Coating implements with material supply – Including tool with blade-like – pad-like – or apertured... – Apertured tool
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-04
2001-11-13
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Including tool with blade-like, pad-like, or apertured...
Apertured tool
C401S261000, C015S104930
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315482
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to applicators for use in manually applying coatings of a substance onto a desired target surface. More particularly, the present invention relates to such applicators which provide both dispensing and distribution functionality and therefore enhanced product performance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many types of topical products that are commercially available and/or commonly applied to a desired (target) surface in the form of a thin film or coating to protect, treat, modify, etc. the target surface. Such products include those in the skin care, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and other personal care arenas. One common example of such a product is the antiperspirantldeodorant type of product, many of which are formulated as sprays, roll-on liquids, gels, creams, or solid sticks, and comprise an astringent material, e.g. zirconium or aluminum salts, incorporated into a suitable topical carrier. These products are designed to provide effective perspiration and odor control while also being cosmetically acceptable during and after application onto the axillary area or other areas of the skin.
Examples of suitable perforated caps or other shear force delivery means for use with such packaged compositions include those known in the art for application of creams, or those delivery means that are otherwise effective for delivering the composition of the present invention to the skin, with the resulting rheology of the extruded product preferably falling within the ranges described hereinabove for extruded compositions. Some examples of such perforated caps or other shear force delivery means, and some dispensing packages for use with compositions herein, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,356, issued to Johnson et al. on Mar. 19, 1991, which description is incorporated herein by reference.
While such delivery means have proven successful in applying such substances, in many instances a comparatively complex supply mechanism is required in order to dispense the product for application by shear force delivery means. This in turn typically requires a comparatively large canister to house not only the desired quantity of product but also the product retention and supply mechanism as well. Economic factors also typically require even travel size canisters for both elevator-type and push-up-stick packages to have considerable weight and occupy considerable volume, thus limiting the ability of the consumer to readily transport such devices. Moreover, such constructions for all practical considerations preclude the carrying of such devices on one's person such as in a pocket or modest-sized purse for replenishment of one's antiperspirant or deodorant during the course of an extended stay away from home.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a discrete, convenient hand-held applicator for applying substances to target surfaces.
It would also be desirable to provide such an applicator which provides for a substantially uniform coating of such substances to yield enhanced product performance.
It would also be desirable to provide such an applicator which is easy to use and may be economically produced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an applicator for applying and distributing a substance onto a target surface. The applicator comprises a substantially planar sheet of compressible, conformable material having opposed first and second surfaces and an interior region between said first and second surfaces. The sheet of material has a thickness between the first and second surfaces which decreases when the sheet of material is subjected to an extemally-applied force in a direction substantially normal to the first surface. The applicator further includes at least one discrete reservoir extending inwardly of the first surface into the interior of the sheet of material which is at least partially filled with a substance and at least one discrete aperture formed in the first surface which is in fluid communication with the reservoir. Compression of the sheet of material via an externally-applied force substantially normal to said first surface expresses product from the aperture and translational motion of the first surface relative to a target surface applies and distributes said product onto the target surface. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of apertures are associated with corresponding reservoirs forming a delivery zone near one end of a hand-held applicator, and the sheet material is preferably resilient both in compression and in bending to conform to irregular target surfaces. A wide variety of substances are contemplated, including particularly antiperspirant/deodorant products. Other embodiments include a single reservoir feeding multiple apertures.
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Altonen Gene Michael
Girardot Richard Michael
Motley Curtis Bobby
Tuthill Lyle Brown
Oney, Jr. Jack L.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
Walczak David J.
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