Dispensing and applicator assembly with self-loading applicator
First Claim
1. An assembly for dispensing a product, comprising:
- a first portion defining a variable volume reservoir for containing the product, the reservoir decreasing in volume in response to removal of the product from the reservoir;
a second portion defining a space configured to removably receive an application member;
an application member configured to be removably received in the space;
a flow passage providing flow communication between the reservoir and the space;
a flow valve configured to selectively enable flow of the product from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage;
a removable cap on the second portion; and
a piston configured to cause a pressure decrease in the space, wherein the valve opens in response to the pressure decrease in the space to enable flow of at least a portion of the product from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly for dispensing and applying a product, such as a cosmetic product, includes a first portion defining a reservoir having a varying volume and containing the product to be dispensed. A flow passage and a one-way valve selectively establish flow communication between the reservoir and the space. The space is configured to removably receive an application member receiving the product to be applied. The space is closed by a cap removably mounted on the second portion. A piston slidably disposed within the second space causes a pressure decrease inside the second space, which opens the one-way valve and causes the product to flow from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage.
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Citations
68 Claims
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1. An assembly for dispensing a product, comprising:
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a first portion defining a variable volume reservoir for containing the product, the reservoir decreasing in volume in response to removal of the product from the reservoir;
a second portion defining a space configured to removably receive an application member;
an application member configured to be removably received in the space;
a flow passage providing flow communication between the reservoir and the space;
a flow valve configured to selectively enable flow of the product from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage;
a removable cap on the second portion; and
a piston configured to cause a pressure decrease in the space, wherein the valve opens in response to the pressure decrease in the space to enable flow of at least a portion of the product from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A dispensing assembly for dispensing a product, comprising:
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a first portion defining a reservoir configured to contain the product prior to dispensing;
a second portion defining a space and an opening enabling access to the space, said space being in selective flow communication with the reservoir;
a cap configured to be removably mounted on the second portion to sealably cover the opening; and
an actuator configured to selectively cause a pressure difference between the reservoir and the space in response to removal of the cap from the second portion, wherein the pressure difference causes the product to flow from the reservoir to the space. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A method for dispensing a product, comprising:
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providing an assembly defining a reservoir containing the product, a space in selective flow communication with the reservoir, an opening permitting access to the space, a removable cap configured to sealably close the opening, and an actuator;
removing the cap to permit access to the opening;
actuating the actuator to cause a pressure difference between the reservoir and the space; and
causing the product to flow from the reservoir to the space as a result of the pressure difference. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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61. An assembly for dispensing a product, comprising
a first portion defining a reservoir containing the product to be dispensed; -
a second portion defining a space in selective flow communication with the reservoir;
an application member for applying the product to a surface, said application member being removably disposed in the space, the application member being configured such that removal of the application member from the space induces flow of the product from the reservoir to the space, thereby permitting the application member to receive the product. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. An assembly for dispensing a product, comprising:
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a first portion defining a variable volume reservoir for containing the product, the reservoir decreasing in volume in response to removal of the product from the reservoir;
a second portion defining a space configured to removably receive an application member;
a flow passage providing flow communication between the reservoir and the space;
a flow valve configured to selectively enable flow of the product from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage;
a removable cap on the second portion;
a vent passage configured to place the space in selective flow communication with the atmosphere to vent the space to atmospheric pressure when a pressure increase occurs in the space; and
a piston configured to cause a pressure decrease in the space, wherein the valve opens in response to the pressure decrease in the space to enable flow of at least a portion of the product from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage.
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67. An assembly for dispensing a product, comprising:
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a first portion defining a variable volume reservoir for containing the product, the reservoir decreasing in volume in response to removal of the product from the reservoir;
a second portion defining a space configured to removably receive an application member;
a flow passage providing flow communication between the reservoir and the space;
a flow valve configured to selectively enable flow of the product from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage;
a removable cap on the second portion; and
a piston configured to cause a pressure decrease in the space, wherein the valve opens in response to the pressure decrease in the space to enable flow of at least a portion of the product from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage, wherein the space is defined at least in part by a cylinder in which the piston slides, and wherein the piston defines a vent passage configured to vent the space to atmospheric pressure.
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68. An assembly for dispensing a product, comprising:
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a first portion defining a variable volume reservoir for containing the product, the reservoir decreasing in volume in response to removal of the product from the reservoir;
a second portion defining a space configured to removably receive an application member;
a flow passage providing flow communication between the reservoir and the space;
a flow valve configured to selectively enable flow of the product from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage;
a removable cap on the second portion; and
a piston configured to cause a pressure decrease in the space, the piston including a sealing lip provided on the second portion, the sealing lip being configured to slide against an interior surface of the cap when the cap is opened, wherein the valve opens in response to the pressure decrease in the space to enable flow of at least a portion of the product from the reservoir to the space via the flow passage, and wherein an annular space is formed between the second portion and the cap when the cap is mounted on the second portion, said annular space being in flow communication with the space and the piston being disposed in the annular space.
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Specification