U.S. patent number RE38,698 [Application Number 09/734,184] was granted by the patent office on 2005-02-08 for assembly for packaging and applying a product, especially a cosmetic product.
This patent grant is currently assigned to L'Oreal. Invention is credited to Gerard Joulia.
United States Patent |
RE38,698 |
Joulia |
February 8, 2005 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Assembly for packaging and applying a product, especially a
cosmetic product
Abstract
An assembly (1) for packaging and applying a product, especially
a cosmetic product, includes a reservoir (2) formed of a body (3)
surmounted by a neck (12) having a free edge which delimits an
opening (18) and a cap element (17) capable of removably capping
the opening (18). The cap element (17) forms a member by which to
grasp an applicator (22), secured to a first end (21) of a
connecting member (20) whose second end (19) is secured to the cap
element (17). When the cap element (17) is in the closed position,
the applicator (22) lies inside the reservoir (2) so that it can
withdraw some of the product. The neck (12) is of axis Y, distinct
from the axis X of the body, and mounted so that it is free to
rotate with respect to the said body (3).
Inventors: |
Joulia; Gerard (Paris,
FR) |
Assignee: |
L'Oreal (Paris,
FR)
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Family
ID: |
9514417 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/734,184 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
206394 |
Dec 7, 1998 |
06024507 |
Feb 15, 2000 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 10, 1997 [FR] |
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97 15632 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
401/4; 366/130;
401/126; 401/129; 401/130 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D
34/048 (20130101); A45D 40/267 (20130101); B01F
15/00681 (20130101); B01F 13/002 (20130101); B01F
13/0022 (20130101); B01F 7/00558 (20130101); A45D
2200/1018 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A45D
40/00 (20060101); A45D 040/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;401/4,130,126,129
;366/130,309 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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89 14 067 |
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Feb 1990 |
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DE |
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2598299 |
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Nov 1987 |
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FR |
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1459859 |
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Dec 1976 |
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GB |
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4-10812 |
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Jan 1992 |
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JP |
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4-22302 |
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Jan 1992 |
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JP |
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9-94115 |
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Apr 1997 |
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JP |
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WO 90/04341 |
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May 1990 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Walczak; David J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier
& Neustadt, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent
of the United States is:
1. An assembly for packaging and applying a product, especially a
cosmetic product, comprising: a body defining a reservoir
.Iadd.with a closed bottom.Iaddend., said body having a first
longitudinal axis; a neck provided on said body, said neck
.Iadd.having .Iaddend.a free edge which defines an opening of said
neck, said neck having a longitudinal axis distinct from said first
axis of the body, .[.said neck rotatably mounted to said body;.].
.Iadd.and being formed by a mounting ring rotatably mounted on said
body, said mounting ring being attached to said body at a position
closer to said opening than it is to said closed bottom.Iaddend.;
and a cap element configured to removably close said opening of
said neck, said cap element including an applicator.
2. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1,
wherein said cap element comprises a member by which to grasp said
applicator, secured to a first end of a connecting member whose
second end is secured to said applicator.
3. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1,
wherein said applicator is arranged such that when said cap element
is in the closed position, said applicator lies inside the
reservoir and in contact with a portion of said product..[.
4. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1,
wherein said neck comprises a mounting ring which is free to rotate
on an opening formed by a free edge of the body of the
reservoir..].
5. A packaging and application assembly according to claim .[.4.].
.Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein said mounting ring comprises, means for
wringing out the applicator when the applicator is extracted from
the reservoir, provided about said longitudinal axis of said
neck.
6. A packaging and application assembly according to claim .[.4.].
.Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein said mounting ring includes reliefs
configured to make said ring easier to rotate with respect to the
body.
7. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 5,
wherein said mounting ring includes reliefs configured to make said
ring easier to rotate with respect to the body.
8. A packaging and application assembly according to claim .[.4.].
.Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein said mounting ring includes reliefs
provided on a radially outer surface of said mounting ring.
9. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1,
wherein the said neck is snap-fitted on said body.
10. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 2,
wherein the said neck is snap-fitted on said body.
11. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 3,
wherein the said neck to snap-fitted on said body.
12. A packaging and application assembly according to claim .[.4.].
.Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein the said mounting ring is snap-fitted on
said body.
13. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 9,
further comprising a rotational stop placed between said neck and
said body, said rotational stop configured to limit the rotational
movement .Iadd.of .Iaddend.the neck with respect to the body, to a
predetermined angular range.
14. A packaging assembly according to claim 13, wherein said
predetermined angular range is approximately 360.degree..
15. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 13,
wherein said cap element and said neck are configured such that
when said the cap element is rotated in an unscrewing direction,
said neck is caused to rotate with respect to the body over said
predetermined angular range until said neck contacts said stop,
then said cap element is caused to unscrew from said neck; and
wherein said cap element and said neck are configured such that
when said cap element is rotated in an screwing direction, opposite
to the unscrewing direction, said cap element is caused to be
screwed onto the neck and said neck is caused to turn with respect
to the body over said predetermined angular range until said neck
contacts said stop.
16. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 15,
wherein said cap and said neck are configured such that a torque
needed to unscrew said cap exceeds a torque needed to turn said
mounting ring with respect to said body.
17. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1,
wherein said longitudinal axis of said neck is spaced from said
longitudinal axis of said body such that said applicator is
proximate to .[.the.]. interior walls of the body of the
reservoir.
18. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1,
wherein said longitudinal axis of said neck is spaced from said
longitudinal axis of said body such that said applicator is
substantially in contact with .[.the.]. interior walls of the body
of the reservoir.
19. A packaging and applications assembly according to claim 1,
wherein said applicator comprises at least one of a spatula, a
brush with axial or radial bristles, a block of foam, or a felt
tip.
20. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1,
wherein said product, comprises at least one of a mascara, a
foundation, an eyeshadow, a styling gel and a lip color.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an assembly for packaging and
applying a product. The invention is most particularly suited to
the packaging and application of products of relatively high
viscosity, such as those typically used in the field of cosmetics.
By way of non-limiting example, such products may be mascaras,
foundations, styling gels, eye shadows, lip colors, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
Traditionally, such products are packaged in a reservoir formed of
a body of having a longitudinal axis surmounted by a neck, a free
edge of which delimits an opening that is located along the axis of
the reservoir. A removable cap element provides a closure for the
opening. The cap element also forms a member for grasping an
applicator which is secured by its first end to a connecting
member, the second end of the connecting member being secured to
the cap element. When the cap element is in the closed position,
the applicator lies inside the reservoir so as to be in contact
with the product.
One of the problems encountered with this type of packaging is, for
example, that a significant amount of product remains stuck to the
interior walls of the reservoir due to the relatively high
viscosity of these products. The applicator, which is centered
within the reservoir, cannot withdraw product that is stuck to the
interior wall of the reservoir. This results in a substantial
amount of product that the consumer cannot use. This of course is
unsatisfactory. Furthermore, in some cases, prior to application,
it may be desirable, or even necessary, for the packaged product to
be agitated in order to homogenize it. Particularly in the case of
relatively viscous formulae, such homogenization cannot be obtained
simply by shaking the device, even if the device is shaken
extremely well.
A certain number of solutions have been proposed for solving these
problems. Among these, mention may be made of the solution
described in EP-A-325,766. According to this document, the interior
walls of the reservoir are scraped using a component in the form of
a propeller blade which is turned as the lid which caps the device,
is screwed and unscrewed. Among the drawbacks which are inherent to
such devices, are the complexity, weakness and cost of such
devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention is to provide an
assembly for packaging and applying a product, especially a
cosmetic product, and which fully or partly solves the problems
discussed earlier with reference to the conventional devices.
In particular, one object of the invention is to provide a simple,
robust, easy to use, and effective solution to the problems of
residue sticking to the interior walls of the reservoir and/or of
homogenizing the packaged product.
According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing
an assembly for packaging and applying a product, especially a
cosmetic product, which includes a reservoir formed of a body of
with a longitudinal axis surmounted by a neck having a free edge
which delimits an opening. The assembly also includes a cap element
configured to removably close the opening, the wherein cap element
is shaped approximately for grasping. An applicator is secured to a
first end of a connecting member whose second end is secured to the
cap element such that when the cap element is in the closed
position, the applicator lies inside the reservoir so that it can
be loaded with some of the product. The neck has a longitudinal
axis, offset from the axis of the body, and is mounted so that it
is free to rotate with respect to the said body.
Thus, by turing the neck of the reservoir with respect to the body,
the applicator is revolved inside the reservoir along a radius
substantially equal to the distance (eccentricity) between the two
axes. Through an appropriate choice of the distance between the two
axes, it is possible either to cause the applicator to wipe the
interior walls of the reservoir or simply to cause the contents of
the reservoir to be stirred, or both. Operation is simple and the
cost of the assembly is not appreciably increased because the
applicator is made to serve both (i) as the withdrawing and
applicator member and (ii) as the member for scraping the walls
and/or for homogenizing the packaged product.
Advantageously, the neck is secured to a mounting ring which is
free to rotate on an opening formed by a free edge of the body of
the reservoir. Such a mounting ring may comprise means capable
wiping or wringing out the applicator when the applicator is
extracted from the reservoir, mounted about the longitudinal axis
of the neck, inside the reservoir.
Advantageously, the mounting ring has reliefs, or striations,
capable of making the ring easier to rotate with respect to the
body. Such striations may be obtained during molding of the ring.
Preferably, the neck is mounted on the body by snap-fitting.
Appropriate sealing means, of the seal or sealing skirt type, may
be used to make the assembly more leaktight.
According to a preferred embodiment, the assembly according to the
invention comprises means forming an angular stop, placed between
the neck and the body so as to allow the neck to be rotated in both
directions with respect to the body over only a given angular range
of motion. Such means may comprise a narrow tooth, provided by the
ring, and capable of engaging with a corresponding tooth provided
by the body of the reservoir close to its opening. Such an
embodiment makes the action of using the assembly easier, by
allowing the neck to be turned with respect to the body of the
reservoir which mixes the product and scrapes the inner walls of
the reservoir and allowing the device to be opened or closed in one
and the same action. In fact, the two actions are can be performed
partially simultaneously with each other. Advantageously, the stop
forming means are placed in such a way as to allow the neck to be
rotated in both directions with respect to the body over a
predetermined angular range of about 360.degree..
Preferably, the cap element and the neck portion are configured
such that when the cap element is screwed onto the neck, the cap
element can be turned in a first direction, or "unscrewing
direction," with a view to unscrewing such that the neck portion
turns with respect to the body over the predetermined angular
range, then once the neck has come into contact with its stop with
respect to the body, further turning causes the cap element to
unscrew and disengage from the neck. Turning the cap element in a
second direction, or "screwing direction," opposite to the first,
with a view to screwing the cap element on, causes the cap element
to be screwed onto the neck and causes the neck to turn with
respect to the body over the angular range until the neck comes
into abutment with respect to the body.
According to one possible embodiment, the axis of the neck is
placed with respect to the axis of the body in such a way that a
radially outer portion of the applicator is close to, or even
substantially in contact with, the interior walls of the body of
the reservoir.
The applicator may consist of a spatula, a brush with axial or
radial bristles, a block of foam, or a felt tip. Such members may
or may not be flocked, depending on the desired application
characteristics.
The product may be a cosmetic product, especially a mascara, a
foundation, an eye shadow, a styling gel or a lip color.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Apart from the provisions described above, the invention also
consists of a certain number of other provisions which will be
explained below with reference to the non-limiting embodiments
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of
which:
FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a first embodiment of the packaging and
application assembly according to the invention; and
FIGS. 2A-.[.2D.]. .Iadd.2F .Iaddend.illustrate .[.an.]. alternative
.[.form.]. .Iadd.forms .Iaddend.of the first embodiment of the
packaging and application assembly according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, the packaging and
application assembly 1 comprises a reservoir 2 consisting of a body
3 which is cylindrical along a longitudinal of axis X. A first end
of the body is closed by an end wall 4. The second end of the body
3 forms a free edge 6 defining an opening 7. The open end of the
body 3 in recessed slightly radially inward with respect to the
rest of the body and has a groove 8 capable of accommodating a
snap-fitting bead 9 formed on the interior surface of the free edge
of a ring 10. The ring 10 has a lateral portion 11, the outside
diameter of which is substantially equal to the outside diameter of
the body 3. Ring 10 includes a neck 12 connected to the lateral
part 11 by a transverse shoulder 13. When the mounting ring 10 is
in the mounted position, the axis Y of the neck 12 is offset from
the axi X of the reservoir 2. In this mounted position, the
mounting ring 10 is axially immobile with respect to the body 2 but
free to rotate with respect to the latter. Thus, the neck 12 can
revolve along a circle or a portion of a circle centered about the
axis X of the reservoir 2.
A sealing stud 14 ensures that the ring 10 is mounted on the
reservoir 2 so as to be leaktight. The exterior surface of the neck
12 has a screw thread 15 capable of interacting with a
corresponding thread 16 formed on an interior surface of a cap 17
thereby allowing the opening and closing of opening 18 delimited by
the neck 12. The cap is secured to the first end 19 of a wand 20
located substantially along the axis Y of the neck. The second end
21 of the wand 20 is secured to one end of an applicator 22, such
as a radial-bristle brush of the type used for applying mascara to
eyelashes. The applicator 22 is substantially in extension of the
wand 20. The other end of the applicator 22 is free and lies
substantially near the end wall 4 of the reservoir 2.
Mounting ring 10 includes a lip 25 formed around axis Y of neck 12
which forms a member which can be used to wipe or "wring out" the
applicator 22 and possibly wipe wand 20. Lip 25 may be formed
during molding of ring 10, for example, by the two-shot
injection-molding of two physico-chemically compatible
materials.
In order to use the packaging and application assembly according to
the invention, the user turns the mounting ring 10 with respect to
the body 3. For this purpose, striations 26 are formed on the
exterior surface of the ring 10. Users can turn the mounting ring
10 through as many turns as they wish. However, in practice, one
turn is usually sufficient. This turning of the mounting ring 10
with respect to the body 3 drives the wand 20 and the applicator
inside the reservoir 2 in a revolutional movement about the axis X,
the radius of the revolutional movement being substantially equal
to the distance between the two axes X and Y. This revolutional
movement allows the applicator to sweep almost all of the cross
section of the reservoir, and also allows the product to be
homogenized. Afterwards, still holding the ring 10 with one hand,
the operator can unscrew the cap 17 with the other hand. Having
completely unscrewed it, the operator can extract the applicator
22, which is wrung out as it passes across the lip 25. Like with
the conventional devices, the cap 17 acts as the member via which
the applicator is grasped. The user then applies the product in the
conventional way. After application, the user returns the
applicator to the reservoir through the opening 18 and screws the
cap 17 back on with one hand while still holding the mounting ring
10 in the other hand.
With cap 17 mounted in the opening 18 of the neck 12, offset with
respect to the axis X of the reservoir 2, the lateral edge of the
applicator lies more or less in contact with the interior walls of
the body 3. It is thus possible to remove any product which has
stuck to the inner walls of body 3. As can be seen from the
sectional view of FIG. 1C, turning the mounting ring 10 with
respect to the body 3 allows the applicator to sweep almost all of
the cross section of the reservoir 2, thus allowing substantially
all of the product it contains to be used, regardless of the
viscosity the product.
An alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, makes it possible
to simplify the operation of the assembly 1 as compared with the
previous embodiment, while at the same time retaining the same
characteristics with respect to the results and advantage
achieved.
To this end, the free edge of the lateral part 11 of the mounting
ring 10 includes a stop 30 (in the form of a tab facing towards the
end wall 4 of the reservoir), capable of engaging a corresponding
stop 31 (in the form of a tab pointing away from the end wall 4 of
the reservoir) provided on the free edge of the body 3 of the
reservoir 2. In the same manner as in the previous embodiment, the
mounting ring 10 is held on the body 3 of the reservoir 2 by
snap-fitting. The two stops are fairly narrow (of the order of 3 to
5 mm wide) so as to allow the ring to be turned with respect to the
body 3 through approximately 360.degree.. According to this
embodiment, the applicator 22 consists of a tapering block of foam,
such as may be used for applying a lip color or an eye shadow. The
device according to this alternative form is in all other respects,
similar to the previous embodiment.
To use the assembly in accordance with this embodiment, the user
holds cap 17 (as depicted in the position illustrated in FIG. 2A)
and turns it with respect to the body 3 of the reservoir. The
torque needed to unscrew the cap exceeds the torque needed to turn
the ring 10 with respect to the body 3. Thus, the user first turns
the ring 10 with respect to the body 3 until stop 30 comes into
engagement with stop 31 (on a first side of the stop 31. FIG. 2B).
The turning movement of the ring 10 with respect to the body also
revolves the applicator inside the reservoir about the axis X,
which produces the action of homogenizing the product and/or
scraping the inner walls of the reservoir 2. At this moment, the
torque applied to cap 17 causes the cap to unscrew (FIG. 2C). After
complete unscrewing, the user extracts the applicator 22 from the
reservoir (FIG. 2D), whereby the applicator is wrung out as it
passes across the lip 25. After use, the user returns the
applicator to the reservoir and screws the cap 17 onto the neck 12.
In so doing, ring 10 is caused to turn with respect to the body 3
in the opposite direction to the first rotation. Once the stop 30
is engaged with the stop 31 (on the other side of the stop 31. FIG.
2A), the user can complete the screwing operation and seal the
opening 18. Thus, with this embodiment, the action of the
applicator (for scraping the walls and/or homogenizing the product)
and opening the reservoir with a view to extracting the applicator
can be at least partially simultaneously performed through one and
the same action.
.Iadd.FIG. 2E is similar to FIG. 2D but shows a felt tip applicator
22a. FIG. 2F is similar to FIG. 2D but shows a spatula applicator
22b..Iaddend.
In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to
certain preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that
variants are possible without departing from the spirit of the
invention as claimed below.
* * * * *