Cooling device for packaging product and packaging assembly

Abstract

A cooling device and assembly including a cooling device which can cool a packaged product prior to use. According to an example, a pressurized container containing a coolant is located between a base and a support such that relative movement between the base and support causes actuation of a valve of the container. The support supports a packaging device for the product. In addition, one or more advantageous expedients are provided for better cooling. For example, the valve is preferably axially on a side of the packaging device opposite a side having an opening for access to a cosmetic product. In addition, or alternately, the valve preferably does not have a diffuser. As a further alternative, or in addition to the foregoing, the valve opens out into a housing closed off by a cover.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This document claims priority to French Application Number 05 52654, filed Sep. 1, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 716,126, filed Sep. 13, 2005, the entire content of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a cooling device, an assembly that includes a cooling device, and a device for packaging a product, preferably a cosmetic product, to be cooled. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Discussion of Background [0003]“Cosmetic product” means a product as defined in Council Directive 93 / 35 / EEC of 14 Jun. 1993. [0004] When a user wishes to apply a cosmetic product with a cooling action to their skin, he or she sometimes leaves the jar of product in a refrigerator prior to applying the product. The product is thus cooled to a temperature that causes it to have a cooling action on the skin to which it is applied. However, when the user wishes to apply the product when not ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] According to a preferred example, a device is provided which includes a pressurized container containing a coolant. The container includes a longitudinal axis and has, at a first end, a valve for discharging the coolant. A support is provided for housing the packaging device to be cooled, with the support mounted on the valve in such a way that the coolant discharged is conveyed against an external periphery of the packaging device. The arrangement also includes a base which is movable relative to the support, with the pressurized container placed between the base and the support such that the valve is actuated by moving the base relative to the support. The housing is preferably configured to house the packaging device such that an opening in the packaging device is axially opposite the valve, relative to the longitudinal axis. Thus, even when the valve is actuated, access to the product is possible. Another advantage of this configuration is that the coolant is brought into contact with a base of the packaging device such that a temperature gradient can be created inside the packaging device. Thus, for example if the packaging device has a pump connected to a dip tube, the coldest product near the base is taken up. If gradual cosmetic use of the cooling action is required, increasingly cooled amounts of product may be applied gradually, by taking up successive layers or portions of product from the packaging device.

[0013] The invention also relates to a device for cooling a device or assembly for packaging a product, preferably a cosmetic product. A preferred example of the cooling device includes a pressurized container containing a coolant, with the container including a longitudinal axis and having, at a first end, a valve for discharging the coolant. The device further includes a support for housing the packaging device to be cooled, with the support mounted on the valve such that the coolant discharged is conveyed against an external periphery of the packaging device. A base is movable relative to the support, with the pressurized container positioned between the base and the support such that the valve is actuated by moving the base relative to the support. Preferably, the valve does not have a diffuser. Thus, it is possible for the jet of coolant not to be dispersed into droplets at the outlet of the valve. It can thus stay in the liquid state (at least partially) for a longer period, with the change to a gaseous state thus being slowed down. This configuration makes it possible to prolong the cooling of the device to be cooled. Cooling can be more homogeneous with such an arrangement.

[0014] The invention also relates to a device for cooling a device or assembly for packaging a product, preferably a cosmetic product, in which a preferred example includes a pressurized container containing a coolant. The container includes a longitudinal axis and has, at a first end, a valve for discharging the coolant. A support defines a housing to house the packaging device to be cooled, with the support mounted on the valve such that the coolant discharged is conveyed against an external periphery of the packaging device. A base is movable relative to the support, and the pressurized container is placed between the base and the support such that the valve is actuated by moving the base relative to the support. In addition, a cover is provided which can interact with the support to enclose the packaging device inside the housing. In other words, the valve opens out in the housing closed off by a cover. The housing thus defines a confined space between the support and the packaging device placed therein. Since the space is confined, the expansion of the coolant is thus limited. The coolant thus stays longer at least partially in the liquid state, and it is thus possible to prolong the cooling provided by a dose of coolant discharged.

[0018] By way of example, the support can be brought or moved from a first position relative to the base in which the support interacts with the base to prevent the valve from being actuated, into a second position in which the valve can be actuated. Thus, the device can be equipped with an “on / off” system. With an on / off system, the device can be placed in a mode in which the coolant will not be wasted due to accidental operation of the device. This feature can be particularly advantageous when the device is carried around in a bag where it could be subjected to accidental knocks.

[0019] To help ensure the valve is actuated only when the user wishes to cool a packaging device, the act of opening the cover can move the support from the first position into the second position. Thus, when the cover is opened to place the packaging device in the support, the valve is not thereby actuated. By contrast, as soon as the cover is mounted on the support, then the assembly is ready for use and cooling may proceed more optimally.

Problems solved by technology

Since the space is confined, the expansion of the coolant is thus limited.

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