Container and applicator arrangement for a cosmetic product, and associated method of manufacture

• US 9,095,998 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2009
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Albea Services
• Original Assignee: Albea Services
• Inventors: Crutchley, Edward, Bland, Marc, Ramos, Victor, Thorne, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLIVER, BRADLEY S
• Application Number:
  US13/141,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20110299910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,049 Days
• Field of Search: 401/118, 401/121, 401/122, 401126-129
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/042 using a brush or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/046 comprising a wiper
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/262 using a brush or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/1601 the injected materials not being adhered or bonded to each other B29C45/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/0081 of objects with parts connected by a thin section, e.g. hinge, tear line
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/16 Making multilayered or multicoloured articles B29C45/0062 takes precedence; feeding colouring materials into the injection unit B29C45/1816
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/712 Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages closures therefor B29L2031/56; ink or toner cartridges B29L2031/7678; squeeze tubes B29L2023/20; suitcases B29L2031/7418
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/095 made of flexible material
• 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

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an applicator and container arrangement comprising molding an insert from a first material, placing the molded insert into a mold, molding an outer structure from a second material over the molded insert, the second material having limited adhesion to the first material, the outer structure defining a handle portion and a shoulder portion, and having a weakened area between the handle portion and the shoulder portion, providing a body portion in a material compatible with the second material so as to ensure adherence to the shoulder portion of the outer structure, and assembling the outer structure, including the insert, and the body portion. The invention extends to a container and applicator arrangement made in accordance with the method.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an applicator and container arrangement comprising:

moulding an insert from a first material;

placing the moulded insert into a mould;

moulding an outer structure from a second material over the moulded insert, the outer structure defining a handle portion and a shoulder portion, and having a weakened area between the handle portion and the shoulder portion;

providing a body portion in a material compatible with the second material so as to ensure adherence to the shoulder portion of the outer structure; and

assembling the outer structure, including the insert, and the body portion.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of assembling the outer structure and the body portion comprises pre-inserting the body portion in the mould and moulding the outer structure over the body portion and insert.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of assembling the outer structure and the body portion comprises securing the outer structure to the body portion using one of press-fitting, welding, spin-welding and gluing.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steps of providing the body portion and assembling the outer structure and the body portion comprise injection-moulding the body portion integrally with the outer structure.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises pre-fitting an applicator portion to the insert.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of moulding the insert includes a step of integrally moulding an applicator portion with the insert.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the weakened area is defined by a plurality of break-off ribs, with the step of moulding the outer structure comprising moulding the plurality of break-off ribs at a junction between the handle portion and shoulder portion.

8. A container and applicator arrangement for a cosmetic product, including:

an insert made of a first material including an elongate stem having a proximal end and a distal end having an applicator portion;

an outer structure made of a second material, the outer structure accommodating the insert so as to define a unitary structure, the outer structure defining a handle portion and a shoulder portion, and having a weakened area between the handle portion and the shoulder portion to enable the handle portion to be separated from the shoulder portion, said handle portion and said shoulder portion adhering to the first material forming the insert with a low level of adhesion which enables the separation of the insert from the shoulder portion; and

a body portion extending from the shoulder portion of the outer structure for accommodating the cosmetic product.

9. A container and applicator arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the applicator portion is fitted to the elongate stem.

10. A container and applicator arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the weakened area is defined by a plurality of break-off ribs.

11. A container and applicator arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the handle portion can be separated from the shoulder portion with an opening force of between 10 N.cm and 30 N.cm.

12. A container and applicator arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the body portion is made from a multi-layer co-extruded tube sleeve.

13. A container and applicator arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first material is polyoxymethylene (POM) and the second material is a polyethylene (PET).

14. A container and applicator arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first material is a polyethylene and the second material is polypropylene (PP) including a slip additive.

15. A container and applicator arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first material is a copolyester and the second material is a polyethylene.

16. A container and applicator arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the outer part includes an internal integrally moulded wiper element that snugly accommodates the insert.

17. A container and applicator arrangement as claimed in claim 16, wherein the wiper element comprises a lip for engaging an indent defined on the insert so as to sealingly engage the insert in a snap-fit when the insert is fitted to the outer structure.

18. A container and applicator arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the insert includes a screw thread for engaging a complementary screw thread defined on an internal portion of the shoulder portion.