RELOADABLE APPLICATOR SYSTEM FOR COSMETICS

Abstract

Inventive embodiments disclosed herein include a reloadable applicator that includes a cartridge for containing a product; a cartridge neck wiper reversibly attachable to the cartridge; a wand comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end terminates in an applicator for applying product; an inner cap attachable to the cartridge neck wiper; a spring push button comprising a spring and positioned within the inner cap wherein the distal end of the wand is retainable by the spring; and a cap comprising inner threads that releasably retain the wand between the inner threads and spring of the spring push button, the cap further including outer threads for releasably retaining the replaceable cartridge.

Description

FIELD

Inventive embodiments disclosed herein relate to a reloadable applicator system for cosmetics.

BACKGROUND

A priority of convenience of single use disposable consumer products over environmental sustainability has led to concerns about single use plastics and a consumer demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

SUMMARY

Inventive embodiments disclosed herein include a reloadable applicator that includes a cartridge for containing a product; a cartridge neck wiper reversibly attachable to the cartridge; a wand comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end terminates in an applicator for applying product; an inner cap attachable to the cartridge neck wiper; a spring push button comprising a spring and positioned within the inner cap wherein the distal end of the wand is retainable by the spring; and a cap comprising inner threads that releasably retain the wand between the inner threads and spring of the spring push button, the cap further including outer threads for releasably retaining the replaceable cartridge.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cosmetic reloadable system.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1, showing a first view.

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1, shown in a second view.

FIG. 2C shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an applicator, applicator wand attached to a cap and cartridge bottle of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an applicator, wand, and cap for the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the cartridge bottle positioned within a base of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1, wherein a cartridge neck-wiper is attached to the cartridge bottle.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the cartridge bottle and cartridge neck-wiper of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the cartridge bottle, cartridge neck-wiper and heat seal of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a perspective exploded view of the cartridge bottle, threaded cartridge bottle top, cartridge neck-wiper and heat seal of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the cartridge bottle, threaded cartridge bottle top, cartridge neck-wiper and heat seal of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1, wherein the cartridge neck-wiper is attached to the cartridge bottle.

FIG. 5C and 5D are a cross sectional view of the cartridge bottle, threaded cartridge bottle top, cartridge neck-wiper and heat seal of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1, wherein the cartridge neck-wiper is attached to the cartridge bottle.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view exploded view of the applicator, wand, inner cap, push button and cap of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the applicator, wand, push button and cap of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1 in a rest position.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the applicator, wand, push button and cap of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1 in a pushed down position.

FIG. 7C is a cross sectional view of the applicator, wand, push button and cap of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1 in a rest position.

FIG. 7D is a cross sectional view of the applicator, wand, push button and cap of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1 in a pushed down position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a molded brush applicator of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1; a perspective view of a twisted brush applicator of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1.; a perspective view of a ceramic brush applicator of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1. a perspective view of a doe-foot brush applicator of the cosmetic reloadable system of FIG. 1 for brush applications from left to right.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a one-piece cartridge and wiper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing and claiming the invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Specific and preferred values listed below for substituents, and ranges are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values within defined ranges for the radicals and substituents.

Definitions

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” refer to one or to more than one, i.e., to at least one, of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.

The term “about,” as used herein, means approximately, in the region of, roughly, or around. When the term “about” is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term “about” is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of 20%.

The term “apply” or “application,” as used in reference to a composition, means to apply or spread the compositions of the present invention onto keratinous tissue such as the epidermis.

The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent Law and can mean “includes,” “including” and the like. As used herein. “including” or “includes” or the like means including, without limitation.

As used herein, the terms “include”, “includes” and “including” are meant to be non-limiting.

In the present patent application, the term “plastic” is synonymous with “polymer” and refers to a compound, formed during a chemical reaction by linking several monomers (i.e. more than two monomers) of the same or different kind together via covalent bonding, wherein the resulting polymer can differ in its degree of polymerization, molecular weight distribution and chain length respectively. Hence, a plastic or polymer according to the present invention is a compound, comprising in its molecular structure at least one repeating unit, which was integrated in the polymer structure during polymer synthesis by repeatedly linking monomers together via covalent bonds to form said polymer structure. The number average molecular weight is preferably at least 250 g/mol, more preferably at least 1,000 g/mol.

The term “polymer” includes homopolymers, copolymers, block-copolymers and oligomers.

As used herein, the term “consumer” means both the user of the composition and the observer nearby or around the user.

Description

Embodiments disclosed herein include a reloadable applicator, illustrated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The reloadable applicator includes a replaceable cartridge 14 for containing a liquid product, which is not shown; a cartridge neck wiper 16 attached to the replaceable cartridge 14; a wand 18 that includes a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24, wherein the proximal end terminates in a replaceable applicator for applying liquid product and the distal end terminates in a notched end having a concentric ring 25; an inner cap 26 attachable to the cartridge neck wiper 16; a spring push button 28 that includes a spring 29, the spring push button 28 positioned within the inner cap 26 wherein the distal end 24 of the wand 18 is retainable by the spring push button 28; and a cap 30 that includes inner threads 31 releasably retaining the base 12.

The reloadable applicator system enables recycling and reusing at least a portion of the applicator system such as the base 12, cartridge neck-wiper 16, and the cap components 26 and 30. For some embodiments, the wand 18 is also recyclable. Thus, the single use components are limited to the cartridge bottle 14 and applicator 22. For some embodiments, the cartridge neck-wiper 16X and cartridge 14X, shown in FIG. 9, form a single unit.

For some embodiments disclosed herein, the bottle cartridge 14 is not single use but is both reloadable and refillable. Product, which is not shown, is contained within the cartridge 14. The reusability of the cartridge 14 renders the product more sustainable by reducing waste because the cartridge, once empty of product, is replaced with a new cartridge 14 having a new product charge. Presently, the entire applicator system is discarded once the product has been used.

For some embodiments, the reloadable applicator system is used by consumers for application of cosmetics, such as mascara, lip gloss, liquid concealer, and liquid lip color.

The system 10 includes the removable cartridge bottle 14 and a separable neck/wiper 16 inserted into a body/base. The cartridge bottle 14 and neck/wiper 16 are reversibly attachable to each other by threads, shown for the cartridge bottle at 34. The cartridge 14 is replaceable when empty by simply separating the threaded connection of the cartridge bottle 14 from the cartridge neck-wiper 16 and pushing through an open bottom of the body/base 12. When the empty cartridge is removed, a new, filled cartridge is inserted through the top opening of the body/base 12 and is snapped into place in the base. The new or recharged cartridge bottle 14 is threadedly attached to the cartridge neck-wiper 16.

The cartridge neck wiper 16 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. A heat seal 36, for closing and temper-proofing, is positioned on a distal end 38 of the cartridge neck-wiper 16. The neck-wiper 16 has several functions. A first function is reversible attachment with the cartridge bottle 14. A second function is reversible attachment to the base 12. A third function is to seal the cartridge bottle 14 with the seal 36. A fourth function is providing a structure for wiping the applicator 22 of any excess product before application by a consumer.

FIG. 5A shows external threads 34 at a neck of the cartridge bottle 14 that are engageable with internal threads, not shown, in the cartridge neck wiper 16. FIG. 5B shows the cartridge bottle 14 attached to the cartridge neck-wiper 16. Atop the cartridge neck wiper 16 is the heat seal 36. This engagement is shown in cross-section in FIG. 5C. FIG. 5C also shows a funnel 40 at a base of the cartridge neck-wiper 16, for removing excess product from the applicator 20 before application by a consumer. FIG. 5C shows that the single piece cartridge neck wiper 16 is easily separable from the cartridge bottle 14 to facilitate cleaning and reuse of the cartridge neck-wiper 16. Threads shown at 38 engage with internal threads in the cap 30 to attach the cartridge neck wiper 16 to the cap 30. FIG. 5D also shows an inner chimney 42 that seals with the cartridge bottle 14 inside the neck diameter of the cartridge bottle 14.

The wand/rod applicator 18 is snapped into the inner cap 26 and is removable by pushing down on the push button 28 at the top of the cap 30 in order to prevent the consumer from removing the wand by pulling on it and getting product on his or her fingers. For some embodiments, the applicator is separable from the wand rendering the applicator disposable and the wand recyclable.

For some embodiments, the base/body 12 is made of plastic. For some embodiments, the cartridge bottle 14 is made of glass or plastic or aluminum. For these embodiments, the cartridge bottle is recyclable. For some embodiments, the applicator 20 includes a doe-foot structure and has a ceramic or metal or plastic tip. The cartridge neck-wiper 16, wand/rod 18, spring push-button 28, inner cap 26 and cap 30 are made of plastic and are not single use.

A rear view of the refillable applicator system 10 is shown is shown in FIG. 2A. The base 12, cap 30 and spring push-button 28 are shown in FIG. 2A. A front view of the refillable applicator system 10 is shown in FIG. 2B. FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the refillable applicator system.

A perspective view of the wand/rod 18 and applicator 20 attached to the cap 30 is shown in FIG. 3A. The applicator 20 is positioned for insertion into the cartridge bottle 14, through the cartridge neck-wiper 16. The spring push button 28 is shown in an unengaged position. In FIG. 3B, the spring push button 28 is engaged by a consumer pressing down at the top of the cap 30. Engaging the push button 28 releases the wand/rod 18 at its distal end 24. FIG. 3C shows the cartridge bottle 14, disengaged from the base 12. The cartridge bottle 14 is attached to the cartridge neck-wiper 16. FIG. 3D shows the cartridge bottle 14 detached from the cartridge neck wiper 16.

An exploded view of the cap 30 for the reloadable system 10 with a wand/rod 18 release mechanism is shown in FIG. 6. A rest position for the release mechanism is shown in FIG. 7A. The rest position is the position is employed by consumers to use the wand/rod 18 to apply a cosmetic. In the rest position, the wand/rod 18 is engaged by the inner cap, which is not shown in FIG. 7A and is within the cap 30. When push button 28 is pressed, the wand/rod 18 is disengaged and released from the cap 30, as shown in FIG. 7B.

The rest position is shown in cross-section in FIG. 7C. The distal end 24 of the wand/rod 18 is snapped into the inner cap 26 when the distal end. The wand/rod 18 is held in place by the spring push button 28. The distal end 24 of the wand/rod 18 includes a ring 44 and grooves 24, at least one of which is captured between a spring 46 and threads 46 of the inner cap 26. When the push button 28 is pressed down, as shown in FIG. 7D, the wand/rod 18 is unsnapped from the inner cap 26 and is released for replacement by a new wand/rod 18 and applicator 20.

The reloadable applicator system 10 is usable with a variety of applicators that include a molded brush, shown at 8A, a twisted wire brush 8B, a ceramic applicator 8C, and a doe-foot applicator 8D. When a wand/rod 18 applicator has been removed, a consumer simply inserts a clean applicator into the cap 30. With this arrangement, a consumer is not required to pull directly on the wand with a risk of getting product on his or her fingers.

The reloadable applicator system 10 is usable for applying mascara, lip gloss, liquid concealer, and liquid lip color.

All publications, patents and patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein may be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A reloadable applicator, comprising: a recyclable cartridge for containing a product;a cartridge neck wiper reversibly attachable to the recyclable cartridge;a wand comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end terminates in an applicator for applying the product;an inner cap attachable to the cartridge neck wiper;a spring push button comprising a spring and positioned within the inner cap wherein the distal end of the wand is retainable by the spring; anda cap comprising inner threads that releasably retain the wand between the inner threads and spring of the spring push button, the cap further comprising outer threads for releasably retaining the recyclable cartridge.

2. The reloadable applicator of claim 1, wherein the product is a cosmetic.

3. The reloadable applicator of claim 2, wherein the cosmetic includes mascara, lip gloss, liquid concealer and liquid lip color.

4. The replaceable cartridge reloadable applicator of claim 1, having wherein the recyclable cartridge has a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end terminates in threads.

5. The reloadable applicator of claim 1, further comprising a base wherein the base defines an open distal end and the base is sized to receive the recyclable cartridge.

6. The reloadable applicator of claim 1, wherein the cartridge neck wiper includes an open ended conical structure positionable within the recyclable cartridge.

7. The reloadable applicator of claim 6, wherein the open conical structure of the cartridge neck wiper is adjacent to threads of the recyclable cartridge.

8. The reloadable applicator of claim 1, wherein the cartridge neck wiper further includes threads wherein the cartridge neck wiper attaches to threads of the recyclable cartridge.

9. The reloadable applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator is one of a molded brush, twisted wire brush, ceramic applicator, or doe foot applicator.

10. A separable cartridge neck-wiper comprising a main body defining threads for reversible attachment to a product cartridge;a proximal conical structure for wiping product; anda distal seal for sealing and tamper proofing the product cartridge;

11. A cap, comprising: an inner cap assembly;a cylindrical main body defining an orifice for receiving the inner cap assembly, the cylindrical main body terminating at a distal end in a disk shaped top structure, the disk shaped top structure defining an opening for exposure of a central button.

12. The inner cap assembly of claim 11, wherein the inner cap assembly comprises a spring distally terminating in the central button.

13. The cap of claim 11, further comprising a wand held in place by the inner cap assembly.

14. A reloadable applicator, comprising: a replaceable cartridge for containing a liquid product;a cartridge neck wiper reversibly attachable to the replaceable cartridge;a wand comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end terminates in a replaceable applicator for applying liquid product and the distal end terminates in a notched end having a concentric ring;an inner cap attachable to the cartridge neck wiper;a spring push button comprising a spring and positioned within the inner cap wherein the distal end of the wand is retainable by the spring; anda cap comprising inner threads that releasably retain the wand between the inner threads and spring of the spring push button, the cap further comprising outer threads for releasably retaining the replaceable cartridge.

15. A push button assembly, comprising: An applicator wand;A spring terminating distally in an adapter, the adapter sized to receive and retain the applicator wand;An inner cap for receiving and retaining the adapter and spring;A cap sized to receive the inner cap, the cap having a top that defines an orifice, the orifice receiving a push button contacting the adapter, wherein when the push button is pressed downward, the wand is released from the inner cap.

16. A reloadable applicator, comprising: a cartridge for containing a product;a cartridge neck wiper reversibly attachable to the cartridge;a wand comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end terminates in an applicator for applying product;an inner cap attachable to the cartridge neck wiper;a spring push button comprising a spring and positioned within the inner cap wherein the distal end of the wand is retainable by the spring;and,a cap comprising inner threads that releasably retain the wand between the inner threads and spring of the spring push button, the cap further including outer threads for releasably retaining the cartridge.

17. The reloadable applicator of claim 16, wherein the cartridge is either replaceable or recyclable.

18. The reloadable applicator of claim 16, wherein the applicator is replaceable.

19. A reloadable applicator, comprising: a recyclable cartridge for containing a product;a cartridge neck wiper attached to the recyclable cartridge to form a single unit;a wand comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end terminates in an applicator for applying the product;an inner cap attachable to the cartridge neck wiper;a spring push button comprising a spring and positioned within the inner cap wherein the distal end of the wand is retainable by the spring; anda cap comprising inner threads that releasably retain the wand between the inner threads and spring of the spring push button, the cap further comprising outer threads for releasably retaining the recyclable cartridge.