Patent Application
20220402660
The present invention relates to an improved cap for an applicator, in particular a bristle applicator, as well as to an assembly comprising the cap and optionally a metering device and/or a button and/or a sachet.
Conventional caps for applicators are known from the disclosure of DE202014104781U1 (DE'781), which describes a closure (or a cap) for a bristle applicator that is economical and accurate for application of a cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical substance while maintaining hygienic conditions. As disclosed by the document this benefit was achieved by providing the neck portion of the applicator with a tapered outer shape or form of the closure of the closure cap, which is designed to center the closure cap before its projection reaches the mouth begins to penetrate into the bristles.
Although the closure of DE'781 provides the above described benefit, it has been determined that unfortunately it can damage the bristles over course of use due to frequent undesirable contact between the bristles and the projection (spike) in the cap.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved solution that closes the container and does not damage the bristles of the applicator. Furthermore it is desirable to have a solution that can be applied to applicators having a variety of neck shapes and geometries and not just tapered ones. In addition, it is desirable to have an assembly designed in a way that is suitable for single as well as multi-use applications of the applicator and not only the cap, while keeping in focus the pharmaceutical needs of maintaining hygienic conditions. It is noted that metered dosing is also critical in pharmaceutical applications. The disclosure of DE'781 does not teach one how to achieve the above-mentioned objectives.
Starting from this state of the art, it is an object of embodiments of the the present invention to provide an improved cap for an applicator, in particular a bristle applicator, and most particularly one that solves the problem of avoiding bristle damage during repeated open and closure. It is desirable that caps have an inlet, a base having a connection portion embodied for connecting the cap to the applicator and/or a container, and a head configured to receive an application part of the applicator within the head, and a projection formed at a top part of the cap, the top part being formed at an opposite end to the inlet and the projection being configured to cooperate with an outlet of the applicator, for example, by sealing the outlet.
According to embodiments of the invention, these objects are achieved by providing a cap having a head that has at least one of a substantially cylindrical or conical inner and/or outer shape and a connection portion with a substantially round inner and/or outer shape, a substantially oval and square inner and/or outer shape. This special geometry guides the bristles such that they are centrally aligned before they reach a projection of the cap. The geometry results in the combined benefits of closing the applicator system tightly with the help of the projection and providing a safe guidance to the delicate bristles during closing.
DE'781 does not disclose this special geometry of embodiments of the present invention. Also, it is silent about the problem of damage to the bristles and solutions of how to minimize such damage. Instead, the prior art focuses on the problem of how to better seal the outlet, and it proposes a way to improve the sealing by centering the cap by providing a conical outer shape of the applicator. This disclosed solution does not provide guidance as to how to arrive at the solution of the embodiments of the present invention in which the inventive cap is designed to center itself, irrespective of the geometry of the applicator.
In some embodiments, the connection portion has a substantially round inner and outer shape and is preferably combined with a head that has at least one of a substantially conical outer shape and a conical inner shape, alternatively combined with a head that has at least one of a substantially conical outer shape and a cylindrical inner shape, a head that has at least one of a substantially cylindrical outer shape and a conical inner shape, or a head that has at least one of a substantially cylindrical outer shape and a cylindrical inner shape.
In another embodiment the head that has at least one of a substantially conical outer shape and a cylindrical inner shape and the connection portion has a substantially oval inner and outer shape.
The shape alternatives mentioned above provide the same benefit and the geometries are well suited for manufacturing the cap in any standard manufacturing process.
In one embodiment of the present invention the cap comprises an alignment portion and a fitting portion. The alignment portion, present as part of the head of the cap, aligns the applicator, particularly the bristles of the applicator, substantially in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cap. In a more specific embodiment, the alignment portion is preferably cylindrical in shape and/or has a length that is about 20% to about 40% of the length of the head. This geometry and length facilitates that the bristles are centered before they reach the projection so that the projection safely passes through the bristles and seals the applicator without damaging the bristles. The alignment portion guides the applicator to ensure the precise centering of the applicator bristles. In the absence of a good guidance, the delicate bristles may get damaged or fall off due to frequent contact with the different parts of the cap. Also, if not centered precisely, the projection of the cap may destroy the fine bristles permanently, rendering the applicator useless.
The fitting portion, also present as part of the head of the cap, allows the applicator to be detachably fitted inside the cap, such that the cap can house the applicator without letting it fall off. This has two unexpected benefits, one being that, as the applicator is fitted detachably, it cannot be easily displaced by a tangential force which is less than a predetermined amount. Hence the cap stays in its position without being displaced, which could otherwise damage the bristles. Secondly, the applicator can be first fitted inside the cap, and then this combined assembly of cap and applicator can be attached to the container. This combined assembly can be useful especially in cases when the applicator needs to be replaced after single use. Hence, the user could replace this combined unit of cap and applicator on the container after every use. This aspect is particularly critical when the applicator should not be exposed to the environment before use, for example, to maintain its sterility.
In a specific embodiment the fitting portion comprises at least one change in inner radius of the head. In an even more specific embodiment, there is a reduction of the inner radius of the head, preferably by means of one or more protrusions, preferably ridges, or a conical geometry or a change from a larger cylindrical diameter to a smaller cylindrical diameter. These unique geometries allow the applicator to readily fit inside the cap and are inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
In one of the embodiments of the present invention, the cap is for single use applications while in another embodiment the cap is suitable for reusable applications.
The cap of embodiments of the present invention can be made of metal, glass or plastic. The most preferred material would be plastic as it has many advantages over the other materials, such as being light, inexpensive, easy to mould, and long lasting. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cap is made of a thermoplastic, particularly polypropylene (PP). In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the cap is made of silicone; and/or a thermosetting resin. These plastics are suitable for use in different manufacturing techniques and are also inexpensive, light and durable.
In certain embodiments of the cap the connection portion may be a threaded, bayonet, snap-fit or a snap-on connection. These mechanisms for connection have been found to be best suited for connecting the two parts detachably. The connection portion connects the cap to the applicator and/or the container detachably.
The cap of embodiments the present invention has a projection at the top of the cap. In one embodiment of the invention, the projection preferably extends at least substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cap, wherein the longitudinal axis of the cap extends through the base and the head, and a central axis of the head is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cap. As the application part (bristles) is parallel to the longitudinal axis, a parallel projection therefore minimizes any damage the applicator part.
However, if the application part is not parallel to the longitudinal axis, the projection can be inclined accordingly to pass through the application part without damaging it.
In specific embodiments of the invention, the projection comprises a body and a tip. The body part extends between the top of the cap and the tip. The body part is not specifically limited and can have one of a conical, a cylindrical, or a rectangular shape.
The projection has a tip disposed opposite to the top of the cap. The tip is not specifically limited and can have one of a truncated cone shape, a conical shape, a rounded shape, or a cylindrical shape, preferably a truncated cone shape. The shape and size of the tip is configured according to the shape ans size of the outlet of the applicator, to ensure perfect sealing of the applicator. Given the location of the tip and its size, these shapes are easy to fabricate and can effectively seal the outlet of the applicator.
The body and the tip can be made of the same or different materials. The body of the projection can advantageously be made up of material that is rigid so that it can provide mechanical stability to the projection and passes easily through the bristles. The tip, can be made of a rigid or a soft material, preferably soft. The tip can be preferably made of elastomer, preferably silicone, which is a soft elastomer. This softness will help the tip to securely seal the outlet of the applicator.
In certain embodiments of the invention, the inner diameter of the cap undergoes changes in size between the top and the connection portion. These changes can be continuous or discontinuous. The inner diameter of the cap can increase from the top of the cap till the connection portion of the cap, and the increase can be by about 30%. The diameter of the applicator generally increases from its top, where the application part is located, till its neck. This change in diameter of the cap is configured such that it holds the applicator firmly and eliminates the empty volume at the top by having a smaller diameter at its top.
The cap of embodiments of the present invention can have multiple outer surfaces, including that at its top, head, the transition from the head to the base, and its base. The outer surfaces each can have different shapes. For example, the head and base can either be conical or cylindrical in shape. In a preferred embodiment the outer shape at a transition from the head to the base is conical, which allows the cap to have a constant wall thickness and can also allow better manufacturability.
The cap of the present invention has at least one inlet for allowing the applicator, particularly the application part (bristles) and neck, to enter the cap for closure. The inlet can have a rounded or preferably a conical surface. When the cap is closed, the bottom of the base touches the container. If the surface is conical at the beginning of the inlet, it allows the cap to sit on the container in a manner which does not leave room for dust or particles to accumulate between the inlet and the container. Also, a conical geometry is more desirable than a pure cylindrical geometry at the inlet. A conical geometry provides a better fitting that will not allow the cap and the container to rub against each other causing friction, and thus the cap will not leave any friction marks on the container after being used multiple times on closing tightly.
Another aspect of the present invention is an assembly comprising the cap, an applicator and a container.
The applicator of embodiments of the present invention comprises an application part, outlet, neck and a connection base. In certain embodiments of the invention the application part of the applicator is a foam applicator, a massage surface, a plain surface, flock, or bristles, preferably bristles. The applicator, excluding the application part, can be made of plastic, preferably High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or PP. These varieties of plastics are rigid when solid and can be easily molded into a desired shape. Also, they are relatively inexpensive, and thus these would be preferred materials to make the applicator (excluding the application part).
In still other more specific embodiments of the present invention, the application part of the applicator comprises micro-bristles. Micro-bristles are usually very fine and have a density of more than about 2 bristles per mm2. These micro-bristles can be made of plastic, preferably polyethylene, more preferably Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE). The application part will dispense the material onto a surface of the user's body and hence, needs to be soft and flexible for a desirable dispensing of the contents. Materials, such as LDPE, can be extruded into fine fibers that are soft and flexible, and hence, are suitable for making the application part of the applicator.
In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the application part can have micro-bristles with a density of greater than or equal to about 3 bristles per mm2. These fine bristles have a larger surface area (on the order of about 15 mm2), as compared to normal bristles, and may hold larger volumes of fluid or dispense fluids more precisely. Thus, they allow the user to have a better control over the flow of the fluid.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the length of the application part is shorter than that of the alignment portion, so that the alignment portion guides the applicator part to center itself.
As one skilled in the art will appreciate that all of these above mentioned variations of the application part should be handled appropriately. The cap of embodiments of the present invention provides advantages over the prior art owing to its innovative shape, and the application part has an important role in dispensing the contents of the container.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is an assembly comprising the applicator, a container and the cap, wherein the container optionally holds a fluid for application. In some specific embodiments the fluid is a medication. In some more specific embodiments, the medication is a liquid for treatment of a symptom, injury or a disease, for example, present on a surface of the body, such as skin, eyes, or ears. In alternative embodiments, the fluid can be a cosmetic mass, such as a mascara.
The container can be made of plastic, metal or glass, preferably plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the container of the present invention is made of HDPE.
The cap, the applicator and the container of the present invention can be made using standard manufacturing processes such as injection, slush, compression, or blow moulding or alternatively by thermoforming, vacuum forming or casting.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the assembly comprises a metering device. This metering device allows the user to control the amount of fluid, contained in the container, that flows out through the outlet of the applicator. For example, the user could inadvertently deploy large quantities or the entire contents in the absence of a metering device, due to a misuse, or by pressing the container too hard. This undesirable situation is averted by providing a metering device. Thus the metering device ensures that the user will be able to dispense a controlled amount of contents from the container despite the application of a variable amount of force (by squeezing) to the container. To elaborate further, the metering device ensures that fluid emerges only “drop-by-drop” from the outlet, irrespective of the magnitude of force applied to dispense the fluid.
In still other more specific embodiments, the metering device has an inlet, an intermediate storage reservoir and an outlet, which are all in fluid communication with each other. Also, the inlet of the metering device is in fluid communication with the container of the applicator, and the outlet of the metering device is in fluid communication with the outlet of the applicator. The volume of the intermediate storage reservoir can be varied and thus the amount of fluid leaving the container can be controlled. Conventional methods to meter the dose include modifying the outlet of the applicator, particularly the orifice radius. However, it is difficult to consistently manufacture orifices with a constant radius. The inventors of the present invention have found a better solution to meter the dose, by providing a metering device. The metering device can be made from a plastic, preferably a thermoplastic, such as HDPE or PP.
In another embodiment, the assembly comprises a dosing device in the form of a button. The button is typically located on either the lateral surface of the container or the bottom of the container. The button generally protrudes out from the surface of the container and can be pressed. The shape of the button may be substantially circular or polygonal, preferably circular or polygonal and the size and protrusion volume may be varied in accordance with the quantity of fluid to be administered. The button is made up of a material that is soft, preferably an elastomer, more specifically thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The button can be fabricated to fasten it on to the container with the help of an adhesive. Alternatively, the button can be manufactured together with the container by a hybrid extrusion or injection blow moulding or two component injection moulding process.
As the user will be only pressing the button, the force applied is restricted to the extent the button can be squeezed. This allows dosing of a determined amount of fluid to be dispensed and avoids wastage, which may have occurred in absence of such a dosing provision.
In another general embodiment, the assembly comprises a sachet, wherein the sachet holds a fluid for application, and wherein the sachet is inside the container, and is in fluid communication with the outlet of the applicator. The sachet can be made of soft material and is flexible. When pressure is applied on the container, the sachet is squeezed, and the fluid contained in the sachet will flow out. The sachet can be cylindrical or rectangular, or of any other suitable shape. The sachet generally has a single opening, through which the fluid is filled. This opening is in fluid communication with the outlet of the applicator, so that when the user applies pressure the fluid in the sachet is dispensed. The sachet can be made of single or multiple layers of plastic or metal or paper or fiber (laminate). The sachet can be produced separately and be attached to the container or the applicator before or after filling it with the fluid. Alternatively, the sachet can be produced while producing the container, by employing well known manufacturing techniques such as injection blow molding.
In specific embodiments the button can be combined with the metering device or the sachet. The button provides the user with a means of applying pressure to the container, in a convenient and precise manner. The assembly can dispense the material, after being pressed/squeezed by the force transferred onto it by way of the user pressing the button.
One skilled in the art will understand that the combination of the subject matters of the various claims and embodiments of the invention is possible without limitation in the invention to the extent that such combinations are technically feasible. In this combination, the subject matter of any one claim can be combined with the subject matter of one or more of the other claims. In this combination of subject matters, the subject matter of any one cap or assembly claim can be combined with the subject matter of one or more other cap or assembly claims. By way of example, the subject matter of any one claim can be combined with the subject matters of any number of the other claims without limitation to the extent that such combinations are technically feasible.
One skilled in the art will understand that the combination of the subject matters of the various embodiments of the invention is similarly possible without limitation in the invention. For example, the subject matter of one of the above-mentioned cap embodiments can be combined with the subject matter of one or more of the other above-mentioned assembly embodiments or vice versa without limitation so long as technically feasible.
The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
As used in the specification and claims of this application, the following definitions, should be applied:
Geometric shapes and aspects refer to overall shapes and appearances and include shapes and aspects that do not substantially differ from the stated shape or aspect. For example, “round” therefore includes shapes that are substantially similar and differ only to a minor extent from a perfectly round shape, for example, due to tolerances and manufacturing constraints. Therefore “round” includes shapes which are substantially similar in function or capability to a round shape and/or which a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider to be substantially similar to a round shape.
Numerical values in the present application relate to average values. Furthermore, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical values should be understood to include numerical values which are the same when reduced to the same number of significant figures and numerical values that differ from the stated value by less than the experimental error of the conventional measurement technique of the type described in the present application to determine the value.
To explain the invention, the individual regions of the cap 100 will be initially defined below referring to
Tests were conducted using an applicator and container similar to those in
As can be seen from the images in
In contrast, as seen from
These tests demonstrate the superiority of the cap of the present disclosure versus those of the prior art.
