Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – Including supply holder for material – Fluid pressure discharge means
Reexamination Certificate
1996-10-30
2002-07-09
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
Including supply holder for material
Fluid pressure discharge means
C222S394000, C222S402100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06415992
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates a new spray device for the fine spray dispersion of, e.g., liquids such as water including mineral or thermal spring water, comprising a propellent gas mixture.
2. Discussion of the Background
The beneficial physiological and therapeutic properties of mineralized waters, such as mineral and thermal spring waters, have been known for quite some time. Mineralized waters contain beneficial mineral salts and trace elements. Application of mineralized waters as a fine mist to the skin provides the skin with an even distribution of the beneficial mineral salts and trace elements of mineralized waters. In addition, such an application provides an overall feeling of freshness.
Portable personal aerosol containers were developed so that the public could take advantage of the beneficial properties of various waters. For example, as described in F. Clanet, Presse thermale et climatique, 1986, 123, No. 1,: “Le conditionnement des eaux sulfurées en emballages aérosols permettant leur utilisation individuelle” [translation: “The packaging of sulphur waters in aerosol containers would permit their personal use”].
The use of a gag for pressurizing an aerosol container, is well known in the art.
Nitrogen is one gas commonly used to pressurize aerosal containers. However, the pressure of nitrogen gas can cause water soluble ions of high ion content mineralized waters, in particular waters having a high concentration of carbonate or bicarbonate ions, to precipitate. As a result, the chemical composition of the mineralized water is modified which, in turn, can modify the waters' properties and ultimately, the waters' effect on the skin. Furthermore, the ion precipitation increases the risk of blockage of the exit nozzle of the aerosol container which would render the aerosol container inoperable.
Special Medicinal Patent No. 3574 describes the use of carbon dioxide gas in aerosol containers equipped with mechanical propulsion systems. However, when carbon dioxide is used in an aerosol container unequipped with a mechanical propulsion system, several problems result. Instead of a fine spray, which is defined as a cloud of particles having a size of between 50 &mgr;m and 120 &mgr;m, the aerosol container produces water droplets or a liquid jet. Also, liquid leaks form at the atomizer passage of the aerosol container. A spray device that produces such problems is not suitable for marketing.
Also well known in the art is the need to decontaminate the aerosol container once the aerosol container has been pressurized and filled with gas and mineralized water to prevent microbial growth in the water. Decontamination is usually achieved by physical methods, such as heat or ionizing treatments. However, such decontamination methods are very expensive.
Therefore a need still exists for a portable personal aerosol container or spray device which overcomes such problems as ion precipitation, poor spray dispersion and leakage. Furthermore, an alternate and less-expensive decontamination process for a spray device is also needed.
Applicants have surprisingly discovered that a personal aerosol or spray device pressurized by a gas mixture comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide overcomes these problems and, in addition, provides a liquid, such as water, that is better tolerated by the skin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a spray device pressurized by a gas mixture comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a spray device pressurized by a gas mixture comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide for the application of a liquid or atomizable composition.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a spray device pressurized by a gas mixture comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide for the application of a liquid or atomizable composition, such as mineralized water, which overcomes the problems associated with previous aerosol containers such as ion precipitates and liquid jet.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a spray device pressurized by a gas mixture comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide for the application of mineralized water which not only reduces the bacteria content of the mineralized water contained in the spray device, but can also maintain very low levels of bacteria in the water for a lengthy period of time without needing to undergo a physical decontamination process.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a spray device pressurized by a gas mixture comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide for the application of mineralized water wherein the gas mixture adjusts the pH of the contained mineralized water close to that of the skin.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a spray device pressurized by a gas mixture comprising nitrogen and carbon dioxide for the application of a liquid or atomizable composition, such as mineralized water, wherein the liquid or atomizable composition can further comprise cosmetic and/or dermatological adjuvants.
The spray device of the present invention comprises a container, a propellent gas mixture, a valve and a means for atomizing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The spray device of the present invention can be used in the application of a liquid or atomizable composition, preferably, of mineralized waters, more preferably, mineral or thermal spring waters. These waters can contain, inter alia, trace elements such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al) and arsenic (As), and dissolved minerals such as carbonate, bicarbonate (HCO
3
−
), sulfates (SO
4
2−
), thiosulfates (S
2
O
3
2−
), hydrogensulfide (HS
−
), sodium (Na
+
), potassium (K
+
), lithium (Li
+
), calcium (Ca
2+
), magnesium (Mg
2+
) and strontium (Sr
2+
). It is known that these waters, depending upon the particular mineral and trace element content, can be used for therapeutic purposes such as moisturizing and desensitization of the skin or the treatment of certain dermatoses.
The mineral or thermal spring waters are, preferably, naturally occurring mineral or thermal spring waters or naturally occurring mineral or thermal spring waters enriched with additional dissolvable minerals and/or trace elements or enriched with aqueous solutions prepared from purified water (demineralized or distilled water) enriched with dissolvable minerals and/or trace elements.
Naturally occurring thermal spring or mineral waters for use in the spray device of the present invention are, preferably, water from Vittel, water from the Vichy basin, water from Uriage, water from La Roche Posay, water from La Bourboule, water from Enghien-les-Bains, water from Saint Gervais-les-Bains, water from Néris-les-Bains, water from Allevar-les-Bains, water from Digne, water from Maizières, water from Neyrac-les-Bains, water from Lons-le-Saunier, water from Eaux-Bonnes, water from Rochefort, water from Saint Christau, water from Les Fumades, water from Tercis-les-Bains or water from Avene.
The mineral or thermal spring waters for use in the spray device of the present invention can also be those with relatively high concentration of carbonates or bicarbonates such that precipitate formation is not observed. Mineral or thermal spring waters such as water from Vittel, water from the Vichy basin, water from Uriage, water from La Roche Posay, water from La Bourboule, water from Enghien-les-Bains or water from Les Fumades, contain a total concentration of carbonates or bicarbonates of greater than 360 mg/L, and, upon use, do not exhibit precipitate formation and the disadvantages associated therewith.
The liquid or atomizable composition, preferably mineralized water, contained in the spray device of the present invention can further contain cosmetic and/or dermatological adjuvants such as preservatives, antioxidants, fragrances, UV-screening agents, coloring materials, and hydrophilic or lipophilic ac
Blondeel Gilles
Le Calvez Nicole
L'Oreal
Morris Lesley D.
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
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