Dispensing – With discharge assistant – With movable nozzle interconnected therewith
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2002-03-05
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With discharge assistant
With movable nozzle interconnected therewith
C222S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06352182
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dispenser assembly for the dispensing of a composition formed from at least two phases, in a variable ratio of concentration of the phases. In particular, the invention includes dispensing of compositions formed from at least two phases which are mutually immiscible and of differing densities. The assembly according to an embodiment of the invention may be used in numerous applications. For example, the inventive assembly may be used in cosmetic applications to dispense perfumes, haircare products, skincare products, and other similar products. It also may be used for dispensing pharmaceutical, dermatological, and food products, and in other similar dispensing applications.
BACKGROUND
Dispensers fitted with an “airless pump” are commonly used in fields such as cosmetics. As used herein, the term “airless pump” refers to a pump that provides pumping of a substance from a container in essentially a single direction without permitting reverse (intake) flow of air via the pump. That is, as product is pumped from the container, the pumped product is not replaced with a corresponding volume of air through the pump. In addition to preventing reverse intake flow of “air” via the pump, an “airless pump” typically does not allow intake of any other substances to replace the volume of product pumped out of the container. For example, an “airless pump” could include a one-way valve, such as a check valve.
Cosmetic dispensers using “airless pumps” dispense products in the form of a single, generally liquid, phase. For example, body milks, moisturizing products or sunscreen products all are typically dispensed using these dispensers. Dispensers of this type are particularly advantageous in that they substantially isolate the product from the air or other surrounding environment.
Compositions with two or more phases, for example, an aqueous phase and an oily phase, also are known in the field of cosmetics. Examples of such compositions include mouthwashes, care lotions, sun lotions, skin cleansers and make-up removers, and other similar products. In these products, compositions are in the form of separate phases, either for aesthetic reasons (for example, two different colours), or as a result of the incompatibility of the compounds in each of the phases. These compositions generally are applied as a mixture or temporary mixture of the phases which form the composition, either by dispensers with a pump operating with air intake, or by bottles without a dispensing pump and generally including walls which are flexible so as to expel the product upon the application of pressure to the wall exterior.
In the field of cosmetics, behavioral studies have demonstrated that a large number of consumers use, or desire to use, perfumes of different strengths or of different notes. For example, consumers often prefer to use a somewhat lighter perfume in the morning and/or at the office and a heavier perfume in the evening. Consumption habits of this type inevitably lead to the multiplication of bottles, i.e., one for each different perfume. However, transporting numerous bottles, particularly in a handbag, may prove difficult. Moreover, only a limited number of different products may be carried.
Still in the field of perfumes, the application of perfume or cologne, generally in aqueous-alcoholic phase, often may be harsh on the skin. Under these conditions, it would be desirable to follow this application with an application of a product with soothing properties, such as Allanson or oat extract. This too requires the user to carry at least two different bottles at a time. Moreover, this multiplies the application operations and therefore increases application time.
Aside from perfumes, for a large number of cosmetic products, a user may desire to combine application of one product with the application of a product having complementary or different properties. For example, certain haircare or skin-treatment products may be used in combination with color pigments for the skin or the hair, respectively. The color pigments may vary as a function of the desired hair or make-up color.
These problems of combined or separate application of two complementary or different products also arise in fields other than cosmetics, such as the pharmaceutical, dermatology, and food industries.
SUMMARY
Thus, one of the objects of this invention is to produce a unitary assembly for the combined or separate application of two or more products with complementary or different actions.
It is a further object of the invention to produce a unitary assembly for the application of the principal phase of a composition, optionally combined with a secondary phase of the composition, so as to modify the properties of the principal phase or to confer new properties on it. In addition, the concentration of the secondary phase in the composition dispensed may be chosen as desired.
Yet a further objective of the invention is to allow the production of an assembly for the dispensing of a composition in a variable ratio of concentrations of the phases constituting the composition.
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 of the invention 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, an embodiment of the invention includes a dispense, comprising a container having a variable volume interior. An airless pump is in flow communication with the interior and a composition is arranged inside the container. The composition is formed from at least two phases which are substantially immiscible and have differing densities. In a preferred embodiment, the container interior volume decreases in an amount corresponding to the amount of composition pumped from the container.
As used herein, the term “container having an interior with variable volume” refers to a container whose interior volume reduces in conjunction with the dispensing of the product from the container. In a preferred embodiment, the interior volume decreases in an amount proportional to the amount by volume of product dispensed from the container. The reduction in the volume of the container results from the reduced pressure which occurs with each dispensing of the product from inside the container. The dispensed product volume is not replaced by a corresponding volume of air or other substance, due to the absence of intake of air. Indeed, the pump prevents intake of air or other substance into the container, which otherwise would offset the reduction in product volume inside the container interior. The pump may optionally be of the precompression type so as to promote the mixing of the phases of the composition.
The composition according to the invention comprises at least two phases that are not permanently and completely miscible. For example, the two phases may include two substantially immiscible oily phases of different densities, an oily phase and an aqueous phase or an oily phase and an aqueous-alcoholic phase, or other similar combinations of phases. As a result of the difference in density between the two immiscible phases, the heavier phase should normally be deposited (sedimented) in the bottom of the container while the lighter phase should normally float on top of the heavier phase. The rate of separation of the phases varies as a function of the difference in density between the two phases. Agitating the contents of the container preferably forms a substantially homogeneous “mixture” of the two phases in the form of a dispersion, suspension or emulsion. By allowing the composition to be free of agitation, the phases “demix”, or separate, through the affect of their density differences. By selectively arranging the container, it is possible to dispense either one of the individual phases at a time, or a mixture of the two phases at the same time. The present in
Derakshani Philippe
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
L'Oreal
LandOfFree
Dispenser and dispensing method for a multiphase composition does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dispenser and dispensing method for a multiphase composition, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dispenser and dispensing method for a multiphase composition will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2890304