Patent Application
20240245194
The present disclosure generally relates to a cosmetic dropper for applying a composition including a cosmetic, care or pharmaceutical composition, onto keratinous substrate such as skin, lips, under eyes, eyelids, cheeks, or any other part of the body. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the cosmetic dropper with a massaging ball for serving the purpose of massaging which includes a metal component made of a heat transfer material to transfer the heat or cold on contact with the user's keratinous substrate.
Devices exist for dispensing cosmetic, care or pharmaceutical compositions. Some cosmetic, care or pharmaceutical compositions may include therapeutic substances, such as topical anesthetics, analgesics, fragrances, menthol, or other substances that provide a soothing or stimulating sensation when applied onto the skin of a user. In addition to therapeutic substances, heat transfer treatments (e.g., application of heat and/or cold) are also known to provide a soothing or stimulating sensation when applied onto the skin of a user. These heat transfer treatments are done separately after applying the cosmetic composition onto the skin.
To avoid separate heat transfer treatments, various cosmetic packages are already known with the metal applicators. Metal applicators are used to transfer heat or cold sensation when a cosmetic composition is applied onto the skin. This is the case in particular for under eye care products for which manufacturers of cosmetic products consider that providing a cold effect on the skin when applying the composition allows to reduce wrinkles, remove under-eye bags, attenuate signs of fatigue, firm up or tighten the skin and/or make a person look momentarily younger.
Such benefits are linked to the effect of momentary constriction of blood vessels, resulting in decreased blood flow when the skin comes into contact with the composition providing a cold sensation upon application.
The known type of cosmetic packages with the metal applicators is having complicated assemblies to dispense cosmetic products. For example, pistons, valves or other parts are incorporated in the cosmetic package to control the flow of the low viscosity products. This type of complicated assembly is expensive hence not cost effective.
Thus, a simple structure for an applicator has been desired which is capable of not only transferring hot or cold at the time of application of the composition to the skin but also capable of dispense extra bulk and spreading the composition uniformly on the skin without the need of re-dipping the applicator for re-loading during usage. Further, a cosmetic dropper is desired which is comfortable and easier to use.
Accordingly, there is provided a cosmetic dropper which comprises a massage ball at a distal end of a cosmetic dispensing opening of a dropper.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cosmetic package for storing a cosmetic composition of a liquid or viscous nature. The cosmetic package includes a cosmetic dropper coupled to a cosmetic container. The cosmetic dropper further comprises an applicator member at its dispensing end.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cosmetic dropper comprises a bulb portion, a pipe, the applicator member, and a cap. The bulb portion is pneumatically connected with the pipe for generating a pressure change for the suction of the cosmetic composition into the pipe. The pipe is connected to the applicator member at its distal end and to the bulb portion at the proximal end for suction of the cosmetic composition into the pipe. The cap is ring shaped and has internal threads which are threadedly engageable on the neck of the container. More particularly, the inner side of the cap has a screw threads which are corresponding to the threads of the neck.
According to a preferred embodiment, cosmetic container and the cosmetic dropper are removably engaged to each other by screwing together threads on the cap and the neck of the container. This is merely one example. Other methods such as a snap fit or an interference fit may be applied for securing the cosmetic container to the cosmetic dropper according to embodiments of the disclosure.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the cap includes a central hole through which a major portion of the bulb portion projects at a proximal end portion of the cosmetic dropper. Thus, the bulb portion is arranged majorly at the upper side of the cap. Further, the bulb portion includes an annular bottom sealing stopper which is received beneath a top surface of the cap, so that when the cap is tightened the stopper is clamped sealingly on a top rim of the container neck. A proximal end portion of the pipe extends through the through central hole of the cap and is connected to the bulb portion. Thus, the pipe is arranged majorly down side of the top surface of the cap.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the bulb portion is made of a soft material such as rubber for example, which is could be pressed easily to compress the bulb to pneumatically move substance into and out of the pipe. The bulb portion is formed to have a predetermined height on the upper side of the cap and can be formed of a soft material such as rubber as described above, so that the user can easily grasp the bulb section. If the user presses the bulb portion, the bulb portion compresses, and discharges the inside air through the pipe, and when pressing pressure on the bulb portion is released, the bulb portion expands to suck external cosmetic through the pipe. Thus, the user can use to adjust the force applied to the bulb portion to regulate the amount of the cosmetic composition discharged from the cosmetic dropper according to the need of the user.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the distal end portion of the pipe can be formed in a shape in which the cross-section further widens. In alternate embodiments, a diameter or a width of the pipe may remain substantially same throughout its length.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the pipe has a cylindrical shape portion defined at the proximal end portion of the pipe and a truncated cone portion defined at a distal end portion of the pipe, and wherein the diameter of the truncated cone portion increases towards the distal end of the pipe. The pipe has a reservoir space where the cosmetic composition is stored after suction from the cosmetic container, and truncated cone portion of the pipe has a solid region provided with at least one feed channel and a fitment groove formed therein.
Further, the at least one feed channel of the pipe opens into at least one dispensing opening on a distal end surface of the pipe. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is generally preferred that there be three longitudinal feed channels with respective three dispensing openings, each dispensing opening circumferentially spaced at the distal end surface of the pipe. The feed channels, each has a narrow width so that the cosmetic can be raised easily and sucked by increasing the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the pipe. Each of the feed-channels has the same width throughout its length. In alternate embodiments, the width of the feed-channels may vary along their length.
Furthermore, the fitment groove of the pipe extends longitudinally in the solid region and defines an opening on the distal end surface of the pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the fitment groove is concentric located at the distal end of surface of the pipe and defines a central opening on the distal end face of the pipe. However, in alternate embodiments the fitment groove may not be concentric located at the distal end of surface of the pipe. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the applicator member comprises a massage ball and a fitment pin extending away from the outer surface of the massage ball. The massage ball is spherical in shape, having a first radius of curvature. However, in alternate embodiments, the massage ball may be non-spherical or of any other shape known in the art. Further, the fitment pin is a cylindrical rod. However, in alternate embodiments, the fitment pin may be non-cylindrical and is of any shape known in the art.
According to preferred embodiment, a diameter of the massage ball is greater than a diameter of the fitment groove of the pipe, therefore, when the applicator member is inserted into the fitment groove of the pipe, the massage ball is retained outside the fitment groove at the distal end surface of the pipe. The massage ball is firmly and non-rotatably seated on the distal end surface of the pipe.
According to preferred embodiment, the fitment pin of the applicator member is push fit into the corresponding fitment groove of the pipe for coupling said applicator member to the pipe in a non-rotatable manner, and wherein the massage ball is retained outside the fitment groove at the distal end surface of the pipe by an interference fit between the fitment groove and the fitment pin. The distal end surface of the pipe is a ball-contacting surface which is concave to receive the massage ball of the applicator member. In other words, the distal end surface of the pipe is preferably formed with a generally concave surface conforming to the surface of the massage ball. Where the massage ball is spherical with a first radius of curvature, the distal end surface also has a spherical curvature with a second radius of curvature to conform closely with the surface of the massage ball. In the concave surface, there is a plurality of protrusions which protrude sufficiently from the concave surface of the distal end surface to provide a clearance space between an outer surface of the massage ball and the concave distal end surface of the pipe. The plurality of protrusions is circumferentially disposed at the distal end surface of the pipe. More particularly, the clearance space is provided between the outer surface of the massage ball and the concave surface of the pipe except for those areas where the plurality of protrusions is in contact with the massage ball. This resulting clearance permits the cosmetic composition to pass freely through the pipe to the outer surface of the massage ball.
The pipe may be formed to have a predetermined thickness in a circular or polygonal tube, and the material of the pipe may be a transparent glass or plastic which confirms the contents of the pipe.
It is generally preferred that there be three circumferentially disposed protrusions, each spaced alternately around the three dispensing openings of the three feed channels of the pipe.
According to the present disclosure, it is preferably chosen that the massage ball is capable of storing and retaining thermal energy, i.e. the massage ball preferably has high thermal capacity. The massage ball and the fitment pin may be formed of at least one of a metal material, a synthetic resin material, a ceramic material, a stone, and a glass material. The massage ball is made preferably of a metallic material. The massage ball may transfer a cool sensation to the user's skin. Preferably, the massage ball is designed to apply the cosmetic composition to a particularly sensitive area, such as an eye contour area.
For applying the cosmetic composition to skin, the user first applies an external force by pressing the bulb portion and releasing it, thereby forming a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the pipe for sucking a desired volume of the cosmetic composition inside the pipe. The cosmetic dropper is then removed from the container in order to use the cosmetic composition accommodated in the pipe having the massage ball assembled with it by the above-described method. Thereafter, the cosmetic composition is applied to the skin using the ball of the cosmetic dropper. At this time, the massage ball is in contact with the skin of the user so that the cosmetic application, the cooling of the skin, and massage effect can be given at the same time. Further, sufficient amount of the cosmetic may be released from the pipe by pressing the bulb portion. Thus, re-dipping or re-loading is avoided during application and the massage ball may be re-dosed continuously without a break in usage. The cosmetic passes onto the massage ball through the three openings on the concave distal end surface of the pipe.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cosmetic container and the cap may be made of a rigid material like glass, metal, hard plastic or any other material known in the art. However, in alternate embodiments, the cosmetic container and the cap may be made of a flexible material like flexible polymeric material or any other material known in the art.
The cosmetic container may include a main body that forms a storage space for cosmetic and a neck that form an opening for the insertion of cosmetic dropper of the cosmetic composition. The outer peripheral surface of the neck can have a screw thread is formed for engagement with corresponding threads of the cosmetic dropper.
A wiper may be inserted in the neck of the cosmetic container for wiping off excess cosmetic from the pipe and applicator member. In other examples, the neck of the cosmetic container may be devoid of a wiper structure. In such an example, any excess cosmetic may be drained as the cosmetic dropper is removed from the cosmetic container. The cosmetic container may have any predetermined three-dimensional shape capable of providing storage space in which the cosmetic composition is stored.
The present disclosure is not limited to, the broadest in accordance with the basic idea disclosed herein. It should be interpreted as having a range. Skilled artisans may implement the pattern of the non-timely manner by combining, replacement of the disclosed embodiments shape, this would also do not depart from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art may readily change or modifications to the disclosed embodiments, based on the present specification, such changes or modifications also belong to the scope of the present disclosure will be apparent.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become clear from the following description of the preferred embodiments when the same is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Throughout this specification, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising” and the like, shall consistently mean that a collection of objects is not limited to those objects specifically recited. The term “proximal” refers to the part of an object closest to the user's hand when the user holds the object during use. The term “distal” refers to the part of the object farthest from the user's hand when the user holds the object during use.
The cosmetic container 10 may have any predetermined three-dimensional shape capable of providing a storage space in which the cosmetic composition is stored, in the exemplary embodiment seen in
The cosmetic container 10 may include a main body that forms a storage space for the cosmetic composition and a neck 12 that form an opening for the insertion of the cosmetic dropper 20 of the cosmetic composition. The outer peripheral surface of the neck 12 can have a screw thread 12a that is formed for engagement with corresponding threads 21a of the cosmetic dropper 20.
As seen in
In the example shown in
In this embodiment, described with reference to the combination of the cosmetic container 10 and the cosmetic dropper 20, the dropper 20 is removably engaged to the container 10 by screwing threads 12a and 21a into engagement with one another. According to other embodiments, dropper 20 may be removably connected with container 10, for example, by a snap fit, an interference fit or other methods known in the field of the disclosure.
Referring to
In this embodiment, the bulb portion 22 is made of a soft material or a flexible and resilient material, such as rubber that can be easily compressed and that will resiliently re-expand when a compressive force is removed.
As seen in
In this embodiment example, as shown in
As shown in
Furthermore, the fitment groove 27 extends longitudinally in the solid region defined in the truncated cone portion 23b of the pipe 23 and defines an opening 3 on the distal end surface 29 of the pipe 23. In the exemplary embodiment, the fitment groove 27 is concentric and defines a central opening 3 on the distal end face 29 of the pipe 23. In alternate embodiments, the fitment groove 27 and corresponding opening 3 may not be centrically located in the pipe 23.
Further, referring to
A diameter of the massage ball 26a is greater than a diameter of the fitment groove 27 of the pipe 23 therefore when the applicator member 26 is inserted into the fitment groove 27 of the pipe 23, the massage ball 26a retains outside the fitment groove 27 at the distal end face 29 of the pipe 23. The massage ball 26a as shown more particularly in
Preferably, the fitment pin 26b of the applicator member 26 is push fit into the corresponding fitment groove 27 of the pipe 23 for coupling said applicator member 26 to the pipe 23 in a non-rotatable manner, and wherein the massage ball 26a is retained outside the fitment groove 27 at the distal end surface 29 of the pipe 23. In alternate embodiments, the fitment pin 26b is secured within the fitment groove 27 by other securing means known in the field of the disclosure. As seen in
It is generally preferred that there be three circumferentially disposed protrusions 31, each spaced alternately around the three dispensing openings 2 of the three feed channels of the pipe 23, as illustrated in
According to the present disclosure, it is preferably chosen that the massage ball 26a is capable of storing and retaining thermal energy, i.e. the massage ball 26a preferably has high thermal capacity. The massage ball 26a and the fitment pin 26b may be formed of at least one of a metal material, a synthetic resin material, a ceramic material, a stone, and a glass material. In this case, the massage ball 26a is made preferably of a metallic material. The metal may be stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, brass, silver, gold, steel, carbon, carbon fiber, nickel, tin, copper, brass, and alloys thereof. The massage ball 26a may transfer a cool sensation to the user's skin. Preferably, the massage ball 26a is designed to apply the cosmetic composition to a particularly sensitive area, such as an eye contour area.
For applying the cosmetic composition to skin, the user first applies an external force by pressing the bulb portion 22 and releasing the bulb, which resiliently expands to form a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the pipe 23 for sucking a desired volume of the cosmetic composition inside the pipe 23. The cosmetic dropper 20 is then removed from the container 10 in order to use the cosmetic composition accommodated in the pipe 23 having the massage ball 26a assembled with it by the above-described method. Thereafter, the cosmetic composition is applied to the skin using the massage ball 26a of the cosmetic dropper 20. At this time, the massage ball 26a is in contact with the skin of the user so that the cosmetic application, the cooling of the skin, and massage effect can be given at the same time. Further, sufficient amount of the cosmetic composition may be released from the pipe 23 by pressing the bulb portion 22. Thus, re-dipping or re-loading is avoided during application and the massage ball 26a may be re-dosed continuously without a break in usage.
The pipe 23 of the present disclosure may be formed to have a predetermined thickness circular or polygonal tube, and the material of the pipe 23 may be transparent glass or plastic can confirm the contents of the pipe 23.
According to an embodiment, the cosmetic container 10 and the cap 21 may be made of a rigid material like glass, metal, hard plastic or any other material known in the art. However, in alternate embodiments, the cosmetic container 10 and the cap 21 may be made of a flexible material like flexible polymeric material or any other material known in the art.
As with previous embodiments, dropper 120 includes a bulb portion 122 at a proximal end. Bulb portion 122 is formed from a resilient material, such as rubber or elastomer, that can be easily deformed when a user presses on the bulb and that resumes its original shape when force is released. Bulb portion 122 has a hollow interior space. Deforming bulb portion 122 displaces air from the interior of the bulb portion. Extension 122a extends from bulb portion 122. As shown in
As shown in
As with previous embodiments, dropper 120 includes cap 121. Threads on the inner surface of cap 121 engage with threads on the outer surface of container 110 to removably engage dropper 120 with container 110, as shown in
Applicator member 126 is provided at the distal end of pipe 123.
Engagement opening 127 includes snap fit groove 127a along the inside surface, as shown in
In the embodiment of
According to another embodiment, the proximal surface of applicator member 126 substantially conforms to the shape of concave surface 129. In this embodiment, no gap is provided between the distal end of pipe 123 and the proximal surface of applicator member 126.
In operation, dropper 120 is inserted into container 110, as shown in
To apply the cosmetic composition, the user applies force to the bulb portion 122, displacing a selected portion of the cosmetic composition in the distal direction along storage cavity 123c. The composition flows through feed channels 125 and across application surface 126a. The user applies the composition, for example, to the user's skin by touching application surface 126a to the skin.
As with previous embodiments, applicator member 126 may be formed from materials that store and retain thermal energy, such as from a metal material, a synthetic resin material, a ceramic material, a stone, and a glass material. According to these embodiments, heat transferred between applicator member 126 and the user's skin provides a cooling sensation.
According to other embodiments, applicator member 126 is formed from a polymer material that provides a selected flexibility. According to this embodiment, gap 131 allows applicator member 126 to flex with respect to pipe 123. This flexibility may provide a feeling of softness to the user's skin when the cosmetic composition is applied. According to one embodiment, applicator member 126 is formed from an elastomer such as Hytrel polyester thermoplastic.
According to a further embodiment, as shown in
The present disclosure is not limited to these particular embodiments but encompasses the broadest aspects of the basic ideas disclosed herein. The present disclosure should be interpreted as showing a range of exemplary embodiments. Should skilled artisans implement designs along the lines of the ideas disclosed, for example, by combining elements, replacing elements with other structures, or modifying shapes of elements of the illustrative embodiments, this would not depart from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, should those skilled in the art change or make modifications to the disclosed embodiments, based on the present specification, such changes or modifications also belong to the scope of the present disclosure.
Although, the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the present disclosure. It is therefore intended that the appended claims be construed to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201911024902 | Jun 2019 | IN | national |
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 201911024902, filed on Jun. 23, 2019. This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/899,858, filed Jun. 12, 2020. The disclosure of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17541785 | Dec 2021 | US |
| Child | 18624719 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16899858 | Jun 2020 | US |
| Child | 17541785 | US |
