Coating implements with material supply – Supply container and independent applicator – Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-03
2004-08-10
Walczak, David (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Supply container and independent applicator
Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
C401S126000, C401S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06773187
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device for packaging and applying a substance, for example, a cosmetic or a care product. The device may include a receptacle for containing the substance and an applicator optionally including a compressible applicator element for applying the substance. The device may also include a housing for receiving the applicator element and for filling or loading the applicator element with a supply of the substance.
An example of a conventional device is found in Swiss patent CH 406 544. In the device of the Swiss patent, the applicator element is fixed on a support element that bears against the walls of the housing in such a manner that the applicator element is not compressed in the housing when the applicator is in place on the receptacle. Additionally, the applicator is not arranged in such a manner that it closes the housing in sealed manner when the applicator is located on the receptacle.
There exists a need for a device that may include a receptacle for containing a substance, and an applicator that may include an applicator element for use in applying the substance. The device may further include a housing for receiving the applicator element and for filling it with substance. Such a device may be adapted to package and dispense a substance, such as those substances having a liquid to semisolid consistency, or a powder. Further, such a device may optionally be capable of filling the applicator element with a substantial quantity of substance to enable the applicator to be used for a sufficient length of time between refills.
In accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes a device for packaging and applying a substance. The device may comprise a receptacle for containing the substance and at least one housing in flow communication with the receptacle. The at least one housing may be configured to receive an applicator element and may comprise a side wall and an end wall. The interior of the at least one housing may be separated from the substance by the end wall. The device may also comprise at least one applicator element for applying the substance. The at least one applicator element may be compressible, for example. Alternatively, the at least one applicator element may be substantially incompressible. For example, the applicator element could include a sintered material optionally with flocking. The at least one applicator element may comprise a first portion configured to abut the end wall when the at least one applicator element is at least partially received in the at least one housing and the first portion is in an uncompressed configuration. The at least one applicator element may also comprise a second portion comprising at least one recess. The second portion may comprise a single recess or a plurality of recesses. The second portion may be configured to abut the end wall when the at least one applicator element is at least partially received in the at least one housing and the first portion is in a compressed configuration. The at least one applicator element may also comprise a peripheral portion configured to abut the side wall when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing.
In an optional aspect, the second portion of the at least one applicator element may comprise a truncated cone when the second portion is in an uncompressed configuration. In another optional aspect, the second portion may form a depression when the second portion is in an uncompressed configuration.
The at least one applicator element optionally further comprises a face having a central region. The second portion could, for example, be located on the central region.
The at least one applicator element may further comprise a sealing member configured to close the at least one housing in a sealed manner when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the at least one housing.
In still another optional aspect, the first portion of the at least one applicator element could substantially surround the second portion. Optionally, the peripheral portion of the at least one applicator element is configured to seal against the side wall of the at least one housing.
The end wall of the housing may have a portion with at least one orifice configured to supply the at least one applicator element with substance. For example, the end wall may comprise a plurality of orifices configured to supply the at least one applicator element with the substance.
The second portion of the at least one applicator element may be configured to be compressed in an axial direction when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing.
In another optional aspect, the at least one applicator element may be configured to contact substantially the entire end wall when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing.
The at least one applicator element may further comprise a lid configured to be secured to the at least one housing by rotation and to provide a handle. Alternatively, the lid could be configured to be secured to the at least one housing by translation and to provide a handle.
In an optional aspect, the at least one applicator element may comprise at least one depressed portion defined by a groove. Optionally, the at least one applicator element may comprise a plurality of parallel grooves or a plurality of depressed portions arranged in a grid configuration. In still another optional aspect, the at least one applicator element may comprise a plurality of bosses.
In another aspect, the at least one applicator element optionally may have a diameter of at least about 20 millimeters. Alternatively, the at least one applicator element could have a diameter of at least about 30 millimeters or at least about 40 millimeters. The at least one applicator element could comprise, for example, an open-cell foam.
The end wall of the at least one housing may be substantially planar or it may be substantially concave when viewed from an interior of the at least one housing.
The first portion of the at least one applicator element may be radially symmetrical in shape. The first portion could also comprise regions having different heights in the uncompressed configuration, wherein the regions having different heights abut the end wall in the compressed configuration when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing.
The end wall of the at least one housing may be fixed with respect to the receptacle.
In another aspect, the device may further comprise a pump for delivering substance into the at least one housing. Alternatively, the substance may be supplied to the at least one applicator element by capillary action.
In still another aspect, the at least one applicator element may be configured such that the substance is drawn into the at least one housing as the at least one applicator element is removed from the housing thereby creating a suction effect.
In an optional aspect, the first portion of the at least one applicator element may be configured to be in a compressed configuration when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing and to expand as the at least one applicator element is removed from the at least one housing, thereby drawing a supply of the substance into the at least one housing.
In another optional aspect, the receptacle may be configured to elastically deform. For example, a supply of the substance may be delivered into the at least one housing upon compression of the receptacle.
In an additional optional aspect, the at least one applicator element and the end wall may be configured to define a substantially enclosed cavity in fluid communication with the at least one orifice when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the housing.
The at least one applicator element may have a compressed configuration when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the at least one housing.
I
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
L'Oreal (S.A.)
Walczak David
LandOfFree
Device and method for packaging and applying a substance does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device and method for packaging and applying a substance, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device and method for packaging and applying a substance will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3325728