EP0155616B1 - Container with a device for the application of liquid to a surface - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Container having an outlet opening in connection with a spraymouth (15) joined with closable valve means, further having a cap (5) connectable with the container at the area of the outlet opening which is equiped with at least one rollermeans to apply sprayable liquids for body care on the skin connected to a sledge (8) to be slided into the direction of the outlet opening in order to apply a pressure to the liquid to be sprayed, characterised in that the cylindrical rollermeans (10) with its surface at least partially is positioned within the spraybeam and is made out of a substantially not elastic plastic-material, the surface having a multitude of cavities and/or elevations, further that the sledge (8) is formed tub-like, opening in the direction of the rollermeans (10) and that the spraymouth (15) is positioned at the bottom (14) of the tub parallel and in a distance to the rollermeans (10) and connected with its other side to the outlet opening.

Description

The invention relates to a container with a valve-like closable outlet opening, which is connected to a spray nozzle, and with a cap which can be connected to the container in the region of its outlet opening and which has at least one roller body for the application of aerosol-like sprayable liquids for body and beauty care the skin is mounted on a slide which is displaceable relative to the container in the direction of its outlet opening and which is connected to means for triggering the delivery pressure.

The application of facial tonics or the like was previously relatively cumbersome. For example, to apply an aftershave, it is first necessary to unscrew the bottle cap and put it aside, then pour the desired amount of liquid into a hollow palm, then put the bottle away and transfer the amount of liquid in one hand to the other palm and then apply the liquid to the skin with both hands and rub it in if necessary. The bottle must then be closed again. In the case of disabled people, for example, this cumbersome handling creates problems, since the relatively small screw caps can easily fall out of the hand and then have to be laboriously searched for again.

In order to simplify handling, attempts have now been made to fill facial waters, for example, as spray aerosols, the corresponding bottle being provided either with a propellant gas filling or with an atomizer pump. This considerably simplifies the handling described above, but at the same time there is a risk that the spray will escape in an uncontrolled manner during handling and can also get into the eye area, which is unpleasant for the mostly alcohol-containing facial tonic. The application with such a spray bottle therefore requires a lot of attention.

From DE-C2-29 17 805 a container with a rolling body for applying skin care products with a higher viscosity in the form of oils, emulsions or the like is known. However, the application device known from this cannot be used for low-viscosity substances, for example weighted water. The device for percutaneous introduction of a vaccine known from FR-A1-2 232 331 does not allow a satisfactory dosage when used for personal care products.

From DE-A1-20 55 159 which corresponds to the preamble of claim 1, a pressure spray can is known which has a spray head which can be placed on the spray valve and has a spray channel which is open in the spray direction and which has means on the surface area surrounding the opening of the spray channel for incorporating the spray material into the surface to be treated in the form of sponges, brushes and rollers. The known pressure spray can cannot be used for facial tonics or the like, since the liquid is applied directly to the skin by the spray jet, almost in a punctiform manner, and can then only be distributed. At least in the case of toners, an even distribution is not possible. Another disadvantage is that the spray material, which has cooled down considerably as a result of the relaxation, produces an unpleasant sensation of cold when it hits the skin.

From US-A-4 128 350 a roller-shaped rolling element arrangement is known, which, however, can only be used for applying pasty substances to the skin, since a transverse throttle wall is arranged in the inlet channel, which is initially used for deflecting the pasty substance and spreading it onto the Roller roller ensures that the roller is able to bring the fabric onto the skin over a wide area. Fluids that can be sprayed like aerosols cannot be applied with it.

The invention is based on the object, for the application of aerosol-like sprayable liquids for body and beauty care to the skin to create one of the type mentioned, which makes it possible to apply such agents, in particular facial tonics, in metered amounts to the skin with simple handling.

The object is achieved in that the roller-shaped rolling body lies at least with a part of its surface in the spray jet and consists of an essentially inelastic plastic material and its surface is provided with a large number of elevations and / or depressions, and that the slide on its Roll body facing side is formed like a tub and that the spray nozzle is arranged in the trough bottom running parallel and at a distance from the rolling body and is connected to the outlet opening of the container on the side facing away from the rolling body. A container designed in this way has the advantage that the liquid from the spray nozzle can initially be sprayed onto the surface of the rolling element largely in a fine distribution, so that the liquid film adhering to the rolling element is then applied to the skin by rolling off the arrangement. Since the unrolling on the one hand and the opening of the valve on the other hand can take place independently of one another, a finely metered application of the liquid is possible. Due to the trough-like design of the slide, liquid droplets dripping downward are collected on the surface of the rolling body, which can then be applied to the skin without residue after the valve has been closed and the container is inclined accordingly. The device can be used both for liquids which are filled with a propellant gas at zero pressure and for liquids which are filled without pressure. In this case, it is only necessary that the usually with the Container-connected atomizer pump is actuated by pressure against the rolling element and then the liquid can be applied. It is advantageous here that the rolling body is made of an essentially inelastic plastic material. The fact that the surface of the rolling body has a plurality of elevations and / or depressions, despite the lack of absorbency from the depressions, a sufficient amount of liquid is absorbed by the roller surface, which is practically completely released when it rolls on the skin, which are applied to the roller Amounts of liquid can thus be completely applied to the skin, with practically no residues remaining on the roller-shaped rolling body. Since the rolling element is exposed, cleaning is easily possible. The use of a connectable, ie detachable cap has the advantage that, in addition to an attractive design, as is desired for containers of cosmetics, there is also the possibility of providing the consumer with inexpensive refill packs, since the application device is interchangeable. Depending on the design of the container and the pressure medium used to convey the liquid, the connection between the container and the cap can be configured as a plug, snap or screw connection. In the case of roller-shaped rolling bodies in particular, it is expedient if the spray nozzle is designed as a wide-jet nozzle.

In particular in a container in which the liquid is filled with a propellant gas and the outlet opening of which is formed by a longitudinally displaceable outlet valve provided with a valve, it is provided in one embodiment of the invention that the tub base has a recess on its side facing away from the rolling body Has receptacle of the free end of the outlet tube, which opens into the aerosol nozzle on the side facing the rolling body. With such a preparation, for example of facial lotion, it is possible to form the application device closed and without projections, so that an appealing design without "technical" approaches or the like is possible here, since the metering of the liquid is carried out in that the container is pressed against the surface of the skin with slight pressure while rolling, so that the liquid can be applied with dosing and simultaneous distribution.

In another embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the tub base on its side facing away from the rolling body is connected to the movable part of an atomizer pump known per se and that the delivery pipe of the atomizer pump is connected to the spray nozzle on the tub base. This configuration allows even liquid filled without pressure to be dispensed in a metered manner, taking advantage of the advantages provided by the arrangement according to the invention. In an embodiment of the invention, it is further provided that the carriage is connected to at least one actuating handle which projects beyond the outer surface of the cap. This configuration is particularly advantageous for an arrangement in which the delivery of the liquid to be applied is effected with the aid of an atomizer pump, since this enables the somewhat higher expenditure of force to actuate the atomizer pump than manual assembly with propellant gas, for example with a finger to apply, so that, when applying the rolling element, it only needs to be passed over the skin with gentle pressure. In a modification of this embodiment, it may be expedient to mount the rolling element immovably in the cap, so that the actuating handle only acts on the movable part of the atomizer pump that carries the atomizer nozzle. This has the advantage that relatively long pumping strokes are possible without impairing handling, it being accepted that the distance between the nozzle and the roller body changes each time it is actuated. However, this is not disadvantageous when using an atomizer pump, since the greatest delivery rate is only reached shortly before the end of the actuation stroke, so that, overall, a uniform distribution of the liquid on the surface of the rolling body is achieved. However, an additional actuating handle on the slide is also advantageous for embodiments for use on containers filled with propellant gas, since the dosage can be carried out on the skin without changing the contact pressure.

• Fig. 1 eine Seitenansicht einer Rasierwasserflasche mit Auftragsvorrichtung, teilweise im Schnitt,
• Fig. 2 eine Vorderansicht der Flasche gemäß
• Fig. 1 mit abgenommener Austragsvorrichtung im Schnitt,
• Fig. 3 eine andere Ausführungsform einer Auftragsvorrichtung im Schnitt.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings of an exemplary embodiment. Show it:

• 1 is a side view of an aftershave bottle with application device, partially in section,
• Fig. 2 is a front view of the bottle according to
• 1 with removed discharge device in section,
• Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of an application device in section.

The bottle-shaped container 1 for a facial or aftershave water shown in a side view in FIG. 1 is made of glass in the usual way and, if necessary, is covered with a protective film, not shown here, since the liquid in the exemplary embodiment shown is filled with propellant gas. The container is closed with a closure 2, in which a conveying and outlet pipe 3 is mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable and is provided with a valve device, not shown here. Within the container 1, the tube, which is only partially shown here, is guided into the bottom area, while the other end is led out over the closure 2 and projects over it with its free end 4. On the container 1, a cap 5 is pushed, which is provided with a plurality of resiliently designed latching webs 6, which the bulge-shaped Reach under the closure 2 and firmly connect the cap 5 to the container 1. The cap 5, which is closed on all sides, is provided in its upper region with a shaft-like opening 7, in which a trough-shaped slide 8 is guided so as to be displaceable in the direction of the double arrow 9. On the open side of the trough-shaped slide 8, a roller-shaped rolling body 10 is freely rotatable. The rolling body 10 is made of an inelastic material, for example of a plastic, and has a large number of elevations and / or depressions 11 on its surface evenly distributed. The elevations or depressions are only indicated schematically and are expediently formed by lenticular elevations or lenticular depressions which are dimensioned such that when the roller body 10 is in contact with and when it rolls on the skin, for example on the facial skin, the latter hugs the surface of the rolling body 10 over the entire area in the contact zone. The rolling body 10 can, as shown, be cylindrical or else have a spherical or similar shape. The edges at each end are rounded.

In the illustrated embodiment, the roller body 10 is provided with bores 12 on the end faces, into which corresponding pins 13 of the carriage 8 engage. The carriage 8 has a transverse web 14 which runs at a distance from the rolling body 10 and extends transversely to its direction of movement 9 and which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, also forms the tub floor. The crossbar 14 is connected on its side facing the rolling body 10 to a spray nozzle 15 into which the free end 4 of the outlet tube 3 is inserted from the side facing away from the rolling body 10. The spray nozzle is expediently designed as an aerosol nozzle. If a pressure directed against the container 1 is now exerted on the rolling body 10, the outlet pipe 4 is displaced via the carriage 8 and the valve arranged in the region of the closure 2 is opened. The propellant gas presses the liquid out of the container, so that the liquid is sprayed onto the surface of the rolling body 10 in a fine distribution with the aid of the spray nozzle 15. When the arrangement rolls on the skin at the same time, the liquid film adhering to the rolling body 10 is applied to the skin and gently massaged into the skin with a corresponding rolling movement. Since the unrolling on the one hand and the opening of the valve on the other hand can take place independently of one another, a finely metered application of the liquid is possible. Due to the trough-like design of the carriage 8, liquid droplets dripping downwards are collected on the surface of the rolling body 10, which can then be applied to the skin completely with the valve closed and the container tilted accordingly.

The device described on the basis of the exemplary embodiment can also be used in the same way for liquids which are filled without pressure. In this case, it is only necessary to connect the crossbar 14 to the movable head part of a conventional atomizer pump, but the spray nozzle of the atomizer pump is not aligned laterally but in the direction of displacement 9. Here, too, the atomizer pump can be actuated by pressure against the rolling element 10 and the liquid can thus be applied.

To simplify handling, it is expedient both for the described embodiment for a container with propellant gas filling and for the above-mentioned embodiment in combination with an atomizing pump if the cap 5 has a laterally slit-shaped opening 16 through which an actuating handle 17 projects outwards , which is connected to the carriage 8. The actuating handle 17 can be lightly touched with the finger or the thumb and moved towards the container 1 in the direction of the arrow 9 and either help overcome the spring pressure of the valve when filling with propellant gas or else initiate the actuating force for an atomizer pump.

The exemplary embodiments explained in more detail above are intended for the use of low-viscosity liquids such as face lotions or the like. However, the construction principle can also be used for higher-viscosity liquids such as body lotions, sun protection oils or the like, with appropriate adaptation. For example, it is possible to design the container to be at least partially deformable and to provide the cap which can be connected to the container with a slot nozzle, the free edges of which are designed to be elastic and lie like lips against one another, so that the nozzle simultaneously takes on the function of a valve in the manner of a lip valve . The roller body is then arranged parallel to the alignment of the nozzle slot at a relatively short distance, so that when the deformable container is pressed, the lips open and the lotion squeezed out of the container reaches the surface of the roller body and is then appropriately distributed on the skin can. It is useful if either the container is only deformable in certain parts of the surface or the cap has side parts that extend over the entire length of the container, so that the handling of the container can be handled firmly without pressure on the deformable areas of the container is exercised and thus an unintentional squeezing of the container contents is avoided. Since the slot nozzle designed as a lip valve is self-closing and because of its high viscosity, the container contents cannot leak even with a relatively low closing force of the valve lips, this embodiment can also be used “overhead”, ie with the container on top. It is particularly useful when used in the field of sunscreens moderate if the space between the nozzle opening and the roller body is freely accessible from the side, so that this area can be cleaned of any adhering sand or the like.

Instead of just one roller-shaped rolling body, it is also possible to arrange two or more rolling bodies in parallel next to one another. The number, the diameter and the spatial arrangement of the rollers in relation to one another depend on the required transfer area on the device and on the type of liquid to be applied. Instead of a roller-shaped rolling body, it is also possible to use one or more spherical or barrel-shaped rolling bodies, these smaller rolling bodies being able to be arranged axially next to one another and, when using a plurality of rows of rolling bodies, in each case offset from one another.

In one embodiment of the illustrated and described exemplary embodiment, it is also possible to fasten the container 1 to the wall and to design the free end 4 of the outlet pipe 3 as a flexible hose of appropriate length. The cap 5 is then designed accordingly as a handle and carries a valve which is connected on the one hand to the outlet opening of the free hose end and on the other hand is connected to the spray nozzle 15. By operating the valve, whether by moving the rolling body 10 or by using a separate actuating means, the liquid can be sprayed onto the rolling body and "rolled up" onto the skin surface as described above.

The embodiment acc. 3 differs from the embodiment according to FIG. Fig. 1 essentially only by the shape of the trough-like carriage 8 '. To simplify production, the floor 18 is made flat here. This shape results in a plastic part that is easy to manufacture and also offers the possibility of incorporating a slot die 15 'into the manufacturing process. For this purpose, on the side of the bottom 18 facing the spray tube 4, a cylindrical receiving bore 19 is machined into the tub bottom 18, which is assigned an elongated rectangular, funnel-like recess 20 on the other side facing the rolling body 10 of the tub bottom. Between the bore 19 and the recess 20 there is a through opening, which represents the actual spray nozzle.

The cap 5 'has a correspondingly box-shaped receiving opening 21 in which the slide 8' is guided and, on its side facing the bottle 1, has a through opening 22 for the closure 2, which is formed here by the valve ring. The cap 5 'is held on the bottle by two hook tongues 23 which engage behind the valve ring 2. The lower region of the side walls of the tub-like carriage 8 'is provided with a thin, absorbent coating 24 which absorbs excess liquid so that it cannot drip off during handling and possibly does not cause stains on clothing etc. Since facial tonics are easily evaporable liquids, the excess liquid can then evaporate.

Claims (6)

1. Container having an outlet opening in connection with a spraymouth (15) joined with closable valve means, further having a cap (5) connectable with the container at the area of the outlet opening which is equiped with at least one rollermeans to apply sprayable liquids for body care on the skin connected to a sledge (8) to be slided into the direction of the outlet opening in order to apply a pressure to the liquid to be sprayed, characterised in that the cylindrical rollermeans (10) with its surface at least partially is positioned within the spraybeam and is made out of a substantially not elastic plastic-material, the surface having a multitude of cavities and/or elevations, further that the sledge (8) is formed tub-like, opening in the direction of the rollermeans (10) and that the spraymouth (15) is positioned at the bottom (14) of the tub parallel and in a distance to the rollermeans (10) and connected with its other side to the outlet opening.

2. Container according to claim 1 being filled with the liquid pressurised by a powergas and closed by a valve which is connected with a slidable pipe, characterised in that the bottom (14) of the tub is provided on its side turned away from the rollermeans with a slot for receiving the free end of the pipe (3), which ends versus the rollermeans into the spraymouth (15).

3. Container according to claim 1 being filled with the liquid without pressure, the outlet opening being connected with an atomizer-pump, characterised in that the bottom (14) of the tub with its side turned away from the rollermeans (10) is in working connection with the moveable part of the automizer-pump and that the pipe is connected to the spraymouth (15) positioned in the bottom (14) of the tub.

4. Container according to claim 1 to 3, characterised in that the sledge (8) is connected with at least one handle (17) for moving the sledge, aforesaid handle (17) protruding the outer surface of the cap (5).

5. Container according to claim 1 to 4, characterised in that the spraymouth (15) is formed to produce a wide-range-beam.

6. Container according to claim 5, characterised in that the spraymouth (15) producing a wide-range-beam is formed by a bore operated into the tubs bottom (14) connected to the free end of the pipe (4) opening versus the rollermeans into an excavation which is formed rectangular and enlarging conically.

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