U.S. patent application number 10/875514 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for cosmetic product dispenser including a receptacle equipped with a welded wiper and an applicator.
Invention is credited to Botto, Paolo, Pellegatta, Erminio, Roda, Marco.
Application Number | 20050042017 10/875514 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33515471 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050042017 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pellegatta, Erminio ; et
al. |
February 24, 2005 |
Cosmetic product dispenser including a receptacle equipped with a
welded wiper and an applicator
Abstract
The dispenser (1) includes a receptacle (2) for containing the
cosmetic product (7, 7', 7") and equipped with a threaded neck (20)
and an applicator (3), typically including a threaded cap (30), an
axial rod (32) integrated at its [word missing: presumably "end"]
into an application material (33) able to take up a small amount of
the product, with the neck (20) being equipped with a wiper (4)
forming a molded part including a skirt (40) coaxial to the neck
(20), an upper flange (41) and a lip (42) that can wipe the
application material (33), and is characterized in that the wiper
(4), typically via the skirt (40) and/or the upper flange (41),
cooperates with the neck (20) by a weld area (5) such that the
wiper (4) is irreversibly integrated into the neck (20) by forming
a single piece with it.
Inventors: |
Pellegatta, Erminio; (Locate
Varesino, IT) ; Roda, Marco; (Pecetto Di Valenza,
IT) ; Botto, Paolo; (Burago Di Molgora, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Malcolm J. MacDonald
DENNISON, SCHULTZ, DOUGHERTY & MACDONALD
SUITE 105
1727 KING STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314-2700
US
|
Family ID: |
33515471 |
Appl. No.: |
10/875514 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/129 ;
401/122; 401/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/267
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/129 ;
401/126; 401/122 |
International
Class: |
A46B 011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 27, 2003 |
FR |
PV 03/07805 |
Claims
1. Dispenser (1) for cosmetic products (7, 7', 7") including a
receptacle (2) for containing the cosmetic product (7, 7', 7") that
is equipped with a neck (20), typically threaded on the outside,
and an applicator (3) that typically includes a cap (30), usually
threaded on the inside, that cooperates with the neck (20) to seal
it and to ensure that the applicator (3) can be manually gripped,
an axial rod (32) that is integral to the cap (30) at its upper end
and, at its lower end, an application material (33) that is able to
take up a small amount of the product (7, 7', 7"); the neck (30)
has a wiper (4) that is integral to the neck and that enables
wiping of the application material (33) each time the applicator
(3) is withdrawn from the receptacle (2) in order to apply the
product (7, 7', 7") to a support; the wiper (4) forms a part,
typically molded, that includes an inner skirt (40) coaxial to the
neck (20), typically an upper flange (41) that rests against a lip
or upper surface (200) of the neck (20), and a lip (42) inside the
body that wipes the application material (33), inside which the
wiper (4), typically via the skirt (40) and/or the upper flange
(41) cooperates with the neck (20) by a weld area (5) such that the
wiper (4) is irreversibly integrated into the neck (20) by forming
with it a solid bloc part, wherein the weld area (5) is an area
formed: by ultrasonic welding (6, 61), since the materials forming
the wiper (4) and the neck (20) or the receptacle (2) are selected
so that they can be welded together using ultrasonic welding, or by
laser welding (6, 63), since the materials forming the wiper (4)
and the neck (20) or the receptacle (2) are selected so that they
can be welded together using laser welding, or by spin welding (6,
62), since the materials forming the wiper (4) and the neck (20) or
the receptacle (2) are selected so that they can be welded together
using spin welding, or by ultrasonic cold forming (60), since the
materials forming the wiper (4) and the neck (20) or the receptacle
(2) are selected so that they can be welded together using
ultrasonic cold forming, or by hot die forming (64), typically with
ultrasound, since the materials forming the wiper (4) and the neck
(20) or the receptacle (2) are selected so that they can be welded
together using hot die forming, or by high-frequency welding, since
the materials forming the wiper (4) and the neck (20) or the
receptacle (2) are selected so that they can be welded together
using high-frequency welding, or by induction, as the neck (20)
and/or the wiper (4) include a metallic material that is able to be
heated by induction, and since the materials forming the wiper (4)
and the neck (20) or the receptacle (2) are selected so that they
can be welded together using induction.
2. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle (2) is
formed of thermoplastic material by molding, blow molding, co-blow
molding, injection molding, injection, co-injection, or
overmolding.
3. Dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic
material is selected from among polyolefins, polystyrenes and
styrene-containing copolymers, PVCs, polymethacrylates, polyamides,
and polyesters.
4. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle (2) is
made of glass or metal; the metal is typically either aluminum or
stainless steel.
5. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the wiper (4) is formed
of thermoplastic material by molding, injection, co-injection, or
overmolding.
6. Dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the thermoplastic
material is selected from among polyolefins, PVCs, acetal resins,
polyamides, and polyesters.
7. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the weld area (5) has an
area that is typically cylindrical and vertical, formed over all or
part of the height of the skirt (40) coaxial to the neck (20).
8. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the weld area (5) may
include an area that is typically flat, formed over all or part of
the upper flange (41) facing the upper part or lip (200) of the
neck (20).
9. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the wiper (4) and the
neck (20) also cooperate via ratchet motion means (43) and (22),
respectively.
10. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic product
(7) is mascara (7') and wherein the support is formed by the
eyelashes.
11. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic product
(7) is nail polish (7") and wherein the support is formed by the
nails.
12. Method for manufacturing a dispenser (1, 1', 1") according to
claim 1, wherein: a) the receptacle (2) and the wiper (4) or, if
applicable, its precursor (4") are supplied with product, b) the
wiper (4), or its precursor (4") if applicable, is positioned
axially inside the neck (20) of the receptacle (2), c) the wiper
(4) or its precursor (4") is welded to the neck (20) by a welding
means selected from among: ultrasonic welding (61), laser welding
(63), spin welding (62), ultrasonic cold forming (60), hot die
forming (64), high-frequency welding, induction welding, since the
neck or wiper includes a metallic part that can be heated by
induction.
Description
SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to the field of dispensers for fluid
cosmetic products that include a receptacle forming a vessel for
the cosmetic product and that is equipped with a neck sealed by an
applicator forming a cap that can be screwed onto the neck; at one
end, the cap is integrated into a rod that, at its other end, bears
means for applying the cosmetic product.
[0002] The neck of this type of dispenser generally includes an
insert that forms a wiping element or "wiper" that is intended to
limit the quantity of cosmetic product withdrawn from the
receptacle each time the applicator is withdrawn from the dispenser
in order to apply the cosmetic product onto the human body, face,
nails, or eyelashes, depending upon the nature of the cosmetic
product.
STATE OF THE ART
[0003] The wiper is a basic element of the dispenser and its
essential functions are absolutely critical to ensuring proper
operation of the dispenser and a good service life of the product
contained inside the body of the dispenser forming the vessel.
[0004] Indeed, the wiper may form a seal for the dispenser in order
to prevent any cosmetic product leakage or loss, and to prevent any
drying of the cosmetic product due to evaporation of its liquid and
volatile components. The wiper's primary role is to regulate the
quantity of product remaining on the applicator after the latter
has been extracted: dispensing of the appropriate quantity is
determined by the diameter of the wiper opening. It is important
for the applicator to carry only a predetermined quantity of
cosmetic product in order to obtain the desired effect, typically a
makeup-type effect.
[0005] The wiper is usually joined to the neck of the receptacle or
of the bottle. In order to obtain the necessary seal, the material
making up the wiper must be able to deform when the dispenser is
closed, with one part of the wiper forming a seal that can be
compressed between the neck and the cap, both of which are rigid
parts. Wipers are made of thermoplastic polymers, polyolefins (PE,
LDPE), or elastomers, such as Buna rubber. However, the use of
wipers made of elastomer is limited by the higher cost of
elastomers in comparison to polyolefins and by problems encountered
during assembly on automatic lines due to their high
flexibility.
[0006] Many dispensers, typically mascara dispensers, including a
wiper that can also act as a seal for the vessel, are known.
[0007] In this regard, we may cite the dispensers described in
European patent applications 00420175, 94304753, and 87304505.
[0008] We may also cite the dispensers described in French patent
applications 01 08403, 99 05853, 97 15632, 95 11168, 95 10230, 95
02197, 95 02101, 93 06640, 92 04940, 90 13850, 89 08396, 87 09819,
86 14365, 85 12206, 85 05773, 85 04544, 84 05731, 83 10565, and 81
08770.
[0009] Problems Presented
[0010] It is crucial that the wiper remains attached to the neck
while retaining its initial position inside the neck.
[0011] If it comes apart from the neck, especially when the cap is
being unscrewed or when the applicator is being extracted, this
might lead to an outflow of the cosmetic product, thereby running
the risk of spotting one's hands or clothing. Furthermore, if the
wiper comes apart from the neck, the user of the dispenser would
not be able to reattach it to the neck and the dispenser would have
to be discarded, as it could no longer be used. It goes without
saying that, in light of this problem, no-one would buy the product
in question again and consumers might even claim damages if their
clothing becomes soiled, thereby presenting the manufacturer of the
dispenser with a serious problem.
[0012] The wiper is usually integrated into the neck by snap
fitting; that is, by cooperation of parts in relief with hollow
elements.
[0013] However, this type of coupling does not adequately guarantee
that the wiper will remain attached to the neck throughout the
service life of the dispenser, due mainly to the fact that the
frictional force between the wiper and the neck tends to decrease
over time. This is caused by a lack of "elastic memory" on the part
of the wiper, especially when it is made of thermoplastic
polymers.
[0014] The elastic memory of a material is the ability of a
material subjected to permanent deformation to cause stress that in
turn lasts over time. If the material of the wiper were to have
high elastic memory, it would remain permanently under stress due
to permanent deformation and therefore would remain integral to the
neck.
[0015] All thermoplastic materials undergo gradual elastic memory
loss, such that wipers made of thermoplastic material are subject
to the inherent risk of coming apart from the neck.
[0016] Moreover, it is not unusual to see a more or less dry and
hard deposit of cosmetic product form on the inner surface of the
wiper during its use. As a result, each time the applicator is
withdrawn, an axial force tends to separate the wiper from the
neck.
[0017] Finally, it appears that certain new formulations of
cosmetic products may contain chemicals that tend to act upon the
material making up the wiper; in particular, they tend to soften
it, which may greatly contribute to rapid elastic memory loss.
Additionally, other chemicals may acts as lubricants, which may
facilitate separation of the wiper from the neck.
[0018] The invention targets a solution to the problem of
permanently attaching the wiper to the neck of the dispenser body;
the solution must be both inexpensive and compatible with
requirements in cosmetic products dispensing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] According to the invention, the cosmetic product dispenser
includes a receptacle for containing the cosmetic product that is
equipped with a neck, typically threaded on the outside, and an
applicator that typically includes a cap, usually threaded on the
inside, that cooperates with the neck to seal it and to ensure that
the applicator can be manually gripped, an axial rod that is
integral to the cap at its upper end and, at its lower end, an
application material that is able to take up a small amount of the
product; the neck has a wiper that is integral to the neck and that
enables wiping of the application material each time the applicator
is withdrawn from the receptacle in order to apply the product to a
support; the wiper includes a body that forms an inner skirt
coaxial to the neck and typically an upper flange that rests
against a lip or upper surface of the neck, and a lip inside the
body that wipes the application material, wherein the wiper,
typically via the skirt or the upper flange, cooperates with the
neck by a weld area such that the wiper is irreversibly integrated
into the neck by forming a single piece with it.
[0020] The means characterizing the present invention resolves the
presented problem. Indeed, with this means, the wiper and the neck,
even though they may be composed of different materials, form a
solid single piece, since the weld area is extensive enough to
withstand axial stress higher than 1 daN, even 2 daN, whereas the
axial stress, even when a deposit has formed under the wiper, may
typically be around 0.3 daN at the most.
[0021] This means is a permanent means that makes it possible to
disregard completely the wiper's elastic memory, since there is no
longer any permanent or presumed-permanent deformation or
stress.
[0022] Moreover, since the wiper can cooperate with the neck
without becoming deformed, this facilitates the placement and
fitting together of the wiper and neck on the production line, such
that the invention can be produced at high speed.
[0023] It should be noted that this means enables the use of the
most up-to-date--and therefore, least expensive--materials,
specifically current thermoplastic materials, and that it does not
require the use of additional materials such as glues, adhesives,
hot melt, or any other bonding product for integrating the wiper
into the neck.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] All of the figures are axial cross sections along the axial
direction (10) of the dispenser (1).
[0025] FIG. 1a shows a dispenser (1, 1') for mascara (7, 7').
[0026] FIG. 1b shows the applicator (3) of the dispenser (1, 1') of
FIG. 1a; the applicator includes an insert (34) with an inner
threading (31) and is inserted into a shell (35) forming a cap
(30); the insert is integrated into an axial rod (32) that bears
the application material (33) at its lower end.
[0027] FIG. 1c shows the receptacle (2), the neck of which (20) is
equipped with a wiper (4).
[0028] FIG. 1d shows a dispenser (1, 1") for nail polish (7, 7"),
inside which the applicator (3) is unscrewed.
[0029] FIG. 2a is a partial view of a neck (20) and of a wiper (4)
integrated into the neck by cooperation of a ratchet motion means
(22) on the neck--namely, a groove--that cooperates with a ratchet
motion means (43) on the wiper--namely, a rib--with the wiper (4)
having an upper flange (41) that comes to rest against the upper
part or lip (200) of the neck (20).
[0030] FIG. 2b corresponds to FIG. 2a and includes a portion of the
axial rod (32); the axial rod (32) has an upper part (320) that is
larger in diameter and integrated into the cap (30), and a lower
part (321) that is integrated into the application material (33);
the upper part (320) cooperates with the inner skirt (40) of the
wiper.
[0031] FIGS. 3a to 5a illustrate several means (6) for welding the
wiper (4) to the neck (20).
[0032] FIG. 3a is a diagram of ultrasonic cold forming (60) of a
precursor (4') to a wiper in order to weld a folded part (410) of
the upper flange (41) cooperating with a lateral part (201) of the
upper part (200) of the neck (20), thereby yielding a wiper (4)
welded to the neck (20).
[0033] FIG. 3b is a diagram of ultrasonic welding (61).
[0034] FIG. 4a is a diagram of spin welding (62); a portion
surrounded by dashed lines is shown, enlarged, in FIG. 5b.
[0035] FIG. 4b is a diagram of laser welding (63), with the skirt
(40) of the wiper (4) and the neck (2) having shoulders that
cooperate to form axial blocking means (44) and (23).
[0036] FIG. 5a is a diagram of ultrasonic hot welding (64).
[0037] FIG. 5b is a diagram of a portion of the weld area (5)
obtained by welding according to FIG. 4a between the neck (20) and
the inner skirt (40) of the wiper (4).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] According to the invention, the receptacle (2) may be formed
of thermoplastic material by molding, blow molding, co-blow
molding, injection molding, injection, co-injection, or
overmolding.
[0039] The thermoplastic material may be selected, typically, from
among polyolefins, polystyrenes and styrene-containing copolymers,
PVCs, polymethacrylates, polyamides, and polyesters.
[0040] The receptacle (2) may also be made of glass or metal; the
metal is typically either aluminum or stainless steel. In this
case, the material for the wiper (4) must be selected with the
latter in mind in order to weld it to glass or metal.
[0041] Likewise, the wiper (4) may be formed of thermoplastic
material by molding, injection, co-injection, or overmolding.
[0042] The thermoplastic material may be selected, typically, from
among polyolefins, PVCs, acetal resins, polyamides, and
polyesters.
[0043] These materials are both the most up-to-date and inexpensive
ones available and are not elastomeric materials, whose
disadvantages are known both in terms of their cost and of the
production problems due to their high flexibility.
[0044] According to one variation on the invention illustrated
diagrammatically in FIG. 3b, the weld area (5) may be an area
formed by ultrasonic welding (6, 61), since the materials forming
the wiper (4) and the neck (20) or the receptacle (2) are selected
so that they can be welded together using ultrasonic welding.
[0045] According to another variation on the invention illustrated
diagrammatically in FIG. 4b, the weld area (5) may be an area
formed by laser welding (6, 63), since the materials forming the
wiper (4) and the neck (20) or the receptacle (2) are selected so
that they can be welded together using laser welding.
[0046] According to another variation on the invention illustrated
diagrammatically in FIG. 4a, the weld area (5) may be an area
formed by spin welding (6, 62), since the materials forming the
wiper (4) and the neck (20) or the receptacle (2) are selected so
that they can be welded together using spin welding.
[0047] According to another variation on the invention illustrated
diagrammatically in FIG. 3a, the weld area (5) may be an area
formed by ultrasonic cold forming (60), since the materials forming
the wiper (4) and the neck (20) or the receptacle (2) are selected
so that they can be welded together using ultrasonic cold
forming.
[0048] According to another variation on the invention illustrated
diagrammatically in FIG. 5a, the weld area (5) may be an area
formed by hot die forming (64), typically with ultrasound, since
the materials forming the wiper (4) and the neck (20) or the
receptacle (2) are selected so that they can be welded together
using hot die forming.
[0049] Other variations, not shown in the figures, are also
possible.
[0050] Thus, the weld area (5) may be formed by high-frequency
welding, since the materials forming the wiper (4) and the neck
(20) or the receptacle (2) are selected so that they can be welded
together using high-frequency welding.
[0051] The weld area (5) may also be formed by induction, as the
neck (20) and/or the wiper (4) include a metallic material that is
able to be heated by induction, and since the materials forming the
wiper (4) and the neck (20) or the receptacle (2) are selected so
that they can be welded together using induction.
[0052] According to the invention, and as is shown in FIG. 5b, the
weld area (5) may include an area that is typically cylindrical and
vertical, formed over all or part of the height of the skirt (40)
coaxial to the neck (20).
[0053] However, the weld area (5) may include an area that is
typically flat, formed over all or part of the upper flange (41)
facing the upper part or lip (200) of the neck (20).
[0054] As is shown in FIG. 2a, for example, the wiper (4) and the
neck (20) may also cooperate via ratchet motion means (43) and
(22), respectively. These means generally only involve limited
elastic deformations and may specifically be used to position the
wiper (4) inside the neck (20) and to integrate it enough to make
it manipulable up to the welding station, especially when the
welding of the wiper (4) to the neck (20) is performed in
concurrent operation time downstream of the point along the
manufacturing line where the wiper (4) is placed inside the neck
(20).
[0055] As is shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c, the cosmetic product (7) may
be mascara (7'); in this case, the support is formed by the
eyelashes.
[0056] As is shown in FIG. 1d, the cosmetic product (7) may be nail
polish (7") contained inside a flask-shaped receptacle, typically
made of glass; in this case, the support is formed by the
nails.
[0057] Another aim of the invention is a method for manufacturing a
dispenser (1, 1', 1").
[0058] Wherein:
[0059] a) the receptacle (2) and the wiper (4) or, if applicable,
its precursor (4') may be supplied with product,
[0060] b) the wiper (4), or its precursor (4") if applicable, may
be positioned axially inside the neck (20) of the receptacle
(2),
[0061] c) the wiper (4) or its precursor (4) may be welded to the
neck (20) by a welding means selected from among:
[0062] ultrasonic welding (61),
[0063] laser welding (63),
[0064] spin welding (62),
[0065] ultrasonic cold forming (60),
[0066] hot die forming (64),
[0067] high-frequency welding,
[0068] induction welding, since the neck or wiper includes a
metallic part that can be heated by induction.
IMPLEMENTATION EXAMPLES
[0069] The figures constitute implementation examples.
[0070] We manufactured dispensers for mascara and nail polish
according to the invention.
[0071] In doing so, we implemented weldings starting from wipers
(4) and receptacles (2) and necks (20) made of polyolefin
(specifically, PE) in order to obtain very strong autogenous PE/PE
welds. We also subjected these dispensers to an axial pull test of
the wiper (4) and compared the resistance to the axial pull of the
dispensers (1) according to the invention and according to the
state of the art equipped with a wiper ratcheted into the neck.
[0072] We found that the pull resistance was at least twice as
high, and typically at least three times as high in the case of the
dispensers according to the invention, as the dispensers according
to the state of the art; the wipers (4) were sometimes destroyed
rather than pulled out during the pull test, so it is possible to
guarantee that with the dispensers (1) according to the invention,
the wiper (4) cannot be separated from the neck (2) under normal
conditions of use.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0073] The invention presents many advantages. As previously
indicated, in addition to the fact that it solves the problem of
permanently attaching the wiper (4) to the neck (20), it saves more
on costs for materials and enables higher productivity than does
the state of the art since it is no longer necessary to use
highly-deformable elastomer products.
1 LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS Cosmetic product dispenser 1 Mascara
dispenser 1' Nail polish dispenser 1" Axial direction -axis of
axial symmetry 10 Body or receptacle 2 Neck 20 Upper part or lip of
20 200 Lateral part of 200 that cooperates with 410 201 Outer
threading 21 Ratcheting motion means (groove) cooperating with 43
22 Axial blocking means of 4 23 Applicator 3 Cap 30 Inner threading
31 Axial rod 32 Upper part integral to 30 or 34 320 Lower part
integral to 33 321 Application material 33 Insert 34 Shell 35 Wiper
4 Precursor of 4 4' Inner skirt 40 Upper flange 41 Folded part that
cooperates with 201 410 Inner lip 42 Ratcheting motion means (rib)
cooperating with 22 43 Axial blocking means cooperating with 23 44
Weld area between 20 and 4 5 Welding means of 20 and 4 6 Ultrasonic
cold forming 60 Ultrasonic welding 61 Spin welding 62 Laser welding
63 Hot ultrasonic welding 64 Cosmetic product 7 Mascara 7' Nail
polish 7"
* * * * *