U.S. patent application number 12/469747 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-31 for single-use cosmetic package.
Invention is credited to George H. Kress, Charles P. Neuner, Michele C. Wilde.
Application Number | 20090324318 12/469747 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41445206 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090324318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilde; Michele C. ; et
al. |
December 31, 2009 |
Single-Use Cosmetic Package
Abstract
A single-use cosmetic package has a pouch with a front wall and
a back wall. A wand is stored in the pouch. Upper and lower seals
hermetically seal the perimeter of the pouch. A middle seal divides
the pouch into a product reservoir in a lower half of the pouch and
a dry chamber in the upper half. The wand projects from a handle
end in the dry chamber through the middle seal to an applicator end
in the product reservoir. A dog-bone shaped sealing structure on
the wand forms a hermetic seal with the middle seal. The dry
chamber is opened by pulling opposite tabs to peel the front wall
from the back wall. When the wand is pulled from the pouch, a
flange on the wand expands the middle seal to form a wiper opening
in the product reservoir. The wiper opening is sized to wipe the
applicator end of the wand, or an applicator attached to the end of
the wand.
Inventors: |
Wilde; Michele C.; (New
York, NY) ; Neuner; Charles P.; (Amityville, NY)
; Kress; George H.; (Fanwood, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE ESTEE LAUDER COS, INC
155 PINELAWN ROAD, STE 345 S
MELVILLE
NY
11747
US
|
Family ID: |
41445206 |
Appl. No.: |
12/469747 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61075808 |
Jun 26, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/0087 20130101;
B65D 75/5855 20130101; A45D 40/262 20130101; A45D 2200/1036
20130101; A61M 35/006 20130101; A45D 40/267 20130101; A45D
2200/1018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/122 |
International
Class: |
A46B 11/00 20060101
A46B011/00 |
Claims
1. A single-use cosmetic product package comprising: a pouch having
a front wall, a back wall and a perimeter defined by a top end, a
bottom end, a first side edge and a second side edge, the front
wall secured to the back wall by a lower seal extending across the
bottom end and along a lower portion of each of the first side edge
and the second side edge, an upper seal extending across the top
end and along an upper portion of each of the first side edge and
the second side edge, and a middle seal having a first part
extending inwardly from the first side edge toward a second part
extending inwardly from the second side edge, a gap between the
first part and second part defining a wiper opening adapted to
meter product withdrawn from the package, the lower seal and middle
seal defining a product reservoir between the front wall and the
back wall at the bottom end of the pouch, and the upper seal and
middle seal defining a dry chamber between the front wall and the
back wall at the top end of the pouch, the lower seal, upper seal
and middle seal hermetically sealing the perimeter of the pouch;
and a wand in the pouch, the wand having an applicator end adapted
to carry and deposit a cosmetic product, a handle end opposite the
applicator end, and a sealing structure between the applicator end
and the handle end, the sealing structure having an annular first
flange separated from an annular second flange by an intermediate
portion that tapers from each of the first flange and the second
flange to a reduced diameter between the first flange and the
second flange, the sealing structure adapted to facilitate
formation of a fluid tight seal about the wand, the wand positioned
within the pouch such that the applicator end is located in the
product reservoir, the handle end is located in the dry chamber and
the wiper opening is secured about the sealing structure of the
wand in fluid tight contact to hermetically seal the product
reservoir from the dry chamber; wherein the upper seal of the pouch
is peelable so that a user can separate a portion of the front wall
and back wall to open the dry chamber, grasp the handle end of the
wand, and pull the applicator end of the wand through the wiper
opening to withdraw a metered amount of a product from the product
reservoir.
2. The single-use cosmetic product package of claim 1 further
comprising an unsecured portion of the front wall and an opposite
unsecured portion of the back wall each extending above the top
seal to facilitate opening the dry chamber.
3. The single-use cosmetic product package of claim 1 further
comprising an applicator secured to the applicator end of the
wand.
4. The single-use cosmetic product package of claim 3 wherein the
applicator is selected from one of a brush, a fiber pad, a sponge
or a paddle.
5. The single-use cosmetic product package of claim 1 wherein the
annular first flange is dimensioned to expand the wiper opening
when the wand is withdrawn from the package from the reduced
diameter between the first flange and the second flange to a
pre-selected size suitable for wiping the applicator end.
6. The single-use cosmetic product package of claim 3 wherein the
annular first flange is dimensioned to expand the wiper opening
when the wand is withdrawn from the package from the reduced
diameter between the first flange and the second flange to a
pre-selected size suitable for wiping the applicator.
7. The single-use cosmetic product package of claim 1 wherein the
applicator end further comprises a spatula.
8. The single-use cosmetic product package of claim 1 further
comprising flocked fiber secured to the applicator end.
9. The single-use cosmetic product package of claim 1 further
comprising texture on the applicator end selected from grooves,
ridges, bores or bumps adapted to enhance at least one of product
loading or product distribution.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/075,808 filed on Jun. 26, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to cosmetic product packages,
such as disposable cosmetic product sample packages, intended for
single use. In particular, the present invention is directed to a
cosmetic product package including a pouch, an applicator wand
stored in the pouch, a peelable opening that provides access to the
handle of the wand and a wiper opening for metering the dispensed
sample.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Single-use containers serve at least two important roles in
the cosmetic field, i.e., as unit-dose dispensers or as samplers.
Unit-dose dispensers conveniently provide to the user a
pre-measured amount of product, e.g., enough product for a single
treatment or application. Samplers (sample size packages of
product) are generally provided to consumers free of charge or at a
nominal cost so that a consumer can experience a limited quantity
of a product prior to making a purchase decision. With respect to
samplers, it is important that the experience of sampling the
product approximates the experience of using a saleable package
(the package available for purchase). It is also advantageous if
when used as a sampler the package is not readily usable multiple
times. If a free sampler is reusable and/or contains too much
product, there is significantly less incentive for a consumer to
purchase a saleable package.
[0006] Present samplers are often smaller versions of saleable
packages. For example, mascara product samplers are often reduced
volume versions of the saleable package, complete with a
saleable-type re-sealable container with a threaded neck and cap, a
rod, a brush applicator and an elastomer wiper insert. The cost of
such samplers is relatively high due to the quality and quality of
parts (bottle, cap, rod, brush, wiper), complexity of structure,
assembly and filling. In addition, because they can be resealed in
an airtight fashion, the consumer can use such a sampler for
several days or weeks, and thus has reduced incentive to purchase a
corresponding saleable package.
[0007] Present pouch packages often have a separate neck member
secured to the pouch. A wand is inserted through the neck member,
which may include a wiper. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,818 to
Marinelli. The separate neck member and/or wiper may add
significantly to the cost of the package.
[0008] Alternative samplers may be made by blow molding, extrusion
or vacuum forming less expensive bottles, squeeze tubes or blister
packs, respectively. However, these less expensive alternatives
often fail to provide a quality sampling experience that closely
approximates the experience of using a saleable package.
[0009] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,732,287 and 4,711,354 to Bennett,
respectively, disclose cosmetic dispensers including an elongated
hollow cylindrical container with an opening, and an elongated
plastic article (applicator rod) provided in the container with an
enlarged portion sealed or welded in the opening of the container.
The basic dispenser requires at least two relatively costly
components, the cylindrical container and the article (applicator
rod), that are separately manufactured and subsequently assembled,
thus increasing production cost.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 2,814,420 to Elder, Jr., et al. discloses a
sealed package and container with a tubular body, a frusto-conical
section extending into one end of the body and a stem joined by a
breakable annular zone to the frusto-conical section. The body,
frusto-conical section and stem are formed as a unitary part. The
tubular body is squeezable to facilitate expelling product from the
product reservoir. Accordingly, product could be inadvertently
expelled during normal handling if the user inadvertently applies
excessive pressure. To avoid this problem, the frusto-conical
section is inverted by the user from a position extending into the
body to a position extending outwardly from the body. While this
feature would appear to reduce the incidence of inadvertent release
of product, it may not totally eliminate the problem. In addition,
the stem does not extend down below the frusto-conical section, so
it appears that it would be difficult if not impossible for the
stem to be dipped into the product in the container. It appears as
if the stem, in order to be used as an applicator, would need to be
loaded with product by squeezing product from tubular body.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,487 to Kristiansen discloses a
disposable dispenser comprised of a tube extending from an upper
end of a container. An open bottom end of the container is sealed
after the container is charged with product. Prior to filling and
sealing, an applicator rod is inserted into the tube, which is
adapted to internally receive in friction fit the upper end of the
applicator rod. The region where the tube and the neck of the
container are joined is weakened so that the tube can be snapped
away from the container. Again, the basic package requires at least
two relatively costly components, the tube/container and the rod,
which are separately manufactured and subsequently assembled.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,600 to Rowe et al. discloses a
disposable dry-handle mascara applicator assembly. U.S. Pat. No.
4,952,204 to Kortweg discloses a dry handle swab assembly and unit.
The containers disclosed in Rowe et al. and Kortweg are
substantially the same as that disclosed in Kristiansen--a tube
extending from an upper end of a container with an applicator rod
secured in the tube. Each requires at least two relatively costly
basic components, the tube/container and the rod.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,181 to Montoli discloses a mascara
product sampler substantially similar in construction to a saleable
package, i.e., complete with a re-sealable container with a
threaded neck and cap, a rod, a brush applicator and an elastomer
wiper insert. The relative complexity of the manufacturing and
assembly is self-evident.
[0014] Accordingly, there is a need for a less complex single-use
container constructed with relatively low cost components.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is an object of the invention to provide a single-use
cosmetic product package that is simple in construction and has
relatively low cost components.
[0016] It is another object of the invention to provide a
single-use cosmetic product package suitable for use as a sampler
or as a unit-dose dispenser.
[0017] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a basic
single-use cosmetic product package whose function can be enhanced
with the addition of conventional applicator heads, e.g., a twisted
wire mascara brush.
[0018] It is another object of the invention to provide a
single-use cosmetic product package in the form of a pouch
container having a product storage reservoir at one end and a dry
chamber at the other end. A wiper opening defined by widened
portions of the side seals provides a fluid communication channel
between the reservoir and the chamber. A wand is stored in the
pouch container with an applicator end in the reservoir, a handle
end in the dry chamber and a sealing structure in the wiper opening
such that it seals the wiper opening. A peelable seal allows
separation of the portion of the pouch walls forming the dry
chamber to provide access to the wand handle.
[0019] It is another object of the invention to provide a
single-use cosmetic product package that when used as a sampler
delivers metered samples in a manner similar to a saleable
container.
[0020] Accordingly, a single-use cosmetic product package is
provided wherein the basic elements, a pouch container with a wiper
opening formed by the pouch seams and a simple applicator wand, are
minimal and low in cost.
[0021] The applicator end of the wand may be used as is, e.g., as a
dipper to retrieve product, or the end may be enhanced with texture
(e.g., grooves, ridges, bores, bumps) or a spatula-like flattened
portion to enhance product loading and/or delivery of product.
Alternatively, the applicator end may be enhanced by securing an
applicator to it. For example, a sponge, a fibrous material,
flocking or a brush may be secured to the applicator end to enhance
loading and delivery of the product sample.
[0022] The pouch has a wiper opening formed between widened
portions of the pouch side seals. The wiper is dimensioned to wipe
excess product from the applicator end and/or applicator as it is
drawn through the wiper. The opening is preferably dimensioned to
approximate the size and function of the wiper in a corresponding
saleable package for the same product.
[0023] The wand is provided with a sealing structure adapted to
facilitate formation of a fluid tight seal about the wand when the
wand is positioned within the pouch such that the applicator end is
located in the product reservoir and the handle end is located in a
dry chamber and the wiper opening is secured about the sealing
structure of the wand in fluid tight contact to hermetically seal
the product reservoir from the dry chamber.
[0024] Although the cosmetic container of the present invention is
simple and low cost, it delivers metered amounts of cosmetic in a
manner similar to more expensive saleable packages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the present invention showing
the back wall of the pouch, the seals and the wand; and
[0026] FIG. 2 is a front and left side perspective view showing the
pouch in an open state with the wand withdrawn.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a single-use cosmetic product
package is shown generally at reference number 1. The package
comprises a pouch 2 having a front wall 4, a back wall 6 and a
perimeter 8 defined by a top end 10, a bottom end 12, a first side
edge 14 and a second side edge 16. At the bottom end of the pouch,
the front wall 4 is secured to the back wall 6 by a lower seal 18
(indicated in FIG. 1 by diagonal cross-hatching) extending across
the bottom end 12 and along a lower portion of each of the first
side edge 14 and the second side edge 16. At the top end 10, the
front wall 4 is secured to the back wall 6 by an upper seal 20
(indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by diagonal cross-hatching) extending
across the top end 10 and along an upper portion of each of the
first side edge 14 and the second side edge 16. The front wall 4 is
further secured to the back wall 6 by a middle seal 22 (indicated
in FIG. 1 by horizontal cross-hatching) having a first part 24
extending inwardly from the first side edge 14 toward a second part
26 extending inwardly from the second side edge 16, a gap 28
between the first part 24 and second part 26 of the middle seal 22
defines a wiper opening 30 adapted to meter product withdrawn from
the package. The lower seal 18 and middle seal 22 define a product
reservoir 32 between the front wall and the back wall at the bottom
end of the pouch. The upper seal 20 and middle seal 22 defining a
dry chamber 34 between the front wall and the back wall at the top
end of the pouch. The lower seal 18, upper seal 20 and middle seal
22 hermetically seal the perimeter 8 of the pouch.
[0028] A wand 36 is provided in the pouch 2. The wand 36 has an
applicator end 38 adapted to carry and deposit a cosmetic product
P. Opposite the applicator end 38, a handle end 40 is provided that
is adapted for grasping by a user. A sealing structure 42 is
provided between the applicator end 38 and the handle end 40. The
sealing structure 42 has an annular first flange 44 separated from
an annular second flange 46 by an intermediate portion 48 that
tapers from each of the first flange and the second flange to a
reduced diameter between the first flange and the second flange.
The sealing structure 42 is adapted to facilitate formation of a
fluid tight seal about the wand between the wand and the pouch.
Prior to forming the middle seal 22, the wand is positioned within
the pouch such that the applicator end is located in the product
reservoir 32 and the handle end is located in the dry chamber 34.
Then the middle seal is formed such that the wiper opening 30 is
secured about the sealing structure 42 of the wand in fluid tight
contact to hermetically seal the product reservoir 32 from the dry
chamber 34. The front wall 4 and back wall 6 are preferably not
directly bonded to the wiper structure 42, but are in fluid tight
contact with the sealing structure 42 due to the configuration of
the sealing structure and the middle seal and due to the elasticity
of the film or sheet material of the front wall and back wall. The
diameter of the first flange and second flange is larger than that
of the wand overall. The larger diameter of the flanges facilitates
a tight seal about the sealing structure. The relatively rounded
shape of each flange avoids tearing, cracking or piercing of the
film that could be caused by a sharp edged structure. The tight
seal prevents product P from leaking through the wiper opening to
the dry chamber while the wand is secured in the opening. This
keeps the handle end of the wand from being soiled with
product.
[0029] The upper seal 20 of the pouch is peelable so that a user
can separate a portion of the front wall 4 from the back wall 6 to
open the dry chamber 34, grasp the handle end of the wand, and pull
the applicator end of the wand through the wiper opening to
withdraw a metered amount of a product from the product reservoir.
A tab 50, an unsecured portion of the front wall, and an opposite
tab 52, an unsecured portion of the back wall, each extend above
the top seal 20 to facilitate opening the dry chamber 34. A user
can grasp tabs 50 and 52 and pull them apart to separate the front
wall from the back wall to open the dry chamber. The middle seal is
significantly wider than the upper seal. The additional width of
the middle seal resists peeling of the upper seal beyond the lower
end of the dry chamber, and thus prevents the user from peeling the
package open beyond the wiper opening.
[0030] The applicator end 38 of the wand may be used as is, e.g.,
as a dipper to retrieve product, or the end may be enhanced with
texture (e.g., grooves, ridges, bores, bumps), flocking or a
spatula-like flattened or cupped portion to enhance product loading
and/or delivery of product. Alternatively, the applicator end 38
may be enhanced by securing an applicator 54 (indicated by
stippling) to it. For example, a sponge, an elastic paddle, a fiber
pad, flocking or a brush may be secured to the applicator end 38 to
enhance loading and delivery of the product sample.
[0031] The annular first flange 44 is dimensioned to expand the
wiper opening 30 when the wand 36 is withdrawn from the package 1.
The wiper opening 30 expands from the reduced diameter of the
intermediate portion 48 to a pre-selected size suitable for wiping
the applicator end 38, or suitable for wiping an applicator 54
mounted on the applicator end 38. Expansion of the wiper opening is
accomplished in part by releasing a small portion of each of the
first part 24 and the second part 26 of the middle seal 22, i.e.,
the portion of each of the first part and second part of the middle
seal that corresponds to the reduced diameter of the intermediate
portion 48 of the sealing structure 42. Additionally, the sheet or
film material of the front wall and back wall may stretch and
expand, or have sufficient elasticity to permit the first flange to
be withdrawn.
[0032] The front wall 4 and back wall 6 are made of any sheet
material suitable for use in a sampler pouch, so long as the
material is compatible with the cosmetic product to be stored. For
example, the sheet material may be comprised of successive layers
of coex (for example, co-extruded poly propylene or poly ester),
adhesive, aluminum foil, adhesive and polymeric material (for
example, poly propylene or polyester). The lower seal 18, upper
seal 20 and middle seal 22 are formed by a suitable adhesive that
is compatible with the sheet material and the cosmetic product to
be stored therein, and is peelable upon curing. Alternatively, the
film may be selected to be capable of bonding to itself to form a
hermetic seal without the need for adhesive, but still exhibit the
desired peelability. Examples of suitable self-bonding film layer
materials, such as acrylonitrile methylacrylate, are disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,534 to Aiken, incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety. The lower seal, upper seal and middle seal are
formed by heat sealing or, optionally, induction sealing, sonic
welding, etc.
[0033] The wand 36 is molded in a single integral piece that
includes the applicator end 38, handle end 40 and sealing structure
42. The wand 36 is molded from a suitable plastic material such as
hytrel, poly propylene, polyester or other polymeric material that
is compatible with cosmetic product. Preferably, the material is
also selected to facilitate bonding of, for example, flocking
fibers or a sponge material to the applicator end 38. The
configuration of the applicator end is selected to facilitate
application of the cosmetic product to be stored.
[0034] Once the wand 36 has been molded, it is placed between a
pre-cut front wall and back wall and at least the upper seal, the
middle seal and portions of the lower seal along the first side
edge and second side edge are formed by heat sealing, sonic
welding, induction sealing, adhesive or other suitable means. At
least a portion of the lower seal along the bottom end is left
un-bonded to provide access to the product reservoir for filling
product. The un-bonded bottom end seal may also provide access to
the product reservoir so that an applicator 54 can be secured on
the applicator end 38. Once the applicator 54 is installed
(optional) on the applicator end 38, and once the product P has
been loaded into the product reservoir, the un-bonded portion of
the lower seal at the bottom end may be sealed by heat sealing,
sonic welding, induction sealing, adhesive or other suitable
means.
[0035] The package is particularly useful as a single use
container, e.g., a sampler or a unit dose package. The pouch may be
used as a sampler at a retail counter, a giveaway with counter
promotions, a saleable "grab bag" item, in magazines and mailers,
and in other ways. The package is suitable for use with, for
example, mascara, eyelash, eye shadow and other eye products, nail
polish, nail care products, lipstick, lip gloss, lip color, lip
balm, lotions, serums, treatment products, sun block, make-up,
foundations, concealers, depilatories and other treatment and
make-up products. The applicator end or applicator can be selected
to accommodate use with a particular product from the list
above.
[0036] The middle seal forms a hermetic seal about the sealing
structure of the wand and forms a wiper opening in the pouch when
the wand is withdrawn from the pouch. This eliminates the need for
a separate wiper component, thus reducing the cost of the package
substantially while maintaining a user experience that is similar
to a salable package.
[0037] It is understood that various modifications and changes in
the specific form and construction of the various parts can be made
without departing from the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *