Coating implements with material supply – Supply container and independent applicator – Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-29
2003-10-21
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Supply container and independent applicator
Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
Reexamination Certificate
active
06634821
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device, system, and method for applying a product, for example, a cosmetic product. The invention may be used for applying liquid or semi-liquid products, such as those products in the form of a milk, an emulsion, a lotion, a perfume, an eau de toilette, or a gel. For example, the product may be a care product for application to skin, such as a lotion and/or cream. Additionally, the product may be a cosmetic product, a lip care product, a lip make-up product, a nail varnish, a hair product such as a treatment product or hair coloring product, and/or any other product desired to be applied to a surface.
FR-A-2 701 818 describes a unit including a reservoir containing a product for application, a cap for closing the reservoir, and an elastically deformable applicator element. The product reservoir is bounded by a capillary end piece in the form of a thimble having a rigid bottom pierced for forming at least one capillary orifice against which the applicator element is deformed when the reservoir is closed by the cap.
FR-A-2 754 458 describes an applicator unit having an applicator comprising a product capable of dissolving or becoming gel-like at its surface upon contact with a liquid composition contained in a first housing that may be located adjacent a second housing that contains the applicator.
An optional aspect of the invention is to produce a packaging and applicator unit that may solve one or more of the problems discussed hereinabove with reference to the conventional units.
Another optional aspect of the invention is to provide a packaging and applicator unit that may allow the use of applicators of relatively rigid consistency.
Yet another optional aspect of the invention is to provide a packaging and applicator unit that may allow the use of products having a very low viscosity.
Another optional aspect of the invention is to produce a unit that, during use, may preserve the application characteristics of the applicator, such as the comfort level during use.
According to a first optional aspect of the invention, a device for applying a product comprises a first compartment for containing a product, a second compartment forming an applicator housing and defining an opening, at least one supply orifice configured to provide flow communication between the first compartment and the second compartment, and an at least partially elastically compressible porous member in flow communication with the at least one supply orifice. The device may further comprise a closure element for removably closing the opening and an applicator substantially formed from at least one of an elastomeric material, a foam material, a sintered material, and a felt. The applicator may be configured to be placed in the applicator housing so that the applicator contacts the at least partially elastically compressible porous member.
According to a second optional aspect of the invention, a system for applying a product includes a first compartment, a product contained in the first compartment, a second compartment forming an applicator housing and defining an opening, at least one supply orifice configured to provide flow communication between the first compartment and the second compartment, and an at least partially elastically compressible porous member in flow communication with the at least one supply orifice. The system may further comprise a closure element for removably closing the opening and an applicator configured to be insoluble with respect to the product. The applicator may be configured to be placed in the applicator housing so that the applicator contacts the at least partially elastically compressible porous member.
According to another optional aspect of the invention, the system may include an applicator secured to the closure element such that the closure element acts as a member for holding the applicator.
According to yet another optional aspect of the invention, the at least partially elastically compressible porous member may include at least one of an open-cell hydrophilic foam, a semi-open-cell hydrophilic foam, a flexible sintered material, and a felt.
In an additional optional aspect of the invention, the at least partially elastically compressible porous member may comprise at least one of polyurethane and polyether.
In yet another optional aspect of the invention, the at least partially elastically compressible porous member may comprise at least one of ethylene vinyl alcohol and polyvinyl chloride.
According to another optional aspect of the invention, the at least partially elastically compressible porous member may be at least partially covered with a sheet of material that is permeable with respect to the product.
According to yet another optional aspect of the invention, the sheet of material may comprise at least one of a woven film, a non-woven film, and a perforated thermoplastic film.
In an additional optional aspect of the invention, the at least partially elastically compressible porous member may contain at least one of a bacteriostatic agent and a hydroabsorbent agent.
In another optional aspect of the invention, the applicator may comprise at least one of a rigid and a semi-rigid material.
In yet another optional aspect of the invention, the applicator may comprise at least one of a thermoplastic material, a felt, and a sintered material.
According to another optional aspect of the invention, the applicator may comprise an elastically compressible material.
According to yet another optional aspect of the invention, the applicator may comprise at least one of an open-cell foam, a semi-open-cell foam, and an elastomer.
In an additional optional aspect of the invention, the applicator may be at least partially covered with flocking.
According to an additional optional aspect of the invention, the flocking may comprise at least one of rayon, nylon, viscose, silk, and polyester.
In yet another optional aspect of the invention, the system may further comprise a perforated element affixed between the first compartment and the second compartment, with the perforated element defining the at least one supply orifice, and the at least partially elastically compressible porous member being located in the second compartment adjacent the perforated element.
In an additional optional aspect of the invention, the at least partially elastically compressible porous member may be secured to the perforated element.
According to another optional aspect of the invention, the system may further comprise an annular rim defining the at least one supply orifice, wherein the at least partially elastically compressible porous member is positioned in the second compartment via the annular rim.
According to yet an additional optional aspect of the invention, the at least partially elastically compressible porous member may be secured to the annular rim.
In another optional aspect of the invention, the at least partially elastically compressible porous member may be fixed at an axial position inside the second compartment.
According to another optional aspect of the invention, the system may further comprise a pump, wherein the pump supplies product from the first compartment to the second compartment.
In another optional aspect of the invention, the pump may be configured to be actuated via pressure applied against the bottom of the first compartment.
In an additional optional aspect of the invention, the first compartment may comprise a bottle having substantially rigid walls defining a fixed volume.
According to another optional aspect of the invention, the first compartment may have a variable volume.
According to yet another optional aspect of the invention, the first compartment may further comprise at least one of at least one deformable wall, a bellows, and a bottom forming a piston.
In another optional aspect of the invention, a method of applying a product comprises providing the system according to any one of the previously mentioned optional aspects of the invention. The method may further comprise transferring product from the first compar
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
Huson Gregory L.
L'Oreal (S.A.)
Le Huyen
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