Product application device including a dip tube

• US 6,942,412 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2001
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis H.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US09/986,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20020094225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 401/123, 401/124, 401/125, 401/127, 401/126, 401/130, 401/183, 401/186, 401/262, 401/263, 401/261, 222/205
• US Class Current: 401/183
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/058 Means for mixing different substances prior to application
• 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: A45D 40/24 Casings for two or more cosmetics
• 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 51/32 with brushes or rods for applying or stirring contents droppers B65D47/18; eating utensils or spatulas B65D51/246

Abstract

A product application device includes a receptacle having a variable inside volume configured to contain a product, an applicator element, and a dip tube configured to extend to the bottom of the receptacle. The device further includes a first portion and a second portion configured to cooperate together to define a substantially leak-proof enclosure for the applicator element. The dip tube is configured to enable the enclosure to be in flow communication with the product flowing from the receptacle.

Claims

1. A product application device, comprising:

a receptacle having a variable inside volume configured to contain a product;

a cosmetic or care product contained in the receptacle;

an applicator element;

a housing for receiving at least part of the applicator element;

a closure element configured to close the housing in a substantially leak-proof manner when the applicator element is received at least partially in the housing; and

a dip tube configured to extend substantially to the bottom of the receptacle,

wherein the applicator element is removable from the housing, and

wherein the dip tube is configured to enable the housing to be in flow communication with product flowing from the receptacle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to allow a reduction in the variable inside volume of the receptacle from a first volume to a second volume smaller than the first volume, and

wherein the reduction from the first volume to the second volume generates pressure inside the receptacle for causing the product to flow into the housing via the dip tube.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the level of the product contained in the receptacle is selected so that, prior to first use, an end of the dip tube configured to extend substantially to the bottom of the receptacle lies above the level of the product when the receptacle is turned upside-down.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the dip tube communicates with the housing at a bottom end of the housing.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an end wall located at a bottom end of the housing.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the end wall is substantially planar.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the end wall is substantially concave towards a portion of the housing in which the applicator element is received.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the dip tube is a separate element fixed to the housing.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the dip tube is fixed to an end-piece integrally formed with the end wall.

10. The device of claim 5, wherein the dip tube is integrally formed with the end wall.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the applicator element is fixed to the closure element.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the closure element is configured to define a handle.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the applicator element is fixed to the housing.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the housing comprises an end wall, and wherein the applicator element is configured to contact the end wall of the housing when the applicator element is received in the housing.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an end wall, and wherein the applicator element and the end wall of the housing define a gap therebetween when the applicator element is in place on the receptacle, the gap being configured to allow product to accumulate therein.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the applicator element comprises a surface having a recess configured to face the end wall of the housing when the applicator element is received in the housing.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the end wall comprises a recessed portion extending away from the applicator element when the applicator element is received in the housing.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the end wall includes an annular rim configured to contact the applicator element when the applicator element is received in the housing.

19. The device of claim 5, wherein the housing further comprises an intermediate wall situated between the applicator element and the end wall when the applicator element is received in the housing.

20. The device of claim 5, further comprising a porous pad located on the end wall of the housing and configured to contact the applicator element when the applicator element is received in the housing.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the porous pad comprises foam material.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein the applicator element is compressible.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the applicator element is not compressible.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the applicator element comprises a foam formed of a plastic material.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the plastic material is chosen from polyurethane, polyester, polyether, PVC, and NBR.

26. The device of claim 23, wherein the applicator element comprises a sintered material.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the sintered material is chosen from polyethylene, PVC, EVA, polyamide, and brass.

28. The device of claim 1, wherein the applicator element comprises felt.

29. The device of claim 1, wherein the product contained in the receptacle comprises a cosmetic product.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the cosmetic product is perfume.

31. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a flexible-walled receptacle.

32. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle further comprises a bellows.

33. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a case having a bag therein, wherein the case is configured to cause an increase in pressure in the bag.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the case is provided with a check valve configured to allow air to be drawn into the case after a quantity of product has been expelled from the bag.

35. The device of claim 32, wherein the dip tube is secured to a portion of the receptacle situated above the bellows.

36. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured so that the device is capable of moving from a first configuration wherein the dip tube does not extend substantially to the bottom of the receptacle to a second configuration wherein the dip tube extends substantially to the bottom of the receptacle.

37. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises an open end and wherein the closure is configured to close the open end.

38. The device of claim 1, wherein the closure element and the housing each comprise screw threading configured to enable removable coupling of the closure element and the housing.

39. A product application device for a cosmetic or care product, comprising:

a receptacle having a variable inside volume configured to contain a product;

an applicator element;

a housing for receiving at least part of the applicator element;

a closure element configured to close the housing in a substantially leak-proof manner when the applicator element is received at least partially in the housing; and

a dip tube configured to extend substantially to the bottom of the receptacle,

wherein the dip tube is configured to enable the housing to be in flow communication with product flowing from the receptacle,

wherein at least one of the closure element and the housing defines a removable unit configured to be associated with the receptacle to fill the unit with the product, and

wherein the a applicator element is received within the removable unit.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein the housing defines a body and the closure element defines a handle, the body and the handle cooperating to define an inside space in which the applicator element is contained.

41. The device of claim 40, wherein the inside space is substantially leak-proof.

42. The device of claim 40, wherein the handle and the body are connected by screw fastening.

43. The device of claim 40, wherein at least one of the handle and the body of the removable unit comprises a sealing skirt.

44. The device of claim 40, wherein the removable unit comprises a check valve configured to allow product under pressure to pass to the inside space of the removable unit.

45. The device of claim 39, further comprising a portion configured to removably receive at least part of the removable unit, wherein the portion is located on the receptacle.

46. The device of claim 45, further comprising a second closure element for closing the portion when the removable unit is not received by the portion.

47. The device of claim 45, wherein the portion is configured to be in flow communication with the variable inside volume via the dip tube.

48. The device of claim 45, wherein the portion comprises a sleeve having an open end through which said at least a part of the removable unit passes and another end placed in flow communication with the variable inside volume via the dip tube.

49. A product application device, comprising:

a receptacle having a variable inside volume configured to contain a product;

a cosmetic or care product contained in the receptacle;

an applicator element;

a first portion and a second portion configured to cooperate together to define a substantially leak-proof enclosure for the applicator element; and

a dip tube configured to extend to the bottom of the receptacle,

wherein the applicator element is removable from the housing, and

wherein the dip tube is configured to enable the enclosure to be in flow communication with product flowing from the receptacle.

50. The device of claim 49, wherein the first portion comprises a housing for receiving at least part of the applicator element, and the second portion comprises a closure element configured to close the housing.

51. The device of claim 49, wherein the device is configured to allow a reduction in the variable inside volume of the receptacle from a first volume to a second volume smaller than the first volume, and

wherein the reduction from the first volume to the second volume generates pressure inside the receptacle for causing the product to flow into the enclosure via the dip tube.

52. The device of claim 49, wherein the level of the product contained in the receptacle is selected so that, prior to first use, an end of the dip tube configured to extend substantially to the bottom of the receptacle lies above the level of product when the receptacle is turned upside-down.

53. The device of claim 49, wherein the dip tube communicates with the enclosure at a bottom end of the enclosure.

54. The device of claim 49, wherein one of the first portion and the second portion comprises an end wall located at a bottom end of the enclosure.

55. The device of claim 54, wherein the end wall is substantially planar.

56. The device of claim 50, wherein the closure element is configured to define a handle.

57. The device of claim 50, wherein the applicator element is fixed to the housing.

58. The device of claim 49, wherein the first and second portions are connected by screw fastening.

59. The device of claim 49, wherein the first and second portions are connected by snap fastening.

60. The device of claim 49, wherein the first and second portions are connected by a hinge.

61. The device of claim 49, wherein at least one of the first portion and second portion comprises a sealing skirt.

62. The device of claim 49, wherein one of the first portion and the second portion comprises a check valve configured to allow product under pressure to pass to the inside space of the enclosure.

63. The device of claim 49, wherein the product contained in the receptacle comprises a cosmetic product.

64. The device of claim 63, wherein the cosmetic product is perfume.

65. The device of claim 49, wherein the receptacle comprises a flexible-walled receptacle.

66. The device of claim 49, wherein the receptacle further comprises a bellows.

67. The device of claim 49, wherein the receptacle comprises a case having a bag therein, wherein the case is configured to cause an increase in pressure in the bag.

68. The device of claim 67, wherein the case is provided with a check valve configured to allow air to be drawn into the case after a quantity of product has been expelled from the bag.

69. The device of claim 66, wherein the dip tube is secured to a portion of the receptacle situated above the bellows.

70. The device of claim 49, wherein the device is configured so that the device is capable of moving from a first configuration wherein the dip tube does not extend substantially to the bottom of the receptacle to a second configuration wherein the dip tube extends substantially to the bottom of the receptacle.

71. The device of claim 49, wherein the applicator element is fixed to one of the first portion and the second portion.

72. The device of claim 71, wherein the applicator element is fixed to the second portion and the second portion defines a handle.

73. The device of claim 71, wherein the applicator element is fixed to the first portion and the first portion is fixed to the receptacle.

74. A product application system, comprising:

the device of claim 49, and

at least one additional receptacle comprising a variable inside volume configured to contain product and a dip tube configured to extend to the bottom of the additional receptacle,

wherein the dip tube of the at least one additional receptacle is configured to enable the enclosure to be in flow communication with product flowing from the at least one additional receptacle.

75. The system of claim 74, comprising a product in the additional receptacle, wherein each of the receptacles contains a differing product.

76. A product application device, comprising:

a receptacle having a variable inside volume configured to contain a product;

an applicator element;

a first portion and a second portion configured to cooperate together to define a substantially leak-proof enclosure for the applicator element; and

a dip tube configured to extend to the bottom of the receptacle,

wherein the dip tube is configured to enable the enclosure to be in flow communication with product flowing from the receptacle, and

wherein the first and second portions cooperate to define a removable unit.

77. The device of claim 76, further comprising a third portion located on the receptacle, wherein the removable unit is configured to be removably associated with the third portion.

78. The device of claim 77, wherein the dip tube is connected to the third portion.

79. The device of claim 77, further comprising a closure element for closing the third portion when the removable unit is not associated with the third portion.

80. The device of claim 77, wherein the third portion is configured to be in flow communication with the variable inside volume via the dip tube.

81. The device of claim 77, wherein the third portion comprises a sleeve having an open end through which at least a part of the removable unit passes and another end placed in flow communication with the variable inside volume via the dip tube.

82. The device of claim 77, wherein the third portion comprises a protrusion for mating with a mating opening located at an end of the removable unit.

83. A product application device, comprising:

a receptacle having a variable inside volume configured to contain a cosmetic or care product;

a cosmetic or care product contained in the receptacle;

an applicator element;

a housing for receiving at least part of the applicator element, wherein the housing comprises an opening through which said at least part of the applicator element passes;

a closure element configured to close the opening of the housing in a substantially leak-proof manner when the applicator element is received at least partially in the housing; and

a dip tube configured to extend substantially to the bottom of the receptacle,

wherein the device is configured to enable the housing to be in flow communication with the product contained in the receptacle when the opening of the housing is closed by the closure element.

84. The device of claim 83, wherein the device is configured to allow a reduction in the variable inside volume of the receptacle from a first volume to a second volume smaller than the first volume, and

wherein the reduction from the first volume to the second volume generates pressure inside the receptacle for causing the product to flow into the housing via the dip tube.

85. The device of claim 83, wherein the level of the product contained in the receptacle is selected so that, prior to first use, an end of the dip tube configured to extend substantially to the bottom of the receptacle lies above the level of the product when the receptacle is turned upside-down.

86. The device of claim 83, wherein the dip tube communicates with the housing at a bottom end of the housing.

87. The device of claim 83, wherein the housing comprises an end wall located at a bottom end of the housing.

88. The device of claim 87, wherein the dip tube is fixed to an end-piece integrally formed with the end wall.

89. The device of claim 87, wherein the dip tube is integrally formed with the end wall.

90. The device of claim 83, wherein the applicator element is removable from the housing.

91. The device of claim 83, wherein the applicator element is fixed to the closure element.

92. The device of claim 91, wherein the closure element is configured to define a handle.

93. The device of claim 91, wherein the housing comprises an end wall, and wherein the applicator element is configured to contact the end wall of the housing when the applicator element is received in the housing.

94. The device of claim 83, wherein the applicator element is fixed to the housing.

95. The device of claim 83, wherein the housing comprises an end wall, and wherein the applicator element and the end wall of the housing define a gap therebetween when the applicator element is in place on the receptacle, the gap being configured to allow product to accumulate therein.

96. The device of claim 95, wherein at least a portion of the applicator element comprises a surface having a recess configured to face the end wall of the housing when the applicator element is received in the housing.

97. The device of claim 95, wherein the end wall comprises a recessed portion extending away from the applicator element when the applicator element is received in the housing.

98. The device of claim 87, wherein the housing further comprises an intermediate wall situated between the applicator element and the end wall when the applicator element is received in the housing.

99. The device of claim 83, wherein at least one of the closure element and the housing defines a removable unit configured to be associated with the receptacle to fill the unit with the product, and

wherein the applicator element is received within the removable unit.

100. The device of claim 99, wherein the housing defines a body and the closure element defines a handle, the body and the handle cooperating to define an inside space in which the applicator element is contained.

101. The device of claim 100, wherein the removable unit comprises a check valve configured to allow product under pressure to pass to the inside space of the removable unit.

102. The device of claim 99, further comprising a portion configured to removably receive at least part of the removable unit, wherein the portion is located on the receptacle.

103. The device of claim 102, further comprising a second closure element for closing the portion when the removable unit is not received by the portion.

104. The device of claim 102, wherein the portion is configured to be in flow communication with the variable inside volume via the dip tube.

105. The device of claim 83, wherein the receptacle comprises a flexible-walled receptacle.

106. The device of claim 83, wherein the receptacle further comprises a bellows.

107. The device of claim 83, wherein the receptacle comprises a case having a bag therein, wherein the case is configured to cause an increase in pressure in the bag.