MXPA99011911A - Applicator device - Google Patents

Abstract

Applicator to apply e.g. cosmetic products to the skin has unit for reversible reduction of volume of feed channel between product reservoir and applicator element The applicator has a reservoir (10) for the liquid, paste-like, or gel product (12), connected via a feed channel (14) to an applicator element (16). It also has a unit (24) for reversible reduction of the channel volume by reducing the channel length. The applicator element has a cover (18) with passages for the product. The passages and a wall around the channel opening define a chamber (22) for a set product volume. The wall is at least partially flexible.

Description

APPLICATOR DEVICE DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY The invention relates to a device for applying to the skin a liquid product, pasty or in the form of a gel, with a reservoir for the product, a support connected to the reservoir at least through a feeder channel and an applicator element provided of several openings for the product, whose outer surface constitutes an application surface. An applicator device of the kind mentioned at the beginning is known, for example from DE 34 30 582 A1. In the known applicator device, the support surface facing the applicator element is convex. Therefore, the applicator element provided in the form of a cover is adjacent to the support in such a way that the product fed to the support through the feeder channel arrives immediately from the feeder channel to the applicator element and from there to its outer surface. Since the product enters the feeder channel immediately to the applicator element, it preferably enters the region of the orifice of the feeder channel to the outer surface of the applicator element. On the other hand, areas of applicator element are provided that are not in the immediate vicinity of the orifice of the feeder channel, absolutely or only insufficiently of the product. As a remedy, it is proposed to spread the product flatly with a small spatula on the applicator element. FR-A-925,899 shows an applicator device with an application surface which can be formed of a fine mesh element. From DE 196 27 606, an applicator device for semi-solid powdered masses is known. Also in this case, a flatly permeable cover, which is immediately adjacent to the mass, serves as the application surface. The document of E.U.A. A-2,442,503 shows an applicator device for labial red in which impeller channels flow immediately into an application surface. Also in this case the problem of the accumulation of red in the area of the bore of the drive channels arises. The invention is based on the object of perfecting the device of the kind mentioned at the beginning in such a way as to result in a uniform distribution of the product, without using a spatula or the like. According to the invention, the proposed object is solved in the case of an applicator device of the kind mentioned at the beginning, keeping the applicator element as flexible and / or as movable with respect to the support, which can occupy at least one position of maneuver, in which it limits a space together with the support to receive a predetermined quantity of the product in which the space is reduced when the applicator element is deformed and / or when the applicator element moves with respect to the support. If the product is driven in the applicator device according to the invention through the feeder channel, then it will not immediately arrive through the applicator element at the application surface, but will first be distributed in the space limited by the applicator element in the applicator. support. This space therefore represents an intermediate deposit, in which the complete introduced product can be found in the extreme case. By means of the (uniform) distribution of the product in the intermediate tank, the product will exit with the subsequent drive evenly through the openings, regardless of whether or not the openings are in the vicinity of the hole to the feeder channel. It is therefore no longer necessary to provide an "extra help" with a spatula to achieve a uniform distribution. In this case, the subsequent drive can take place in two different ways. On the one hand, the subsequent drive may obviously result in further feeding the product through the feeder channel. However, the subsequent drive can also take place by simply using the applicator device. If so, put and press (lightly) the applicator device with the applicator element on the skin, then the pressure increases due to a deformation of the applicator element and / or due to a movement of the applicator element in the direction of the support, in the space supplied by the applicator element of the support or in the whole product process, so that the product exits through the openings on the application surface. Obviously, this output of the product takes place in a distributed manner and manner (corresponding to the distribution of the openings) uniformly on the application surface. In addition, only one quantity of the product corresponding to the intermediate tank is released. The applicator element can have any shape. For example, it can be flat. Preferably, the applicator element is, however, vaulted in a rest position, for which the inner part of the dome forms a reception space for the product. This vaulted configuration has in particular the advantage that the product can be applied in a particularly precise manner. The applicator element preferably exhibits a cover whose outer surface constitutes the application surface. An advantage of this configuration lies in the fact that the applicator element has in this way a certain metallic stability and also barely wears with the use. The cover is thus according to the invention preferably made of plastic, metal and / or a ceramic material. These materials have not been successful lately because of the flat surface of application in the cosmetic industry, also with regard to cleaning / hygiene. Preferably, the cover exhibits a metal grid. The cover can have an eroded, granulated and / or corrugated outer surface according to the invention. The respective concave structures serve as additional intermediate deposits.

Preferably, the applicator element overlaps an outer edge of the support. In this way, it is achieved that the application surfaces are free of uncomfortable fastening elements, such as a fastening frame. It is therefore smooth and free of edges. Preferably according to the invention, the cover is elastic. In this way, it always recovers its resting position after being used. The cover can be maintained, according to the invention in a direction parallel to the feeder channel, movable with respect to the support. If pressure is exerted on the cover, with this configuration within its use, it moves in the direction of the support, with which the pressure in the space received by the product increases. More preferably according to the invention, the applicator element exhibits a foam rubber element, which is designed to receive the product and supply it again. In this way, a more uniform distribution of the product is achieved. Preferably according to the invention, it is further provided that the foam rubber element fills the reception space for the product at least partially. In this way, the product that enters the space joins. Additionally or alternatively to the foam rubber element, a textile element, which is designed to receive the product and supply it again, can also be provided according to the invention.

The textile element can also fill the receiving space for the product at least partially in this case. The foam rubber element and / or the textile element may exhibit a float. From this simple, the application properties are improved. In order to further improve the application properties, fibers according to the invention can be provided which protrude through the application surface towards the outside. The fibers can thus be extended through the openings. In this way, the application properties are further improved. Especially preferably according to the invention, it is provided that the openings are closed in a state of rest when the product is subjected to pressure. In other words, the openings act as a "valve Bunsen. "They open only when the product is driven from the space that serves as an intermediate tank to the application surface, they are closed on the contrary, so that there is then no danger detected, if it is found after use still a little bit of the product in the receiving space that serves as intermediate storage for the product.The surface of the support that limits the reception space for the product can be fundamentally discretionary.Preferably according to the mention, it is nevertheless concave, with which produces an especially larger reception space.

Finally, it can be provided according to the invention that the applicator surface of the applicator element is positioned obliquely to a main axis of the device. Such a configuration is advantageous in relation to handling. In the following, the invention will be described more fully in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the same: Figure 1 shows an axial longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention, Figure 2 shows a plan view on the applicator device according to Figure 1 on the applicator element, Figures 3 to 6 show axial views in longitudinal section of other embodiments of the applicator device according to the invention, figures 7 to 9 show plan views on other examples of embodiment of the applicator element and, figure 10 shows schematically a additional embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention, however in side view. The plunger device shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a reservoir 10 for a product 12. The reservoir 10 is shown only schematically. It can be treated like a cylinder, in which a plunger is driven obturably but displaceable. However, it can be treated in the case of the tank also of a container tube which is actuated by pressure. Since such a deposit is generally known (see, for example, document E.U.A.-A-2,442,503), it will not be explained more fully here. Together with the reservoir 10, the applicator device exhibits a support 14 according to figures 1 and 2. At the free support end 14, a front face 16 is concavely formed. The front face 16 is connected through a feeder channel 18 with the reservoir 10. At one edge 20 on the front face 16, a cover is fastened, for example by adhesion. In the case of the cover, it is for example a plastic in the form of foamed material with elastic properties such as rubber. In the cover 22, slits are made, for example by cutting, cutting, beating or laser machining, of which one is designated in FIG. 2 with the reference number 24. It is expressly indicated that the slits are not shown to scale. Actually, they are narrower compared to the other dimensions. The slits 24 are formed in such a way that they are closed in a state of rest, that is to say when no negative pressure prevails in a space 26 limited by the cover 22 on the one hand and the front surface 16 of the support 14 on the other hand, while which opens as a result of a negative pressure in the space 26 to let the product pass. In the case of cover 22, it can also be a fine mesh metal grid.

The manner of operation of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is as follows: Firstly, a pressure is produced in the reservoir 10, for example by actuating a piston under pressure on a container tube. This pressure causes the product 12 to be driven through the feeder channel 18 for space 26. Since the cover 22 represents some resistance to flow, the space 26 is filled by continuously driving the product 12 through the feeder channel 18, before the product 12 can pass through the openings or through the slits 24. Thus, the cover 22 is "inflated", that is to say it is bent outwards. However, if the space 26 is filled only once with the product 12, the product 12 is obtained with a pressure that continues to act uniformly through all the openings or the slits. Since the openings or the slits 24 are uniformly distributed through the cover 22 and therefore the front face 16 of the support 14, the product 12 is distributed uniformly uniformly on the outside of the cover 22, producing pressure only in the tank 10 or in the space 26. The additional use of a spatula or the like is not necessary. The configuration according to figure 3 corresponds essentially to that according to figures 1 and 2, whereby the front face 16 of the support 14 is certainly not concave but flat, while the cover 22 is domed. The space 26 fills a foam rubber element 28 partially in accordance with Figure 3a. The foamed material used in this case is open pore. It can be flocculated. In addition, fibers can be seen from the foam rubber element 28 through the openings 24. The cover is made of flexible material, for example plastic or metal. If pressure is applied during use on the cover 22, it is deformed in such a way that it adopts, for example, the shape shown in FIG. 3b. In this way, the foam rubber element 28 then completely fills the space 26 (which is left over). It can be compressed too. The pressure that thus originates in the space 26 causes the product 12 to reach the openings 24 on the outer side of the cover 22. In FIG. 3, the cover 22 is held on its edge by means of an element 12. 30. On the other hand, the configuration shown in Figure 4 provides that the cover 22 is immediately attached to the support 14. As shown in Figure 4b, the pressure in the space 26 can be raised because it is introduced into the cover 22 by tightening in the axial direction. In addition, the possibility of raising the pressure in the space 26 lies in diverting the cover 22 radially according to Figure 4, that is from left to right in Figure 4. Also the configuration according to Figure 4, can be provided that the space 26 is completely or partially filled with a foam rubber element 28. Instead of foaming, a textile element can also be used.

The configuration according to figure 5 differs from that according to figures 3 and 4 because the cover 22 is displaceable downwards to raise the pressure in the space 26 completely in the drawing. With regard to this displacement, it must not be unconditionally of a flexible material, such as metal or plastic, although these possibilities are not excluded. However, they can also be made from a non-flexible material, such as, for example, ceramic material. As it is deferred in figure 5a, the cover 22 can be displaced with respect to the support 14 over a distance d. The configuration according to Figure 6 corresponds in the broadest way to that according to Figures 3 and 4, however with the difference that the support 14 itself remains displaceable (in the drawing from top to bottom). The applicator element itself is formed in this configuration with the foam rubber element 28, which also extends down to the support 14, whereby the support 14 is extended in the direction of the foam rubber element 28. According to figures 7 and 9, the openings 24 can have the most diverse shapes. It is expressly pointed out that the openings 24 can have shapes different from those of figures 2 and 7 to 9. According to figures 7 and 9, the application surface is optionally round. However, it can also have any other shape, such as, for example, oval, rhomboid, triangular, square, rectangular, etc. Figure 10 shows schematically a further possibility of the orientation of the applicator element, which is formed in this case by the cover 22. The particularity is that the application surface of the applicator element is placed obliquely with a main axis 32. In the Exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 4 and 10, the applicator element or the cover 22 overlaps the outer edge of the support 14. In this way, the application surface is free of fastening elements for fixing the support cover 22 d 14 It is therefore smooth and free of edges. The characteristics of the invention set forth in the description, in the claims as well as in the drawings, can be essential both individually and in any combinations for carrying out the invention in its different modalities.

Claims (20)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - Device for applying a liquid, pasty or gel-like product (12) to the skin, with a reservoir (10) for the product (12), a support (14) connected to the reservoir (10) at least through a feeder channel (18) and an applicator element (22, 28) provided with several openings (24) for the product (12), whose outer surface constitutes an application surface, further characterized in that the applicator element (22, 28) is kept so flexible or so movable with respect to the support (14) that it can occupy at least one maneuvering position, in which it limits a space (26) together with the support (14) to receive a predetermined amount of the product (12) and which space (26) is reduced when the applicator element (22, 28) deforms and / or when the application element (22, 28) moves with respect to the support (14).

2. Device according to claim 1, further characterized in that the applicator element (22, 28) is domed in the rest position, whereby the front part of the dome forms the reception space (26) for the product of (12).

3. Device according to claim 1 to 2, further characterized in that the applicator element exhibits a cover (22), whose outer surface constitutes the application surface.

4. - Device according to claim 3, further characterized in that the cover (22) is made of plastic, metal and / or a ceramic material.

5. Device according to claim 4, further characterized in that the cover (22) exhibits a metal energy.

6. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, further characterized in that the cover (22) has an eroded, grainy and / or corrugated outer surface.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the applicator element (22, 28) overlaps an outer edge of the support (14).

8. Device according to one of claims 3 to 7, further characterized in that the cover (22) is elastic.

9. Device according to one of claims 3 to 10, further characterized in that the cover (22) is maintained in a direction parallel to the feeder (18) movable with respect to the support (14).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the applicator element (22, 28) exhibits a foam rubber element (28), which is designed to receive the product (12) and supply it again.

11. - Device according to one of claim 10, further characterized in that the foam rubber element (28) fills the reception space (26) for the product (12) at least partially.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the applicator element exhibits a textile element, which is designed to receive the product (12) and supply it again.

13. Device according to one of claim 12, further characterized in that the textile element fills the receiving space (26) for the product at least partially.

14. Device according to one of claims 10 to 13, further characterized by a flocculation on the foam rubber element and / or the textile element.

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further characterized by fibers protruding outwardly through the application surface.

16. Device according to one of claim 15, further characterized in that the fibers extend through the openings (24).

17. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the openings (24) are closed in a state of rest and open, when the product (12) is subjected to pressure.

18. - Device according to one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the support (14) remains movable with respect to the tank (10) and elastically extended in the direction from the tank (10).

19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the surface (16) of the support (14) that limits the receiving space (26) for the product (11) is concave.

20. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the application surface of the applicator element (22, 28) is positioned obliquely to a main axis (32) of the device.