Coating implements with material supply – Supply container and independent applicator – Tool supported out of communication with supply
Reissue Patent
2001-04-19
2003-03-04
Eloshway, Charles R. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Supply container and independent applicator
Tool supported out of communication with supply
C401S118000, C401S119000, C401S123000
Reissue Patent
active
RE038016
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an application unit that can be used, in particular, in the fields of pharmacy, cosmetics, dermatology, hair care, etc. The invention concerns more particularly a device of the type comprising a solid or semi-solid applicator which must be brought into contact with a liquid composition before its application, and which is capable of solubilizing or gelling on its surface on contact with the liquid composition. By way of example, this may be a lipstick that is but slightly friable and whose surface must be brought into contact with water, for example, in order to soften its surface and to promote the exfoliation of the lip rouge. Again by way of example, the applicator may be of the “styptic pencil” type for cauterizing sores. In this latter application, the applicator contains hydrosoluble active substances, such as mixed sulphates of aluminium and ammonium, which are solubilized in the presence of a liquid composition such as water. The invention also applies to the application of a product which may have a cosmetic effect and a treatment effect, the cosmetic effect being produced by the applicator itself, the treatment effect being obtained by a liquid solution with which the applicator is brought into contact. By way of example, this concerns a lipstick that is brought into contact with a film-forming agent or with a treatment composition of the anti-chapping type. It may also be a stearate soap of ammonium or potassium, or a tensioning stick, for example of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) capable of effacing wrinkles, or of guar gum. It may also be a compound, such as an emollient, which cannot be introduced into the stick during its manufacture. In general, the invention relates to any friable solid or semi-solid applicator which, before its application to a surface to be treated, has to be brought into contact with a liquid composition permitting its exfoliation, and/or containing active agents that cannot be introduced into the applicator.
2. Description of the Related Art
EP-A-612 488 describes an applicator comprising a reservoir containing a product to be applied, a cap intended to close the reservoir, and an applicator holder supporting a deformable element made of foam or an elastomer of low hardness for the application of the product. The deformable element carries asperities on its surface and is provided with a good (large) shape memory. The product reservoir is delimited by a capillary end fitting, in the form of a glove finger having a bottom that is provided with a seat pierced by at least one capillary opening, against which the deformable element is applied and deformed in the position when the reservoir is closed by the cap.
In the field of lipsticks there exist, moreover, liquid formulas containing polymers, which have the advantage of a long hold on the lips, but which are, in a galenical form, a long way from the established usage of the conventional stick.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an application unit containing both a friable solid or semi-solid applicator and a liquid composition necessary for its exfoliation and/or containing active agents which have to be brought into contact with the applicator with a view to a combined action. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the description that follows.
In accordance with the invention, these objects are attained by means of an application unit comprising a first compartment intended to form a housing for an applicator containing a product capable of solubilizing or gelling on its surface in contact with a liquid composition, and mounted in a detachable manner in the first compartment through a first opening; a second compartment separated from the first compartment and comprising an element impregnated with the liquid composition and capable of restoring a quantity of the liquid composition to the applicator when the applicator is introduced into the second compartment through a second opening and caused to bear on a restoring surface of the element, the element forming a stopper so as to prevent any flow of the liquid composition through the second opening; and detachable closing means for respectively obturating the first and second openings. The element contained in the second compartment thus acts as a “sequestering” agent which retains the liquid to prevent it from flowing by gravity through the second opening, but which restores it to the applicator when the applicator is caused to bear on the element.
The impregnated element may be formed by a block of foam with open cells or half-open cells, or an element forming a wick of the felt type, or a sintered element, or an elastomer of low hardness with open cells or half-open cells, or a combination of such elements. An elastomer of low hardness is understood to mean an elastomer whose hardness is in the range from 15 Shore A to 70 Shore A. Advantageously, the restoring surface of the element is covered by a flocked coating, or by a perforated film of a thermoplastic elastomer, or by a plastic, or by a layer of felt, or by a textile fabric. This last characteristic makes it possible, inter alia, to adjust the quantity of the liquid transferred to the applicator by substantially modifying the restoring capacity of the impregnated element towards the applicator, and/or modifying the abrasiveness of the restoring surface.
The liquid composition may be dosed so as to be contained substantially wholly inside the element. This diminishes the risk of inopportune outflows of the product while ensuring an adequate self-sufficiency for the device.
According to one embodiment, the element has a first end in the vicinity of the second opening, and a second end on the opposite side to the first, the element having, at least at its first end, a cross-section substantially identical with the internal cross-section of the second compartment. This makes it possible to isolate the opening from any liquid that may be at the bottom of the reservoir. Moreover, in case the impregnated element is an elastically deformable element, it is axially guided in the compartment when the applicator is caused to bear on its upper surface. Causing the applicator to bear on such an elastically deformable element with open cells or half-open cells, followed by the extraction of the applicator, firstly produces an at least partial compression of the open cells or half-open cells, then the decompression of the cells, which causes the liquid to be drawn up towards the restoring surface of the impregnated element.
The second end of the element containing the liquid composition may be substantially in contact with the bottom. Advantageously, the second compartment defines, all around the element in the vicinity of the bottom, an annular space defining a volume capable of containing a reserve of the liquid composition for feeding the element, the element being capable of drawing up the liquid composition from the reserve.
Alternatively, the second end is situated in a fixed intermediate position between the bottom and the second opening so as to define, between the bottom and the second end, a volume capable of containing a reserve of the liquid composition for feeding the element, the element being capable of drawing up the liquid composition from the reserve. Bringing the liquid contained in the reserve into contact with the element, in particular, is effected by completely or partially upending the application unit. This is produced quite naturally, in particular while such a packaging unit is being carried in the user's handbag. Alternatively, a wick-type element may be provided which dips into the reserve of the liquid which rises up by virtue of the capillarity drawing phenomenon.
The applicator may be a styptic pencil, or a stick of lipstick, of a make-up foundation, of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), of guar gum, or ok a skin treatment product. The liquid composition may contain water or any other solvent, and/or preservatives, an
Eloshway Charles R.
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
L'Oreal
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