Method of preparing a cosmetic composition, and an assembly and a refill for implementing such a method

Abstract

A method of preparing a cosmetic composition includes selecting at least one enclosure from a plurality of enclosures containing different substances, and causing a fluid to flow through the enclosure(s). The enclosures may be disposed on a common extractor apparatus and/or form part of a common refill. The fluid passing through the enclosure is collected and constitutes all or part of a cosmetic composition.

1 . A method of preparing a cosmetic composition, comprising: 
 selecting at least one enclosure from a plurality of enclosures containing different substances, the at least one enclosure being disposed on a common extractor apparatus and/or forming part of a common package; and    causing a fluid to flow through the selected at least one enclosure so as to collect at least one solution constituting all or part of the cosmetic composition.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , the enclosures of the plurality of enclosures belonging to a common package.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , the enclosures of the plurality of enclosures not belonging to a common package.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , only one enclosure being selected.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , a multiplicity of enclosures being selected.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , in which the fluid flows non-simultaneously in the various enclosures of the multiplicity of enclosures.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 5 , in which the fluid flows simultaneously through the various enclosures of the multiplicity of enclosures.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 5 , in which the fluid is injected into the multiplicity of enclosures with the help of a plurality of injectors.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8 , in which the fluid is injected into the multiplicity of enclosures with the help of injectors associated respectively with the various enclosures of the multiplicity of enclosures.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , in which prior to selecting at least one enclosure, at least one item of data is acquired that is associated with a person to be treated with the composition, and in which the selection is performed at least on the basis of said item of data.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10 , in which the item of data comprises a color.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1 , at least one of the enclosures containing a coloring agent for coloring keratinous material.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 1 , the fluid including water.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13 , the fluid being water.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 1 , the temperature of the fluid being greater than 80° C.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 1 , the pressure of the fluid being greater than or equal to 1 bar.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , the pressure being greater than or equal to 3 bars.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 16 , the pressure being greater than or equal to 10 bars.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 1;  the injected fluid being in the form of both vapor and liquid phases.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 1 , the at least one solution obtained from the extraction being collected in a receptacle.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20 , the receptacle containing at least one compound for mixing with the solution coming from the extraction.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 1 , in which the enclosures are defined at least in part by a first wall configured for being pierced by an injector, and by a second wall configured for opening under the effect of the of the pressure of fluid being injected into the enclosure.  
   
   
       23 . An assembly enabling a cosmetic composition to be prepared, the assembly comprising: 
 a plurality of enclosures containing different substances; and    an extractor apparatus configured for allowing selection of at least one enclosure and configured for injecting at least one fluid therein and collecting a solution by the at least one fluid flowing through the enclosure.    
   
   
       24 . An assembly according to  claim 23 , the extractor apparatus comprising an injector system and an enclosure support system, at least one of the injector system and the support system being configured for allowing selection of the at least one enclosure into which the at least one fluid is to be injected.  
   
   
       25 . An assembly according to  claim 23 , the enclosures belonging to a common refill.  
   
   
       26 . An assembly according to  claim 25 , the refill including a cartridge containing the plurality of enclosures.  
   
   
       27 . An assembly according to  claim 25 , the refill including a plurality of capsules secured to one another and respectively defining different enclosures.  
   
   
       28 . An assembly according to  claim 24 , support system being configured for allowing the enclosures to move relative to the injector system.  
   
   
       29 . An assembly according to  claim 23 , the apparatus including a heater system to raise the temperature of the fluid to greater than 80° C. prior to injection.  
   
   
       30 . An assembly according to  claim 23 , the apparatus being arranged to raise the injected fluid to a pressure greater than or equal to 1 bar.  
   
   
       31 . An assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein the pressure is greater than or equal to 3 bars.  
   
   
       32 . An assembly according to  claim 30 , wherein the pressure is greater than or equal to 10 bars.  
   
   
       33 . An assembly according to  claim 23 , the extractor apparatus including a selector system configured for allowing a user to select one tint amongst a plurality of tints, and configured to control the injection of the fluid so as to collect a cosmetic composition of tint that corresponds to the selected tint.  
   
   
       34 . An assembly according to  claim 33 , the support system including at least one portion in relief enabling the refill the open while fluid is being injected under pressure.  
   
   
       35 . An extractor apparatus enabling a fluid to flow through at least one enclosure in order to prepare a cosmetic composition, the apparatus comprising: 
 an injector system; and    a support system for supporting a plurality of enclosures;    the extractor apparatus arranged in such a manner so as to enable one or more enclosures to be selected through which injection is to take place.    
   
   
       36 . An apparatus according to  claim 35 , including a plurality of injectors.  
   
   
       37 . An apparatus according to  claim 35 , the injected fluid being under a pressure of at least 3 bars and at a temperature greater than 80° C.  
   
   
       38 . An apparatus according to  claim 37 , the injected fluid being in the form of both vapor and liquid phases.  
   
   
       39 . An apparatus according to  claim 35 , the fluid being water.  
   
   
       40 . A package comprising: 
 a plurality of enclosures; and    a plurality of different substances respectively contained in the various enclosures, and each including at least one compound capable of being extracted by percolating a fluid through the corresponding enclosure.    
   
   
       41 . A package according to  claim 40 , the plurality of enclosures being contained in a common cartridge.  
   
   
       42 . A package according to  claim 41 , at least two enclosures being separated by a partition inside the cartridge.  
   
   
       43 . A package according to  claim 40 , the enclosures being angularly distributed around an axis of the package.  
   
   
       44 . A package according to  claim 40 , comprising a body made at least in part by molding a thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       45 . A package according to  claim 40 , the plurality of enclosures being defined by a plurality of distinct capsules that are secured to one another.  
   
   
       46 . A package according to  claim 45 , the capsules being carried by a support element.  
   
   
       47 . A package according to  claim 46 , the support element being annular in form.  
   
   
       48 . A package according to  claim 46 , the support element being elongate in form.  
   
   
       49 . A package according to  claim 46 , the capsules being disposed in rows.  
   
   
       50 . A package according to  claim 46 , the support element being made integrally together with at least a portion of the capsules.  
   
   
       51 . A package according to  claim 40 , each enclosure including a sealing gasket arranged to co-operate with at least one injector.  
   
   
       52 . A package according to  claim 40 , each enclosure being substantially airtight.  
   
   
       53 . A package according to  claim 40 , the refill including keying means.  
   
   
       54 . A package according to  claim 40 , at least one of the substances contained in the enclosures including a coloring agent for keratinous materials.  
   
   
       55 . A package according to  claim 40 , the plurality of substances including a plurality of coloring agents of different colors for keratinous materials.  
   
   
       56 . A package according to  claim 40 , the substances contained in the enclosures being in powder form.  
   
   
       57 . A package according to  claim 40 , the enclosures being defined at least in part by a wall arranged to open under the effect of the pressure of the fluid injected into the associated extractor apparatus.  
   
   
       58 . A package according to  claim 40 , each enclosure having a volume in the range of about 1 cm 3  to about 20 cm 3 .