EP1243200B1 - Distributeur de matériaux avec applicateur - Google Patents

Distributeur de matériaux avec applicateur Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1243200B1
EP1243200B1 EP02009269A EP02009269A EP1243200B1 EP 1243200 B1 EP1243200 B1 EP 1243200B1 EP 02009269 A EP02009269 A EP 02009269A EP 02009269 A EP02009269 A EP 02009269A EP 1243200 B1 EP1243200 B1 EP 1243200B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
receptacle
applicator
housing member
inner member
dispenser
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP02009269A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1243200A2 (fr
EP1243200A3 (fr
Inventor
Thaddeus I. Kingsford
Michael Malvar
Volker Schrepf
Valerie Vieu
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.)
LOreal SA
Original Assignee
LOreal SA
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 LOreal SA filed Critical LOreal SA
Priority claimed from EP01420012A external-priority patent/EP1118286A3/fr
Publication of EP1243200A2 publication Critical patent/EP1243200A2/fr
Publication of EP1243200A3 publication Critical patent/EP1243200A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1243200B1 publication Critical patent/EP1243200B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • A45D33/00—Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling powdery toiletry or cosmetic substances
    • 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
    • A45D40/00—Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks
    • A45D40/26—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball

Definitions

  • This invention relates to dispensers for material which is in the form of a coherent body and is to be applied locally or topically to a selected area of a surface. More particularly, the invention relates to dispensers of the type described including a container for the coherent body and an applicator for transporting quantities of the material therefrom to the selected surface area to which the material is to be applied. In a still more specific sense, the invention is directed to portable, e.g. hand-held, dispensers in which the applicator is manipulable by the human hand.
  • material in the form of a coherent body refers to materials that are not in a free-flowing liquid state or condition, but are able to retain their shape as a contained mass or body in a tub or receptacle against gravitational force, though they may be relatively soft, pasty or otherwise pliable and are able to be picked up by an applicator drawn across a surface of the mass or body.
  • Non-limiting examples of such materials are lipsticks and like soft, pasty but semi-solid formulations, and compressed powders.
  • the invention embraces dispensers for a wide variety of products and uses, including, without limitation, materials employed in arts and crafts work for application to paper, wood, metal, plastic, etc., as well as therapeutic and cosmetic materials for application to the face or skin, e.g., lip colorants, eye shadows, blushes, concealers, mascaras, medical ointments and treatments, etc.
  • dispensers for a wide variety of products and uses, including, without limitation, materials employed in arts and crafts work for application to paper, wood, metal, plastic, etc., as well as therapeutic and cosmetic materials for application to the face or skin, e.g., lip colorants, eye shadows, blushes, concealers, mascaras, medical ointments and treatments, etc.
  • lip cosmetic products such as lip colorants.
  • the lipstick is a soft mass of a colorant in stick form applied to the lips. Because it is applied to the soft flesh of the lips, softness in the formulation is an important criterion. Various agents and emollients are added to the wax base to assure smooth and easy application.
  • the stick diameter commonly has a diameter of about one-half inch, although the diameter may vary to a greater or lesser extent. While some lipsticks are considerably smaller in diameter, they suffer the disadvantage of harder formulation and thus lose the efficacious and desirable attribute of the larger diameter. On the other hand, the larger diameter, though generally used and accepted, has the disadvantage of being difficult to clearly delineate the outer edges of the lips. While manufacturers mold a variety of stick forms with sharp edges and perimeters, these edges disappear quickly in use and the stick end becomes a rounded mound with no ability for sharp definition.
  • lip color applicator Another form of lip color applicator currently commercially available is the pencil, a small diameter lip colorant encased most commonly in wood but also in some instances in plastic or metal.
  • a disadvantage of the pencil is that (as in the case of stick-form lipstick) the tip quickly rounds off and loses its point in use.
  • the "lead" of the pencil is an exposed and unsupported body of cosmetics formula, the "lead” breaks easily and often, and it is most difficult to keep a point.
  • No successful sharpener has been devised to sharpen a soft formula encased in the hardness of wood or plastic; one or the other suffers, and most often it is the lip colorant, which breaks.
  • the formulation of the small diameter colorant has to be relatively hard (with reduced efficacy of application) to minimize breakage of the exposed and unsupported point.
  • no stick of a lip color can match the sharpness or precision of a brush.
  • the present invention in a first aspect broadly contemplates the provision of a dispenser according to claim 1.
  • Proximal and distal respectively refer to the ends of the dispenser adjacent and remote from a user's hand which is grasping the applicator unit while the applicator is seated in the well.
  • Manipulable applicator unit means a unit, typically including a handle as well as the applicator per se, that may be grasped and manipulated by the human hand or fingers for picking up, transporting and applying to a surface a quantity of material.
  • the container unit includes a housing member having a proximal portion and a distal portion.
  • the well may be formed in the proximal portion of the housing member.
  • the distal portion of the housing member may be hollow and may open through the distal end of the unit to constitute the cover, and, in such case, the receptacle may comprise a drawer slidable completely into and at least partially out of the hollow distal portion of the housing member through the distal end of the unit.
  • the distal portion of the housing member may have a side wall with a lateral opening formed therein.
  • the receptacle may be mounted in the distal portion of the housing member with its open side in register with the lateral opening, the cover being carried by the housing and manually moveable relative thereto.
  • the cover may be hingedly mounted on the housing member, or the cover may be a sleeve rotatably surrounding at least the distal portion of the housing member and having a lateral sleeve opening such that rotation of the sleeve moves the sleeve opening into and out of register with the lateral opening of the housing member.
  • the receptacle may be disposed within the hollow distal portion of the housing member (which, in this instance, constitutes the cover) so as to be manually rotatable relative thereto to move the open side of the receptacle into and out of register with the lateral opening of the housing member, the receptacle being provided with a manually graspable portion to enable manual rotation of the receptacle relative to the housing member.
  • the housing member again serves as the cover
  • the housing member has a generally cylindrical hollow interior extending between and opening through the proximal and distal ends of the unit, and the receptacle and well are respectively formed as distal and proximal portions of an integral elongated inner member inserted within and extending from end to end of the hollow interior, the housing member and the inner member having a common long axis and the inner member being rotatable relative to the housing member about the common long axis.
  • the applicator unit includes at least one projection disposed to engage the proximal portion of the inner member for rotating the inner member between positions in which the open side of the receptacle is respectively in and out of register with the lateral opening of the housing member.
  • This projection is a laterally projecting nib, and the proximal portion of the inner member may have a proximal edge formed with a notch or slot for receiving the nib.
  • two such nibs, and two cooperating notches or slots are provided, 180° apart.
  • each nib is dimensioned to project laterally outwardly of its associated inner member notch or slot when the applicator is inserted in the well; and the housing member has a proximal inner wall portion, surrounding the well, formed internally with a groove or ridge engageable with the nib or nibs for retaining the applicator in the well.
  • the housing member is formed internally with a helical groove or thread such that the applicator unit is secured to the housing member by threaded engagement when the applicator is inserted in the well, and the threaded engagement and disengagement of the applicator unit with the housing unit serve to rotate the inner member to close and open the receptacle by turning the open side wall of the receptacle respectively out of and into register with the lateral opening of the housing member.
  • the inner member and the housing member may have mutually engageable stop portions for arresting rotation of the inner member relative to the housing member at extremities of rotary position at which the open side wall of the receptacle is respectively entirely out of, and in, register with the lateral opening of the housing member.
  • the respective stop portions of the inner member and the housing member interengage with a click to releasably lock the inner member relative to the housing member at each of the aforesaid extremities of rotary position.
  • the cover and/or an externally visible portion of the receptacle may be transparent to enable viewing of cosmetic material contained in the receptacle.
  • the invention in certain of its aforementioned currently preferred embodiments specifically embraces dispensers for material which include a tubular and open-ended housing member having opposed proximal and distal extremities and a lateral opening; an inner member, including a receptacle having an open side for holding a body of material, disposed within the housing member for rotation relative thereto between positions in which the open side of the receptacle is respectively in and out of register with the lateral opening of the housing member; and a manipulable applicator unit, including an applicator for material, insertable in the proximal extremity of the housing member so as to seat removably therein; the applicator unit and the inner member having mutually engageable portions for transmitting rotary motion of the applicator unit to the inner member to rotate the inner member between the aforesaid positions when the applicator unit is at least partially inserted in the proximal end of the housing member.
  • the invention embraces a package of material comprising, in combination, the above-described dispenser and a coherent body of material contained in the receptacle.
  • the invention provides a single, portable, easily operable unit containing both a coherent body of material to be applied to a surface and an applicator for precise application of the material to a desired surface, wherein both the applicator and the contained material are shielded but readily accessible for use.
  • the unit is advantageously shaped and dimensioned to be small and portable, readily fitting in a user's purse or pocket.
  • the types of materials with which the dispenser of the invention may be employed include those which are capable of forming a coherent body as described above, and which are intended to be applied, typically in a more or less precise manner, to a selected and limited area or region of a surface, using an applicator manipulated by the human hand.
  • a further characteristic of such materials is that when the applicator is brought into moving, brushing or rubbing contact with an exposed surface of the coherent body, the applicator picks up a quantity of the material for transport and delivery to the selected surface region.
  • dispensers for lip colorant may also be used for other types of cosmetic materials, e.g., eye shadows, eye liners, brow liners, creams and compressed powders, as well as therapeutic or medicinal materials to be applied to a skin or body portion surface, and materials for application to nonliving substrates such as paper, wood, plastic, or metal, as in arts and crafts projects.
  • cosmetic materials e.g., eye shadows, eye liners, brow liners, creams and compressed powders
  • therapeutic or medicinal materials to be applied to a skin or body portion surface
  • nonliving substrates such as paper, wood, plastic, or metal, as in arts and crafts projects.
  • FIGS. 20-38 the embodiment there shown is a dispenser 110 constituted of a manipulable applicator unit 111 and a container unit 112.
  • the applicator unit includes a stem 114 having a generally cylindrical central portion 116, a hollow and open-ended cylindrical distal portion 118 of smaller diameter for holding the bristles of a brush 120, and a proximal head portion 122 to which is permanently mounted a handle or cap 124 to be grasped by the user.
  • the bristles of the brush are flexible synthetic fibers, generally parallel to each other, with free distal ends 126 and with their proximal portions inserted in the stem portion 118, in which they are anchored by glue at zone 128.
  • the stem and the cap 124 are molded plastic elements. As best seen in FIG. 21, a pair of short, transversely projecting nibs 130 are disposed 180° apart on the stem portion 116, being molded integrally with the stem.
  • the cap 124 of the applicator unit may include a distal skirt portion laterally surrounding and covering the region of the nibs in outwardly spaced relation thereto.
  • the skirt portion in such a modification, overlies the proximal end portion of the base cap when the applicator unit is seated on the container unit.
  • the container unit includes an elongated, axially rectilinear and substantially rigid outer housing member or base cap 132, also a unitary molded plastic element, having a generally cylindrical hollow interior 134 extending from the proximal end 134a to the distal end 134b thereof, and open at both ends. Within this interior 134 is disposed an inner member or insert 136, extending from end to end of the base cap, substantially coaxially therewith, and dimensioned to fit snugly in the base cap but to be easily rotatable about the long common axis of the base cap and inner member.
  • a transverse septum 138 divides the inner member into a proximal portion forming a well 140 opening endwise through the proximal extremity of member 136, and a distal portion forming a receptacle or pocket 142 having an open side 144.
  • the distal end 146 of the inner member 136 is closed and provided with an externally accessible, transverse tab 148.
  • the entire inner member may be an integral molded plastic element, but it is thinner-walled and somewhat more flexible than the rigid base cap 132.
  • An aluminum pan 150 containing a coherent body (not shown) of cosmetic material such as lip colorant, is stably seated in the pocket 142, with the exposed surface of the cosmetic material facing the open side of the pocket so as to be accessible to the exterior when the pocket or receptacle is open.
  • a coherent body such as lip colorant
  • An axially elongated lateral opening or window 152 is formed in the distal portion of the base cap 132, in position for register with the open side of the receptacle or pocket 142 when the inner member is rotated within the base cap to a first angular position.
  • the window 152 is entirely out of register with the open side of the pocket and is completely occluded by a continuous closed pocket-defining side wall of the inner member.
  • the angle of rotary displacement between fully open and fully closed positions may be designed to be any selected value within a range of about 30° to about 330°. In one currently preferred embodiment, this angle is 135°.
  • cooperating stop projections 154 and 156 may be respectively formed on the interior wall of the base cap and the outer wall of the insert 136 to engage each other for limiting the extent of rotation of the insert, relative to the base cap, to the aforementioned first and second angular positions. This effectively locks the receptacle or pocket at either of the two positions, at which the pocket is respectively open and closed, as selected by the user.
  • the respective stop projections 154 and 156 of the base cap and the insert interengage with a sensible click to releasably lock the inner member relative to the housing member at each of the two extremities of rotary position.
  • the user can feel and/or hear the click, being thereby assured that the desired locked position has been attained.
  • the projection 154 is an axially oriented rib
  • the projections 156 constitute two pairs of short, parallel, axially oriented ribs respectively positioned to snap or click into locking engagement with projection 154 at the locations at which the pocket is fully open and fully closed, i.e., completely in and completely out of register with the window 152.
  • the proximal extremity of the insert 136 is formed with a pair of L-shaped notches or slots 158, 180° apart, for respectively receiving the two nibs 130 of the applicator stem when the applicator is inserted in the well 140.
  • the inner wall of the hollow interior of the base cap, adjacent the proximal end thereof, has a helical groove or thread 160 also arranged to receive the nibs of the applicator unit. This thread is offset slightly inwardly from the proximal rim of the base cap as indicated at 162 in FIGS. 24 and 26.
  • FIG. 24 indicates, in phantom outline, the position of a nib 130 entering the thread 160.
  • the nibs are so dimensioned that, when the applicator stem is inserted into the well 140 (coaxially with the base cap), brush end first, the nibs 130 enter and engage the slots 158 of the inner member 136 and project transversely outwardly beyond the wall of the inner member so as to enter the thread 160. Consequently, the user must rotate the applicator unit to insert it threadingly into the proximal end of the container unit, and this rotation serves to rotate the inner member 136, turning the pocket 142 from open to closed position relative to the window 142.
  • the threaded engagement of the nibs with the helical groove seats the applicator securely in the proximal end of the base cap, with the brush shielded by the well.
  • the hollow interior of the base cap flares at the distal end, and is somewhat constricted at the beginning of the thread 160 just inwardly of the proximal end, of the container unit.
  • Outwardly projecting annular flanges formed on the exterior of the inner member 136 interfere with these features of the base cap to prevent axial dislodgment of the inner member from the base cap, although the flexibility of the inner member is sufficient to enable its initial insertion in the base cap.
  • FIGS. 32-38 differs from that of FIGS. 20-31 only with respect to the structures of the proximal ends of the base cap and inner member that engage the applicator stem, and the consequent cooperation of these elements with the applicator in rotating the pocket between open and closed positions and in retaining the inserted applicator in the well.
  • the applicator unit in this embodiment including the stem and nibs, may be identical to that shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 and described above.
  • the base cap 132a and the inner member 136a of the embodiment of FIGS. 32-38 may likewise be identical to the corresponding elements 132 and 136 of the embodiment of FIGS.
  • the inner member 132a of FIGS. 32-38 has a pair of diametrically opposed, distally tapering notches 164 formed in its peripheral extremity, into which the nibs 130 are introduced as the applicator is inserted into the well.
  • a pair of axially extending, distally tapering grooves 166 are formed, also 180° apart, at the proximal end 134a of the hollow interior wall of the base cap 132, leading to an annular ledge 168 within the interior of the proximal portion of the base cap. The entry ends of these grooves are offset inwardly from the proximal end of the base cap as indicated at 170.
  • the pocket 142 When the pocket 142 has its open side 144 in register with the window 152 of the base cap 132a, the notches 164 are in register with the grooves 166.
  • the applicator is inserted into the well 140 with the nibs 130 respectively oriented to enter these aligned notches and grooves, the nibs being dimensioned to project outwardly beyond the notches and into the grooves.
  • the applicator is inserted to its maximum depth in well 140 by straight axially directed movement, with no turning, guided by the notches and grooves. As it reaches the maximum depth, the nibs pass inwardly of (distally beyond) annular ledge 168, enabling the applicator to rotate.
  • Such rotation by engagement of the nibs with the edges of the notches 164, rotates the inner member 136a to turn the pocket to the closed position, at which its open side is entirely out of register with the window 152 and the wall of base cap 132a completely covers the open side of the pocket.
  • Such rotation also turns the nibs out of register with the grooves so that the ledge 168, engaging the nibs, holds the applicator against removal from the well until it is rotated back into a position at which the nibs are in register with the grooves, again opening the pocket; the applicator may then be pulled straight out of the proximal end of the base cap to free it for use.
  • FIGS. 20-31 and 32-38 The structure and operation of the two embodiments of the invention respectively shown in FIGS. 20-31 and 32-38 may be further elucidated by the following comparative description:
  • the two dispensers are similar to each other in that both have a stem 114 that is used to close a window 152; the window covers a pocket 142, or pan 150, which contains the cosmetic product; and the stem and cap 124 may be the same for both.
  • the differences are in the base cap 132, 132a and base insert (inner member 136, 136a).
  • FIGS. 20-31 has a helical groove 160 (hence, it may be termed the threaded version), but that of FIGS. 32-38 (termed the straight-pull version) does not. Removing the helical groove changes the kinematics of the package; the closure action is different.
  • the two actions are linked (actions are kinematically dependent), and in the straight-pull version, the two actions are separate (kinematically independent).
  • the stem travels axially at the same time that it rotates until it is fully inserted in the locked rotational position (the window closes along with it).
  • the nibs 130 on the stem travel in a spiral, along the helical grooves (thread 160 ) on the base cap.
  • the nibs also travel along the slots 158 of the base insert 136.
  • the pocket open side 144 in the base insert is aligned with the window 152 on the base cap and the stem and cap assembly 111 are separate from the base cap and base insert assembly 112.
  • the stem As the stem is inserted into the base cap, the helix forces the stem to rotate. As the stem rotates, it forces the pocket in the base insert to rotate away from alignment with the window on the base insert, thereby closing the window.
  • the stem 114 is first fully inserted in the well 140, and then, the stem is rotated into the locked position (the window does not start to close until the stem rotates).
  • the nibs 130 on the stem travel axially, along the tapered grooves 166 in the base cap 132a. Once the nibs pass the far end of the groove, the nibs travel rotationally. The nibs also travel along the grooves 164 of the base insert 136a.
  • the taper of the grooves forces the nibs into the starting rotational position.
  • the stem is limited to rotational movement.
  • the stem rotates, it forces the pocket 142 in the base insert 136a to rotate away from alignment with the window 152 on the base insert.
  • the pocket open side 144 rotates from open, locked position to closed, locked position.
  • the stem 114 is the driving force that closes and opens the window (i.e., moves the open side 144 of pocket 142 out of and back into register with window 152 of base cap 132 or 132a ), by rotating the base insert 136 or 136a.
  • the window can be closed without the use of the stem, or without fully inserting the stem.
  • the window can be in the closed position while the applicator unit 111, including stem 114, remains unassembled with the container unit 112.
  • the tab 148 at the distal end 146 of the base insert 136 or 136a can be used to rotate the insert and thus open and close the window, without using the stem.
  • the stem nibs 130 can also ride along a recess at the open proximal end of the base cap, such recess being indicated at 162 in FIG. 24 and at 170 in FIG. 35 as described above, engaging and rotating the base insert 136 or 136a to close the window, yet remain separate from the container unit assembly.
  • the nibs 130 are shallow enough and flexible enough to jump the threaded grooves.
  • the stem 114 can be inserted into the well 140 after the window is in closed position.
  • the straight pull version permits addition of more features to the locking mechanism, if desired (see locking lug 154a on the base cap drawing of the straight-pull version) .
  • the straight pull version also permits provision of a locking mechanism that directly links the base cap to the stem, whereas, in the threaded version, the locking mechanism acts indirectly on the stem; i.e., the base cap prevents the base insert from turning, which stops the stem. That is to say, in addition to the locking engagement between lugs or ribs 156a on the insert and lug or rib 154a on the inner wall of the base cap (described above with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 20-31), the rib 154a may be extended in the proximal direction to engage, and serve as a stop for, the nibs 130.
  • FIGS. 43, 47-48C, and 49 Three further illustrative embodiments of the invention are respectively shown in FIGS. 43, 47-48C, and 49.
  • the opening and/or closing and locking of the receptacle or pocket is effected by manipulation of the applicator unit, but the receptacle does not rotate relative to an enclosing sheath or sleeve; instead, opening and closing is effected by axially directed translational movement.
  • the receptacle be refillable with the material (e.g. cosmetic) to be applied so that the consumer does not need to buy a complete dispenser device each time the supply of material in the receptacle is exhausted; arrangements for providing refills are specifically described with reference to the fiat of the following embodiments.
  • the pan 150 can be removable from the pocket 242 to enable replacement of an empty pan with a fresh pan 150 filled with the cosmetic or other material to be dispensed, i.e., a refill pan.
  • a slot 261 is formed in the bottom of the pocket, to enable a suitable ejector tool 263 (FIG. 43) to be inserted for forcing the pan 150 up and out of the pocket. Any appropriately dimensioned rigid blade or fin can serve as the ejector tool.
  • the pan 150 itself (FIGS. 44A-44C ) is an elongated rectangular shell, open at the top, fabricated of aluminum and dimensioned to fit snugly within the pocket 242.
  • the top end edges of the pan may be formed with small projecting burrs 265 to engage the plastic material of the end walls of the pocket and thereby to anchor the pan in the pocket, yet to permit ejection of the pan by means of the tool 263 for refilling the dispenser.
  • a pan 150a may be divided into two compartments by a partition 267, e.g. for holding two different cosmetic materials to be applied.
  • the pan may be further divided into additional compartments;
  • FIGS. 46A and 46B illustrate a pan 150b divided into three compartments by transverse partition 268 and longitudinal partition 269.
  • the dispenser 310 of this embodiment includes an applicator unit 311 and a container unit 312.
  • the applicator unit has a central stem 314 bearing, at its distal end, an applicator 320, and secured at its proximal end to an applicator cap 324.
  • the container unit includes an elongated, hollow, cylindrical base cap 332 open at its proximal end, and an inner member 336 of generally cylindrical configuration, insertable within and substantially coextensive in length with the base cap.
  • the base cap in this and other embodiments (such as, without limitation, those of FIGS. 20 and 39), does not necessarily have to be the same length as the base insert; the base cap need only be long enough to cover the full length of the lateral opening of the pocket and thus may, for example, be only about half the length of the base insert.
  • the base cap and inner member correspond respectively to the base cap and inner member or insert of the embodiment of FIGS. 39-42.
  • the inner member 336 is divided by a transverse septum 338 into a well 340 opening through the proximal end of the inner member, and a laterally opening receptacle or pocket 342 in the distal portion of the inner member for holding a coherent body of material to be applied.
  • the inner member 336 is slidable axially relative to the base cap 332 through the open proximal end 334a of the base cap, between a fully inserted or closed position (FIG. 48A) in which only a short proximal end portion 345 of the inner member projects outwardly beyond the base cap, and an open position (FIGS. 47, 48B and 48C) in which the pocket 342 is disposed within the proximal portion of the base cap.
  • a laterally opening window 352 is formed in the side wall of the proximal portion of the base cap for register with the open side of the pocket 342 when the inner member 336 is in the latter, open position, thereby to provide external access to the material contained within the pocket.
  • Longitudinal grooves 354 are formed 180° apart in the inner wall of the base cap, for receiving nibs or lugs 356 formed 180° apart on the outer wall of the inner member 336.
  • the insertion of the lugs in the grooves 354 prevents rotation of the inner member relative to the base cap; in addition, the grooves terminate within the base cap at locations selected to serve as stops for engaging the lugs to arrest the longitudinal travel of the inner member at fully retracted and fully extended positions.
  • the material of the inner member is sufficiently flexible to permit insertion of the inner member into the base cap until the lugs seat in the grooves, during initial assembly of the dispenser.
  • the proximal end 345 of the inner member 336 bears an external thread 358.
  • the cap 324 of the applicator unit terminates distally in an internally threaded skirt 361 concentrically surrounding the stem 314 in spaced relation thereto.
  • the internal thread of applicator cap skirt 361 engages the external thread 358 of inner member 336 when the dispenser is fully assembled and closed as shown in FIG. 48A.
  • the pocket 342 In closed condition, the pocket 342 is disposed within and enclosed by the side wall of the distal portion of the base cap 332, which thus serves as a cover to shield the contents of the pocket.
  • the applicator is disposed within and shielded by the well 340, being stably held therein by the threaded engagement of the applicator cap with the inner member.
  • the applicator is pulled manually away from the base cap, drawing the inner member 336 with it (because of the aforesaid threaded engagement) until the open side of the pocket comes into register with the window 352 to expose the material contained in the pocket.
  • the applicator cap is then unscrewed from the inner member to detach the applicator for use; the pocket remains in alignment with the window, since the inner member is held against rotation by the lugs 356 and grooves 354. slide axially between a distal position in which it covers and closes the window 452, and a proximal position in which it is clear of the window.
  • a helical spring 457 located within the inner sleeve and under compression between the proximal end 459 of the inner sleeve and a transverse bearing face 460 secured to sleeve 432, biases the inner sleeve to the proximal (window open) position.
  • the stem 414 projects within the proximal portion of the interior of the outer sleeve, which serves as a well to shield the applicator.
  • a portion of the stem 414 bears against the proximal end 459 of the inner sleeve 455 (which has a central hole to accommodate the applicator) and pushes the inner sleeve into its distal (window closed) position against the force of the spring 457, thereby shielding the contents of the pan.
  • the inner sleeve is released, and the spring moves it to the window-open position.
  • FIGS. 50A-53B An exemplary but non-limiting selection of types of applicator suitable for inclusion in the dispensers of the invention is shown in FIGS. 50A-53B.
  • the applicator may be a brush 501, as illustrated in FIGS. 50A-50C, constituted of a parallel array of synthetic fibers 502 held by adhesive 504 in an aluminum sleeve 506, which may be secured to the stem of an applicator unit.
  • Another applicator, shown in FIG. 51 is a body of fine pore, open-cell polyester/polyurethane sponge 508 mounted on a shaft 510.
  • FIGS. 53A-53C includes a molded elastomer tip 512 having a distal end formed with a shallow cup 514, which may be oriented at an oblique angle to the stem 516; this type of applicator is described in copending U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/151,526, filed August 30, 1999.
  • FIGS. 54 illustrate one embodiment of the dispenser of the invention having an inner member generally as described with reference to FIGS. 20-48 above, and a base cap with an axial length which is only about half that of the inner member.
  • the base cap 532 is rotatably mounted in surrounding relation to the distal portion of the inner member 536, which includes a laterally open pocket 542 for material to be dispensed.
  • Base cap 532 has a window 552 for register with the opening of pocket 536, so that rotation of the base cap relative to the inner member turns the base cap between positions in which it closes and opens the pocket.
  • the applicator unit 611 is shown as having caps 624 with skirt portions 624a that laterally surround and outwardly overlie nibs (not shown) corresponding to nibs 130 of applicator unit 111 described above.
  • a unitary dispenser sized to be conveniently carried in a purse or pocket, includes a coherent body of cosmetic material (e.g. lip colorant), a brush for precisely applying the material to a selected region of a user's face, and structure for fully enclosing both the brush and the cosmetic material to shield them (and to prevent them from marking or staining clothing or other objects) between applications of the material.
  • the brush is securely but removably received within a well, and the receptacle/reservoir containing the cosmetic material is securely but openably covered.
  • the user manually removes the brush from the well, manually opens the receptacle/reservoir, picks up cosmetic material therefrom, and applies it to a selected facial region.
  • the receptacle is closed, the brush is returned to its well, and the dispenser may be returned to pocket or purse.

Landscapes

  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Brushes (AREA)

Claims (20)

  1. Distributeur (110) pour une matière qui est sous la forme d'un corps cohérent et qui doit être appliquée sur une surface, comprenant :
    (a) un ensemble applicateur manipulable (111) comprenant un applicateur pour la matière ; et
    (b) un ensemble récipient de matière (112) ayant une extrémité proximale (134a) et une extrémité distale (134b) et constituant un ensemble comprenant :
    (i) une cavité (140), s'ouvrant à travers l'extrémité proximale de l'ensemble récipient de matière (112), l'applicateur étant insérable de manière amovible, afin de pouvoir ranger et protéger l'applicateur ;
    (ii) un réceptacle (142) avec un côté ouvert (144), disposé distalement par rapport à la cavité et s'ouvrant latéralement par rapport à l'ensemble récipient de matière (112), pour contenir un corps cohérent de la matière ;
    (iii) un couvercle (132) manuellement amovible par rapport au réceptacle pour ouvrir et fermer le réceptacle, le réceptacle, quand il est ouvert, fournissant l'accès pour permettre à l'applicateur d'être mis en contact avec la matière du corps cohérent,
    caractérisé en ce qu'une ouverture latérale (152) est formée dans le couvercle entre les extrémités proximale et distale du couvercle, l'ouverture et la fermeture du réceptacle se produisant en réponse (130, 158, 160) à une manipulation de l'ensemble applicateur (111).
  2. Distributeur selon la revendication 1, l'un parmi le réceptacle et le couvercle (132) étant engageable avec l'ensemble applicateur et étant ainsi mobile par rapport à l'autre parmi le réceptacle et le couvercle (132), de façon à ce que le réceptacle soit ouvert et fermé par la manipulation de l'ensemble applicateur.
  3. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2, l'applicateur ayant une poignée pouvant être saisie manuellement (124) qui fait saillie vers l'extérieur de la cavité lorsque l'applicateur est inséré dans la cavité.
  4. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, l'ensemble récipient comprenant un élément logement (132) ayant une portion proximale et une portion distale, la portion distale étant creuse, et l'élément logement ayant un intérieur creux généralement cylindrique (134) s'étendant entre les extrémités proximale et distale (134a, 134b) de l'ensemble et s'ouvrant à travers elles, l'ouverture latérale étant formée dans une paroi latérale de ladite portion distale.
  5. Distributeur selon la revendication 4, le réceptacle étant disposé à l'intérieur de ladite portion distale de façon à pouvoir être tourné manuellement par rapport à celle-ci pour faire bouger le côté ouvert du réceptacle afin de le mettre dans une position de correspondance et de non correspondance avec l'ouverture latérale de l'élément logement.
  6. Distributeur selon la revendication 4 ou 5, le réceptacle et la cavité étant formés respectivement comme les portions distale et proximale d'un élément interne allongé solidaire (136) inséré à l'intérieur dudit intérieur creux et s'étendant d'une extrémité à l'autre de celui-ci, l'élément logement et l'élément interne ayant un axe long commun et l'élément interne pouvant être tourné par rapport à l'élément logement autour dudit axe long commun.
  7. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 6, l'ensemble applicateur comportant au moins une saillie (130) disposée de façon à s'engager avec la portion proximale de l'élément interne afin de tourner l'élément interne entre des positions dans lesquelles le côté ouvert du réceptacle est respectivement dans une position de correspondance et de non correspondance avec l'ouverture latérale de l'élément logement.
  8. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 7, ladite saillie étant un ergot (130) faisant saillie latéralement, et ladite portion proximale de l'élément interne ayant un bord proximal formé avec une encoche ou une fente (158) pour recevoir ledit ergot.
  9. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 8, ledit ergot étant dimensionné de façon à faire saillie latéralement vers l'extérieur de ladite encoche ou fente de l'élément interne lorsque l'applicateur est inséré dans la cavité, et l'élément logement ayant une portion paroi interne proximale, entourant la cavité, formée à l'intérieur avec une gorge ou une nervure (160) engageable avec l'ergot pour retenir l'applicateur dans la cavité.
  10. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 8, ledit élément logement étant formé à l'intérieur avec une gorge ou un filet hélicoïdal (160) de façon à ce que l'ensemble applicateur soit fixé à l'élément logement par un engagement au moyen d'un filetage lorsque l'applicateur est inséré dans la cavité, et l'engagement, au moyen d'un filetage, de l'ensemble applicateur avec l'ensemble logement et son dégagement de celui-ci faisant tourner l'élément interne de façon à fermer et à ouvrir le réceptacle en tournant la paroi latérale ouverte du réceptacle respectivement dans une position de correspondance et de non correspondance avec l'ouverture latérale de l'élément logement.
  11. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 9, l'élément interne et l'élément logement ayant des portions de butée engageables mutuellement (154, 156) pour arrêter la rotation de l'élément interne par rapport à l'élément logement aux extrémités d'une position de rotation à laquelle la paroi latérale ouverte du réceptacle est respectivement entièrement dans une position de non correspondance, et dans une position de correspondance, avec l'ouverture latérale de l'élément logement.
  12. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 11, les portions de butée respectives de l'élément interne et de l'élément logement s'engageant mutuellement avec un clic de façon à bloquer l'élément interne de façon amovible par rapport à l'élément logement à chacune desdites extrémités de la position de rotation.
  13. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12, un parmi le réceptacle et le couvercle étant engageable par l'ensemble applicateur pour fixer de manière amovible le réceptacle et le couvercle dans un état fermé.
  14. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 13, le couvercle comprenant un élément logement à l'intérieur duquel le réceptacle est disposé et qui peut être déplacé dans un mouvement de translation entre des positions ouverte et fermée.
  15. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 14, le côté ouvert du réceptacle pouvant être déplacé entre des positions respectivement à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur de l'élément logement, la cavité étant formée solidairement avec le réceptacle, et l'ensemble applicateur étant engageable avec la cavité.
  16. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 14, l'élément logement ayant une portion proximale formée avec une fenêtre latérale, la cavité étant formée solidairement avec le réceptacle, et l'ensemble applicateur s'engageant, au moyen d'un filetage, avec la cavité de façon à bouger le réceptacle axialement entre des positions dans lesquelles le côté ouvert du réceptacle est respectivement dans une position de correspondance et de non correspondance avec la fenêtre.
  17. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 4, le couvercle comprenant ledit élément logement, le réceptacle étant disposé à l'intérieur de l'élément logement et étant déplaçable dans un mouvement de translation entre des positions ouverte et fermée.
  18. Distributeur tel que défini dans la revendication 6, l'ensemble applicateur et l'élément interne ayant des portions engageables mutuellement (130, 158) pour transmettre un mouvement de rotation de l'ensemble applicateur à l'élément interne afin de faire tourner l'élément interne entre les positions ouverte et fermée lorsque l'ensemble applicateur est au moins partiellement inséré dans l'extrémité proximale de l'élément logement.
  19. Emballage cosmétique comprenant un distributeur tel que défini dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 18 et un corps cohérent de matière disposé dans le réceptacle de celui-ci.
  20. Emballage cosmétique tel que défini dans la revendication 19, ladite matière étant une matière cosmétique tels qu'un produit cosmétique pour lèvres, une ombre à paupières, un fard à joues, un cache-cernes, ou un mascara.
EP02009269A 2000-01-21 2001-01-18 Distributeur de matériaux avec applicateur Expired - Lifetime EP1243200B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17772600P 2000-01-21 2000-01-21
US177726 2000-01-21
US19089200P 2000-03-21 2000-03-21
US190892P 2000-03-21
EP01420012A EP1118286A3 (fr) 2000-01-21 2001-01-18 Distributeur de matériaux avec applicateur

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01420012A Division EP1118286A3 (fr) 2000-01-21 2001-01-18 Distributeur de matériaux avec applicateur

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1243200A2 EP1243200A2 (fr) 2002-09-25
EP1243200A3 EP1243200A3 (fr) 2003-11-05
EP1243200B1 true EP1243200B1 (fr) 2007-01-24

Family

ID=27224396

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02009269A Expired - Lifetime EP1243200B1 (fr) 2000-01-21 2001-01-18 Distributeur de matériaux avec applicateur

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1243200B1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2900549B1 (fr) * 2006-05-02 2008-09-12 Oreal Ensemble de conditionnement et d'application

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4579133A (en) * 1983-04-14 1986-04-01 Revlon, Inc. Cosmetic compact with extendable applicator
US4777969A (en) * 1985-11-26 1988-10-18 Risdon Corporation Rotational cosmetic compact
US4726387A (en) * 1986-09-26 1988-02-23 Pfizer Inc. Cosmetic case and applicator
US5135112A (en) * 1990-07-05 1992-08-04 Melvin Kamen Cosmetic compact case with telescopic cover and removable applicator
FR2759872B1 (fr) * 1997-02-21 1999-03-26 Oreal Ensemble de conditionnement et d'application d'un produit de maquillage de fibres keratiniques

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1243200A2 (fr) 2002-09-25
EP1243200A3 (fr) 2003-11-05

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