Coating implements with material supply – Supply container and independent applicator – Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-05
2003-12-23
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Supply container and independent applicator
Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
C401S128000, C401S126000, C401S122000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06666607
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an applicator and method for applying a product. In particular, the invention relates to an applicator and method for applying a cosmetic product, such as nail varnish or lip make-up, for example, or a care product. The applicator and method for applying may be especially suitable for applying a liquid or semi-liquid product.
The invention may include an applicator that may enable application of a product to be performed with precision. Moreover, the applicator may be used for at least a length of time sufficient to enable a product, such as a cosmetic or a care product, to be applied under good conditions.
It should be understood that the invention could be practiced without performing one or more of the objects and/or advantages described herein. Other objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent from the description which follows.
In accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes an applicator element configured to be loaded with product to be applied. The applicator element may comprise a wall defining a cavity in which product accumulates. The cavity has at least one opening through which product to be applied passes. The at least one opening is disposed at an end of the applicator element. The applicator element may further comprise at least one retention element disposed inside the cavity. The wall and the at least one retention element may be configured such that the product is held substantially within the cavity.
According to another aspect, the invention may include an applicator for applying a product comprising an applicator element configured to be loaded with product to be applied. The applicator element may comprise a substantially elongate, hollow enclosure having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end may define at least one opening through which the product to be applied passes. The applicator element may further comprise at least one retention element disposed within the hollow enclosure. The at least one retention element and the enclosure may be configured so as to hold product substantially within the enclosure.
In an exemplary embodiment, the wall and the at least one retention element may be configured such that the product is held between the wall and the at least one retention element via capillary attraction. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one retention element and the enclosure may be configured such that the product is held substantially within the enclosure via capillary attraction. That is, the wall and the retention element, or the enclosure and the retention element, have a configuration with respect to each other such that the adhesion forces between the product and the surfaces of the wall, or the enclosure, and the retention element are greater than the internal cohesion of the product itself. This may cause the product to be raised against the surfaces of the wall and the retention element. In other words, the adhesion forces may thus at least substantially prevent the product from exiting the cavity in the absence of external forces (i.e., forces other than those associated with the weight of the product itself). In an exemplary embodiment, the product is a liquid or semi-liquid and the surfaces of the wall, the enclosure, and the retention element are substantially solid.
The wall may surround the entire cavity or at least substantially the entire cavity. In an embodiment, the at least one opening is a single opening. This single opening may permit relatively precise application of product and may be configured so as to be suitable for applying liquid to fingernails or toenails, for example.
The retention element may allow the at least one opening through which product passes to be of relatively large dimensions for application purposes while substantially preventing the product from exiting the cavity when the applicator element is not being used to apply the product. Further, the cavity also may have a relatively large volume. This may permit continued use of the applicator for a sufficient length of time before it becomes necessary to reload the applicator element with product.
Optionally, the at least one opening is at a distal end of the applicator element, and the wall defines at least one vent opening proximate a proximal end of the applicator element. The proximal end may be located opposite to the distal end.
The at least one retention element may be disposed completely within the cavity. An end of the at least one retention element may be substantially flush with a plane defined by the opening of the cavity. Alternatively, an end of the at least one retention element proximate the opening may be disposed at a distance from a plane defined by the opening. The end of the at least one retention element may be at a distance ranging from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 3 mm from the plane defined by the opening. More particularly, the end of the at least one retention element may be at a distance ranging from approximately 1 mm to approximately 2 mm from the plane defined by the opening. This disposition makes it possible to avoid direct contact between the retention element and the surface on which the liquid is deposited, where such contact can interfere with uniform application of the liquid.
According to an aspect, the at least one opening is disposed in a plane that extends substantially obliquely relative to a longitudinal axis of the cavity. This may facilitate application of the product to a surface.
In an exemplary embodiment, the wall may be cylindrical at least over a portion of its height. A transverse cross-section of at least a portion of the wall, or a portion of the enclosure, may be substantially circular, substantially oblong, substantially polygonal, substantially bean-shaped, or any other suitable cross-sectional shape. The particular shape chosen may depend on factors such as the nature of the product and the type of application.
In an embodiment, the at least one retention element may be formed integrally with the wall or with the enclosure. Optionally, they may be formed by injection molding of a plastic material, for example. As yet another option, the retention element may be made as a single piece with the wall or the enclosure.
According to an aspect, the at least one retention element may be fixed within the cavity. The applicator may further comprise at least one fin extending from the at least one retention element and configured to hold the at least one retention element within the cavity. The at least one retention element and the at least one fin may be formed integrally, for example, as a single piece. They may be formed by injection-molding a plastic, for example.
The at least one fin may extend substantially radially from the at least one retention element, and the at least one fin may be configured to hold the at least one retention element inside the cavity via friction fit with an interior surface of the wall or the enclosure. Alternatively, some other suitable mechanism for holding the retention element within the cavity may be used.
The applicator may further comprise flocking in an exemplary embodiment. The flocking may be on at least a portion of at least one of the wall and the at least one retention element. Such flocking may increase the amount of product that is retained on the applicator element and/or control a flow rate of the product. Indeed, such flocking may make application of the product more uniform and any contact with the treated surface more flexible.
According to another exemplary embodiment, the applicator further comprises a rod and the applicator element may be connected to the rod. The longitudinal axis of the applicator element optionally forms a non-zero angle with a longitudinal axis of the rod. For example, the longitudinal axis of the applicator may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rod.
As an option, the wall or the enclosure may be connected to the rod. The applicator also may comprise a handle membe
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
L'Oreal (S.A.)
Walczak David J.
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