Device and method for dispensing and applying a fluid such as a cosmetic product or a care product

• US 20050249541A1
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Habatjou, Jacques
• Granted Patent: US 7,775,735 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/220
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 15/0085 hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0014 cylinder-like, i.e. rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2015/0042 Balls or spheres
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/105 with means for delivering media, e.g. drugs or cosmetics

Abstract

A device for dispensing and applying a fluid contained in a reservoir may include an applicator member with an outer wall that is configured to be charged with fluid contained in the reservoir and to dispense such fluid. The wall may be turnable about a single axis of rotation. The device may further include a motor arranged to drive the applicator member in rotation around the single axis of rotation.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing and applying a fluid contained in a reservoir, said device comprising:

an applicator member comprising an outer wall that is configured to be charged with fluid contained in the reservoir and to dispense such fluid, said wall being turnable about a single axis of rotation; and

a motor arranged to drive the applicator member in rotation about said axis.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall is substantially a body of revolution about an axis of symmetry.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said axis of symmetry is the single axis of rotation.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall comprises a shape that is substantially ellipsoidal and elongate.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall comprises a shape that is substantially spherical.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall is elastically deformable.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the outer wall is made out of elastomer.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member comprises a core on which the outer wall is fitted.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the core includes a surface with portions in relief and wherein the outer wall is deformable during application to come into contact with the portions in relief.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall comprises portions in relief.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the portions in relief comprise bosses.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member comprises at least one housing arranged to receive a member that fastens the applicator member on the device.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the motor extends at least in part into the housing.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member comprises at least one notched surface configured to couple to the motor.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member comprises a core with an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, the inner cylinder comprising a notched surface configured to engage with the motor and the outer cylinder comprising portions in relief on an outer surface thereof.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member is removably mounted on the device.

17. A device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one outlet orifice associated with the fluid reservoir, wherein the outer wall of the applicator member is substantially in contact with the outlet orifice.

18. A device according to claim 17, further comprising a wall onto which the at least one outlet orifice opens, said wall substantially matching a shape of at least a portion of the applicator member.

19. A device according to claim 18, wherein said wall is substantially concave toward the applicator member.

20. A device according to claim 17, wherein the outer wall of the applicator member is elastically deformable and arranged to be applied against the at least one outlet orifice with a certain force.

21. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir with a variable inside volume, the reservoir comprising at least one elastically deformable wall that allows the inside volume to be reduced.

22. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir removably mounted on the device.

23. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir including a filling orifice.

24. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir containing a cosmetic product.

25. A device according to claim 24, further comprising a reservoir containing a gel.

26. A device according to claim 25, further comprising a reservoir containing a liquid.

27. A device according to claim 26, wherein the liquid has a low viscosity.

28. A kit comprising:

a device as defined in claim 1;

and

a plurality of applicator members, said application members being selectively and removably mountable on the device.

29. A kit according to claim 28, wherein the applicator members include different portions in relief.

32. A method for applying a fluid to a surface of a body, the method comprising:

providing a kit according to claim 28;

selecting one of the plurality of applicator members;

mounting the selected applicator member on the device; and

applying fluid to the surface of the body using said applicator member.

30. An applicator member, comprising:

an outer wall that is configured to be charged with fluid and to dispense fluid, the applicator member being rotatably and removably mountable on a device for applying a fluid contained in a reservoir, the device comprising a motor arranged to drive the applicator member in rotation about a single axis of rotation when the applicator member is mounted on the device.

31. A fluid reservoir, comprising:

an outwardly concave wall through which at least one outlet orifice opens, the reservoir being mountable on a device for applying a fluid contained in a reservoir comprising an applicator member comprising an outer wall that is configured to be charged with fluid contained in the reservoir when the reservoir is mounted on the device and to dispense such fluid, and a motor arranged to drive the applicator member in rotation about a single axis of rotation.