Supports – Vacuum
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-21
2004-06-08
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Vacuum
C248S205500, C248S309300, C248S346010, C248S362000, C248S683000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06745987
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device for selectively immobilizing a container on a surface, a container including the device for selectively immobilizing the container, and a method for manufacturing the device for selectively immobilizing a container. The container may be an aerosol container, a pump-action container, a bottle, or a tube-type container, for holding a product, such as a cosmetic product, for example a make-up product or beauty care product. Cosmetic products may include, but are not limited to, hair products such as lacquers, styling mousses, gels, and shampoos. The invention also relates to a device that may capable of reducing the risk of such containers being overturned when the containers are placed in an upright position on a surface, such as a flat support.
Many cosmetic products may be packaged in containers, the dimensions of which are such that they are overturned relatively easily when placed on a work surface. Such containers may often have a generally cylindrical shape and a relatively tall height in comparison to their cross-section. The ease with which such containers may be overturned may be an important issue, particularly in the environment of hairdressing salons, where a many such containers may be used. In hairdressing salons, the electric cords of hair driers may drape across work surfaces on which containers may be placed. The movement of these electric cords often results in the containers being overturned. Aside from the unpleasant noise caused by such occurrences, the risk of damage to the containers, for example, to the dispensing systems of such containers, may be considerable.
An example of a conventional device can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,473, which discloses a bottle, for example, a nail varnish bottle, the bottom of which is equipped with a device in the form of an annular element, a peripheral lip of which may be capable of forming a suction-cup.
When produced by injection molding, such a device requires that the injection point be situated at the periphery of the device, in a position that may be appreciably offset from the geometric center of the device forming the suction-cup. As a consequence of this off-center injection point, there may be a weld line that results in an area of weakness. This problem may be more critical when the material from which the device is formed is a flexible material, and when the device is intended to operate under constant mechanical stress, for example, when placed in an elastic gripping function.
One possible solution to the abovementioned situation may be found by producing a device in the form of a cylindrical skirt, a first end of which may be open and a second end of which is spaced from the first end. The second end may be provided with a closed bottom. However, this configuration may present a problem during manufacturing when the device is released from the mold due to a suction-cup effect with the mold insert, rendering separation from the mold difficult.
Another example of a conventional device can be found in DE 31 44 061 A1, which describes a container having a configuration of a tube for use in containing a product. A cap of the tube may be configured to form a suction-cup. Such a configuration may require immobilizing the container in an inverted position. However, inverting the container may be undesirable for many products. Furthermore, this device suffers from a similar problem to that which was previously mentioned in connection with U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,473, namely, difficulty removing the device from the mold.
Other examples of conventional devices are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,493, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,497, which disclose immobilizing devices that may include a suction-cup effect. These devices are formed from at least two parts mounted on one another. Such devices may be expensive to produce. Further, such devices may also be relatively difficult to position on the containers for which they were intended.
Yet another example of a conventional device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,968,888, which describes a support for objects such as soaps or beverages. The device includes one part intended to hold the object and another part for forming a suction-cup. The suction-cup is formed entirely as part of the support. Thus, the support may act as a suction-cup regardless of the presence of the object intended to be held. As a result, problems may arise with handling the support, for example, on manufacturing lines, or industrial packaging lines. These problems may include unintended occurrences of the suction-cup adhering to surfaces encountered during manufacturing and packaging. Furthermore, problems may also be encountered as the device is released from the mold. For example, since the suction-cup has an uninterrupted surface, it may have a tendency to adhere the surface of the mold as previously described.
Hence, one optional aspect of the invention is to produce a device for selectively immobilizing a container on a surface that either completely or partly addresses the disadvantages of the devices in the documents cited above.
Another optional aspect of the invention is to produce a device that can be manufactured by injection molding and that is able to withstand mechanical stresses associated with mounting and retaining the device on a container for which the device is intended.
Yet another optional aspect of the invention is to provide a device that significantly improves the stability of a container without requiring modification of the container.
A further optional aspect of the invention is to provide a device that is simple and economical to produce.
Another optional aspect of the invention is to provide a container having improved stability when equipped with a device according to the invention.
Other optional aspects still will become apparent from the following detailed description.
For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “suction cavity” refers to a volume having a relatively reduced pressure with respect to pressure surrounding the volume. This relatively reduced pressure may be achieved through the act of depressing and releasing an at least partially elastic member onto a surface such that a volume defined at least in part by the elastic member and the surface is initially reduced, forcing air from the volume. Once the volume is reduced, a slight expansion of the reduced volume occurs as the elastic member partially returns to a configuration present prior to the act of depressing. As a result of the depressing and expanding, the suction cavity may provide an immobilizing phenomenon with respect to the elastic member and a container attached thereto. For example, the structure defining the suction cavity could be generally in the form of what is sometimes referred to as a suction-cup.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a device for selectively immobilizing a container on a surface is provided. The device may optionally include a mounting element configured to engage the container, and a bottom. The bottom may include a central portion, a peripheral edge forming a lip, and at least one opening extending away from the central portion. The bottom may be configured such that at least the container and the bottom cooperate to form a suction cavity for selectively immobilizing the container on the surface.
According to a second optional aspect of the invention, a device for selectively immobilizing a container on a surface is provided which may optionally include a mounting element configured to engage the container, and a bottom. The bottom may include a central portion, a peripheral edge forming a lip, a groove configured to engage the container, and at least one opening. The bottom may be configured such that at least the container and the bottom cooperate to form a suction cavity for selectively immobilizing the container on the surface.
Yet another optional aspect of the invention includes a device for selectively immobilizing a container on a surface. The device may include a mounting element configured to engage the container, an
Albisetti Nicolas
Rousselet Guilhem
Braun Leslie A.
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
L'Oreal (S.A.)
Sterling Amy J.
LandOfFree
Device for selectively immobilizing a container on a... 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 selectively immobilizing a container on a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device for selectively immobilizing a container on a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3338692