AU9068998A

AU9068998A - Dosing receptacle for personal hygiene products

Info

Publication number: AU9068998A
Application number: AU90689/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ralf Mai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-07-26
Filing date: 1998-07-24
Publication date: 1999-02-16
Also published as: CA2297729A1; JP2001516677A; WO1999004893A1; EP0999892A1

Description

MAI 9601 PCT July 21, 1998 Metering container for bodycare compositions The present invention relates to a container for bodycare compositions comprising active substances, 5 especially for sun protection compositions, toothpastes or lotion. A host of different bodycare compositions for medical or cosmetic effects are known, consisting of a base 10 composition and one or more special active substances. Examples are sun protection compositions, which comprise, for example, a cream as base composition and various light-absorbing and/or light-reflecting active substances. 15 Since the active substances are responsible for the actual therapeutic or cosmetic effect, it is important that they be applied in the optimum concentration for the intended aim. For this purpose, the known bodycare 20 compositions are generally prepared at the factory in defined concentration gradings of the active substance and are offered on the market in that form. For example, there are sun protection compositions having different sun protection factors, which must be chosen 25 in accordance with the sensitivity of the skin type and the extent of insolation. Such fixed grading of the concentrations of the active substances has the disadvantage that the corresponding bodycare compositions do not make it possible to react flexibly 30 to differing requirements. Taking the example of the sun protection composition, the user is forced to stock a number of containers with different sun protection factors. 35 A means of determining the correct concentration of the sun protection composition is described, for example, by the utility model DE 295 13070. This describes a dosimeter for ultraviolet radiation which measures and integrates the level of UV radiation and calculates - - 2 as a function, for example, of input values for skin type and protection factor of the sun protection composition - the time which the user can spend in the sun without danger. Even given use of a (complicated) 5 instrument of this kind, the disadvantage is manifested in that the sun protection compositions are offered only with fixed levels for the protection factors/active substance concentrations. 10 DE 295 12 627 Ul discloses a mixing device which is intended in particular for the as-required mixing of the components of a sun protection composition. The sunscreen itself, and a diluent, are stored in two separate chambers. They can be brought together in 15 defined proportions in an adjacent mixing chamber, from which they can be conveyed to the outside by way of a pump atomizer. The required mixing ratio is determined by the user by way of a tanning scale which is mounted on the device and which he or she compares with his or 20 her own tan. A disadvantage of said mixing device is that the required mixing of the components in the mixing chamber leads to inadequate homogeneity unless the components 25 concerned are highly mobile. Low viscosity is also required so that the composition can be taken out via the spraying device. However, this greatly restricts the spectrum of components which can be used, and the use of concentrates which have a long life and which 30 save on volume is virtually impossible. Furthermore, DE 295 11 932 Ul discloses an adjustable metering dispenser for sun protection compositions, etc., in which two substances are stored separately and 35 can be withdrawn in an adjustable proportion by way of a single joint pump or two separate pumps. The mixing of the components takes place directly during withdrawal, i.e., on the way to the outlet of the device.

- 3 A disadvantage here is that this mixing is insufficient and results ultimately in regions with different sun protection on the skin, which can lead to instances of 5 local sunburn. Furthermore, simultaneous mixing and conveying requires the substances to be sufficiently fluid, since otherwise the resistance would be too high for manual operation of the withdrawal pump. 10 A device for the mixing of reaction components as are required, for example, for a two-part adhesive is described by DE 37 38 960. Provided is a stirrer which is driven by an electrical motor and which mixes the components with one another after they have been 15 expressed from their storage cartridges. Both the storage cartridges themselves and the connecting lines which extend from them are designed as disposable elements. Accordingly, there is no need to clean the device after it has been used, and increasing blockage 20 of the lines does no harm since they are completely replaced. In contrast, this is highly disadvantageous if it were desired to use the device for bodycare compositions instead of reaction components. In that case, indeed, an unnecessarily large volume of waste 25 would be produced. Meanwhile, the complete replacement of the disposable elements cannot be omitted, since otherwise residues not removed completely from the mixing area would age, block the lines and spoil the following mixtures. 30 It is an object of the present invention to provide containers which are intended for at least one bodycare composition comprising at least one active substance and from which the bodycare composition can be 35 withdrawn with an active substance concentration which is appropriate to requirements and can be varied and adjusted within a wide application range. The intention is that the container should offer the possibility of improved utilization of material and extension of the - 4 use-by dates, and should in particular ensure the homogeneous mixing of the components even when those components are substances of relatively high viscosity. A further intention is to avoid or minimize the 5 contamination of the container with residues of mixture. This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by means of a container which is intended for 10 said bodycare compositions and comprises a base composition area for the accommodation of a base substance of the bodycare composition and, separately therefrom, at least one active substance area for accommodating an active substance, and in which the 15 base composition area and the active substance area or areas are connected to a mixing area into which base substance and active substance concentrate can be introduced in a metered manner for the purpose of commixing. 20 In accordance with the invention, said mixing area comprises stirring elements by means of which base substance and active substances can be intermixed to give a homogeneous mixture. In particular, this is 25 possible even when one or both substances have a relatively high viscosity, such that left to themselves they would not undergo sufficient mixing. The homogeneity of the mixed product ensures that the effect desired is actually obtained, which in the case 30 of sun protection compositions, for example, is absolutely necessary for protecting the skin. Furthermore, it becomes possible to use concentrates of relatively high viscosity, thereby reducing the necessary dimensions of the device and reducing the 35 amounts of waste. Furthermore, in accordance with the invention, conveying means for actively transporting the mixed material are arranged upstream of the dispensing outlet - 5 of the container. This also ensures that the container can be used for (highly) viscous media. In addition, the active conveying means ensure that after each mixing operation the mixing area is actually emptied 5 fully. In other words, no residues remain in the mixing area that might spoil as a result of aging and/or might impair the subsequent mixture. Minimizing the dimensions of the mixing area to the 10 volume which is absolutely necessary also contributes to ensuring that as few residues as possible of the mixed material remain in the container. The mixing area and the conveying zone toward the 15 outlet preferably operate at underpressure relative to the storage areas for the substances to be mixed. The supplying of the components, on the other hand, can take place at overpressure. 20 With the device of the invention, the base substance and active substances are not mixed together at the factory and then offered at a fixed level of concentration, in the normal manner; instead, they are first of all stored separately from one another in the 25 respective areas. Because the two areas for base composition and active substance concentrate are connected to a mixing area, it is possible to transfer a desired and accurately meterable amount of the respective substances into the mixing area and only 30 then, in said mixing area, to prepare the homogeneous, finished bodycare composition by means of thorough commixing. It is therefore possible in particular to adjust the concentration of active substance to the particular requirements in an ideally adapted manner. A 35 further advantage of the device of the invention is that any adverse interactions between base substance and active substances can be excluded since both are held separately until shortly before use. For example, it could be that these substances react with one - 6 another and so contribute to mutual disintegration. Furthermore, the shelf life of the bodycare composition is usually always limited by the shelf life of the constituent with the shortest life. If, however, base 5 substance and active substances are held separately from one another, then if one of the two substances suffers spoilage it can be replaced and the other component can be used further without change. The device of the invention therefore has the further 10 advantage of prolonging the shelf life of products and of producing smaller amounts of waste. The principle of the as-required mixing of individual components can be extended ad infinitum. For this 15 purpose, in an independent embodiment of the invention (which can, however, be combined with the device of the invention described above), the container comprises further separate stores and mixing areas for subcomponents of the base composition substances and/or 20 of the active substances. For example, in a first mixing chamber the base substance can be prepared from oil and water. In this case, the consistency/viscosity of the base substance can be varied from milk to cream as desired. The exit of this first mixing chamber opens 25 into the second mixing chamber, where the above described mixing with the active substance(s) takes place. The active substances can in turn have been mixed together from subcomponents. For example, UV stabilizers, fragrances, decorative cosmetics, etc., 30 can be mixed together to give an active substance combination. The components in this case can be introduced from different areas and/or cartridges (replaceable or refillable units). It is thereby possible to provide a base substance which is free from 35 emulsifiers and/or preservatives. Of course, the mixing process described above can in principle be carried out ad infinitum in an arbitrary number of stages.

The conveying means for actively transporting the mixed material are suitably realized in principle by all known devices such as, for example, gear pumps, wing pumps or reciprocating pumps, the desire being of 5 course for appropriate compactness and light weight. In principle, it is possible to configure the mixing chamber as an integrated constituent of the conveying means; for example, as the chamber of a reciprocating pump. A particularly preferred conveying means is a 10 screw which rotates about the longitudinal axis and in doing so conveys the mixed material along this axis. The conveying means and/or the stirring elements are preferably driven by way of electrical energy. It is 15 particularly advantageous to cause the driving of the conveying means and of the stirring elements to be performed by the same element: an electric motor, for example. Such means enable the individual substances to be metered with particular precision; for example 20 " by controlling the motor speeds, " and/or by controlling the outlet cross section of at least one adjustable release nozzle 25 " and/or by transferring the base composition, and one or more active substances, into the mixing chamber in a pulsed manner. 30 Stirring elements used can be known means such as screws or paddles, for example. In order to avoid sealing problems it is also possible for the stirring element arranged in the mixing area to be driven solely via a magnetic coupling by way of a rotating magnetic 35 field. It is especially preferred if the electrical energy required for this purpose is taken from an accumulator, batteries or solar cells. Energy supplies of this kind, independent of the mains, are especially advantageous when the container holding the bodycare - 8 composition is to be used outdoors. This is commonly the case with sun protection compositions, for example. In the case of such compositions, moreover, the use of solar cells is particularly appropriate since sun 5 protection compositions per se are required and employed only in the event of high insolation. Of course, any other electrical equipment which may also be present in the device can also be supplied in this way. 10 Furthermore, the container can be simplified by providing one or possibly more stirrer-conveyors arranged in series which simultaneously fulfill the function of conveying means and/or stirring element. It 15 is also possible, moreover, for the respective directions of movement (rotation) of stirrer-conveyors arranged in series to be different. A stirrer-conveyor of this kind can be embodied, for example, by an appropriate screw which brings about mixing at the same 20 time as it conveys. In this case, the beginning of the screw (a tube lying closely against the turns of the screw) will preferably protrude into the mixing area, so that mixing with return flow of the mixing components, primarily, takes place in said area. 25 Deliberate conveying begins only when the mixed material passes into the subsequent, middle sections of the screw. The stirrer-conveyor can also have the form of a 30 turbine, which provides simultaneously for mixing and conveying as a result of the attitude of its turbine blades. In this case it is particularly preferred if the angle of attitude of the blades can be changed for the principal functions of mixing and conveying; in 35 other words, mixing takes place exclusively or primarily at a flat angle (up to 0*) whereas material is primarily conveyed at a steep angle. This also makes it possible to influence the duration of mixing to - 9 great effect and to adapt it to the respective components. The mixing area may also have an inlet for air or 5 cleaning products. It can be sensible to let in air in order to ensure complete emptying of the mixing area. Indeed, when the supply of the components to be mixed is ended, the continued pump removal of mixed material can result in an underpressure or vacuum in the mixing 10 area. Consequently, the mixing area will at some point no longer continue to empty, and, undesirably, residues of the mixed material will be left there. This can be prevented if air is able to flow in through the abovementioned inlet. In that case the mixing area can 15 be emptied completely, since the volume removed by pumping is replaced by air. Likewise, the said inlet can of course be used for the introduction of cleaning products, if it is intended 20 that the container be cleaned. Finally, it is also possible in exceptional cases to supply a further active substance to the mixing operation by way of this entrance. 25 In another embodiment of the invention, the mixing area and also the supply lines and the corresponding valves can be temperature-conditionable (cooling or heating) (in the case where the device is built up ad infinitum with a plurality of mixing areas, this applies to all 30 mixing areas/supply lines). Heating makes it possible, for example, to influence the viscosity of the mixing components, and the mixed material for withdrawal is pleasantly preheated for the user. In addition, temperature conditioning is necessary for the 35 preparation of a base lotion in order that the desired physicochemical reaction of the separately supplied media is accelerated or, respectively, takes place at all.

- 10 The base composition area and the active substance area may have an indicator for the filling level. This is preferably connected at the same time to a filling level monitor, which automatically shuts down the 5 mixing and conveying operation after one area has been completely emptied. This rules out the devices continuing to run in a useless and under some circumstances harmful manner. 10 The bodycare composition having the final active substance concentration, prepared in the mixing area, is withdrawn from that area preferably by way of a closable dispensing outlet. In this context it is particularly preferred for the composition to be 15 dispensed in portions. This allows even more accurate metering of the bodycare composition at the time of use. Furthermore, it is sensible in the context of the 20 invention to provide a specific control for the coordination of supply from the storage containers, stirring elements and conveying elements. Accordingly, in particular, the supply of mixing components should be interrupted and the corresponding valves closed 25 while the stirring operation still goes on. In addition, the conveying elements should be in operation for at least as long as the stirring elements (and preferably for some time afterward) so as to ensure complete emptying of the mixing area. 30 Furthermore, with the device of the invention it is possible to carry out continuous preparation of the mixed product. For this purpose, mixing is set in operation by means of a START function before being 35 ended using the STOP function. At their most simple, START and STOP merely denote the switching on and switching off, respectively, of all active mixing and conveying means. It is preferred, however, for special start-up and finish steps to be carried out: for - 11 example, the abovementioned continued running of the conveyors. In a further embodiment of the invention, the base 5 composition area and/or the active substance area are connected separably to the container. This can be realized, for example, by way of a standardized thread, by way of bayonet fixtures, by way of clamping devices or the like. One advantage of this is that the 10 container as a whole can be disassembled so as to allow greater ease of cleaning. This maintenance-friendly disassemblability of the device may include in particular the mixing area with the stirring elements and also the dispensing outlet with the corresponding 15 conveying means and nozzles. This facilitates the use of the device more than once. In particular, however, it is also possible for the separably connected areas to represent storage containers which can be obtained commercially as and when required and/or which are 20 refilled in a reusable system. In this case it is particularly preferable if the separably connected areas are configured as replaceable and/or refillable cartridges which have a ram in order to expel the contents of the cartridge (comparable to a syringe). 25 This facilitates the transfer of the base composition substance and/or of the active substance concentrate into the mixing area. Another option for this consists in configuring the corresponding areas as flexible containers from which the contents can be expressed and 30 transferred into the mixing area by squeezing. An independent embodiment of the invention relates to a container specifically for the preparation of a sun protection composition adapted to requirements. The 35 container possesses a mixing unit for preparing a mixture of at least one base substance and at least one active substance. For the mixing unit, a variety of configurations are suitable, and can be taken, for example, from the prior art. Particularly suitable, - 12 however, is a container having a mixing unit, as has been described above as part of the present invention. The container for the sun protection composition has a 5 calculating unit for determining the current sun protection factor, which monitors the correct composition of the sun protection formulation. By this means there is automatic conversion of the sun protection factor, calculated on the basis of 10 measurements and/or inputs, into a composition of the sun protection formulation. The user no longer has to pay attention to the correct performance of the mixing operation and to the maintenance of the composition, thereby firstly making it easier for him or her to use 15 the device and secondly also contributing considerably to security against errors. In the text below, the container of the invention for the preparation of a sun protection composition adapted 20 to requirements is described, without restricting its generality, in relation to a container with mixing unit as set out above. In one particularly preferred embodiment the device of 25 the invention comprises a measuring and/or receiving unit in connection with a programmed or programmable arithmetic-logic unit with storage function, along with software and a control unit. 30 The measuring unit comprises a dosimeter which is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation and which in particular is suitable for filling with sun protection composition and measures the prevailing UV radiation. 35 A more precise value is offered, however, by the internationally known UV index, provided its location related value is available at the respective site at which the device is used. The possibility exists to - 13 input this value manually as part of a list of set questions. A further preferred embodiment consists in assigning 5 the device of the invention a receiving unit with which signals relating to the respective weather data can be picked up directly. In accordance with the invention, modern digital systems are not the only ones suitable for the device. It is likewise possible to employ 10 conventional, analog instruments. The corresponding UV index or a comparable value can be broadcast, for example, by a local radio station by means of radiofrequency - similar to the pulse 15 transmitted by the atomic clock - which can be received accordingly by the device of the invention. In a further variant of the device, said device can also be arranged [sic] a barometer. Other measuring 20 instruments such as, for example, an (external) thermometer and/or a hygrometer can also be included, to enable further environmental and weather data to be captured. 25 In addition to the environmental data, user data can also be measured, in order to match the composition of the bodycare formulation to said user in an optimum manner. Examples of this, in the case of the preparation of a day and/or night cream or an anti 30 wrinkle cream (lotion, milk, etc.), are the measurement of the skin fat content (by a sebumeter), the skin humidity (by a corneometer) and/or the skin pH (by a skin pH meter). A suitable measurement for the preparation of a sun protection composition would be, 35 preferably, that of the melanin content of the skin. The device of the invention can in particular be equipped with a preprogrammed menu-controlled set question function. The data required for the - 14 calculating operation that is to be carried out can be entered there. A film keyboard, for example, is suitable for this purpose. In addition, multiple assignment of the available keyboard is sensible for 5 reasons of space, and is defined by labeling and/or by corresponding allocation of the installed software. On the one hand, user-related data are entered, e.g., name, age, skin type corresponding to dermatological 10 classification, known skin incompatibilities, allergies, and degree of existing tanning. On the other hand, locality-related data are input, e.g., date, time, received or manually entered UV index and/or - if the latter is unavailable - corresponding auxiliary 15 values such as, for example, dosimeter value, location (or longitude and latitude), altitude, barometer readings, etc. Also required are further details relating, for 20 example, to the respective concentration of the base compositions and active substance compositions that are used, from the corresponding areas, and also times related to the beginning, duration and prospective end of the spell of sunbathing and also relating to 25 particular activities (bathing, sport, etc., for example) during that spell. It is self-evident that a large proportion of these data are constants and are recognized accordingly and 30 stored by the program and/or computer. For each use only the particular changes necessary are questioned, or recognized and/or received. It is also possible for the device of the invention to 35 include an interface (wired or wireless, e.g., infrared) through which externally captured and recorded values/data, and also program updates, can be transmitted. The basic programming required for this - 15 purpose can be undertaken, for example, directly at the point of purchase - at the drugstore, for example. On the basis of the data present, the arithmetic-logic 5 unit calculates the optimum sun protection factor (SPF) to be applied. In addition, it is also possible to enter an individual SPF directly. In order that the desired medium for release can be 10 prepared, it is necessary for at least the concentrations of the base composition area and of the active substance area or areas, and also the mixing formula or mixing ratio, to be known. Thereafter, the required metering or required composition of active 15 substances and base substance is determined by means of the stored mixing formula. The control unit takes over the preparation of the medium for dispensation. The control unit is also 20 responsible for the central monitoring and execution of metering, filling, mixing and emptying of the mixing area, and for coordinating the switching on and off of the corresponding stirring and/or conveying means. 25 Especially if the bodycare composition is to be used outdoors, as is the case, for example, with sun protection compositions, the external dimensions of the container of the invention must be kept small so that it still fits easily into a bag or into hand luggage. 30 In this case, the external dimensions should not exceed typically 20 x 20 x 10 cm. The container of the invention is preferably filled with a skin-compatible base substance, present in the 35 form of an oil, emulsion, cream, jelly, milk, gel, aqueous-alcoholic solution, aqueous solution, ointment or lotion. Here again, as in general, it is also possible for the base substance already to include a certain basic level of the active substance or - 16 substances. In this case, additional metering and mixing with further active substances will be necessary only if required, i.e., if a higher concentration of active substance is needed. 5 A container of the type described can be filled in particular with an active substance, sunscreens used being preferably benzophenone derivatives, hydroxynaphthoquinones, phenylbenzoxazoles and phenyl 10 benzimidazoles, digalloyl trioleate, aminobenzoic esters, salicylic esters, alicyclic dienones, cinnamic esters, benzalazine, aromatic urea derivatives, sulfonamides, coumarin derivatives, phenylglyoxylic acid derivatives, and also mink, avocado, almond, 15 sesame, groundnut, olive, safflower or coconut oils. Examples of chemical substances which can be used as sunscreens are, for example, 3-(4'-trimethyl ammonium)benzylidenebornan-2-one methyl sulfate, 3,3,5 20 trimethylcyclohexyl salicylate, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone, 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid and its salts, 3,3'-(1,4-phenylenedimethine)bis-(7,7 dimethyl-2-oxobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-l-methanesulfonic acid) and its salts, 1-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propane-1,3 25 dione, 3-(4'-sulfo)benzylidene-bornan-2-one, polyeth oxyethyl 4-bis(polyethoxy)aminobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate, 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxy cinnamate, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic 30 acid and its sodium salt, 3-(4'-methyl)benzylidene bornan-2-one, 3-benzylidenebornan-2-one, 4-iso-propyl benzyl salicylate, 2,4,6-trianiline-p-(carbo-2'-ethyl hexyl-l'-oxy)-1,3,5-triazine, 3-imidazol-4-yl-acrylic acid and its ethyl ester, and N-[2(and 4)-2-oxoborn-3 35 ylidene-methyl)benzyllacrylamide polymer. Preference is also given, for example, to physical sunscreens in the form of micropigments based on titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

- 17 In both the base composition area and the active substance area it is also possible for further components to be present which are commonly present in sun protection compositions and cosmetics. These 5 include, for example, emulsifiers, solvents, preservatives, colorants, oil components, antioxidants and free-radical scavengers, complexing agents, fragrances, and so on. 10 Here again it is of course possible, as in general, for different active substances to be stored in possibly different active substance areas and to be added and mixed in individual portions. 15 In particular, it is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that commercially customary sun protection composition containers can be used as the base composition area and active substance area. All that is required for this purpose is to remove the 20 screw cap from such a sun protection composition container and to screw the container into a corresponding port in the container of the invention. In that case it would be possible to insert into the container of the invention a sun protection composition 25 having a low sun protection factor and a sun protection composition having a very high sun protection factor, so that any desired intermediate values of the sun protection factor can be established by mixing said compositions. 30 The container of the invention finds its preferred application in the storage of sun protection compositions whose protection factor can be adjusted in accordance with requirements by mixing. 35 In the text below, the invention is elucidated by way of example with the aid of the figure.

- 18 The container 1 of the invention consists essentially of the active substance area 2, the base composition area 3, and the mixing area 4. Active substance area 2 and base composition area 3 are separate from one 5 another and are each in communication with the mixing area 4. In the system shown in the figure, the two said areas are designed as cartridges. By way of example it is shown that on the cartridge for the base composition 3 there is a ram 8 for expressing the contents of the 10 cartridge. A similar ram is lacking in the case of the active substance area 2, since in principle it is also possible for the contents of the cartridge to be drawn out actively by suction. 15 In the connection between the storage cartridges 2 and 3 and the active substance area 4 [sic] there are preferably valves 10, which prevent substances flowing back from the active substance area 4 [sic] into one of the cartridges. In order to facilitate metering, it is 20 also possible for each of the storage cartridges 2 and 3 to carry a scale from which it can be read off, for example, how many milliliters of the contents have been expressed. 25 Within the mixing area 4, the amounts of the base composition and of the active substance concentrate introduced into the area 4 are commixed to give a homogeneous substance. In the case of the device shown in the figure, this takes place with the aid of a 30 stirrer 6, which is driven by the motor 7. The electrical energy of the system derives in this case preferably from solar cells, which can be mounted on the exterior of the container 1. 35 The ready-mixed sun protection composition can be withdrawn from the mixing area 4 by way of the dispenser outlet 5. For this purpose, it is conveyed by the screw 12 from the mixing area 4 to the outlet. In the example shown, the screw 12 is likewise driven by - 19 the motor 7. However, it is possible to switch on stirrer 6 and screw 12 at different times, especially in accordance with the sequence "stirrer -> stirrer and screw -> screw". 5 So that the mixing area 4 can be emptied completely after the valves 10 have been closed, it is necessary to replace the volume of liquid pumped from said area 4. This can be done, for example, by means of the inlet 10 11 on the mixing area 4, a valve ensuring that nothing can escape to the outside through this inlet. It is further envisaged to mount a dosimeter 9 on the container, which measures the prevailing UV insolation 15 and indicates as a function of the measurement the sun protection factor to be established and/or the mixing ratio of base substance and active substances that must be chosen. 20 In accordance with the invention, the dosimeter can be controlled by means of a program. This program comprises the essential factors for determining the sun protection factor, and the application of the mixture. The information which may be available to the program 25 includes specifically: 1. Type of sun protection composition 2. The level of the sun protection factor is given by 30 the following data: a) user's own sensitivity to the sun b) degree of existing tanning c) skin type 35 d) strength and/or intensity of insolation e) location, altitude, season, time of day f) ozone content g) air purity h) duration of use - 20 3. Time of use (15 to 20 minutes before going into the sun) 5 4. Frequency of use (approximately every one to four hours) 5. Perspiration 10 6. Water contact (rinseoff when in the pool)

Claims

1. A container for at least one bodycare composition comprising at least one active substance, 5 especially for sun protection compositions, toothpastes or lotion, wherein a) the container comprises a base composition area (2) for accommodating a base substance of the bodycare composition, 10 b) the container comprises, separately therefrom, at least one active substance area (3) for accommodating an active substance, c) base composition area (2) and active substance area (3) are connected to a mixing area (4) 15 into which base substance and active substance concentrate can be introduced in a metered manner for commixing, d) the mixing area (4) comprises stirring elements (6) for commixing the bodycare composition, and 20 e) conveying means (12) for actively transporting the mixed material are arranged upstream of the dispensing outlet (5) of the container.

2. A container for at least one bodycare composition 25 comprising at least one active substance, especially for sun protection compositions, toothpastes or lotion, wherein a) the container comprises at least one base composition area for accommodating a base 30 substance of the bodycare composition, b) the container comprises, separately therefrom, at least one active substance area for accommodating an active substance, c) two or more base composition areas and/or two 35 or more active substance areas are each connected to a mixing area in which a base substance and/or an active substance concentrate can be prepared by mixing, - 22 d) the exits of all mixing areas as set forth in c) are connected directly or indirectly to a final mixing area in which base substance(s) and active substance concentrate(s) can be 5 mixed.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveying means for actively transporting the mixed material comprise a screw (12) and/or a gear 10 pump, wing pump or reciprocating pump.

4. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conveying means (12) and/or the stirring elements (6) are driven by means of 15 electrical energy.

5. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conveying means (12) and/or the stirring elements (6) are driven by the same drive 20 (7).

6. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein one or more stirrer-conveyors arranged in series fulfill the function of conveying means 25 (12) and/or stirring element (6).

7. A container as claimed in claim 6, wherein two or more stirrer-conveyors with different directions of rotation are arranged in series. 30

8. A container as claimed in either of claims 6 and 7, wherein the stirrer-conveyor has the form of a turbine blade, in which case, preferably, the angle of attitude of the blades can be changed for 35 the principal functions of mixing and conveying.

9. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mixing area is configured as an integrated part of the conveying means. - 23

10. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mixing area has an inlet (11) for air or cleaning products, which is preferably closed 5 by a valve.

11. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein means for controlling the motor speeds are provided, said means enabling the individual 10 substances to be metered accurately.

12. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one dispensing nozzle of adjustable cross section, and means for 15 controlling the cross section, are provided, thereby enabling the individual substances to be metered accurately.

13. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, 20 wherein means for pulsed transmission of the base composition, and also one or more active substances, are provided in the mixing area, thereby enabling the individual substances to be metered accurately. 25

14. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein means are present for temperature conditioning the mixing area (4), the supply lines and/or the valves. 30

15. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the base composition area (2) and/or active substance area (3) have/has an indicator for the filling level. 35

16. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the base composition area (2) and/or active substance area (3) have/has a filling-level monitor which shuts down the mixing and conveying - 24 operation after the area has been completely emptied.

17. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16, 5 wherein the base composition area (2) and/or the active substance area (3) have/has electrically driven means for conveying the contents into the mixing area (4). 10

18. A container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the drive means are configured such that mixing and/or conveying are/is able to take place continuously between a START and a STOP command. 15

19. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18, which has a control unit which takes over the central monitoring and execution of metering, filling, mixing and emptying of the mixing area and also the coordination of the switching on and 20 off of the corresponding stirring and conveying means.

20. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19, which is provided with a programmed and/or 25 programmable unit.

21. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20, which is provided with an arithmetic-logic unit having a storage function. 30

22. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21, wherein the unit is software-controlled.

23. A container as claimed in any of claims 20 to 22, 35 which is provided with a programmed and/or programmable unit by means of which it is possible to control the supply of the components to the mixing area (4), their concentration and mixing, - 25 and/or the emptying of the mixing area (4) via the dispensing outlet (5).

24. A container for sun protection compositions, said 5 container having a mixing unit for preparing a mixture of the sun protection composition from at least one base substance and at least one active substance, wherein said container comprises a calculating unit for determining the current sun 10 protection factor, said unit monitoring the appropriate composition of the sun protection formulation by way of the mixing unit.

25. A container as claimed in claim 23 [sic], which is 15 a container having a mixing unit, as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23.

26. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 25, which includes a receiving unit with which signals 20 relating to the respective weather data, preferably the local UV index, can be picked up directly and processed by the program.

27. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 26, 25 which has at least one measuring instrument for the capture of environmental data with the aid of which the mixing ratio for sun protection compositions can be adjusted in accordance with requirements, said instrument preferably 30 comprising a dosimeter (9) sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, a thermometer, a barometer and/or a hygrometer.

28. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 27, 35 which has at least one measuring instrument for the capture of user data with the aid of which the mixing ratio for the bodycare composition can be adjusted in accordance with requirements, said instrument preferably comprising instruments for - 26 measuring the skin fat content, the skin humidity, the skin pH, and/or the melanin content of the skin. 5

29. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 28, which has an interface for the input of data and/or programming, which preferably operates wirelessly, in particular by means of infrared coupling. 10

30. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 29, wherein the following data are taken into account for the control of the mixing operation: a) user-related data, preferably name, age, skin 15 type corresponding to dermatological classification, known skin incompatibilities, allergies, degree of existing tanning, b) and/or locality-related data, preferably date, time, received or manually entered UV index, 20 dosimeter value, longitude and latitude, altitude, barometer readings, c) and/or application-related data, preferably concentration of the base compositions and active substance compositions used, beginning, 25 duration and end of the spell of sunbathing, particular activities.

31. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 30, wherein the base composition area (2) and/or the 30 active substance area (3) are separably connected to the container (1).

32. A container as claimed in claim 31, wherein the separably connected areas are configured as 35 replaceable and/or refillable cartridges.

33. A container as claimed in claim 31 or 32, wherein commercially customary sun protection composition containers can be used as base composition - 27 container [sic] (2) and active substance container [sic] (3).

34. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 33, 5 wherein electrical energy required for operation is withdrawn from an accumulator, batteries, solar cells or a combination of these elements.

35. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 34, 10 wherein the external dimensions do not exceed 20 x 20 x 10 cm, so that it is transportable in hand luggage.

36. The use of a container as claimed in any of 15 claims 1 to 35, for accommodating a skin compatible base substance which is present in the form of an oil, emulsion, cream, jelly, milk, gel, aqueous-alcoholic solution, aqueous solution, ointment or lotion. 20

37. The use of a container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 35 for accommodating a sun protection composition which comprises preferably micro pigments based on titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, 25 benzophenone derivatives, hydroxynaphthoquinones, phenylbenzoxazoles and phenylbenzimidazoles, digalloyl trioleate, aminobenzoic esters, salicylic esters, alicyclic dienones, cinnamic esters, benzalazine, aromatic urea derivatives, 30 sulfonamides, coumarin derivatives, phenylgly oxylic acid derivatives, and also mink, avocado, almond, sesame, groundnut, olive, safflower or coconut oils.