Multi-reservoir container with applicator tip and method of making the same

• US 7,435,027 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2005
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cosmolab Incorporated (Schwanhäußer Industrie Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Cosmolab Incorporated (Schwanhäußer Industrie Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Hetzel, Marvin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak; David J
• Application Number:
  US11/072,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20060198686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 401 40- 44, 401/47, 401/192, 401183-186, 222/94, 222/145.1, 222/145.3, 222/145.5, 222/145.4, 222/145.6, 222/145.7, 222/145.8, 222/145.2
• US Class Current: 401/47
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/058 Means for mixing different substances prior to application
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/00 Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. perfumes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 35/22 with two or more compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 35/242 for mixing or discharging of two or more components

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator for storing and dispensing a plurality of cosmetic masses includes an applicator container and an applicator tip; and methods for making the same. The applicator container includes a first reservoir having an elongate portion that is disposed in a second reservoir having a neck portion. The applicator tip includes an outer portion and an inner portion having an inlet and an outlet that is fluidly connected by a shaft having at least one wall. The outer portion engages the neck portion and the elongate portion is disposed in the shaft thereby defining a channel that is fluidly connected to the second reservoir between the elongate portion and the at least one wall.

Claims

1. A cosmetic applicator for storing and dispensing a plurality of cosmetic masses, comprising:

an applicator container having a first reservoir including an elongate portion and a second reservoir including a neck portion, wherein the first reservoir is disposed within the second reservoir;

an applicator tip having an outer portion that sealingly engages the neck portion and an inner portion having an inlet and an outlet fluidly connected by a shaft having at least one wall, wherein the shaft is fixed relative to the neck portion of the second reservoir and the elongate portion is disposed in the shaft thereby defining a channel between the elongate portion and the at least one wall, the channel being fluidly connected to the second reservoir; and

a cap having a plug that engages the outlet of the applicator tip and abuts the elongate portion, thereby sealing the elongate portion and the channel, when the cap is fully engaged on the applicator tip.

2. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, further including one or more ribs disposed on the at least one wall for aligning the elongate portion.

3. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the inner portion of the applicator tip includes one or more protrusions for controlling a depth of engagement of the elongate portion into the shaft.

4. The cosmetic applicator of claim 3, wherein the one or more protrusions are disposed upstream of the outlet of the shaft extending radially inwardly from the at least one wall.

5. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, further including an application feature disposed on the applicator tip.

6. The cosmetic applicator of claim 5, wherein the application feature comprises flocking.

7. The cosmetic applicator of claim 6, wherein the applicator feature comprises a flocked applicator head.

8. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator tip includes a sleeve portion disposed around a body portion, the sleeve portion including the outer portion that engages the neck portion and the body portion including the inner portion.

9. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the outer portion includes an outer surface that engages an inner surface of the neck portion.

10. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the second reservoir comprises an at least translucent region comprising all or a portion of the reservoir.

11. The cosmetic applicator of claim 10, wherein an at least translucent mass is disposed in the second reservoir.

12. The cosmetic applicator of claim 11, wherein the first reservoir comprises an at least translucent region comprising all or a portion of the reservoir, and further comprises a colored mass disposed in the first reservoir.

13. The cosmetic applicator of claim 10, wherein the at least translucent region comprises a material selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylenes, low density polyethylenes, modified polyolefin adhesives, ethylene vinyl alcohols, and a combination thereof.

14. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a threaded surface that threadingly engages a counter-threaded surface on the applicator container.

15. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein at full engagement an interior surface of the cap includes a ledge that abuts a ring disposed on the applicator tip.

16. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the plug abuts a first mass fluidly connected to the first reservoir and a second mass fluidly connected to the second reservoir, when the cap is fully engaged on the applicator tip.

17. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, further including a region in the applicator tip formed in the shaft between an opening of the elongate portion and the outlet for combining masses from the first and second reservoirs.

18. A cosmetic applicator for storing and dispensing a plurality of cosmetic masses, comprising:

an applicator container having a first reservoir including an elongate portion and a second reservoir including a neck portion, the first reservoir being disposed within the second reservoir, wherein the elongate portion is disposed in a shaft thereby defining a channel between the elongate portion and the shaft, the channel being fluidly connected to the second reservoir;

an applicator tip having an outer portion that sealingly engages an inner surface of the neck portion and an inner portion having an inlet and an outlet fluidly connected by the shaft, the shaft including one or more ribs and one or more protrusions extending radially inwardly, wherein the one or more ribs abut an outer surface of the elongate portion thereby aligning the elongate portion relative to the shaft, and wherein the protrusions abut an end of the elongate portion thereby controlling a depth of engagement of the elongate portion into the shaft; and

a cap having a plug that abuts the end of the elongate portion and an end of the channel, thereby sealing the elongate portion and the channel, when the cap is fully engaged on the applicator tip.

19. A cosmetic applicator for storing and dispensing a plurality of cosmetic masses, comprising:

an applicator container having a first reservoir including an elongate portion and a second reservoir including a neck portion, wherein the first reservoir is disposed within the second reservoir;

an applicator tip having an outer portion that sealingly engages the neck portion and an inner portion having an inlet and an outlet fluidly connected by a shaft having at least one wall, wherein the elongate portion is disposed in the shaft thereby defining a channel between the elongate portion and the at least one wall, the channel being fluidly connected to the second reservoir; and

a cap having a plug that engages the outlet of the applicator tip and abuts the elongate portion, thereby sealing the elongate portion and the channel, when the cap is fully engaged on the applicator tip.

20. The cosmetic applicator of claim 19, wherein the cap includes a threaded surface that threadingly engages a counter-threaded surface on the applicator container.

21. The cosmetic applicator of claim 19, wherein at full engagement an interior surface of the cap includes a ledge that abuts a ring disposed on the applicator tip.

22. The cosmetic applicator of claim 19, wherein the plug abuts a first mass fluidly connected to the first reservoir and a second mass fluidly connected to the second reservoir, when the cap is fully engaged on the applicator tip.