Coating implements with material supply – Including means to apply material-moving force – Including pressurized reservoir
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-21
2003-08-12
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Including means to apply material-moving force
Including pressurized reservoir
C401S202000, C401S262000, C401S196000, C401S203000, C401S204000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06604879
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an applicator for use in the separate and/or combined application of at least two products, such as products which contain active ingredients or compounds. The products are contained in separate reservoirs configured to cooperate so as to form an integrated assembly.
Thus, for example, in the context of the application of make-up to the body or to the hair, it is desirable to provide a make-up base in the form of a cream, a gel, or a milk which the user can combine with a separate product, for example in the form of a compacted or loose powder containing colored pigments or fillers. Preferably, it is possible for the separate product to be chosen from a number of powders containing pigments of different colors, so that the user can choose the color and/or the appearance of the make-up to be applied.
Likewise, in the field of sun protection, it may be desirable to have a moisturizing or soothing base in the form of a milk or a cream, which a user can combine with a separate product, for example in the form of a powder or a cream containing a UV filter, which can be chosen from a plurality of powders containing filters having differing protection factors. In this manner, the user can select the desired sun protection to be applied to the skin. For instance, in the first few days of exposure to the sun, it may be desirable to use a product with a high protection factor, while, as the days progress, it may be desirable to use products with decreasing protection factors.
Hence, one of the objects of the invention is to provide an applicator forming a container for one product, wherein the applicator can be used in combination with another container containing another product whose action complements the action of the product contained in the applicator.
Another object of the invention is to provide a stand-alone applicator assembly containing a first product with an application member and a member for fitting the application member on a container containing a second product that is to be used in combination with the first product.
It should be understood that the invention could be practiced without performing one or more of the preferred objects and/or advantages described above. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.
To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a first aspect of the invention includes an applicator comprising a support configured to be removably provided on a container containing a first product, wherein the support defines an opening. An application member having a first end portion mounted on the support and a second end portion having an application face. The application member is configured to convey the first product from the container to the application face via the opening. The application further includes a lid configured to removably cover the application member, the lid having a closed end portion containing a second product arranged such that the application face is capable of being pressed against the second product when the application member is covered with the lid.
There is thus produced, for example, a unit containing one product, such as, for example, a powder or the like, wherein the unit can be fitted onto the container containing another product capable of facilitating the specific product to crumble. The two products are kept separate from one another and are conveyed in metered amounts onto the application face of the application member for the purpose of combined application. In this manner, the product contained in the lid preferably does not soil the product contained in the container prior to their combination. An application member of a given applicator preferably is not brought into contact with a second product other than the one contained in the lid with which it is associated. Preferably, the product contained in the container can be dispensed under pressure, for example by a pump, a piston, a propellent gas, or other suitable mechanisms for dispensing materials under pressure.
At least prior to use, the application face of the application member is forced elastically to press against the free surface of the product contained in the lid. With certain products this pressing is enough to ensure that the application face becomes adequately laden with the product. However, the loading of the application face with the second product also may be encouraged by rotating the application face while it is held pressed against the free surface of the product contained in the lid.
The product may be poured, either in a hot or cold state, or compacted, directly into the closed end of the lid or into a cup mounted in the closed end of the lid. Members, for example in the form of fins or other catching means, may be provided so as to allow the product, when it solidifies, to catch in the closed end of the lid when the product is poured into the lid.
In the case of a product in the form of a loose powder or a cream, a containment member, for example in the form of a grating or perforated mesh, may be provided to keep the second product in the closed end of the the lid, while also allowing the product to contact the application face.
The second product may be separated from the closed end of the lid by an elastically deformable member, such as, for example, a block of foam or a spring. Such a member is able to contribute to pressing the application surface elastically against the second product, especially when the applicator member is made of a material which is not substantially elastically compressible or even not at all elastically compressible. When the elastically deformable member is a foam, particularly an open-cell foam, for example, the product can be anchored in the closed end of the lid when the product is poured in the form of a liquid.
The closed end of the lid may be capable of axial movement, for example by elastic deformation. This characteristic makes it possible to reload the application member with the second product without having to completely refit the lid onto the support, particularly when the lid is a screw-on lid. The axial movement of the closed end may be accomplished by providing a closed end capable of elastic deformation. For example, the closed end may be in the form of a diaphragm made of elastically deformable material. Alternatively, such axial movement may result simply by slide-mounting the closed end, causing the closed end to be forced into an uppermost position under the effect of the elastic compression of the applicator member when the lid is fitted on the support. The lid also may be fitted on the applicator support in a sealed manner.
Preferably, the application member is made of a block of porous material capable of absorbing the first product and conveying the first product from the orifice to the application face of the application member. The application member may, for example, be selected from an open-cell or semi-open-cell foam or a felt. The application face of the application member also may be covered with flocking. In the case of such an absorbent product, particularly in the case of a felt or of an open-cell or semi-open-cell foam, the application member forms a number of “natural” passages formed between fibres or by the pores of the material. These passages intercommunicate and are particularly suitable when the product contained in the container is liquid. In the case of a more viscous product, or in the case of a non-porous material, at least one “artificial” passage may be made in the form of one or more ducts extending, for example, axially through the application member from the support to the application face. This permits the product contained in the container to be conveyed to the application face.
The application member may include an elastically compressible element, and may in particular be in the form of a bellows. Mounted on the elastically compressible element is the application surface, for example
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
L'Oreal
Walczak David J.
LandOfFree
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