Coating implements with material supply – Material flows through porous tool – With removable cap for tool
Reexamination Certificate
2001-12-28
2004-02-17
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Material flows through porous tool
With removable cap for tool
C401S198000, C401S153000, C401S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06692173
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a unit for packaging and applying a liquid product. The invention is most particularly suited to the packaging and application of cosmetic products such as nail varnishes, lipsticks, oils, gel-type oils, etc. Applications in fields other than cosmetics may also be envisaged, particularly in the field of glues, writing correctors, household stain removers, etc. Liquid products with a viscosity between that of water and that of an oil, even a gel-type oil, are particularly suitable for use according to the present invention.
2. Description of the Related Art
Stain-remover-pad-type devices exist which consist of a product reservoir surmounted by a neck at the top of which is an applicator in the form of a thin foam pad which is applied to a surface to be treated, for example the skin or a fabric. As the applicator pad is confined in the top part of the neck, loading the pad with product requires it to be turned upside down and its surface pressed several times on the surface to be treated in order to prime and load it with product. The pressure exerted on the applicator causes the opening of a valve which, in the closed position, separates the applicator from the product. Such applicators generally contain formulations which include polymers which dry up rapidly when they are not used because they are too far from the solvent medium surrounding the product contained in the reservoir and physically separated from the liquid by valve or pump-type means.
In the case of other products of the polish type, the applicator pad is separated from the product by means of a valve which further accelerates the drying-up of the applicator, sometimes rendering it unusable after a long period during which it has not been used, or requiring cleaning operations prior to any further use.
Furthermore, applicators are known which are in the form of a block of foam which is soaked in the product to be applied and then, after wiping, either on the neck of the flask or by means of a mechanical wiping device, is applied to the surface to be treated. The applicator is generally secured to the top. In certain circumstances, however, it is difficult to use, for example in the case of public transport, owing to the independent nature of the applicator and of the reservoir which, under certain use conditions, means that the container has to be held in one hand and the product applied with the other.
Patent application EP-A-0 721 748 describes an applicator for a viscous cosmetic product which has a body forming a reservoir for the cosmetic product and an applicator member which can be moved between a closed position in which the applicator member is completely engaged inside the body and an open position, in which the applicator member projects outside the body of the applicator, which can be closed by a top when the applicator member is located inside. Closing-off means are provided in order, in the closed position of the device, to prevent any liquid communication between the reservoir and the applicator. Such closing-off means enables the solvent evaporating above the surface of the product to come into contact with the applicator so as to limit the risks of drying-out, but rules out the possibility of having the applicator ready for use when the top is removed.
Patent application EP-A-435 758 describes an applicator for a perfume or other product, which includes a flask delimiting a base and, at the end opposite the base, a permeable top for applying the product, particularly to the skin. The permeable top is supplied with product by capillary effect via, in particular, a wick or a capillary tube. One of the problems associated with such a design is linked to the supply of the applicator end-piece. This supply, essentially by capillary effect, requires a certain period of time to elapse between two applications. Moreover, a method of supply of this type does not allow the application surface to be supplied with products containing pigments of the type which may be encountered in the cosmetics industry, particularly mascaras, nail varnishes or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a packaging and application unit which is automatic, clean, and easy to use in all circumstances.
A further object of the invention is to provide a packaging and application unit in which the applicator does not dry out substantially and is therefore always ready for use, even after a long period during which it is not used.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a reliable system which is economical to produce.
According to the invention, these and other objects are achieved by producing a unit for packaging and applying a liquid product, comprising a reservoir containing the product and having an opening; removable means for closing off the opening in a leaktight manner; an applicator fitted inside the reservoir, the applicator including a first end in permanent liquid communication with the product inside the reservoir and a second end opposite the said first end. The second end forms an application surface which is movable axially between a first position in which the application surface emerges outside the reservoir through the opening in order to apply the product and a second position in which the application surface is contained inside the reservoir. The applicator comprises at least one block of an absorbent material which is capable of being compressed at least partially, particularly when the product is applied or when the applicator is in the second position. In the second position, the application surface is preferably contained in the neck.
Thus, when the compressed block of foam relaxes, either after an application, upon opening of the cap which may keep it compressed, or at the time of any other decompression phase, it pumps product via the open or semi-open cells which form it so that the applicator is always laden with product and thus always ready for a further application. In other words, the applicator is loaded with product essentially by compression/decompression of the compressible and absorbent part of the applicator. By using an applicator which has open or semi-open cells appropriate to the size of any pigments contained in the product, products can be pumped which could not be pumped with conventional applicators of the “felt” or wick type.
The expression “permanent liquid communication” reflects the fact that, at all times, both in the application position (first position) and in the storage position (second position), at least the first end of the applicator is in contact or capable of coming into contact with the liquid contained in the reservoir. In other words, it is not physically separated from the product by a valve, a pump or by any other closing-off means. This is reflected in the fact that either the first end soaks in the product or it is connected by means of a wick-type member soaking in the product or it is quite simply contained physically within the same volume (above the free surface of the product) so that, at the time of a movement such as may arise from transporting the unit, the first end cannot fail to be placed in contact with the product. As the applicator includes at least one foam-type block with open or semi-open cells, which is capable of pumping the liquid, it will always be loaded, or even saturated, with product and will thus always be ready for use. The actual pumping of the product is principally mechanical (compression/relaxation of the foam). Moreover, in the case of certain formulations, owing to their rheology, solvent may rise in the direction of the surface of the applicator by means of capillary effect or effect of surface tension with the cells of the block of foam or other alveolar or porous material. This makes it possible to further minimize drying-out of the applicator over a long period during which it is not used.
Advantageously, the reservoir consists of a body, a first end of which is closed by a ba
L'Oreal
Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt PC
Walczak David J.
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