Patent Application
20060159510
The present invention generally relates to liquid delivery devices and methods, and in particular, to delivery of nebulized liquid for applying on the skin.
Many devices for delivering liquid media such as, for example, hand lotion, shaving lotion, hair gel or spray, etc., to the skin or hair are known. Some hair care products, for example, are dispensed through aerosol cans and sprayed directly on the user's hair. In other known liquid delivery devices, an applicator pad is fashioned over the top of an aerosol can, and the product is first absorbed by the applicator pad before being applied on the skin.
For delivery of products such as skin care lotion or suntan/sunblock lotion, plastic bottle type dispensers with or without a manual pump are often employed. When using these types of dispensers, a small amount of lotion is dispensed on the palm or the finger of the user, and then applied by rubbing the lotion on the skin by hand. Applying lotion in this manner only covers the very top surface of the skin, but not necessarily the deeper layer of the skin, where the lotion is required to thoroughly moisturize or protect the skin. Rubbing lotion on the skin by hand also does not result in even application of the lotion. Consequently, some areas of the skin may not have received sufficient amount of lotion to obtain the benefit of the lotion, while other areas might have been applied with too much lotion, which may block the pores in the skin and contribute to skin problems.
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for dispensing liquid for applying on the skin. The apparatus includes a housing, a generator provided in the housing for generating pressurized air, and an applicator in fluid communication with the generator for holding the liquid to be applied on the skin. A nozzle assembly is provided in the applicator for operatively nebulizing the liquid in the applicator in cooperation with the generator. The nebulized liquid flows out of the applicator and is applied on the skin.
The invention is directed to a device and a method for delivering liquid, particularly in the form of a lotion, for applying on the skin. The liquid is nebulized, i.e., or converted to fine spray, using pressurized air, and then applied on the skin. In this manner, the liquid is readily absorbed in the skin without the user having to rub it in by hand.
Turning now to
The applicator 16 includes an inlet opening 20 (best shown in
When the applicator 16 is placed in the stand 26, the storage compartment door 18 is adapted to be left open, as shown in
As shown in phantom lines in
Referring back to
The storage compartment door 18 in one embodiment is translucent. However, it may be made from any relatively rigid lightweight plastic material. The hose 22 is formed from a relatively hard and clear or translucent plastic, which is molded to retain its coiled shape when the lotion applicator 16 is placed on the applicator stand 26 or in the storage compartment 14. The hose is stretched to an extended coil shape when the applicator 16 is pulled out of the storage compartment 14 and being used.
Turning now to
When the outer tube 48 is placed over the inner tube 46, an intermediate passage 56 is formed between the inner tube and the outer tube. The intermediate passage 56 serves to convey liquid from the bottom of the reservoir 38 to four ejection holes 58 provided at the top of the inner tube 46 (best shown in
The nozzle assembly 44 further includes a stopper 62 which has two ends that are attached to the opposite sides of the top of the outer tube 48. When the outer tube 48 is placed over the inner tube 46, the stopper 62 is positioned substantially directly over the air outlet 52 of the inner tube 46. The nozzle assembly 44 further includes an annular deflector 64 which is attached to the two ends of the stopper 62, and extends downwardly at an angle away from the outer tube 48 to approximately half way between the outer tube and the outer wall 66 of the reservoir 38. The deflector 64 serves to impede large droplets of liquid 39 that might form and carried out of the reservoir 38.
In operation, liquid 39 is filled to a desired level in the reservoir 38 of the applicator 16, and the passageway 40 is attached to the reservoir. When the passageway 40 is attached to the reservoir 38, the stopper 62 is positioned directly over and spaced slightly from the air outlet 52 of the inner tube 46. In this manner, when pressurized air is supplied through the inner tube 46 from the compressor 32, via the air hose 22, gas is expelled out the air outlet 52 and diverted by the stopper 62 away from the air outlet 52 and deflected downwardly by the deflector 64. This creates a negative pressure over the ejection ports 58, thereby drawing the liquid 39 in the bottom of the reservoir 38 through the intermediate passage 56 and then out the ejection ports. The liquid 39 at this point is entrained into the escaping gas and is nebulized, i.e., converted into a fine spray or vapor. The nebulized liquid then flows through the passageway 40 of the applicator 16 and out the directional outlet 42, which is held over the skin. The nebulized liquid exiting the applicator 16 is then absorbed through the surface of the skin. The present invention is particularly adopted to be used in applying skin care lotion on the skin.
While a specific embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it should be understood that other modifications, substitutions and alternatives are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications, substitutions and alternatives can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which should be determined from the appended claims.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
