Refrigerating Device

Abstract

The invention concerns a portable cooling device for personal care products comprising a thermoelectric element (1) and means for thermally contacting (2) a dose of product to be cooled with the thermoelectric element. The inventive device is adapted to be used for applying a personal care product, such as cosmetic products, requiring to be rapidly and greatly cooled immediately before being applied to the skin.

Description

CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of refrigerating devices, and relates more specifically to a portable refrigerating device for personal care products. Certain personal care products, for example cosmetics or pharmaceutical products, need to be applied cold in order to be fully effective.

STATE OF THE ART

The company SAMSUNG® has thus proposed a refrigerator specifically dedicated to cosmetic products, with small dimensions and intended to be installed for example in a bathroom. Such a device is described in the document US-A-2003/0084670. The products to be cooled and kept refrigerated are placed in a storage chamber the volume of which is cooled by a thermoelectric element coupled to a heat exchanger in a double base of the storage chamber. An electronic unit controls the thermoelectric element on the basis of information provided by a temperature detector and as a function of parameters entered by the user.

Such a device is however relatively bulky. Moreover, the refrigerator described in US-A-2003/0084670 makes it possible to keep personal care products refrigerated, but not to cool them instantaneously. Now, certain personal care products have active ingredients activated by a chilling effect, i.e. when they are significantly and rapidly cooled immediately before their use.

Moreover, from the document U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,810 a device for making ice cubes is known, which comprises an insulating housing integrated into a structure fixed to the wall. This device is intended to be placed in hotel rooms for example. The base of the insulating housing comprises a tray intended to receive bags of ice cubes and two rows of six thermoelectric elements are placed under the tray. Ice cubes can thus be formed in approximately 30 minutes. Such a device is fixed and despite the relative rapidity of production of the ice cubes, it does not make it possible to apply a chilling effect to a product. In fact, thermal chilling involves significant and very rapid cooling, of the order of a few minutes.

Reference can be made for example to the cosmetic product marketed under the name Ice-Source®, a description of which can be found on the site www.ice-source.com. This product is contained in a self-cooling package making it possible to significantly and rapidly cool the cosmetic product immediately before its application. The package currently marketed is however single-use and cools its entire contents only once. It does not therefore make it possible to cool small quantities of samples, nor to cool doses of different products.

Moreover, a self-refrigerating package for cosmetic products is known from the document US-A-2005/0005628. This package contains a refrigerating tube connected to a reservoir of cosmetic product and discharging via a product expulsion outlet. This tube is surrounded by a cooling channel connected to a reservoir of pressurized gas. Cooling is ensured by expansion of the gas along the channel surrounding the cosmetic product expulsion tube. This package therefore makes it possible to instantaneously cool a small quantity of product immediately before use, but the gases used—CFCs—are banned by European and American standards for ecological reasons. The use of other gazes, such as CO₂ or butane, are no more acceptable for safety reasons, CO₂ requiring very significant pressurization and butane being highly inflammable. Moreover, the package described in the document US-A-2005/0005628 does not make it possible to cool samples of different products.

A need therefore exists for a cooling device which allows rapid and repeated cooling of doses of personal care products, typically a few ml to be cooled in less than 5 minutes, and which is compact and not harmful to the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, the invention proposes to use a portable device comprising a thermoelectric element and means for bringing into thermal contact a dose of personal care product with the thermoelectric element.

The thermoelectric element of the device of the invention does not cool a volume, as is the case of the refrigerator described in the document US-A-2003/0084670, but directly cools the product. The device of the invention does not therefore seek to keep a cosmetic product refrigerated in its package, but makes it possible to apply a chilling effect directly to a dose of product before its use.

According to the embodiments, the means for bringing into thermal contact the dose of personal care product with the thermoelectric element comprise a plate for receiving the product on which the product is spread and which is suited to being cooled by the thermoelectric element; or means for pressing a package containing the dose of product against the thermoelectric element.

The invention also proposes a combination of a device according to the invention and a package containing a dose of personal care product to be cooled. Such a package can comprise a sachet of product or a tube intended to be pressed against a thermoelectric element of the device, for example by pressing means of the device.

The device therefore makes it possible to cool doses of different products separately and successively, each dose of product being able to be provided in a package intended to be pressed against a thermoelectric element of the device.

The invention also relates to a flexible package comprising two heat-sealed flexible sheets delimiting a sachet containing a dose of personal care product intended to be cooled by a device according to the invention and a neck extending into the extension of the sachet. Said flexible package also comprises at least one locator constituted by a hole passing through the heat-sealed flexible sheets and situated on one side of the neck.

The invention also relates to a package in the form of a metal tube containing a dose of personal care product intended to be cooled by a device according to the invention, the tube having a first end sealed by a stopper and a second end sealed by a piston.

The invention also relates to a process for cooling a dose of personal care product, comprising stages consisting of:

• • placing the dose of product in thermal contact with a thermoelectric element of a cooling device according to the invention;
  • activating the thermoelectric element;
  • collecting the cooled product and applying it to an area to be treated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, which show

FIG. 1, a perspective diagram of the refrigerating device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2, a lateral cross-section of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, a detailed diagram of the refrigerating element and the heat removal assembly of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 4, a perspective diagram of the refrigerating device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5, a lateral cross-section of the device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6, a view of the detail A of the pressing element of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7, a perspective diagram of the refrigerating device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8, a lateral cross-section of the device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9, a diagram of a package of a dose of personal care product to be cooled with the device according to the second or third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10, a cross-section of a part of the refrigerating device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11, a diagram of a package of a dose of personal care product to be cooled with the device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In the description which follows, the expressions “conductive”, “insulating” and “in contact” refer to heat conduction; the expressions “above” and “below” are used with reference to the attached figures.

A first embodiment of the device according to the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

In FIG. 1, the device is shown generally resembling a box with a case 10 and a raised lid 11. The case 10 has a limited space requirement, of the order of 250*200*100 mm³. The upper wall of the case 10 comprises a plate 2 intended for receiving a personal care product to be cooled. A mark 3, situated substantially in the centre of the plate 2, makes it possible to locate the most cooled area of the plate 2 during the operation of the device. A dose of product to be cooled is therefore spread on the plate 2, at the marked area 3.

FIG. 1 also shows a control button 8, situated for example on the front wall of the case. This control button 8 can be a simple on-off switch or an adjusting button.

When the device is not being used, the lid 11 can be closed in order to protect the plate for receiving the product 2, which limits the space requirement of the device and facilitate its transport. When the device is being used, the lid 11 is raised in order to allow access to the plate 2 for spreading the personal care product to be cooled. The internal surface of the lid 11 can comprise a mirror, in particular when the product to be cooled is a cosmetic product.

An element 12 for displaying the temperature of the marked area 3 of the plate for receiving the product 2 can be integrated into the device, for example in the lid 11 for good visibility. The temperature display element 12 can be of the graphic bar type comprising a series of light-emitting diodes being illuminated or extinguished as the temperature of the plate 2 is reduced. An electrical connection links the diodes to an electronic control circuit placed in the device and described hereafter; this connection can pass through the hinges of the lid 11.

FIG. 2 shows the refrigerating device according to this first embodiment in lateral cross-section with the lid 11 raised. FIG. 2 thus shows the content of the case 10 of the device according to the first embodiment of the invention. A thermoelectric element 1 is placed under the plate 2, approximately at the location of the mark 3 identified in FIG. 1. The plate 2 thus constitutes a means for bringing into thermal contact a dose of product to be cooled with the thermoelectric element 1.

The thermoelectric element 1 is connected to an electronic control circuit 8a and to a supply 7 which can be of the rechargeable battery type, such as for example a lap-top computer battery. For a device according to the invention, a power supply 7 of approximately 40 W at 9V and 4 A is appropriate. The device according to the invention is therefore portable because of its limited dimensions and it also has a certain autonomy as it can be supplied from the mains or by its battery 7.

The thermoelectric element 1 can be a Peltier cell having a cold surface and a hot surface when an electric current passes through it, the difference in temperature being a function of the amount of current passing through the cell. The cold surface of the Peltier cell is in contact with the plate 2 intended for receiving the product to be cooled and the hot surface of the cell is placed on a heat removal assembly which can be a radiator 5 combined with a fan 6 or an accumulation heat sink, for example a reservoir of water. FIG. 3 describes in more detail the refrigerating element 1 and the heat removal assembly 5, 6 according to a possible embodiment.

FIG. 2 also shows the control button 8 intended to activate cooling of the plate 2. This button 8 can be a simple switch controlling an electronic circuit 8a which controls the amount of current passing through the thermoelectric element 1 using information from a temperature-measuring sensor 9, of thermistor type for example. This electronic circuit 8a also makes it possible to control the temperature display element 12 described with reference to FIG. 1, using information from the temperature sensor 9. The electronic circuit 8a can also comprise a time-out which automatically stops the cooling after a few minutes.

FIG. 2 also shows an intermediate plate 4 situated between the cold surface of the Peltier cell 1 and the plate 2 for receiving the product. The plate for receiving the product 2 is preferably made of stainless steel, for reasons of ease of cleaning and limiting heat leakage. In fact, it is sought to significantly and rapidly cool a given area of the plate 2 in order to ensure a chilling effect on the personal care product spread on the plate; it is therefore desirable to avoid any heat loss over the whole of the surface of the plate. For this purpose it is chosen to make the plate 2 of very thin stainless steel, for example 0.5 mm in thickness. Stainless steel having a low thermal conductivity, the cold transmitted from the Peltier cell 1 to the plate 2 spreads only slightly into the plate. In order to ensure a good thermal stability of the plate for receiving the product 2, it is proposed to introduce an adapter plate 4, for example of aluminium with a thickness of 6 mm, placed between the cold surface of the Peltier cell 1 and the stainless steel plate 2 for receiving the product. This adapter plate 4 ensures a certain thermal inertia and can integrate the temperature sensor 9 connected to the electronic circuit 8a. The coldest area of the plate 2, located by the mark 3, therefore corresponds to the area above the adapter plate 4.

The case 10 can be made of plastic, wood or any other thermally insulating material. The case 10 can have an upper wall for supporting the plate for receiving the product 2 which then constitutes only one outer covering wall of the case. In fact, when this plate 2 is made of stainless steel, as described above, it is very thin and may be deformed when a user spreads or collects the product. The upper wall of the case is then partially cut through to a dimension slightly greater than that of the adapter plate 4, in order to allow a direct thermal contact with the plate for receiving the product 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the heat removal assembly with the thermoelectric element 1 and the adapter plate 4. The assembly shown in FIG. 3 is intended to be placed in the case of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 3, the Peltier cell 1 is placed between the adapter plate 4 and a radiator 5. The cold surface of the Peltier cell 1 is in contact with the adapter plate 4, but could also be free and directly contact the plate for receiving the product 2 during the assembly of the device in the case. The hot surface of the Peltier cell 1 is in contact with the radiator 5. The radiator 5 is constituted by a thermally conductive material, for example aluminium or copper. The radiator 5 has a plate forming a surface in contact with the hot surface of the Peltier cell 1 and fins connected to this contact surface in order to remove the heat transmitted by the Peltier cell. A fan 6 can moreover ventilate said fins in order to improve the dissipation capacity of the radiator 5. The fan 6 can be started once the device is put into operation, for example it can be controlled by the on-off button 8 of the device described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The fan 6 can also be controlled by the electronic circuit 8a. It can be started only above a certain temperature threshold in order to limit noise annoyance, for example by the electronic circuit 8a receiving a measurement from a temperature sensor of the hot surface of the Peltier cell 1. The fan 6 is chosen to be of low power, of the order of 1 Watt; this power is sufficient to remove the heat produced by the Peltier cell (a few Watts of average thermal power) while limiting the noise annoyance produced.

The device according to the first embodiment of the invention can be used for the application of a personal care product as follows.

A personal care product, for example a cosmetic cream, needs to be applied cold after a chilling effect, to an area to be treated. A dose of this product is spread on the receiving plate 2 of the device, preferably uniformly and in a thin layer at the location of the mark 3. The control button 8 is then activated in order to start the device; an electric current passes through the thermoelectric element 1 and causes the rapid and significant cooling of the area 3 of the plate 2 and therefore of the personal care product which is spread there.

The starting of the device can also be triggered before the spreading of the product on the receiving plate 2 of the device, the product then being spread on a surface which is already cold. In this case, activation of the Peltier cell 1 is maintained for a few minutes in order to ensure the chilling effect on the spread product.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to cool the plate 2 for receiving the product to a temperature of less than 8° C. in less than 5 minutes. More specifically, the marked area 3 corresponding to the location of the Peltier cell 1 under the plate 2 can be cooled to a temperature of less than 5° C. in less than 2 minutes. When the spread personal care product has thus been rapidly cooled, the user can collect it and apply it to the area to be treated, for example a portion of skin—face, hands, bust etc.

A second embodiment of the device according to the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. The elements identical to those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 have the same reference numbers.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the device according to the second embodiment with the lid 11 raised. The lid 11 can comprise a mirror and a temperature display element 12 as described previously. The case 10 has a plate 2′ forming its upper outer wall; this plate 2′ has a recess intended for receiving a pressing element 20. In fact, according to this second embodiment, the product to be cooled is no longer spread on the plate 2′ but is placed in a single-dose flexible package 21 which is pressed against the thermoelectric element by a pressing element 20. The package 21 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 9; and the pressing element is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. When the device is not used, the lid 11 can be closed onto the plate 2′ and the pressing element 20 in order to limit the space requirement of the device and facilitate its transport. The plate 2′ can be made of the same material as the case 10, wood or plastic, or stainless steel as described previously. According to an embodiment variant which is not shown, the pressing element 20 can be situated above the plate 2′ which does not then have any recess. According to this variant, the case 10 does not comprise a lid or has a lid with a recess receiving the pressing element 20 projecting from the plate 2′.

In FIG. 4, the recess of the plate 2′ for receiving the pressing element 20 is situated on a front edge of the case 10. This arrangement is advantageous when it is desired to allow one end of the single-dose package 21 to protrude during the cooling operation as explained hereafter.

FIG. 4 also shows positioning pins 41 for the flexible package 21. These pins 41 are intended to cooperate with locators provided in the package as described with reference to FIG. 9. In FIG. 4, the pressing element 20 is in pushed-back position; the pins 41 are released and the pressing element 20 can pivot on its rear spindle.

FIG. 5 shows the case 10 of the device according to this second embodiment in lateral cross-section with the lid 11 raised. FIG. 5 thus shows the thermoelectric element 1 placed between an adapter plate 4 and a heat removal assembly 5, 6. The heat removal assembly can be that described with reference to FIG. 3. The thermoelectric element 1 is also linked to an electronic control circuit 8a and to a power supply 7.

FIG. 5 also shows the pressing element 20 comprising an articulated mobile plate. The pressing element 20 is raised in order to place the flexible single-dose package 21 of product to be cooled in the device, then closed in order to press the package against the adapter plate 4. The pressing means 20 for the flexible package 21 thus constitute means for bringing into thermal contact a dose of product to be cooled and the thermoelectric element 1. FIG. 6 illustrates a detail referenced A in FIG. 5. The pressing element 20 is mounted on a spindle 25 in order to pivot to give access to an area cooled by the thermoelectric element 1. The package 21 is placed on the plate 2′ of the case 10 facing the adapter plate 4 which ensures a certain thermal inertia and can integrate a temperature-measuring sensor 9 connected to the electronic circuit 8a. The package 21 could also be pressed directly against the cold surface of the thermoelectric element 1.

FIG. 6 also shows a switch 8′ intended to trigger the cooling of the product contained in the package 21. This switch 8′ can be actuated by the pressing element 20 when it is closed in order to press the flexible package 21 against the adapter plate 4. The switch 8′ can control the electronic circuit 8a. According to a variant, the pins 41 for positioning the flexible package 21 can serve as a switch for triggering the cooling of the product when the pressing element 20 is closed in order to press the flexible package 21.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the pressing element 20 comprises a mobile pressing plate 22 constituted at least in part by a dense material in order to ensure the effect of pressing by its own weight. This mobile plate 22 is articulated on the spindle 25 in an L-shaped housing. The mobile plate 22 can thus have a pushed-back position pivoting on the spindle (FIG. 4) or a pushed-forward position of horizontal pressure (FIGS. 5 and 6). An insulating layer 23 can be provided on the internal surface of the pressing element in order to limit the heat leakages from the refrigerated product towards the pressing plate 22. The insulating layer 23 is therefore situated under the articulated mobile plate 22 so as to be positioned between said plate 22 and the pressed flexible package 21. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the positioning pins 41 for the package 21 are no longer visible as the mobile plate 22 of the pressing element 20 comprises holes receiving said pins when the mobile plate is closed in pushed-forward position in order to ensure a uniform pressure on the flexible package 21 by its own weight.

According to an embodiment which is not shown, a second thermoelectric element could be integrated onto the internal surface of the pressing element 20. The flexible package 21 would then be sandwiched between two thermoelectric elements. The pressing element 20 would then comprise the mobile plate 22, the insulating layer 23 and the second thermoelectric element.

FIG. 6 also shows a temperature sensor 13 placed on the insulating layer 23 of the pressing element, the measuring surface of the sensor 13 being in contact with the package 21 of the product to be cooled. In order to improve the reliability of the measurement of the sensor 13, in particular in the case where an air bubble is be present in the package 21 facing the sensor, a thin conductive plate 24 can be added to the insulating layer 23. This plate 24, made of 0.5 mm aluminium for example, makes it possible to integrate the temperature of the product over a wider area than the surface of the sensor without adding an excessive heat capacity. The temperature sensor 13 is then placed between the insulating layer 23 and the conductive plate 24. If a second thermoelectric element is provided in the pressing element 20, as indicated above, the conductive plate 24 can be thickened to approximately 3 or 4 mm and serves as an adapter plate between the second thermoelectric element and the flexible package to be cooled. The temperature sensor 13 is then placed on the conductive adapter plate 24.

The temperature measurement of the sensor 13 can be indicated on the display element 12 of the lid 11. This measurement makes it possible to ensure that the product in the package 21 is well cooled before its application. The temperature measurement of the sensor 9 can be used by the electronic control circuit 8a to regulate the operation of the thermoelectric element in order to prevent the product being frozen in the package 21.

The dimensions of the insulating layer 23, optionally covered by the conductive plate 24, are substantially identical to the dimensions of the single-dose package 21 of product to be cooled. The pressing plate 22 is slightly larger and longer in order to integrate the housing of the spindle 25 and a little wider in order to ensure a uniform pressure on the flexible package 21.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flexible single-dose package 21 intended to be used with the device of FIGS. 4 to 6.

The single-dose package 21 is constituted by two substantially rectangular flexible sheets heat-sealed at the periphery in order to delimit a sachet 26 with a neck 27. The sachet 26 of the package 21 is filled with a dose of personal care product which needs to be activated by a chilling effect, for example a cosmetic product or a dermatological treatment product. The volume of the sachet 26 can be comprised between 2 ml and 8 ml for example.

The neck 27 extends into the extension of the sachet, in the length of the package 21; it is relatively long in order to protrude from the pressing means of the device as described hereafter. In fact, it is sought to tear or cut the neck 27 in order to expel the product from the sachet 26 while the sachet is still held in the pressing means of the cooling device according to the invention. It is therefore necessary for the neck 27 to be accessible without the edges of the case 10 obstructing its opening.

In order to facilitate the positioning of the flexible package 21 between the pressing means 20 and the thermoelectric element 1, the package 21 has at least one locator 40. According to the embodiment illustrated, the package 21 has two locators 40 constituted by two holes pierced in the heat-sealed sheets on either side of the neck 27. These locator holes 40 are intended for latching onto the pins 41 provided on the case 10 of the cooling device. The precise location of these locators 40, in combination with the pins 41, allows a positioning of the package 21 with the sachet 26 well situated above the thermoelectric element for an optimum thermal coupling and good effectiveness of the cooling of the dose of product.

Moreover, in order to facilitate the opening of the neck 27, at least one notch 28 is provided on one edge of the heat-sealed sheets. The extension of the notch 28 cuts the neck 27; thus, when a user takes hold of the end of the package 21 and pulls upwards while the sachet 26 is held immobile by the pressing means 20 of the device and/or by the locators 40 latched onto the pins 41 of the case, the heat-sealed leaves tear in the extension of the notch 28 across the width of the package and the neck 27 is opened.

The device according to the second embodiment of the invention can be used for the application of a personal care product as follows.

The flexible single-dose package 21 is placed in the device of FIGS. 4 to 6 with the sachet 26 in contact with the thermoelectric element 1, optionally through the adapter plate 4, and with the neck 27 protruding from the edge of the case 10. The pressing element 20 is then closed onto the sachet 26 in order to press its content uniformly against the thermoelectric element 1. Simultaneously, the projection of the pressing element 20 actuates the switch 8′; an electric current passes through the thermoelectric element 1 and causes the rapid and significant cooling of the personal care product in the compressed sachet 26. Starting the device can also be triggered by a push button 8 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 or by a switch connected to the pins 41 for positioning the package 21.

The device according to this embodiment of the invention makes it possible to cool the content of the sachet 26 to a temperature below 5° C. in less than 2 minutes. When the temperature display element 12 indicates that the product has reached the desired temperature, the neck 27 is cut off with scissors or torn by pulling from a notch 28. As the neck 27 protrudes from the pressing element, it can be cut or torn without removing the sachet 26 from the refrigerated area; in this manner, the personal care product remains refrigerated throughout the time of its application.

A third embodiment of the device according to the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The elements identical to those described with reference to the preceding figures have the same reference numbers.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the device according to the third embodiment without a lid. The case 10 has a slot 29 situated on one of its side walls and intended for receiving a single-dose flexible package 21. A package of the type of that described with reference to FIG. 9 can be used within the framework of this third embodiment.

In FIG. 7, the slot 29 is situated substantially in the centre of the front wall of the case 10 of the device, but another location could be envisaged. The upper wall of the case can integrate a temperature display element 12 (not shown). FIG. 7 also shows a lever 30 protruding from the upper wall of the case and which can be retracted when the device comprises a lid; the lever 30 could also protrude from another wall of the case 10. The function of this lever is described with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 shows the case 10 of the device according to this third embodiment in lateral cross-section. FIG. 8 thus shows a pair of thermoelectric elements 1 and 1a placed opposite each other with their cold surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other; the gap between the cold surfaces of the thermoelectric elements 1, 1a is intended for receiving the flexible package 21. Each thermoelectric element 1 and 1a is placed on a heat-removal assembly 5, 6 and respectively connected to an electronic control circuit and to a power supply (not shown). An on-off control button (not shown) is also provided on a wall of the case 10 in order to actuate a switch of the electronic circuit as described with reference to FIG. 2. The heat removal assemblies can be of the type described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 also shows adapter plates 4, 4a placed on each cold surface of the thermoelectric elements 1, 1a. As described with reference to FIG. 2, these adapter plates 4, 4a ensure a certain thermal inertia and can each integrate a temperature sensor 9, 9a connected to the electronic circuit. The package 21 could however be pressed directly between the cold surfaces of the thermoelectric elements 1, 1a.

FIG. 8 also shows a spring 31 forcing one of the thermoelectric elements 1a towards the other thermoelectric element 1. More specifically, the spring forces one of the adapter plates 4a towards the other adapter plate 4. The adapter plate 4a therefore constitutes a mobile pressing means plate, said pressing means comprising a second thermoelectric element 1a. The lever 30 makes it possible to actuate the spring 31 in order to move the adapter plates 4, 4a apart and release a space facing the slot 29 in order to receive the flexible single-dose package 21. The adapter plates 4, 4a therefore form the walls of the slot 29.

According to an embodiment (not shown), a single thermoelectric element 1 could be provided, the spring 31 pressing a mobile plate of the type described with reference to FIG. 6 towards said thermoelectric element. The spring 31 therefore constitutes an element which is a means for pressing the flexible package 21 for bringing into thermal contact a dose of product to be cooled with the thermoelectric element.

The device according to the third embodiment of the invention can be used for the application of a personal care product as follows.

The lever 30 is actuated in order to move the thermoelectric elements 1, 1a apart from one another and open a slot 29 in the case 10. The single-dose flexible package 21 is then placed in the device of FIGS. 7 and 8 with the sachet 26 sliding into the slot 29 and the neck 27 protruding towards the outside. The lever 30 is then released and the sachet 26 is sandwiched. A push button can be depressed by the user and an electric current passes through the thermoelectric elements 1 and 1a which causes the rapid and significant cooling of the personal care product in the compressed sachet 26.

The device according to this embodiment of the invention makes it possible to cool the content of the sachet 26 to a temperature below 5° C. in less than 2 minutes. When a temperature display element indicates that the product has reached the desired temperature or after a predetermined time, the lever 30 is actuated in order to remove the package 21 from the slot and the neck 27 of the package can be cut or torn off in order to collect the cooled product. The neck 27 can also be opened without removing the sachet 26 which remains compressed between the thermoelectric elements. In fact, the neck 27 protrudes from the slot 29, it can therefore be cut or torn off without removing the package 21 from the refrigerated area.

It is understood that a dose of personal care product contained in a package 21 could also be cooled by pressing the flexible package 21 manually against a plate for receiving the product 2 as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2; the neck 27 would then be cut or torn off and the personal care product expelled manually for its application to an area to be treated.

A fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention is described with reference to FIG. 10. The elements identical to those described with reference to the preceding figures have the same reference numbers.

FIG. 10 shows a detail view of the device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 shows the thermoelectric element 1 placed between an adapter plate 4 and a heat removal assembly 5, for example of the type described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 10 also shows a pressing element 20, for example of the type described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. According to this fourth embodiment, the adapter plate 4 is shaped in order to receive a tube 51 containing the product to be cooled. In FIG. 10, the tube 51 is represented in cross-section with a circular shape, but it is understood that the tube 51 can have an oval shape. The adapter plate 4 is shaped with a recess for receiving the tube 51 and ensuring a maximized thermal contact surface with the walls of the tube 51. In fact, the adapter plate 4 ensures the heat transfer between the thermoelectric element 1 and the product to be cooled. It will therefore be sought to maximize the exchange surface between the adapter plate 4 and the walls of the tube 51 in order to ensure the rapid cooling of the product. The pressing element 20 is raised in order to place the tube 51 of product to be cooled in the device, then closed in order to press the tube against the adapter plate 4. The pressing means 20 thus constitutes means for bringing into thermal contact a dose of product to be cooled with the thermoelectric element 1.

FIG. 11 illustrates a single-dose package in the form of a tube 51 intended to be used with the device of FIG. 10.

The tube 51 is of metal, preferably aluminium. Aluminium is in fact a good heat conductor. Thus, even if only half of the circumference of the tube is in thermal contact with the cooled adapter plate, the whole of the tube is cooled rapidly. The tube 51 has relatively thick walls, greater than 0.4 mm, in order to ensure good cooling over the whole circumference of the tube. If the pressing means 20 include a second thermoelectric element as described previously with reference to the second embodiment, the walls of the metal tube 51 can be thinner.

According to an embodiment, the tube 51 has a substantially cylindrical body containing the product to be cooled. The tube 51 can contain approximately 2 ml to 8 ml of personal care product. One end of the tube is sealed by a stopper 52 and another end is sealed by a piston 53. The stopper 52 can comprise a screwed sealing end piece or have a divisible end piece 54. In an embodiment which is not shown, the sealing end piece can be continuous with the walls of the tube and comprise a de-sealing area.

The device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention can be used for the application of a personal care product as follows.

The single-dose package 51 is placed in the device of FIG. 10 with the tube 51 housed in the recess of the adapter plate 4. The pressing element 20 is then closed over the tube 51 in order to press it into the housing of the plate 4 and ensure a maximum heat transfer with the thermoelectric element 1. In this embodiment, the adapter plate 4 can be cooled before the insertion of the single-dose package as the plate 4 has a significant thermal inertia. Starting the device can thus be triggered a few minutes before the insertion by a push button as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The device according to this embodiment of the invention makes it possible to cool the content of the tube 51 to a temperature below 5° C. in less than 2 minutes. When the product is cooled, for example when the temperature display element 12 indicates that the product has reached the desired temperature, the stopper 52 is opened, for example the divisible end piece 54 is torn off. The piston 53 is then actuated in order to expel the cooled personal care product from the tube. For example, a rod integrated into the device (not shown) can be depressed in order to actuate the piston 53. This mobile rod can be actuated by a motor or by a manual lever. As described with reference to FIG. 6, the end of the tube comprising the stopper 52 can project from the pressing element; it is thus possible to open the tube 51 without removing it from the refrigerated area; in this way, the personal care product remains refrigerated throughout the time of its application. The tube 51 can also be removed from the recess of the adapter plate and the piston 53 can be actuated manually outside the device.

The device according to the invention, whatever the embodiment chosen, makes it possible to exploit certain properties of a personal care product, activated by the chilling effect, for small doses of product and in repeated manner. Moreover, the device according to the invention is not limited to a single product, as is the case in a self-refrigerating package, but can be used successively for doses of different products (in sachets or not in sachets).

The device shown generally resembles a box with a case 10 and a lid 11, but it is understood that other geometrical shapes can be envisaged. The device according to the invention has a space requirement which is minimized compared with a refrigerator, even miniaturized; and it is easily transportable.

Claims

1. A portable refrigerating device for personal care products, comprising:

at least one thermoelectric element; and

means for bringing into thermal contact a dose of product to be cooled with the thermoelectric element.

2-3. (canceled)

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for bringing the product into thermal contact include means for pressing a package containing a dose of product against the thermoelectric element.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the thermoelectric element is suited to cooling the dose of product in the package to a temperature of less than 5° C. in less than 2 minutes.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising an adapter plate arranged on a cold surface of the thermoelectric element.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the adapter plate comprises a temperature sensor.

8. (canceled)

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a heat removal assembly comprising:

a radiator comprising fins linked to a plate forming a contact surface with a hot surface of the cooling element, and

a fan suited to ventilating said fins.

10. (canceled)

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a rechargeable battery power supply connected to the thermoelectric element.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising control means suited to regulating a current passing through the thermoelectric element.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a case receiving the thermoelectric element;

a lid comprising an element for displaying the temperature of an area of thermal contact with the dose of product to be cooled.

14. The device of claim 4, wherein, the pressing means comprise a mobile plate suited to exerting a pressure on the package.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the mobile plate is suited to exerting a pressure on the package by its own weight.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the mobile plate is suited to exerting a pressure on the package under the action of a spring

17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a lever suited to moving the pressing means away from the thermoelectric element.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the pressing means further comprise an insulating layer under the mobile plate.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein the pressing means further comprise a temperature sensor suited to being placed in contact with the package.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the pressing means further comprise a conducting plate suited to being placed in contact with the package

21. The device of claim 4, wherein the pressing means further comprise a second thermoelectric element.

22. A combination of a portable cooling device and a flexible package containing a dose of personal care product to be cooled, the package comprising a sachet of product intended to be pressed against at least one thermoelectric element of the device, the portable cooling device comprising a mobile plate suited to exerting a pressure on the package.

23. (canceled)

24. The combination of claim 22, wherein the package comprises a neck in the extension of the sachet, the neck being intended to protrude the mobile plate exerting a pressure on the package.

25. The combination of claim 24, wherein the neck is intended to be cut or torn off in order to allow the expulsion of the personal care product from the sachet while said sachet is held pressed against the thermoelectric element by the pressing means.

26. The combination of claim 22, wherein the flexible package comprises at least one locator intended to cooperate with at least one pin of the cooling device.

27. A combination of a portable cooling device and of a package in the form of a metal tube containing a dose of personal care product to be cooled,

wherein the portable cooling device comprises: at least one thermoelectric element; an adapter plate arranged on a cold surface of the thermoelectric element, said adapter plate having a recess; and means for bringing into thermal contact the metal tube with the thermoelectric element, wherein the tube has a first end sealed by a stopper and a second end sealed by a piston, said tube being dimensioned to be positioned in the recess of the adapter plate of the portable cooling device.

28. The combination of claim 27, wherein the portable cooling device further comprises a mobile plate suited to exerting a pressure on the metal tube.

29. The combination of claim 27, wherein the portable cooling device further comprises a mobile rod suited to actuating the piston of the metal tube.

30-39. (canceled)