GB2126890A - Cosmetic product dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser for cosmetic eye products comprises a set of containers 1 each holding a certain quantity of cosmetic product. The containers are separated by tear-off flaps 1a. A respective applicator is immersed in product in each container, and a handle 9 comprises means for engaging each of the applicators so as to extract them from the respective containers and enable the cosmetic product to be applied. The dispenser reduces the degree of oxidation of the product yet is not so costly as a series of individually dosed dispensers <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cosmetic product dispenser The invention relates to a dispenser particularly suitable for cosmetic eye products. More specifically the invention relates to a dispenser in which cosmetic product is distributed among a set of containers, each holding a quantity of product sufficient for a limited number of applications.

Cosmetics for use in the area around the eye (eyelids, eye lashes and eybrows) can be divided into two groups: (a) treatment products, such as cream for wrinkles or for bags under the eyes, skinregenerating cream and tonic solutions; (b) make-up products, such as mascara, eyeshadow, cream for eyebrows, black lead for contours, products for removing make-up and eye liners.

Both groups of products, if in fluid form (such as aqueous or oily solutions, cream or lotions) are usually packed in the following containers: (1) Glass or plastics bottles closed by a capsule and, if required, a cap underneath. The product is used by pouring on to a suitable support (such as cotton-wool or gauze) which is moved over the surface of the skin for treatment.

(2) Gauze discs already impregnated with the product and supplied in sealed packets which are thrown away after use.

(3) Containers in the form of long glass or plastics cylinders closed by a cap secured to a small rod immersed in the product, the end part of which is the applicator element in the form of, for example, a brush or sponge.

(4) Glass or plastics vessels filled with the product which, when used, is taken out with the finger so as to be applied.

Except for the discs (2), which are rarely used for solutions, these containers are all without special features for hygienically protecting and stabilising the contents after they have been opened.

The reason is that, owing to the limited area of application of the product, and hence the small amount used each time, product may be extracted some 200 to 300 times from each container. This results in continual pollution of the product, both microbiological (by germs from the air and the skin) and chemical and physical (because of agitation and contact with atmospheric oxygen, for example).

To avoid and limit deterioration of the cosmetic product during use, antibacterial substances are used in the formulation to check microbiological pollution. Anti-oxidizing products, sequestering agents and stabilisers are used to check chemical and physical pollution. Both these systems have disadvantages, the most important being their potential allergic action, particularly of antibacterial systems, and the gradual loss of their efficiency, apart from their complexity and consequent high price.

Antibacterial systems are not always effective, since clinical tests have shown diseases, some of them serious, in the front segment of the eye resulting from application of contaminated mascara.

In order to obviate the disadvantages of mascara, the applicants filed Italian Patent Application No. 36103 B/8 1 dated 28/10/1981.

The Italian Application, which is open to public inspection, is for a dispenser of single doses of mascara, comprising an applicator rod which when used is taken out from a single-dose container. The rod is thrown away after use.

The present invention enables the consumer to be supplied with mascara which, though without the absolute purity and safety of single doses as in the aforementioned application, can be used for cosmetic treatment in a simplified formulation and under better chemical and bacteriological purity conditions than in the case of existing commercial products, at a cost appreciably below single doses and equal to that of existing mascara.

The invention also enables the provision of eye cosmetics (eye-shadow, cream, lotions, solutions, etc.) which can be used for cosmetic treatment in a simplified formulation under better chemical and bacteriological purity conditions than in the case of existing commercial products.

The invention tends to prevent contact between the cosmetic product and atmospheric oxygen, particularly during use of the product, since the presence of oxygen critically affects the degradation of the components and the growth of common micro-organisms present in air and on the skin.

According to the present invention, there is provided a dispenser suitable for cosmetic products, the dispenser comprising, in combination, a set of containers each capable of holding a limited quantity of cosmetic product, a respective applicator disposed inside each container and adapted to be immersed in product therein, and a handle adapted to engage each of the applicators for extraction of the applicator and product from the container and subsequent application of the product.

The product may be distributed among a set of small containers each used for a limited number of applications (e.g. 5 to 10) and each container may be in the form of a very long cylinder so as to reduce the surface area of the cosmetic product exposed to air (oxygen) during use.

In a preferred embodiment each of a set of applicators, extending right along the interior of the respective container, is shaped to ensure sufficient distribution and application of the cosmetic product, and is adapted to be constantly immersed in the cosmetic so as further to reduce the surface area of the product exposed to air (oxygen). Preferably, sealing means are provided between the container wall and a stem of the applicator, again for the purpose of reducing the contact of air with the cosmetic product.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which, by way of example, show three preferred embodiments of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a part-sectional view on a large scale of part of a dispenser according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a handle drawn in chain-dotted lines in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an applicator of a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 shows an applicator of a third embodiment of the invention seen from two different view points along lines at right angles to each other.

As shown in Figure 1, a dispenser according to the invention comprises a plurality of long cylindrical containers 1 made of plastics or other industrially suitable material and interconnected by tear-off flaps 1 a. Of course, containers 1 can also be made in other ways.

A rod constituting an applicator 2 is inserted into each container 1. The applicator 2 comprises an upper ring 3 enclosing a threaded seat 4, a lid 5 which sealingly closes the top part of container 1, and a stem 6 by means of which cosmetic product 7 may be applied to the eyes. In Figure 1, the stem 6 is formed with a set of adjacent circumferential grooves for facilitating withdrawal of cosmetic product 7 from the container 1 An annular projection 8 in the container above the level of the product is for providing a tight seal against the applicator stem 6, so as to prevent or substantially reduce the possibility of oxidation, by exposure to air, of the cosmetic product.

Figure 2 shows a handle, by means of which the application can be extracted. It comprises a tube 9 at the base of which there is a threaded projection 10 and a tip 1 The threaded projection 10 is inserted into applicator seat 4, thus securing the tube 9 to the applicator 2.

Operation is very easy and straight-forward.

The rod is screwed on to the applicator 2 which is immersed in the product 7; the applicator is pulled out and the product may be applied. After application, the tube 9 is disconnected by acting on the ring 3 and the applicator is re-inserted into container 1.

As already stated, the amount of the product 7 kept in each container 1 is sufficient for a limited number of applications. When the product is used up, the empty container is thrown away with its associated applicator, and the next container is used.

The applicator 2 illustrated in Figure 1 is particularly suitable for mascara. In the case of other cosmetic products (eye-shadow, cream, etc.), use can be made of the applicators illustrated in Figure 3 and 4. In Figure 3, the applicator stem is covered with a spongy layer 12, whereas in Figure 4 a projection 13 of rectangular cross-section is formed with slots 14 to help in taking out and spreading the cosmetic product.

As the preceding description clearly shows, the advantages over conventional methods of packing eye cosmetics are as follows: (I) There is normally a reduction of the exposure time of the cosmetic preparation to air and consequently to the chemical and bacterial agents therein (oxygen, germs, etc.) capable of bringing about physical and chemical degradation and bacterial pollution of the cosmetic. In existing cosmetic preparations this contact is particularly significant because of the continuous, prolonged change of the air above the cosmetic preparation.

(II) There may be a reduction in the number of anti-bacterial and anti-oxidising substances, and their concentration, to the minimum necessary to prevent chemical and physical degradation and bacterial pollution of the cosmetics. This is because of the limited period of use of the portions of product and the reduced exposure of the product to air as a result of the special type of packaging used.

The invention, though of simple construction, can be used to stabilise the chemical, physical and micro-biological characteristics of eye cosmetics while preventing or reducing the risks of allergy and bacteria associated with the use of existing products.

Claims (9)

1. A dispenser suitable for cosmetic products, the dispenser comprising, in combination, a set of containers each capable of holding a limited quantity of cosmetic product, a respective applicator disposed inside each container and adapted to be immersed in product therein, and a handle adapted to engage each of the applicators for extraction of the applicator and product from the container and subsequent application of the product.

2. A dispenser according to Claim 1, wherein each applicator comprises a rod immersable in the product and formed at its top with a cap for closing and sealing the respective container and provided with means for coupling to the handle.

3. A dispenser according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein each container has, above the level of product in the container, an annular inward projection which forms a seal with the respective applicator to prevent or limit exposure of the product to air.

4. An applicator according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the handle comprises a threaded projection which is insertable into a corresponding threaded seat formed in a head of the applicator.

5. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the applicator has a stem formed with adjacent peripheral grooves.

6. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein a stem of the applicator rod is covered with spongy material.

7. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the applicator has a rectangular cross-section and is formed with slots for facilitating extraction of cosmetic product and application thereof.

8. A dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the containers are connected by tearable flaps for separating the containers when their contents are used up.

9. A dispenser suitable for cosmetic products substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.