Coating implements with material supply – Supply container and independent applicator – Tool supported out of communication with supply
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-14
2001-10-30
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Supply container and independent applicator
Tool supported out of communication with supply
C401S123000, C401S125000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309124
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device for dispensing and applying a product, for example, a cosmetic product. The invention is preferably used to dispense and apply products in the form of liquid, gel, and/or cream. For example, the device can be used to dispense and apply products, such as skin-care and hair-care products, make-up removers, and hair-coloring products.
In the field of cosmetics, products such as milks, creams and gels, are preferably dispensed under pressure with a pump. Because of their instability in the presence of air, however, such products are preferably packaged in pump systems with no air intake (i.e., airless pumps). In other words, the products are packaged under vacuum in reservoirs, wherein the volume of the reservoir decreases as the product is used. Typically, the reservoir is a bag with retracting walls, a tube with deformable walls, or a bottle including a follower piston. Examples of suitable pumps include piston, diaphragm, and shutter type pumps.
To apply the product from a conventional dispensing system, the user dispenses the product from the reservoir onto her fingers and rubs it into the surface that is to be treated. Alternatively, the product is applied using an applicator, such as a foam applicator.
In systems having applicators that are designed to be reusable, it may be desirable for the applicator to be stored away from air between uses so that its mechanical properties (e.g, flexibility and/or absorptivity) are not adversely affected by air reacting with product residue remaining on the applicator. In particular, in tie case of an applicator that is not cleaned after each use, product remaining on the applicator may react with the ambient air and/or other elements in the environment in which the applicator is kept. Additionally, residue remaining on the applicator may soil the applicator, thereby adversely affecting the product during the next use.
In the case of certain applicators, such as applicators shaped like the profile of the surface that is to be treated (e.g., the lips and/or the corner of the eye), it may be desirable for the product to be deposited on the applicator in the same way and in the same quantity so that the product can be consistently applied during each application.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an improved device for dispensing an applying a product.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a device and product application method that preferably obviate one or more of the short-comings of the related art.
A preferred object of the invention is to provide a device that allows the applicator to be kept substantially sealed from the external environment.
Another preferred object of the invention is to provide a device including an applicator that is easy to transport and to handle.
A further preferred object of the invention is to provide a device for dispensing and applying a product, wherein the loading of the applicator with product is reproducible.
It should be understood that the invention could still be practiced without performing one or more of the preferred objects and/or advantages set forth above. Still other objects will become apparent after reading the following description of the invention.
To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes a device for dispensing and applying a product. The device includes a container including a reservoir for containing a product, and a dispensing member for dispensing the product. The dispensing member includes an actuating element and at least one outlet. The actuating element is configured to be actuated to enable delivery of the product through the at least one outlet. The device further includes a cap configured to fit removably on the container. The cap comprises an applicator preferably including porous material. The applicator is substantially sealed from outside of the device when the cap is on the container. Placement of the cap on the container positions the applicator with respect to the at least one outlet so that at least a portion of the applicator is placed in contact with the product delivered through the at least one outlet when the actuating element is actuated. Preferably, the product at least partially impregnates the applicator when the product contacts the applicator.
The applicator is preferably substantially sealed inside a region at least partially defined by the cap. The applicator occupies either a portion of the region or all of the region.
Preferably, when stored between applications, the applicator is kept substantially sealed from the external environment. The cap facilitates easy handling of the applicator, and allows the product to be applied under good conditions, without dirtying the fingers. When the cap is on the container, the applicator is positioned with respect to the outlet(s) so that the product contacts the applicator when the actuating element is actuated. Preferably, the applicator includes porous material and the product at least partially impregnates the applicator when the actuating element is actuated. The outlet(s) is/are preferably positioned with respect to the applicator so that applicator is always loaded in substantially same way (i.e., at substantially the same points with substantially identical quantities). The application performed is thus reproducible.
Dispensing of the product may take place when the cap is on the container so that the applicator is substantially sealed from outside of the device, or when the applicator is only partially sealed from the outside of the device. For example, before actuating the dispensing member, a user may remove the cap slightly, thereby creating a small air leak in order to avoid overpressure within the region containing the applicator. Although the dispensing member is preferably actuated prior to each new use when the cap is on the container, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognized that the dispensing member could also be actuated when the cap is separate from the container. In other words, the applicator can be reloaded with product without replacing the cap back on the container.
Preferably, the dispensing member includes a pump. More preferably, the dispensing member includes an airless pump (i.e., a pump without an air intake opening). In the embodiment having an airless pump, the volume of the reservoir decreases by an amount that substantially corresponds to the volume of the dispensed product. Airless pumps are particularly suited to the dispensing of products whose properties may be adversely affected by contact with air and other environmental contaminates, and they do not require the use of a dip tube. In an alternate embodiment, however, the dispensing member includes a pump having an air intake and/or a dip tube.
In the embodiment having an airless pump, the reservoir preferably includes a flexible bag with retractable walls, a flexible tube, a bottle with a deformable diaphragm, such as an elastically deformable diaphragm, or a bottle with a follower piston. Because the volume of the reservoir decreases by an amount substantially equal to the volume of the dispensed product, the remaining product occupies substantially the entire available volume of the reservoir throughout the life of the device.
European Patent Application No. EP-A-0,743,263 discloses an example of a device having an elastically deformable diaphragm. More specifically, the disclosed device includes an elastic diaphragm that forms the base of a rigid container on which a pump and a push-button are mounted. The diaphragm is fixed at its periphery to the wall of the rigid container and is initially flat in shape. In the alternative, the diaphragm is slightly concave or convex curved towards the product. As the device is used, the diaphragm is able to gradually deform elastically over an axial distance of 15 to 20 mm, for example, so as to hug the inside of the container. A design of this kind, through its shape, makes it possi
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Huson Gregory L.
L'Oreal
Nguyen Tuan
LandOfFree
Device for dispensing and applying a product 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 for dispensing and applying a product, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for dispensing and applying a product will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2613037