Package
The present invention relates to a package and in particular to a package for a topically applying a fluid cosmetic formulation.
Technical field Background and prior art
Cosmetic formulations, for example antiperspirant deodorant fragrance-containing or other cosmetic formulations are applied topically to human skin in a variety of physical forms, including aerosol sprays, solid sticks, exudable solids, creams and liquids.
Solids, creams and liquids could be applied directly such as by introducing a suitable measure of the formulation onto the fingers and rubbing them on the skin at the desired location. However, for cosmetic formulations, eg antiperspirants deodorants and like formulations, this is potentially wasteful since a fraction of the formulation will be retained on the fingers where it is of little benefit . Accordingly, for each physical form of formulation, there has been devised a number of containers.
For a fluid formulation, the conventional applicator package for an antiperspirant/deodorant formulation comprises a roll -ball device in which an upright container has a mouth which houses a rotatable ball with a lip of slightly narrower internal diameter than the external diameter of the ball, thereby retaining it within the mouth but exposing a significant fraction of the ball for rolls across the skin. There is a narrow
gap between the ball and the lip so that when the ball is rotated across the skin, a coating of formulation on the surface of the ball is carried past the lip and brought into contact with the skin. This is a very effective container for dispensing fluids, but it would be advantageous to be able to produce a simplified design of container, which might be cheaper or easier to produce.
Object of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to devise an package for dispensing a fluid such as a fluid antiperspirant or deodorant formulation which does not employ a roll ball.
Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a package for topically applying a cosmetic fluid comprising:
(i) a container with opposite first and second ends, the first end being closed and sufficiently flat to render the container capable of standing upright on the first end, the second end having an opening defined by a mouth for dispensing the fluid, the container being relatively rigid along its first flat end and relatively flexible in a middle area to permit squeezing of its walls;
(ii) a closure positioned across the second end, the closure including a convex top wall with a exterior and interior surfaces, and an aperture formed in the top wall
fluidly communicating with the opening of the container; and
(iii) a cap seatable over at least a central area of the closure, the cap including a roof with an inner surface and a plug projecting downwardly from the inner surface of the roof, the plug being seatable within the aperture to prevent egress of fluid from the container.
Such a package is reasonably robust, permitting display and storage in an upright position and topical application by simple hand pressure around the container causing the container contents to flow through the aperture onto a convex distributing surface. The package has no moving parts and can be readily made by conventional moulding techniques. It can be simply and easily filled through its open mouth before the closure is inserted.
The invention further provides in a related aspect a cosmetic product such as a deodorant or antiperspirant product comprising a pack according to the first aspect in which the container contains a fluid formulation comprising an active cosmetic constituent such as an antiperspirant and/or deodorant and/or fragrance constituent and a carrier.
Herein, the term fluid indicates that the formulation is capable of flowing either under gravity or the pressure exerted by hand squeezing. In practice, the formulation normally has a viscosity at around ambient temperature (25°C) in the range of from 1 to 100000 mPa . s (cps) . In many formulations the formulation also contains means to
thicken the fluid in which the formulation has a viscosity of from 500 to 100000 mPas . s .
Detailed Description of the Invention
The package according to the present invention comprises a container which is capable of standing upright, a closure for the mouth of the container which has an aperture in fluid connection with the container mouth and a convex outer- facing surface for distributing the antiperspirant, deodorant or other active-containing formulation topically, and a cap to cover the aperture and prevent unwanted loss of fluid from the container.
The top wall of the closure at its edge desirably has the same shape and dimensions as the second end of the container so that the closure fits over the second end, avoiding any sharp protuberances which could impair the passage of the top wall topically across skin.
The container herein is conveniently made from moulded plastic. It can be round, but is preferably oval or rounded rectangular in transverse cross section, ie transverse to a longitudinal axis extending from the first to second ends. The sidewall can be slightly convex, at the discretion of the manufacturer. The container may have a constant cross section, or may be waisted, the waist preferably being closer to the second end than to the first end. The sidewall is, however, flexible in a middle area away from the first end. Such relative flexibility can be introduced by varying the thickness of the sidewall, the middle area having a thinner wall thickness. The sidewall still retains
sufficient thickness for the container to remain upright. The flexibility of the sidewall is influenced by the selection of its material of construction, mouldable thermoplastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene being particularly suitable choices.
The first end of the container is flat enough to stand upright. A most convenient arrangement comprises a flat annular rim and a domed recessed interior. This optimises stability.
The second end of the container comprises a mouth defining an opening through which the container contents can pass. The mouth is preferably located centrally within the second end, and is normally joined to the sidewall of the container by a topwall . The topwall is often flat and advantageously can define with the sidewall a shallow peripheral recessed rim. The mouth in the second end of the container is preferably round. In some embodiments, it is advantageously defined by an upstanding wall rising from the topwall which can engage with a suitably positioned downwardly projecting wall or walls on the closure.
The closure preferably comprises a downwardly projecting wall, the mouth of the container fitting around or within the wall to provide a fluid-tight fit. Alternatively, the closure can comprise a set of two concentric downwardly projecting walls, which fit respectively within and outside the mouth. The top wall of the closure preferably has a decreased radius of curvature at its edge compared with a central area adjacent to the aperture. This increases the smoothness with which the
convex distributing surface can glide topically across human skin.
The top wall of the closure is preferably oval . Advantageously, the topwall of the closure is dimensioned such that it can be seated on the recessed rim formed by the sidewalland topwall of the container.
The aperture can be straight sided, but advantageously has an outward facing bevel. This provides a small collecting chamber in which a drop of the fluid formulation can be retained at the top wall outer surface, available for spreading topically. The bevelled chamber can suitably include at its base, an annular groove.
The aperture in the closure advantageously is small and commonly it is round. The diameter of the aperture is generally selected inversely with the viscosity of the formulation dispensed through it. In many instances, the aperture diameter is not greater than 3 mm at its narrowest, and in many desirable embodiments is from 0.3 to 2mm, including particularly a pin-hole. A pin-hole aperture is particularly suitable for dispensing a cosmetic lotion. The aperture can advantageously comprise an outward facing bevelled section communicating with in an inward facing pin-hole channel, thereby combining the benefits of both a collecting chamber and a constrained outlet .
In highly desirable embodiments, the closure further comprises a downwardly projecting tube in fluid connection with the aperture. Preferably the tube extends to just above the first end of the container, so
that the package can be most readily employed in an upright attitude until substantially all the contents of the container have been squeezed out. More preferably, the down tube extends to near the sidewall of the container in the vicinity of the first end, so that the container can be tilted a little to encourage the container contents to flow towards the tip of the tube, thereby minimising the volume of formulation that would be wasted. The down tube can comprise a single tube or it can comprise a first section that extends directly from the closure top wall and a second section that is fitted onto the first section, suitably by push-fit. When the container includes a down tube, it is particularly suited to dispensing a lotion.
The cap can suitably cover the entire top surface of the closure, or only a fraction of the surface surrounding the aperture. It can comprise means for engaging removably with the closure, such as a friction fit of the cap around the edge of the closure, the former preferably having a lip which can extend beneath the edge of the closure, providing a snap fit. The cap also has, preferably, a lug standing proud of the closure which can assist the user to remove the cap.
The cap advantageously has a plug extending from the cap face opposite the aperture, which is dimensioned and located so as to close the aperture and thus prevent loss of fluid from the container. The plug can be a tight, friction fit is desired. The cap can be stand alone, or attached to the closure or container, for example by a flexible strap. For example, the cap can be moulded in one piece with the closure. The cap can alternatively be
round and screw mounted onto a correspondingly dimensioned round head of the container.
The dimensions of the package are at the discretion of the manufacture. In many instances, the container holds from 10 to 100 mis fluid, and particularly from 15 to 75 mis. Accordingly, it often has height of from 40 to 120 mm and an average transverse cross section of from 400 to 1500 mm2.
The invention also provides a product comprising a package according to the first aspect described hereinbefore, in which the container contains a fluid cosmetic formulation such as antiperspirant, deodorant or fragrance formulation that flow under gravity or can be squeezed by application of normal hand pressure through the aperture. Such a formulation is normally observable as a thin liquid or a thickened liquid or a cream, although a gel which can be fluidised under hand pressure is also contemplated, and the formulations usually has a viscosity within the range of from 1 to 100000 mPas . s and in many formulations from 500 to 100000 mPas . s .
Viscosity measurements herein correspond to those made using a Brookfield ™ RVT viscometer, No 2 spindle, at 20 rpm at 25°C.
The compositions normally comprise one or more of a) an antiperspirant active and/or b) a deodorant active, and/or c) a fragrance. Constituent a) is normally selected in the range of 0.5 to 60%, often from 5 to 40% and constituent b) is normally selected in the range of from 0.1 to 90% and often up to 60%. Constituent c) is
often selected in the range of from 0.1 90% and particularly 0.2 to 10%.
The antiperspirant active a) is often an astringent aluminium zirconium or mixed aluminium zirconium salt or a complex thereof, such an aluminium chlorohydrate or a zirconium aluminium complex or an activated chlorohydrate or complex. The deodorant active can comprise a monohydric C1-C4 alcohol such as ethanol or isopropanol, in which case it is often present at a concentration of at least 10% especially at least 20%, and can function at least in part as a carrier as well as deodorant. The deodorant can additionally or alternatively comprise bactericides such as chlorinated aromatics or biguanides, often at a concentration of not more than 5% and particularly up to 2%. The fragrance c) is at the discretion of the formulator. It is often chosen from one or more of essential oils extracted from plants and particularly fragrant flowers or fruit, such as rose, geranium, lily, lavender, or citrus fruits, and/or from animal oils, such as from musk or civet and/or from synthetic aromatic compounds, in some instances containing one or more of an hydroxyl , aldehyde or ester substituent. In practice a mixture of frangrances is often employed, optionally in alcoholic solution.
Formulations employed herein commonly comprise from 10 to 95% of a carrier and especially from 30 to 90%. The carrier can comprise a single phase, be it hydrophobic or hydrophilic, or can comprise a mixture of such phases, normally present as an emulsion. Suitable hydrophobic carriers can include volatile silicone oils such as cyclomethicones (especially tertramer, pentamer and/or hexamer) or corresponding volatile linear methicones,
and/or non-volatile hydrocarbon oils. Other suitable carriers include aliphatic ethers or esters containing a C8 to C30 group.
Hydrophilic carriers include water, aliphatic monohydric alcohols, glycols or tri or polyhydric alcohols.
The increase in viscosity of the fluid formulation is normally obtained by incorporation of one or more structurants, gellants or thickeners in an amount selected from 0.1 to 10% particularly from 0.2 to 5% and in many embodiments from 0.3 to 2% to increase the viscosity to the formulation to within the desired range for a cream. Suitable structurants include synthetic or natural carbon-based waxes, eg beeswax, hydroxystearic acid or castor wax or silicone waxes, or silicone elastomers. Suitable gellants include fatty alcohols, certain amide derivatives of tricarboxylic acids, dibenzylidene sorbitol and N-acyl amino acid derivatives, eg n-lauroyl-L-glutamic acid dibutylamide . Suitable thickeners can include gums, starches, cellulose derivatives and inorganic thickeners such as clays or silica. Some viscosity increase can also be achieved by selection of carrier constituents of higher viscosity or by incorporation of particulate actives.
The antiperspirant or deodorant formulation can also contain one or more conventional minor additives, such as in an amount of up to 10%, such as fragrance, talc, or humectant (glycerol or sorbitol) .
Except in operative or comparative examples, all numbers herein indicating amounts or ratios of materials, such as
limits of ranges are to be understood as modified by about, unless expressly stated otherwise.
Having described the invention in general terms, one embodiment according to the present invention will now be described more fully by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -
Figure 1 represents an exploded view of a package viewed from one side and below;
Figure 2 represents a vertical cross section through the package shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 represents a vertical cross section through a package of Figure 1 containing additionally a dip tube. Figure 4 represents an expanded cross section of the central area of the closure.
Figure 5 represents an expanded cross section of the central area of the closure and dip-tube of Figure 3
The package shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a container 1, closure 2 and a cap 3. The container 1 is tubular with a waist 4 and a base comprising a flat annulus 5 surrounding a domed recess 6. The opposite end of the container 1 comprises a round mouth 7 formed by an upstanding wall 8 extending above a shoulder 9, having an recessed rim 10.
The closure 2 comprises a convex top wall 11 with a decreasing radius of curvature towards a lip 12 which frictionally engages the recessed rim 10 of the container l,a bevelled aperture 13 and a circular wall 14 which extends downwardly from the inner face of the topwall 11 and fits tightly inside the upstanding wall 8 of the container 1. The aperture 13 is small. In figure 4, it
is seen more clearly that the bevelled aperture 13 terminates at its base in an annular groove 19 and a narrow channel 20 which is pin-hole sized.
The cap 3 comprises a convex wall 14 terminating with a lip 15 which fits over the lip 12 of closure 2, a plug 16 on its inner face which is located opposite to and sealably sits within bevelled aperture 13 in closure 2, and a tab 17 projecting beyond lip 15.
The package is filled through mouth 7, the downstanding wall 14 of the closure 2 is presented to upstanding wall 8 of container 1 and the closure 2 is press fitted onto the container 1. The cap 3 is presented to the closure 2 and is press fitted. To operate, the cap 3 is removed, the container is optionally tilted and the sidewall of the container 1 squeezed to expel the container contents onto the convex topwall 11 for topical application.
The package shown in Figure 3 comprises the package of
Figures 1 and 2 modified so that a dip-tube 18 extends downwardly from a short cylindrical wall 21 moulded integrally with the topwall 11 of the closure 2 around the aperture 13, and is dimensioned to extend to the base of the container 1 just above its annular rim 5. The aperture 13 in Figure 3 has a pin-hole sized channel 20 at its narrowest.
In operation, the package of Figure 3 is filled in the manner of the package of Figure 1/2 and is held normally in an upright manner for topical application, the contents of the container 1 being expelled through the dip tube 18 and aperture 13 onto the convex topwall 11 by squeezing the container 1.
In a modification (not illustrated) , the rim 9 of the container 1 is circular in cross section, is deepened and screw threaded to engage a correspondingly screw threaded skirt portion of a circular cap extending below the closure .
Examples 1 to 9
These Examples describe fluid formulations which are suitable for employment in a package according to either Figure 1 or Figure 3.
The Table
ACH represents aluminium chlorohydrate, AZH representa aluminium zirconium pentachlorohydrate, AZAG represents aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine complex, and PHMB represents poly (hexamethylenebiguanide)