U.S. patent application number 10/656505 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-11 for container and applicator unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to GEKA BRUSH GMBH. Invention is credited to Dumler, Norbert.
Application Number | 20040047676 10/656505 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31502442 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040047676 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dumler, Norbert |
March 11, 2004 |
Container and applicator unit
Abstract
A container and applicator unit, in particular test unit,
comprises a container for a cosmetic. An applicator top is placed
thereon, having an applicator that stands out from the top in a
principal sense of extension. The applicator, at least by sections,
is rotationally symmetrical or plurally symmetrical in relation to
an axis of symmetry that is parallel to the principal sense of
extension. At least one passage, which, at least by sections, is
decentralized from the axis of symmetry of the applicator, leads
from the container to the applicator. The result is a container and
applicator unit by which to enable a cosmetic to be spread
uniformly on the surface of application.
Inventors: |
Dumler, Norbert; (Ansbach,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.
624 NINTH STREET, NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-5303
US
|
Assignee: |
GEKA BRUSH GMBH
Bechhofen
DE
|
Family ID: |
31502442 |
Appl. No.: |
10/656505 |
Filed: |
September 8, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/291 ;
401/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/1018 20130101;
A46B 2200/1046 20130101; A46B 2200/1053 20130101; A45D 34/04
20130101; A45D 34/043 20130101; A46B 11/0072 20130101; A45D 40/262
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/291 ;
401/282 |
International
Class: |
A46B 011/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2002 |
DE |
102 41 218.9 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A container and applicator unit, in particular test unit,
comprising a container for a cosmetic; an applicator top (1) that
is placed on the container, having an applicator (2) which stands
out therefrom in a principal sense of extension (4a) and which, at
least by sections, is rotationally or plurally symmetrical in
relation to an axis of symmetry and a center line (4a),
respectively, that is parallel to the principal sense of extension
(4a); and at least one passage (5, 6, 7; 9; 11, 14; 11, 20) that
leads from the container to the applicator (2), wherein the at
least one passage (5, 6, 7; 9; 11, 14; 11, 20) is decentralized, at
least by sections, in relation to the axis of symmetry and center
line (4a), respectively, of the applicator (2).
2. A container and applicator unit according to claim 1, wherein a
plurality of passages (5, 6, 7) is provided side by side in a
row.
3. A container and applicator unit according to claim 2, wherein
the applicator (2) is formed by a comparatively soft material
selected from a group consisting of rubber, a thermoplastic
elastomer, each of a Shore hardness A of 5 to 100.
4. A container and applicator unit according to claim 2, wherein
the applicator (2) is formed by a PU/PE foam of a pore count of
approximately 40 to 100 ppi.
5. A container and applicator unit according to claim 2, wherein
the applicator (2) is formed by a material selected from a group
consisting of rubber, TPE or PVC with a flock coating of a material
selected from a group consisting of artificial silk, rayon or
polyamide.
6. A container and applicator unit according to claim 1, wherein at
least one passage (9) is a supply line which discharges by the side
of the applicator (2), stands out from the applicator top (1) and
ends in particular in the vicinity of the front end of the
applicator (1).
7. A container and applicator unit according to claim 6, wherein
the end of the at least one passage (9) has an outlet (10) that is
skewed towards the applicator (2).
8. A container and applicator unit according to claim 1, wherein
the at least one passage (14) mouthes into a tubular interior (11)
of the applicator top (1) by an in particular skewed tip (12), with
an initially central passage, which proceeds from the applicator
top (1), then branching into a plurality of at least partially
decentralized passages (14) and mouthing into a plurality of
decentralized outlets.
9. A container and applicator unit according to claim 8, wherein
the outlets are covered by thin membranes (14a) of a material
selected from a group consisting of plastic material or sealing
material, such as hot-melt adhesive, which are removable when put
to use.
10. A container and applicator unit according to claim 8, wherein
the applicator (2) comprises a plurality of hollow fibers (20),
which serve as passages and have a plurality of decentralized
outlets.
11. A container and applicator unit according to claim 1, wherein a
central passage (11) discharges into a distribution passage (14)
with a plurality of outlets for an applicator (2) in the form of a
brush.
12. A container and applicator unit according to claim 11, wherein
the outlets (14) are enveloped in the shape of a U by the core (18)
of an applicator brush.
13. A container and applicator unit according to claim 1, wherein
the applicator (2) comprises a plurality of individual fibers (4),
with at least the free ends of the individual fibers (4) being
treated.
14. A container and applicator unit according to claim 1, wherein
the applicator (2) comprises a plurality of individual fibers (4),
with at least the free ends of the individual fibers (4) being
coated.
15. A container and applicator unit according to claim 1, wherein
the applicator (2) comprises a plurality of individual fibers (4),
with at least the free ends of the individual fibers (4) having an
antiadhesive layer.
16. A container and applicator unit according to claim 1, wherein
the antiadhesive layer is Teflon (PTFE).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a container and applicator unit, in
particular test unit, comprising a container for a cosmetic; an
applicator top that is placed on the container, having an
applicator which stands out therefrom in a principal sense of
extension and which, at least by sections, is rotationally or
plurally symmetrical in relation to an axis of symmetry and a
center line, respectively, that is parallel to the principal sense
of extension; and at least one passage that leads from the
container to the applicator.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Units of the generic type for applying mascara to eyebrows
or nail enamel to finger nails are familiar in the cosmetic field,
which the following makes reference to by way of example. Nail
enamel units regularly comprise a bottle made of glass, on which to
screw a cap with a brush or some other bunch of fibers as an
applicator. Mascara units also comprise a container for liquid
mascara, with a screw-on cap having a stem with a brush of a
plurality of bristles that are held between intertwisted wire
segments. Numerous further designs of containers and applicators
have been known, for instance applicators in the form of foam
molded parts.
[0005] Regarding the uniformity of application behavior by way of
available applicator spreading surfaces, container and applicator
units of the species still are in need of improvement, in
particular in the light of an ever increasing demand of the market
for smaller and/or testing sets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the invention to further develop a
container and applicator unit of the type mentioned at the outset
for as uniform an application as possible of a cosmetic.
[0007] According to the invention, this object is attained in a
container and applicator unit wherein an at least one passage is
decentralized, at least by sections, in relation to the axis of
symmetry and center line, respectively, of the applicator.
[0008] The at least one decentralized passage, which may be
provided in addition to a central passage, enables even
decentralized areas of the applicator to be charged with the
cosmetic so that, on the whole, a greater applicator spreading
surface is available for uniform application of the cosmetic. The
number of passages, their grouping and cross-sectional design can
be embodied in accordance with the shape of the applicator.
[0009] Preferably, provision is made for a plurality of passages
side by side in a row. This aids in large-surface charging of the
applicator with a cosmetic, which again improves the uniformity of
application.
[0010] The applicator may further consist of comparatively soft
material, such as rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, of a respective
Shore hardness A of 5 to 100; PU/PE foam material of a pore count
of approximately 40 to 100 ppi; or rubber, TPE or PVC, with
artificial silk, rayon or polyamide flock coating. These materials
have proved well suited for uniform spreading.
[0011] The at least one passage may be a supply line that
discharges by the applicator's side, projects beyond the applicator
top and terminates in particular in the vicinity of the front end
of the applicator. A passage of this type enables an area, turned
towards the surface of application, of the applicator to be charged
with a cosmetic. In this way, any cosmetic, consumed by the
applicator for spreading, can be replaced promptly so that there is
no interruption in the application process.
[0012] The end of the at least one passage may have an outlet that
is skewed towards the applicator. In this way, the at least one
passage is moved as closely as possible towards the applicator for
it to be optimally charged with a cosmetic.
[0013] The at least one passage can also discharge into the tubular
interior of the applicator top by a tip of in particular skewed
design, with an initially central passage, which proceeds from the
applicator top, then branching into a plurality of at least in part
decentralized passages and mouthing into a plurality of
decentralized outlets. The skewed tip of the applicator is of
special assistance in application techniques in which the
applicator is placed at an angle on the surface of application. The
plurality of decentralized passages work in favor of charging the
applicator uniformly with a cosmetic.
[0014] The outlets may be covered by thin membranes of plastic or
sealing material, for example hot-melt adhesive, which are
removable when the unit is put to use, in particular by peeling,
cutting or the like. In this embodiment, the applicator top can be
designed as a closed unit prior to first use.
[0015] Preferably, the applicator further comprises a plurality of
hollow fibers which serve as passages, having a plurality of
decentralized outlets. This kind of design of the applicator also
aids in uniform cosmetic dispensing. Further, a central passage can
open into a distribution passage with a plurality of outlets for a
brush-type applicator. The distribution passage, which is the
decentralized passage in this embodiment, enables the brush-type
applicator to be charged uniformly with a cosmetic.
[0016] The outlets may be enveloped in the shape of a U by the core
of an applicator brush. A design of this type is suitable in
particular upon use of the container and applicator unit as a
mascara unit.
[0017] In keeping with another embodiment, the applicator may
comprise a plurality of individual fibers, at least the free ends
of which are treated or coated with an antiadhesive layer, for
example Teflon (PTFE). This prevents clotting of the
applicator.
[0018] Details of the invention will become apparent from the
ensuing description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction
with the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the applicator side of an
applicator top of a cosmetic or medical container and applicator
unit;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a section on the line II-II of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a section on the line III-III of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, of another container
and applicator unit;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a section on the line V-V of FIG. 4,
[0024] FIG. 6 is a section on the line VI-VI of FIG. 4;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, of another container
and applicator unit;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a section on the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 9;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a section on the line IX-IX of FIG. 7;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, of another container
and applicator unit;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a section on the line XI-XI of FIG. 12;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a section on the line XII-XII of FIG. 10;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, of another container
and applicator unit;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a section on the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a section on the line XV-XV of FIG. 13;
[0034] FIG. 16 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, of another container
and applicator unit;
[0035] FIG. 17 is detailed view, on an enlarged scale, of FIG.
16;
[0036] FIG. 18 is a sectional view on the line XVIII-XVIII of FIG.
16; and
[0037] FIG. 19 is a sectional view on the line XIX-XIX of FIG.
16.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of an applicator
top 1 with an applicator 2 for spreading a cosmetic or medical
substance, for example mascara or hair dyes on eyebrows or nail
enamel on finger nails. For use, the applicator top 1 is placed on
a container (not shown).
[0039] The applicator 2 comprises two applicator tips 3 which are
connected to the applicator top 1 in a manner known per se and
embodied as bunches of fibers of a cross-sectional shape of a
stadium. To this end, the applicator tips 3 are glued or stamped
into blind holes 3a which are provided in a cross-sectionally oval
projection 3c of the applicator top 1 that stands out from the base
3b of the applicator top 1. The applicator tips 3 are composed of a
multiplicity of individual fibers 4. The surfaces of the applicator
tips 3 can be treated or coated with an antiadhesive layer, such as
Teflon (PTFE).
[0040] The individual fibers 4 stand out from the projection 3c in
a principal sense of extension 4a that is plotted by a dot-dashed
line in FIG. 2. In relation to a center line, or axis of symmetry,
that is parallel to, or coincides with, the principal sense of
extension 4a, the applicator 2 is dually symmetric by reason of its
two applicator tips.
[0041] FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate that the applicator tips 3 are
spaced apart where the individual fibers 4 extend from the
projection 3c. In this interstice between the two applicator tips
3, provision is made in the projection 3c for three parallel
passages 5, 6, 7. In relation to the axis of symmetry 4a of the
applicator 2, the outer passages 5, 7 are decentralized. The
passages 5, 6, 7 line up side by side in a row, with a line that
unites this row running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
cross-sectional stadiums formed by the applicator tips 3.
[0042] The passages 5, 6, 7 have a round cross-sectional shape,
extending in parallel to the principal sense of extension 4a. When
the applicator top 1 has been placed on the container, they connect
the inside of the container to the space between the applicator
tips. Where the passages 5, 6, 7 discharge in the direction towards
the container, two wedge-shaped cutting edges 8 are provided on the
applicator top 1, which are integrally united with the base 3b.
[0043] The applicator top 1, together with the applicator 2 of
FIGS. 1 to 3, is inserted as follows:
[0044] At first, the applicator top 1 is placed by its base 3b on
the container that is still closed then. The cutting edges 8 pierce
a correspondingly perforated upper wall of the container so that a
connection is created between the interior of the container and the
passage 5 to 7. Afterwards, a cosmetic, for example nail enamel,
can be applied by way of the applicator 2. In this case, the
applicator top 1 is held in a position for the cosmetic to pass
through the passages 5, 6, 7 into the interstice between the
applicator tips 3. The cosmetic then spreads uniformly over the
entire width of the applicator tips 3.
[0045] Further embodiments of applicator tops with applicators will
be described in the following, taken in conjunction with FIGS. 4 to
19. Components that correspond to those already described in
conjunction with previous designs have the same reference numerals
and will not be explained in detail once again.
[0046] FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate a second embodiment of a container
and applicator unit which differs from the first embodiment by the
shape and material of the applicator tips 3. FIG. 6 illustrates
that the free ends of the applicator tips 3 are skewed in the shape
of a wedge so that their maximum length is contiguous to the
passages 5, 6, 7.
[0047] In the second embodiment, the applicator tips 3 consist of
rubber of a Shore hardness A of 5 with a flock coating of
artificial silk. By alternative, provision may also be made for a
flock coating of rayon or polyamide. It is also conceivable to
provide a Shore hardness A in a range between 5 and 100 instead of
a Shore hardness of 5. Instead of rubber, the applicator tips 3 may
consist of a thermoplastic elastomer TPE of the same range of Shore
hardness or of a PU/PE foam with a pore count of approximately 40
to 100 ppi or of soft PVC. The flock coating can be dropped.
[0048] FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate a third embodiment of a container
and applicator unit. Provision is made for only a single applicator
tip 3 in the form of a bunch of fibers, which otherwise corresponds
to an individual applicator tip 3 of the first embodiment. In this
third embodiment, a single passage 9 replaces the three passages.
On the part of the applicator, it mouthes into a wedge-shaped
passage section 10 by the side of the applicator tip 3. The passage
section 10 is skewed in such a way that its maximum length is
directly contiguous to the applicator tip 3. It stands out from the
projection 3c to such an extent that the passage 9 ends at
approximately half the length of the individual fibers 4 of the
applicator tip 3. While running through the projection 3c and the
base 3b, the passage 9 curves in the shape of an S, discharging
centrally into the base 3b between the two cutting edges 8. As seen
in FIG. 7, the passage 9 has a cross-sectional shape of a D in the
vicinity of the passage section 10.
[0049] Upon use of this third embodiment, the substance is at first
discharged via the passage 9 in the vicinity of the free ends of
the individual fibers 4. This enables the substance to be uniformly
spread on the tips of the individual fibers 4.
[0050] Instead of being composed of individual fibers, the
applicator tip 3 may also consist of the materials specified above
in conjunction with the second embodiment.
[0051] FIGS. 10 to 12 show a fourth embodiment of a container and
applicator unit. In this case, a principal passage 11, which is
provided centrally in the base 3b and projection 3c, comprises a
passage section 12 which, by analogy to the passage 9 of the third
embodiment, stands out from the projection 3c and the free end of
which is wedge-shaped. In the fourth embodiment, the applicator 2
is placed on the passage section 12. The surface of the applicator
2 may be treated or coated with an antiadhesive layer such as
Teflon (PTFE).
[0052] The applicator 2 is a sleeve with an end wall 13 of a skew
complementary to the skewed end of the principal passage 10. The
end wall 13 is provided with a plurality of individual passages 14
that continue the principal passage 11 outwards through the end
wall 13. Apart from a central individual passage 14a, the
individual passages 14 are decentralized in relation to center line
4a of the applicator 2 that coincides with the longitudinal axis of
the cylindrical jacket of the applicator 2.
[0053] In the fourth embodiment, the applicator 2 is fitted by a
collar 15, on the side of the top, into a corresponding groove of
the projection 3c. It is composed of one of the materials that have
been described above in conjunction with the second embodiment. The
number of individual passages can vary from two to twenty. In
keeping with a modified design of the fourth embodiment, they may
be covered by thin plastic membranes which can be removed by a user
prior to using the container and applicator unit.
[0054] FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrate a fifth embodiment of a container
and applicator unit. In this case, the principal passage 11
branches into a multiplicity of horizontal individual passages 14
in the form of side cuts. They are produced in a passage top 16
which, towards the applicator top 1, is placed by a collar 17 into
a corresponding groove of the projection 3c.
[0055] The passage top 16 is enveloped by an applicator 2 which is
bent in the shape of a U and comprises a U-shaped wire core 18 that
is inserted into corresponding blind holes 19 of the projection 3c;
and by radially extending, individual fibers in such a way that the
individual passages 14 discharge in a direction towards the
individual fibers 4, this kind of design ensuring uniform
application.
[0056] FIGS. 16 to 19 illustrate a sixth embodiment of a container
and applicator unit. In this embodiment, the applicator tip 3 is
formed by a multiplicity of hollow fibers 20 instead of solid
individual fibers 4, the hollow fibers 20 constituting individual
passages that continue the principal passage 11. The surfaces of
the tips of the hollow fibers can be treated or coated with an
antiadhesive layer, for example Teflon (PTFE). FIG. 17 shows the
round cross-sectional shape of the individual hollow fibers 20. By
alternative, other cross-sectional shapes of the individual hollow
fibers 20 are conceivable, for instance in the form of three
capillaries that run in their longitudinal direction and are
separated from each other by corresponding parting walls of
plurally rotationally symmetrical arrangement. Any other number of
capillaries per hollow fiber is possible too. The hollow fibers 20
can also have an elliptical cross-sectional shape. Instead of a
hollow fiber with a closed outer wall, provision can be made for an
individual fiber of sheet material that curves in the
cross-sectional shape of an S, with this curvature providing, for
the substance that is to be spread, two parallel passages that are
closed, except for a narrow aperture. The applicator tip 3 of the
sixth embodiment is round, but it can also be flat, rectangular or
in the shape of a stadium. Alternatively or additionally, it can be
skewed in the shape of a wedge, as described for example in
connection with the fourth embodiment.
* * * * *