Patent Application
20190208889
In various embodiments, the present invention generally relates to tools, techniques, structures, devices, and processes for effectively and efficiently applying fluid from fluid containers. In particular embodiments of the invention, improved fluid containers and associated structures are provided for dispensing oil-based fluid products.
In the world of high quality consumer products, it is important to have product designs and packages that function effectively for their intended purposes. With respect to the cosmetics industry, for example, it is especially important to provide fluid containers that can meet consumer needs by providing efficient and clean application of fluids such as creams, oils, make-up, and other types of cosmetics.
However, many current package and container designs for fluid containers suffer from deficiencies in how they deliver and apply an appropriate dosage of fluid. An insufficient dosage of fluid does not provide enough product to meet the needs of the consumer. On the other hand, an excess dosage generates extra product that cannot be readily used by the consumer or which can interfere with the operative components of a fluid dispensing apparatus. This extra product creates a clean-up problem for the consumer who must decide how to dispose of the extra fluid that has been dispensed. Also, such extra product can cause undesirable clogging or mess for the handheld parts of a fluid container, for example.
In the case of oil based products used in the cosmetic industry, standard package options have traditionally involved using an expensive dropper in a bottle. However, such packages do not eliminate the migration of oil-based fluids, for example, to and around the outskirts of the package.
In view of the issues afflicting existing product designs and packages, including within the cosmetics industry, enhanced product dispensing and application technology is needed. Fluid dispensing structures, devices, and techniques are needed that can apply fluids in a predictable manner, without causing significant dripping or substantial clogging of the operative components of a fluid container.
The utility of the embodiments of the invention will be readily appreciated and understood from consideration of the following description of the embodiments of the invention when viewed in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In developing the various embodiments of the invention described herein, the inventors have created structures, devices, and techniques that allow fluid and liquid products, such as cosmetics, to apply fluids in a manner that resists waste and unwanted migration of fluid. The inventors appreciate that reasonable consumer expectations of predictable fluid dispensing should include reducing the migration of oil to the outside or hand holding parts of the package. Also, in connection with employing different embodiments of the invention, a consumer should be able to hold a tube or other type of fluid container in an inverted position without causing substantial dripping or oozing from its applicator. The inventors have recognized the need for an accurate correlation, and in certain cases independence, between a threshold pressure applied to a fluid container (such as manual pressure applied by a user, or pressure applied by some other device) and an appropriate amount of fluid dispensed from the container. It has been appreciated that minimizing accumulation of fluid at the dispensing site of the fluid container avoids the attendant clean-up that typically must be performed by a consumer.
In developing the invention described herein, the inventors have satisfied a long-felt and long overlooked need in the cosmetics industry, among other areas, to enhance inefficient and less than optimum fluid application technology in existing cosmetic containers. Use of certain embodiments of the invention can resist messy or wasteful use of product after initial dispensing of fluid onto a consumer's face or other body parts and can resist dispensing even if the fluid container is shaken or agitated. In certain aspects of the invention, a tube-type fluid container can be held in an inverted position without substantial excess fluid product being dispensed. Embodiments of the invention may be structured so that product can be applied by a fluid dispensing apparatus in a clean (i.e., non-splattering) and substantially regular manner.
It can be appreciated that consumer product companies are often concerned with excessive or messy dispensing of oil-based fluids because of liability claims which can arise from damage to clothing, furniture, or other articles as a result of excess product. Consumer product companies are also sensitive to reducing the costs of packaging and dispensing technology while maximizing marketing appeal to consumers. In developing the various embodiments of the invention, the inventors have provided structures, devices, and techniques which are functionally effective and which can be manufactured economically.
In various embodiments described herein, apparatus, devices, and tools are provided that can be configured for application to standard fluid containers, such as containers for cosmetic products. It can be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention may be modified or structured to accommodate different pore sizes of fluid communication materials, different fluid container materials, different fluid container shapes, and/or different types of fluids or fluid viscosities. For example, embodiments of the invention may be readily modified or structured to function with various fluid communication materials having an orifice dimension structured for controlling the migration of oil-based fluids, for example, in and around a fluid dispensing apparatus.
In developing the invention, the inventors have recognized the advantages of leveraging existing containers such as tubes made from plastic or similar materials which typically offer a safe and effective way to deliver product. Such tubes protect the product while providing a reasonably long shelf life. Also, there are many ways to decorate a tube in order to meet a prestige or premium consumer market.
The inventors are also aware that how a product is dispensed is an important consideration in the product packaging business. For example, consumer complaints may arise because product leaked into a purse or spilled onto a blouse, or simply because the fluid container delivered a dose that was either too little or too much. In addition, application of fluid from a fluid dispensing apparatus should not cause fluid to migrate or dispense onto other operative components of the apparatus. In any event, the product may not dispense correctly or cleanly from the fluid container, and consequently the container can be perceived as non-functional.
Also, by taking into account the demand for lower component costs, the inventors were motivated to improve on existing fluid delivery structures, techniques, and systems. It can be seen that use of certain embodiments of the invention can create opportunities for more products to be considered for the plastic tube, for example, versus other types of containers that require external, mechanical pumps, for example. The inventors have recognized the importance of identifying and designing multiple options and materials, because there are many products or fluids which require different application and dispensing strategies.
As applied to various embodiments described throughout the present description, a threshold fluid pressure may be defined as the amount of pressure sufficient to communicate at least a portion of fluid from a fluid repository through a dispensing orifice. In other embodiments, the threshold fluid pressure is the pressure sufficient to communicate a cosmetic-related compound, substance, or fluid from the fluid repository through the applicator. In various embodiments described herein, an apparatus may be structured to communicate fluid at a threshold fluid pressure that does not exceed a pressure applied to the fluid repository. In certain embodiments, an apparatus may be structured to communicate fluid at a threshold fluid pressure independent of a pressure applied to the fluid repository. In other words, certain embodiments of the invention resist allowing excessive applied pressure to significantly impact the dispensing or fluid application performance of a fluid dispensing apparatus.
In various embodiments, the structures, tools, and techniques described herein can be configured to be aesthetically pleasing with respect to a fluid container. This permits the structure and aesthetics (e.g., color, shape, size, and other characteristics) of the container to remain appealing in the eyes of consumers examining the container from an external point of view. In addition, aspects of the present invention can be readily retrofitted to pre-existing, standard styles of fluid containers, such as tube-type cosmetic containers, for example.
As applied herein, the term “cosmetic” may include make-up, oils, creams, and a variety of other compositions of matter capable of application by an applicator tip, for example, from a fluid dispensing apparatus or a fluid container, either naturally (e.g., by force of gravity) or by application of a threshold fluid pressure.
In various embodiments, structures described herein may comprise a foam material such as an open-cell foam material, for example. In other embodiments, one or more portions of the structures or devices described herein may comprise a porous plastic or polymer substance such as products offered in connection with the “POREX” trade designation (Porex Corporation, Fairburn, Ga.), for example. Various structures, apparatuses, and other materials described herein may be comprised of a suitable material such as polypropylene or an elastomeric material, for example. Fluid communication materials which may be applied to certain embodiments described herein include, for example and without limitation, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethersulfone (PES), polyurethane (PU), PE/PP co-polymer, and porous varieties thereof. It can be appreciated that materials that comprise the various structures described herein can be selected for their rigidity, flexibility, pore size or dimension, and/or suitability for use within a consumer product. For example, in the context of a fluid communication material, different regions of the material may include differently sized or dimensioned pores. In other embodiments, the pore size or dimension for a fluid communication material may be substantially uniform throughout the material.
The apparatus 102 may also include a cap 120 comprising a main cap portion 122 and an overcap portion 124. As shown, the overcap portion 124 may be received into place via a friction fit, for example, with the main cap portion 122 to form the overall cap 120 structure. In certain embodiments, the cap 120 may be formed as a single, integral component instead of as separate components. A cap reservoir 126 may be positioned within the cap 120 which has a cavity 128 structured to correspondingly align with the sleeve 112 positioned on the tube head 108. During assembly of the cap 120, the cap reservoir 126 may be positioned within the main cap portion 122 (in the direction of arrows 130, 132, as shown) prior to installation of the overcap portion 124 onto the main cap portion 122. In certain embodiments, a lip 134 may be formed in the cap 120 wherein the lip 134 is structured to receive and rest the cap reservoir 126 thereon.
In certain embodiments, the cap 120 may include a tip cavity 136 structured to receive and correspondingly align with the tip 116 of the head 108. As shown in
In various embodiments, each of the brush tip 116, the sleeve 112, and the reservoir 126 may be comprised of a trade-designated “POREX” fluid communication material, for example, or another similar material which is suitable for receiving and retaining an oil-based fluid therein.
The tip 310 may be comprised of a fluid communication material which may be a trade-designated “POREX” material, for example. In certain embodiments, the tip 310 may be comprised of a similar material which is suitable for receiving and retaining an oil-based fluid therein, for example, and for communicating such fluid through one or more pores 318 contained within the material. The tip 310 may further comprise a channel 320 for communicating fluid from the fluid reservoir 306 to a distal end of the tip 310, which promotes dispensing fluid at the distal end of the tip 310 and resists dispensing fluid through the collar 316, for example. The tip 310 may further include a large pore region 322 and a small pore region 324 which promotes wicking of fluid from the large pore region 322 to the small pore region 324 when the apparatus 302 is not in use for dispensing fluid, for example. The tip 310 may be structured to wick oil in the direction of arrow 326, as shown, when the apparatus 302 is not in use. In certain embodiments, this arrangement may be reversed such that the locations of the pore regions 322, 324 can be exchanged. For example, the large pore region 322 may be located near the main body portion 314 of the tip 310; and the small pore region 324 may be located near the distal end of the tip 310. Accordingly, the tip 310 may be structured to wick oil in the opposite direction of arrow 326, for example.
As illustrated more particularly in
The tip 510 may be comprised of a fluid communication material which may be a trade-designated “POREX” material, for example. In certain embodiments, the tip 510 may be comprised of a similar material which is suitable for receiving and retaining an oil-based fluid therein, for example, and for communicating such fluid through one or more pores 518 contained within the material. The tip 510 may further comprise a channel 520 for communicating fluid from the fluid reservoir 506 to a distal end of the tip 510, which promotes dispensing fluid at the distal end of the tip 510 and resists dispensing fluid through the collar 516, for example. The tip 510 may further include a large pore region 522 and a small pore region 524 which promotes wicking of fluid from the large pore region 522 to the small pore region 524 when the apparatus 502 is not in use for dispensing fluid, for example. The tip 510 may be structured to wick oil in the direction of arrow 526, as shown, when the apparatus 502 is not in use. In certain embodiments, this arrangement may be reversed such that the locations of the pore regions 522, 524 can be exchanged. For example, the large pore region 522 may be located near the main body portion 514 of the tip 510; and the small pore region 524 may be located near the distal end of the tip 510. Accordingly, the tip 510 may be structured to wick oil in the opposite direction of arrow 526, for example.
As illustrated more particularly in
The tip 710 may be comprised of a fluid communication material which may be a trade-designated “POREX” material, for example. In certain embodiments, the tip 710 may be comprised of a similar material which is suitable for receiving and retaining an oil-based fluid therein, for example, and for communicating such fluid through one or more pores 718 contained within the material. The head 708 of the apparatus 702 may include an extended orifice 720 structured to communicate fluid from the reservoir 706 through the extended orifice 720 and onward to the distal end of the tip 710. It can be seen that the extended orifice 720 provides a pathway for directing fluid flow from the reservoir 706 to the tip 710. The tip 710 may further include a large pore region 722 and a small pore region 724 which promotes wicking of fluid from the large pore region 722 to the small pore region 724 when the apparatus 702 is not in use for dispensing fluid, for example. The tip 710 may be structured to wick oil in the direction of arrow 726, as shown, when the apparatus 702 is not in use. In certain embodiments, this arrangement may be reversed such that the locations of the pore regions 722, 724 can be exchanged. For example, the large pore region 722 may be located near the main body portion 714 of the tip 710; and the small pore region 724 may be located near the distal end of the tip 710. Accordingly, the tip 710 may be structured to wick oil in the opposite direction of arrow 726, for example.
As illustrated more particularly in
With reference to
The apparatus 1202 may also include a cap 1220 comprising an inner cap 1222 and an overcap 1224. As shown, the overcap 1224 may receive the inner cap 1222 into place via a friction fit, for example, to form the overall cap 1220 structure. A cap reservoir 1226 may be provided as a generally disc-shaped component having a central opening 1228 structured to receive a pintel 1230 of the overcap 1224 therethrough. It can be seen that the pintel 1230 serves to secure the cap reservoir 1226 within the overcap 1224 during assembly and use of the apparatus 1202. During assembly of the cap 1220, the inner cap 1222 may be pressed into the overcap 1224 which forces the cap reservoir 1226 to engage the pintel 1230, thereby sandwiching the cap reservoir between a top surface of the inner cap 1222 and an interior surface of the overcap 1224. In certain embodiments, the inner cap 1222 may include a threaded region 1232 structured to correspondingly engage a threaded region 1234 of the head 1208 when the cap 1222 is secured and closed on the apparatus 1202. In certain embodiments, the head 1208 may include a dished-in tip 1236 which angles inwardly downwardly from an outside circumference of the tip 1236 toward the orifice 1218. This facilitates returning excess fluid to the orifice 1218 and ultimately back to the fluid reservoir 1206 of the apparatus 1202.
In various embodiments, each of the sleeve 1212 and/or the cap reservoir 1226 may be comprised of a trade-designated “POREX” fluid communication material, for example, or another similar material which is suitable for receiving and retaining an oil-based fluid therein. The plug 1216 may be comprised of a foam material such as an open-cell foam material, for example.
As shown more particularly in
With reference to
The apparatus 1802 may also include a cap 1820 which may be dropper-shaped, for example, to communicate a particular mode of use for the apparatus 1802. A cap reservoir 1822 may be provided as a generally disc-shaped component having a central opening 1824 structured to receive a pintel 1826 of the cap 1820 therethrough. It can be seen that the pintel 1826 serves to secure the cap reservoir 1822 within the cap 1820 during assembly and use of the apparatus 1802. The cap 1820 may further include a circumferential ring 1821 which serves as a ledge to support the cap reservoir 1822 in position when the reservoir 1822 is installed in the cap 1820. In certain embodiments, the cap 1820 may include a threaded region 1828 structured to correspondingly engage a threaded region 1830 of the head 1808 when the cap 1820 is secured and closed on the apparatus 1802.
In certain embodiments, the head 1808 may include a generally downwardly sloping tip 1832 which slopes down and away from the orifice 1818. In combination with a flush face of the sleeve 1812, this arrangement facilitates returning excess fluid from the orifice 1818 to the sleeve 1812. In certain embodiments, the cap reservoir 1822 may include an angled surface 1834 around the circumference of the cap reservoir 1822 which is structured to correspondingly mate with the surface of the tip 1832 in a closed state of the apparatus 1802.
In various embodiments, each of the sleeve 1812 and/or the cap reservoir 1822 may be comprised of a trade-designated “POREX” fluid communication material, for example, or another similar material which is suitable for receiving and retaining an oil-based fluid therein. The plug 1816 may be comprised of a foam material such as an open-cell foam material, for example.
As shown more particularly in
The apparatus 2302 may also include a cap 2316 which may be dropper-shaped, for example, to communicate a particular mode of use for the apparatus 1802. A tip cavity 2318 may be formed in the cap 2316 and structured to receive and correspondingly mate with the shape of the tip 2314 of the plug 2312. In various embodiments, the plug 2312 may be comprised of a trade-designated “POREX” fluid communication material or another similar material which is suitable for receiving and retaining an oil-based fluid therein, for example. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the plug 2312 may be comprised of a foam material such as an open-cell foam material, for example.
As shown more particularly in
In other aspects of the invention, a threaded region 2326 of the cap 2316 can be structured for corresponding interaction with a threaded region 2328 of the head 2308, such as to secure the cap 2316 on the head 2308 in closed state of the apparatus 2302. The threaded regions 2326, 2328 can be positioned remotely with respect to the plug 2312 location to resist exposure to fluid by the threaded regions 2326, 2328. It can also be seen that providing a gap distance 2330 or clearance between the threaded regions 2326, 2328 further promotes avoiding fluid retention on the threaded regions 2326, 2328. In certain embodiments, the plug 2312 resists oil from gushing or inadvertently dripping during use or during non-use handling, for example.
With reference to
With reference to
In certain embodiments, the collar 3006 may include a trough 3010 formed around at least a portion of the circumference of the tip 3004. The trough 3010 may be structured to slant downwardly and inwardly toward the tip 3004 to catch drips or excess fluid exiting the tip 3004, for example. A channel 3012 may be formed in the applicator 3002 which is structured to communicate fluid from a fluid reservoir of a dispensing apparatus (not shown) to a distal end of the applicator 3002, such as during use of the apparatus to dispense fluid onto the face or body of a user, for example. In certain embodiments, one or more channels 3014 may be formed in the base portion 3008 of the applicator 3002. One or more of the base portion channels 3014 may have a radiused interior surface (e.g., as shown in
In certain embodiments, the collar 3206 may include a trough 3210 formed around at least a portion of the circumference of the tip 3204. The trough 3010 may be structured in a generally U-shape geometry around the tip 3204 to catch drips or excess fluid exiting the tip 3204, for example. A channel 3212 may be formed in the applicator 3202 which can be structured to communicate fluid from a fluid reservoir of a dispensing apparatus (not shown) to a distal end of the applicator 3202, such as during use of the apparatus to dispense fluid onto the face or body of a user, for example. In certain embodiments, one or more channels 3214 may be formed in the base portion 3208 of the applicator 3202. One or more of the base portion channels 3214 may have a radiused interior surface (e.g., as shown in
The examples presented herein are intended to illustrate potential and specific implementations of the present invention. It can be appreciated that the examples are intended primarily for purposes of illustration of the invention for those skilled in the art. No particular aspect or aspects of the examples are necessarily intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Any element expressed herein as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function including, for example, a combination of elements that performs that function. Furthermore the invention, as may be defined by such means-plus-function claims, resides in the fact that the functionalities provided by the various recited means are combined and brought together in a manner as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, any means that can provide such functionalities may be considered equivalents to the means shown herein.
It will be appreciated that, for convenience and clarity of disclosure, terms describing relative orientation or spatial positioning such as “proximal,” “distal,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “front,” “back,” “bottom,” “upward,” or “downward” may be used at times herein with respect to the drawings and text description in association with various embodiments of the invention. However, such terms are primarily used for illustrative purposes and are not necessarily intended to be limiting in nature.
It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that these and other elements may be desirable. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. It should be appreciated that the figures are presented for illustrative purposes and not as construction drawings. Omitted details and modifications or alternative embodiments are within the purview of persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, there may be variations to these diagrams or the operations described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention.
It can be appreciated that, in certain aspects of the present invention, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to provide an element or structure or to perform a given function or functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative to practice certain embodiments of the present invention, such substitution is considered within the scope of the present invention.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it should be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are therefore intended to include all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as claimed herein.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2015/017051 | 2/23/2015 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61942840 | Feb 2014 | US |
