Device for dispensing and applying a product

• US 6,309,124 B1
• Filed: 01/14/2000
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN N
• Application Number:
  US09/482,685
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 401/119, 401/123-127, 401/130, 401/146, 401/170, 401/187-189, 401/202, 401/262, 222/205, 222/321.9, 222/321.7
• US Class Current: 401/124
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/1018 comprising a pad, i.e. a cushion-like mass of soft material, with or without gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/045 connected to the cap of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/0005 Components or details of single units wherein the flow is effected by a pump B05B11/1042
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1001 Piston pumps B05B11/1087, B05B11/1088, B05B11/109 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1052 Actuation means locking means therefor B05B11/1059; the dispensing stroke being affected by the stored energy of a spring B05B11/109
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/24 combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes

Abstract

A device for dispensing and applying a product includes a container including a reservoir for containing a product, and a dispensing member for dispensing the product. The dispensing member includes an actuating element and at least one outlet. The actuating element is configured to be actuated to enable delivery of the product through the at least one outlet. The device further includes a cap configured to fit removably on the container. The cap comprises an applicator preferably including porous material. The applicator is substantially sealed from outside of the device when the cap is on the container. Placement of the cap on the container positions the applicator with respect to the at least one outlet so that at least a portion of the applicator is placed in contact with the product delivered through the at least one outlet when the actuating element is actuated. Preferably, the product at least partially impregnates the applicator when the product contacts the applicator.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing and applying a product, the device comprising:

a container including a reservoir for containing a product;

a dispensing member for dispensing the product, the dispensing member including an actuating element and at least one outlet, the actuating element being configured to be actuated to enable delivery of the product through the at least one outlet; and

a cap configured to fit removably on the container, the cap comprising an applicator including porous material, the porous material being capable of absorbing the product and being substantially sealed from outside of the device when the cap is on the container, placement of the cap on the container positioning the applicator with respect to the at least one outlet so that at least a portion of the applicator is placed in contact with the product delivered through the at least one outlet when the actuating element is actuated.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing member includes a pump for pumping the product through the at least one outlet when the actuating element is actuated.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing member includes an airless pump, and wherein the volume of the reservoir decreases when the product is dispensed.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the volume of the reservoir decreases in an amount substantially equal to the volume of the product dispensed.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein the reservoir is one of a flexible bag, a flexible tube, a bottle with a deformable diaphragm, and a bottle having a follower piston.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the reservoir includes the bottle with the deformable diaphragm, and wherein the diaphragm is elastically deformable.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing member includes a pump having at least one of a shutter, a diaphragm, and a piston.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the porous material includes at least one block of at least one of open-cell foam, semi-open-cell foam, and frit.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the applicator includes at least one of polyether foam, polyester foam, polyurethane foam, natural butadiene rubber foam, synthetic butadiene rubber foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, bronze frit, polyethylene frit, glass frit, silicone frit, and nylon frit.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuating element is configured to be actuated by applying force to the cap when the cap is on the reservoir.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the container includes one of a rigid and semi-rigid base, and wherein the actuating element is actuated by applying force to said base.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the reservoir is defined by a portion of the interior of the container.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the cap is removably attachable to the container by at least one of snap-fastening and screw-fastening.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the container further includes an outer housing coupled to the reservoir.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the outer housing includes a receiving surface configured to receive the applicator when the cap is on the container, the at least one outlet including an opening in said receiving surface.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said receiving surface has a shape substantially the same as an outer surface of the applicator.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein a volume of the applicator is less than a volume of a region defined by the cap and said receiving surface when the cap is on the container.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein said receiving surface is cup-shaped.

21. The device of claim 15, wherein said receiving surface is hemispherical shaped.

22. The device of claim 14, wherein the container further includes an inner housing coupled to the outer housing, the inner housing including the reservoir.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the at least one outlet includes an opening in an outer surface of the outer housing.

24. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a cosmetic product and a pharmaceutical product in the reservoir.

25. A method of applying a product to the body, the method comprising:

providing the device of claim 1 including at least one of a cosmetic product and a pharmaceutical product in the reservoir;

dispensing the product by actuating the actuating element when the cap is on the container so that the applicator is at least partially impregnated with the product;

removing the cap from the container; and

applying the product by placing the applicator in contact with the body.

17. The device of 16, wherein at least a portion of the applicator rests on said receiving surface when the cap is on the container.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the receiving surface includes at least one of radial striations, grooves, channels, and ducts configured to direct the product along said receiving surface when the product is dispensed through the at least one outlet.

26. A device for dispensing and applying a product, the device comprising:

a container including a reservoir for containing a product and an outer housing coupled to the reservoir;

a dispensing member for dispensing the product, the dispensing member including an actuating element and at least one outlet, the actuating element being configured to be actuated by applying force to one of the outer housing and the reservoir, the actuation of the actuating element enabling delivery of the product through the at least one outlet; and

a cap configured to fit removably on the container, the cap comprising an applicator substantially sealed from outside of the device when the cap is on the container, placement of the cap on the container positioning the applicator adjacent to the outer housing and the at least one outlet so that at least a portion of the applicator contacts the product dispensed through the at least one outlet when the actuating element is actuated.

27. A method of applying a product to the body, the method comprising:

providing the device of claim 26 including at least one of a cosmetic product and a pharmaceutical product in the reservoir;

dispensing the product by applying force to at least one of the outer housing and the reservoir when the cap is on the container so that the product contacts at least a portion of the applicator;

removing the cap from the container; and

applying the product by placing the applicator in contact with the body.

28. A device for dispensing and applying a product, the device comprising:

a container including a reservoir containing at least one of a cosmetic product and a pharmaceutical product;

a dispensing member for dispensing the product, the dispensing member including an actuating element and at least one outlet, the actuating element being configured to be actuated to enable delivery of the product through the at least one outlet; and

a cap configured to fit removably on the container, the cap comprising an applicator substantially sealed from outside of the device when the cap is on the container, placement of the cap on the container positioning the applicator with respect to the at least one outlet so that at least a portion of the applicator is placed in contact with the product delivered through the at least one outlet when the actuating element is actuated.

29. A method of applying a product to the body, the method comprising:

providing the device of claim 28;

dispensing the product by actuating the actuating element when the cap is on the container so that the product contacts at least a portion of the applicator;

removing the cap from the container; and

applying the product by placing the applicator in contact with the body.