FR3019719A1 - PRESSURE TYPE DISTRIBUTOR CONTAINER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a press-type dispensing container, comprising an outer housing including a hollow tube portion defining an open end and a compressible region, and an inner member including a support portion configured to support a body care product; the inner member is contained within the outer casing and is configured to migrate toward the open end when the compressible region of the outer casing is compressed by a user.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dispensing container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a squeeze-type dispensing container for solid, semisolid or wax-like personal care products.

BACKGROUND Existing packaging or containers for solid, semi-solid or wax-like personal care products (eg, lipstick, deodorants, and the like) are used by opening the cap and rotating the lid. packaging to lower or mount the product. Such articles typically include a cylindrical package which is operated by rotating an outer body. Since the formulation of the product is usually a soft material, it is required that the product protrudes as little as possible out of the package to prevent breakage of the product when applied. Because of this limitation, traditional packaging includes complicated parts and complicated assemblies. Improvements facilitating the use and reducing costs for such packaging are being sought. Also, personal care products tend to be softer in composition and require airtight packaging to allow for such changes, which is difficult for existing packages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION DISCLOSED In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, there is provided a pressure type dispensing container, comprising: an outer housing including a hollow tube portion defining an open end and a compressible region; an inner member including a support portion configured to support a body care product and move with the hollow tube portion; compression of the compressible region causing the support portion to move within the hollow tube portion toward the open end. Typically, the dispenser container comprises a drive member positioned between the support portion and the compressible region of the outer housing, the drive member being engaged to cause the support portion to move within the portion of the housing. hollow tube towards the open end. The open end and the compressible region are generally at opposite ends.

The inner member is generally positioned within the hollow tube portion of the outer housing. In at least one embodiment, the hollow tube portion is configured to receive a cap or a lid.

In at least one embodiment, the dispenser container further comprises a personal care product in contact with the support portion.

In at least one embodiment, the personal care product is selected from the group consisting of cosmetic, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical compositions.

In at least one embodiment, the personal care product comprises a cosmetic composition selected from the group consisting of lipstick, lip balm, rouge, foundation, eye shadow, concealer, pencil. eyeliner ", lip pencil, deodorant, soap, perfume and sunscreen compositions.

In at least one embodiment, wherein the personal care product comprises a pharmaceutical composition. In at least one embodiment, wherein the personal care product comprises a cosmetic composition.

In at least one embodiment, the drive member comprises a flexible or resilient material. In at least one embodiment, the flexible or elastic material is selected from the group consisting of crosslinked latex rubber, crosslinked synthetic elastomers, uncrosslinked synthetic elastomers, natural rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, PVC, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, latex rubber, synthetic latex rubber, and polyolefins.

In at least one embodiment, the inner member includes a flexible portion. Preferably, this flexible portion is hollow and extends from the support portion to define a chamber and the flexible or elastic material is positioned inside the chamber. In at least one embodiment, the drive element comprises a fluid. In at least one embodiment, the inner member includes a flexible portion extending from the support portion to define a chamber and the fluid is positioned within the chamber.

In yet another embodiment, the inner member further includes a fluid and a seal component. In at least one embodiment, the sealing component is disposed within the body portion of the outer housing. The support portion provides a fluid seal against an inner surface of the hollow tube portion such that the fluid is sealed.

In at least one embodiment, the inner member further includes a rigid material and a spring. In at least one embodiment, the spring is disposed within the tube portion of the outer housing.

In at least one embodiment, the drive member comprises a rigid material having opposite tapered sides. In at least one embodiment, the tapered sides are aligned with the compressible region. In at least one embodiment, a spring is disposed between the outer casing and the inner member so that it urges the inner member away from the open end.

In at least one embodiment, the hollow tube portion and the compressible region are fabricated as separate components that are connected to each other to form the outer housing.

Brief Description of the Drawings The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given herein. below, serve to explain the characteristics of the invention. In these drawings: Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a press type dispenser container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a cap positioned thereon; Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the container of Fig. 1; Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2A illustrating the press-type dispensing container in a compressed condition and in which the cap is removed; Figs. 3A and 3B are side views and cross-sectional views similar to Figs. 2A and 2B, respectively, of a press-type dispensing container according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention; Figs. 4A and 4B are side views and cross sectional views similar to Figs. 2A and 2B, respectively, of a press-type dispensing container in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention; Figs. 5A-C are cross-sectional views of a cap-less type dispenser container according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrating the sequential operation of the dispenser; and Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a press type dispenser container in accordance with another example of a similar embodiment to the press type dispenser container of Figs. 5A-C.

Detailed Description The squeeze type dispensing container described herein extends the use of a tube type package to solid, semi-solid or wax-like compositions. Until now, tube type packaging has been limited to the liquid dispenser. The container described herein provides product dispenser and storage functions via a simplified form design that utilizes a minimum number of parts. In some embodiments, an airtight storage is also provided. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate similar elements in all the figures. As used in this document, the singular forms "one", "one", "the" and "the" include references to the plural unless the context clearly requires another interpretation. Unless otherwise defined, all of the technical and scientific terms used here have the same meanings as those commonly understood by ordinary people. As used herein, the term "comprising" means "including, but not limited to". As used herein, the term "personal care product" includes, but is not limited to, cosmetic, pharmaceutical (eg dermatological) or cosmeceutical compositions in solid, semisolid or wax-like form. Cosmetic products include preparations that can be applied to the body of a user for the purpose of changing the quality or appearance of an application site. Examples of cosmetic products include, but are not limited to: lipstick, lip balm, rouge, foundation, eyeshadow, concealer, eyeliner pencil, lip pencil, deodorant, soap, perfumes and sunscreen compositions. Pharmaceuticals include compositions that can be applied to a user's body for the purpose of ameliorating a disease or condition (eg, dermatological) of the user.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B, a dispensing container 10 of the press type will be described in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The container 10 includes an outer housing 20 which defines a hollow tube portion 26 and a compressible region 26. The hollow tube portion 26 includes an opening 22 through the end opposite the compressible region 24. A shoulder 25 may be defined in the outer housing 20 such that it defines a seat for the optional cap 50.

An inner member 30 is positioned in the outer housing 20 and includes a support portion 32 that is configured to support a personal care product 40, such that the product 40 may be stored within the container 10 or dispensed to The support portion 32 of the inner component 30 may be configured to support a personal care product 40 of any desired shape. In one embodiment, when the personal care product 40 is in the form of a stick, examples of shapes for the cross section of the stick include, but are not limited to: round, square, rectangular, oval, elliptical shapes , hexagonal and triangular. The hollow tube portion 26 preferably has an internal shape which is complementary to the shape of the support portion 32 for guided movement of the support portion 32 within the hollow tube portion 26. As shown in FIG. illustrated, the aperture 22 has an inside diameter equal to or greater than the outside diameter of the support portion 32, so that the support portion 32 can extend at least partially through the aperture 22. As a variant, the aperture 22 may have a smaller inside diameter so as to act as a stop and prevent the passage of the support portion 32 therethrough.

In the present embodiment, the inner member 30 also includes a flexible portion 34 which defines a chamber 35 below the support portion 32. When the inner member 30 is positioned within the outer housing 20, the flexible portion 34 is positioned at least partially in and partially aligned with the compressible region 24 of the outer housing 20. Inside the chamber 35 is provided a drive member 36 which is, in the present embodiment, flexible or elastic material. More specifically, the flexible or elastic material is a material of which at least a portion: (a) is capable of migrating or spreading when another portion of the material is compressed and (b) is capable of retracting to its state of being origin when the compression force is reduced or stopped. Any material that meets this description will be appropriate. Examples of materials include, but are not limited to, gel-like or non-gel elastomers and / or elastomers of greater hardness. Preferred materials include crosslinked latex rubber, crosslinked and uncrosslinked synthetic elastomers of many types (SANTOPRÈNETM of any grade, KRATON Tm of any grade, SEPTON Tm of any grade, isoprene, butadiene, silicone rubber, thermosetting or thermoplastic polyurethane, and many others), natural rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, PVC, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, latex rubber, synthetic latex rubber, polyolefins, or any other flexible or elastic material.

While the compressible drive member 36 of the present embodiment is illustrated within the flexible portion 34, it is also contemplated to be able to remove the flexible portion 34 and the flexible or resilient material from the element. drive 36 can simply be positioned inside the flexible portion 24 of the outer casing 20 and in contact with the non-bearing surface of the support portion 32. Such a flexible or elastic material could be formed independently of the support portion 32 or integrally with it.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the product 40 is dispensed by compressing the compressible region 24 of the outer housing 20, for example by crushing or pinching it, which in turn compresses the drive member 36, causing a portion of the flexible or elastic material to migrate to the uncompressed area within the tube portion 26 of the outer housing 20.

The migration of the flexible or elastic material causes the support portion 32 towards the opening 22 in the outer housing 20, which in turn pushes the product 40 out of the opening 22. When the user reduces or stops applying a compressive force to the compressible region 24, the inner component 30 returns to its original state and the product 40 is retracted back into the hollow tube portion 26. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, there will be described a 10 'pressing type dispensing container in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The press-type dispenser 10 'is substantially the same as in the previous embodiment, except that the drive member 36' is a fluid instead of being a flexible or resilient material. The fluid is contained within the chamber 35. Examples of fluid that define the drive member 36 'of the present embodiment may include gases (e.g., air) or liquids (e.g. aqueous or non-aqueous liquids). Preferred fluids include air or water. In all other respects, the press-type dispenser 10 'operates in a manner similar to that described with respect to the first exemplary embodiment.

Referring to Figs. 4A and 4B, a 10 "pressing type dispensing container will be described in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention.The present embodiment is similar to the previous embodiments and includes an outer housing 20 with a hollow tube portion 26 defining an open end 22 and a compressible region 24. In the present embodiment, the inner member 30 "does not include a flexible portion, but includes only the portion The support portion 32 "is configured to sealingly engage an inner surface 27 of the hollow tube portion 26, such that a fluid-tight chamber 35" is defined between the inner member 30 ". and the outer casing 20. In the present embodiment, the driving member 36 "is a fluid similar to the previous embodiment.The sealing interaction between the support portion 32 "and the inner surface 27 prevents the fluid from leaking out of the container 10" when the container 10 "is in a storage situation or when the compressible region 24 is compressed. In all other respects, the 10 "squeeze-type dispensing container operates in a manner similar to that described with respect to the previous embodiments of the embodiments, with reference to FIGS. describe a 10 "pressing type dispensing container in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The container 10 "'again includes an outer housing 20 with a hollow tube portion 26 defining an open end 22 and a compressible region 24. The inner member 30"' is positioned within the outer housing 20 and includes a support portion 32 "'and a drive member 36"'. The support portion 32 "'is again configured to support a personal care product 40 of any desired shape In the present embodiment, the drive member 36"' is a rigid material with opposite tapered sides 37 such that the driving member 36 "'will cause the inner member 30' 'to migrate (eg slide) toward the opening 22 of the tube portion 26 when the compressible region 24 of the outer housing 20 is compressed. Such a movement is progressively illustrated in FIGS. 5A-C. To ensure the return of the inner member 30 '' when releasing the compressive force, a spring 60 is positioned within the tube portion 26 between an inner shoulder 29 defined adjacent the opening 22 and a shoulder 39 defined between the support portion 32 "'and the drive member 36"' The spring 60 is compressed as the inner component 30 "'migrates to or into the tube portion 26 (FIGS. and 5C) and expands to its original state when the compressive force is reduced or relaxed (Fig. 5A). Expansion of the spring 60 in this manner causes the product 40 to be retracted back into the tube portion 26 for storage.

While the support portion 32 "'and the drive member 36"' are illustrated as an integral component, it is contemplated that they may be formed as separate components. In such an embodiment, the shoulder 39 could be defined in the support portion alone.

Referring to Fig. 6, a 10iv press-type dispensing container will be described in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The container 10iv is substantially the same as in the previous embodiment, except that the outer casing is formed of two separate pieces, namely the hollow tube portion 26iv and the compressible region 24iv, which are interconnected with each other. The inner member 30 "'' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '

While the invention has been described with emphasis on preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations in preferred compositions and methods can be utilized. It is to be understood that the invention may be practiced in a manner other than that specifically described herein. Thus, this invention includes all modifications encompassed by the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in this application.

Claims (16)

REVENDICATIONS1. A press type dispenser container comprising: an outer housing (20) including a hollow tube portion (26) defining an open end (22) and a compressible region (24); an inner member (30) including a support portion (32) configured to support a body care product (40) and move with the hollow tube portion; and a drive member (36) positioned between the support portion and the compressible region of the outer housing whereby compression of the compressible region engages the drive member and causes the support portion to move to the inside the hollow tube portion towards the open end. The press type dispensing container according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow tube portion is configured to receive a cap or a cover (50). A press-type dispensing container according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a personal care product (40) in contact with the support portion. 4. press-type dispensing container according to claim 3, characterized in that the personal care product (40) is selected from the group comprising cosmetic, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical compositions. 5. press-type dispensing container according to claim 4, characterized in that the personal care product (40) comprises a cosmetic composition selected from the group consisting of lipstick, lip balm, rouge cheeks, foundation eyeshadow, concealer, eyeliner pencil, lip pencil, deodorant, soap, perfume and sunscreen compositions. The press type dispenser container according to claim 4, characterized in that the personal care product (40) comprises a pharmaceutical composition. The press-type dispenser container according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive member (36) comprises a flexible or resilient material. Pressing type dispensing container according to claim 7, characterized in that the flexible or elastic material is selected from the group comprising cross-linked latex rubber, crosslinked synthetic elastomers, non-crosslinked synthetic elastomers, natural rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, PVC, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, latex rubber, synthetic latex rubber, and polyolefins. The press type dispenser container according to claim 7, characterized in that the inner member (30) includes a flexible portion (34) extending from the support portion (32) to define a chamber (35) and the flexible or elastic material is positioned inside the chamber. 3019 719 16 The press-type dispensing container according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive member (36) comprises a fluid. The press type dispenser container according to claim 10, characterized in that the inner member (30) includes a flexible portion (34) extending from the support portion (32) to define a chamber (35) and the fluid is positioned inside the chamber. The press type dispenser container according to claim 10, characterized in that the support portion (32) provides fluid sealing against an interior surface of the hollow tube portion (26) so that the fluid is contained tightly. The press type dispenser container according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive member (36) comprises a rigid material having opposite tapered sides (37). Press-type dispensing container according to claim 13, characterized in that the tapered sides (37) are aligned with the compressible region (24). 15. A press-type dispensing container according to claim 13, characterized in that a spring (60) is arranged between the outer casing (20) and the inner member (30), so that it urges the element 25 away from the open end (22). The press type dispenser container according to claim 1, characterized in that the hollow tube portion (26) and the compressible region (24) are manufactured as separate components which are connected to each other to form the outer casing.5