HK40000007A - Personal care products and applicators - Google Patents

Description

Personal care product and applicator

Technical Field

The present invention relates to solid personal care products. More particularly, the present invention relates to solid personal care products, such as solid sunscreen creams having included angles, and related applicators.

Background

Solid personal care products and containers for such products are known and generally consist of a body within which a solid composition can be contained, the body being generally made of a plastics material. The body may have various cross-sectional shapes, but circular and elliptical shapes are most popular. The container typically has a detachable cap to protect the contents from the undesirable effects of prolonged exposure to air, and a lifting mechanism by which a solid product, such as a stick, is lifted towards the open top end of the container so that a portion of the stick can protrude from the top of the container for ease of use.

While most containers have an opening that is generally flat from a side view, cosmetic containers having a convex profile are also known. For example, US patent No. 5275496 describes a package of cosmetic sticks that is generally oval in cross-sectional shape and also has a profile that forms an outward arch when viewed along the minor axis of the oval. This profile is said to facilitate the comfort of these stick products during application and is said to also provide additional support to the stick to prevent chipping during application.

Sunscreen sticks are known in the prior art, which are deodorant-type applicators for applying solid sunscreen. These products comprise a layer of solid sunscreen having an exposed surface forming a flat plane which can be advanced when replenishment is required during use. However, sunscreen sticks are provided in a single size and shape. Thus, a single sunscreen stick product cannot be used to apply both large areas of the body and small target areas of the body.

Disclosure of Invention

In one aspect of the invention, a personal care product provided herein includes an applicator having a body with a dispensing opening. A support surface is provided in the body, the support surface being movable relative to the body from a first position spaced from the dispensing opening towards the dispensing opening. A layer of solid personal care product is disposed on a support surface, the layer of solid personal care product defining an exposed surface oriented away from the support surface. The exposed surface is bounded by spaced apart first and second edges extending between first and second ends, the first and second edges being longer than the first and second ends. The exposed surface further defines a first ramp extending from the first end to a first location between the first end and the second end and a second ramp extending from the second end to a second location between the first end and the second end. The first and second inclined surfaces define an included angle of less than 180 degrees. The advancement of the support surface relative to the body causes a progressive advancement of the layer of solid personal care product through the dispensing opening. Advantageously, by means of the invention, it is possible to define surfaces of different sizes and inclined set, suitable for applying the product to different parts of the body.

In another aspect of the present invention, an applicator for applying a solid personal care product is provided, the applicator having a body including a dispensing opening and a support surface disposed within the body. The support surface is movable relative to the body from a first position spaced from the dispensing opening toward the dispensing opening. The support surface also defines a face directed toward the dispensing opening, the face having spaced apart first and second edges extending between first and second ends, the first and second edges being longer than the first and second ends. The support surface further defines a first ramp extending from the first end to a first location between the first end and the second end and a second ramp extending from the second end to a second location between the first end and the second end, wherein the first and second ramps define an included angle of less than 180 degrees. This arrangement allows defining on the support surface a layer of solid personal care product having portions of different sizes and arranged obliquely.

The above described and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

Drawings

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of a personal care product in an applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a personal care product in an applicator according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a package for personal care products, including a cap thereof, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of the package for personal care products of FIG. 3 without the cap thereof;

FIGS. 5-6 depict the application of a personal care product in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

8-10 depict different arrangements of ramps that may be used with certain embodiments of the present invention; and

figures 11-12 depict alternative embodiments of personal care products in an applicator according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a personal care product. The personal care product includes an applicator and a layer of a solid personal care product. The applicator includes a body having a dispensing opening, and a support surface disposed within the body. The support surface is movable relative to the body from a first position spaced from the dispensing opening toward the dispensing opening. A layer of a solid personal care product is disposed on the support surface, the layer of personal care product defining an exposed surface oriented away from the support surface, the exposed surface bounded by first and second spaced apart edges extending between first and second ends, the first and second edges being longer than the first and second ends, the exposed surface defining a first slope extending from the first end to a first location between the first and second ends and a second slope extending from the second end to a second location between the first and second ends, wherein the first and second slopes define an included angle of less than 180 degrees. The advancement of the support surface relative to the body causes a progressive advancement of the layer of solid personal care product through the dispensing opening. In certain embodiments, the solid personal care product layer has substantially the same thickness throughout.

In certain embodiments, the personal care product further comprises means for advancing the support surface. In certain preferred embodiments, the means for advancing the support surface comprises a rotatable member configured to advance the support surface by rotation thereof.

In certain embodiments, the first and second positions are spaced apart. In certain preferred embodiments, the exposed surface defines an arcuate intermediate surface between the first position and the second position.

In another aspect of the present invention, an applicator for applying a solid personal care product is provided, the applicator having a body including a dispensing opening and a support surface disposed within the body. The support surface is movable relative to the body from a first position spaced from the dispensing opening toward the dispensing opening. The support surface also defines a face directed toward the dispensing opening, the face having spaced apart first and second edges extending between first and second ends, the first and second edges being longer than the first and second ends. The support surface further defines a first sloped surface extending from the first end to a first location between the first end and the second end and a second sloped surface extending from the second end to a second location between the first end and the second end, wherein the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface define an included angle of less than 180 degrees. This arrangement allows defining on the support surface a layer of solid personal care product having portions of different sizes and arranged obliquely.

In certain embodiments, the personal care applicator further comprises means for advancing the support surface. In certain other embodiments, the included angle is about 120 degrees. In other further embodiments, the ratio between the lengths of the first and second ramps is at least 2: 1. referring to fig. 1-4, a personal care product is shown and is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The product 10 generally includes an applicator 12 and a layer 14 of a solid personal care product. As used herein, a "solid personal care product" is any personal care product that can be maintained in the form of a stable layer during storage, transport, and use, e.g., as one or more of a solid, a slurry, a powder mixture, and/or a gel, under room temperature conditions. Any form of solid personal care product can be used with the present invention. As used herein, a "solid personal care product" may be a cosmetic product, a sunscreen product, a deodorant, or an antiperspirant. In a preferred embodiment, the solid personal care product is a solid sunscreen.

The applicator 12 includes a body 16 having a dispensing opening 18 at one end and a substantially flat bottom 19 at the other end of the body 16. A support surface 20 is provided within the body 16 to be able to advance relative to the body 16. In the initial state, the support surface 20 is positioned within the body 16 at a first location spaced from the dispensing opening 18. In certain embodiments, the dispensing opening 18 has the same overall profile (e.g., included angle) as the solid personal care product layer 14. In other embodiments, the dispensing opening 18 comprises a substantially flat profile parallel to the bottom 19 (see, e.g., fig. 11).

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any means may be used to advance the support surface 20 relative to the body 16, including any configuration that causes manual, mechanical, or powered movement. For manual movement, the support surface 20 may be manually pushed relative to the body 16 as desired (e.g., a slot may be formed in the body 16 and a tab extending from the support surface 20 passes through the slot to be accessible from the exterior of the body 16, such that the tab is manually manipulated to move the support surface 20). For mechanical movement, as shown in FIG. 2, a rotatable member 22 may be provided that is configured such that its rotation relative to the body 16 is translated into linear translation of the support surface 20 relative to the body 16. As a non-limiting example, as shown in fig. 2, a threaded rod 24 may be provided that threadably engages the rotatable member 22 such that rotation of the rotatable member 22 causes linear translation of the threaded rod 24. When the threaded rod 24 is fixed to the support surface 20, the support surface 20 moves together with the threaded rod 24. The rotatable member 22 may be in the form of an adjustment dial (fig. 2) or a handle (fig. 3 and 4) that may match in shape the body 16 and create an aesthetically pleasing appearance. One or more surface features 26, such as surface textures, dimples, notches, protrusions, etc., may be provided on the rotatable member 22 to enhance the user's grip. Alternatively, a powered configuration may be used, such as electric, e.g., a button activated motor, adapted to move the support surface 20 relative to the body 16.

A cap 28 may be provided to cover the dispensing opening 18 and thereby cover the personal care product 10. Any configuration for releasably retaining the cap 28 on the body 16 may be used, including, but not limited to, frictional engagement, interference fit, and cooperative locking features (e.g., snap-fit lips and detents). As shown in fig. 3-4, a concave profile 30 may be defined in the body 16 that is shaped to match a portion of the cap 28. The cap 28 helps to protect the contents of the package from the deleterious effects caused by contact with air, such as drying out of the personal care wand.

In certain embodiments, both the dispensing opening 18 and the recessed profile 30 have the same general profile as the layer 14 of solid personal care product (e.g., the included angle of the exposed surface of the product) (fig. 3 and 4). In other embodiments, both the dispensing opening 18 and the recessed profile 30 include substantially flat edges that are parallel to the bottom 19 (see, e.g., fig. 11). In still other embodiments, while the dispensing opening 18 has the same general contour (e.g., included angle) as the solid personal care product layer 14, the concave contour 30 terminates in a substantially flat contour that is parallel to the bottom 19 (see, e.g., fig. 12).

In an initial state, as shown in fig. 7, the layer of solid personal care product 14 defines an exposed surface 32 that is oriented away from the support surface 20. The exposed surface 32 is that portion of the layer of solid personal care product 14 which is intended to be applied to the skin of a user. The exposed surface 32 is preferably bounded by spaced apart first and second edges 34, 36 extending between first and second ends 38, 40. The length of each of the first edge 34 and the second edge 36 is longer than each of the first end 38 and the second end 40. The corners between the first and second edges 34, 36 and the first and second ends 38, 40 may be right angled or smooth with a radius, bevel or other non-right angle configuration. The outer edges of the exposed surface 32 at the intersection with the first and second edges 34, 36 and the first and second ends 38, 40 may be square or smooth with a radius, bevel or other non-square configuration.

Exposed surface 32 defines a first angled surface 42 extending from first end 38 to a first location 44 between first end 38 and second end 40, exposed surface 32 also defines a second angled surface 46 extending from second end 40 to a second location 48 between first end 38 and second end 40, first angled surface 42 and second angled surface 46 define an included angle α of less than 180 degrees, included angle α may be less than 150 degrees, may also be less than 120 degrees, and may also be an acute angle, in certain embodiments included angle α is between 30 and 150 degrees, in other embodiments included angle α is between 60 and 120 degrees, in still other embodiments included angle α is between 90 and 120 degrees, in a preferred embodiment, included angle α is about 120 degrees.

Preferably, the first ramp 42 is longer than the second ramp 46. In certain embodiments, the ratio between the lengths of the first and second ramps is at least 2: 1. in certain preferred embodiments, the ratio between the lengths of the first and second ramps is about 3: 1.

as shown in fig. 8, the first location 44 and the second location 48 may coincide so as to be at the same location along the exposed surface 32. With this arrangement, the first and second ramps 42, 46 define a closed angled profile. Preferably, as shown in fig. 9 and 10, the first location 44 and the second location 48 are spaced apart along the exposed surface 32, defining an intermediate plane 50 therebetween. The intermediate surface 50 may be planar as shown in fig. 9 or, more preferably, formed in an arc shape as shown in fig. 10.

The first and/or second bevels 42, 46 may be formed as a flat surface between the first and second edges 34, 36. Alternatively, the first and/or second ramps 42, 46 may be formed as a convex surface between the first and second edges 34, 36, thereby having an outwardly convex profile.

In the package given in the example, all parts of the package may be made of plastic material and may be manufactured and assembled using known techniques, which may include, for example, injection molding. Where possible and convenient, the component parts of the package may be integrally moulded.

The package according to this embodiment may also be advantageously used with a mould (not shown). The use of a mould helps to keep the personal care wand isolated from air after manufacture and before first use by the user, and also facilitates the manufacture and casting of the upper surface of the wand, for example when the personal care wand is manufactured according to a known process by which the wand is melt cast and underfilled into an empty package. If a mold is used, the mold is preferably configured to releasably and snugly fit within the package opening 18 prior to manufacture, but thereafter can be easily removed and discarded upon first use.

In use, it is preferred that the layer of solid personal care product 14 is applied uniformly along the support surface 20 so as to have a substantially uniform thickness, hi some embodiments, the support surface 20 comprises a substantially flat surface parallel to the base 19. in other embodiments, the support surface 20 has the same general contour as the corresponding exposed surface 32 (i.e., has a face 32A facing the dispensing opening 18, the face 32A being formed by first and second edges, first and second ends, and first and second inclined surfaces having an included angle α, as described above with reference to the exposed surface 32.) the support surface 20 is advanced relative to the body 16 to cause progressive advancement of the layer of solid personal care product 14 to replenish the exposed and usable product.

With the personal care product 10, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, a plurality of surfaces of different sizes and shapes are provided for application to the skin of a user. For example, the first ramp 42 may have a greater length than the second ramp 46. This allows the first bevel 42 to be used for wider applications, such as to the cheek or forehead, while the second bevel 46 may be used for small target areas, such as the chin. Moreover, the medial surface 50 may have a smaller length than both the first and second beveled surfaces 42, 46 and may be used for even smaller, more specific target areas, such as around the nose and eyes.

All patents, patent publications, and other published references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each had been individually and specifically incorporated by reference. While preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as described, which have been presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. The invention is limited only by the following claims.

Claims (19)

1. A personal care product comprising:

an applicator, the applicator comprising:

a body having a dispensing opening at one end and a substantially flat bottom at the other end; and

a support surface disposed within the body, the support surface being movable forward relative to the body from a first position spaced from the dispensing opening toward the dispensing opening; and

a layer of a solid personal care product disposed on the support surface, the layer of a solid personal care product defining an exposed surface oriented away from the support surface, the exposed surface bounded by first and second spaced apart edges extending between first and second ends, the first and second edges being longer than the first and second ends, the exposed surface defining a first slope extending from the first end to a first location between the first and second ends and a second slope extending from the second end to a second location between the first and second ends, wherein the first and second slopes define an included angle of less than 180 degrees,

wherein advancement of the support surface relative to the body causes progressive advancement of the layer of solid personal care product through the dispensing opening.

2. The personal care product of claim 1, wherein the solid personal care product layer has substantially the same thickness throughout.

3. The personal care product of claim 1, further comprising means for advancing the support surface.

4. The personal care product of claim 3, wherein the means for advancing the support surface comprises a rotatable member configured to advance the support surface by rotation thereof.

5. The personal care product of claim 1, wherein the first location and the second location coincide.

6. The personal care product of claim 1, wherein the first location and the second location are spaced apart.

7. The personal care product of claim 6, wherein the exposed surface defines an arcuate mid-plane between the first position and the second position.

8. The personal care product of claim 1, wherein the included angle is between 30-150 degrees.

9. The personal care product of claim 1, wherein the included angle is between 60 and 120 degrees.

10. The personal care product of claim 1, wherein the included angle is about 120 degrees.

11. The personal care product of claim 1, wherein a ratio between lengths of the first and second ramps is at least 2: 1.

12. the personal care product of claim 1, wherein the personal care product is a sunscreen.

13. The personal care product of claim 1, further comprising a cap for covering the dispensing opening.

14. The personal care product of claim 1, wherein the dispensing opening has a similar contour as the exposed surface of the solid personal care product layer.

15. The personal care product of claim 1, wherein the dispensing opening comprises a substantially flat edge parallel to the bottom.

16. A personal care applicator, comprising:

a body having a dispensing opening; and

a support surface disposed within the body, the support surface being advanceable relative to the body from a first position spaced from the dispensing opening toward the dispensing opening, the support surface defining a face directed toward the dispensing opening, the face having first and second spaced edges extending between first and second ends, the first and second edges being longer than the first and second ends, the face defining a first bevel extending from the first end to the first position between the first and second ends and a second bevel extending from the second end to a second position between the first and second ends, wherein the first and second bevels define an included angle of less than 180 degrees.

17. The personal care applicator of claim 16, further comprising means for advancing the support surface.

18. The personal care applicator of claim 16, wherein the included angle is about 120 degrees.

19. The personal care applicator of claim 16, wherein a ratio between lengths of the first and second ramps is at least 2: 1.