Dispensing – Processes of dispensing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-12
2002-09-17
Kaufman, Joseph A. (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Processes of dispensing
C222S145500, C222S321700, C222S481500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06450366
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a product and varying the concentration of the product over at least a portion of the period of use of the device. The product being dispensed preferably is in the form of a flowable substance and may be of very liquid to less liquid consistency, such as in the form of a cream or of an emulsion.
In the field of cosmetics in particular, it is known to package compositions containing either a homogenous phase or a number of separate phases to be in a container. In the latter instance, typically after the container has been shaken, the separate phases mix together to form a mixture having substantially constant predetermined concentrations of respective compositions forming the mixture. The value of the concentrations of each of the compositions in the mixture are defined by the initial amounts of the respective compositions disposed in the container. Upon each use of the container to mix and dispense the mixture, the mixture dispensed displays the same concentrations of the respective compositions.
In the field of cosmetics, and in other fields such as pharmacy or dermatology, or cleaning and the like, it may be desirable to vary the concentration of the respective compositions, or active ingredients, in a product being dispensed. In a preferred use, it may be desired to vary the concentration of an active ingredient in a substantially linear manner, from the start to the end of the treatment for which the product is used. For example, such variation in concentration may be desired when using sunscreens wherein, in the first days of exposure the protection offered by the sunscreen may be maximal, or even total, and may then decrease gradually after a person has been exposed to the sun for few days. A similar characteristic may be desired for the use of products containing self-tanning ingredients. In using these products, the user may desire a very subtle skin coloring effect during the first use or first few uses, followed by an increasingly pronounced skin coloring effect after a number of uses. Another example of a product in which it may be desirable to vary the concentration over time is a thinning product, which may have an increasingly powerful thinning action as the product is used. Yet another example includes certain treatments for the skin or for the scalp, which, because of the aggressive action of some ingredients they contain, may require application at gradually increasing or decreasing concentrations, before being at a stabilized final concentration, so that treatment can be pursued with maximum effectiveness. Other related products that may be optimally utilized in varied concentrations over a time period of application include hair dyes and teeth whiteners.
Such application of products in varying concentrations also may be useful in numerous fields and for numerous uses other than cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and dermatological uses. For example, it may be desirable to provide cleaning solutions, shoe polishes, and clothing dyes having varied concentrations over a time period of use of the product.
Conventional techniques for changing the concentration of a product include providing separate packages for each of the different desired concentrations. The numbers of packages required to span a large spectrum of concentration levels may hinder wide-scale personal use of this type of varied-concentration treatment. Furthermore, a system of separate packages for each discrete concentration allows for only a limited number of different concentrations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,729 describes a bottle for a sunscreen composition comprising a container defining two compartments, one containing a lotion and the other containing a sunscreen agent. The two compartments are in communication with a mixing chamber via respective bores. The cross-section of the bore connecting the mixing chamber to the compartment containing the sunscreen is adjustable so as to vary the degree of protection afforded by the sunscreen dispensed. The sunscreen concentration in the dispensed composition is varied in a relatively low number of discrete stages.
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a dispenser, preferably which can be obtained by molding in a single piece, and allowing the dispensing of a product, such as a cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or dermatalogical composition, for example, which has a concentration that varies over at least part of the period of use of the dispenser to dispense the product.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device in which such a variation in concentration is substantially linear, at least over part of the period of use of the dispenser.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a dispensing device for dispensing a product in varying concentrations such that the concentration of various active ingredients or of a particular composition either increases or decreases over a period of use of the dispenser.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a reliable dispensing device having a relatively simple structure that is economical to produce.
It should be understood that the invention could be practiced without performing one or more of the preferred objects and/or advantages described above. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.
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 a composition, preferably a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or dermatological composition, comprising a first chamber, or container, containing the composition to be dispensed, a means capable, in response to an actuation command, of allowing a given volume of the composition in the first container to be dispensed, a second container, or chamber, containing a modifying composition, and a means capable, in response to the dispensing of the given volume of composition from the first container, of allowing a fraction of said modifying composition to pass from the second container to the first container.
In the case of a composition of low viscosity, the fraction of modifying composition will automatically mix with the composition contained in the first container. For a composition of higher viscosity, it may be necessary to shake the device in order to improve the homogenization of the composition that is to be dispensed.
As a preference, the means capable, in response to the dispensing of said given volume of composition from the first container, of allowing a fraction of said modifying composition to pass from the second container to the first container includes a siphon arranged between the first and second containers. The siphon constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention in so far as it allows the device to be molded in a single piece without the need for additional valves or other similar means, between the two containers.
As a preference, the dispensing of the composition from the first container occurs without air being taken into the first container, that is, without the dispensed volume of composition from the first container being replaced with a corresponding volume of air. This dispensing without the intake of air makes it possible to create a vacuum inside the first container for drawing a corresponding volume of said modifying composition from the second container into the first container. A corresponding volume or corresponding amount should be understood herein as meaning a volume or amount sufficient to allow pressure equilibrium to be substantially re-established in the dispenser device.
Preferably, an air intake mechanism is provided to allow a volume or amount of air that corresponds approximately to the volume or amount of composition dispensed to enter the second container. This air intake member is especially useful when the second container is in rigid or semi-rigid form.
As an alternative, the modifying composition may be contained inside a flexible bag, such as one made of a me
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
Kaufman Joseph A.
L'Oreal (S.A.)
LandOfFree
Methods and devices for dispensing a product with a varying... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Methods and devices for dispensing a product with a varying..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Methods and devices for dispensing a product with a varying... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2909133