Patent Application
20170181526
The present invention generally relates to a container for holding a composition, and more particularly relates to a container for holding a composition that includes a rubbing element to facilitate application of the composition to a surface.
Compositions, such as personal care compositions, are a regular part of many people's lives. For example, such personal care compositions may include ingredients to remove odor, cleanse, moisturize or otherwise promote the health of a user's skin. Examples of such compositions include body washes, soaps, cleansing gels and the like. Such compositions also include compositions to be applied to other parts of an individual such as the hair. For example hair fixatives, hair colorants, and other hair treatments are applied to enhance the health and beauty of one's hair. Still further such compositions may even be used on non-human users such as animals.
These compositions are held in containers, and in some examples, the containers are used directly in application of the composition. For example, a deodorant composition is housed in a container and the container with corresponding housing is placed against the skin and moved across the skin. The friction force form the motion of the composition against the skin dislodges portions of the composition leaving them on the skin to perform their intended function.
The proper and thorough application of these compositions impacts their efficacy in cleaning, de-odorizing or carrying out any function. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a container that aids, and even improves, the application of the composition to the surface, such as a skin surface. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.
A device for applying a composition to a surface is described. The device includes a container for holding the composition. The container has at least one opening through which the composition is dispensed and applied to the surface. The device also includes at least one rubbing element disposed on an external surface of the container. The at least one rubbing element facilitates, and improves, application of the composition to the surface.
The present application also describes a device for applying a composition to a surface. The device includes a container for holding the composition. The container has at least one opening through which the composition is applied to the surface. The device also includes at least one antimicrobial rubbing element. The antimicrobial rubbing element is disposed on an external surface of the container that surrounds the at least one opening. The at least one antimicrobial rubbing element facilitates application of the composition to the surface.
The present disclosure also describes a personal care composition application device. The device includes a container for holding the composition. The container includes at least one opening through which the personal care composition is applied to the surface. The device also includes at least one antimicrobial protrusion disposed on an external surface of the container that surrounds the at least one opening. The at least one antimicrobial protrusion facilitates application of the composition to the surface. The device also includes a dispenser to push the personal care composition out of the container and a grip element to enhance friction when the device is held by a user.
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and
The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention.
As described above, compositions, and personal care compositions in particular, are commonly used by most individuals. Such compositions are applied regularly applied every day, with some compositions being applied multiple times per day. Proper application of the composition to the surface enhances the cleansing function, or other function for which the composition is intended. This enhanced function promotes customer satisfaction and therefore could potentially result in increased profits for the entity that enhances the composition.
Accordingly, the principles described herein provide a container that includes at least one rubbing element. The rubbing element(s) on the container enhance the application of the composition to a surface, such as a skin surface. The rubbing element does this via a number of mechanisms. For example, the rubbing element(s) may incorporate oxygen into the composition to generate a foam thereby increasing the cleaning effect. In another example, the rubbing element(s) separate fibers such as hair strands to allow the composition to penetrate deeper into the hair. Still further, the rubbing element(s) may exfoliate skin, again allowing a composition to penetrate deeper onto a skin surface.
Accordingly, the container disclosed herein may improve the efficacy of a composition disposed therein by enhancing the application of the composition via the rubbing element(s).
As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term “irregularities” refers broadly to any mechanism used to incorporate, or apply, the composition onto a surface. Examples of such irregularities include columns, bristles, bumps, or other protrusions from the device.
Further, as used in the present specification and in the appended claims, the term “a number of” or similar language may include any positive number, including one to infinity; zero not being a number, but the absence of a number.
Turning now to the figures,
Any appropriate type of container (100) may be used to hold and apply the composition (104) to skin. For example, a container (100) with an oval cross section may be used to hold the composition (104). Also, a container (100) with a more cylindrical cross section may be used in some examples. The container (100) may have any appropriate shape in accordance with the principles described herein. The container (100) may be sized to fit in the hand of a user. For example, the container (100) may be the size of a deodorant stick such that it can be applied by a single hand of a user.
The container (100) may be formed of plastic or another suitable material that retains an amount of the composition (104). Accordingly, the container (100) may be formed using any number of methods including blow molding, injection molding, and injection blow molding in addition to other forming operations.
In some examples, the container (100) includes a protective cover such as a lid. During use, the lid of the container (100) is removed and the composition (104) exposed for application to a surface. When not in use, the lid of the container (100) is replaced such that the device can be cleanly transported without depositing the composition (104) on any bag or other transport device that may be holding the container (100) and composition (104). Via the container (100), a user applies the composition (104) to skin or another surface by rubbing the composition (104) across the skin, hair or other application surface. While specific reference is made to skin and hair, the composition (104) may be applied to other surfaces such as animal skin and animal hair/fur.
The device includes at least one rubbing element (102). For simplicity a single instance of a rubbing element (102) is indicated with a reference number. The rubbing element(s) (102) are disposed on an external surface of the container (100) and facilitates application of the composition (104) to the surface. During use, a user positions the rubbing element(s) (102) against a surface and via hand movement, applies the composition (104) to the skin. The movement also deforms the rubbing element (102) to facilitate enhanced application via abrasion, exfoliation, separation of fibers, and foam generation.
The rubbing element (102) may take multiple forms. For example, the rubbing element (102) may include at least one protrusion such as those depicted in
While
The rubbing element(s) (102) facilitate, and enhance, the deposition of the composition (104) on a surface. For example, when the composition (104) is applied to hair, the rubbing element(s) (102) displace different hair strands to allow the composition (104) to penetrate deeper into the hair fibers. In another example, when the composition (104) is applied to skin, the rubbing element(s) (102) exfoliate skin particles to allow the composition (104) to more deeply penetrate the dermis. Still further, the rubbing element(s) (102) may mix the composition (104) with oxygen to increase the effect of the composition (104) by increasing a foaming effect of the composition (104). In yet another example, the rubbing element(s) (102) facilitate abrasive cleaning when the composition (104) is applied to the surface.
The rubbing element(s) (102) may have different characteristics. For example, the rubbing element(s) (102) may be of different types including a sponge, a foam material, a loofah, or protrusions form a surface of the container (100). The rubbing element(s) (102) may be made out of a number of materials including silicone. The protrusion type rubbing element(s) (102) and other rubbing element (102) types may have different properties. The properties of the rubbing element(s) (102) are selected based on a number of criteria including at least a composition (104) type and a surface type. Examples of such properties include a durometer, or softness of the rubbing element (102). The durometer of the rubbing element(s) (102) defines how a rubbing element (102) bends in response to a force. Another example of a property includes a coefficient of friction of the rubbing element(s) (102). The coefficient of friction of a rubbing element (102) indicates a frictional force applied on a surface by the rubbing element (102). In yet another example, a profile of the rubbing element (102) is selected based on one of the criteria. A profile of a rubbing element (102) refers to the cross-sectional shape, size, and overall dimension of a rubbing element (102). In yet another example, the quantity of rubbing element(s) (102) disposed on the container (102) may be selected based on the composition type or surface type.
Another property of the rubbing element(s) (102) that may be selected is the material of the rubbing element (102). For example, the rubbing element may be formed from a silicon material, a rubber material, or a plastic material, each material being selected to satisfy different criteria. The rubbing element(s) (102) are formed of a different material than the container (100). For example, the container (100) is formed of a material that is rigid and stiff, while the rubbing element(s) (102) is formed of a material that deforms when a force is applied, for example, the force of moving the container (100), and specifically the composition (104) against the surface. In any of these cases, the rubbing element(s) (102) maybe coated with, or formed from, an antimicrobial material so as to prevent the contamination of the composition (104) and the device from microbial contaminants. More specifically, when not in use, remaining moisture on the rubbing element(s) (102) or in the environment surrounding the rubbing element(s) (102), such as a shower, may facilitate bacterial growth. This bacterial growth may inhibit, the effect of the rubbing element(s) (102) and the sight and smell of such bacteria may prompt a user to discard the rubbing element(s) (102). Accordingly, an antimicrobial material of the rubbing element(s) (102) reduces, or prevents, this bacterial growth on the rubbing element(s) (102) itself.
Including the rubbing element(s) (102) on the container (100) is beneficial in that it provides a single device that 1) contains the composition (104) and 2) enhances the application, and thereby the efficacy, of the composition (104). Such an inclusion of the rubbing element(s) (102) on a container (100) is unique in the field.
As described the container (100) includes a composition (104). The composition (104) may be used for various purposes and may take various forms. For example, the composition (104) may be intended to be applied to skin. Examples, of compositions (104) that are applied to skin include, but are not limited to, a body wash, a face wash, a hand wash, an acne treatment, a soap, a lotion, a sun blocking agent, an antiperspirant composition, a deodorant composition, an antiperspirant and deodorant composition, and a shaving cream. In other examples, the composition (104) is intended to be applied to hair. Examples of such hair compositions (104) include, but are not limited to a hair fixative, a hair conditioner, and an anti-frizz hair treatment. While specific examples are given to specific types of compositions (104) and different surfaces to which the composition (104) is applied, the composition (104) may be any number of different types of compositions (104) applied to any number of different surfaces, surfaces such as animal skin and animal hair/fur.
The composition (104) may be a semi-solid composition (104). A semi-solid composition (104) is a composition (104) that is not hard. In other words, the composition (104) may be a soft solid. A solid, or semi-solid, composition (104) maintains a defined shape when not in the container (104). For example, the composition (104) may be a semi-solid soap stick. As a soft, or semi, solid, the particles of the composition (104) to not have sufficient inter-particulate cohesion to overcome the force of friction. In other words, as the composition (104) is moved over a surface such as skin, the friction force between the skin and the composition (104) is greater than the cohesive bonds between the particles of the composition (104) such that those particles are deposited on the surface and then carry out their intended function, whether that function be a cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, odor-reducing, or antiperspirant function.
In other examples, the composition (104) may not have a form when not included in a container (100). In other words, the composition (104) may be a gel composition (104) or a powder composition (104). As will be described in connection with
In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, the composition (104) may include other ingredients to improve the application aesthetics, contact aesthetics, or other characteristics of the composition (104). For example, the composition (104) may include a structurant. A structurant may be any compound or mixture configured to give shape, or structure to the composition (104). Accordingly, the composition (104) may include any compound or mixture that is configured to give shape, or structure to the composition (104). Other examples of ingredients in the composition (104) include an emollient, an anti-bacterial additive, a dye, an antioxidant, a fragrance, a moisturizer, a skin conditioner, a pigment, and a preservative.
As with the example depicted in
While
Again, the top surface (208) having a grate of openings (210) includes many benefit including increasing the surface area on which rubbing element(s) (102) can be placed and therefore allows for more rubbing element(s) (102) to be placed on the container. This increased number of rubbing element(s) (102) further increases the efficacy of the composition (104) by even further agitating, exfoliating, separating, or otherwise enhancing the application of the composition (104) to the skin. Such a top surface (208) with rubbing element(s) (102) disposed thereon is unique to the field.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
