Applicator systems

• US 6,505,986 B1
• Filed: 05/19/2000
• Issued: 01/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Oder, Reuben Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/554,872
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 401/183, 401/184, 401/185, 401/205, 401/263, 401/186, 222/94, 222/212, 222/213, 222/215, 222/211, 222/481, 222/481.5, 222/482, 222/484, 222/464.1
• US Class Current: 401/183
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 19/0066 Coloring or bleaching
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 19/0083 the roots of the hair
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 19/028 having applicators other than brushes or combs, e.g. rollers, balls or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 24/26 with flexible walls of the liquid, paste, or powder storing device
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2231/004 comprising rods or tubes provided with radial openings, ribs or the like, e.g. dip-tubes, spiral rods
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/42 with pads or like contents-applying means contents-applying means associated to aerosol container nozzles B65D83/285; brushes combined or associated with containers A46B11/00; swabs for applying media to the human body from an integral supply A61F13/40
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0055 Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents

Abstract

An applicator system, for use in delivering a flowable composition, comprising; (a) container including an inner collapsible layer distinct from an outer deformable layer, the inner collapsible layer defining a reservoir, and the outer deformable layer being separated from the inner collapsible layer by a buffer zone; (b) a dispenser including a first passageway distinct from a second passageway, the first passageway being in communication with the buffer zone and the second passageway being in communication with the reservoir; and (c) valve means operable to control entry of air into the buffer zone through the first passageway and exit of flowable composition from the reservoir through the second passageway; wherein the valve means is of unitary construction.

Claims

1. An applicator system, for use in delivering a flowable composition, comprising:

(a) a container including an inner collapsible layer distinct from an outer deformable layer, the inner collapsible layer defining a reservoir, and the outer deformable layer being separated from the inner collapsible layer by a buffer zone;

(b) a dispenser including a first passageway distinct from a second passageway, the first passageway being in communication with the buffer zone and the second passageway being in communication with the reservoir; and

(c) valve means including an inlet part which acts as a one-way check valve operable to control entry of air into the buffer zone through the first passageway and including an outlet part which acts as a one-way check valve to control exit of flowable composition from the reservoir through the second passageway;

wherein the valve means is of unitary construction.

2. An applicator system according to claim 1, wherein the inner collapsible layer comprises a flexible bag.

3. An applicator system according to claim 1, wherein the inlet part of the valve means controlling the first passageway is a flapper valve.

4. An applicator system according to claim 3, in which the first passageway includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced air inlets and the flapper valve is of annular shape.

5. An applicator system according to claim 1, wherein the outlet part of the valve means controlling the second passageway comprises a quadrolobe valve, a flapper valve, an umbrella valve, or a duckbill valve.

6. An applicator system according to claim 5, wherein the outlet part of the valve means controlling the second passageway is a quadrolobe valve.

7. An applicator system according to claim 6, wherein the quadrolobe valve is a push fit within the second passageway.

8. An applicator system according claim 1, wherein the valve means is a push fit with the dispenser.

9. An applicator system according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is a push fit with the container.

10. An applicator system according to claim 9, wherein the dispenser is a push fit within an insert, and the insert is a push fit within a neck of the container.

11. An applicator system according to claim 10, wherein the insert has an annular channel surrounding a tubular member, with the annular channel including at least one opening forming part of the first passageway, and the tubular member contacting the valve means and forming part of the second passageway.

12. An applicator system according to claim 1, wherein the flowable composition is selected from the group consisting of hair colorants, medicaments, foodstuffs, cleaning fluids, cosmetics, adhesives, and lubricants.

13. An applicator system according to claim 12, wherein the flowable composition is selected from the group consisting of hair colorants, pet care medicaments, cake mixes, cleaning fluids for garment care, cleaning fluids for carpet care, body lotions, moisturizes, adhesives, and lubricants.

14. An applicator system according to claim 13, wherein the flowable composition is a hair colorant.