The invention relates to a cosmetics unit, comprising a storage container for receiving a cosmetic substance therein, an applicator that can be immersed into the cosmetic substance, and an adjustable wiper part unit disposed on a container opening of the storage container, for wiping off cosmetic substance from the applicator.
Such cosmetics units comprising an adjustable wiper part unit are already known, for example from U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,848, U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,743, U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,376, U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,928, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,300, DE 35 13 025 C2 and EP 1 714 579 B1. In the case of these known wipers, a wiper opening can be adjusted in such a way that, when the applicator is pulled through the wiper, a varying amount of cosmetic substance is wiped off so that an amount of the cosmetic substance which is adjustable to some degree remains on the applicator and a variable application can be accomplished.
The wiper opening is varied in different ways in the known adjustable wiper part units. A variant in which the wiper member is twisted is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,848. However, a uniform wiping action is thus not ensured anymore. In another variant, which is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,376, the position of the wiper member is changed relative to another component also provided with an opening, so that the free wiper opening resulting in total is varied with regard to its surface area. In other designs, which are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,743, U.S. Pat. No. 4,433,928, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,300 and DE 35 13 025 C2, the wiper member is guided along another guiding component, or such a guiding component is urged against the wiper member so that the result in each case is a change of the surface area of the wiper opening.
In the solutions described in the prior art, it may happen that an adjustment is not possible anymore, especially after extended use and after one and the same size of the wiper opening has been set for some length of time. This may be the result of the cosmetic substance getting stuck on the wiper member and/or of a (partial) loss of resilience of the wiper.
It is thus the object of the invention to provide a cosmetics unit of the type mentioned above which ensures a lasting adjustability of the wiper part unit.
A cosmetics unit is specified in order to achieve this object. Essential aspects of this cosmetics unit according to the invention are that the wiper part unit is constructed of several separate components, with a firm connection between the lower axial peripheral zone of the wiper with the storage container and the upper axial peripheral zone of the wiper with the neck part being provided nevertheless. In particular, this connection is configured to be so firm that it does not become detached during normal use of the cosmetics unit according to the invention, even after a longer period of use and, above all, even after several adjustments of the wiper part unit. This firm link of the wiper to the two axially adjacent components, i.e. the storage container and the neck part, causes the wiper to be carried along inexorably in the case of a change of the distance between the container opening and the neck part caused by means of the adjustment sleeve, with this guidance having an effect both in the direction of a decreasing distance as well as in the direction of an increasing distance. A lasting adjustability of the cosmetics unit according to the invention is thus provided, even if the wiper part unit has not been adjusted for some time, or if the wiper has lost part of its resilience due to ageing. The guidance provided because of the firm connection with the adjacent components also works in those situations, so that the surface area of the opening of the wiper opening can also be altered even then in the cosmetics unit according to the invention.
The latching groove-latching bead connections described herein constitute a simple, but lastingly effective firm connection between the wiper and the respectively adjacent component, i.e. the storage container and the neck part, respectively.
Because of the throat provided in certain embodiments, the wiper is deformed particularly efficiently especially in the area of the wiper opening if a tractive or compressive force is applied in the axial direction, i.e. in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the cosmetics unit. The surface area of the wiper opening thus changes as desired. Except for the applicator disposed on the inside and its stem, the throat of the wiper is in no immediate contact with any other element of the cosmetics unit, particularly not on the outside of the wiper. In the cosmetics unit according to the invention, a change of the surface area of the wiper opening is generally accomplished without guides, i.e. without any contact with guide components, which in known cosmetics units otherwise cause a change of the wiper opening by means of appropriate resting surfaces. The variation of the surface area of the wiper opening is the result of an inherent deformation in the area of the throat exclusively due to a tractive or compressive force acting axially on the wiper.
The effect of certain embodiments is that the position of the storage container and the neck part relative to each other can only be changed in the axial direction. A relative change in position in the circumferential direction, however, is prevented by the coupling web engaging with the wall recess.
The sleeve thread provided in certain embodiments translates a rotational movement into a longitudinal movement in a simple manner, so that the desired tractive or compressive force can be applied onto the wiper in an axial direction.
Certain embodiments prevent the sleeve thread from over-twisting and thus the cosmetics unit from being destroyed.
The positive guides in certain embodiments ensure that, when the adjustment sleeve is rotated, the neck part is axially displaced upwards or downwards relative to the storage container, independent from the direction of rotation. Thus, the positive guide in particular acts in both directions, that is, in both directions of rotation relative to the adjustment sleeve, and in both axial directions relative to the neck part and the storage container.
Other objects, advantages and details of the invention become apparent from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings.
Parts corresponding to one another are provided with the same reference numerals in the
The exemplary embodiment of a cosmetics unit 1 shown in
As is apparent in particular from the longitudinal sectional representation according to
The sealing member 12 also has a hollow-cylindrical appendage which is inserted into an opening of the neck part 10 and is secured there by means of an annular bead latching into an associated annular groove 13 (see
Annular groove-annular bead connections are also provided between the wiper 9 and the storage container 2 as well as the neck part 10. A securing bead 15 extends circumferentially on an upper axial peripheral zone 14 on an outer wall of the wiper 9 (see
The container neck 19 comprises to wall recesses 23 and 24, which, starting from the axial upper edge or end, on the side of the opening, of the storage container 2 or the container neck 19, respectively, extend downwardly in an axial direction, that is, in the direction of the central longitudinal axis 8, towards the bottom of the container (see
Two coupling webs 25 and 26, the shape of which is adapted to that of the wall recesses 23 and 24, are formed on the underside of the neck part 10. The coupling webs 25 and 26 extend downwardly in the axial direction on the axial end of the neck part 10 on the side of the wiper (see
The neck part 10 is provided in its upper half with an external double thread 27 onto which the thread insert 6, which is firmly inserted into the cap 7 and has a corresponding internal thread, can be screwed. Furthermore, at least one latching projection 28 is also provided in this area which audibly and tangibly snaps into a corresponding latching recess not shown in more detail, when the cap 7 is completely screwed on, which indicates to the user that the cosmetics unit 1 is now closed correctly. Moreover, this latching mechanism (click-close-system) prevents the cosmetics unit 1 from opening by itself.
The adjustment sleeve 11, which is visible and operable from the outside, is rotatably mounted both on the neck part 10 as well as on the container neck 19. In addition to the wiper 9, it establishes another connection between the storage container 2 and the neck part 10. This connection is movable. The adjustment sleeve 11 surrounds a container opening 19a of the storage container 2 at the upper edge of the container neck 19 and the wiper 9 and also, at least to some extent, the neck part 10.
In order to be rotatably mounted on the neck part 10, the adjustment sleeve 11 has on its upper axial edge an inwardly directed annular projection 29 extending circumferentially on the inner wall of the adjustment sleeve 11. In the assembled state, this annular projection 29 rests on a corresponding shoulder 30 which is also provided extending circumferentially on the outside of the neck part 10 (see
In the lower half, the adjustment sleeve 11 comprises coupling or bearing members intended for coupling with the container neck 19. These are thread projections 33, 34, 35 and 36 protruding on the inner wall, which are disposed in pairs, axially next to each other, and axially separated by a pitch of thread 37 or 38, respectively. The two pairs of thread projections 33 and 34 on the one hand and 35 and 36 on the other hand are disposed offset relative to each other by 180° in the circumferential direction. In the assembled state, threaded segments 39 and 40 of an external thread disposed on the container neck 19 are guided in the thread pitches 37 and 38. As is apparent from
The thread projections 33 to 36 are beveled on their side facing the lower axial edge of the adjustment sleeve 11. The threaded segments 39 to 40 of their side facing the upper axial edge of the storage container 2 are also beveled accordingly. Thus, the adjustment sleeve 11 can simply be snapped over the threaded segments 39, 40. Since no comparable beveling is provided on the other sides of the thread projections 33 to 36 and of the threaded segments 39 and 40, the adjustment sleeve 11 cannot be pulled off from the storage container 2 without being damaged once it has been mounted. Thus, in the axial direction, the adjustment sleeve 11 is firmly but rotatably connected to the storage container 2. Due to the annular projection 29 and the shoulder 30, the same also applies to the connection between the adjustment sleeve 11 and the neck part 10. The engaging thread projections 33 to 36 and threaded segments 39, 40 form a positive guide between the adjustment sleeve 11 and the storage container 2 in both axial directions.
Because of the thread of the sleeve provided between the container neck 19 and the adjustment sleeve 11, a rotational movement of the adjustment sleeve 11 is translated into an axial movement between the storage container 2 on the one hand and the adjustment sleeve 11 as well as the neck part 10 axially coupled with the adjustment sleeve 11 on the other hand. By means of an appropriate twisting of the adjustment sleeve 11, the neck part 10 can in particular be drawn closer to the storage container 2, whereby an axial compressive force is exerted on the wiper 9. With the reduction of the axial distance between the neck part 10 and the storage container 2, the axial dimension of the wiper 9 is also reduced. This results in a change, in particular a decrease in size of a wiper opening 44 formed in the central area of the wiper 9. In this place, the wiper 9 has an annular throat 45 so that the wiper 9 has the approximate shape of a hyperboloid in this area. In the area of the throat 45, the wiper 9 shown in
In principle, other developments of the wiper opening 44 are also possible. In a wiper 47 shown in
The wipers 9 and 47 consist of a flexible material, such as rubber or silicone. The wipers 9 and 47, in the central area, are not configured completely symmetrical to the plane of the wiper openings 44 and 48, respectively. For instance, the wall thickness of the wiper 9 and 47, respectively, in the area of the throat 45 is larger above the throat 45 than below it. A wiping force is thereby ensured which acts in the opposite direction to the movement of the applicator 4 when the applicator 4 is pulled out. Moreover, the wiper 9 or 47, respectively, extends towards the wiper opening 44 or 48, respectively, with a frustoconical lower portion, whereas the upper portion extending towards the wiper opening 44 or 48, respectively, is configured in a bulged manner, in particular with a curvature towards the outside.
The wiper openings 44 and 48 can be altered by means of the mechanism of action already described. The opening area of the wiper opening 44 or 48, respectively, is reduced due to the compression of the wiper 9 or 47, respectively. In the slotted embodiment of the wiper 9, a diameter D of the opening of the wiper opening can be reduced by up to 2.5 mm, in particular by up to 2.2 mm. In a preferred embodiment shown in the
In the non-slotted embodiment of the wiper 47, the capacity for adjustment for the opening diameter D is approximately 1.5 mm, in particular 0.9 mm or even just 0.8 mm. In this case, there are embodiments in which the opening diameter D can be reduced from 4.7 mm to 3.2 mm, or also from 7.9 mm to 6.4 mm.
If the wiper opening 44 or 48, respectively, is to be enlarged again, this is carried out by twisting back the adjustment sleeve 11. In the process, not only is the compression force applied on the wiper 9 or 47, respectively, reduced. Rather, the wiper 9 or 47, respectively, is actively expanded because of the groove-bead connections by means of the securing beads 15, 18 and the securing grooves 16, 20. This prevents the wiper 9 or 47, respectively, from inadvertently remaining in its compressed position with the narrow opening. In the adjustable cosmetics unit 1, a positive guide of the wiper unit 3 and, in particular, of its components, such as the adjustment sleeve 11 and/or the wiper 9 or 47, respectively, is provided in both axial directions.
The applicator stem 5 has a narrowing portion where the wiper opening 44 or 48, respectively, is disposed in the closed position of the cosmetics unit 1 in order to prevent the wiper 9 or 47, respectively, from expanding or wearing out in an unwanted manner. The narrowing portion of the applicator stem 5 is designed to match the smallest opening diameter D of the wiper opening 44 or 48, respectively, that can be set in each case.
It is conceivable, in principle, to provide only two positions for different wiper openings 44 or 48, respectively, by means of the adjustment sleeve 11. Variants are also possible in which intermediate values can be set, or in which a continuous adjustment of the wiper opening 44 or 48, respectively, is provided. Furthermore, markings 49 or 50, respectively, can be provided on the storage container 2 and/or on the adjustment sleeve 11 in order to provide the user with an indication as to the currently set opening width of the wiper opening 44 or 48, respectively. It is expedient if the maximum rotational travel between the two end positions of the adjustment sleeve 11 is not more than 180°, in particular 160°, and preferably 140°. In that case, it is not necessary to change one's grip when twisting the adjustment sleeve 11. Moreover, the user is able always to keep the markings 49 or 50, respectively, in view. On the whole, a simpler handling is thus possible.
In the cosmetics unit 1, the wiper opening 44 or 48, respectively, can be adjusted in any state of use, that is, both in the case of an opened as well as in the case of a closed cosmetics unit 1. This is always done from the outside by means of the adjustment sleeve 11, which is always accessible. The axial dimension of the gap between the adjustment sleeve 11 and the cap 7 is the same in any position of rotation of the adjustment sleeve 11, so that it can also be determined, for example, whether the cosmetics unit 1 is firmly and, in particular, tightly sealed.
Accordingly, the cosmetics unit is very simple to handle. However, this also applies to manufacture and filling. For example, the cosmetics unit 1 can in principle be filled with any conceivable cosmetic substance. In particular, it is possible in the process already to pre-mount the wiper part unit 3 on the storage container 2 and only then fill it with the respective cosmetic substance. In this case, the filling process can also be carried out, in particular, by means of the conventional filling machines.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2008 052 895.1 | Oct 2008 | DE | national |