Toilet – Toilet kit – Powder box and applicator
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-06
2004-02-24
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Toilet kit
Powder box and applicator
C132S294000, C132S317000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06694987
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an applicator unit, such as one that may be used in the field of cosmetics. More particularly, the present invention relates to an applicator unit that could be used for packaging and/or applying products, such as makeup or body care products (e.g., eyeshadows, blushers, lip make-ups, mascaras, and/or foundations).
Make-up products may generally be applied by using, for example, an applicator or directly with the fingers, among other methods. Applicators often may be of a small size that may sometimes make it difficult to locate the applicators when stored in a handbag, for example. Furthermore, when stored in a handbag, it may be desirable for the applicator to be protected from dust and other dirt that may be present in the handbag. Conversely, it may be desirable that the applicator, on which a quantity of residual product may remain, not soil the contents of the handbag. As such, the applicator may often be protected by a compartment, which may be separate or may be part of a packaging unit for the product to be applied (e.g., a container). When the applicator is protected by a compartment that is a part of a container, for example, so as not to increase the size of the container inordinately, the applicator may often be of very small size, which may make it more difficult to handle.
If the product is applied directly with the fingers, the user may need to have a nearby source of water for washing her hands after application.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,820 describes an applicator for a make-up product comprising a first part delimiting a first compartment for accommodating a product to be applied. The first compartment has an opening, opposite a base, extending substantially in a plane. The first part also comprises a second compartment for accommodating an application member in the assembled position of the first and second parts. The applicator unit also comprises a second part comprising the application member at the end of a handle. In the assembled position, the handle covers the opening of the first compartment, and the application member is arranged in the second compartment substantially on the same side of the plane as the first compartment.
A possible drawback of this design relates to the complexity of the action required to assemble the two parts. Assembly may be achieved, for example, by a combined movement of the second part on the one hand along the axis of the unit and on the other hand by pivoting around a moving point. Besides the complexity, this assembly action may also risk damaging the applicator both when removing the applicator and when returning it after application. Overall, the unit as designed may be fragile.
Other designs of a similar type are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,951,489, FR-A-2 759 872, EP-A-0 960 582, GB-A-2 139 886 and EP-A-0 261 750. All of these documents describe devices suffering from at least one drawback. For example, in these references, releasing the opening of the compartment containing the product in order to remove product by means of the applicator and taking up the applicator by hand may require a sequence of two or more actions that are not necessarily simple to complete. Generally, there is a sliding movement for withdrawing the applicator or for releasing its application part, and a pivoting movement of a lid for opening the compartment containing the product. If the device includes a mirror for assisting application, at least three actions may be required. Furthermore, in many of these documents, the applicator may be very small in size, which may make it less accurate to handle.
FR-A-1 020 647 describes a make-up container formed from two components fitting together by low friction sliding, and containing a compartment of make-up, a brush-carrier sheath, a brush, and a mirror.
When opening the container, the user first separates the parts forming the outer container from one another to permit access to the brush handle arranged inside the container. Then, with the brush handle, the user may withdraw the brush from its compartment in such a way as to release a pivoting lid covering the compartment containing the make-up. Finally, she may open the lid and remove the product by means of the applicator brush. The action required to open this container thus may be a complicated one as well. With this design, there also may be a risk of losing the outer container that is taken apart for application.
One of the optional aspects of the invention may include an applicator unit that addresses one or more of the problems discussed above with reference to conventional applicator units.
Another optional aspect of the invention may include an applicator unit permitting an action that may be simplified compared with the action associated with conventional devices.
Still another optional aspect of the invention may include an applicator unit that may be visually appealing, simple to use, and economic to produce.
Yet another optional aspect of the invention may be to provide for the use of an applicator, that may be easy and accurate to handle, without substantially affecting the overall size characteristics of the applicator unit.
Further optional aspects of the invention may become apparent from the description below.
According to one aspect, the invention may include an applicator unit comprising an application member and a first part defining at least a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment may be configured to accommodate a product to be applied and may comprise a first opening extending substantially in a plane. The second compartment may be configured to accommodate an application member via a second opening. The applicator unit may further include a second part comprising a handle. The application member may be located at an end of the handle. The applicator unit may also comprise a retainer configured to releasably retain the first and second parts in an assembled position.
The first and second parts may be configured so that, in the assembled position, the first and second openings are closed and the handle is arranged at least partially over the first opening. In the assembled position, the handle may also define a portion of an external surface of the unit, and the application member may be arranged in the second compartment on an opposite side of the plane than the first compartment.
According to another aspect, the retainer may be configured to reversibly lock the first part and the second part together in the assembled position.
The term “closed” as used herein with respect to the assembled position means that the first and/or second openings will keep in at least the product. For example, any loose product on the surface of the product in the first compartment or on the application member in the second compartment may not escape from the applicator device.
The configuration of the handle of the application member and the position of the application member in the assembled configuration of the applicator unit of the first and second parts may simplify the assembly action. For example, it may allow the assembly/disassembly of the first and second parts essentially by a sliding movement of the one relative to the other.
The present invention may permit the production of a unit for which, at least in a simple version, by means of a single action, it may be possible both to take up the applicator by hand and to access the product contained in the compartment formed by the first part. A limited number of parts may be required as compared with conventional units, such as the unit described in FR-A-1 020 647 mentioned above. This feature may make the device more economical to produce and more robust, while providing an appearance in keeping with the demands of fields such as cosmetics (e.g., make-up).
In another aspect, a cross sectional area of the handle in a plane parallel to the plane of the first opening may be at least as large as an area of the first opening, such that the handle may be capable of covering the first opening over substantially its entire cross sec
Doan Robyn Kieu
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
L'Oreal
Wilson John J.
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