JP4596552B2 - Applicator with barrier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an applicator for a liquid, gel-like, paste-like or powder-like product, particularly a cosmetic, and includes a storage unit for storing the product in a free form and an outlet for the product. It relates to an applicator.

  Applicators of the type described above are known. Especially when the above products are not only liquid (low viscosity) but also in the form of gel, paste or powder, for traditional applicators, especially when the applicators are transported from the manufacturer to the store. It has often been observed that when subjected to such a swing, the product moves from the storage to the outlet and flows out of the outlet. In particular, the amount of product flowing out of the outlet is a wasteful consumption for subsequent (proper) use. Furthermore, it will also soil the applicator.

  However, when the applicator is carried around in a handbag or the like, that is, the fact that the applicator is subject to rocking in daily activities is also a problem. More specifically, the product may flow out of the outlet as a result of the applicator being subjected to such a swing.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve an applicator of the type described at the beginning of this specification so that it is protected from harmful consequences when it is subjected to rocking.

  According to the invention, the problem is solved by a barrier that at least partly blocks a straight passage for the product from the storage to the outlet in at least one operating state.

  According to the present invention, in at least one operating state, the linear passage from the storage part to the outlet is at least partially blocked, and the product moves from the storage part to the outlet. Need to make a "detour" substantially. However, when the applicator is swung, the product usually moves in one direction. Therefore, this swing does not mean that the product takes the “detour”. Rather, when the applicator is subjected to rocking, the product only hits the barrier or presses the barrier without finding a passage to the outlet. In other words, the barrier is provided to prevent the material from flowing at the same time, for example, to deflect the material when it is swung by dropping.

  Increasing the flow velocity in use due to the above-mentioned barrier, i.e. the product "turns around", and the increase of friction against the wall by diverting the flow can cause severe turbulence effects and therefore product mixing. Thereby addressing some segregation trends of products that may occur.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the barrier includes at least two operation states, that is, a first operation state that blocks the passage from the storage portion to the outlet to a first degree, and the passage. It is possible to adopt the second operation state in which the second is blocked to a second degree less than the first degree.

  Such a structure is a particularly sophisticated preventive measure against the product spilling out (accidentally) through the outlet by setting the first operating state, for example for transport from the manufacturer to the dealer. It is possible to provide On the other hand, the second operating state with some mild preventive measures against the product flowing out of the outlet is appropriate for daily life.

  According to the present invention, from the above viewpoint, in the first operation state, the barrier can completely block the passage. This provides a complete preventive measure against product spills from the outlet, for example during transport from the manufacturer to the store.

  According to the invention, the barrier can be displaced from the first operating state to the second operating state, but not vice versa. In other words, the displacement is irreversible. Such irreversibility is particularly useful when the barrier completely blocks the passage of the product from the storage portion to the outlet in the first operating state. More specifically, malfunction is prevented.

  According to the present invention, it is preferable that the barrier includes a wall crossing the linear passage and a passage crossing the wall.

  This embodiment is particularly easy to manufacture.

  From this point of view, the passage can be closed in the first operating state, and the passage can be partially opened in the second operating state. Again, this embodiment seems particularly easy to manufacture.

  According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the barrier is a bowl-shaped part. This type of component is particularly easy to manufacture.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention that is particularly easy to handle is that the barrier is displaceable relative to the housing and / or relative to the outlet.

  According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the barrier is slidable in the direction of movement of the product from the storage part towards the outlet.

  The above sliding direction is generally the longitudinal direction of a pencil-shaped applicator. According to the present invention, even if the barrier in this case can be displaced, it is not necessary to increase the dimension in the thickness direction of the pencil.

  Finally, according to the present invention, it is preferable that the barrier is displaced in a direction from the first operation state toward the second operation state in response to an increase in pressure in the storage portion.

  This configuration can be said to be an automatic configuration in effect because the movement of the product from the storage section to the passage is usually performed by an increase in pressure in the storage section. Therefore, when the applicator is used in a normal manner, the barrier is automatically displaced from the first operation state to the second operation state.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a first operation state of a cosmetic applicator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a second operating state of the applicator of FIG.

  The illustrated applicator includes a storage unit 10 in which a liquid cosmetic such as lipstick 12 is stored. The storage unit 10 communicates with the working surface 16 of the applicator device via the conveyance path 14. The working surface 16 is provided with a plurality of outlets, one of which is indicated by reference numeral 18.

  In the operation state (first operation state) shown in FIG. 1, the side facing the action surface 16 of the storage unit 10 is closed by a plug (barrier) 20 fitted in the opening 22. In the first operating state, the sealing ridges 24 that are in a sealing relationship with the inner wall of the opening 22 remain sealed. In the first operating state shown in FIG. 1, the lipstick 12 cannot pass through the outlet 18 on the working surface because the stopper 20 closes the storage portion 10.

  In the second operating state shown in FIG. 2, the stopper 20 is displaced in the direction toward the working surface 16 with respect to the first operating state shown in FIG. This displacement is limited by the projecting portion 26 extending around the contact with the stepped portion 28.

  In the second operating state (FIG. 2), the plug 20 no longer seals the storage 10. In particular, the plug 20 includes passages 30 and 32 that open a path from the storage unit 10 to the outlet 18 through the conveyance path 14 in the second operation state. In this case, in the second operating state, the passages 30, 32 only partially overlap the passage 22, but the plug 20 projects only slightly from the opening 22.

  In the second operating state, the lipstick 12 “circulates” the path from the storage unit 10 to the outlet 18 through the passages 30 and 32. This detour increases the flow velocity and friction of the plug 20 against the wall, resulting in a strong vortex in the material (lipstick) that mixes materials that tend to separate.

When pressure is applied to the storage unit 10, the lipstick 12 is carried from the storage unit 10 through the conveyance path 14 to the working surface 16 having the outlet 18. When the plug 20 is in the first operating state, initially such pressure does not cause the lipstick 12 to move, but the plug 20 is shown in FIG. 2 from the first operating state shown in FIG. This causes the displacement to the second operating state. Such a pressure can also be generated by, for example, the operation of a rotation mechanism (not shown). More specifically, this pressure is generated during the so-called first rotation, that is, in the storage unit 10. It has already occurred during the operation to eliminate dead space not filled with lipstick 12. Once the plug 20 is in the second operating state (FIG. 2), the pressure in the storage 10 decreases, but the passages 30 and 32 are present so that the plug 20 is no longer in the first operating state (FIG. 1). ) Cannot return. In other words, the displacement of the plug 20 from the first operating state (FIG. 1) to the second operating state (FIG. 2) is irreversible.

  In the second operating state (FIG. 2), the passages 30, 32 allow the lipstick 12 to move from the storage 10 toward the outlet 18, but the bottom wall 34 of the bowl-shaped plug 20 As a result of the swing of the applicator, it is sufficient to prevent the lipstick 12 from accidentally moving from the storage 10 to the outlet 18. More specifically, the above swinging only triggers a linear movement of the lipstick 12 and moves through a “detour” that goes through the passages 30 and 32 and around the bottom wall 34 of the bowl-shaped stopper 20. Does not trigger.

  The features of the invention, the claims and the drawings described above are essential for carrying out the various embodiments of the invention either individually or in combination.

1 is a schematic enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a first operation state of a cosmetic applicator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a second operation state of the applicator of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Storage Department 12 Lipstick (Product)
14 Transport path 16 Working surface 18 Outflow port 20 Stopper (barrier)
22 opening 30, 32 passage

Claims (6)

An applicator for a liquid, gel, paste or powder product (12) comprising:
In the thing provided with the accommodating part (10) in which the said product (12) is accommodated in a free form, and the outflow port (18) for the said product (12),
In at least one operating state, across the straight passage for at least partially blocking the straight passage for the product (12) from the storage (10) to the outlet (18). Comprising a wall (34) and a barrier (20) with a passage (30, 32) crossing the side wall in the form of a bowl with a side wall parallel to the straight passage ;
The barrier (20) has a first operation state in which a passage from the storage portion (10) to the outlet (18) is blocked to a first degree, and the passage is less than the first degree. It is possible to take at least two operating states, such as a second operating state that is blocked to a degree of 2, so that the barrier (20) is moved from the first operating state to the second operating state. An applicator characterized in that it is displaceable, but not vice versa.   The applicator device according to claim 1, wherein the barrier (20) completely seals the passage in the first operating state. 3. An applicator device according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the passage (30, 32) is closed in the first operating state and is at least partially open in the second operating state. . The said barrier (20) is displaceable with respect to the said accommodating part (10) and / or with respect to the said outflow port (18), The any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The applicator as described. The said barrier (20) is slidable in the direction of the passage for the product (12) from the storage (10) to the outlet (18). 5. The applicator device according to any one of items 4 to 4 . The barrier (20) is displaced in a direction from the first operation state toward the second operation state in response to an increase in pressure in the storage portion (10). The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

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