EP0116952B1 - Container for an applying mass, in particular for a toiletry or cosmetic product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for an applicator mass, particularly for a toilet product or a cosmetic product, the container including a reservoir vessel 12, a closure 14, an applicator 30 which is immersible into the reservoir vessel, and an applicator mass stripper 80 which can be brought into engagement with the applicator. Applicator 30 and stripper 80 are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a manner that if the rotation angle orientation of applicator 30 relative to stripper 80 is different, the length of the circumference of the applicator which is in stripping engagement with the stripper is different. An additional apportioning stripper 60 may be provided to keep clean shaft 32 of applicator 30.

Description

The invention relates to a container for an applicator composition, in particular for a toilet or cosmetic product, with a storage container, a closure, a plunger of applicator composition which can be immersed in the storage container and which can be brought into engagement with the applicator.

• a. durch Änderung der Querschnittsfläche der Öffnung, durch die der Applikator hindurchgeführt wird (US-A 3 209 388 und EP-A-002 301 ) und
• b. durch Änderung der vom Applikator aufnehmbaren Menge (US-A 3 998 235). > _erbei wird stets eine geometrische Kenngröße des Behälters verstellt, nämlich im ersten Fall die Öffnung und im zweiten Fall der axiale Abstand zwischen den Beschichtungsflächen.

Containers of this type are already known, from which different amounts of applicator mass can be taken in each case. The withdrawal quantity is set according to two principles:

• a. by changing the cross-sectional area of the opening through which the applicator is passed (US Pat. Nos. 3 209 388 and EP-A-002 301) and
• b. by changing the amount that can be absorbed by the applicator (US Pat. No. 3,998,235). > _erb ei a geometric parameter of the container is always adjusted, namely the opening in the first case and the axial distance between the coating surfaces in the second case.

The invention has for its object to provide a container for an applicator mass, in particular for a toilet or cosmetic product, so that without adjusting a geometric parameter with usual removal movement types, namely turning and / or pulling out the respective handle part (pulling out and turning in one or other order), the amount of applicator mass withdrawn is selectable.

This object is achieved in that the applicator and the stripper are designed and arranged relative to one another such that the circumferential length of the applicator, which is in stripping engagement with the stripper, is different when the applicator has a different rotational angle orientation.

In this way it is possible to change the withdrawal quantity without having to adjust a geometric parameter. The applicator only needs to be given a certain rotational angle orientation in each case to the wiper, as a result of which the wiping effect can be increased or decreased and more or less applicator mass can thus be removed. No additional adjustment means are required for this change in the relative position of the scraper and applicator, so that the structure of the container according to the invention can be made particularly simple.

In the area of the wiping engagement, locally different engagement depths are possible. However, one can also switch from intervention to non-intervention at least approximately abruptly, and depending on the type of application of the applicator compound desired, more local changes in the amount of applicator and / or a global change in the total amount taken in can be aimed for.

Compared to containers with adjustment of a geometric parameter, the container according to the invention is also subject to low wear, since the number of moving parts and parts which are in frictional engagement is greatly reduced. In addition, the total number of parts of the container is also reduced.

The operation of the container is also significantly simplified since special measures for adjusting a geometric parameter are not required. Rather, only the relative position of the applicator and the scraper needs to be selected, for which purpose a - usual - rotary movement of the handle, for example the cap, the closure or a separate part, e.g. a separate handle of the applicator independent of the closure is required.

Since in the container according to the invention only the wipers and applicator are moved relative to one another with constant geometric parameters, the container according to the invention can easily be used for various removal purposes, e.g. suitable for different applicator masses and application areas. In the simplest case, it is only necessary to use another suitable applicator if the applicator mass is not replaced. For the production then only different types of applicators need to be kept ready and each to be mounted on the containers. It is also conceivable to have different applicators of different types or different geometries available for different application purposes, which are then used in each case for removal from a specific storage vessel depending on the application. In this way, the container according to the invention is extremely versatile.

The existing single scraper of the known containers can only fulfill the double task of dosing on the one hand and on the other hand cleaning the shaft of the applicator in a compromise manner and, in particular, in practice, as far as cleaning the applicator shaft is concerned. In this case, the invention provides for an additional metering scraper, which primarily measures the (total or local) applicator mass to be absorbed by the applicator to a 100% value which, depending on the angular position of the applicator relative to the first scraper, extends to far more is reduced as half, the minimum value being given by the minimum amount of applicator mass required for application, for example even being 1%. For example, there can be an appropriate gradation of the applicator mass in stages 40, 70 and 100%. In particular, the metering wiper is also provided to keep the shaft clean and prevents material from being pressed out. For this purpose the metering wiper is used preferably made of flexible plastic, for example polyethylene, PVC, polypropylene and the like. Like. Preference is given to a press fit mounting for the storage of the shaft in the metering wiper, so that the metering wiper can adapt to the non-100% round shaft due to its inherent elasticity.

The metering scraper also serves to guide the shaft when it is pulled out.

The metering wiper also comes into engagement with the applicator during the removal movement, as a result of which excess applicator mass which is located on or in the applicator is wiped off. This metering wiper thus limits the amount of the applicator mass to be removed with the applicator to a certain amount, which in turn can be selected below this fixed maximum value according to the invention. Thus, the additional scraper also makes sense if no applicator shaft is to be cleaned.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, both wipers are integrated, preferably in one piece, (claim 4). This enables a particularly compact arrangement and shortens the assembly time. In this embodiment it is also possible to first pre-assemble the two wipers and then to assemble them together in the container. Material can also advantageously be saved in the one-piece design.

In another embodiment of the invention according to claim 5, the two wipers are arranged spatially separated from one another. This makes it possible to optimally design the metering scraper and the scraper for the respective intended use and to arrange them in the container, so that a maximum effect can be achieved. In particular, it is also possible to design and mount the metering scraper in the same way as is the case with conventional containers of the generic type without the possibility of selecting the amount to be withdrawn. In this way, the production of containers can be designed efficiently by using as many of the same parts as possible for the simple and the comfortable container with the possibility of selection.

It is preferred to arrange both wipers in the neck of the container (claim 6).

At least one scraper is preferably formed in one piece with the container, as a result of which manufacture and assembly are simplified, which is very advantageous in the case of these bulk articles (claim 7).

Depending on the application, the applicator can have different shapes, in particular its cross section can be freely adapted to the respective purpose. The cross section of the applicator can e.g. be symmetrical or asymmetrical, round or angular. Its shape also depends on whether the applicator is loaded on its outer circumference with applicator mass, which is then partially wiped off by more or less strong intervention, or whether the applicator is also loaded in depth and the wiper by a kind Squeeze the applicator mass from the inside of the applicator. Depending on the shape of the cross-section and the shape of its circumferential profile in depth in conjunction with a corresponding shape of the scraper, it is possible to provide different degrees of choice in terms of their number and grading options. A preferred embodiment of the cross section of the applicator according to claim 8 is that it has a single or multiple sequence of sectors with an alternating radius. In a particularly simple embodiment, the cross section of the applicator is in the form of a segment of a circle, an angle of more than 180 ° being enclosed (claim 9). This makes it possible, for example, to use an applicator which is prefabricated axially symmetrically in the usual way and to modify it by removing material from the circumference in accordance with the invention.

The relative movement of applicator and scraper can take place in such a way that the axis of rotation remains unchanged with respect to the container axis. However, it is also possible to change the distance from the wiper and thus the degree of wiping engagement. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, an applicator with a circular disk-shaped cross section is preferably used, the axis of the applicator being arranged concentrically on the handle (cap, closure or separate part). In this exemplary embodiment, for example, an applicator can be used, as is also used in the simpler containers without being able to select the amount to be drawn, so that the applicator itself cannot be reworked. Otherwise, this embodiment makes it possible, if necessary, to use an existing edge of the container itself as a wiper. Alternatively, the axis of an applicator with a circular cross-section could be arranged decentrally on the handle.

The cross-section, in particular the cross-sectional shape of the scraper and applicator, can be freely selected depending on the application. Preferred according to claim 12 is a cross-sectional shape in which the free passage cross section of the wiper is similar to the cross section of the applicator. Here, e.g. the two cross sections emerged from each other by a mathematical similarity transformation. However, it is also possible to combine an applicator with, for example, a semicircular cross section with a scraper with a rectangular cross section.

According to claim 13, the overlap area of the scraper and is preferred Applicator, ie changeable in the design, in which the wiping engagement takes place in the manner of a squeeze into the applicator. It is particularly advantageous to design such that, through a suitable choice of the transition surfaces in the cross-sectional profile, various withdrawal quantities can be selected inexpensively.

To compensate for wear, the scraper can be adjusted to the desired setpoint.

The applicator is preferably designed in a conventional manner as a brush (claim 14). However, it can also be sponge-like, pillow-like, etc., in particular suitable for the circumferential absorption of applicator compound. The applicator is particularly advantageously made of plastic or leather (claims 15 and 16).

To determine different degrees of selection, the container according to the invention is preferably provided with one or more locking points for rotational angle orientations of the applicator relative to the stripper (claim 17). This enables the user to turn the applicator handle to a desired resting point that can be felt, and then use the applicator to remove the desired amount of applicator mass without having to observe the container for this purpose. As an alternative or in addition to this, however, it is also expedient according to claim 18 to optically mark and / or by means of an adjustable end stop on the container preferred rotational angle orientations of the applicator relative to the scraper for certain removal quantities. In this case, the user can turn the handle of the applicator until a certain position is set on a marking and then remove the applicator with the preselected amount of applicator mass from the container.

A threaded closure of the container is preferred, a short-start thread with cams being used expediently. The thread can also have an adjustable stop according to claim 20, whereby a presetting of the degree of removal is also possible and the container can possibly be adapted to other uses, such as a different applicator mass or another applicator. Instead of a thread, however, a snap can also be provided for the closure.

The container according to the invention for powder, mascara and lipstick composition according to claims 21 to 23 is used particularly expediently. However, it can also be used advantageously for adhesives, paints, liquids, other liquid media, pastes and other viscous or paste-like media, powders and other applicator compositions (claims 24 and 25).

Further advantages of the invention emerge from the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing, as will be explained in the following.

• Fig. 1 eine Teilschnittansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters,
• Fig. 2 bis 5 - jeweils
  • a. den Querschnitt einer Durchführungsöffnung, die durch den Behälterhals und den Abstreifer gebildet ist,
  • b. den Querschnitt eines damit gepaarten Applikators und
  • c. eine Darstellung, die eine durch Verdrehung des Applikators relativ zum Abstreifer zusätzlich gewonnene Abstreifquerschnittsfläche veranschaulicht, und
• Fig. 6 die Veranschaulichung zweier extremer Relativdrehpositionen eines Applikator- /Abstreiferpaares,
  • a. bei minimaler Abstreifmenge und
  • b. bei maximaler Abstreifmenge.

Show it:

• 1 is a partial sectional view of a container according to the invention,
• 2 to 5 - each
  • a. the cross section of a through opening which is formed by the container neck and the stripper,
  • b. the cross section of a paired applicator and
  • c. a representation which illustrates an additional wiping cross-sectional area obtained by turning the applicator relative to the wiper, and
• 6 shows the illustration of two extreme relative rotational positions of an applicator / wiper pair,
  • a. with minimal wiping and
  • b. at maximum wiping quantity.

1 shows a container 10, which is composed of a storage vessel 12 for the applicator mass 16, mascara in the example shown, and a closure 14. Axially attached to the closure 14 in the usual manner is an elongated shaft 32 which carries an applicator 30 at its end facing away from the closure 14. The closure is screwed onto the neck 18 of the reservoir 12 by means of a thread 20. In the exemplary embodiment shown, it serves as a handle for the applicator.

Arranged at the top in the neck 18 of the container 12 is a metering scraper 60 which is cup-shaped. Arranged in the flat bottom 68 of the metering scraper 60 is an opening 62 through which the shaft 32 of the applicator 30 runs. The opening 62 is dimensioned such that the shaft 32 is in press-engagement with the metering scraper 60, thereby preventing material from being pressed out of the storage vessel 12, and at the same time keeping the shaft clean. At the lower outer edge of the cylinder, a latching nose extends outward therefrom, which engages with a corresponding recess in the inner wall of the neck 18 of the storage vessel 12 and serves to hold the metering scraper. At the upper edge of the vertically extending part 70 of the scraper sits an outwardly extending lip 66 which extends outward above the neck 18. The metering wiper is made of elastic material, e.g. Neoprene rubber, PVC or the like

Arranged at the bottom in the neck 18 of the storage vessel 12 and formed in one piece therewith is a stripper 80 which is not symmetrical and in the example shown extends inwards only on the left from the shaft 32 of the applicator 30 and, for example, has the shape of a circular segment disk. The scraper is injected into the neck in the example shown and consists of any material, hard rubber, plastic, coated material, glass, etc. It can, if this is desired to be somewhat elastic. The stripper 80 does not necessarily have to be arranged at the bottom in the neck 18 of the storage vessel 12; The only requirement is that it is located above the level of the applicator mass in stock. It is also possible, for example, to design the stripper 80 so that it extends less far towards the axis of the container, and to provide two such strippers at the same height.

In the example shown, the applicator 30 is designed as a brush, the cross section of which is asymmetrical. The bristles are shorter on the left in Fig. 1 than on the right. In this embodiment e.g. 220 ° of the circumference of the applicator unchanged, while brush material was removed from the rest of the circumference, so that the applicator has a flattened and a full side (see also FIG. 2).

To remove the applicator compound, the closure 14 must be unscrewed. The desired degree of stripping is then preselected by a further rotation up to a marking (not shown) and then by a lifting movement, i.e. Pulling out the shaft 32 with the applicator 30, the desired amount removed.

2a, 3a, 4a and 5a show the cross-sectional area left free by the metering scraper 60 and neck 18, which is maximally available for passing the applicator 30 through. The shapes shown are selected from a variety of possible shapes to illustrate the invention and show preferred possibilities.

2b, 3b, 4b and 5b show the corresponding cross-sectional areas of the applicator 30, which are of similar design. They can be smaller than that in a. shown cross-sections, if applicator mass is to be removed by the stripper, so to speak, and they can be larger if the applicator mass - quasi-squeezing - is to be removed by the stripper into the interior of the applicator 30.

2c, 3c, 4c and 5c illustrate a relative position of the respective applicator and the opening available for it, the applicators each being 180 ° (FIG. 2), 60 ° (FIG. 3), 45 ° (FIG. 4) and 45 ° (Fig. 5) have been rotated to achieve maximum active intervention. The hatched areas illustrate the portion of the cross section of the applicator loaded with applicator compound that is in active engagement with the stripper 80.

6 illustrates two different rotational angle positions of the scraper 80 and the applicator 30 in a further exemplary embodiment. In the example shown, the cross-sectional area of the applicator is larger than that of the scraper, so that the engagement is quasi squeezing, and the scraper has the function of the metering scraper and at the same time the dosing function according to the invention. The cross-sectional shapes of the scraper and applicator are similar. They have a kind of star or wave profile. In Fig. 6a the tips of this wave profile of applicator 30 and scraper 80 are aligned radially to one another, so that in this position a minimal amount of applicator mass is stripped off. In Fig. 6b, the applicator 30 has been rotated by 30 ° with respect to the scraper 80, so that the inwardly facing recesses in the profile of the applicator 30 are now radially aligned with the outwardly facing projections of the profile of the scraper 80. In this arrangement, the amount of wiping is maximum, i.e. a minimal amount of applicator mass is removed from the storage vessel 12.

Claims (19)

1. Container (10) for an application mass (16), especially for a toiletry or cosmetics product, with a storage vessel (12), a closure (14), an applicator (30) immersible in the storage vessel (12) and a wiper (80) engageable with the applicator (30) for wiping of applicator mass (16), characterised in that the applicator (30) and the wiper (80) are so formed and arranged relative to one another that at different angle of rotation settings of the applicator (30) relative to the wiper (80) the peripheral length of the applicator (30) in wiping engagement with the wiper (80) is different.

2. Container according to claim 1, characterised by an additional metering wiper (60).

3. Container according to claim 2, wherein the applicator is carried by a stem (32), characterised in that the metering wiper (60) is also arranged and designed for wiping the stem (32).

4. Container according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that both wipers (60, 80) are formed integrally, preferably monolithically.

5. Container according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that both wipers (60, 80) are arranged distanced apart.

6. Container according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that both wipers (60, 80) are arranged in the neck (18) of the container (10).

7. Container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least one wiper (60, 80) is formed monolithically with the container (10).

8. Container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the cross section of the applicator (30) has a single or multiple sequence of sectors of differing radius.

9. Container according to claim 8, characterised in that the cross section of the applicator (30) is in the shape of a segment of a circle having an included angle of more than 180', preferably of 200 to 250'.

10. Container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that upon rotation of the handle (14) of the applicator (30) the transverse distance of the applicator from the wiper (80) is adjustable.

11. Container according to claim 10, characterised in that the cross section of the applicator (30) is in the shape of a circle and the axis of the applicator is arranged concentrically at the handle (14).

12. Container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the cross section of the free opening of the wiper (80) is similar to the cross section of the applicator (30).

13. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the overlapping surface of wiper (80) and applicator (30) is variable.

14. Container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the applicator (30) is a brush or consists of sponge-like plastics or leather.

15. Container according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised by one or more intermediate stops for preselected angle of rotation settings of the applicator (30) relative to the wiper (80)

16. Container according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterised by indicator means for the angle of rotation setting of the applicator (30) relative to the wiper (80), preferably an adjustable end-stop for the rotational movement of the handle (14).

17. Container according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that screw threading (20) is provided for closure.

18. Container according to claims 15 or 17, characterised by an adjustable stop for the screw threading (20).

19. Use of the container according to one of claims 1 to 18 for powder, mascara, lip stick mass, pasty masses or liquids.

Images