EP0155349B1 - Dispensing container - Google Patents

Dispensing container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0155349B1
EP0155349B1 EP84110232A EP84110232A EP0155349B1 EP 0155349 B1 EP0155349 B1 EP 0155349B1 EP 84110232 A EP84110232 A EP 84110232A EP 84110232 A EP84110232 A EP 84110232A EP 0155349 B1 EP0155349 B1 EP 0155349B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
applicator
liquid
container
sleeve
head
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP84110232A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0155349A3 (en
EP0155349A2 (en
Inventor
Edward Morris
Keith F. Woodruff
Karen M. Podulka
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
American Cyanamid Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by American Cyanamid Co filed Critical American Cyanamid Co
Publication of EP0155349A2 publication Critical patent/EP0155349A2/en
Publication of EP0155349A3 publication Critical patent/EP0155349A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0155349B1 publication Critical patent/EP0155349B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D34/00—Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. perfumes
    • A45D34/04—Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/42—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices with pads or like contents-applying means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A45D
    • A45D2200/10—Details of applicators
    • A45D2200/1009—Applicators comprising a pad, tissue, sponge, or the like
    • A45D2200/1018—Applicators comprising a pad, tissue, sponge, or the like comprising a pad, i.e. a cushion-like mass of soft material, with or without gripping means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a liquid applicator for dispensing toiletries to the skin, and particularly for the application of antiperspirants and deodorants to the human axilla.
  • Liquid applicators in general are well-known in the prior art, particularly the roll-on type commonly for antiperspirants and deodorants. These are disclosed, for example in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,749,566; 2,923,957; and 2,998,616. Because of problems with roll-on type applicators, Berghahn et al., U.S. Patents 4,050,826 and 4,111,567, devised a liquid applicator comprising a container fitted with a head having a fixed,shaped form made of a non-flexible, non-deformable, sintered porous synthetic plastic resin having a controlled porosity and having omni-directional, interconnecting pores.
  • liquid overflow problems associated with conventional roll-ons is also present with this type of head and is solved by the provision of a liquid collecting channel adjacent the shaped applicator, permitting the excess liquid to drain back via the channel into an opening through the head into the liquid reservoir. This avoids an accumulation of liquid on the surface of the applicator and resulting crystallization of product being delivered.
  • GB-A-2 084 455 discloses a device of the above-mentioned type of liquid applicator which has means to create pressure on the liquid.
  • the poro.us plastic applicator of Berghahn et al. resembles the conventional roll-on applicator except that the applicator is stationary and has a drain channel.
  • the liquid product being delivered must be brought into contact with the applicator head in order for the liquid to be delivered to the surface by capillary action. This requires inverting the container as is true of the roll-on type of head, since there will always be dead space between the liquid in the reservoir and the applicator head. Thus, no way is provided for the liquid in the reservoir always to be in contact with the applicator head.
  • the applicator head may be of any suitable configuration, but a convex outer surface has been found to be particularly suitable for contact with various parts of the human body.
  • the applicator head may have a hemispherical outer surface.
  • the materials which are used to make the shaped applicator head are non-flexible, non-deformable, sintered, porous synthetic resins having a controlled porosity and having omni-directional interconnecting pores, formed of aggregates of united polymer particles.
  • the degree of porosity of the porous materials can be controlled in their manufacture, thus insuring a wide range of porosity to suit a wide range of liquid products of varying viscosities.
  • Sintered, porous applicator heads may be fabricated of high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and the like.
  • the pore size of the applicator may vary widely, depending on the liquid to be delivered. Low-viscosity liquids, such as perfumes, may best be delivered via a small-pore plastic applicator, e.g., one micron or less. In general, the pore size may vary between about one to 200 microns, and for most purposes, purelyrally about 10-50 microns are preferred.
  • the porous applicator is hollow and fits onto a cylindrical impervious sleeve or tower which in turn fits into an annular plastic diaphragm spring.
  • the spring in turn, fits into the top opening of the container which forms a reservoir for the liquid material to be dispensed.
  • the impervious sleeve and diaphragm spring may also be molded as a single part.
  • the impervious sleeve serves two functions. First, it locks the porous plastic applicator head to the diaphragm spring. Second, it directs fluid flow to the uppermost area of the porous applicator which is the area mainly used for application.
  • the container can be filled solely with the liquid product.
  • the reservoir may contain an absorbent material, onto which the liquid to be delivered is absorbed, and this absorbent material is in direct and intimate contact with the porous applicator head.
  • This aspect of the invention insures continuous contact of the liquid with the applicator head and ease of delivery of the liquid on demand by capillary flow.
  • the absorbent material used in the reservoir may be any material capable of absorbing the liquid to be delivered, such as cellulose acetate, polyester, cotton, rayon, nylon, or other'suitable material, and capable of transferring the liquid therefrom continuously on demand by capillary flow (wicking).
  • the absorbent material may take any suitable shape or form.
  • the absorbent material is the same non-deformable, non-flexible, sintered, porous synthetic resin material from which the applicator head is constructed.
  • the form may vary, but a particularly advantageous delivery system will consist essentially of a container to hold the contents to be delivered, fitted with the porous head having a cylindrical porous plastic tube extending to the bottom of the container, and having a hemispherical top.
  • the diameter of the cylindrical piece need not be uniform, i.e., the portion extending into the container is of a lesser diameter than the portion extending out of the container in order to fit into the annular plastic spring.
  • the container may obviously be of any suitable material, such as metal, glass or plastic.
  • the delivery system of the invention may be used to deliver any topical liquid product to the skin. These may include, for example, after-shave lotions, pre-shave lotions, skin lubricants or emollients, suntan lotions, fragrances (perfumes, colognes, etc.), topical therapeutics (analgesics, acne formulations, antiseptics, etc.), lip and face rouge and the like.
  • the delivery system is particularly useful in applying antiperspirants and deodorants and avoids the problems associated with roll-on applications.
  • the invention provides a means of applying a low viscosity, fast drying, non-sticky solution of aluminum chlorohydrate, avoiding the undesirable features of roll-ons, pump sprays, and sticks.
  • porous plastic materials are hydrophobic and do not "wet" with water, it may be necessary to add alcohol to an antiperspirant formula to transfer the product from the container to the applicator head. Crystallization of the solid components of the solution, such as aluminum chlorhydrate, may be avoided by the addition of certain esters, such as isopropyl myristate or isopropyl palmitate.
  • the liquid delivery system comprises an outer case 10 having a base 12 and a cap 14 which is attached by means of threads 16 at the top of case 10. It will be understood that cap 14 could be attached by a friction fit also.
  • Case 10 contains the liquid product 34 to be dispersed.
  • a porous plastic applicator head 20 is fitted onto impervious sleeve or tower 17 in fluid tight relationship by a friction fit.
  • Impervious sleeve 17 in turn fits into an annular elastic spring 35 through central opening 41 of spring 35 by friction fit or by snap lock engagement as shown at 19.
  • sleeve 17 has annular ridges 48 around the periphery of the outer surface at the upper end which are slightly larger than the inner diameter of the applicator head 20, so that when sleeve 17 is pressed into head 20, ridges engage the inner surface head 20 to assist in holding head 20 in position on sleeve 17.
  • a flange 49 extending outwardly which holds sleeve 17 against the lower edge 50 of diaphragm spring 35.
  • the head assembly is shown as a split image so that the left half illustrates diaphragm spring 35 in its raised or relaxed position, and the right half illustrates head 20 depressed and spring 35 at its lowest limit of travel.
  • Head 20 is designed so that lower surface 20A has sufficient clearance in the upper position to allow a full stroke of downward spring 35.
  • diaphragm spring 35 and tower 17 may be made as a single piece unit 47. (See Figures 11 through 13). This is a production advantage for the part, eliminates an assembly step and also provides better fluid tight conditions.
  • the one piece sleeve and diaphragm spring 47 consists of spring portion 52 which is basically similar to spring 35 of Figures 5 through 7, and sleeve 53 which is basically similar to sleeve 17 of Figures 8 through 10. Since sleeve portion 53 is an integral part of the diaphragm spring, it will be made of the same plastic material.
  • the single piece sleeve 53 has ridges 48 on sleeve portion holding to applicator head 20.
  • Spring portion 52 has an inward taper 58 on the lower end of the outer cylindrical segment 54 to facilitate insertion into container 10.
  • An abutment 55 is provided at the base of sleeve 53 where it leads into the inner cylindrical segment 56 of spring 52. Abutment 55 is to aid in positioning applicator head 20 on the sleeve.
  • Flange 57 is provided around the upper edge of outer spring segment 54 and seats on upper edge 42 of container 10.
  • Applicator head 20 has an inner cylindrical portion 44 which fits within outer cylindrical segment 36 of spring 35.
  • the applicator head-spring and tower assembly is inserted into container 10 and the outer segment 36 of spring 35 forms a fluid tight friction fit with flange 37 resting on the top rim 42 of container 10.
  • the inner cylinder 44 of the applicator head 20 extends within outer cylindrical segment 36 of spring 35. In this arrangement the head 20 can move into the container 10 when pressure is applied to the head and the undulate surface 40 of spring 35 is deformed.
  • Applicator head 20 may be depressed until the shoulder 22 of head 20 contacts flange 37 of spring 35 which then acts as a stop.
  • Container 10 is filled with liquid product 34 and the product is delivered to the surface of head 20 by first wetting the inner surface 26 by inverting ,the container as shown in Figure 4, and then by capillary flow through the pores of head 20.
  • liquid 34 will be directed by impervious sleeve 17 to the upper part 26 of the inner surface of applicator head 20 so that this area only is wetted. This is the area where spreading will be done and thus unnecessary flow through the sidewalls of head 20 is avoided.
  • the container may again be held in an upright position to apply the liquid to a surface, e.g.
  • Applicator head 20 has a somewhat flattened outer surface 24 with the vertical side section 21 being thicker than the upper surface 24. The flattened head provides a larger spreading area for spreading the liquid 34 over a surface. Any liquid that runs down the sides will be reabsorbed by the thickened area 21 of head 20.
  • An advantageous alternative, is to provide a slight degree of flexibility to the upper surface 24 of head 20, either by thinning this area, or by molding the head of a material which will provide this flexibility.
  • case 10 may be filled with an absorbent material, not shown, filling container 10 and in contact with inner surface 26 of applicator head 20.
  • cap 14 may have an inner absorbent member 59 which fits closely over outer surface 24 of applicator head 20.
  • Absorbent member 59 absorbs excess liquid and also vapors which pass through head 20 due to changes in relative pressure outside and inside the container, and also releases these back into the container.
  • liquid products may be dispensed by means of the invention.
  • Illustrative products are set forth in the following specific examples:
  • Pre-shave (beard softener and lubricant)

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
EP84110232A 1983-09-02 1984-08-28 Dispensing container Expired EP0155349B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US52905983A 1983-09-02 1983-09-02
US529059 1990-05-25

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0155349A2 EP0155349A2 (en) 1985-09-25
EP0155349A3 EP0155349A3 (en) 1986-09-17
EP0155349B1 true EP0155349B1 (en) 1989-01-25

Family

ID=24108338

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84110232A Expired EP0155349B1 (en) 1983-09-02 1984-08-28 Dispensing container

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0155349B1 (no)
JP (1) JPS6090152A (no)
KR (1) KR920000302B1 (no)
AU (1) AU570496B2 (no)
BR (1) BR8404357A (no)
DE (1) DE3476324D1 (no)
DK (1) DK164389C (no)
NO (1) NO163312C (no)
NZ (1) NZ209371A (no)
ZA (1) ZA846850B (no)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2240032A (en) * 1990-01-19 1991-07-24 Unilever Plc Applicator for liquids
DE9309606U1 (de) * 1993-06-29 1993-08-26 Sanner Friedr Gmbh Co Kg Auftragevorrichtung
FR2731681B1 (fr) * 1995-03-17 1997-04-30 Oreal Applicateur de produit de consistance visqueuse, comportant un organe de distribution poreux
FR2741600B1 (fr) * 1995-11-23 1997-12-19 Oreal Ensemble d'application d'un produit fluide ou solide
KR100733090B1 (ko) * 2006-08-29 2007-06-28 (주)에스엔피월드 교체가능한 터치부가 구비된 화장용기
CN106466046A (zh) * 2016-08-30 2017-03-01 嘉兴市腾翔塑业有限公司 化妆品容器
WO2022251363A1 (en) * 2021-05-27 2022-12-01 L'oreal Applicator having three-dimensional surface contact with reservoir
FR3125689B1 (fr) * 2021-07-30 2023-09-08 Oreal Applicateur ayant un contact de surface tridimensionnel avec un reservoir

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2975465A (en) * 1958-09-25 1961-03-21 Gillette Co Liquid dispensing applicator
US3340561A (en) * 1965-02-18 1967-09-12 Schwartzman Gilbert Applicator having one-piece body
US4050826A (en) * 1976-02-11 1977-09-27 Bristol-Myers Company Liquid applicator
NO812967L (no) * 1980-09-02 1982-03-03 American Cyanamid Co Vaeskedispenser for toilettformaal.
US4384589A (en) * 1981-07-27 1983-05-24 American Cyanamid Company Novel liquid delivery system for toiletries

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU570496B2 (en) 1988-03-17
BR8404357A (pt) 1985-07-30
NO163312C (no) 1990-05-09
DK419884D0 (da) 1984-08-31
JPS6090152A (ja) 1985-05-21
NO843484L (no) 1985-03-04
EP0155349A3 (en) 1986-09-17
EP0155349A2 (en) 1985-09-25
AU3253284A (en) 1985-03-07
KR850002223A (ko) 1985-05-10
DK164389B (da) 1992-06-22
KR920000302B1 (ko) 1992-01-11
DK419884A (da) 1985-03-03
NO163312B (no) 1990-01-29
NZ209371A (en) 1988-01-08
DK164389C (da) 1992-11-09
DE3476324D1 (en) 1989-03-02
ZA846850B (en) 1985-04-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4480940A (en) Flexible diaphragm for dispensing product
US4384589A (en) Novel liquid delivery system for toiletries
CA1233785A (en) Dispensing container having capillary pressure compensating valve
EP0167657B1 (en) Novel liquid absorbent cap for delivery system for toiletries
GB2084455A (en) Liquid applicator
RU2253336C2 (ru) Упаковка для местного нанесения текучей косметической композиции и продукт для местного нанесения на кожу человека
US6331085B1 (en) Container-applicator system for material for the skin
US6234698B1 (en) Applicator for a product of viscous consistency, including a porous dispensing element
US6945723B1 (en) Packaging and application device
US8192100B2 (en) Fluid applicator device and method of using same
CA2160745A1 (en) Cream deodorant dispenser
EP0155349B1 (en) Dispensing container
US6773193B2 (en) Packaging and applicator device including an element forming an intermediate reservoir
EP0046038B1 (en) Roll-on dispensing device
EP0141126A1 (en) Novel liquid delivery system for toiletries
US20060233594A1 (en) Applicator for liquid cosmetic compositions
GB2083743A (en) Liquid delivery system for toiletries and the like
US11503896B2 (en) Bottle with a roll-on applicator and a stopper
WO2000044258A2 (en) Package
NL8104064A (nl) Vloeistofafgiftesysteem voor toiletartikelen.
NO812966L (no) Vaeskedispenser for toilettformaal.
GB2099764A (en) Method and device or removing body hair
IE53602B1 (en) Method and device for removing body hair

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT LU NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT LU NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19870213

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19870615

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT LU NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3476324

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19890302

ET Fr: translation filed
ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: MODIANO & ASSOCIATI S.R.L.

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 19890823

Year of fee payment: 6

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19890831

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
NLS Nl: assignments of ep-patents

Owner name: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY TE CINCINNATI, OHIO,

ITTA It: last paid annual fee
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 19930806

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19930831

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19930909

Year of fee payment: 10

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Effective date: 19940829

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Effective date: 19940831

EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 84110232.0

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: THE PROCTER GAMBLE CY

Effective date: 19940831

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Effective date: 19950301

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee
EUG Se: european patent has lapsed

Ref document number: 84110232.0

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19960809

Year of fee payment: 13

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19980430

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20020626

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20020830

Year of fee payment: 19

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030828

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040302

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee