Applicator Device

Abstract

An applicator device for a liquid, gel-like, pasty or powder product, in particular for a cosmetic product, comprising a container (B) in which a product to be applied is accommodated and which includes at least one outlet opening (20) for the stored product, an applicator unit (30) and a closure element (V) to which the applicator unit (30) is mounted and which is reversibly connected to the container (B) such that when the closure element (V) is connected to the container (B) the closure element closes the outlet opening (20) for the product, wherein the container (B) provides for actively conveying the product disposed therein. The applicator device further involves a storage sleeve (24) which projects into the interior of the container (B) and which is open outwardly and which is completely closed off in relation to the product, for receiving the applicator unit (30) when the closure element (V) is connected to the container (B), the storage sleeve being arranged substantially coaxially with respect to the longitudinal center line (M) of the container (B), and that the outlet opening (20) for the product is arranged decentrally in relation to the center line (M) of the container (B).

Description

The invention concerns an applicator device for a liquid, gel-like, pasty or powder product, in particular a cosmetic product, as set forth in the classifying portion of claim 1. The device according to the invention can serve for the application of care products or decorative cosmetic products. The cosmetic product can be for example makeup, blusher, lip rouge, lip balm, mascara, hair mascara, eyeshadow, lipliner, eyeliner, care products, sun products or products which are to be applied in point form such as anti-wrinkle products, anti-acne products or pharmaceutical or dermatological specialities.

Applicator devices of the general kind set forth usually comprise a mostly elongate container which can accommodate the cosmetic product and which is provided with a neck having a screwthread. The container can be closed by a removable cap being screwed as a closure element on to the neck of the container in sealing relationship therewith.

An applicator unit is mounted to the closure element. It can be designed in such a way for example that a stem or wand is non-releasably connected to the removable cap and at its free end carries an applicator element. Means for wiping off the applicator element and the stem are usually disposed in the neck of the container in order to remove an excess of the product to be applied. An applicator device of that nature is known for example from DE 37 30 838 A1.

A disadvantage with applicator devices of the specified kind is that the applicator element, in accordance with the way it is regularly used, repeatedly comes into contact with the surface of the human body, that is to say with skin, semi-mucous membranes, mucous membranes as well as hair and then comes into contact with the cosmetic product again. The surface of the human body however is never sterile but always has a more or less pronounced germ flora which, besides micro-organisms which occur everywhere and which are harmless in themselves, can also have pathogenic germs. Repeated contact between the applicator element and the surface of the human skin on the one hand and the product to be applied on the other hand therefore represents a serious hygiene problem which cannot be managed by the use of preserving agents in products of that kind. Preserving agents admittedly serve to provide product protection but they do not serve to provide preventative hygiene in the sense of disinfecting the applicator element. It should also be mentioned that, particularly when cosmetic products are in emulsion form, they represent an excellent nutrient medium for micro-organisms.

For that reason for example EP 0 860 124 B1 or DE 199 49 675 A1 have proposed technical solutions in which, in a re-closable applicator device, the applicator element is stored separately from the cosmetic product when it is not in use. Those proposals however only apparently resolve the technical problem indicated, as there is always a residual amount of cosmetic product remaining on the applicator element, and that residual amount comes into contact with a comparatively large amount of skin germs. The applicator element moreover is also of a comparatively large surface area and thus affords the micro-organisms still better living conditions. In the next use, the applicator element on which an extensive germ flora can now have developed then again comes into contact with the cosmetic product in the container and a certainly disastrous cycle can develop in that way.

A further disadvantage is the fact that the principle involved in the wiping-off operation means that on the one hand the design options for the applicator element are restricted while on the other hand the applicator element is subjected to not inconsiderable wear. An applicator element must comprise a relatively soft and flexible material in order to impart pleasant application properties thereto. The wiper elements in contrast must admittedly equally comprise a flexible material, but must be markedly harder in order to perform the purpose for which they are intended. Besides brushes, spatula-like shapes or bevelled cylindrical elements, referred to as ‘deerfoot applicators’ are therefore usual for the applicator elements. Conventional fine brushes in conjunction with the illustrated systems were not able to become established on the market as initially closed bunches of hairs are spread open when passing through a wiper element, whereby it is then no longer possible to still draw fine contours with a fine brush which has been changed in that fashion. In the case of cosmetic preparations such as lipliners or eyeliners however it is absolutely necessary to draw fine lines, and likewise when going over the eyebrows.

US application Serial No 2003/0063945 which is a prior publication and which forms the most relevant state of the art and which the present invention takes as its basic starting point discloses an applicator device of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification. In that previously known applicator device the applicator unit is arranged above the actual container accommodating the product to be applied, in a storage device which is reversibly displaceable telescopically into the actual container. Provided between the applicator unit or the storage device which is associated therewith and the product to be applied is a plunger which is also movable reversibly into the container and which is movable together with the storage device for the applicator unit. In order to bring the product to be applied to the applicator unit, the plunger is provided with a centrally arranged through-passage opening which is reversibly closable by an elastic closure element. When the storage device and the plunger are moved together into the container, the product to be applied goes by way of the through-passage opening to the applicator unit, saturates it and thus permits application of the product to be applied. It has proven to be disadvantageous in that respect that, in spite of the closure element, the applicator unit and the product in the container are not separated from each other but a continuous exchange of product is possible by way of the closure element between the supply, in the container, of the product to be applied, and the applicator. The above-outlined disadvantages can occur by virtue of that arrangement.

Taking that as the basic starting point, the object of the invention is to design an applicator device of the kind set forth hereinbefore in such a way that on the one hand no interaction can occur between the applicator unit and the cosmetic product in the closed condition and that on the other hand no interaction between the applicator unit and the product can also occur upon removal of a product to be applied from the container prior to use of the product.

The foregoing object is attained by the features of claim 1. Subsequent claims 2 to 10 set forth advantageous configurations in relation thereto.

The provision of the means for actively conveying the product in the container on the container affords the possibility that, in contrast to the above-discussed state of the art, the applicator unit or its applicator element does not come into contact with the product within the container even when picking up the product in the container, but only picks up the product which is to be applied directly, outside the container. Even if the applicator unit already carries germs, they are not transferred on to the product which is still in the container. That therefore ensures that contamination of the product which is still in the container is reliably prevented.

The means for actively conveying the product can be designed in a quite different way. Thus on the one hand there is the possibility of the active conveying means being formed by an at least partially elastic configuration for the container. In that case for example the container can have a rigid external frame, in the interior of which is inserted a plastic material bag or a plastic material hose which can be subjected to pressure through openings in the rigid external frame by hand or in some other suitable fashion so that the product which is in the container and in particular the desired amount thereof issues outwardly at the outlet opening and can be transferred on to the applicator unit. It is particularly preferred in that respect for the container to be formed throughout by a tube of flexible plastic material.

A further possible design configuration for the means for actively conveying the product in the container provides that it is formed by a pump device which is operatively connected to the interior of the container. In that case the pump device can be formed for example by a piston/cylinder unit or by a diaphragm movable with suitable means. Basically there is the possibility that the pump device can be disposed at any desired location in such a way that it is operatively connected to the interior of the container in order to be able to subject the product disposed therein to a corresponding conveyor pressure. An arrangement which is particularly desirable both from points of view of space and also from aesthetic points of view is afforded if the pump device is arranged on the container in a position which is at least approximately opposite to the outlet opening for the product.

It is also to be noted that the active conveying means can also be formed by a gas which is under pressure and which can act on the product in the container and which can be liberated by suitable control means.

The storage sleeve can be arranged in various ways in the interior of the container. Thus on the one hand there is the possibility of the storage sleeve being connected to at least one container wall which extends in the longitudinal direction of the container. Equally however there is also the possibility of the storage sleeve being spaced completely in relation to the container walls which extend in the longitudinal direction of the container, in which case it is particularly preferred for the storage sleeve to be arranged substantially coaxially with respect to the longitudinal center line of the container. In that respect it is advantageous if the outlet opening for the product, which outlet opening is preferably on the same side, is arranged decentrally with respect to the longitudinal center line of the container. As an alternative thereto the outlet opening can be arranged on the oppositely disposed side of the container.

In order also to ensure unintentionally bringing the applicator unit into contact with the product disposed in the container, it has certainly further proven to be advantageous if the width of the outlet opening is less than the outside diameter of the applicator unit. In that case the width of the opening should be such that it is less than the portion of the applicator unit, which is of the smallest outside diameter. In that respect it is particularly significant that the applicator unit can carry for example at its free end an applicator element which can be of a conical configuration so that the outlet opening should be of a width such that the tip of the applicator element can admittedly pass therethrough into the interior of the outlet opening by just a few units of length, but cannot advance into the interior of the container and thus penetrate as far as the product issuing there.

In order to prevent unintentional release of the closure element from the container the closure element can be connected to the container by way of a screw connection, a snap connection and so forth. Depending on the pitch of the screwthread used however unintentional release of the closure element from the container can also occur when using a screw connection. It has therefore been found to be advantageous if fixing means for reversibly fixing the applicator element are provided in the interior of the storage sleeve. In that case the fixing means can be formed by at least one latching means, preferably at least one raised portion, which latching means is provided on the applicator unit or the inside wall of the storage sleeve and co-operates with at least one counterpart latching means, preferably a recess, which is provided at the inside wall of the storage sleeve or the applicator unit.

As has already been explained hereinbefore in connection with the discussion of the state of the art, the actual applicator element of the applicator unit can be of quite different forms. Depending on the respective material selected, the applicator element in that case can be stable in respect of shape or not stable in respect of shape. If for example a brush which is of a frustoconical shape is used for the applicator element, that shape can be altered in the course of use by the pressure which occurs when a product is being applied. The same applies to an applicator element which comprises a soft foam material. If therefore the applicator unit is provided at its free end with an applicator element, it has certainly proven to be advantageous if provided in the interior of the storage sleeve is a shaping portion or a shape-imparting portion which, when the applicator unit is arranged in the storage sleeve, surrounds the applicator element to maintain the shape thereof and/or to restore the shape thereof.

In regard to the design configuration of the applicator unit, the man skilled in the art is free to select the shape which is appropriate for his purposes. Thus the applicator unit can have at least at its free end an applicator element which is preferably fixedly connected to the closure element by way of a connecting element of the applicator unit, preferably a rod. If the container and the amount of product are so selected that the latter can be used over a prolonged period of use, the connecting element of the applicator unit can also be releasably connected to the closure element. Finally, there is the possibility that the applicator unit can be fitted in releasably latching relationship to the closure element.

In order to avoid the ingress of air by way of the outlet opening for the product when the container is closed with the closure element, it is further advantageous if the closure element has at least one sealing surface which, when the closure element is connected to the container, sealingly closes off the outlet opening for the product.

Finally, it has proven to be advantageous if, at least at its free end, the applicator unit is provided with an applicator element, the material of which contains a substance having an anti-microbial action. That can be for example a silver ion donor.

Further advantageous configurations and an embodiment by way of example are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In that respect it is to be pointed out that the terms ‘left’, ‘right’, ‘bottom’ and ‘top’ used during the description relate to the drawings when placed with the references and Figure legends normally readable. In the drawings:

FIG. 1a shows a perspective side view of an applicator device according to the invention in the closed condition,

FIG. 1b shows a perspective side view similar to FIG. 1a of an applicator device according to the invention but in the opened condition,

FIGS. 2a-2f show various applicator units of the applicator device according to the invention with different applicator elements, and

FIG. 3 shows a view in longitudinal section on an enlarged scale through the applicator device according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1a in the closed condition.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1a and 1b the applicator device according to the invention comprises the two main groups ‘container B’ and ‘closure element V’. A product to be applied by the applicator device, for example a cosmetic product such as makeup, blusher, lip rouge, lip balm, mascara, hair mascara, eyeshadow, lipliner, eyeliner, care products and sun products or a product to be applied in point form such as an anti-wrinkle product, an anti-acne product or pharmaceutical or dermatological specialities can be stored in the container B. As will be seen from a comparison of FIG. 1a with FIG. 1b the closure element V co-operates reversibly with the container B in such a way that it is connected to the container B in the closed position shown in FIG. 1a and can be removed completely from the container B in the open or delivery position shown in FIG. 1b.

It will be seen from joint consideration of FIGS. 1a, 1b and 3 that the container B is in the form of a tube with a longitudinal center line M which, when the closure element V is connected to the container B, is also the longitudinal center line M of the closure element V. The tube is formed by a tube portion 10 of flexible material which is of the desired outside diameter for the finished tube and of which one end 12 is closed in medium-tight relationship by means of a transverse weld 12a. At the end 14 in opposite relationship to the closed end 12, the tube portion 10 constituting the product tube is provided with a neck 16 which is of an at least approximately circular cross-section and which is provided with a male screwthread 18 on its outside peripheral surface. The screwthread 18 serves for screwing engagement with the closure element V when the latter is connected to the container B in the closed position.

It is to be noted that, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the outside diameter of the neck 16 is reduced with respect to the outside diameter of the container B in such a way that, when the closure element V is screwed on to the container B, the outside peripheral wall of the closure element V, which wall adjoins the container B, is aligned with the outside peripheral wall of the container B in the region of the transition from the neck 16 to the rest of the body of the container B.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1b and 3 the container B, at its end 14 in opposite relationship to the end 12 closed by the welded seam 12a, has an outlet opening 20 for application of the product disposed in the container B. The outlet opening 20 is arranged in decentral relationship but aligned in parallel with the longitudinal center line M of the container B. As can be seen from FIG. 1b the outlet opening 20 is arranged at a passage 22 which is of an approximately wedge-shaped or fin-like configuration and which is integrally connected to the container B. It will be apparent from FIG. 3 that the passage 22 narrows in the direction of the outlet opening 20 in its cross-section in the interior thereof. That produces a nozzle effect which allows precise adjustment of the amount of product to be delivered from the container B.

Discharge of the product is effected by a pressure being exerted for example by hand on the outside peripheral surface of the container B. That causes the container wall which comprises a flexible plastic material to be displaced inwardly so that the product in the container B is urged out of the container B. As soon as the pressure applied to the container B is relieved, the container wall moves back into its starting position so that no further product is conveyed outwardly.

It will also be apparent from FIG. 3 that there is provided a storage sleeve 24 for the applicator unit 30 which is described in greater detail hereinafter, in coaxial relationship with the longitudinal center line M of the container B and the closure element V, in the interior of the container B. The storage sleeve 24 is substantially of a rotationally symmetrical cross-section and is closed at its end 24 which is in the interior of the container, with an end portion which extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal center line M of the container B and the closure element V. At the end 24b in opposite relationship to that end portion 24a, the storage sleeve 24 is connected on the one hand integrally to a wall of the passage 22 and moreover to the cover wall 26 of the container B, the cover wall 26 also extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal center line M as far as the opening for the passage 22. By virtue of that configuration, the applicator unit 30 which can be pushed into the storage sleeve 24 does not come into contact at any location with the product disposed in the interior of the container B.

As has already been mentioned hereinbefore the closure element V has the applicator unit 30 and a handle element 40 which is described in greater detail hereinafter. The applicator unit 30 substantially comprises the actual applicator element 32 which is disposed at the free end of the applicator unit 30, that is to say it is in the proximity of the end portion 24a of the storage sleeve 24 when the applicator unit 30 is pushed into the storage sleeve 24, as can be seen from FIG. 3. Furthermore the applicator unit 30 has a connecting element 34 in the form of a rod which enlarges slightly conically from the applicator element 32 to the handle element 40 and which is made from plastic material. That rod 34 serves to connect the applicator element 32 to the handle element 40. For that purpose, at its end opposite to the applicator element 32, the rod 34 is provided with a connecting surface 34a which is in the form of a circular ring and which extends outwardly from the rod 34 coaxially with respect to the longitudinal center line M by way of a step 34b extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal center line M, the outside diameter of the connecting surface 34a corresponding to the inside diameter of the handle element 40. The rod 34 can then be connected to the handle element 40 by means of adhesive, ultrasonic welding and so forth. The rod 34 or the applicator unit 30 can however also be latched fixedly but releasably, for example for the purposes of later replacement, to the handle element 40 of the closure element V.

On its side which faces towards the container B when the closure element V is fitted on the container B, the step 34b of the connecting rod 34 has a sealing surface 34c which extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal center line M and by means of which the outlet opening 20 can be closed in sealing relationship with respect to the medium, when the closure element V is fitted on the container B.

In order to securely connect the applicator element 30 or the closure element V to the container B the applicator unit 30, at the transition from the connecting element 34 to the applicator element 32, has a thickened portion 34d in the form of an annular bead which comes into releasable latching engagement with a corresponding annular recess 24c in the storage sleeve 24.

As already mentioned hereinbefore the closure element V has the handle element 40 which is of a substantially hollow-cylindrical configuration and which is made from plastic material. At its end 40a which faces away from the container B when the closure element V is fitted on to the container B, the closure element 40 is closed with a cover wall which can also serve as a surface for the applicator device to stand on. At the opposite end 40b the closure element is provided with a female screwthread 42 which comes into engagement with the male screwthread 18 of the neck 16 of the container B.

The applicator element 32 of the applicator unit 30 can be shaped depending on the respective purpose of use and/or product to be applied. In FIG. 3 the applicator element 32 is in the form of a cylinder which is cut off at an inclined angle. FIGS. 2a through 2f show various further configurations of the applicator element 32 which are all denoted by the same references. FIG. 2a shows an applicator element 32 which is shaped similarly to that shown in FIG. 3 and which is flocked at its outside. In comparison FIG. 2b shows an applicator element in the form of a brush which is bevelled in a wedge shape at its tip. In FIG. 2c the applicator element 32 is an element of a spatula-like shape. In comparison FIG. 2d shows an applicator element 32 in the form of a sponge. FIG. 2e shows an applicator element also formed by a sponge which is flocked at its outside. Finally FIG. 2f shows an applicator element 32 comprising a sponge which however is rotatable with respect to the connecting rod 34. Except for the embodiment of FIG. 2c all illustrated applicator elements 30 are provided with the annular ridge 34d.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. An applicator device for a liquid, gel-like, pasty or powder product, comprising a container (B) in which a product to be applied is accommodated and which includes at least one outlet opening (20) for the stored product, an applicator unit (30) and a closure element (V) to which the applicator unit (30) is mounted and which is reversibly connected to the container (B) such that when the closure element (V) is connected to the container (B) the closure element closes the outlet opening (20) for the product, wherein the container (B) has means for actively conveying the product disposed therein, a storage sleeve (24) which projects into the interior of the container (B) and which is open outwardly and which is completely closed off in relation to the product, for receiving the applicator unit (30) when the closure element (V) is connected to the container (B), the storage sleeve being arranged substantially coaxially with respect to a longitudinal center line (M) of the container (B), and wherein the outlet opening (20) for the product is arranged decentrally in relation to the center line (M) of the container (B).

12. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the active conveying means is formed by an at least partially elastic configuration of the container (B).

13. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the active conveying means is formed by a pump device which is operatively connected to the interior of the container.

14. An applicator device as set forth in one of claims 11 through 13, wherein the width of the outlet opening (20) is less than the outside diameter of the applicator unit (30).

15. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the storage sleeve (24) is spaced in relation to the container walls which extend in the longitudinal direction of the container (B)

16. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11, including fixing means (24c) for reversibly fixing the applicator unit (30) is provided in the interior of the storage sleeve (24).

17. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the applicator unit (30) has an applicator element (32) at least at a free end and that provided in the interior of the storage sleeve (24) is a shaping portion which when the applicator unit (30) is arranged in the storage sleeve (24) encloses the applicator element (32) for maintaining the shape of the applicator element (32) and/or for restoring the shape of the applicator element (32).

18. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the applicator unit (30) has at least at its free end an applicator element (32) which is connected to the closure element (V) by way of a connecting element (34) of the applicator unit (30), preferably a rod.

19. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the closure element (V) has at least one sealing surface (34c) which sealingly closes off the outlet opening (20) for the product when the closure element (V) is connected to the container (B).

20. An applicator device as set forth in claim 11, wherein at least at a free end the applicator unit (30) is provided with an applicator element (32) whose material containers a substance having an anti-bacterial action.