Applicateur et capsule pour un tel applicateur.

[0001] The invention relates to an applicator for applying a product and light to an application surface, especially the dermis or epidermis of a skin. The invention further relates to a capsule for applying at least a product to a surface, especially the epidermis of a skin.

[0002] For dispensing a product to a surface, such as a substance to a epidermis of a skin, it is known to use dispensers with an applicator element such as a ball which can be rolled over said surface. The substance is taken up by the ball from a reservoir in the applicator and transferred to the surface over which the ball is rolled.

[0003] Moreover it is known to apply light to a surface, for example for optimizing effects of a substance applied to said surface.

[0004] From US2008/262394 an applicator is known for dispensing a light to human skin, which applicator is a hand piece comprising a rolling ball as a massaging element and a connector for connecting the hand piece to a light source in a control device. Light from said light source is passed to the hand piece though a light connection such as an optical fiber and then radiated through or alongside the ball onto the surface to be illuminated. The ball is held in the hand piece in a ball chamber. In one embodiment the hand piece is provided with a plurality of openings around the ball, or a gap around the ball, through which cooling/warming air/liquid or massage oil/lubricant may be delivered to the skin during treatment of the skin. In US2008/262394 such liquid to be dispensed is, during use, injected into the ball chamber through a tube connected to the hand piece, from a source outside the hand piece.

[0005] From DE3905517 a hand held device is known comprising a rolling ball in a ball chamber, surrounded by a reservoir containing a fluid to be dispensed. The fluid can be picked up by the ball when rolling and be dispensed onto the skin. Light can be radiated onto and through the ball for heating the ball and for light therapy.

[0006] US2011/0106067 discloses an applicator device for applying a substance to skin, comprising a handle and a head. The head comprises a permanent part for connecting to the handle and a disposable part comprising a base, a volume of a substance to be dispensed and a sponge for dispensing the substance. The sponge is semi spherical and is molded to the base, such that between the base and the sponge a volume for the substance to be dispensed is provided. The outer semi spherical surface of the sponge provides for an application surface and the sponge is perforated for allowing the substance to be transmitted through the perforations onto the users skin. The handle is arranged to create a rotating magnetic force by rotating a first magnet by a motor or via electromagnetic field induction. A transmission is provided in the permanent part of the head for transmitting power from the handle to the head. A second magnet is provided in the head, within a ring-shaped stator. The second magnet is rotated by the rotating magnetic field and is used as an energy source in the head. The disposable part of the head is arranged to release a portion of the substance from the volume through the perforations of the sponge dependable upon the power transmitted from the permanent part of the head. In this device the sponge will be deformed during delivery of the product onto skin, and will absorb at least part of the product. Moreover, the sponge bounds the reservoir and thus the dispensing of the product will at least in part be controlled by the forces applied onto the sponge.

[0007] In an embodiment the disposable part comprises a central opening. The permanent part of the head comprises a tubular extension which at a free end is provided with four LED's. When the disposable part of the head is mounted on the permanent part, the tubular extension will fit in the central opening, such that the LED's extend outward from the semi spherical surface of the sponge.

[0008] US2011/0040235 discloses transdermal delivery device for therapeutic agents which comprises fixed in a housing a mechanical vibration element, a light source and a heating and cooling element. An end of the housing forms an application surface. In some embodiments a reservoir containing a therapeutic agent may be comprised in the housing, spaced well apart from the application surface, connected thereto by a series of narrow conduits. In one embodiment the reservoir is provided as a replaceable pouch with tangible closures for connecting to the conduits. A piston is provided with a piston rod extending through the end of the housing opposite the application surface, which can be engaged by a user for forcing the piston against the pouch, such that product is dispensed. Alternatively an embodiment is shown in which the reservoir is an integral part of the housing.

[0009] US2009/0299236 discloses a device for therapeutic light treatment, in which a ball is rolled over a skin surface during which light is radiated onto the skin.

[0010] US2008/0014011 discloses a cosmetics and/or drug dispensing device, having a head portion. In embodiments a ball is provided in the head portion, as an applicator element, and a light source emitting light through the top of the head portion and/or through the ball. In embodiments the entire device can be dispensable, in other embodiments a disposable cartridge comprising a cosmetic or drug compound can be mounted to the rear of the head portion. A similar device is disclosed in US2012/0207532, again disclosing a disposable reservoir containing a large quantity of product being mounted to a rear of a reusable head portion comprising a ball as an applicator element. The product is fed to the applicator element by natural flow, for example by gravity.

[0011] WO2010/111997 discloses an applicator device for cosmetic and/or medical use, having a ball as an applicator element. The device comprises a disposable applicator part and a reusable base comprising a power source and a vibrating element. In a semi spherical reservoir extending around the ball a substance is provided to be dispensed. Moreover in the applicator part compounds are contained, between the reservoir and the base, which need to be mixed for providing heating or cooling of the substance. A light source may be provided in the base, radiating light through the compounds, the reservoir with the substance and the ball, to be radiated on the skin. This means that during use the light will be influenced by these elements and the changes therein, such as the level and type of filling, temperature of the mixing compounds, air gaps between components and the like, which will make the system inaccurate. Moreover in WO2010/111997 the substance to be dispensed is apparently brought onto the ball by adherence between the ball and the substance.

[0012] An aim of the present disclosure is to provide an alternative system for dispensing a product and light onto a surface, such as onto the dermis of human skin. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a capsule for dispensing a product onto a surface. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide an applicator system which can be hand-held, comprising a light source and a reservoir for fluid to be dispensed by means of an applicator element such as a ball, with which small volumes of product can be dispensed, preferably in a well-controlled manner. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide for a method and system for treating a surface, such as the dermis of skin, by applying a product and light onto said surface by an applicator element, with which a predetermined amount of product per period of time is dispensed onto said surface. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide an applicator system for applying a product and light onto a surface, such as human skin, in a hygienic and comfortable manner. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide for such applicator system in which during use the contact between the applicator and the skin of a user onto which a substance is applied is limited to contact between a disposable part and the skin. Preferably such applicator can be used in any position of the applicator in contact with the skin, even in vertical position.

[0013] At least one of these and/or other aims of the disclosure can be obtained with a system, applicator, capsule and/or method as disclosed in this disclosure.

[0014] In an aspect a capsule can be provided for distributing, on a surface of a living body, a product containing an active component or forming a cosmetic product, the capsule having a product distribution zone and comprising in a body, a supply of product which is in communication with the product distribution zone, and first linking means for removably securing the capsule to second linking means of a housing in which is disposed a light source.

[0015] In an aspect a product distribution device can be provided containing an active component for distribution on a surface of a living body and the radiation towards this surface, the device comprising a distribution capsule and a housing to which the capsule is secured in a removable manner, by first and second linking means, and in which is disposed the light source adapted for emitting said light ray(s) towards the product distribution zone.

[0016] In a further aspect a device can be provided for distributing, on a surface of a living body, a product containing an active component or forming a cosmetic product, and the release/discharge, at least as far as this surface, of energy in the form of (a) light wave(s), the device comprising a distribution zone of product on said surface and at least one light source emitting at least one light ray towards the surface, for example focused or, preferably, spread out over a wider zone, for example over a contact zone between a movable element and the skin.