Toilet – Shaped cosmetic applier
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-23
2003-12-23
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Shaped cosmetic applier
Reexamination Certificate
active
06666216
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device for applying a product to a surface. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for applying a cosmetic or care product contained within a sealed container to the skin or into the hair.
A device according to the present invention may be particularly suited to applying and massaging a thinning product or toning product to the stomach, the bust, or the thighs. Thinning and toning products are marketed on a wide scale via various distribution circuits. These products may, for example, be based on ivy, ruscus, arnica, silicon, caffeine or extracts of algae.
Thinning creams have been proliferating for a few years. The action of thinning creams relates, for example, to improving the quality of the skin (orange peel effect, cellulite, firmness, etc). The method of application, which includes massaging by hand the parts of the body that are to be treated, plays a very important role in the process.
Thinning cures have also developed. The doses used in a thinning cure are typically packed in boxes of 10 to 20 one-shot dosing containers, made of polyethylene, with a break-off tip. Such dosing containers are manufactured using the form fill seal (FFS) principle. For use in the morning and at night, the lotion is applied by hand, massaging the zone that is to be treated. However, these lotions are typically very fluid. Thus, commonly some of the product is lost during application. In addition, if the content of a dose is poured out in several stages, there is a high risk that product will be wasted because the dosing container containing the remainder of the product is not very stable.
One known applicator system includes a flexible-walled container, a rim of which delimits an opening. The rim surrounding the opening supports an applicator pad, in particular made of a cellular or spongy thermoplastic resin. The pad is separated from the container by a diaphragm pierced with one or more orifices restricting the flow or, alternatively, by a diaphragm which can be pierced or broken prior to use. Prior to using the applicator, the user drives a pin or some other pointed instrument into the cellular pad and the diaphragm. The pin pierces the diaphragm, creating a hole which provides communication between the container and the pad.
The disadvantages of such a structure are many. The process aimed at establishing communication between the container and the applicator pad is painstaking; good distribution of the product over the entire application area entails the presence of several holes; and there is a non-negligible risk that the pin will accidentally be pushed through the container and also pierce an external wall thereof. Furthermore, the applicator pad is inseparably associated with each dose, which increases costs, particularly manufacturing costs, which are relatively high.
Another known applicator includes a porous pad welded under a thermoplastic housing. The housing contains a capsule, in the form of a bead, in which the product to be applied is located. By compressing the housing, the capsule bursts and the product spreads out over the applicator. The housing acts as a grip. Ducts arranged in a star-shaped configuration allow the product to spread out uniformly on the pad.
Similar to the aforementioned applicator, the drawbacks of this device are many. One dose of product is inseparably associated with one applicator. The product is encapsulated in a bead whose volume is necessarily very limited. The encapsulation process and, more generally, the process involved in manufacturing such a device can be expensive. The effort needed to burst the capsule may be relatively great.
Another known applicator device includes a reservoir containing a product to be applied, the contents of which are isolated from the atmosphere prior to first use by means of a thin film that can be perforated. The reservoir, made of a flexible material, also forms a grip for grasping the device. The film closing off the reservoir prior to first use is pierced using a mobile trocar. Movement of the trocar towards the thin film that is to be perforated is brought about by pressure exerted on the application surface for mounting the reservoir. This device is relatively complicated and uneconomical to produce. Moreover, there is a risk that the user's fingers will be soiled by pressing on the applicator surface when attempting to perforate the membrane. Furthermore, this device is not meant to be refillable.
Another known applicator device includes an applicator mounted on a cylindrical support. The cylindrical support has a ring that forms an interference snap-fit with a complementary groove provided on a tube-like container, or vice versa. The presence of the snap-fit fastener on the container increases the cost thereof and makes it unduly complicated to manufacture. Furthermore, the mounting of the container on the support is not reversible, which means the unit has to be thrown away once its contents have been used up.
Alternatively, if the mounting of the container on the support was to be reversible and if the applicator device was to provide a refillable structure, the presence of the snap-fit fastener on the container could significantly increase costs, because then the container would be a consumable item, e.g., an item that is replaced when its contents have been used up.
Hence, one of the optional aspects of the invention relates to a device for applying a liquid product, for example to the skin or to the hair, and which may be both economical to produce and simple and comfortable to use.
Another optional aspect of the invention relates to an applicator device which may be refillable.
A further optional aspect of the invention relates to an applicator device for the skin, which may be both gentle in its contact with the skin and firm in this contact. Even other optional aspects of the invention relate to an applicator device wherein the contact of the applicator device with the skin may encourage the product to penetrate the skin, encourage circulation under the skin, and tone the skin.
A further optional aspect of the invention relates to a refillable applicator device which may be capable of containing the product to be applied in the form of removable single dose containers. Optionally, the removable container may be equipped with a sealing element isolating the product from the outside prior to first use, which sealing element can be unsealed simply, reliably, cleanly and quickly.
It should be understood that the invention could still be practiced without performing one or more of the optional aspects described above. Still other optional aspects will become apparent from the detailed description that follows.
As broadly described herein, the present invention relates to a device for applying a product to a surface. The device may comprise an applicator member defining an applicator surface and a support coupled to the applicator member. The support may define a first attachment member and at least one opening member. The device may further comprise a container containing the product, the container defining an orifice, and a sealing element configured to seal the orifice. The device may also comprise a base defining a second attachment member configured to engage the first attachment member. The base may be configured to receive the container. The at least one opening member may engage the sealing element and at least partially open the orifice when the second attachment member engages the first attachment member.
In one optional embodiment, the container may be reversibly mounted to the support, so that the container may be replaced after its contents have been used up.
Alternatively, the at least one passage may be created “artificially” in the applicator member. Such artificial passages are not due to the natural properties of the material of the applicator member. These passages may be created, for example, by drilling or, if appropriate, during the molding of the applicator member. Such passages may pass through the entire thickness of
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
L'Oreal (S.A.)
Manahan Todd #E.
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