GB2606406A - Extracting product from a container - Google Patents

Abstract

An extraction implement 502 comprises a central shaft (601, fig.6) and a plurality of elements (603, fig.6) arranged around and protruding from the central shaft. It is insertable into a container 100 by way of an open end and can pass axially by the head 206 of an applicator in the container. The extraction implement is engageable with the head of the applicator so that when the applicator is manually moved within the container the implement correspondingly moves to facilitate the transfer of product (501, 503, 504) to the head of the applicator. The implement may be made from or coated with synthetic plastics such as nylon or silicone. The protruding elements (602, fig.6) may take the form of a helical fin wound around a central shaft. Alternatively, they may comprise bristles. The protruding elements may be resiliently deformable so that the implement can fit through the container opening. A method of extracting inaccessible product, such as cosmetics, is also claimed.

Description

EXTRACTING PRODUCT FROM A CONTAINER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns the extraction of product, such as a cosmetic product, from a container thereof.

Cosmetic products including mascara, eye liner, eyebrow liner, lip gloss, lipstick, lip plumper, spot concealer, foundation and eye shadow are commonly manufactured and sold in the form of viscous liquid, gel or powder, in a container with an applicator or "wand" having a head which in use is dipped into the product and then removed, carrying a quantity of the liquid for application to a user's face or body. Many other products are similarly packaged and sold for different uses, for example paints including model paints, corrector fluid, ointments, oils including essential oils, lotions, nail varnish and other nail-care products and skin-care products.

All these different products commonly suffer from one particular problem, which is that a substantial part of the product becomes not readily accessible to the head of the applicator, around the top or the bottom of the container, and is therefore wasted. This is at a considerable cost to the user, especially in the case of expensive cosmetic products.

Various solutions to this problem have been suggested, but all give rise to inconvenience. For instance, one suggestion is to heat the container and then pour the remaining contents out, but (in addition to fire risk with volatile liquids) the product removed then has to be stored in another container. Further, heating may change the chemical composition of the product, rendering it unusable. Another suggestion for liquids is to loosen the liquid by the addition of alcohol, but this reduces its efficacy as a covering agent and may also cause skin problems for a user. A third suggestion is to cut off the top of the container to ease access for the applicator, but this leaves the contents open to the air and liable to dry up, and also may contaminate the product with plastic or bacteria.

A commercial proposal is the use of a small scoop that can be pushed down into the product in the container and then lifted out with a small quantity of the product. But such scoops are comparatively expensive and they are not very effective in reaching product at the bottom of the container or in scraping off product deposited on the wall of the container near its top. Also, their use often proves to be messy and time-consuming, the cup of such a scoop is prone to breakage, and such use could possibly cause contamination with bacteria.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved means of reducing wastage of product in a container without the problems of prior suggestions noted above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an extraction implement according to claim 1.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus according to claim 11, comprising a container of product having an applicator with a head, and an extraction implement.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of extracting normally inaccessible product from an axially extending container thereof according to claim 12.

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed embodiments show the best mode known to the inventor and provide support for the invention as claimed. However, they are only exemplary and should not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims. Their purpose is to provide a teaching to those skilled in the art. Components and processes distinguished by ordinal phrases such as "first and "second" do not necessarily define an order or ranking of any sort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first example of apparatus for dispensing makeup in the form of a viscous liquid, comprising a container for the makeup and an applicator for applying it to a user's skin; Figure 2 shows the applicator of Figure 1 in more detail; Figure 3 shows a second example of a container and an applicator for makeup and illustrates the restriction of access which can result in wastage of the makeup; Figure 4 illustrates the container of Figure 3 in partial vertical cross-section; Figure 5 illustrates the container of Figure 1 in partial vertical cross-section showing an extraction implement for assisting dispensing makeup from the container, and also showing the makeup applicator; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the extraction implement shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 5 illustrating the extraction implement within the container; Figure 8a is a further view corresponding to Figure 5 illustrating manipulation of the extraction implement within the container; Figure 8b is a corresponding view to Figure 8a, showing further manipulation of the extraction implement; Figure 8c is a corresponding view to Figure 8a, showing further manipulation of the extraction implement; Figure 9 is a further view corresponding to Figure 5 illustrating manipulation of the extraction implement within the container; Figures 10a and 10b are a front view and perspective view of another embodiment of an extraction implement; Figure 11a illustrates a still further embodiment of an extraction implement; Figure 11b illustrates a still further embodiment of an extraction implement; Figure 12a illustrates a still further embodiment of an extraction implement; still further embodiment still further embodiment still further embodiment still further embodiment still further embodiment still further embodiment still further embodiment still further embodiment still further embodiment of an extraction of an extraction of an extraction of an extraction of an extraction of an extraction of an extraction of an extraction of an extraction Figure 12b illustrates a implement; Figure 13a illustrates a implement; Figure 13b illustrates a implement; Figure 13c illustrates a implement; Figure 14a illustrates a implement; Figure 14b illustrates a implement; Figure 14c illustrates a implement; Figure 15a illustrates a implement; and Figure 15b illustrates a implement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, these show a container 100 for makeup in the form of a viscous liquid and an applicator 200 for applying the makeup to a user's skin. The applicator 200 comprises a handle 202 having a stem 204 extending therefrom with a head in the form of a brush 206 at its free end. The container 100 and the applicator 200 are essentially conventional, and they are used conventionally: holding the handle, a user loads the brush 206 with makeup in the container 100 and then by means of the brush 206 applies it to the skin, where it may be rubbed in, smoothed out, contoured or otherwise worked for cosmetic purposes.

Regular users of makeup know that it is commonly difficult to get the brush into makeup around the side of the container 100 at the top and the bottom, resulting commonly in wasted makeup. For completeness, the cause of this is illustrated by Figure 3, which illustrates an alternative make up container 300. In this example the applicator 301 includes a sponge 302 rather than a brush. At the top, engagement of the stem 303 with corners of the container 300 -the position of the stem is indicated by the broken line 304 -prevents the sponge 302 from reaching the side of the container 300 near its top. At the bottom, the need for the sponge 302 to rest clear of the base of the container 300 when the applicator 301 is not in use means that the stem 303 is generally not long enough to push the sponge 302 across the width of the to container 300.

There is therefore potential wastage of makeup, illustrated at 401, 402 and 403 in Figure 4, which may be as much as 20% or more of the original (expensive) contents.

Turning now to Figure 5 and returning to the first example of a container 100 and applicator 200, the invention described herein affords a solution to this problem. As the level of makeup 501 in the container 100 falls to a low level through use, the user knows that the wastage problem is approaching. They then insert into the container 100 an extraction implement 502 configured and arranged to be inserted into the container 100 by way of its open end 102.

The extraction implement 502 comprises a material denser than the makeup 501 and therefore sinks in the liquid makeup to the bottom of the container 100. In this position the extraction implement 502, which is dimensioned to allow the head of the applicator 200 to pass it, can be engaged by the head, which in this example is brush 206. The implement 502 can then be manipulated within the container 100 to transfer makeup 501 to brush 206.

Makeup is also left behind at the top of the container, as shown at 503 and 504, and this can also be extracted using the implement.

The implement may be lighter such that it does not sink, in which case the applicator can be used to manipulate it around the container, and downwards if required.

While this description refers to containers containing makeup, the extraction implement can be used in a container of any shape and size, in which the product contained therein is accessed using any kind of applicator. The product may be any kind of viscous liquid, gel, powder etc that requires an applicator for extraction. It may be appropriate to alter the size and shape of the implement accordingly.

Figure 6 illustrates extraction implement 502, in perspective view. In this embodiment, extraction implement 502 is formed from an internal shaft 601 with three helical fins 602, 603 and 604 that wind around internal shaft 601 along its length. Each of fins 602 to 604 has a triangular cross-section along to its length.

Extraction implement 502 is in this embodiment formed in a single piece from a flexible and resilient plastic, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, nylon, silicone, polypropylene, ABS, etc. In other embodiments the implement could be formed from another type of material, or even more than one material; for example if the fins are required to be more flexible or lighter than the internal shaft, they could be formed separately and attached to the internal shaft. The manipulation of extraction implement 502 is illustrated by Figure 7. On insertion of applicator 200 into container 100, brush 206 moves axially past extraction implement 502 and pushes it to the side of the container. Brush 206 may deform slightly, as may extraction implement 502, dependent upon the materials used to make both. In any case, extraction implement 502 should be of a width such that it is pressed firmly against the inner wall 701 of container 100 by brush 206 or other applicator head, and such that brush 206 or other applicator head engages by a friction fit with the side of extraction implement 502. The applicator 200 may be angled slightly inside container 100 to produce the friction fit.

Once brush 206 has been engaged with extraction implement 502, the user moves applicator 200 within container 100 in three ways in order to transfer makeup 501 onto brush 206. These three ways are illustrated in Figures 8a, 8b and Sc. In these Figures, makeup 501, that is inaccessible using applicator 200 alone, is not shown for clarity. However, it should be understood that after the user has moved applicator 200 in one or more of these ways, makeup 501 has either been transferred to brush 206 or has been moved to a more accessible location.

First, as shown in Figure 8a, applicator 200 may be rotated. The rotation is shown by arrow 801, which in some embodiments causes implement 502 to rotate in the opposite direction, as shown by arrow 802, due to the friction fit between side wall 701, implement 502 and brush 206. After enough rotations, extraction implement 502 will be substantially coated with makeup, sufficient to transfer to brush 206 as it is rotated. In addition to makeup 501 being transferred onto implement 502, any makeup on inner wall 701 will be transferred onto implement 502 and thereby to brush 206.

If the user moves applicator 200 in a stirring motion within container 100, as indicated by arrow 803, rather than in a rotating motion, implement 502 will move within container 100 in a circular motion around the inside of the container, as indicated by arrow 804, wiping makeup from the inside 701 of container 100. In Figure 8b, implement 502 has been moved to the other side of container 100. The user may then recommence rotation to transfer makeup 501 from the new area of the container.

In other embodiments, due to the shape and size of the implement or due to the lack of friction on the inside of the container, rotation of the applicator will not cause the implement to rotate, but will again cause the implement to move within the container in a circular motion. In that case, lifting the applicator away from the implement and replacing it in a different position will cause the applicator to engage with the implement in a different place, thus transferring the makeup to the applicator. The user may not be able to see inside the container, but continued movement of the applicator in various ways will ensure that all the makeup is eventually transferred to the applicator.

Finally, as shown in Figure 8c, the user can move applicator 200 axially within container 100 while pressing on implement 502, as indicated by arrow 805, and this will cause implement 502 to also move axially. This enables makeup on the inner wall of container 100 to be transferred to brush 206 on further rotation or movement of applicator 200 as described above, and also makeup 503 and 504 at the top of the container, as shown in Figure 9. Additionally, axial movement may move makeup 501that is around the inside wall 701 of container 100, from the base 806 of the wall to the middle area 807, where it is normally accessible by brush 206.

There is thus provided an extraction implement for aiding the extraction from a container of product, comprising a central shaft, such as shaft 601, and a plurality of elements, which in this example is helical fins 602 to 605, arranged around and protruding from the central shaft. The extraction element is insertable into a container having an applicator with a head, by way of an open end thereof, and once inserted will be able to pass axially by the head of the applicator within the container. The extraction implement is engageable with the head of the applicator, such that when the applicator is moved within the container, the extraction implement correspondingly moves to facilitate the transfer of product to the head of the applicator. This transfer may be directly from the implement to the applicator head, or it may be facilitated by moving the product to a part of the container that is accessible by the applicator head. It is also noted that the movement of the extraction implement 502 may serve to mix the makeup, helping to soften and/or reliquefy it if it has started to dry out.

Implement 502 can be of any suitable shape or size. In embodiments in which the fins are flexible and resilient, it may even be of a diameter greater than the opening 102 of the container. In this case, the extraction implement 502 is in use deformed from an expanded state wherein the extraction implement 502 has a transverse dimension greater than the open end 102 but less than the internal transverse dimension of the container 100. Once pushed into the container 100 the extraction implement 502 opens to an expanded state and can then be manipulated by engaging the brush 206 or other head of the applicator 200 to help extract the normally inaccessible viscous liquid 501. It is therefore envisaged that a single size of implement could be used for a wide variety of shapes and sizes of container. Alternatively, a different size and shape of implement may be used for each container.

Other embodiments of the invention are envisaged, and described with reference to the remaining Figures.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in front and perspective view respectively in Figures 10a and 10b. In this embodiment extraction implement 1001 has two portions, a first portion 1002 and a second portion 1003, and the direction of the four fins 1004, 1005, 1006 and 1007 around central shaft 1005 is right-handed in portion 1002 and left-handed in portion 1003. This could be reversed in other embodiments, or alternatively the fins could run in a single direction along the whole length (as is the case in the embodiment shown in Figure 12a and Figures 13a-13d). Throughout this document, the term "direction" as applied to a helical element refers to the handedness of the helix. In this embodiment, the fins 1004 to 1007 are wider and taller than the fins 602 to 604 of implement 502, and are roughly square in cross-section rather than triangular. Central shaft 1005 has a relatively smaller diameter than internal shaft 601.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in front view and perspective view respectively in Figures 11a and 11b. In this extraction implement 1101 there are two fins 1102 and 1103 around an internal shaft 1104, and rather than being in one piece they are each formed from a row of bristles, such as bristles 1105. As with implement 1001, the direction of the fins is different in different portions of the implement. In other embodiments using rows of bristles, there might be only a single direction (see Figure 12b). The shaft and bristles are in this embodiment formed in a single piece from a plastics material, but could be formed separately.

Figure 12a illustrates an alternative to implement 1001 in which the four helical fins run in a single direction. Figure 12b similarly illustrates an alternative to implement 1101 in which the two helical rows of bristles run in a single direction.

Figures 13a to 13c show alternative embodiments similar to implement 502. In Figure 13a there is a single fin, and in Figure 13b there are two fins. In Figure 13c there are four fins, but they have only a shallow slant rather than winding around the entire shaft. More fins, or fins slanted at any angle, could be used.

Figures 14a and 14b illustrate alternative embodiments in which the fins do not slant at all, but run parallel to the axis of the central shaft. In Figure 14a there are six equidistant fins. In Figure 14b there are eight fins with alternating heights, four of the fins being taller than the other four. More or fewer fins, at varying heights, could be used.

Figure 14c illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the fins do not run the length of the shaft. There are a number of smaller fins covering the central shaft. The fins are aligned in rows along the length of the central shaft, and offset from each other around the circumference. In similar embodiments the fins may be aligned or not aligned in each direction.

Figure 15a illustrates an embodiment comprising a rod with a row of bristles attached, forming a single helical fin.

The embodiment shown in Figure 15b comprises an axially extending rod with a plurality of bristles extending radially therefrom and arranged in annular formations spaced apart along the rod.

Many other embodiments are envisaged, having one or more elements upstanding from a central shaft. The embodiment adopted will depend upon the product to be extracted from the container, and the likely shape of the container. For example, different embodiments are likely to be needed to extract a gel, a powder, liquids of varying viscosities, and so on. Further, a makeup container is shaped differently from a paint container, and so on.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the invention is a money-saving implement offering a practical way of dislodging normally wasted, inaccessible and trapped product within a tube or container, and it can also optionally be used to mix the product within the tube. To scoop the product out of a container is difficult and messy, whereas the extraction implement described herein is easy to use and makes no mess. The implement may be heavy enough to move freely within the tube to help dislodge normally inaccessible product but light enough to be rotated (clockwise or anticlockwise) around the wall of the tube using the supplier's applicator. Any kind of applicator that can engage with any embodiment of the extraction implement would be suitable.

The method of using the extraction implement is as follows. Containers of varying shapes and sizes are manufactured/supplied filled with a product which is normally fluid or semi-fluid, or possibly powdered. Access to the product is via an opening at one end of the container, which commonly incorporates a screw thread or locking system allowing attachment of a cap.

to The cap complements the container with a male/female screw thread or connection to seal the container and keep the contents within the container. The cap normally has a fixed integrated wand with an applicator head at the furthest end of the wand. The consumer uses the product and will try to scoop out the contents by rotating the applicator head within the container. Over a period of time a percentage of the content within the container is used up but access to the entire amount of product within the container is impossible using the wand and applicator supplied. This residual product would normally be left in the container and wasted, and eventually thrown away. Sometimes the supplier places a stopper at the entrance to the container to keep the product inside and to make sure that the applicator is not overloaded. This stopper restricts access to the product at the top of the container and hence this percentage of product is wasted. Also, the wand is also too short to reach the bottom of the tube, so this percentage of product is also wasted.

Once the product within the container is either too difficult to reach or it is desirable to increase the amount of product on the applicator head, it is the time to insert the extraction implement. A form of the implement appropriately sized, weighted and shaped depending on the size and shape of the container and the applicator is then inserted into the opening of the container. The applicator can then be inserted back into the container, but not screwed closed.

The wand is then gently rotated, turning either clockwise or anticlockwise, moved in a stirring motion, or moved up and down and from side to side of the tube, to dislodge and retrieve product otherwise inaccessible and not reached by the head of the applicator supplied. The container cap is replaced when the container is not in use.

Thus the invention provides a method of extracting product normally inaccessible from the sides of an axially extending container thereof by providing an suitably designed/shaped extraction implement engageable by the head of an applicator, wherein said method comprises that the extraction implement is inserted into the container, the extraction implement is engaged by the head of the applicator and the applicator is manually moved within the container, such that the extraction implement correspondingly moves to facilitate the transfer of product to the head of the applicator.

The extraction invention can also be used to help mix whilst assisting in extraction of the contents of the container if required. This process is carried out by inserting the extraction implement into the container with the cap/applicator removed and then placing a finger over the opening of the tube and shaking it from side to side along the length of the container, allowing the extraction implement to move freely. Once this process is completed the applicator wand can be re-inserted and either 1) engaged with the extraction implement and manually manipulated to move it, extracting normally inaccessible product, or 2) the cap can be replaced on the container and sealed closed, and the resulting dislodged product used in the future. The process can be repeated if required.

The extraction implement remains in the container until no more product can be extracted, after which it is discarded with the spent container For completeness it may be noted here that containers are supplied in a variety of shapes and sizes with applicators having heads of various kinds including brushes, sponges and combs, and the invention is adaptable to fit. Thus, a user chooses a form of the implement depending upon the configuration and dimensions of the tube and applicator. A container may also be supplied with an extraction implement already contained within it.

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS1. An extraction implement for aiding the extraction from a container of product, comprising: a central shaft; and a plurality of elements arranged around and protruding from said central shaft; such that: the extraction implement is insertable into a container having an applicator with a head, by way of an open end thereof, to the extraction implement once inserted will be able to pass axially by the head of the applicator within the container, and the extraction implement is engageable with the head of the applicator, such that when the applicator is manually moved within the container, the extraction implement correspondingly moves to facilitate the transfer of product to the head of the applicator.
2. 2. An extraction implement according to claim 1, wherein the extraction implement is formed substantially of or coated with synthetic plastics material.
3. 3. An extraction implement according to claim 2, wherein said synthetic plastics material is nylon or silicone or polypropylene or ABS.
4. 4. An extraction implement according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protruding elements are arranged to form at least one fin upstanding from said central shaft along its length.
5. 5. An extraction implement according to claim 4, wherein said fin is helical, such that it winds around said central shaft.
6. 6. An extraction implement according to claim 5, wherein the shaft comprises a first portion and a second portion, and the direction of said at least one helical fin is different in each portion.
7. 7. An extraction implement according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein each protruding element is a single fin.
8. 8. An extraction implement according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein said protruding elements comprise a plurality of bristles arranged in at least one row, wherein each said row forms one of said fins.
9. 9. An extraction implement according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protruding elements are arranged in annular formations spaced apart along said central shaft.
10. 10. An extraction implement according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein it has a transverse dimension which is greater than that of the open end of the container and is resiliently deformable transversely to enable the extraction implement to be inserted into the container through said open end, whereafter the extraction implement resiles.
11. 11. Apparatus comprising a container of product having an applicator with a head, and an extraction implement according to any of claims 1 to 10.
12. 12. A method of extracting normally inaccessible product from an axially extending container thereof, which method comprises: providing extraction apparatus including an applicator with a head for insertion in said product and an extraction implement according to any of claims 1 to 10; inserting the extraction implement into the container; engaging the extraction implement by the head of the applicator; and manually moving the applicator within the container, such that the extraction implement correspondingly moves to facilitate the transfer of product to the head of the applicator.