Coating implements with material supply – Supply container and independent applicator – Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-12
2001-08-21
Eloshway, Charles R. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Supply container and independent applicator
Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
C401S122000, C401S127000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276856
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a self cleaning dip-in package for liquids. More particularly, the invention relates to a self cleaning stem/wiper for dip-in cosmetic packages. The invention also relates to a process for filling a self cleaning dip-in package for liquids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional lipsticks primarily consist of waxes, oils and pigments. The oils and waxes make the lipstick film fluid, allowing the lipstick to be easily blotted or rubbed off. Several “non-transfer” lipstick products have been recently introduced on the market. These products are similar in technology to conventional lipstick products, but replace the nonvolatile oils commonly found in conventional lipsticks with volatile solvents. As a result, the volatile solvent evaporates when the product is applied to the lips, leaving a drier film of waxes and pigments. The film resists blotting relative to oil-containing products, but dissolves readily in food oils.
These newer lipstick products employ a two-step lip coloring system that delivers a lipstick with noticeably longer-wearing color and a moist feel. The longer-wearing color is achieved via a pigmented solid polymer basecoat and the moist feel is achieved via a clear topcoat. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the basecoat primarily consists of MQ resin and dimethicone gum, dissolved in a volatile permethyl 99A solvent that evaporates after the product is applied to the lips. Once the solvent evaporates, the pigments are adhered to the lips by a high viscosity polymer film that is free of waxes and oils. The end film is resistant to blotting, rubbing and food oils, all of which typically remove conventional lipsticks. However, the aggressive permethyl 99A volatile solvent dictates that a very good sealant system be employed in the application package.
The resins employed in the two-step lip coloring system are relatively expensive engineering grade resins, and containment of the resins is important. Containment of the resins is also important from an aesthetic standpoint since users do not wish to see excess resin dispersed around the inner neck of the vial when the brush or doe foot is removed from the vial. Prior attempts have been made to provide a wiper responding to the problems associated with the accumulation of excess resins on the inner neck of the vial. However, no wiper systems have effectively eliminated the problems in a convenient and cost effective manner.
Accordingly, a need exists for a package exhibiting excellent sealing and wiping characteristics. A need also exists for a convenient and reliable process for assembling and filling packages. The present invention provides a package exhibiting these characteristics, as well as a process for filling the packages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a self cleaning dip-in package. The package includes a vial having an opening through which a user may access liquid stored within the vial. The opening is defined by an inner wall of the vial which provides access to product stored within the package. The package further includes an applicator adapted for insertion within the open end of the vial to access liquid product stored within the vial, wherein the applicator is coupled to a handle and the handle is selectively coupled to the vial for storing the product within the vial. A first wiper is coupled within the opening of the vial such that the first wiper cleans excess product from the applicator as the applicator is withdrawn from within the vial. A second wiper is coupled to the handle such that the second wiper wipes the inner wall of the open end of the vial as the applicator is inserted into the vial.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a package wherein the first wiper includes a check valve seal which engages the inner wall of the vial to allow the passage of product wiped by the second wiper into the vial but prevent the passage of product out of the vial.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a package including a stem insert which connects the applicator to the handle. In addition, the second wiper is integrally formed with the stem insert.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package wherein the stem insert includes vents which equalize pressure as the applicator is withdrawn from the vial to prevent the creation of vacuum pressure in the space between the first wiper and the stem insert as the applicator is withdrawn from the vial.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a package wherein the vial includes an open second end sealed by a plug.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a package including at least one wiper vent allowing pressure to escape the vial once the applicator has been inserted within the vial such that the wiper vent contacts the first wiper creating a path through which pressure is released from the vial.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a process for assembling and filling a package. The process includes the steps of coupling the top closure member to the open first end of the vial to seal the open first end of the vial, filling the vial with product through the open second end of the vial and securing the plug to the open second end of the vial to seal the open second end of the vial.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a process for assembling and filling a package including the step of installing a wiper within the vial prior to coupling the top closure member to the vial.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a process for assembling and filling a package wherein the step of coupling the top closure member to the vial includes assembling the applicator and stem insert to form an applicator/stem insert assembly, installing the applicator/stem insert assembly within the open first end of the vial, and coupling the handle to the applicator/stem insert assembly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wiper vent for a package. The wiper vent includes at least one passageway formed on the applicator/stem insert. The at least one passageway allows pressure to escape the vial once the applicator/stem insert assembly has been inserted within the vial such that the at least one passageway contacts the first wiper creating a path through which pressure is released from the vial.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a wiper vent for a package wherein the applicator/stem insert assembly is formed from an applicator and a stem insert, and the at least one passageway is formed on the stem insert.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wiper vent for a package including a plurality of passageways formed about the applicator stem insert.
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Horstman Richard Lawrence
Pieper Kathleen Ann
Eloshway Charles R.
Oney, Jr. Jack L.
Paul Andrew A
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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