SHEARING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The present invention generally is a shearing assembly for a fluid material comprising a product inlet flow component, a shearing component, and a housing, said housing arranged to be in fluid communication with the product inlet flow component. The shearing component is enclosed in the housing such that the fluid is sheared when it flows via the shearing component while the flow of fluid is sealed when the shearing component is under the action of a force. Also disclosed is a device comprising said shearing assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an assembly that shears a viscous fluid while delivery as well as effectively seals the flow when the product is not under usage.

2. Description of the Related Art

Certain viscous products are difficult to be delivered and applied on a surface evenly as they tend to clump the product while being delivered. Consumer products such as lip gloss, lip balm, lip putty, nail enamel etc are examples of fluids which require to be sheared before application. General method of delivery of such viscous products is through pump or plunger systems or through container/rod systems. However, these are either complex or costly mechanisms. Moreover, as the applicator is at the other end of the stem of the cap in these systems there is an inconvenience during application, unlike the bullet type lipstick which the consumer can hold very close to the point of application thereby easily maintaining very precise control. There have also been attempts at providing squeeze tubes that have applicators attached on the neck of the container. However, these are unable to fulfill the need of shearing of the product before it is delivered.

There have also been attempts at modifying applicators such that they shear the product for an even application on surface/skin/lips. For example, applicators have been made of thin metal wire mesh that apply liquid and simultaneously shear it as well. U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,347 to Gueret discloses an applicator that has good properties for the spreading of the product. Also, the application surface of the applicator nozzle is provided with cavities or grooves for the spreading to obtain a faster and more homogeneous make-up than with an applicator brush. However, the product is sheared after delivery onto the applicator, while it is desirable that the applicator be supplied with a sheared liquid.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,686 to Neuener et al., discloses a dispenser and applicator for liquid cosmetic material including a rigid, axially elongated reservoir tube for holding the cosmetic material, a manually operable driver assembly for exerting pressure on the material within the tube, and an applicator tip having a planar woven mesh screen extending across an outlet end opening and molded in the applicator tip. The driver assembly forces the contained material forwardly through the screen, which the user applies to the lip or eye region of the face, or other selected skin area.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,053 to Wiley relates to a package where fluid material is stored in a reservoir. Rotating a collar with respect to the reservoir advances a piston therein to deliver lip coloring or other material through a valve to a roller mounted on a dispensing head. The patent discloses use of a roller head for proper delivery of thick and pasty fluid.

There have also been provided mixers inside the reservoir such that they deliver the product as a sheared liquid. However, these are generally used where more than one product is to be dispensed.

Therefore, there still remains a need for an assembly that is simple, cost-effective, easy to manufacture yet providing good shearing action thereby dispensing a viscous fluid. Also, there exists an opportunity area where the applicators used are conventional which most users are accustomed to using and yet deliver a liquid that has been sheared while the user applies it.

SUMMARY

The present invention generally is an assembly that helps in shearing the fluid before it is delivered for application.

According to an embodiment of the invention there is also provided an assembly that shears a viscous fluid while delivery.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is also provided an assembly that effectively seals the flow when the fluid is not required to be used.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the shearing assembly comprises of a product inlet flow component and a shearing component. The shearing component is placed in a housing or any other suitable means which is in fluid communication with the product inlet flow component in a delivery device. The shearing component is placed inside the housing in such a manner that a force when applied or removed from the housing it causes the shearing component to be displaced axially thereby allowing the fluid either to flow via the shearing component onto the application surface or to stop the fluid from flowing thereby sealing the system.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the shearing assembly may optionally comprise a biasing member that biases the shearing component to move in an axial direction with respect to the product inlet flow component when a force is applied or removed from it. The shearing component and the biasing member may be housed in the housing which is in fluid communication with the product inlet flow component. The biasing member includes a resilient flexible member and it may comprise a coil spring or like biasing element.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the shearing assembly may also contain a means for applying force on the shearing component. The said means could be in the form of a cap for the container housing the fluid or could be the housing itself in the form of an on-off collar or dial or any other suitable means. Moreover, the force may be applied on the shearing component manually, pneumatically, hydraulically or through various other types of mechanisms.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the product inlet flow component could be a part of the neck of a container itself or it could be a separate component attached to the neck of the container that houses the fluid. The product inlet flow component could be made of a suitable polymeric material such as polypropylene.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention the shearing component has an inlet end and an outlet end and there are present a plurality of flow tracks in it such that the core of the shearing component is solid and is extended into a protrusion at its outlet end. Therefore when the product enters the shearing component, it is caused to flow through a plurality of tracks thereby shearing it and is then delivered onto the application surface.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the shearing component could also be in the form of a mixer that has suitable ridges or tracks on it which cause the material to get sheared while traveling via it. The shearing component could be made of polypropylene or silicon or any other suitable polymeric material.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention the shearing component may also act as a sealing means that closes the orifice of the product inlet flow component. As the core of the shearing component is solid and is extended into a protrusion at its outlet end, when this extended core is caused to physically travel and sit on the product inlet flow component, it seals the orifice for that duration. This provides for a better seal as compared to just surface interference in other sealing methods.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the product inlet flow component of the shearing assembly fits onto the neck of a container or it could be built in the neck of the container, the biasing member fits onto the shearing component with the inlet end of the shearing component facing towards the product inlet flow component and is housed inside the housing component.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention the housing component may also house the applicator at its top end to which the product is supplied via the shearing component.

Independently or in combination with the above, exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a device for packaging and dispensing a substance, for example, a cosmetic, comprising the shearing assembly as defined above. The device comprises a reservoir, a means for closing the reservoir such as a cap, and an applicator. The device further comprises a housing such as a collar or a dial, and a product inlet flow component. The housing houses the shearing component and optionally a biasing member. The housing may also house the applicator at its top end to which the product is supplied through the shearing component. During operation, either the means for closing the reservoir or the housing may act as a means for application of force onto the shearing component. The means for closing the reservoir when in close communication with the neck of the reservoir causes the extended solid core of the shearing component to seal the orifice of the product inlet flow component under the action of a force applied manually or by the optional biasing member which is under force. When the means for closing the reservoir is removed, the shearing component moves axially upwards which simultaneously results in opening of the orifice due to which when the reservoir is actuated it results in the flow of the fluid via the shearing component. The reservoir may be actuated by applying force manually i.e. squeezing the reservoir which is in the form of a tube, or through a suitable displacement mechanism such as a piston, plunger, pump or the force may be applied pneumatically or hydraulically to cause the fluid to flow

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided an assembly which can be used in any delivery system for viscous fluids which enables it to deliver the product evenly and also seals the constituents of the delivery system while it is closed.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the shearing assembly helps in the product being stored under good conditions, without risk of leaking, protected from the ambient air without the risk of contamination or degradation of the product, in particular in the case of a product that is susceptible to oxidation or to microbial contamination. Various areas where the shearing assembly of the present invention could be used are but not limited to fluid materials for medication, dermatological fluids, liquid cosmetic material or for microencapsulated liquid products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the shearing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the shearing assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shearing component of the shearing assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the shearing component of the shearing assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the shearing component of the shearing assembly as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the shearing assembly shown in FIG. 2 showing the shearing action of the shearing assembly.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the shearing assembly shown in FIG. 2 showing the path of fluid via the shearing assembly.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device comprising the shearing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the sealing action of the shearing assembly.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the device comprising the shearing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the path of fluid via the shearing assembly.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the Figures. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is one embodiment of the present invention showing the shearing assembly.

As represented in FIGS. 1 to 2, the shearing assembly 100 comprises of a housing 101, a shearing component 102, a biasing member 103 and a product inlet flow component 104. The biasing member 103 surrounds the shearing component 102 which is housed in the housing 101. The product inlet flow component 104 could be the neck of a container itself or it could be a separate component attached to the neck of the container that houses the fluid. The product inlet flow component 104 may be made of polypropylene or any suitable polymeric material. The housing 101 may also contain an applicator attached at its outlet end and the housing 101 fitted onto the neck of a container so that it is in fluid communication with the product inlet flow component 104. The housing 101 could be made of a suitable polymeric material such as polypropylene. The biasing member 103 is a resilient flexible member and could be a coil spring or such biasing element.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, the shearing component 102 has an inlet end 105 and an outlet end 106. Starting at its outlet end 106, the shearing component 102 has a flange and it extends axially from the flange in a cylindrical form, however, the form taken by the extension of the flange is not limited to the same.

The shearing component 102 has a plurality of flow tracks 107 such that the central core is solid and has an extension/protrusion 108 which keeps the orifice of the inlet flow component 104 sealed when under force of the biasing member 103. The shearing component 102 could also be in the form of a mixer that has ridges on it which cause the material to get sheared while traveling through the ridges. The shearing component 102 could be made of polypropylene or silicon or any suitable polymeric material.

When assembled, the biasing member 103 surrounds the extension of the shearing component 102 which are housed inside the housing 101. The housing 101 is in turn fitted onto the neck of the product inlet flow component 104.

During operation, the biasing member 103 biases the shearing component 102 to move in an axial direction with respect to the product inlet flow component 104 when a force is applied or removed from it. As represented in FIG. 1, it is seen that when the housing 101 is in close contact of the product inlet flow component 104, the extension/protrusion 108 of the solid core of shearing component 102 travels into the orifice of the product inlet flow component 104 under the action of a force, for example, of the biasing member 103 in this case. The arrows indicate the direction of the force applied by an external means optionally a cap onto the inlet flow component 104. While as represented in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the external force is removed, the housing 101 moves axially which simultaneously results in displacement of the shearing component 102 due to the relaxation of the biasing member 103. As is shown in FIG. 7, the fluid is caused to travel via a plurality of flow tracks 107 thereby shearing the fluid.

A device 200 for packaging and dispensing a substance comprising the said shearing assembly is illustrated by FIGS. 8 and 9. The device 200 contains a reservoir 207, a means for closing the reservoir such as a cap 205 and an applicator 206. The device further comprises a housing 201 to house a shearing component 202 and a biasing member 203. A product inlet flow component 204 is fitted into the neck 208 of the reservoir 207. The housing 201 may also house the applicator 206 to which the product is supplied through the shearing component 202. The shearing assembly may be mounted on or in an outlet opening of the device so that there is no possibility of fluid leaking around the assembly or contamination entering into the connection between the assembly and the reservoir. As shown in FIG. 8, the cap 205 is screwed onto the neck 208 of the reservoir 207 by way of complimentary threads 209 and 210 on the neck 208 of the reservoir 207 and the cap 205 respectively. During operation, means for closing the reservoir such as the cap 205 when in close communication with the neck 208 of the reservoir 207 causes the biasing member 203 such as a spring to be in compressed state which in turn causes the extension/protrusion 211 of the core of the shearing component 202 to travel inside and thereby seal the orifice of the product inlet flow component 204 under the action of the force of the cap 205. While as represented in FIG. 9, when the external force or the cap 205 is removed, the housing 201 moves axially which simultaneously results in displacement of the extension/protrusion 211 of the core of the shearing component 202 as the biasing member 203 is under relaxation.

The shearing assembly of the present invention could be put to use for such consumer products where the products are viscous and require to be sheared before being delivered and applied. The assembly also simultaneously provides sealing of the product thereby keeping the product under good conditions, without risk of leaking, protected from the ambient air without the risk of contamination or degradation of the product, in particular when the product is susceptible to oxidation or to microbial contamination.

Although the above description and drawings show the housing, the shearing component and the product inlet flow component being cylindrical, the shapes and profile cross section thereof are not limited to the same.

Various examples of the products where the shearing assembly of the present invention could be put to use are liquid, semi liquid or pasty lip or eye cosmetic products especially lip gloss, lip balm, lip putty, lip plumping gel, cream eye shadow, under-eye cream, under-eye repair cream, foundation, concealer, blemish concealer, cheek plumping gel or cream, cream and moisturizer, nail enamel, temporary hair colors, hair styling gel, glitter, hair mousse, hair repair cream, exfoliant and hydrating cream, correction cream, acne treatment cream, skin treatment cream, hair repair cream, anti-dandruff cream, teeth whitening gel.

Thus, shearing assembly 100 provides for a simplified, inexpensive, and efficient device that achieves shearing as well as sealing of the delivery systems storing viscous fluid.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. Accordingly, the appended claims should be construed to encompass not only those forms and embodiments of the invention specifically described above, but to such other forms and embodiments as may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from its true spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A shearing assembly for a product comprising:

a product inlet flow component, said product inlet flow component having an opening that allows the product to flow through it.

a shearing component; and

a housing, said housing arranged to be in fluid communication with the product inlet flow component wherein said housing encloses the shearing component and wherein the product is sheared when it flows via the shearing component.

2. The shearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the shearing component has an inlet end and an outlet end and there are present a plurality of flow tracks in the shearing component so as to form a solid core of the shearing component which is extended into a protrusion at its outlet end.

3. The shearing assembly according to claim 2 wherein the shearing component moves in an axial direction with respect to the product inlet flow component when a force is applied or removed from it.

4. The shearing assembly according to claim 3 wherein the product is sheared while it flows via the plurality of flow tracks in the shearing component.

5. The shearing assembly according to claim 4 wherein the shearing component seals the flow of the product when a force is applied or removed from it.

6. The shearing assembly according to claim 5 wherein the sealing of the flow of the product occurs when the protrusion in the solid core at its outlet end is caused to travel into the opening of the product inlet flow component by application or removal of force thereby sealing the opening of the product inlet flow component.

7. The shearing assembly according to claim 6 optionally comprising an applicator in the housing to which the product is supplied via the shearing component.

8. The shearing assembly according to claim 7 optionally comprising a biasing member.

9. The shearing assembly according to claim 8 wherein the biasing member is housed in the housing with the shearing component and it biases the shearing component to move in an axial direction with respect to the product inlet flow component when a force is applied or removed from it.

10. The shearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said assembly shears viscous products, said viscous products comprising at least one of medication fluids, dermatological fluids, liquid cosmetic material, microencapsulated liquid products, lip gloss, lip balm, lip putty, lip plumping gel, cream eye shadow, under-eye cream, under-eye repair cream, foundation, concealer, blemish concealer, cheek plumping gel or cream, cream and moisturizer, nail enamel, temporary hair colors, hair styling gel, glitter, hair mousse, hair repair cream, exfoliant and hydrating cream, correction cream, acne treatment cream, skin treatment cream, hair repair cream, anti-dandruff cream, teeth whitening gel.

11. A device for packaging and dispensing a viscous product comprising:

a reservoir wherein said reservoir has a neck that defines an opening in the form of an orifice;

a means for closing the reservoir, said means comprising a cap;

a shearing assembly arranged to be mounted onto the neck of the reservoir; wherein said shearing assembly comprises a product inlet flow component; a shearing component, and a housing, said housing arranged to be in fluid communication with the product inlet flow component wherein the product inlet flow component is arranged to be mounted in the opening of the neck of the reservoir wherein said shearing component is enclosed in the housing and the product is sheared when it flows via the shearing component; and

an applicator, said applicator housed in the housing of the shearing assembly.

12. The device according to claim 11 wherein the shearing component has an inlet end and an outlet end and there are present a plurality of flow tracks in the shearing component so as to form a solid core of the shearing component which is extended into a protrusion at its outlet end.

13. The device according to claim 12 wherein the means for closing the reservoir when in close communication with the neck of the reservoir causes the protrusion in the solid core of the shearing component to seal the orifice of the reservoir.

14. The device according to claim 13 wherein the shearing component moves axially when the means for closing the reservoir is removed, which simultaneously results in opening of the orifice of the reservoir due to which when the reservoir is actuated it results in the flow of the product via the shearing component.

15. A device for packaging and dispensing a viscous product according to claim 14 wherein the viscous product comprises at least one of medication fluids, dermatological fluids, liquid cosmetic material, microencapsulated liquid products, lip gloss, lip balm, lip putty, lip plumping gel, cream eye shadow, under-eye cream, under-eye repair cream, foundation, concealer, blemish concealer, cheek plumping gel or cream, cream and moisturizer, nail enamel, temporary hair colors, hair styling gel, glitter, hair mousse, hair repair cream, exfoliant and hydrating cream, correction cream, acne treatment cream, skin treatment cream, hair repair cream, anti-dandruff cream, teeth whitening gel.

16. A shearing assembly for a viscous product comprising:

a product inlet flow component, said product inlet flow component being hollow from inside and tapered to form a neck which defines an opening for the product to flow through it;

a shearing component wherein the shearing component has an inlet end and an outlet end and there are present a plurality of flow tracks in the shearing component so as to form a solid core of the shearing component which is extended into a protrusion at its outlet end;

a housing, said housing arranged to be in fluid communication with the product inlet flow component wherein said shearing component is enclosed in the housing such that the product is sheared when it flows via the shearing component and the shearing component seals the flow of product upon application or removal of a force wherein the means for application of force is a cap of a device or the housing itself

wherein application or removal of a force causes the shearing component to move in an axial direction with respect to the product inlet flow component

wherein the product is sheared while it flows via the plurality of flow tracks in the shearing component and wherein the product flow is sealed by the protrusion at the outlet end of the shearing component;

optionally comprising an applicator in the housing to which the product is supplied via the shearing component; and

optionally comprising a biasing member wherein the biasing member is housed in the housing with the shearing component and it biases the shearing component to move in an axial direction with respect to the product inlet flow component when a force is applied or removed from it.

17. A device for packaging and dispensing a viscous product comprising:

a reservoir wherein said reservoir has a neck that defines an opening in the form of an orifice;

a means for closing the reservoir, said means comprising a cap;

a shearing assembly arranged to be mounted onto the neck of the reservoir wherein said shearing assembly comprises

a product inlet flow component;

a shearing component, wherein the shearing component has an inlet end and an outlet end and there are present a plurality of flow tracks in the shearing component so as to form a solid core of the shearing component which is extended into a protrusion at its outlet end; and,

a housing, said housing arranged to be in fluid communication with the product inlet flow component wherein the product inlet flow component is arranged to be mounted in the opening of the neck of the reservoir and wherein the shearing component is enclosed in the housing so that the product is sheared when it flows via the shearing component; and

an applicator, said applicator housed in the housing of the shearing assembly optionally comprising a biasing member wherein the biasing member is housed in the housing with the shearing component and it biases the shearing component to move in an axial direction with respect to the product inlet flow component when a force is applied or removed from it

wherein the means for closing the reservoir when in close communication with the neck of the reservoir causes the protrusion in the solid core of the shearing component to seal the orifice of the product inlet flow component

wherein the shearing component moves axially upwards when the means for closing the reservoir is removed, which simultaneously results in opening of the orifice due to which when the reservoir is actuated it results in the flow of the product via the shearing component.