WO2010018145A2 - Applicator - Google Patents

Applicator Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010018145A2
WO2010018145A2 PCT/EP2009/060320 EP2009060320W WO2010018145A2 WO 2010018145 A2 WO2010018145 A2 WO 2010018145A2 EP 2009060320 W EP2009060320 W EP 2009060320W WO 2010018145 A2 WO2010018145 A2 WO 2010018145A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
applicator
flow
reservoir
substance
flowable substance
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2009/060320
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2010018145A3 (en
Inventor
Nathan James Wrench
David Stuart Harris
Original Assignee
Novartis Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Novartis Ag filed Critical Novartis Ag
Publication of WO2010018145A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010018145A2/en
Publication of WO2010018145A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010018145A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D34/00—Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. perfumes
    • A45D34/04—Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball
    • A45D34/042—Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball using a brush or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
    • A46B11/001—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs
    • A46B11/002—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water with integral reservoirs pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means
    • A46B11/0041—Flexible or deformable reservoirs, e.g. resilient bulbs, compressible tubes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B11/00—Brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances, e.g. paints, pastes, water
    • A46B11/0072—Details
    • A46B11/0079—Arrangements for preventing undesired leakage or dispensing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1046—Brush used for applying cosmetics

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an applicator for applying a flowable substance to a surface and more particularly to an applicator for applying a pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquid to a surface of a human nail.
  • the application of substances used in the care or treatment of nails is typically achieved using a brush and container arrangement.
  • the brush is dipped into a container of the substance to be applied and the brush is then used to ⁇ paint' the substance onto a nail.
  • This process can be difficult to perform, can lead to drying out of the substance if the container is unsealed for a prolonged period and it can be difficult to accurately apply the substance as may be required for a pharmaceutical treatment regimen.
  • WO 01/95759 discloses an accessory for nail care which has a reservoir for a substance to be applied to a nail, an applicator for the substance and includes channels for conveying the substance from the reservoir to the applicator.
  • the reservoir may be compressible to force substance from the reservoir to the applicator.
  • it can still be difficult to accurately dispense substance using such a device.
  • the invention provides an applicator for applying a flowable substance to a surface, the applicator comprising a reservoir, an applicator tip and a flow passageway, the reservoir being for containing a source of a flowable substance, the flowable substance is, in use, caused to flow through the flow passageway to the applicator tip from which it can be transferred to the surface, the flow passageway including a flow restrictor through which flowable substance from the reservoir must pass to reach the applicator tip, the flow restrictor being fabricated from a filter material.
  • the flow of the flowable substance is restricted and it is easier for a user to control more readily the flowrate of material to the applicator tip. This is particularly important for flowable substances of low viscosity which could otherwise rapidly flow from the reservoir to the applicator tip.
  • the filter material can also be useful for removing unwanted particulates from the flowable material before they reach the applicator tip and are applied to the surface where they could cause damage or unwanted sensations.
  • the filter material may be a foam material such as an open celled foam, for example made of rubber, or the filter material could be a sinter material.
  • the filter material includes a plurality of pores which form tortuous paths through which the flowable material can pass to move from one side of the flow restrictor to the other. The flow resistance of the narrow paths and the interactions between flowable substance and the walls produce the pressure drop across the filter material which provides the flow restriction.
  • the applicator tip comprises a paddle.
  • the applicator tip includes at least one application surface from which the flowable substance can be transferred to the surface to which the substance is to be applied.
  • the applicator tip may include at least one ducting channel, which in one embodiment extends from the flow channel to an application surface, such that substance is preferentially directed to the application surface.
  • the applicator tip includes first and second oppositely-directed application surfaces.
  • the applicator tip comprises a porous element such as a synthetic sponge.
  • the applicator tip comprises a brush element.
  • the container contains a flowable substance.
  • the substance may comprises a pharmaceutical product, or it may comprise a cosmetic product.
  • the flowable substance is preferably a liquid which comprises a solvent which readily evaporates once the substance is applied to the desired surface leaving a desired residue on the surface.
  • the reservoir may be a deformable reservoir, deformation of which, directly or indirectly, by a user causes flowable material to flow through the flow restrictor due to the increase in pressure in the reservoir caused by the deformation.
  • the flow restrictor helps to prevent excess substance from being dispensed if a user applies a high deformation force to the reservoir and, consequently, a high driving pressure.
  • a high deformation force could cause squirting of substance from the applicator which could cause a mess, or pose a health issue, for example if the substance is toxic or an irritant.
  • the substance is a pharmaceutical product then such an event could cause over application of the substance to the surface. An over application could lead to overdosing, waste or simply loss of substance which might be expensive.
  • the applicator may include a lid or cap which can be coupled to the applicator to substantially seal the applicator tip from the atmosphere to help prevent the flowable substance from drying out.
  • the applicator may include one or more valve mechanisms to selectively couple / de-couple the applicator tip from the reservoir.
  • a sinter suitable for use as the flow restrictor is typically fabricated using a particulate material, such as a powder and treating it, for example by heating to just below its melting point, such that the particles adhere to one another.
  • the sinter contains interstitial spaces between the fused particles and it is through this network of interstitial channels that the substance must flow to pass through the sinter.
  • a preferred average size of the interstitial spaces (pore size measured by bubble point) or pore size for the flow restrictor is less than 20 microns, more preferably 5 to 15 microns and most preferably 7 to 12 microns.
  • the length of the restrictor element may be less than 10mm, but could be less than 5mm long and in one embodiment is less than 3mm long.
  • the diameter of the restrictor element may be less than 10mm, but could be less than 5mm and in one embodiment is less than 3mm. In one embodiment the diameter of the restrictor element is substantially the same as the length of said element. It should be noted that the length of the restrictor element can be varied to obtain a suitable flow resistance since the length of the element has a direct effect on the length of the flow path therethrough. The longer the filter material forming the restrictor element, the greater the flow resistance.
  • PE polyethylene
  • PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
  • flowable substance is intended to cover liquids, suspensions, emulsions and also soft, flowable solids of the type that maybe dispensed onto a nail surface.
  • the flowable substance is preferably for coating at least a portion of the nail surface .
  • Figure 1 shows an applicator according to the invention and a detail view of a flow passageway portion .
  • Figure 1 shows an applicator 1 for applying a flowable substance 2 to a surface.
  • the applicator comprises a reservoir 4, an applicator tip 6 and a flow passageway 8.
  • the reservoir 4 contains the flowable substance 2 which is, in use, caused to flow through the flow passageway 8 to the applicator tip 6 from which it is transferred onto a surface.
  • the flow passageway 8 includes a flow restrictor 10 through which flowable substance 2 from the reservoir 4 must pass to reach the applicator tip 6.
  • the flow restrictor 10 is, in this case, fabricated from a sinter material.
  • the applicator 1 In use the applicator 1 is inverted such that the flowable substance 2 in the reservoir 4 flows toward the applicator tip 6.
  • the flow is restricted and can be substantially prevented, or at least controlled, by the sinter flow restrictor 10.
  • a user can squeeze the reservoir 4 to deform said reservoir in order to force the flowable substance 2 through the sinter flow restrictor 10 and onto the applicator tip, in this case a brush 12, from which it can be applied to a surface.
  • the sinter material from which the flow restrictor is manufactured can provide a significant flow restriction and this can be particularly important is the flowable substance 2 in the reservoir is a low viscosity liquid which would otherwise readily flow from the applicator tip and potentially apply an excessive dose to the surface .

Landscapes

  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator (1) for applying a flowable substance to a surface. The applicator (1) comprises a reservoir (4), an applicator tip (6) and a flow passageway (8). The reservoir (4) is for containing a source of a flowable substance (2). The flowable substance (2) is, in use, caused to flow through the flow passageway (8) to the applicator tip (6) from which it can be transferred onto the surface. The flow passageway (8) includes a flow restrictor (10) through which flowable substance (2) from the reservoir (4) must pass to reach the applicator tip (6). The flow restrictor (10) may be fabricated from a sinter material.

Description

Applicator
The invention relates to an applicator for applying a flowable substance to a surface and more particularly to an applicator for applying a pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquid to a surface of a human nail.
The application of substances used in the care or treatment of nails is typically achieved using a brush and container arrangement. The brush is dipped into a container of the substance to be applied and the brush is then used to λpaint' the substance onto a nail. This process can be difficult to perform, can lead to drying out of the substance if the container is unsealed for a prolonged period and it can be difficult to accurately apply the substance as may be required for a pharmaceutical treatment regimen.
WO 01/95759 discloses an accessory for nail care which has a reservoir for a substance to be applied to a nail, an applicator for the substance and includes channels for conveying the substance from the reservoir to the applicator. The reservoir may be compressible to force substance from the reservoir to the applicator. However, it can still be difficult to accurately dispense substance using such a device.
The invention provides an applicator for applying a flowable substance to a surface, the applicator comprising a reservoir, an applicator tip and a flow passageway, the reservoir being for containing a source of a flowable substance, the flowable substance is, in use, caused to flow through the flow passageway to the applicator tip from which it can be transferred to the surface, the flow passageway including a flow restrictor through which flowable substance from the reservoir must pass to reach the applicator tip, the flow restrictor being fabricated from a filter material.
By providing a flow restrictor of a filter material the flow of the flowable substance is restricted and it is easier for a user to control more readily the flowrate of material to the applicator tip. This is particularly important for flowable substances of low viscosity which could otherwise rapidly flow from the reservoir to the applicator tip. The filter material can also be useful for removing unwanted particulates from the flowable material before they reach the applicator tip and are applied to the surface where they could cause damage or unwanted sensations.
The filter material may be a foam material such as an open celled foam, for example made of rubber, or the filter material could be a sinter material. The filter material includes a plurality of pores which form tortuous paths through which the flowable material can pass to move from one side of the flow restrictor to the other. The flow resistance of the narrow paths and the interactions between flowable substance and the walls produce the pressure drop across the filter material which provides the flow restriction.
In one embodiment the applicator tip comprises a paddle.
Preferably, the applicator tip includes at least one application surface from which the flowable substance can be transferred to the surface to which the substance is to be applied. The applicator tip may include at least one ducting channel, which in one embodiment extends from the flow channel to an application surface, such that substance is preferentially directed to the application surface.
In one embodiment the applicator tip includes first and second oppositely-directed application surfaces. In another embodiment the applicator tip comprises a porous element such as a synthetic sponge. In a further embodiment the applicator tip comprises a brush element.
In one embodiment the container contains a flowable substance. The substance may comprises a pharmaceutical product, or it may comprise a cosmetic product.
The flowable substance is preferably a liquid which comprises a solvent which readily evaporates once the substance is applied to the desired surface leaving a desired residue on the surface.
The reservoir may be a deformable reservoir, deformation of which, directly or indirectly, by a user causes flowable material to flow through the flow restrictor due to the increase in pressure in the reservoir caused by the deformation. In such an embodiment the flow restrictor helps to prevent excess substance from being dispensed if a user applies a high deformation force to the reservoir and, consequently, a high driving pressure. Such a high deformation force could cause squirting of substance from the applicator which could cause a mess, or pose a health issue, for example if the substance is toxic or an irritant. If the substance is a pharmaceutical product then such an event could cause over application of the substance to the surface. An over application could lead to overdosing, waste or simply loss of substance which might be expensive.
The applicator may include a lid or cap which can be coupled to the applicator to substantially seal the applicator tip from the atmosphere to help prevent the flowable substance from drying out.
The applicator may include one or more valve mechanisms to selectively couple / de-couple the applicator tip from the reservoir.
A sinter suitable for use as the flow restrictor is typically fabricated using a particulate material, such as a powder and treating it, for example by heating to just below its melting point, such that the particles adhere to one another. The sinter contains interstitial spaces between the fused particles and it is through this network of interstitial channels that the substance must flow to pass through the sinter.
A preferred average size of the interstitial spaces (pore size measured by bubble point) or pore size for the flow restrictor is less than 20 microns, more preferably 5 to 15 microns and most preferably 7 to 12 microns.
The length of the restrictor element may be less than 10mm, but could be less than 5mm long and in one embodiment is less than 3mm long. The diameter of the restrictor element may be less than 10mm, but could be less than 5mm and in one embodiment is less than 3mm. In one embodiment the diameter of the restrictor element is substantially the same as the length of said element. It should be noted that the length of the restrictor element can be varied to obtain a suitable flow resistance since the length of the element has a direct effect on the length of the flow path therethrough. The longer the filter material forming the restrictor element, the greater the flow resistance.
Manufacturers such as Porvair produce polyethylene (PE) sinters (e.g. Vyon T), or Porex produce polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sinters (e.g. Mupor) , which may both be suitable for use in this invention.
It should be understood that the term flowable substance is intended to cover liquids, suspensions, emulsions and also soft, flowable solids of the type that maybe dispensed onto a nail surface. The flowable substance is preferably for coating at least a portion of the nail surface .
It should be understood that throughout this specification and in the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", implies the inclusion of the stated integer or step, or group of integers or steps.
The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows an applicator according to the invention and a detail view of a flow passageway portion .
Figure 1 shows an applicator 1 for applying a flowable substance 2 to a surface. The applicator comprises a reservoir 4, an applicator tip 6 and a flow passageway 8. The reservoir 4 contains the flowable substance 2 which is, in use, caused to flow through the flow passageway 8 to the applicator tip 6 from which it is transferred onto a surface. The flow passageway 8 includes a flow restrictor 10 through which flowable substance 2 from the reservoir 4 must pass to reach the applicator tip 6. The flow restrictor 10 is, in this case, fabricated from a sinter material.
In use the applicator 1 is inverted such that the flowable substance 2 in the reservoir 4 flows toward the applicator tip 6. The flow is restricted and can be substantially prevented, or at least controlled, by the sinter flow restrictor 10. A user can squeeze the reservoir 4 to deform said reservoir in order to force the flowable substance 2 through the sinter flow restrictor 10 and onto the applicator tip, in this case a brush 12, from which it can be applied to a surface.
The sinter material from which the flow restrictor is manufactured can provide a significant flow restriction and this can be particularly important is the flowable substance 2 in the reservoir is a low viscosity liquid which would otherwise readily flow from the applicator tip and potentially apply an excessive dose to the surface .
It should be understood that the invention has been described above by way of example only and that modifications in detail can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims
1. An applicator for applying a flowable substance to a surface, the applicator comprising a reservoir, an applicator tip and a flow passageway, the reservoir being for containing a source of a flowable substance, the flowable substance is, in use, caused to flow through the flow passageway to the applicator tip from which it can be transferred to the surface, the flow passageway including a flow restrictor through which flowable substance from the reservoir must pass to reach the applicator tip, the flow restrictor being fabricated from a filter material.
2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, in which the filter material is a sinter material.
3. An applicator as claimed in claim 2, in which the average size of the interstitial spaces of the sinter is less than 20 microns.
4. An applicator as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the flowable substance is a liquid.
5. An applicator as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the reservoir is a deformable reservoir, deformation of which by a user can force flowable material to flow through the flow restrictor.
6. An applicator as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the reservoir contains a flowable substance which is a pharmaceutical formulation including an active substance .
PCT/EP2009/060320 2008-08-11 2009-08-10 Applicator WO2010018145A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08162180.7 2008-08-11
EP08162180 2008-08-11

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010018145A2 true WO2010018145A2 (en) 2010-02-18
WO2010018145A3 WO2010018145A3 (en) 2010-04-15

Family

ID=40228982

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2009/060320 WO2010018145A2 (en) 2008-08-11 2009-08-10 Applicator

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2010018145A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013085230A1 (en) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-13 (주)아모레퍼시픽 Airless pump container provided with filter cartridge portion

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9101742U1 (en) * 1991-02-15 1991-05-08 Schwan-Stabilo Schwanhäußer GmbH & Co, 8500 Nürnberg Applicator for applying flowable cosmetic mascara
WO2001095759A2 (en) * 2000-06-16 2001-12-20 Nicci Prokopos A nail care accessory
JP2002193295A (en) * 2000-12-26 2002-07-10 Key Tranding Co Ltd Liquid container
WO2004037039A1 (en) * 2002-10-26 2004-05-06 Terence William Bolton Paintbrushes
EP1541371A1 (en) * 2002-05-31 2005-06-15 Pentel Kabushiki Kaisha Applicator

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9101742U1 (en) * 1991-02-15 1991-05-08 Schwan-Stabilo Schwanhäußer GmbH & Co, 8500 Nürnberg Applicator for applying flowable cosmetic mascara
WO2001095759A2 (en) * 2000-06-16 2001-12-20 Nicci Prokopos A nail care accessory
JP2002193295A (en) * 2000-12-26 2002-07-10 Key Tranding Co Ltd Liquid container
EP1541371A1 (en) * 2002-05-31 2005-06-15 Pentel Kabushiki Kaisha Applicator
WO2004037039A1 (en) * 2002-10-26 2004-05-06 Terence William Bolton Paintbrushes

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013085230A1 (en) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-13 (주)아모레퍼시픽 Airless pump container provided with filter cartridge portion

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2010018145A3 (en) 2010-04-15

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