U.S. patent application number 12/415386 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-22 for package for lathering a personal care product.
Invention is credited to Jeremy Aaron Abel, David Matthew Groh, Theresa Louise Johnson, Thomas Michael McKeon, Steven Michael Schennum.
Application Number | 20090263175 12/415386 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41059483 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090263175 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Groh; David Matthew ; et
al. |
October 22, 2009 |
Package For Lathering A Personal Care Product
Abstract
A package for lathering a liquid personal care product, the
package comprising: (a) a body for grasping with a user's hand,
wherein the body comprises a horizontal plane defining a first
cross-sectional shape; and (b) an applicator comprising a
skin-contacting portion, wherein the skin-contacting portion
comprises a horizontal plane defining a second cross-sectional
shape; wherein each of the first cross-sectional shape and the
second cross-sectional shape comprises a major dimension oriented
along a first axis and a minor dimension oriented along a second
axis, and wherein the major dimensions are greater than the minor
dimensions.
Inventors: |
Groh; David Matthew;
(Lebanon, OH) ; Johnson; Theresa Louise; (South
Lebanon, OH) ; Schennum; Steven Michael; (Plainfield,
IL) ; McKeon; Thomas Michael; (Wheaton, IL) ;
Abel; Jeremy Aaron; (Oswego, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;Global Legal Department - IP
Sycamore Building - 4th Floor, 299 East Sixth Street
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Family ID: |
41059483 |
Appl. No.: |
12/415386 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61072492 |
Mar 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/176 ;
222/105; 401/262 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 34/042 20130101;
A46B 11/0086 20130101; A46B 11/001 20130101; A46B 11/0089 20130101;
A46B 2200/1033 20130101; A45D 2200/056 20130101; A45D 2200/055
20130101; A45D 27/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/176 ;
401/262; 222/105 |
International
Class: |
A45D 27/02 20060101
A45D027/02; A45D 27/00 20060101 A45D027/00; B65D 35/56 20060101
B65D035/56 |
Claims
1. A package for lathering a liquid personal care product, the
package comprising: a body for grasping with a user's hand, wherein
the body comprises a horizontal plane defining a first
cross-sectional shape; and an applicator comprising a
skin-contacting portion, wherein the skin-contacting portion
comprises a horizontal plane defining a second cross-sectional
shape; wherein each of the first cross-sectional shape and the
second cross-sectional shape comprises a major dimension oriented
along a first axis and a minor dimension oriented along a second
axis, and wherein the major dimensions are greater than the minor
dimensions.
2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the first axis of the
body substantially aligns with the first axis of the
skin-contacting portion.
3. A package according to claim 1, wherein the first
cross-sectional shape is oblong.
4. A package according to claim 1, wherein the second
cross-sectional shape is oblong.
5. A package according to claim 1, wherein the first
cross-sectional shape is symmetrical.
6. A package according to claim 1, wherein the second
cross-sectional shape is symmetrical.
7. A package according to claim 1, wherein the first
cross-sectional shape is asymmetrical.
8. A package according to claim 1, wherein the second
cross-sectional shape is asymmetrical.
9. A package according to claim 1, wherein the first
cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are in
vertical alignment.
10. A package according to claim 1, wherein the first
cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape are not
in vertical alignment.
11. A package according to claim 1, wherein the skin-contacting
portion is designed to fit between a user's nose and upper lip.
12. A package according to claim 1, wherein the minor dimension of
the skin-contacting portion is less than or equal to about 0.75
inches.
13. A package according to claim 1, wherein the minor dimension of
the skin-contacting portion is less than or equal to about 0.5
inches.
14. A package according to claim 1, wherein the major dimension of
the skin-contacting portion is less than or equal to about 1.5
inches.
15. A package according to claim 1, wherein the package comprises
an over-cap, the over-cap being removeably attached to the
body.
16. A package according to claim 1, wherein the body contains a
shave prep composition.
17. A package for lathering a liquid personal care product, the
package comprising: a flexible and resilient body for grasping with
a user's hand, wherein the body comprises a horizontal plane
defining a first cross-sectional shape; and an applicator
comprising a skin-contacting portion, wherein the skin-contacting
portion comprises a horizontal plane defining a second
cross-sectional shape; wherein each of the first cross-sectional
shape and the second cross-sectional shape comprises a major
dimension oriented along a first axis and a minor dimension
oriented along a second axis, wherein the major dimensions are
greater than the minor dimensions, and wherein the body is inwardly
deformable along its minor dimension in order to urge a volume of a
liquid personal care product from within the body to the
skin-contacting portion.
18. A package according to claim 17, wherein the body contains a
shave prep composition.
19. A package for lathering a liquid personal care product, the
package comprising: a body for grasping with a user's hand, wherein
the body comprises a body cavity and a horizontal plane defining a
first cross-sectional shape; a flexible bag, wherein the flexible
bag is fillable with a liquid personal care product, and wherein
the flexible bag fits within the body cavity; an applicator
comprising a skin-contacting portion, wherein the skin-contacting
portion comprises a horizontal plane defining a second
cross-sectional shape; and a displacement member associated with
the body that is inwardly moveable in order to urge a volume of a
liquid personal care product from within the flexible bag to the
skin-contacting portion; wherein each of the first cross-sectional
shape and the second cross-sectional shape comprises a major
dimension oriented along a first axis and a minor dimension
oriented along a second axis, and wherein the major dimensions are
greater than the minor dimensions.
20. A package according to claim 19, wherein the body comprises a
sidewall, and wherein the displacement member is the sidewall,
wherein the sidewall is flexible, resilient, and deformable along
the body's second axis.
21. A package according to claim 19, wherein the body comprises a
bottom, and wherein the displacement member is a piston that is
vertically moveable upward from the bottom.
22. A package according to claim 19, wherein the displacement
member is a trigger.
23. A package according to claim 19, wherein the body contains a
shave prep composition.
24. A package for lathering a liquid personal care product, the
package comprising: a body for grasping with a user's hand, wherein
the body comprises a horizontal plane defining a first
cross-sectional shape, and wherein the body further comprises an
outlet for dispensing a liquid personal care product; and an
applicator comprising a skin-contacting portion, wherein the
skin-contacting portion comprises a horizontal plane defining a
second cross-sectional shape, and wherein the applicator is in
fluid communication with the body outlet; wherein each of the first
cross-sectional shape and the second cross-sectional shape
comprises a major dimension oriented along a first axis and a minor
dimension oriented along a second axis, wherein the major
dimensions are greater than the minor dimensions, wherein the first
cross-sectional shape orientationally corresponds to the second
cross-sectional shape so that as the body is manipulated by a
user's hand, a user can be assured that the skin-contacting portion
is oriented as intended on the skin.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/072,492, filed Mar. 31, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to packages for lathering
a liquid personal care product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Liquid personal care products are available in a wide
variety of packages, including bottles, jars, tubes, and cans.
Liquid personal care products meant for application to the skin are
traditionally dispensed from a container onto users' hands and then
applied to the skin by hand. Examples of such products include
lotion, facial cleanser, and shaving cream. This application method
however can be messy, and that portion of the product that does not
get transferred from users' fingers is wasted.
[0004] Few liquid personal care products on the market have
applicators or lathering aids. While patents relating to brush
attachments for shaving cream in traditional aerosol cans do exist,
there are no well-known lathering aids for shaving cream currently
available for consumer purchase. U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,992 (Kavoussi)
(the "'992 patent") is an example of a conventional aerosol shaving
cream container with a shaving brush attachment. The '992 patent is
believed representative of the prior art: the container is
cylindrical and the shaving brush attachment has a cylindrical fan
shape that is rounded at the top. This sort of applicator may not
work well to lather product onto smaller skin areas, such as the
space between the nose and upper lip; an applicator with a shape
other than cylindrical may work better. But, if the shape of the
applicator is not cylindrical, it may be hard for the user to view
the orientation of the applicator, particularly when the applicator
contains foamed product and is placed against the skin.
Accordingly, there is a need to inform users of the orientation of
the applicator as they hold it close to the skin.
[0005] To solve these problems, a package with skin-friendly
dispensing and lathering capabilities may be used to apply and
lather product directly onto the skin. There is a desire to develop
a package that allows the product to be dispensed directly from a
container onto the skin. A need exists for a container that better
fits into a user's hand. The package may comprise a displacement
member located remote from the portion of the package that contacts
the skin. There exists a need for a flow-restricting member to keep
water and other impurities out of the dispenser and container as
well as prevent the product from flowing out of the container
unless force is consciously exerted on the container to dispense
the product. Also, a need still exists for an applicator and
container that are ergonomically designed to lather product on
various skin areas. As a result, if an applicator and/or container
are not the traditional round shape, a need exists to inform the
user of the positioning of the applicator in relation to the
positioning of the container so the user may better line up the
applicator with the area of skin to be lathered. These are all
objects of the present invention; embodiments of the present
invention may combine various objects mentioned. A particular
embodiment may, but need not, embody every object of the
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to a package for lathering
a liquid personal care product. A first exemplary embodiment
comprises a body for grasping with a user's hand, wherein the body
comprises a horizontal plane defining a first cross-sectional
shape. The embodiment also comprises an applicator comprising a
skin-contacting portion, wherein the skin-contacting portion
comprises a horizontal plane defining a second cross-sectional
shape. Each of the first cross-sectional shape and the second
cross-sectional shape comprises a major dimension oriented along a
first axis and a minor dimension oriented along a second axis,
wherein the major dimensions are greater than the minor
dimensions.
[0007] A second exemplary embodiment comprises all of the elements
of the first exemplary embodiment. In addition, the body is
flexible, resilient, and inwardly deformable along its second axis
in order to urge a volume of a liquid personal care product from
within the body to the skin-contacting portion.
[0008] A third exemplary embodiment comprises all of the elements
of the first exemplary embodiment. In addition, the body comprises
a body cavity. The embodiment comprises a flexible bag, wherein the
flexible bag is fillable with a liquid personal care product, and
wherein the flexible bag fits within the body cavity. The
embodiment also comprises a displacement member associated with the
body that is inwardly moveable in order to urge a volume of a
liquid personal care product from within the flexible bag to the
skin-contacting portion.
[0009] A fourth exemplary embodiment comprises, in addition to the
features of the first embodiment, a package in which the body
further comprises an outlet for dispensing a liquid personal care
product, wherein the applicator is in fluid communication with the
body outlet. The first cross-sectional shape orientationally
corresponds to the second cross-sectional shape so that as the body
is manipulated by a user's hand, a user can be assured that the
skin-contacting portion is oriented as intended on the skin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is
believed the same will be better understood from the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top portion of a first
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line I-I.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a view of the top portion of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the top portion
of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line II-II.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front view of a second exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 6, taken along the line III-III.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a view of the top portion of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 8.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the top
portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, taken along the line
IV-IV.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the top portion of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional, perspective view of
the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, taken along the line V-V.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a view of the top portion of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 9.
[0024] FIGS. 14a-f are examples of cross-sectional shapes the
package may comprise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] The present invention may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of illustrative and
preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the scope of the
claims is not limited to the specific ingredients, methods,
conditions, devices, or parameters described herein, and that the
terminology used herein is not intended to be limiting of the
claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification, including
the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the"
include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value
includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise. When a range of values is expressed, another
embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the
other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as
approximations, by use of the antecedent basis "about," it will be
understood that the particular values form another embodiment. All
ranges are inclusive and combinable.
[0026] All percentages and ratios used herein are by weight of the
total composition, and all measurements made are at 25.degree. C.,
unless otherwise designated.
[0027] The packages of the present invention can comprise, consist
of, and consist essentially of the features of the invention
described herein, as well as any of the additional or optional
ingredients, components, steps, or limitations described
herein.
[0028] The term "latherable" as used herein refers to a liquid
personal care product that is able to form a foam or froth when
agitated or spread onto the skin. The liquid personal care product
may lather by entrapping air, by comprising a surfactant-type
substance, or by another means known to those of ordinary skill in
the art. Water addition may or may not be necessary to obtain a
foam or froth, but it may enhance benefits or results depending on
the type of product used. Agitation or spreading may be by hand,
but is preferably by applicator. Agitation or spreading may be
rapid or slow, and may comprise irregular and regular
movements.
[0029] The term "lathering" as used herein refers to the act of
agitating or spreading onto the skin a liquid personal care product
to produce a foam or froth. For instance, a product may be
dispensed as a gel and then lathered into a foam. If a product is
already in the form of a foam or froth when dispensed from its
package, lathering may comprise spreading product onto the skin to
cover an area of skin.
[0030] The following exemplary packages further describe and
demonstrate embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
The examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and
are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention as
many variations thereof are possible without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to
cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications
that are within the scope of this invention.
[0031] A first exemplary package 100 is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.
1 illustrates the top portion of package 100, comprising a body
102, and an applicator 124. Body 102 is able to be grasped with a
user's hand; it comprises a horizontal plane defining a first
cross-sectional shape 104. Cross-sectional shape 104 comprises a
major dimension 106 oriented along a first axis and a minor
dimension 108 oriented along a second axis. Body 102 may be
provided in a variety of forms or shapes and may be made of various
materials. Examples of suitable plastic materials include high
density polyethylene ("HDPE"), low density polyethylene ("LDPE"),
polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"), polypropylene ("PP"), polyvinyl
chloride, polycarbonate, nylon, and fluorinated ethylene propylene.
Body 102 may be made via a number of processes known in the art,
such as blow molding, injection molding, and the like. Body 102 may
be comprised of transparent, translucent, or opaque materials, or
it may be comprised of a combination of materials with these
properties. In a preferred embodiment, body 102 is opaque and made
of thermoplastic resin via an extrusion blow molding process. In
other embodiments, body 102 may be transparent to show unique
color, texture, pattern, or inclusions of a liquid personal care
product; for example, moisturizing beads or white color to signify
suitable for use on sensitive skin.
[0032] Many prior art packages have applicators which are
attachable, but not integral to the package. Applicator 124 may be
attachable or removeably attached to body 102, such as with
screw-threads, a snap-fit collar, or the like. In a preferred
embodiment, applicator 124 is integral with body 102, which means
that the applicator is assembled with the body during manufacturing
and is not intended to be removed by a consumer during the product
lifetime. Applicator 124 comprises a skin-contacting portion 126
comprising a horizontal plane defining a second cross-sectional
shape 128. Cross-sectional shape 128 comprises a major dimension
130 oriented along a first axis and a minor dimension 132 oriented
along a second axis. Skin-contacting portion 126 may comprise
bristles, a sponge, a loofah, a shower puff, or another material or
combination of materials that is capable of lathering a liquid
personal care product. Skin-contacting portion 126 may be rinsed
after use.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment, at least a part of
skin-contacting portion 126 is designed to fit between a user's
nose and upper lip. As such, minor dimension 132 of skin-contacting
portion 126 may be less than or equal to about 0.75 inches. In
another embodiment, minor dimension 132 of skin-contacting portion
126 may be less than or equal to about 0.5 inches. In a preferred
embodiment, major dimension 130 of skin-contacting portion 126 is
less than or equal to about 1.5 inches. Major dimension 130 and
minor dimension 132 may vary depending on the part of the skin
skin-contacting portion 126 is meant to contact. For example,
dimensions 130, 132 may be larger if skin-contacting portion 126 is
meant for users' legs, or smaller if skin-contacting portion 126 is
meant for users' underarms or bikini area.
[0034] In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 2, major dimension
106 of body 102 substantially aligns with major dimension 130 of
skin-contacting portion 126. Also as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first
cross-sectional shape 104 and second cross-sectional shape 128 are
in vertical alignment. In other embodiments, cross-sectional shape
104 and cross-sectional shape 128 may not be in vertical alignment.
For example, skin-contacting portion 126 may be offset from body
102 so that skin-contacting portion 126 is not positioned
vertically above body 102, but rather extends from the side of body
102. Skin-contacting portion 126 may also extend horizontally from
body 102, or from any angle in between; skin-contacting portion 126
may be fixed at a certain angle or it may be adjustable by users.
Cross-sectional shapes 104, 128 of body 102 and applicator 124,
respectively, may take different forms. In various embodiments, as
shown in FIGS. 14a-f, first cross-sectional shape 104 and second
cross-sectional shape 128 may be oblong circles, squares, or
triangles; further exemplary shapes include teardrop and pear. The
shapes 104, 128 may substantially match or not match. For example,
in one embodiment, cross-sectional shape 104 may have an oval shape
while cross-sectional shape 128 may have a teardrop shape.
Cross-sectional shapes 104, 128 may be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
FIG. 1 illustrates cross-sectional shape 104 and cross-sectional
shape 128 as symmetrical, oblong circles. In further embodiments,
package 100 may comprise more than two distinct cross-sectional
shapes.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, body 102 has an outlet 112 that is in
fluid communication with applicator 124. Body 102 comprises a flat
surface 114 that package 100 rests on when it is not in use. In a
preferred embodiment, the bottom portion of body 102 may comprise a
lower gasket 116, an umbrella valve 118, and a bottom or bottom
plate 120. Lower gasket 116 is preferably made of a thermoplastic
elastomer ("TPE") and bottom plate 120 is preferably made of PP. It
should be noted that these aforementioned features, as well as
other features described throughout, are not limiting on the scope
of the appended claims where such features are not explicitly
recited.
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates applicator 124. In one embodiment,
skin-contacting portion 126 extends to a first height 134 from
applicator base 136, wherein first height 134 is equal to the
highest point of skin-contacting portion 126. In other embodiments,
skin-contacting portion 126 may extend to various heights in
various zones, so there may be more than one height of interest. In
a preferred embodiment, applicator base 136 is made out of PP and
comprises a plurality of fiber receiving holes 140 to receive
fibers 142 to form skin-contacting portion 126. Applicator base 136
comprises an orifice 144 to enable dispensing of product onto
skin-contacting portion 126. To prevent dispensed product from
getting stuck in the bottom half of skin-contacting portion 126 or
clogging outlet 112, one or more dispensing conduits 146 help
direct the product to a preferred location within skin-contacting
portion 126. This makes more efficient use of the product because
more product is available for lathering onto the skin rather than
filling up the lower portion of skin-contacting portion 126. FIG. 4
shows dispensing conduit 146 having a proximal end 148 and a distal
end 154. Proximal end 148 has an inlet 150 that is in fluid
communication with outlet 112 of body 102 and a compression seal
152. In a preferred embodiment, a sufficient length of dispensing
conduit 146 extends into skin-contacting portion 126, with distal
end 154 located somewhat close to a surface that contacts the skin,
thereby dispensing more product closer to the skin. However,
dispensing conduit 146 should not extend too far into
skin-contacting portion 126 or it might too aggressively contact or
scratch a user's skin when in use. As such, in one embodiment,
distal end 154 extends from applicator base 136 to a second height
156 that is less than first height 134 of skin-contacting portion
126. In this configuration, distal end 154 may still contact a
user's skin during use, but desirably not to the point of causing
significant irritation to one's skin. Dispensing conduit 146 may be
comprised of a variety of materials. For example, dispensing
conduit 146 may be made of hard plastic and precautions may be
taken by the manufacturer or user to prevent dispensing conduit 146
from contacting the skin and causing discomfort, scratches, or
injury to the skin. However, in a preferred embodiment, dispensing
conduit 146 is made of a softer material; one exemplary material is
TPE.
[0037] A safety cap 158 may be provided to cover dispensing conduit
146. Safety cap 158 prevents damage or disfigurement to
skin-contacting portion 126 and it may also prevent leakage of
product from dispensing conduit 146. In a particular embodiment,
safety cap 158 is a temporary cover and may be removed and
discarded by the consumer after purchase. In a preferred
embodiment, safety cap 158 is made of PP.
[0038] Package 100 optionally comprises an over cap 176 that is
removeably attached to body 102 or applicator 124. Over cap 176 may
comprise an outer ring 178 to compress safety cap 158 and an inner
ring 180 to contain safety cap 158. In a particular embodiment, a
ledge 182 on over cap 176 allows over cap 176 to snap into a notch
110 of body 102. Over cap 176 may also comprise a flat surface 184,
allowing package 100 to be inverted, thus resting on flat surface
184 when not in use. In one embodiment, over cap 176 is made of
PP.
[0039] In particular embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, a valve 186
may be disposed between body 102 and applicator 124. In a preferred
embodiment, valve 186 comprises an upper gasket 188 made of TPE or
rubber, and a transition piece 190, a one-way valve 192, and a
valve cover 194, all three made of PP.
[0040] Some embodiments of the present invention may employ one or
more flow-restricting members 160 associated with dispensing
conduit 146. In a preferred embodiment, flow-restricting member 160
is positioned at or near distal end 154 of dispensing conduit 146.
Flow-restricting member 160 acts to inhibit and/or prevent water
from entering dispensing conduit 146, while also preventing product
from flowing out of package unless force is consciously exerted on
a displacement member to dispense the product. Dispensing of the
product may then be more accurately controlled and unwanted
dispensing of the product may be substantially prevented.
[0041] "Flow-restricting member" 160 as used herein means any of
numerous mechanical devices by which the flow of a liquid personal
care product may be started, stopped, or regulated by a movable
part that opens, shuts, or partially obstructs one or more ports,
orifices or passageways. Flow-restricting member 160 may be
manually openable or pressure activated. Flow-restricting members
160 may be any valve known in the art including but not limited to
bi-directional, uni-directional, duckbill, claw, umbrella,
cross-slit, and slit valves.
[0042] In one particular embodiment, flow-restricting member 160
has at least two opposing members 162, wherein members 162 converge
into a closed or substantially closed state, and diverge into an
open state. Members 162 are biased to the closed state to inhibit
and/or prevent water or impurities from entering and clogging
dispensing conduit 146, or to inhibit contamination or dilution of
the product within dispensing conduit 146 or body 102. For example,
a user may rinse skin-contacting portion 126 under running water
after use; the water can clog dispensing conduit 146 or dilute or
contaminate the product if it gets inside body 102. Another reason
members 162 are biased to the closed state is to prevent unwanted
leakage of the product if package 100 is inverted while not in use.
Members 162 may be forced into the open state when a volume of
product is communicated from body 102 through dispensing conduit
146 in response to manual forces being applied to a displacement
member. Flow-restricting member 160 returns to its closed position
upon removal of the manual displacement forces which results in
stopping the dispensing of the product through dispensing conduit
146.
[0043] In another particular embodiment, flow-restricting member
160 comprises a slit valve 164. "Slit valve" 164 as used herein
means a valve whose members are formed from incision(s) that have a
closed and open position as described above. Preferably, slit valve
164 is made of a relatively flexible material, such as silicone
rubber, polyvinyl chloride, urethane, ethylene vinyl acetate,
styrene-butadiene copolymer, and other materials known to those of
ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, slit valve 164 is
made of silicone. The stiffness of slit valve 164 in one embodiment
is sufficient to prevent the slit from opening under the
hydrostatic pressure of a liquid personal care product when package
100 is placed in an inverted position.
[0044] Body 102 may contain a liquid personal care product.
Alternatively, body 102 may comprise a flexible bag 122 to contain
a liquid personal care product; flexible bag 122 fits within body
102 and acts as a bladder. In a preferred embodiment, flexible bag
122 attaches to transition piece 190. Flexible bag 122 may be made
out of HDPE, LDPE, mylar film, or other suitable material known to
one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0045] Package 100 comprises a means to dispense a product
contained within package 100. In one embodiment, body 102 is
flexible and resilient, and it is inwardly deformable along its
minor dimension 108 in order to urge a volume of a liquid personal
care product from within body 102 to skin-contacting portion
126.
[0046] In other embodiments, package 100 comprises a displacement
member 166 that urges the product out of body 102 and onto
skin-contacting portion 126. Displacement member 166 may be located
away from skin-contacting portion 126 to allow product to be
manually dispensed by the user while skin-contacting portion 126 is
in contact with the skin. In a preferred embodiment, such as in
FIG. 2, displacement member 166 comprises at least a portion, or
sidewall, of body 102; wherein the sidewall (not shown) of body 102
is flexible, resilient, and deformable along its minor dimension
108. In one embodiment, two sidewalls are located along either side
of body 102 along major dimension 106. In another embodiment,
displacement member 166 is a piston (not shown) that is vertically
moveable upward from bottom 120 of body 102. In one embodiment, the
piston or similar member may extend partially within body 102 to
dispense a liquid personal care product. A further example of
displacement member 166 is a trigger, as shown in FIGS. 6-12 and
discussed more fully below.
[0047] A second exemplary package 200 is shown in FIGS. 6 to 13.
Package 200 has many of the same features as package 100; most
features are numbered consistently between the two, with a
difference in the hundreds numeral, for example, body 102 of
package 100 vs. body 202 of package 200. The descriptions,
dimensions, and variations of the features of package 100 may be
applied to the corresponding features of package 200 discussed
below, unless otherwise noted.
[0048] In a preferred embodiment, body 202 is opaque and made of
thermoplastic resin via an extrusion blow molding process.
[0049] FIGS. 7 and 8 depict package 200 comprising a body 202 and
an applicator 224. Body 202 of package 200 comprises a horizontal
plane defining a first cross-sectional shape 204. First
cross-sectional shape 204 comprises a major dimension 206 oriented
along a first axis, and a minor dimension 208 oriented along a
second axis, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Applicator 224 comprises a
skin-contacting portion 226, wherein skin-contacting portion 226
comprises a horizontal plane defining a second cross-sectional
shape 228. Second cross-sectional shape 228 comprises a major
dimension 230 oriented along a first axis and a minor dimension 232
oriented along a second axis, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In a
preferred embodiment, major dimension 206 of body 202 substantially
aligns with minor dimension 230 of skin-contacting portion 226, and
first cross-sectional shape 204 and second cross-sectional shape
228 are in vertical alignment. Also in a preferred embodiment,
package 200 has first cross-sectional 204 and second
cross-sectional 228 shapes that are symmetrical, oblong circles.
Body 202 comprises a flat surface 220. In a preferred embodiment,
body 202 comprises an upper body 210 and a lower body 216.
[0050] FIG. 9 illustrates body 202 having an outlet 214 that is in
fluid communication with applicator 224. Upper body 210 comprises a
notch 212, where an optional over-cap 276 snaps on. Lower body 216
comprises a body cavity 218, wherein a flexible bag 222 fillable
with a liquid personal care product fits within body cavity 218.
FIG. 9 also illustrates a dispensing conduit 246, a
flow-restricting member 260, a displacement member 266, and
optional valve 286 of package 200.
[0051] As seen in FIG. 10, skin-contacting portion 226 of
applicator 224 extends to a first height 234 from an applicator
base 236. In a preferred embodiment, applicator base 236 comprises
a plurality of fiber receiving holes 240 that receive fibers 242 to
form skin-contacting portion 226. Applicator base 236 comprises an
orifice 244 to enable dispensing of product onto skin-contacting
portion 226.
[0052] FIG. 11 illustrates dispensing conduit 246, and its proximal
end 248 and distal end 254. Proximal end 248 has an inlet 250 and a
compression seal 252. Distal end 254 has a second height 256. A
safety cap 258 may be provided to cover dispensing conduit 246 and
prevent leakage. Flow-restricting member 260 is associated with
dispensing conduit 246. In a preferred embodiment, flow-restricting
member 260 comprises opposing members 262. In other embodiments,
flow-restricting member 260 comprises a valve, such as a slit valve
264.
[0053] In particular embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9-11, a valve
286 may be disposed between body 202 and applicator 224. In a
preferred embodiment, best seen in FIG. 10, valve 286 may comprise
a stationary piston 288, a compression spring 290, a collar 292, a
ball 296, and a one-way valve 298. In one embodiment, stationary
piston 288 and collar 292 are made of PP, while compression spring
290 and ball 296 are made of stainless steel.
[0054] FIGS. 8-12 depict displacement member 266 which is
associated with body 202. Displacement member 266 is inwardly
moveable in order to urge a volume of a liquid personal care
product from within flexible bag 222 to skin-contacting portion
226. In a preferred embodiment, displacement member 266 is a
trigger 268 that is depressible along body's 202 major dimension
206. In one embodiment, a rib 272 from upper body 210 locks trigger
268 in place. In FIG. 11, a trigger holder 274 extends off
applicator base 236 to hold trigger 268 in place; trigger 268 has
two arms which hug the collar 292. Two L ribs 270 and the tail of
trigger 268 are visible in body cavity 218, as seen in FIG. 12. L
ribs 270 are optional; their purpose is to prevent trigger 268 from
damaging or pinching flexible bag 222. In operation, trigger 268
displaces a moving cylinder 294 which in turn displaces a volume of
the product from flexible bag 222 to skin-contacting portion 226.
In a particular embodiment, trigger 268, L ribs 270, rib 272,
trigger holder 274, and moving cylinder 294 are made of PP.
[0055] FIGS. 9 and 13 best show an optional over cap 276 that is
removeably attached over applicator 224. Over cap 276 comprises an
outer ring 278 to compress safety cap 258 and an inner ring 280 to
contain safety cap 258. A ledge 282 on over cap 276, visible in
FIG. 9, allows over cap 276 to snap into notch 212 of body 202.
Over cap 276 may also comprise a flat surface 284, allowing package
200 to be inverted, thus resting on flat surface 284 when not in
use.
[0056] It is contemplated that the package 100,200 of the present
invention may include alternate mechanisms for dispensing the
personal care compositions of the present invention. These include
electronic pumps, manual pumps, screw-containing mechanisms,
aerosols, pressurized gasses, trigger pumps, and the like. One of
ordinary skill would readily be able to integrate the mechanism for
dispensing the personal care composition into the present
invention.
[0057] In an exemplary method of use, after obtaining package
100,200, a user may remove optional over cap 176,276 and safety cap
158,258. If preferred, the user may wet skin-contacting portion
126,226. The user may then hold skin-contacting portion 126,226
against the desired skin surface and deform body 102,202 or move
displacement member 186,266 inwardly. In response, an amount of
product is forced out of package 100,200 via dispensing conduit
146,246 to skin-contacting portion 126,226. As the user moves
skin-contacting portion 126,226 around on the skin surface, the
product dispensed is lathered by skin-contacting portion 126,226.
In an example where the product is a shave prep composition, the
user may create a lather with skin-contacting portion 126, 226,
then use a razor to shave the prepared area. In an example where
the product is a facial or body cleanser, skin-contacting portion
126,226 may be used to exfoliate and cleanse the skin while
creating a lather. In particular embodiments, when the first axes
of body 102,202 and skin-contacting portion 126,226 are in
alignment, the user may more easily determine the orientation of
skin-contacting portion 126,226 because body 102,202 visually
intimates the positioning of skin-contacting portion 126,226. This
may be important, for example, if a user is trying to lather the
area between the nose and upper lip.
[0058] Packages 100,200 of the present invention may contain a wide
variety of liquid personal care products, preferably those that are
latherable by skin-contacting portion 126,226. Exemplary product
forms include gels, creams, foaming and non-foaming liquids,
mechanically pumpable liquids, non-aerosol gels, aerosol gels,
aerosol foams, pastes, serums, and sprays. Examples of suitable
products to be contained in body 102,202 or flexible bag 122,222
include body wash, body lotion, facial cleanser, facial lotion,
shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shave gel or cream, self tanner,
nail polish, nail polish remover, and other personal care products.
In a preferred embodiment, the liquid personal care product is a
shave prep composition. The following six examples of shave prep
products are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are
not to be construed to limit scope of the present invention as many
variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention.
TABLE-US-00001 Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ingredient Base
Base Base Base Base Base Water QS QS QS QS QS QS Palmitic Acid 7.75
6.0 0 0 6.0 0 Triethanolamine 6.05 4.7 8.76 8.76 4.7 8.76 Stearic
Acid 2.6 2.0 0 0 2 0 Myristic Acid 0 0 14.0 14.0 0 14.0 Mineral Oil
kaydol 0 0 0 0 1.5 0 Glyceryl Oleate 2.0 2.0 1.5 1.5 2.5 1.5
Sorbitol (70% solution) 1.0 1.0 0 0 0.5 0 Hydroxyethylcellulose 0.5
0.3 0.75 0.75 0.3 0.75 Polyox WSR-301 (PEG-90M) 0.06 0.06 0 0 0.06
0 Polyox WSR-N-12K (PEG-23M) 0.05 0.05 0 0 0.05 0 Sodium Myristoyl
Sarcosinate (30%) 1.0 0 6.67 6.67 0 6.67 Polymer LR30M cationic 0.1
0.2 0.45 0.45 0.2 0.45 Fragrance 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 PVP
K60 (45% solution) 0 0 0.49 0.49 0 0.49 Glycerin 0.5 1.5 8.5 8.5
0.5 8.5 Colorant 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.002 Parts of Base
Mixed w/Lathering 97.15 97.15 96 97.15 97.15 100 Agent Volatile
Lathering Agent 2.85 2.85 4.0 2.85 2.85 0
[0059] The above examples can be made as follows: Mix the water
with glycerin and then add to this mixture a pre-blend of the LR30M
and hydroxyethylcellulose powders. For formulas containing sodium
myristoyl sacrosinate, add this component next. For formulas
containing PVP K60, add this component next. Mix until homogeneous
and start heating. Stop mixing, and then add the fatty acids. When
the temperature reaches 75.degree. C., add triethanolamine and mix
for approximately 10 more minutes. Cool to less than 35.degree. C.,
and then add the fragrance and colorant. For example 6, store in
closed container until it is charged into an appropriate dispenser.
For examples 1-5, combine the base composition with the lathering
agent and charge the mixture into containers or packages capable of
containing volatile agents.
[0060] As noted above, the applicator or skin-contacting portion
thereof may comprise a number of different materials and material
forms, such as, bristles, foam pads, sponges, etc. Regarding the
use of bristles, material and physical properties of bristles can
impact skin feel and latherability, for example. Table 1 and the
following discussion illustrate this notion.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 (Dimensions are in inches) Bristle Bristle
Bristle Skin-Contacting Skin-Contacting Material Diameter Length
Major Dimension Minor Dimension Nylon 0.006 0.68 1.12 0.73 Nylon
0.008 0.55 1.12 0.73 Nylon 0.006 0.7 1.17 0.73 Nylon 0.008 0.54
1.17 0.73 Nylon 0.008 0.65 1.19 0.66 Nylon 0.008 0.55 1.19 0.66
Nylon 0.003 0.7 1.18 0.73 Nylon 0.004 0.7 1.18 0.73 Nylon 0.003 0.5
1.18 0.73 Nylon 0.004 1.0 1.18 0.73 Silicone 0.06 0.53 0.73
0.63
Consumers perceived the nylon bristles having a bristle diameter of
0.006 or 0.008 inches to be too stiff, and nylon bristles having a
bristle diameter of 0.003 or 0.004 as being in the right range for
softness. Bristles having a "mid-length" (that is those of 0.7
inches) were preferred for stiffness over those that were shorter
or longer.
[0061] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0062] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it
is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed
herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of
a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of
the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning
or definition assigned to that term in this document shall
govern.
[0063] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *