Packaging and applicator device including a porous structure incorporating a biocidal agent

Abstract

A packaging and applicator device for packaging and applying substance such as a cosmetic or a care product, the device comprising a receptacle capable of being closed in sealed manner, and being suitable for containing the substance and a porous structure for applying the substance or for wiping an applicator. The device includes at least one biocidal agent incorporated in the porous structure.

1 . A packaging and applicator device for packaging and applying a cosmetic or a care product, the device comprising a receptacle capable of being closed in sealed manner, and being suitable for containing the substance and a porous structure for applying the substance or for wiping an applicator, the device including at least one biocidal agent incorporated in the porous structure.  
     
     
         2 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein, when the porous structure is dry, the biocidal agent is present in the solid or concentrated state.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein, while it is in use, the porous structure is arranged in such a manner as to be saturated with the substance on its surface only.  
     
     
         4 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein the porous structure is hydrophilic, or lipophilic, and includes one or more biocidal agents that are correspondingly hydrophilic or lipophilic.  
     
     
         5 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein the biocidal agent used is a bactericidal agent and/or a bacteriostatic agent and/or an antifungal agent.  
     
     
         6 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein one or more hydrosoluble biocidal agents are used.  
     
     
         7 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein one or more liposoluble biocidal agents are used.  
     
     
         8 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein the porous structure includes metallic salts.  
     
     
         9 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein the porous structure comprises a foam or sponge made from one of the materials selected in the following list: polyurethane; polyester; polyether; natural rubber (NBR); synthetic rubber (SBR); butyl, silicone, and nitrile rubbers; and EPDM.  
     
     
         10 . A device according to    claim 9   , wherein the porous structure has at least 10% open cells.  
     
     
         11 . A device according to    claim 10   , wherein the substance contains 0.5% to 95% water.  
     
     
         12 . A device according to    claim 11   , wherein the substance is a makeup, a treatment substance or a care product for the skin or the hair.  
     
     
         13 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein the porous structure is used for applying the substance.  
     
     
         14 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein the porous structure is serves to wipe the applicator.  
     
     
         15 . A method of conserving a porous structure used in the field of cosmetics or care products, the method including the steps that consist in incorporating at least one biocidal agent during manufacture of the porous structure and of ensuring that the porous structure does not dry out between two uses because it is enclosed in a packaging and applicator device that is sealed or substantially sealed.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to    claim 15   , wherein at the end of the process of manufacturing the porous structure and while said structure is dry, the biocidal agent is present in the solid or concentrated state.  
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing an open-celled porous structure used for applying a cosmetic or a care product, wherein, during the process of manufacturing the porous structure, at least one biocidal agent that is at least partially hydrosoluble is incorporated therein so that said agent returns to the solid or concentrated state when the porous structure is dry.