprise at least one stud (115) on an external surface of the neck (108), and projecting radially outwards, and in that the complementary means (57) provided on the internal surface of the central chimney (51) comprise at least one portion of helical ramp (57) adapted to cooperate with the stud (s) (115). Device (1) according to claim 13 characterized in that the drive means comprise two studs (115), diametrically opposed, said complementary means comprising two portions of helical ramps (57) diametrically opposite. Device (1) according to claim 14 characterized in that the cap (114) equipping the first container (100) is screwed, the portion (s) of ramp (s) helical (s) (57) having a not greater than that of the thread (113) of the plug (114). Device (1) according to claim 15 characterized in that the cooperation of the drive means (115) with the complementary means (57) causes an axial displacement of the neck (108) inside the central chimney (51), in response to a rotation of the first container (100) relative to the second (10), the pitch of the portion (s) of helical ramp (s) (57) being such that the axial displacement of the neck (108) relative to the central chimney (51), necessary to expel the shutter (53), is obtained by a rotation of less than one turn of the first container (100) relative to the second (10). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the composition resulting from the mixture of the three products is a hair composition, in particular for coloring or perming. Device (1) according to claim 17 characterized in that the first and second products are in the form of a powder.

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