U.S. patent application number 10/196158 was filed with the patent office on 2003-02-06 for packaging and dispensing device including a screen through which a substance is dispensed.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'OREAL. Invention is credited to Delage, Jean-Francois.
Application Number | 20030024545 10/196158 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8865603 |
Filed Date | 2003-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030024545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Delage, Jean-Francois |
February 6, 2003 |
Packaging and dispensing device including a screen through which a
substance is dispensed
Abstract
A device for packaging and dispensing a substance having a
housing containing the substance and a screen through which the
substance is dispensed. The packaging device includes first and
second elements capable, in a first state of the device prior to
the filling with the substance, of enabling one of the elements to
be positioned on a predetermined position relative to the other
After filling, in a subsequent state of the device, one of the
elements slides relative to the other element, to provide a
corresponding decrease in the volume of the housing as the
substance is used.
Inventors: |
Delage, Jean-Francois;
(Clamart, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON SPIVAK MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT PC
FOURTH FLOOR
1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
|
Assignee: |
L'OREAL
Paris
FR
75008
|
Family ID: |
8865603 |
Appl. No.: |
10/196158 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/299 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 33/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/299 |
International
Class: |
A45D 033/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 17, 2001 |
FR |
0109527 |
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent
of the United States is:
1. A device for packaging and dispensing a substance, in which the
device includes a housing which holds said substance and a screen
through which said substance is fed, the device comprising: a first
element; a second element, wherein said first and second elements
can be moved relative to each other, and wherein in a first state
of the device prior to the filling with said substance, one of said
first and second elements is in a predetermined position relative
to the other element, and further wherein in a second state of the
device, one of said first and second elements is slidable relative
to the other of said first and second elements to provide a
decrease in a volume of the housing as the substance is dispensed
from the housing.
2. A device as recited in claim 1, including at least two
co-operating portions to position one of the elements relative to
the other in said predetermined position.
3. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said two elements are
snap-coupled together in said predetermined position.
4. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first element
includes an end wall of the housing, and the second element
includes a side wall of the housing.
5. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said screen is carried
by the second element.
6. A device as recited in claim 1, further including sealing means
carried by at least one of said first and second elements to
provide a seal between said first and second elements.
7. A device as recited in claim 6, wherein said sealing means
comprise a sealing lip formed integrally with a wall of the first
element.
8. A device as recited in claim 6, wherein said sealing means
comprise an O-ring housed in a groove formed in a wall of one of
said elements.
9. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first element has an
inner skirt and an outer skirt defining between them a groove in
which the second element is slidably disposed.
10. A device as recited in claim 9, wherein said outer skirt is
threaded on the outside and wherein the device includes a lid
suitable for screwing onto said outer skirt.
11. A device as recited in claim 1, including a lid which can be
screwed onto at least one of said first and second elements when
said first and second elements are in said predetermined position,
and wherein while said lid is being screwed on said lid causes one
of the elements to move relative to the other.
12. A device as recited in claim 11, wherein said lid has a
shoulder which bears against an outer periphery of said screen when
the second element is in said predetermined position relative to
the first element.
13. A device as recited in claim 11, including an applicator housed
beneath the lid and above said screen.
14. A device as recited in claim 13, wherein said applicator is a
powder puff.
15. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said screen is held by
a support molded onto said screen.
16. A method of making a packaging and dispensing device including
providing a housing having a substance therein and a screen through
which said substance is fed with said device further including
first and second elements capable of sliding relative to each
other, with relative movement thereof being accompanied by a change
in a volume of said housing, the method further comprising:
positioning said first and second elements in a predetermined
position; and filling said housing with the substance.
17. A method as recited in claim 16, further comprising the step of
putting said screen into place after said housing has been filled
with the substance.
18. A method as recited in claim 15, further including causing one
of the elements to move relative to the other by fitting a lid onto
one of the first and second elements, with said lid bearing against
the other of said first and second elements to move said other of
said first and second elements on a first occasion said lid is put
into place.
19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said lid is put into
place by being screwed on.
20. A method according to claim 16, further including bringing said
first and second elements into said predetermined position by
cooperating portions disposed on said first and second
elements.
21. A method as recited in claim 1, further including providing
means on at least one of said first and second elements to hold
said first and second elements in said predetermined during filling
of said housing, the method further including causing relative
movement of said first and second elements after completion of
filling.
22. A method as recited in claim 21, further including causing said
relative movement by mounting a lid onto at least one of said first
and second elements.
23. A method as recited in claim 22, wherein said mounting of said
lid includes abutting a portion of said lid against one of said
first and second elements to move said one of said first and second
elements relative to the other.
24. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein said lid is coupled to
the other of said first and second elements during said
mounting.
25. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein said lid is coupled to
said other of said first and second elements by screwing said lid
onto said other of said first and second elements.
26. A method as recited in claim 16, further including providing a
lid to cover at least a portion of at least one of said first and
second elements.
27. A method as recited in claim 26, further including providing an
applicator device upon said screen, and wherein said lid covers
said applicator in a closed condition.
28. A method as recited in claim 27, further including providing a
powder puff as said applicator.
29. A method as recited in claim 16, further including dispensing
said product from said housing, while one of said elements slides
relative to the other of said elements.
30. A method as recited in claim 29, further including mounting a
portion of said second element on said substance such that as said
substance is used said second element moves downwardly by gravity
and as said second element moves downwardly by gravity said second
element slides relative to said first element.
31. A device for packaging and dispensing a substance comprising: a
first element having a top wall; a second element having at least
one side wall, wherein said device includes a housing having a
volume which is at least partially defined by said top wall and
said at least one side wall, and further wherein said housing
contains said substance; and wherein the second element is movably
mounted with respect to said first element, and wherein said second
element includes a portion which is coupled to said substance such
that as said substance is used said second element moves relative
to said first element and the volume of the housing is reduced.
32. A device as recited in claim 31, wherein said second element
moves downward by gravity as said substance in said housing is
used.
33. A device as recited in claim 32, wherein said substance is a
cosmetic.
34. A device as recited in claim 32, wherein said substance is a
powder.
35. A device as recited in claim 32, wherein said substance is a
foundation.
36. A device as recited in claim 31, wherein said second element is
slidably movable upon said first element.
37. A device as recited in claim 36, further including a seal
between said first element and said at least one side wall of said
second element.
38. A device as recited in claim 36, wherein said second element
includes a screen which sits upon a top surface of said substance
such that as said substance is used a level of said screen is
lowered to thereby lower said second element by gravity.
39. A device as recited in claim 38, further including an
applicator disposed above said screen.
40. A device as recited in claim 39, wherein said substance is a
cosmetic product.
41. A device as recited in claim 39, wherein said substance is a
powder and said applicator is a powder puff.
42. A device as recited in claim 41, further including a lid for
covering said applicator, the device further including means for
coupling said lid to said first element.
43. A device as recited in claim 42, wherein said means for
coupling includes a screw coupling between said lid and said first
element.
44. A device as recited in claim 43, wherein said first element
includes an inner skirt and an outer skirt, and wherein said lid
can be selectively screwed onto said outer skirt, and further
wherein said second element is received in a recess disposed
between said inner skirt and said outer skirt.
45. A device as recited in claim 44, further including means for
holding said second element in a predetermined position with
respect to said first element for filling said housing with said
substance.
46. A device as recited in claim 45, wherein said means for holding
includes at least one of a projection and a recess disposed on one
of said first and second elements.
47. A device as recited in claim 46, wherein said lid includes a
portion which abuts against said second element to move said second
element from said predetermined position upon a first application
of said lid after said housing is filled with said substance,
wherein after said second element is moved from said predetermined
position said second element moves relative to said first element
as said product is used.
48. A device as recited in claim 31, wherein said first element
includes an inner skirt and an outer skirt, and further wherein
said second element is slidably received in a recess disposed
between said inner skirt and said outer skirt.
49. A device as recited in claim 48, further including means for
holding said second element in a predetermined position with
respect to said first element for filling said housing with said
substance.
50. A device as recited in claim 49, wherein said means for holding
includes at least one of a projection and a recess disposed on one
of said first and second elements.
51. A device as recited in claim 50, further including a lid, and
wherein said lid includes a portion which abuts against said second
element to move said second element from said predetermined
position upon a first application of said lid after said housing is
filled with said substance, wherein after said second element is
moved from said predetermined position said second element moves
relative to said first element as said substance is used.
52. A device as recited in claim 51, wherein said lid can be
selectively coupled to said first element.
53. A device as recited in claim 52, wherein said lid can be
selectively coupled to said first element with a screw
coupling.
54. A device as recited in claim 31, wherein said second element
includes a screen which sits upon a top surface of said substance
such that as said substance is used the level of said screen is
lowered to thereby lower a level of said second element.
55. A device as recited in claim 54, further including an
applicator disposed above said screen.
56. A device as recited in claim 55, wherein said substance is a
powder and said applicator is a powder puff.
57. A device as recited in claim 54, further including means for
holding said second element in a predetermined position with
respect to said first element for filling said housing with said
substance.
58. A device as recited in claim 31, further including means for
holding said second element in a predetermined position with
respect to said first element for filling said housing with said
substance.
59. A device as recited in claim 31, further including an
applicator disposed above said second element.
60. A device as recited in claim 59, wherein said substance is a
cosmetic product and said applicator is a powder puff.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to French application
0109527 filed Jul. 17, 2001, the entire content of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to devices for packaging and
dispensing a substance. The invention is particularly advantageous
for dispensing a cosmetic, for example makeup, in powder or
semisolid form. The preferred form includes a housing containing
the substance and a screen through which the substance is fed or
dispensed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
DISCUSSION OF BACKGROUND
[0003] Devices that contain and dispense various cosmetic
substances are well known. However, there continues to be a need
for improved devices which are relatively simple in structure and
practical to use. Devices are also needed that can easily be filled
with a substance for subsequent dispensing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The novel device of the invention includes a first element
and a second element capable, in a first state of the device prior
to the filling with said substance, of enabling one of the elements
to be positioned in a predetermined position relative to the other
element. In a subsequent state, one of the elements of the device
can slide, corresponding to a decrease in the volume of the
housing.
[0005] With the arrangement of the invention, the housing can
present a predetermined volume while it is being filled without
requiring an arrangement or assembly outside of the device for
positioning one of the elements relative to the other. The
operation of filling the device with a substance is thereby
simplified.
[0006] In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the device
includes at least two cooperating portions arranged to enable one
of the elements to be prepositioned relative to the other. Examples
of arrangements to provide prepositioning of the elements include a
projection and/or a recess disposed on one or both of the elements.
In one form, the two elements are arranged to co-operate with each
other with a snap-fastening or snap-connection in the predetermined
position. The first element can include an end wall of the housing,
and the other element can include a side wall of the housing.
[0007] In one exemplary embodiment, a screen is carried by the
second element, i.e., the element having a housing side wall.
Advantageously, a seal arrangement is carried by one of the
elements to press against the other element so as to prevent
leakage of the substance or of a component of the substance through
any sliding clearance that exists between the two elements. The
seal arrangement can include, e.g., a sealing lip made integrally
with a wall of one of the elements, in particular the first
element, or an O-ring received in a groove formed in a wall of one
of the elements.
[0008] By way of example, in accordance with one embodiment, the
first element can include an inner skirt and an outer skirt
defining groove between them. The second element can be engaged in
the groove and free to slide. The outer skirt can advantageously
have an outside thread, with the device also including a lid that
can be screwed onto the outer skirt. When the first and second
elements are in the predetermined position discussed above and
while the lid is being screwed on, the lid can be arranged to move
one of the elements relative to the other so as to vary the volume
of the substance-containing housing. In particular, the lid can
include a shoulder suitable for bearing against the outer periphery
of the screen or other portion of the second element when the
second element is in the predetermined position relative to the
first element. Thus, the first time the cap or lid is mounted upon
the device after filling, the second element can be moved from the
predetermined position. Thereafter, with the first and second
elements movably disposed relative to each other, the tube elements
can move to reduce the volume of the housing as the product is
used.
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the device can include
a powder puff housed beneath the lid and above the screen. Also,
the screen can be held by a support overmolded on the screen.
[0010] The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a
packaging and dispensing device in which a housing contains the
substance and a screen through which the substance is fed or
dispensed. In addition, two elements are capable of sliding
relative to each other, with relative movement thereof
corresponding to a change in the volume of the housing. In
accordance with the method, the two elements are brought into a
predetermined position, and the housing is filled with a substance.
In a particular implementation of the invention, the method further
includes the step of putting the screen into place after the device
has been filled with substance.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect, one of the elements is
caused to move relative to the other by fitting the lid onto one of
the elements, with the other element being arranged in such a
manner that the lid can bear against it and move it while being put
into place, e.g., by being screwed on. The two elements can be
brought into the predetermined position by cooperating relief
portions on the two elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Other features and advantageous aspects of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of non-limiting embodiments, particularly when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-section of a device of an
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts the FIG. 1 device in a predetermined position
for being filled with a substance;
[0015] FIG. 3 depicts the screen put into place;
[0016] FIG. 4 shows the device after the lid has been screwed
on;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the device once
the substance has been used up;
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a detail of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternate embodiments of the co-operating
portions in relief; and
[0020] FIG. 9 shows a base constituting an alternate
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numbers
designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
FIG. 1 depicts a packaging and applicator device 1 having a base 2,
a powder puff 3, and a lid 4. The base 2 has a first element 5 and
a second element 6 which is capable, under certain conditions, of
sliding relative to the first element 5 along an axis X. In this
example of the invention, the first element 5 is formed by an
assembly including a body 7 and an end wall 8. The first element 5
co-operates with the second element 6 to define a housing 9
containing a supply of a substance P, for example a cosmetic. It is
to be understood that the arrangement of the invention can be used
for a variety of substances. The arrangement is particularly
preferable for semisolid products such as semisolid cosmetics,
e.g., a foundation makeup. Preferably, the product is in the form
of a powder. However, the substance could take various forms such
as a cream or liquid (preferably a viscous liquid), or a cake
product. Although a powder puff is illustrated in the preferred
arrangement, the applicator (if provided) could take various forms
depending upon the product. Also, although the applicator depicted
is removable, it could also be coupled to the device. Further,
depending upon the product, the nature of the screen (if utilized)
can vary (e.g., size and number of openings in the screen).
[0022] The body 7 has a wall 10 defining the end wall of the
housing 9 (an upper or top wall of the first element 5). The second
element 6 has an annular part 11 with a wall 12 defining the side
wall or peripheral wall of the housing 9. The wall 10 is connected
to an inner skirt 14 having an annular groove 15 formed in the top
portion thereof and housing in the example described a sealing
gasket 17 that bears in leaktight manner against the wall 12. The
body 7 also has an outer skirt 19 provided with a thread 20.
[0023] The inner and outer skirts 14 and 19 are joined together,
e.g., by a wall 21. An annular groove 22 is defined between the
inner and outer skirts, and the second element 6 is capable of
sliding within the groove 22. Although the groove 22 is annular in
the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that other shapes
are also possible. Above thread 20 an annular sealing lip 23 is
preferably provided for pressing in leaktight manner against the
surface of the lid 4 when the lid is in place on the base 2. The
body 7 preferably includes a peripheral rim 25 defining a housing
for the separate end wall 8, as can be seen in FIG. 1. The end wall
8 is pierced, in its center in the illustrated embodiment, to
provide an orifice 39.
[0024] In the embodiment illustrated, the second element 6 includes
not only the part 11, but also a screen 26 supported at its
periphery by a ring 27. The ring rests on the top end edge of the
wall 12 of the part 11 and on an inwardly-directed flange 29 of a
support 28 fixed on the part 11. The ring 27 can have, e.g., a rib
30 to assist in positioning upon the support 28. The part 11 has an
assembly part 32 coaxial with the wall 12, with the support 28
being engaged thereon. The part 11 also has an annular lip 34 at
its outer periphery for co-operating with the inside surface of the
outer skirt 19 so as to hold the second element 6 relative to the
first element 5 in a predetermined position while the housing 9 is
being filled with substance P as described below.
[0025] It is to be understood that various alternate configurations
are also possible for the first and second elements. For example,
in an alternate embodiment, the annular lip 34 is not continuous
with the part 11, or lip 34 can be replaced by tabs. The lip 34 can
also be provided on its radially outer side with a bead 37 capable
of bearing against one or more portions 38 as shown in an enlarged
view in FIG. 6. The or each portion in relief 38 can be in the form
of a projection, e.g., annular rib portions or beads made on the
radially inside surface of the outer skirt 19, past which the bead
37 can be moved by causing the lip 34 to deform elastically. In
another variation, the rib portions 38 can be replaced by a groove
38' into which the bead 37 can snap as shown in FIG. 7 so that the
first and second elements can be snap-fastened or snap-coupled
together in the predetermined position. The part 34 could also
include a groove 37' as shown in FIG. 8 to provide a snap-coupling
of the elements. As should be apparent, various combinations of
abutting and/or snap-coupling elements can be utilized to position
the first and second elements at the predetermined position, and
alternate positioning expedients could also be utilized.
[0026] The applicator, such as a powder puff 3, can be made in
various ways, for example, it can be constituted by a piece of
foam, optionally carrying flocking on its surface. As noted
earlier, it is to be understood that various forms of applicators
are possible.
[0027] The lid 4 has a skirt 41 whose bottom portion has an inside
thread 42 and whose top portion is stepped to define a shoulder 43
that bears against the second element 6 while the lid is being
screwed on. Above the shoulder 43, the lid 4 presents a housing 44
for receiving the powder puff 3.
[0028] The following describes how the end wall 8 is fixed to the
body 7, and the O-ring 17 is placed in the corresponding groove 15.
The second element 6 is then fitted onto the first elements, until
the bead 37 comes to bear against the rib portions 38, thus
enabling the second element 6 to be held relative to the first
element 5 in a predefined position defining a housing 9 of a
predetermined volume. This housing 9 is then filled with a quantity
of a substance P. Preferably, the quantity of the substance or
product P is selected such that the level of the top surface S of
the substance remains below the top edge 18 of the wall 12.
Thereafter, the ring 27 carrying the screen 26 and secured to the
support 28 is put into place on the part 11, as shown in FIG. 3.
The powder puff 3 is then placed on the screen 26 and the lid 4 is
then screwed onto the outer skirt 19, as shown in FIG. 4. While the
lid is being screwed on, the shoulder 43 comes to bear against the
second element 6, more particularly the ring 27 of the second
element in the illustrated embodiment, with continued screw
tightening causing the second element 6 to be moved downwards
relative to the first element 5, thereby causing the bead 37 to go
past the rib portions 38. Once the lid has been screwed home, the
bottom edge of the skirt 41 of the lid 4 comes to bear against the
rim 25. The stroke through which the second element 6 is moved
downwards while the lid 4 is being screwed on corresponds
substantially to the distance d between the surface S of the
substance P and the screen 26 after the screen has been fixed on
the part 11, with the stroke preferably slightly smaller than that
distance. It should be observed that the lip 23 comes to bear in
leaktight manner against the inside surface of the skirt 41 of the
lid.
[0029] As progressively more of the substance is used, the second
element 6 can move downwards relative to the first element 5 since
it is the substance P which prevents the second element 6 from
moving downwards by being interposed between the wall 10 and the
screen 26. Thus, because the second element 6 sits upon the product
(by way of the screen in the illustrated embodiment) and is movably
disposed with respect to the first element 5, as the product is
used, the level of the second element is lowered (with the second
element moving by gravity in the illustrated embodiment) and the
housing volume is reduced. The rib portions 38 serve to retain the
second element 6 in the body 7, e.g., in the event of the device
being accidentally turned upside-down.
[0030] FIG. 5 shows the device 1 after all of the substance has
been used. It can be seen that the screen 26 then rests against the
wall 10. As should be apparent, in accordance with one of the
advantages, the invention makes it possible to use practically all
of the packaged substance.
[0031] As noted earlier, various alternate arrangements can be
utilized in accordance with the invention. By way of example,
alternate assemblies or structures can be utilized for the first
and/or second elements, and an alternate seal arrangement can be
provided between the two elements instead of the O-ring 17. By way
of example, FIG. 9 shows a base 2' having a first element 5' and a
second element 6' which differ from those described above in the
absence of the O-ring 17 and the corresponding groove 15, since
they are replaced by an annular lip 17'. In the first element 5',
the end wall 10 is replaced by an end wall 10' of smaller diameter
than the end wall 10 of the preceding example, since it is
surrounded by the lip 17'. The lip is separated from the end wall
10' by an annular groove and it is connected to the top portion of
the inner skirt of the first element 5'. The base 2' also differs
from the base 2 by the fact that the ring 27 and the part 11 of the
second element 6' are provided as a single part 11', when it is
assembled with the screen 26 by being overmolded onto the screen
(e.g., the parts can be molded together or one molded onto the
other). Thus, the screen 26 and the part 11' form a single
component when it is put into place on the remainder of the second
element 6'. The assembly skirt 32 also does not exist in the
embodiment of FIG. 9.
[0032] As should be readily apparent from the foregoing, many
variations are possible, and therefore the invention is not limited
to the embodiments specifically described above. By way of further
example, the arrangement enabling the second element to be held in
a predefined position relative to the first element while the
housing is being filled with the substance P can be implemented in
many other ways. Although it is advantageous for the cooperating
portions in relief on the two elements to be formed integrally
therewith, it is possible to make a portion in relief on one of the
elements by depositing a drop of adhesive or other material for
example, or by fixing an alternate form of stop or abutment.
[0033] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It
is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended
claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described therein.
* * * * *