Coating implements with material supply – Material flows through porous tool – Including compartment for soluble solid material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-25
2002-10-22
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Material flows through porous tool
Including compartment for soluble solid material
C401S265000, C401S088000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06467981
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to applying a cosmetic and/or skin treatment substance on the skin, and more particularly, but not exclusively, a dispersible substance that is obtained by extrusion and/or compacting and that needs to be packaged dry, e.g. in order to preserve it.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No. 1,524,008 discloses a sponge housing a bar of soap which has a free face that can be bought into contact with the skin.
An impermeable barrier separates the soap from the sponge in order to enable the soap to retain a solid consistency.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention seeks to enable a dispersible substance to be applied in uniform manner under conditions of satisfactory hygiene.
The invention also seeks to enable a relatively large quantity of substance to be dispensed on a relatively small area, should that be necessary, e.g. for the purpose of treating the face.
The invention achieves this by means of an applicator comprising:
a housing opening out in a face of the applicator for putting into contact with the skin to apply the substance;
a supply of substance contained within said housing, said supply of substance and said housing being shaped in such a manner that the substance can come directly into contact with the skin during application; and
a porous material suitable for retaining a liquid and for giving it back directly onto the supply of substance and also onto the face of the applicator that is bought into contact with the skin during application of the substance, the substance being suitable for dispersing on contact with the liquid released by the porous material.
Once the applicator has been filled with the liquid that is used for dispersing the substance contained in the above-mentioned housing, e.g. water, it is moved over the skin to moisten it and to enable the substance contained in the applicator to disperse on contact therewith.
By means of the invention, the user can easily apply the substance in the desired manner, e.g. in the form of a foam, a mask, or a film-forming coating.
The substance applied in this way is capable of exercising various effects on the skin, for example whitening it, exfoliating it, or indeed cleansing it.
In all cases, the dispersible substance of the present invention is a substance which is used in close relationship with the liquid that is released during application by the porous material, which is not true of the applicator described in French patent application FR-A-2 754 985 which is used in the dry state.
Whereas in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 1,524,008, the water contained in the sponge is prevented from coming directly into contact with the soap because of the existence of the impermeable barrier, in the present invention the liquid impregnating the porous material is capable of being released not only on the skin, but also onto the supply of substance, thereby favoring dispersal thereof.
The supply of substance is preferably used during a single use only, so that if any substance remains at the end of use in the dispersed state in the housing of the applicator, that is of no consequence for the next use which takes place using a new applicator or with a new supply of substance, after the applicator has been cleaned.
In a particular embodiment, the housing of the applicator for containing the dispersible substance is off-center, thereby making the applicator easier to use and making it easy for the user to determine the quantity of substance that is deposited on the skin by pressing the applicator more or less firmly with the fingertips.
The substance to be applied on the skin can be in the form of a pellet for insertion into said housing, which housing can be in the form of an outwardly open cavity having a bottom that is larger than its opening.
In general, the applicator preferably includes a portion of smaller diameter than the pellet so as to retain it.
In a variant, the housing can be cylindrical and the substance can be retained therein by friction.
Advantageously, the applicator has an impermeable wall between its face that is to be used for applying the substance and its face that is to be held by the user, thus enabling the user to avoid excessively wetting the fingers during application.
The applicator can have a special element for grasping such as a handle on its face remote from its face that is to be used for applying the substance.
In a variant, the applicator can be hollow and open at one end so as to enable a hand to be engaged therein.
The applicator can also have at least one second housing suitable for containing another substance for applying to the skin, and it can enable two substances to be mixed together at the time of use only.
In a particular embodiment, the applicator is removably secured to a supply containing the liquid that causes the substance to disperse on coming into contact therewith.
The liquid can be fed from the supply onto said porous material by means of a feed member opening out into said housing and including a deflector to avoid discharging the liquid directly onto the substance.
In another particular embodiment, the applicator is fastened on a supply having a deformable wall and fitted with a valve that opens under the pressure of the substance when the user presses against said wall.
The invention also provides an assembly comprising an applicator as specified above and at least one supply of substance packaged separately from the applicator.
The invention also provides a method of applying on the skin a cosmetic that is capable of dispersing on contact with a liquid, the method comprising the steps consisting in:
introducing a predetermined quantity of substance into the housing of an applicator as specified above, the applicator comprising a porous material capable of absorbing said liquid and of giving it back on contact with the skin during application;
soaking said porous material with said liquid; and
moving the applicator in contact with the skin.
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Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
L'Oreal
Walczak David J.
LandOfFree
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