U.S. patent application number 11/383706 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for airtight applicator dispenser for a product in powder form.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALCAN PACKAGING BEAUTY SERVICES. Invention is credited to Fabrice Dieudonat.
Application Number | 20070020026 11/383706 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35589598 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070020026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dieudonat; Fabrice |
January 25, 2007 |
AIRTIGHT APPLICATOR DISPENSER FOR A PRODUCT IN POWDER FORM
Abstract
An applicator dispenser (1) comprises a) a container (2) forming
a reservoir (25) for powder product, the container (2) comprising a
side wall (20), an upper wall (22) perforated like a sifter with at
least one orifice (220) or a plurality of orifices (221) so as to
allow the powder to pass through it so that it can be used, and
typically a base (21), b) a lid or cover (3) comprising a head (30)
and a lateral skirt (31) co-operating with the container (2), when
the applicator dispenser (1) is closed, so as to seal the container
(2), and c) an application means (4) of the powder housed between
the head (30) and the wall (22), characterised in that: 1) the
application means (4) is attached to the lid (3) to form an
applicator (9), by means of an attachment means, so that the lid
(3) acts as a manual way of gripping the application means (4),
without the risk of getting product on the hands, 2) the container
(2) comprises a closure means (8) that is typically airtight for
the orifice (220) or the plurality of orifices (221). Advantages
include an airtight dispenser and no risk of getting product on the
hands.
Inventors: |
Dieudonat; Fabrice; (Fosses,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
ALCAN PACKAGING BEAUTY
SERVICES
Chevilly-Larue
FR
|
Family ID: |
35589598 |
Appl. No.: |
11/383706 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/130 ;
401/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 33/003 20130101;
A45D 33/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/130 ;
401/126 |
International
Class: |
A45D 33/00 20060101
A45D033/00; A46B 11/00 20060101 A46B011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 17, 2005 |
FR |
05 04907 |
Claims
1. Applicator dispenser (1) of a product in powder form, typically
of a cosmetic product forming a powder, disposing of an axial
direction (10) and comprising a) a container (2) forming a
reservoir (25) designed to contain the product in powder form, the
container (2) comprising a side wall (20), an upper wall (22)
perforated like a sifter with at least one orifice (220) or a
plurality of orifices (221) so as to allow the powder to pass
through it so that it can be used, and typically a base (21), b) a
lid or cover (3) comprising a head (30) and a lateral skirt (31)
co-operating with the container (2), when the applicator dispenser
(1) is closed, so as to seal the container (2), and c) an
application means (4) of the powder housed between the head (30)
and the wall (22), characterised in that: 1) the application means
(4) is attached to the lid (3) to form an applicator (9), by means
of an attachment means, so that the lid (3) acts as a manual means
of gripping the application means (4), without the risk of getting
product on the hands 2) the container (2) comprises a closure means
(8) that is typically air tight for the orifice (220) or the
plurality of orifices (221) and in which the container (2)
comprises a) an external body (4) comprising an external wall (41),
b) an inner body (5) comprising an upper wall (50) equipped with at
least one orifice (500) or a plurality of orifices (501) and a
so-called internal wall (51), and c) an upper part (6) comprising a
base (60) equipped with at least one orifice (600) or a plurality
of orifices (601), the upper part (6) co-operating with the
external body (4) or the inner body (5) so that it can turn in the
axial direction (10) with respect to the external body (4) or to
the inner body (5) in order to align/offset angularly the orifice
(500) or the plurality of orifices (501) of the inner body (5) with
respect to the orifice (600) or to the plurality of orifices (601)
of the upper part (6).
2. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1 with a H/D shape
factor at least equal to 1.5, for example at least equal to 2, and
preferably at least equal to 3, in order to obtain a longitudinal
applicator dispenser (1, 1') with an axial direction (10), H
designating the height of the applicator dispenser (1') along the
axial direction (10), and D designating its maximum transversal
dimension or its diameter in the case of an applicator dispenser
(1') with a constant circular section on the entire said height
H.
3. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1, in which the external
body (4) comprises the external wall (41) and a base (40), and in
which the upper part (6) comprises the base (60) a side wall
(61).
4. Applicator dispenser according to claim 3, in which the internal
wall (51) of the inner body (5) comprises a lower part (52) forming
a lower skirt attaching, typically by axially clipping, the inner
body (5) to the external body (4), so that in particular, a
rotation of the external body (4) causes a corresponding rotation
of the inner body (5).
5. Applicator dispenser according to claim 4, in which the lower
part (52) forms a long skirt co-operating by its lower end (520)
with an internal crown (400) attached to the base (40), so that the
lower end (520) enters into an annular cavity (42) formed between
the internal crown (400) and the external wall (41) at its lower
end (410).
6. Applicator dispenser according to claim 3 in which the internal
wall (51) of the inner body (5) comprises a upper part (53) forming
an upper skirt surrounding, at its base, the side wall (61) of the
upper part (6).
7. Applicator dispenser according to claim 6 in which the upper
part (53) comprises an external radial projection or radial
shoulder (54), forming an axial stop for the external wall (41)
and/or the side wall (31), and which has an external diameter
typically equal to that of the external wall (41) at its upper end
(410) and/or to that of the side wall (31) at its lower end
(310).
8. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1, in which the
application means (32) is attached to the head (30) of the lid (3)
to form the applicator (9), and, in which preferably, the
application means (32) may have a section in a transversal plane
selected so as to form an annular space (33) between the lateral
skirt (31) of the lid (3) and the application means (32).
9. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1, in which the
application means (32) forms a longitudinal application block (320)
of height H.sub.A ranging from 10 mm to 60 mm, and preferably from
20 mm to 50 mm.
10. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1, in which the lid (3)
comprises an axial projection (34) attached, by its upper end, to
the head (30) of the lid (3), or possibly an insert assembled onto
the lid (3), the axial projection (34) forming the attachment
means.
11. Applicator dispenser according to claim 10, in which the axial
projection (34) typically forms a portion of tube (35) forming a
sheath gripping an upper part (321) of the application means (32),
so as to attach the application means (32) to the lid (3).
12. Applicator dispenser according to claim 10 in which the axial
projection has an axial length ranging from 0.8. H.sub.JC to 1.1.
H.sub.JC, where H.sub.JC is the axial length of the lateral skirt
(31) of the lid (3).
13. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1, in which the
application means (32) or the application block (320) comprises or
is formed by an application material in a divided or fibrous or
alveolar condition, for example alveolar foam or felt, capable of
retaining a fraction of the powder so that it may subsequently be
applied typically to the face.
14. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1 in which the
application means (32) has a lower surface (323) typically in
contact with the base (60) of the upper part (6) equipped with the
orifice (600) or the plurality of orifices (601), so that a
fraction S.sub.O/S of the lower surface (323) aligned with the
orifice (s) is in contact with the powder, the fraction S.sub.O/S
ranging typically from 0.05 to 0.4, where S.sub.O corresponds to
the zone of the orifice (s) and S corresponds to the total zone of
the base (60).
15. Applicator dispenser according to claim 14 in which all or part
of the application means (32) are resilient or axially elastic, so
that they are in a state of slight axial compression between the
head (30) and the base (60), when the applicator dispenser (1, 1')
is closed, the slight axial compression corresponding to a
reduction in height of the application means typically ranging from
2% to 20%.
16. Applicator dispenser according to claim 10 in which the side
wall (61) of the upper part (6) is coaxial to the axial projection
(34), typically to the portion of tube (35), the side wall (61)
comprising an upper portion (610) externally covering a lower
portion (340) of the axial projection (34) on an axial distance
.DELTA.H ranging up to 0.8. H.sub.S, where H.sub.S is the height of
the side wall (61).
17. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1 in which the side
wall (61) of the upper part (6), or the upper part (53) of the
inner body (5), co-operates with the lateral skirt (31) of the lid
(3) by screwing by means of a screw thread (11) when the container
(2) is closed, the thread comprising at least one helicoidal groove
(111), either total or partial, co-operating with at least one
helicoidal rib (110), either total or partial.
18. Applicator dispenser according to claim 17 in which the lateral
skirt (31) of the lid comprises on its inner surface a plurality of
helicoidal grooves (111') designed to co-operate when the dispenser
(1, 1') is closed, with a plurality of helicoidal ribs (110')
located on the side wall (61) or on the upper part (53), on its
external surface, so that the lid (3) is capable of closing off the
container (2) by screwing.
19. Applicator dispenser according to claim 18 in which the
plurality of ribs comprises 3 ribs orientated at 120.degree. with
respect to one another and running at an angle .alpha. ranging from
40.degree. to 120.degree., and preferably from 50.degree. to
80.degree., so as to close/open the dispenser by a relative
rotation of low amplitude.
20. Applicator dispenser according to claim 3 in which the inner
body (5) is an inner body (5') equipped with an internal wall (51')
that only comprises one lower wall (52), and in which the inner
body (5') is attached to the upper part (6) by a means of axial
co-operation permitting a relative rotation of the upper part (6)
with respect to the inner body (5) or with respect to the external
body (4) attached in rotation to the inner body (5).
21. Applicator dispenser according to claim 20 in which the
external body (4) is an external body (4') equipped with an
external wall (41') comprising the internal wall (51') and in which
the base (40) of the external body (4) comprises a lower orifice
(401) for filling it and a stopper (44) to close off the lower
orifice (401).
22. Applicator dispenser according to claim 20 in which the
external body (4) is an external body (4'') forming a tube that may
be filled by the base and equipped with an external wall (41'')
with a lower end (410'') capable of being fixed by forming a lower
edge that is typically heat sealed.
23. Applicator dispenser according to claim 20 in which the means
of co-operation axial (12) is selected from a central clipping
means (120) or a peripheral clipping means (121).
24. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1 in which, the orifice
(220) is formed by the alignment of the orifices (500) and (600) or
by the alignment of the plurality of orifices (501) and (601) by
relative rotation of the upper part (6) with respect to the inner
body (5, 5') or to the external body (4, 4'), the closure means (8)
comprises a co-operation of convex elements (80) and concave
elements (81), between the upper part (6) and the inner body (5,
5') or the external body (4, 4', 4'') or the peripheral clipping
means (121), so as to have two extreme angular positions "F" and
"O" obtained by the relative rotation along an angular path .beta.,
an extreme angular position marked "F" corresponding to a closure
of the applicator dispenser, the other extreme angular position
marked "O" corresponding to an opening of the applicator
dispenser.
25. Applicator dispenser according to claim 24 in which the side
wall (61) of the upper part (6) comprises an external radial
projection (611) forming the convex element (80) typically
co-operating with a internal radial groove (530) of the upper part
(53) forming the concave element (81), so as to form the closure
means (8).
26. Applicator dispenser according to claim 25 in which the
internal radial groove (530) comprises a relief (531) providing the
separation between the positions "O" and "F" so that the passage
from a position "O" or "F" to the other position "F" or "O"
requires a manual rotational effort.
27. Applicator dispenser according to claim 24 in which the base
(60) of the upper part (6) comprises an axial projection (62)
forming the convex element (80), co-operating with a cavity axial
(450, 502) formed in the wall (45, 50) forming the concave element
(81).
28. Applicator dispenser according to claim 18 in which the
screwing of the lid on the container (2) automatically causes the
relative rotation of the upper part (6) with respect to the inner
body (5, 5') or to the external body (4, 4'), so as to obtain the
extreme angular position marked "F" corresponding to a closure of
the applicator dispenser, due in particular to a driving effect of
the longitudinal block (320) on the base (60).
29. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1 having a symmetry of
revolution.
30. Applicator dispenser according to claim 1 in which the
reservoir (25) has an internal capacity or volume typically ranging
from 5 to 200 cm.sup.3 and preferably from 10 cm.sup.3 to 100
cm.sup.3.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to French Application No.
0504907, filed May 17, 2005, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to the field of applicator dispensers
of a product in powder form, typically of a cosmetic product in
powder form designed for applying make up to the face.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Many applicator dispensers for products in powder form are
already known. Typically, these applicator dispensers comprise a
powder reservoir with an applicator mounted on top of it, as for
example in the patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,626,119, EP 0 364 667, FR 2
802 069, and FR 2 823 081.
[0004] Furthermore, many dispensers of products in powder form are
also known comprising an application means in the form of a powder
puff. When the powder is in the form of an agglomerated block these
dispensers are then traditional make up compacts.
[0005] Finally, in the patent FR 2 848 392 in the applicant's name,
there is disclosed a dispenser of non-agglomerated powder
comprising an application means which functions similarly to a
powder puff in a traditional housing.
[0006] On the one hand, many applicator dispensers of the state of
the art are relatively large in size, such that they are designed
to be placed on a bathroom shelf. There is consequently a need for
"mobile" applicator dispensers that are relatively compact, in
order to be carried in a handbag for example.
[0007] On the other hand, it is important that these applicator
dispensers are ergonomic to use, and that they allow the users to
avoid getting product on their fingers.
[0008] Furthermore, there is a need for dispensers that are easy to
handle when applying the powder and that moreover have an elongated
shape which is, for example, similar to that of a tube of
lipstick.
[0009] Moreover, in the field of cosmetic products, there is a need
for permanent renewal of the products and packaging.
[0010] Finally, given the development of the powder formulas, it
may be useful in certain cases that these applicator dispensers are
relatively airtight, in order to avoid any evaporation of a
volatile constituent of the powder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to the invention, the applicator dispenser of a
product in powder form, typically of a cosmetic product forming a
powder, has an axial direction and comprises a) a container forming
a reservoir designed to contain the product in powder form, the
container featuring a side wall, a perforated upper wall in the
form of a sifter with at least one orifice or a plurality of
orifices so as to allow the powder to pass through it so that it
can be used, and typically a base, b) a lid or cover comprising a
head and a lateral skirt co-operating with the container, when the
applicator dispenser is closed, so as to close off the container,
and c) an application means of the powder housed between the head
and the wall. The dispenser is characterized in that: [0012] 1) the
application means is attached to the lid to form an applicator, by
means of an attachment means, so that the lid acts as a manual
means of gripping the application means, without the risk of
getting product on the hands, [0013] 2) the container comprises a
typically airtight means of sealing the orifice or the plurality of
orifices.
[0014] The applicator dispensers of the invention overcome the
problems raised. In fact, these applicator dispensers are "mobile"
applicator dispensers that are relatively compact in size and that
are capable of being carried in a handbag for example. Furthermore,
with the lid acting as a manual means of gripping the application
means, there is no longer any risk of getting product on the hands
when applying the product. Moreover, it is easier to handle a
relatively light lid, than to handle the body of the dispenser
containing the product, which is obviously heavier and more
voluminous. Furthermore, given its elongated form, the applicator
dispenser of the invention has a shape similar to that of a tube of
lipstick. Finally, the applicator dispenser of the invention
entirely renews the shape of powder dispensers, which is very
advantageous from a commercial point of view.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] All of the figures concern applicator dispensers (1) or
applicator dispensers elements (1) according to the invention.
[0016] FIGS. 1a to 2d concern a same embodiment of applicator
dispenser (1). FIG. 1a is a side view of the closed applicator
dispenser (1), in which the lid (3) is screwed onto the container
(2). FIG. 1b is a left axial half-section in the vertical A-A plane
of FIG. 1a passing along the axial direction (10) of the applicator
dispenser (1). FIG. 1c is a transversal cross section in the B-B
plane of FIG. 1b corresponding to an "F", or closed, position, in
which the orifices (220, 500, 600) or plurality of orifices (221,
501, 601) are aligned. FIG. 1d is an enlarged view of the part of
FIG. 1c surrounded by a circle.
[0017] FIG. 2a is a reduced view of FIG. 1a in which the dimensions
are noted. FIG. 2b is a view that is analogous to that of FIG. 1b,
but with the lid (3) unscrewed and separated from the container
(2). FIG. 2c, analogous to FIG. 1c, corresponds to an "O", or open,
position, in which the orifices (220, 500, 600) or plurality of
orifices (221, 501, 601) are aligned. FIG. 2d, analogous to FIG.
1d, is an enlarged view of the part of FIG. 2c surrounded by a
circle.
[0018] FIGS. 3a and 3b, analogous to FIGS. 1a and b respectively,
concern an embodiment of applicator dispenser (1) in which the
upper part (53) of the inner body (5) does not comprise a radial
shoulder (54), as in FIG. 1b, so that the lower end (310) of the
skirt (31) of the lid (3) substantially touches the upper end (411)
of the skirt (41) of the external body (4).
[0019] FIGS. 4a and 4b, analogous to FIGS. 3a and 3b respectively,
concern an embodiment of applicator dispenser (1) in which the
means of co-operation or threading (11) of the lid (3) and the
container (2) is respectively housed on the inner surface of the
skirt (31) of the lid and on the external surface of the upper part
(53) of the inner body (5), whereas, in FIGS. 1b and 3b, the means
of co-operation or threading (11) of the lid (3) and the container
(2) is respectively housed on the inner surface of the skirt (31)
of the lid and on the external surface of the side wall (61) of the
upper part (6).
[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the part of FIG. 4c including
the wall (50) and the base (60), in which the applicator dispenser
(1) is in the open position, and the orifices (600, 601) are
aligned with the orifices (500, 501).
[0021] FIGS. 6a to 6d are partial axial cross sections along a
vertical plane passing along the axial direction (10) of the
applicator dispenser (1) and relate to four different embodiments
of applicator dispenser (1, 1'). In the embodiment of FIG. 6a, the
inner body of the container (5) is an inner body (5') that does not
comprise an upper part (53), where the upper part (53) is the part
of the inner body (5) located above the wall (50) equipped with at
least one orifice (500) or a plurality of orifices (501). In this
embodiment, it is the end (411) of the external wall (41) that
co-operates with the side wall (61) to form the closure means (8),
and also to attach the external body (4), the inner body (5) and
the upper part (6). The embodiment of FIG. 6b differs from the
embodiment of FIG. 6a in that the external body of the container
(4) is an external body (4') comprising a wall (45) equipped with
at least one orifice (450) or a plurality of orifices (451), in
which the inner body (5') has been removed, and comprises a base
(40) forming an orifice (401) sealed by a stopper (44). The
embodiment of FIG. 6c differs from the embodiment of FIG. 6a in
that an assembly ring (7) ensures the assembly of the inner body
(5') and of the upper part (6), where the external body (4) is
clipped to the inner body (5') by its end (520). The embodiment of
FIG. 6d differs from the embodiment of FIG. 6c in that, as in FIG.
6b, the external body (4) is an external body (4') comprising a
wall (45) equipped with at least one orifice (450) or a plurality
of orifices (451), where the inner body (5') has been removed, and
comprises a base (40) forming an orifice (401) sealed by a stopper
(44).
[0022] FIGS. 7a to 7d, analogous to FIGS. 6b and 6d, represent
other embodiments of applicator dispenser (1, 1') in which the
external body (4') is an external body (4'') forming a tube that
can be filled by the base, with an external wall (41'') that may be
sealed at its lower end by forming a lower heat sealed edge
(410''). FIG. 7a corresponds to FIG. 6b, where the base (401) is
not closed off. FIG. 7b corresponds to FIG. 7a after the body has
been filled, the base (401) heat sealed and a lower heat sealed
edge (410'') formed. FIG. 7c corresponds to FIG. 6d, where the base
(401) is not closed off. FIG. 7d corresponds to FIG. 6c after the
body has been filled, the base (401) heat sealed and a lower heat
sealed edge (410'') formed.
[0023] FIGS. 8a to 8d illustrate another variant (8') of closure
means (8). In this variant, on the one hand, an axial projection
(62) attached to the base (60) of the upper part (6) co-operates
with an axial cavity (452, 502) formed in the wall (45, 50) of the
external body (4) or the inner body (5) so as to form the convex
(80) and concave (81) elements of the closure means (8'), and on
the other hand, the upper part (6) co-operates with the walls (45)
or (50) by way of axial co-operation means (12) forming a central
clip (120). FIGS. 8a and 8b are partial axial cross sections of the
closure means (8) and of the axial co-operation means (12). In FIG.
8a, the applicator dispenser is in the "O" open position, the
orifice (600) or plurality of orifices (601) of the base (60) of
the upper part (6) aligned with the orifice (500, 450) or the
plurality of orifices (501, 451) of the wall (50) or the wall (45).
In FIG. 8b, the applicator dispenser is in the "F" closed position,
the upper part (6) having been turned through an angle .beta.. FIG.
8c is a transversal cross section along the A-A plane of FIG. 8a.
FIG. 8d is a transversal cross section along the B-B plane of FIG.
8b.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] According to the invention, the applicator dispenser (1) may
have a H/D shape factor at least equal to 1.5, for example at least
equal to 2, and preferably at least equal to 3, in order to obtain
a longitudinal applicator dispenser (1') with an axial direction
(10), H designating the height of the applicator dispenser (1')
along the axial direction (10), and D designating its maximum
transversal dimension or its diameter in the case of an applicator
dispenser (1') with a constant circular section on the entire said
height H.
[0025] Consequently, the applicator dispenser (1') of FIGS. 1a to
2d, and as shown in FIG. 2a, has a H/D shape factor equal to 67/17,
i.e. 3.94.
[0026] As illustrated especially in FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b, the
container (2) may comprise a) an external body (4) comprising an
external wall (41) and typically a base (40), b) an inner body (5)
comprising an upper wall (50) equipped with at least one orifice
(500) or a plurality of orifices (501) and an so-called internal
wall (51), and c) an upper part (6) comprising a base (60) equipped
with at least one orifice (600) or a plurality of orifices (601),
and typically a side wall (61), the upper part (6) co-operating
with the external body (4) or the inner body (5) so that it can
turn in the axial direction (10) with respect to the external body
(4) or to the inner body (5) in order to align offset angularly the
orifice (500) or the plurality of orifices (501) of the inner body
(5) with respect to the orifice (600) or the plurality of orifices
(601) of the upper part.
[0027] In this case, the internal wall (51) of the inner body (5)
may comprise a lower part (52) forming a lower skirt that attaches,
typically by axially clipping, the inner body (5) to the external
body (4), so that in particular, a rotation of the external body
(4) causes a corresponding rotation of the inner body (5).
[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b, the lower part
(52) may form a long skirt co-operating by its lower end (520) with
an internal crown (400) attached to the base (40), so that the
lower end (520) enters into an annular cavity (42) formed between
the internal crown (400) and the external wall (41) at its lower
end (410).
[0029] The internal wall (51) of the inner body (5) may comprise an
upper part (53) forming an upper skirt that surrounds, at its base,
the side wall (61) of the upper part (6).
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1b, the upper part (53) may comprise
an external radial projection or radial shoulder (54), forming an
axial stop for the external wall (41) and/or the side wall (31),
and which has an external diameter typically equal to that of the
external wall (41) at its upper end (410) and/or to that of the
side wall (31) at its lower end (310).
[0031] According to the invention, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1b,
2b, 3b, 4b and 5, the application means (32) may be attached to the
head (30) of the lid (3) to form the applicator (9), and,
preferably, the application means (32) may have a section in a
transversal plane selected so as to form an annular space (33)
between the lateral skirt (31) of the lid (3) and the application
means (32).
[0032] In general, the application means (32) may form a
longitudinal application block (320) of height H.sub.A ranging from
10 mm to 60 mm, and preferably from 20 mm to 50 mm.
[0033] Advantageously, the lid (3) may comprise an axial projection
(34) attached, by its upper end, to the head (30) of the lid (3),
or possibly an insert assembled onto the lid (3), the axial
projection (34) forming the attachment means of the application
means (32), as shown in FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b, so as to thus form
the applicator (9), the lid (3) acting as a manual way of gripping
it.
[0034] The axial projection (34) may typically form a portion of
tube (35) forming a sheath gripping an upper part (321) of the
application means (32), so as to attach the application means (32)
to the lid (3), but other types of axial projections are possible,
for example a central projection forming a harpoon to attach the
application means (32) to the lid (3).
[0035] The axial projection (34) may have an axial length ranging
from 0.8. H.sub.JC to 1.1. H.sub.JC, where H.sub.JC is the axial
length of the lateral skirt (31) of the lid (3), as shown in FIG.
2a.
[0036] The application means (32) or the application block (320)
may comprise or be formed by an application material in a divided
or fibrous or alveolar condition, for example alveolar foam or
felt, capable of retaining a fraction of the powder so that it may
subsequently be applied typically to the face.
[0037] When the applicator dispenser (1, 1') is closed, the
application means (32) may have a lower surface (323) typically in
contact with the base (60) of the upper part (6) equipped with the
orifice (600) or the plurality of orifices (601), so that a
fraction S.sub.O/S of the lower surface (323) aligned with the
orifice(s) is in contact with the powder, the fraction S.sub.O/S
ranging typically from 0.05 to 0.4, where S.sub.O corresponds to
the zone of the orifice(s) and S corresponds to the total zone of
the base (60).
[0038] Preferably, all or part of the application means (32) may be
resilient or axially elastic, so that they are in a state of slight
axial compression between the head (30) and the base (60), when the
applicator dispenser (1, 1') is closed, the slight axial
compression corresponding to a reduction in height of the
application means typically ranging from 2% to 20%.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b and 5, the side wall
(61) of the upper part (6) may be coaxial to the axial projection
(34), typically to the portion of tube (35), the side wall (61)
comprising an upper portion (610) externally covering a lower
portion (340) of the axial projection (34) on an axial distance
.DELTA.H ranging up to 0.8. H.sub.S, where H.sub.S is the height of
the side wall (61). In this way, the side wall (61) and the axial
projection (34) are concentric and cover one another over a height
.DELTA.H, which may help to increase air tightness of the
applicator dispenser (1, 1').
[0040] The side wall (61) of the upper part (6), or the upper part
(53) of the inner body (5), may co-operate with the lateral skirt
(31) of the lid (3) by screwing by way of a screw thread (11) when
the container (2) is closed, the thread comprising at least one
helicoidal groove (111), either total or partial, co-operating with
at least one helicoidal rib (110), either total or partial.
[0041] In this way, the lateral skirt (31) of the lid comprises on
its inner surface a plurality of helicoidal grooves (111') designed
to co-operate when the dispenser (1, 1') is closed, with a
plurality of helicoidal ribs (110') located on the side wall (61)
or on the upper part (53), on its external surface, so that the lid
(3) is capable of sealing the container (2) by screwing.
[0042] The plurality of ribs (110') may comprise 3 ribs orientated
at 120.degree. with respect to one another and running at an angle
.alpha. ranging from 40.degree. to 120.degree., and preferably from
50.degree. to 80.degree., so as to close/open the dispenser by a
relative rotation of low amplitude.
[0043] According to another embodiment of applicator dispenser
shown in FIGS. 6a and 6c, the inner body (5) may be an inner body
(5') equipped with an internal wall (51') that only comprises one
lower wall (52), and in which the inner body (5') is attached to
the upper part (6) by a means of axial co-operation permitting a
relative rotation of the upper part (6) with respect to the inner
body (5) or with respect to the external body (4) attached in
rotation to the inner body (5).
[0044] According to yet another embodiment of applicator dispenser
shown in FIGS. 6b and 6d, the external body (4) may be an external
body (4') equipped with an external wall (41') comprising the
internal wall (51') and in which the base (40) of the external body
(4) comprises a lower orifice (401) for filling it and a stopper
(44) to close off the lower orifice (401).
[0045] With these two last embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS.
7a to 7d, the external body (4) may be an external body (4'')
forming a tube that may be filled by the base and equipped with an
external wall (41'') with a lower end (410'') capable of being
sealed by forming a lower edge that is typically heat sealed.
[0046] Regardless of the embodiments of the invention, the means of
axial co-operation (12) may be chosen from a central clipping means
(120), as illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b, or a peripheral clipping
means (121), as illustrated in FIGS. 6c, 6d, and 7a to 7d.
[0047] According to the invention, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1c
and 1d, 2c and 2d, 8a to 8d, where the orifice (220) is formed by
the alignment of the orifices (500) and (600) or by the alignment
of the plurality of orifices (501) and (601) by relative rotation
of the upper part (6) with respect to the inner body (5, 5') or to
the external body (4, 4'), the closure means (8) may comprise a
co-operation of convex elements (80) and concave elements (81),
between the upper part (6) and the inner body (5, 5') or the
external body (4, 4', 4'') or the peripheral clipping means (121),
so as to have two extreme angular positions "F" and "O" obtained by
the relative rotation along an angular path .beta., an extreme
angular position marked "F" corresponding to a closure of the
applicator dispenser, the other extreme angular position marked "O"
corresponding to an opening of the applicator dispenser.
[0048] The position "F" is shown in FIGS. 1c and 1d, 8b and 8d.
[0049] The position "O" is shown in FIGS. 2c and 2d, 8a and 8c.
[0050] In a first variant of closure means (8) illustrated in FIGS.
1d and 2d, the side wall (61) of the upper part (6) may comprise an
external radial projection (611) forming the convex element (80)
typically co-operating with a radial internal groove (530) of the
upper part (53) forming the concave element (81), so as to form the
closure means (8).
[0051] The internal radial groove (530) may comprise a convex
element (531) providing the separation between the positions "O"
and "F" so that the passage from a position "O" or "F" to the other
position "F" or "O" requires a manual rotational effort.
[0052] In a second variant of closure means (8) illustrated in
FIGS. 8c and 8d, the base (60) of the upper part (6) may comprise
an axial projection (62) forming the convex element (80),
co-operating with an axial cavity (450, 502) formed in the wall
(45, 50) forming the concave element (81).
[0053] Advantageously, screwing of the lid on the container (2) may
automatically cause the relative rotation of the upper part (6)
with respect to the inner body (5, 5') or to the external body (4,
4'), so as to obtain the extreme angular position marked "F"
corresponding to a closure of the applicator dispenser, due in
particular to a driving effect of the longitudinal block (320) on
the base (60).
[0054] According to the invention, the applicator dispenser may
have symmetry of revolution.
[0055] In this applicator dispenser, the reservoir (25) may have an
internal capacity or volume typically ranging from 5 to 200
cm.sup.3 and preferably from 10 cm.sup.3 to 100 cm.sup.3.
EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS
[0056] All of the figures are examples of embodiments.
[0057] 1) The applicator dispenser of FIGS. 1a to 2a corresponds to
a first embodiment of applicator dispenser (1) according to the
invention. To manufacture it, a thermoplastic moulding technique
was used for the following:
the cover (3),
the external body (4),
the inner body (5),
and the upper part (6).
[0058] The material forming the application means (32) was procured
and a longitudinal block (320) was cut out that was attached by
force in the axial projection (34) of the cover (3).
[0059] The following were assembled by axial clipping: the external
body (4), the inner body (5) and the upper part (6).
[0060] 2) The applicator dispenser of FIGS. 3a to 3b corresponds to
a second embodiment of applicator dispenser (1) according to the
invention. This embodiment differs from the previous one by the
fact that the external body (5) does not comprise a radial shoulder
(54).
[0061] 3) The applicator dispenser of FIGS. 4a to 4b and 5
corresponds to a third embodiment of applicator dispenser (1)
according to the invention. This embodiment is distinguished from
the previous one in that the part of the means of co-operation (11)
related to the container (2) is carried by the upper part (53) of
the inner body (5), instead of by the side wall (61) of the upper
part (6).
[0062] 4) The 4 applicator dispensers of FIGS. 6a to 6d are 4
variants of the second embodiment:
[0063] 4a) in the variant of FIG. 6a, the upper part (6) and the
external part (4) are clipped together. In this variant, the
external part (4) is filled from the top, the internal part (5) is
then inserted and then the upper part (6) is clipped on.
[0064] 4b) in the variant of FIG. 6b, filling is carried out
through the base. The internal part has been removed.
[0065] 4c) in the variant of FIG. 6c, the upper (6) and internal
(5) parts are attached by means of a ring (7), and the external
part (4), after filling through the base, is clipped to the
internal part (5).
[0066] 4d) in the variant of FIG. 6d, the upper (6) and external
(4) parts are attached by means of a ring (7). As in variant 4b,
the filling is carried out through the base of the external part
(4) which is closed off by a stopper (44).
[0067] 5) The 2 applicator dispensers of FIGS. 7a to 7d are two
other embodiments in which the external part (4) is formed by a
tube body (4'):
[0068] 5a) the first is analogous to the variant of FIG. 6a, and is
shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b.
[0069] 5b) the second is analogous to the variant of FIG. 6d, and
is shown in FIGS. 7c and 7d.
* * * * *