CN116096500A

CN116096500A - Dose control dropping bottle

Info

Publication number: CN116096500A
Application number: CN202080103566.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金鎭钖
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2020-08-31
Filing date: 2020-08-31
Publication date: 2023-05-09
Also published as: FR3113656A1; FR3113656B1; WO2022041234A1

Abstract

A dose control dropper bottle (1) comprising: a container (11) having a body portion (110) and a neck portion (111); a button (10) having a pressing portion (100), a scale portion (101), a lever portion (102), and a head portion (103); a pipette (13) having a plurality of sections (130, 131, 132) and the pipette (13) being connected to the button (10); a piston (104) provided on the head portion (103) of the button (10); a spring (12) disposed around the lever portion (102) and having a plurality of strokes; wherein the graduation portion (101) of the button (10) has graduations (1010, 1011, 1012, 1013) on its outer wall, and wherein different predetermined amounts of fluid within the container (11) can be acquired when the pressing portion (100) of the button (10) is pressed to different positions in which different graduations (1010, 1011, 1012, 1013) are aligned with the top of the cap.

Description

Dose control dropping bottle

Technical Field

The invention relates to a dose control dropping bottle. In particular, the present invention relates to a dose control dropper bottle for cosmetic products or medical fluids.

Background

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may or may not constitute prior art.

Cosmetic products are commonly used by people, especially by women. Generally, cosmetic products or contents are contained in containers for transportation, storage, sale, and use.

In one type of conventional container, a cap is provided for sealing the container to prevent leakage or egress of fluid from the container. When the cosmetic fluid is applied, the cap is removed and the fluid can be poured from the container.

In another type of conventional container, the cosmetic product is received in a container having a pump head or spray head. In use, the cosmetic product in such conventional containers is dispensed through the pump head in liquid form or through the spray head in spray form, which may result in unnecessary waste, as dispensing the cosmetic product through the pump head or spray head may leave some residual cosmetic product in the flow path of the pump head or spray head. Such conventional containers with pump heads or spray heads are not suitable for storing and dispensing expensive cosmetic products.

In another type of conventional container, a dropper bottle assembly is used with the container to dispense some of the expensive cosmetic product. The dropper bottle assembly includes a syringe provided with a head for sucking and dispensing the cosmetic product. The head is made of a rubber material and is mounted on top of the syringe. The syringe is used to draw the cosmetic product from the container and then expel the cosmetic product from the syringe by squeezing the head.

The containers of the prior art are also used in the cosmeceutical or pharmaceutical field. That is, containers (such as those mentioned above) are also used to store and administer some cosmeceutical or medical fluids.

However, prior art devices (such as conventional containers, drip bottles, and caps) are unable to aspirate and dispense precise amounts of fluid for each use. For example, in some cases, a user needs to apply a precise amount of cosmetic product. Furthermore, in the cosmeceutical or pharmaceutical field, it is more important to dispense precise amounts of cosmeceutical or medical fluids.

However, with prior art devices, the user has no control or access to precise amounts of fluid. Also, even if the prior art device (e.g., a conventional syringe) is capable of setting a predetermined amount of fluid or a predetermined dose, it cannot aspirate and dispense a different predetermined amount with a single syringe. In other words, even if the prior art device sets a predetermined amount of fluid, one prior art device can only obtain one predetermined amount of fluid (two or more dedicated devices are needed to achieve two or more predetermined amounts), let alone to select a different predetermined amount in one action.

Furthermore, while the outer surface of the pipettes of some prior art devices may be provided with some graduations, each use of the aspirate cosmetic product or medical fluid is accompanied by a careful observation of the graduations, which is inconvenient.

In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, there is a need for a new drip bottle that can be easily and accurately filled and used to stably and quantitatively dispense fluids, which can dispense several precise amounts of fluid by one action of one device.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dropper bottle that can be easily and accurately filled.

Another object of the invention is to allow to adjust the amount of fluid to be dispensed in an easier and more precise way.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain a dropper bottle which has a simplified structure and which at the same time is able to select one of different predetermined amounts in one action.

These objects are achieved by means of a dropper bottle according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, a dose control dropper bottle comprises: a container having a body portion and a neck portion; a button having a pressing portion, a scale portion, a lever portion, and a head portion; a pipette having a plurality of sections and connected with the button; a piston provided on a head portion of the button; a spring disposed around the lever portion and having a plurality of strokes; wherein the graduated portion of the button has graduations on its outer wall and wherein different predetermined amounts of fluid within the container can be obtained when the pressing portion of the button is pressed to different positions wherein different graduations are aligned with the top of the cap.

According to the invention, the cap is connected to the button and the pipette.

According to the invention, the wiper is arranged between the pipette and the container.

According to the invention, the spring is a conical spring having a movable portion and a non-movable portion, and the travel of the spring is limited to a limited height.

According to the invention, the movable part of the spring is fixed at the top of the lever part of the button and moves with the button, and the non-movable part is fixed at a stop of the pipette or a scale on the button.

According to the present invention, a pipette has a connection part for connection with a button, and a tube part, wherein the tube part has: an upper section that is cylindrical having a first diameter; an intermediate section that is cylindrical having a second diameter; a transition between the upper section and the intermediate section that is a truncated cone or a step; a lower section having a tapered outer diameter; and a mouth on the lower section for drawing in and discharging fluid, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.

According to the invention, the inner diameter of the intermediate section of the pipette is smaller than the diameter of the spring, so that the spring rests on a step inside the transition.

According to the invention, the piston is made of LDPE, HDPE or TPE and is hollow, matching the profile of the head portion of the button.

According to the invention, the container is made of a transparent material or a non-transparent material, and the container has an opening formed at the top of the neck portion.

According to the invention, a scale is a plurality of score lines indicating the amount to be sucked, which score lines are parallel to each other and extend along a complete circle or a part of a complete circle on the outer wall.

According to the present invention, the connection portion of the pipette has an upper portion having an opening, the lever portion and the piston are inserted into the pipette together with the spring from the opening of the upper portion, and the lever portion is received inside the connection portion and in a part of the tube portion.

According to the invention, the cap has: an inner wall with internal threads that match the external threads of the container; a smooth outer wall; and a rim extending from the outer wall, wherein the rim has a larger diameter than the outer wall.

According to the present invention, the plurality of strokes includes a first stroke, a second stroke, a third stroke, and a fourth stroke.

According to the invention, a stroke ranging from 0.2ml to 1.5ml is enabled to be controlled when the user presses the button to different positions in which different graduations are aligned with the top of the cap, respectively.

According to the present invention, a dose click stop is provided to indicate a feeling or click sound on the dose.

According to the invention, a plurality of first protrusions (embossing) are provided in each groove, said first protrusions being separated from each other along the circle of each groove.

According to the present invention, a plurality of second protrusions are provided on the inner surface of the opening of the cap, the second protrusions being separated from each other along a circle of the inner surface of the opening of the cap.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary dose control dropper bottle according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary container of a dose control dropper bottle according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is another perspective view of an exemplary container of a dose control dropper bottle according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary button of a dose control dropper bottle according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary button with a piston of a dose control dropper bottle according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary button having a flange according to the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary spring according to the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary pipette according to the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows a button and a pipette according to the invention.

Fig. 10 and 11 show the assembled and disassembled state of the button and the container, respectively.

Fig. 12 shows a button and a pipette that discharges fluid.

Fig. 13 and 14 are perspective views of exemplary caps according to the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary cap with a rim according to the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an exemplary cap with a rim according to the present invention.

Fig. 17 and 18 are perspective views of exemplary wipes according to the present invention.

Fig. 19 to 21 show 4 strokes according to the present invention.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a protrusion of an exemplary dropper bottle according to the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a protrusion of an exemplary dropper bottle according to the present invention.

Fig. 24 is an exploded view of an exemplary drip bottle according to the present invention.

In the drawings, reference numbers may be repeated to identify similar and/or identical elements.

Detailed Description

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. Moreover, unless otherwise stated, directions (such as "top," "side," "rear," "lower," and "upper") are for purposes of explanation and are not intended to require a particular orientation. These directions are provided only as a frame of reference for the examples provided, but may be altered in alternative applications.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a dose control dropper bottle according to the present invention. The dose control dropper bottle 1 comprises a button 10 and a container 11. The button 10 can be connected to the container 11 by, for example, a threaded connection.

The container 11 can be made of a transparent material or an opaque material. For example, the container 11 can be made of glass, plastic, polymer or metal. The container 11 is used for containing fluid substances of the cosmetic or medical type, for example. The fluid that may be contained in the container may include, for example, anti-wrinkle solutions, anti-aging solutions, oily solutions, foundations, emulsions, dyes, active ingredients, or any other medical fluid.

As shown in fig. 2, the container 11 has a body portion 110 and a neck portion 111. The body portion 110 of the container 11 is for containing a generally fluid cosmetic product, such as a liquid, cream, gel, foam. The neck portion 111 of the container 11 is preferably integral with the body portion 110 and is made of the same material as the body portion 110. The neck portion 111 may have external threads on an outer wall thereof. The container 11 has an opening 112 formed at the top of the neck portion 111. The container 11 is hollow and the opening 112 communicates with a hollow cavity (not shown) of the container 11.

The bottom of the container 11 may be flat. In a preferred embodiment as shown in fig. 3, the container 11 may be provided with a recessed portion 113 at the bottom of the body portion 110. The recessed portion 113 can facilitate more stable erection of the container.

As shown in fig. 4, the button 10 has a pressing portion 100 having a substantially disk shape. The user can operate by pressing or releasing the pressing portion with his finger (e.g., with the thumb of either of his hands). The button 10 has a scale portion 101 having a scale on its outer wall. The graduations can be score lines indicating the amount to be aspirated. In the embodiment of fig. 4, there are four

graduations

1010, 1011, 1012, and 1013. In other embodiments, any other number of graduations can be used. The score lines are parallel to each other and they can extend along a complete circle on the outer wall, i.e. 360 degrees in the cross-section of the circle. In embodiments, the score line extends to a range of a portion of a full circle, such as one-quarter, one-half, or three-quarters of a full circle (i.e., a circular sector of 90, 180, 270 degrees in cross-section of a circle). In alternative embodiments, the circular sector can be 45, 135, 225, 315 degrees. The button 10 has a stem portion 102 and a head portion 103, as shown in fig. 4. The head portion preferably has: a cylindrical section 1030 having a constant outer diameter; and a truncated cone section 1031 having an outer diameter that tapers from the bottom to the top of the truncated cone.

Fig. 5 shows a button with a piston according to the invention. The piston 104 is disposed around the head portion 103 of the button 10. The piston 104 can be made of a plastic material. In an embodiment, the piston is made of LDPE (low density polyethylene), HDPE (high density polyethylene), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer material) or rubber. The piston 104 is hollow and matches the contour of the head portion of the button. In a preferred embodiment, the piston is a hollow sleeve and the inner diameter of the piston is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cylindrical section of the head portion, i.e. the largest diameter of the head portion. When installed, the piston is disposed around the head portion by elastic deformation. After installation, the piston is fixedly and tightly coupled with the head portion by means of an elastic force. In other embodiments, the piston can be fixedly and tightly coupled with the head portion by any other means. And, a seal is formed between the piston and the head portion.

Fig. 6 shows a button with a flange according to the invention. The diameter of the flange 105 is larger than the diameter of the scale portion. The spring 12 is arranged around the rod portion. The spring is preferably a conical spring. Spring 12 has an active portion 120 and an inactive portion 121. And, the travel of the spring is limited to a limited height (a), as shown in fig. 7. The movable portion 120 of the spring is fixed at the top of the stem portion of the button and moves with the button. The inactive portion is restrained and stopped at a stopper (or scale on a button) of the pipette.

In fig. 8, a pipette 13 is shown. The pipette has a connection portion for connection with the button, and a tube portion, and the tube portion has a plurality of sections. The upper section 130 of the tube portion of the pipette 12 may be cylindrical with a first diameter. The intermediate section 131 of the tube portion of the pipette may be cylindrical with a second diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. There is a transition 133 between the upper section 130 of the pipette 12 and the middle section 131 of the pipette 12. The transition 133 may be frustoconical or stepped. The lower section 132 of the tube portion of the pipette 12 has a gradually decreasing outer diameter. A mouth for sucking and discharging fluid is on the lower section. The inner diameter of the intermediate section of the pipette is smaller than the spring diameter, so that the spring rests on a step inside the transition.

Fig. 9 shows a button and a pipette, which are connected to each other by means of, for example, a snap-fit connection. In alternative embodiments, the connection can be achieved by other means, such as a threaded connection and an interference fit. The upper section of the pipette has an inner diameter that is larger than the diameter of the spring so that the pipette can accommodate the stem portion of the button and the spring. The inner diameter of the intermediate section of the pipette is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper section of the pipette, and there is a transition between the upper section and the intermediate section. The transition can be a stop for limiting the spring, wherein the stop contacts an inactive portion of the spring, as shown in fig. 7. That is, the inactive portion of the spring will abut against the stop. When the movable portion of the spring moves toward the inactive portion, the spring will be compressed and upon release will generate a return force to push the movable portion of the spring back to the original position.

Fig. 10 and 11 show the assembled and disassembled state of the button and the container, respectively. As shown in fig. 10, the button can be connected to the container by, for example, a threaded connection. In alternative embodiments, the button can be connected to the container by any other connection.

In use, the button can be depressed and released by a user for aspirating and expelling fluid. When the user presses the pressing portion of the button, the movable portion of the spring moves in the pressing direction (e.g., downward). In this case, the spring is compressed. When the user releases the pressed portion of the button, the restoring force caused by the compression of the spring returns the spring to its original position. During the recovery, the fluid/material/substance in the container will be sucked into the pipette. The user can obtain different amounts through different trips. That is, each stroke is controllable. As stated above, the pipettor is connected with a button. As shown in fig. 8, the pipette has a connection part and a tube part. The connecting portion has an upper portion with an opening. The rod part and the piston are inserted together with the spring from the opening of the upper part into the pipette. The rod portion is received within the interior of the connecting portion and a portion of the tube portion.

Fig. 13 and 14 show the cap to be connected with the button and the pipette. The cap may have an inner wall with an internal thread that mates with an external thread of the neck portion of the container so that the cap can be screwed onto the container. The cap has a smooth outer wall and a rim extending from the outer wall. That is, the rim has a larger diameter than the outer wall. Such a structure can facilitate easy gripping of the cap by the user to inject a dose, as shown in fig. 15 and 16. In particular, the user can hold the cap with his hand, for example, gripping the cap with his index and middle fingers at the rim, wherein the index and middle fingers abut against the rim of the cap. Then, the user can push the pressing portion of the button with his thumb as shown in fig. 13. Fig. 14 shows another posture: the user grips the cap with his middle finger and thumb and pushes the pressing portion of the button with his index finger.

In use, the user pushes the push portion of the button in a stroke. The push button with the piston moves downward and discharges a portion of the air from the pipette. The user then releases the button and the spring forces the button back to its original position, such that a vacuum is created within the pipette, which draws some fluid from the container into the pipette. The button together with the pipette and the cap can be detached from the container, for example by unscrewing the cap from the container. Then, the user can press the pressing portion of the button again to discharge the fluid received in the pipette.

Fig. 17 and 18 show the wiper (stopper) disposed between the pipette and the container. The wiper is disposed within the neck portion of the container and secured to the container by, for example, a snap fit or other connection. The wiper will remain within the container even after the cap is unscrewed from the container. The wiper is used to seal the contents in the container and to locate and guide the button. As shown in fig. 17 and 18, the wiper has inner and outer ribs. The outer rib is adapted to abut against an inner wall of the neck portion of the container to achieve a stable connection between the wiper and the container. The inner rib is for abutting against an outer surface of the upper section of the pipette to achieve a stable connection between the wiper and the pipette.

The drip bottle of the present invention has a dose control function by a pressing stroke. Fig. 19-21 show 4 strokes A, B, C and D. Of course, the invention can have any other number of strokes. When the user presses a button on the pressing part, the button will move with the piston in order to push the air inside the pipette to the outside of the pipette. When the user releases the button, the piston returns to its original position by the spring force and the fluid in the container is sucked into the pipette by the vacuum.

With the graduations (marks) on the push button, the user can select the amount of fluid to be applied by controlling the push-down height. The height will determine how much fluid can be obtained. In an embodiment, four graduations are provided. In other embodiments, other numbers of graduations can be provided. In an embodiment, 4 scales represent 4 quantities, such as a first scale (0.2 ml), a second scale (0.3 ml), a third scale (0.4 ml), and a fourth scale (0.5 m 1). In use, when the user presses the button to a first position in which the first scale is aligned with, for example, the top of the cap. Note that the scale (e.g., a ruler on a button) can be aligned with any other reference object. In this state, the stroke a is about 6mm and 0.2ml of fluid will be taken. When the user presses the button to a second position in which the second scale is aligned with the top of the cap. In this state, the stroke B is about 9mm and 0.3ml of fluid will be taken. When the user presses the button to a third position in which the third scale is aligned with the top of the cap. In this state, the stroke C is about 12mm and 0.4ml of fluid will be taken. When the user presses the button to a fourth position, in which the fourth scale is aligned with the top of the cap. In this state, the stroke D is about 15mm and 0.5ml of fluid will be taken. Note that the above parameters are for example purposes, and that other parameters can be used with the present invention.

When the user pushes the button, a dose click stop can be provided to indicate a feel or click sound to the dose. As shown in fig. 22 and 23, a plurality of projections (a) are provided in each scale. In this embodiment, the scale is in the form of grooves and the four grooves are separated from each other. In an embodiment, 3 protrusions (a) are provided, which are separated from each other by about 120 degrees along the circle of each groove. In other embodiments, fewer than 3 or more than 3 protrusions may be used, and they can be evenly or unevenly separated from each other.

In use, when the button is depressed, the protrusion of each groove can be press fit with the inner surface of the opening of the cap so that the user can feel that the groove is aligned with the top of the cap.

In another embodiment, 3 protrusions (B) may be provided on the inner surface of the opening at the top of the cap. In this embodiment, 3 protrusions (B) are provided, which are separated from each other by about 120 degrees along the circle of the inner surface of the opening of the cap. In other embodiments, fewer than 3 or more than 3 protrusions may be used, and they can be evenly or unevenly separated from each other.

In use, when the button is depressed, the protrusion of the cap can be press fit with either scale/groove so that the user can feel that the scale/groove is aligned with the top of the cap.

Fig. 24 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of an exemplary dose control dropper bottle according to the present invention. The dose control drip bottle includes a button, a piston, a spring, a cap, a wiper, a pipette, and a bottle (container). The stem of the button is surrounded by a spring, preferably a conical spring. The button has a pressing portion on one end and a head portion at the other end. The piston (preferably an LDPE piston) is mounted on the head portion of the button. The pipette (preferably, a PCTA pipette) is disposed outside of the button. The button is inserted into a bottle (preferably a glass bottle) together with the pipette. The wiper is disposed between the bottle and the pipette containing the button. A cap (preferably a straw (straw) cap) is screwed onto the bottle for receiving the parts therein and for sealing the fluid in the bottle. In use, the button, pipettor and button are secured together.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. The description is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combination of features illustrated provides representative embodiments for various applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations.

Claims

1. A dose control dropper bottle, comprising:

a container having a body portion and a neck portion;

a button having a pressing portion, a scale portion, a lever portion, and a head portion;

a pipette having a plurality of sections and connected with the button;

a piston disposed on the head portion of the button;

a spring disposed about the stem portion and having a plurality of strokes;

wherein the graduated portion of the button has graduations on an outer wall thereof, and wherein different predetermined amounts of fluid within the container can be obtained when the pressing portion of the button is pressed to different positions in which different graduations are aligned with the top of the cap.

2. The drip bottle of claim 1, wherein a cap is connected to said button and said pipette.

3. The drip bottle of claim 1, wherein a wiper is disposed between said pipette and said container.

4. A dropper bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring is a conical spring having a movable portion and a non-movable portion, and the travel of the spring is limited to a limited height.

5. The drip bottle according to claim 4, characterized in that said movable part of said spring is fixed at the top of said lever part of said button and moves with said button, and said inactive part is fixed at a stop of said pipette or a scale on said button.

6. The drip bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the pipette has a connection part for connection with the button, and a tube part, wherein the tube part has: an upper section that is cylindrical having a first diameter; an intermediate section that is cylindrical having a second diameter; a transition between the upper section and the middle section that is frustoconical or stepped; a lower section having a tapered outer diameter; and a mouth on the lower section for drawing in and expelling fluid, wherein the second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.

7. The drip bottle of claim 6, wherein an inner diameter of said intermediate section of said pipette is smaller than a spring diameter such that said spring seats on a step inside said transition.

8. A dropper bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the piston is made of LDPE, HDPE or TPE, and the piston is hollow, matching the profile of the head portion of the button.

9. A dropper bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is made of a transparent or non-transparent material and has an opening formed at the top of the neck portion.

10. A dropper bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scale is a plurality of score lines indicating the amount to be sucked, the score lines being parallel to each other and extending along a full circle or a part of a full circle on the outer wall.

11. The drip bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting portion of the pipette has an upper portion with an opening, the rod portion and the piston are inserted into the pipette together with the spring from the opening of the upper portion, and the rod portion is received inside the connecting portion and in a part of the tube portion.

12. The dropper bottle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cap has: an inner wall with internal threads that mate with external threads of the container; a smooth outer wall; and a rim extending from the outer wall, wherein the rim has a larger diameter than the outer wall.

13. The drip bottle of claim 1, wherein said plurality of strokes comprises a first stroke, a second stroke, a third stroke, and a fourth stroke.

14. A dropper bottle as claimed in claim 13, wherein when the button is pressed by a user to different positions in which different graduations are respectively aligned with the top of the cap, a stroke ranging from 0.2ml to 1.5ml is enabled to be controlled.

15. A dropper bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a dose click stop is provided to indicate a sensation or click sound on the dose.

16. A dropper bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of first protrusions are provided in each recess, the first protrusions being separated from each other along the circle of each recess.

17. A dropper bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of second protrusions are provided on an inner surface of the opening of the cap, the plurality of second protrusions being separated from one another along a circle of the inner surface of the opening of the cap.