Dispensing – Processes of dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-25
2003-09-23
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Processes of dispensing
C222S136000, C222S145500, C222S321700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06622890
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dispensing head, a dispensing assembly equipped with a dispensing head, and a method for using the dispensing head to dispense a first and a second product.
BACKGROUND
In the field of cosmetics, such as skin care or makeup, for example, it is common practice for various combinations to be produced from a base composition, such as a make-up composition or moisturizing composition, for example, in an aqueous phase with active ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin A or any other active ingredient used for its cosmetic or other similar dermo-pharmacological benefits.
Certain combinations of such compositions do not pose problems insofar as the active ingredient to be combined with the composition is relatively stable, when incorporated into the composition. Problems may arise, however, with certain combinations when the active ingredient degrades relatively quickly over time, particularly upon contact with water or any other solvent that may be contained in the base composition.
Furthermore, there may be a need for a type of care, sometimes referred to as “bespoke care,” whereby the user herself, according to her circumstances, her environment, or quite simply according to the needs of her skin, chooses the active ingredient or ingredients she wishes to combine with the base composition.
Examples of conventional dispensing devices can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,249,712 and 3,593,894. In these devices, accessibility to the portion of the dispensing head containing the second product with which the first product is intended to be brought into contact is via a removeable element that is either screwed or snap-fastened onto the dispensing head. As a result of this configuration, the removeable element may become lost en route. Furthermore, the outlet of the dispensing head is formed in the removeable element. Upon opening this removeable element, it may be necessary for the fingers to come into contact with a portion of the dispensing head that has been soiled with product, or with the mixture of the first and the second products.
SUMMARY
An optional object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing head and a dispensing assembly equipped with such a head which in a relatively simple and economical way may make it possible to combine one or more active ingredients with a base composition and bring those one or more active ingredients into contact only at the time the mixture is to be applied to the surface to be treated.
Another optional object of the invention is to provide a dispensing head, and a dispenser equipped with such a head, that allows the active ingredient that is to be associated with the base composition to be selected by the user as desired.
A further optional object of the invention is to provide a dispensing head, and a dispenser equipped with such a head, which may be relatively simple to use and may be washed, particularly each time the active ingredient is changed.
Yet other optional objects will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.
The devices and methods of dispensing described herein may optionally solve some or all of the problems discussed above with reference to conventional dispensing devices and methods. It should be understood that the invention could be practiced without performing one or more of the optional objects and/or advantages described above. Certain other optional aspects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.
According to an optional aspect of the invention, a dispensing head comprises a passage configured to be placed in flow communication with at least one reservoir for containing a first product. The dispensing head further may comprise a cavity in flow communication with the passage. The cavity may be configured to contain a second product. An outlet orifice may be in flow communication with the cavity, the outlet orifice being configured to dispense the first product and the second product together. The dispensing head may further comprise a moveable element configured to articulate between an open position providing access to the cavity from outside the dispensing head and a closed position closing off access to the cavity from outside the dispensing head.
Yet another optional aspect of the invention includes a dispensing head comprising a body defining a passage, a cavity, and a dispensing outlet. The dispensing head may further comprise a moveable element configured to move with respect to the body from an open position providing access to the cavity from outside the dispensing head to a closed position closing off access to the cavity from outside the dispensing head. The passage may be configured to be in flow communication with at least one reservoir for containing a first product, and the cavity may be configured to contain a second product to be dispensed together with the first product through the outlet.
Yet another optional aspect of the invention includes a dispensing assembly comprising at least one reservoir for containing a first product and an airless pump associated with the at least one reservoir for flowing the first product from the at least one reservoir. The dispensing assembly may further comprise a dispensing head for actuating the airless pump. The dispensing head may comprise a cavity configured to contain a second product, and an outlet in flow communication with the cavity. The outlet may be configured to dispense the first product and the second product upon actuation of the airless pump.
As used herein, the term “airless pump” refers to a pump that provides pumping of a substance from a reservoir in essentially a single direction without permitting reverse (intake) flow of air via the pump. That is, as product is pumped from the reservoir, the pumped product is not replaced with a corresponding volume of air, or other substance through the pump, thus ensuring that no air will be taken into the reservoir after a dose of product has been dispensed.
According to another optional aspect of the invention, the moveable element may, apart from providing access to the cavity (particularly with a view to introducing the second product) fulfill other roles. For example, it may act as a valve equipping the outlet orifice of the dispensing head. It may also define at least part of the cavity for containing the second product. Alternatively, the moveable element may delimit all or part of the passage situated downstream of the cavity. Finally, at least a portion of the moveable element may immobilize the second product within the cavity.
The dispensing head optionally may be made of a single piece obtained by molding. The cost may be low and its operation, particularly the insertion of a fresh amount of second product, may be relatively easy and may be done without the risk of overly dirtying the fingers.
The user optionally may selectively choose which active ingredient, i.e., second product, she wishes to combine with the base composition. She may change it each time she wishes, either after having completely used up the particular second product in the cavity or during the course of the use of a particular second product. Each time the user changes the second product in the cavity, the user may rinse the dispensing head under the tap so as to rid the cavity and the surrounding passages of any solid residue which may remain therein. This may avoid blocking the passages in the dispensing head and/or contaminating one active ingredient in a second product with another active ingredient in another second product.
As an option, the moveable element may move with respect to the product outlet of the dispensing head. The moveable element also may move with respect to at least a portion of the passage. The passage may be situated downstream of the cavity (with respect to the direction in which the product flows during dispensing, i.e., the dispensing flow direction). These characteristics may distinguish the device according to optional aspects of the present invention from the conventional
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
Kaufman Joseph A.
L'Oreal
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