GB2190900A

GB2190900A - Cosmetic cream or lotion applicator/distributor

Info

Publication number: GB2190900A
Application number: GB08613012A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marthe Francine Lucas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-02-15
Filing date: 1986-05-29
Publication date: 1987-12-02
Also published as: BE904181A; DE8614406U1; FR2577527A1; CH670435A5; GB8613012D0; FR2577527B1; GB2190900B

Abstract

A combined applicator and distributor device for applying cosmetic cream or lotion to the skin of a user, comprises an applicator plug 6 having a convexly formed upper region with a smooth outer surface for distribution of the cream or lotion on the skin, a sealing skirt 7 for forming a seal with the interior cylindrical surface of the neck 2 of a container 1, a retention skirt 8 for attaching the plug to the container, and an outer skirt 10 for engagement by a cap 12, the outer skirt and the retention skirt being reinforced by stiffening webs 11 extending therebetween and the cap comprising a central formation 13 entering and obturating an outlet aperture 16 in the upper region of the plug. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cosmetic cream or lotion applicator/distributor This invention relates to a combined applicator/distributorfor cosmetic cream or lotion.

In the cosmetics art, various products in the form of cream, such as beauty creams, make-up remover creams, cleanser creams, sun screening creams, hydrating creams and the like are housed in plastics or plastically deformable metal tubes with screw caps. Body milks are stored in flexible polyethylene bottles with screw caps. The creams or lotions are squeezed out of the containers through apertures in plugs fitted within the mouth of the container. The apertures have shapes and volumes which vary according to requirements. When the cream or lotion isto be used, itis placed in the palm ofthe hand of a userto be applied by hand to the face or body.

Frequently, this is a wasteful procedure if too much cream or lotion is squeezed out initially and, moreover, application is generally of non-uniform character, depending upon the rate and pressure of application to the face or body.

According to the present invention, there is provided a combined applicator and distributor device for applying cosmetic cream or lotion on the skin of a user, which device comprises an applicator plugforfitting in the neck of a container, and a closure cap for fitting over the plug, which plug has a convexly formed upper region with a smooth outer surface for distribution therewith ofthe cream or lotion on the skin, at least three skirts depending from the upper region, inciuding a sealing skirtfor forming a seal with the interior cylindrical surface of the neck of the container, a retention skirt for attaching the plug to the container and an outerskirt for engagement by the cap, the outer skirt and the retention skirt being reinforced by stiffening webs extending therebetween and the cap comprising a central formation entering and obturating an outlet aperture in the convexly formed upper region ofthe plug.

The device ofthis invention essentially provides three features, namely an outer shape of plug which enables a pleasant contact to be made with the skin for direct application of cream or lotion thereto; protection ofthe plug againsttampering and damage and guarantee of tightness of closure on the container with respectto the product therein when it is not to be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the retention skirt is formed with an annular bead on the interior lower region thereof to engage with an annular groove extending around the neck of the container in the manner of a snap fit. According to another feature of the invention,there is provided an anti-rotation device formed by wings fitted to an interior surface ofthe convex part of the plug to enter interstices between longitudinally extending ribs formed on the exterior of the neck ofthe container.

The wings preferably extend inwardly from the retention skirt and may also extend to part of the sealing skirt.

In addition to containing a central formation entering an aperture in the convex region of the plug to achieve obturation of it, the cap comprises in the upper region thereof an airvent aperturefor facilitating fixing of the cap on the plug. For attaching the cap to the outer skirt of the plug, an annular projection on the interior surface of the cap is preferably providedforentering an opposed annular groove on the exterior surface of the outer skirt. The positions of projection and groove may be reversed, if desired. To enable the easy removal of the cap, the projection is preferably divided into a number of sections, preferably four, which are suitably spaced apart.

For a better understanding ofthe invention and to show how the same can be carried into effect reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa half sectional/half elevational view of a device embodying this invention; and Figure2 is a horizontal cross-section to part ofthe device of Figure 1, the section being taken in the region of the neck ofthe container.

Referring to Figure 1, aflexibletube or bottle 1 with a neck2 is formed externally at its upper part with vertical ribs3 below which isa groove4which is separated from the ribs 3 by a ramp 5.An applicator/distributor plug 6, preferably of polypropylene, has an upper part which is convex for a smooth application to the skin and an ogival lateral partforenabling an easy fitting and removal of a protecting cap 12 which forms a friction fit therewith.

The plug 6 comprises three concentric skirts, namely a sealing skirt7 applied to the innerwall ofthe neck2 ofthetube or bottle 1, a retention skirt 8 comprising a beading 1 which enters the groove 4to attach the skirtto the tube or bottle and an outer skirt 10 on which is fixed the protecting cap 12.

The retention skirt 8 is provided with anti-rotation wings 9 which, in the assembled closure of the bottle ortube become engaged with the ribs 3 of the neck2.

A plurality, for example four, stiffening webs 11 are formed between the outer skirt 10 and the retention skirt 8 for imparting reinforcement to the structure of the plug.

The cap 12, which is preferably made of crystalline polystyrene or polypropylene has a central annular projection 13 which, when the cap is fitted on the plug 6, obturates an outlet aperture 16 ofthe plug.

Atthe lower marginal region ofthe exterior surface oftheouterskirt10isformed an annular groove 19 which, in the closed container, is engaged by a plurality of projections 14formed at a corresponding region 17 of the internal surface of the cap. These projections, extending over sectors of the interior surface of the cap may be for example four in number and assist in the retention of the cap on the plug. At the upper part ofthe cap 12 is provided an air vent aperture 18 which facilitates the fitting of the cap 12 on the plug 6.

The plug 6 and protective cap 12 may be delivered assembled to the manufacturer of the tubes or bottles and can then be mounted on thetubesor bottles in a single operation in which engagement of the rib 15 of the retention skirt 8 with the groove4 preformed on the tube or bottle takes place. This assembly method is essential when filling tubes on conventional machines since the tubes need to be positioned in the inverted state, with the neck part at the bottom and the bottom of the tube open for introduction ofthe product after which the bottom of the tube is closed, for example by soldering or welding.

In the case offlexible bottles, the applicator/distributor plugs and the protective cap may be delivered separately to be assembled on the bottle after filling thereof.

Claims

1. Acombined applicator and distributor device for applying cosmetic cream or lotion on the skin of a user, which device comprises an applicator plug for fitting in the neck of a container, and a closure cap for fitting overthe plug, which plug has a convexly formed upper region with asmoothoutersurfacefor distribution therewith ofthe cream or lotion on the skin, at least three skirts depending from the upper region, including a sealing skirtforforming a seal with the interior cylindrical surface of the neckofthe container, a retention skirt for attaching the plug to the container and an outer skirtfor engagement by the cap, the outer skirt and the retention skirt being reinforced by stiffening webs extending therebetween and the cap comprising a central formation entering and obturating an outlet aperture in the convexly formed upper region of the plug.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap and outer skirt are adapted for engagement one with the other, one comprising a plurality of projections occupying sectors of a surface on which they are provided and the other comprising a matching annular groove.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap comprises in the upper region thereof an airvent aperture.

4. A combined applicator and distributor device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 ofthe accompanying drawings.

5. A containerfor cream or lotion having a combined applicator and distributor device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims fitted in a neck region thereof.

6. Acontainerascaimed in claim 5 having an annular groove in the neck region thereof, the retention skirt being formed with an annular beading in a lower region ofthe interiorsurfacethereoffor engagement with the groove.

7. Acontainer as claimed in claim 5 or6, having an anti-rotation device formed by wings fitted to the interior surface ofthe convex part of the plug and the neck ofthe container being formed with longitudinally extending ribs on the exterior surface thereof defining interstices for entry by said wings.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein said wings extend from the interior surface of the retention skirt.

9. Acontainerasclaimed in anyoneofclaims5 to 8 which is a plastics or plastically deformable tube or a plastics bottle.

10. Acontainerfor cosmetic cream or lotion having a neckregion closedsubstantiallyas hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.