SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REFILLING COSMETIC PACKAGING WITH POROUS APPLICATOR

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, disclosed herein is a packaging, including a porous applicator, a porous reservoir in contact with the porous applicator at an interface, and a refill component. The refill component includes an insert configured to surround the porous applicator, a pintle that extends from the interface between the porous applicator and the porous reservoir through the porous applicator and towards an application surface of the porous applicator, and a deformable arm connecting the insert with the pintle, where the deformable arm is configured to deform from a first state to a second state.

In another aspect, a system for refilling a packaging is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the system includes the packaging as described herein, a formulation, and a container configured to hold the formulation.

In yet another aspect, disclosed herein is a method of refilling a packaging with the system as described herein. In some embodiments, the method includes applying pressure to the pintle with the container holding the formulation, deforming the deformable arm from a first state to a second state, where deforming the deformable arm from the first state to the second state forms a cavity in the porous reservoir, filling the cavity with the formulation, and removing pressure from the pintle, so that the deformable arm returns to the first state, where when the deformable arm returns to the first state, the formulation flows from the cavity to the porous reservoir.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front side view of an example packaging, in accordance with the present technology;

FIG. 1B is a top-front perspective view of an example packaging, in accordance with the present technology;

FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of an example packaging, where two deformable arms are in a first state, in accordance with the present technology;

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of an example packaging of FIG. 2A, where the two deformable arms are in a second state, in accordance with the present technology;

FIGS. 3A-3B are views of an example refill system, in accordance with the present technology;

FIGS. 4A-4B are views of another example refill system, in accordance with the present technology;

FIG. 5A-5B are views of another example refill system, in accordance with the present technology;

FIG. 6A-6B are views of another example refill system, in accordance with the present technology;

FIG. 7A is an example applicator of an example packaging, in accordance with the present technology;

FIG. 7B is another example applicator of an example packaging, in accordance with the present technology;

FIGS. 8A-8B are views of a backside of an example applicator, with and without a refill system, in accordance with the present technology;

FIGS. 9A-9E are example pintles, in accordance with the present technology;

FIG. 10 is an example system for refilling a packaging, in accordance with the present technology; and

FIG. 11 is an example method of using the system of FIG. 10, in accordance with the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Described herein is a packaging, method, and system for refilling a packaging without taking apart or otherwise modifying the packaging. In some embodiments, the packaging includes a refill system. In some embodiments, the refill system includes an insert, a deformable arm, and a pintle. In some embodiments, applying pressure on the pintle deforms the deformable arm to form a cavity that may be filled with formulation. The formulation in the cavity may then fill a porous reservoir of the packaging, thereby refilling the packaging.

FIG. 1A is a front side view of an example packaging 100, in accordance with the present technology. FIG. 1B is a top-front perspective view of the packaging 100 of FIG. 1A, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the packaging 100 includes a porous applicator 105 a porous reservoir 110 in contact with the porous applicator 105 at an interface IF, and a refill component 120. In some embodiments, the packaging 100 further includes a jar 135.

In some embodiments, the porous applicator 105 includes an applicator surface AS configured to apply a formulation onto a surface (not pictured in FIG. 1A). In one embodiment, the porous applicator 105 or at least the portion of the porous applicator 105 in contact with the porous reservoir 110 at the interface IF is made from a porous material, such as sponge or foam. In one embodiment, the portion of the porous applicator 105 at the interface IF can be convex, conical, concave, or inverse conical.

In some embodiments, the porous reservoir 110 serves to contain the bulk of a formulation, such as liquid, in the package 100. The porous reservoir 110 can be formed of a sintered porous material, a closed cell material (such as a urethane foam/sponge) or a fibrous material (such as a sintered fiber reservoir). In one embodiment, the porous reservoir 110 has a flat surface that contacts a domed or conical surface of the porous applicator 105. In some embodiments, the porous reservoir 110 has an inverse shape that compliments the domed or conical surface of the porous applicator 105. The three-dimensional surface of the porous reservoir 110 may include facets (i.e., a polyhedral dome surface) and may have a smooth, textured, or rough surface depending on the fluid (or formulation) in the porous reservoir 110. In some embodiments, the porous reservoir 110 includes a groove 250. In some embodiments, the groove 250 allows for more formulation to be retained in the porous reservoir 110.

In some embodiments, the porous applicator 105 is fastened or adhered to the porous reservoir 110 at the interface IF. In some embodiments, the porous applicator 105 and the porous reservoir 110 are in contact at the interface IF but are not bonded or adhered together. In some embodiments, the porous applicator 105 and the porous reservoir 110 are shaped to fit together.

In some embodiments, the packaging includes a jar 135. The jar 135 serves to protect and contain the porous reservoir 110, and, in some embodiments, the porous applicator 105. In some embodiments, the jar 135 includes a connection for connecting to a cap (not pictured in FIG. 1A). In some embodiments, the connection includes screw threads, a magnet, a groove, or the like.

In some embodiments, the packaging 100 further includes a refill system 120. In some embodiments, the refill system 120 includes an insert, a pintle, and a deformable arm as described in detail herein, and as shown in FIG. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5C, or 6A-6B. In some embodiments, the refill system 120 prevents the packaging 100 from dripping or dribbling when turned over.

In operation, the porous reservoir 110 may be wetted with a formulation, such as a liquid formulation. In some embodiments, the porous applicator 105 becomes wetted with the formulation through contact of the porous reservoir 110 and the porous applicator 105 at the interface IF. In some embodiments, the three-dimensional surfaces that make contact between the porous reservoir 110 and the porous applicator 105 improve the transfer from the porous reservoir 110 to the porous applicator 105, and vice versa. For example, contact alone of the porous reservoir 110 and the porous applicator 105 may be sufficient to transfer the liquid formulation from the porous reservoir 110 to the porous applicator 105. In one embodiment, the formulation may be any formulation that can be applied with the porous applicator 105. In some embodiments, the formulation can include, but is not limited to, formulations relating to make-up and formulations that are meant to be applied to the skin and hair. In some embodiments, the formulation is a cream, lotion, gel, salve, dye, or the like.

FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of an example packaging 200, where two deformable arms 230A, 230B are in a first state, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the packaging 200 includes a porous applicator 205 a porous reservoir 210 in contact with the porous applicator 205 at an interface IF, and a refill component 215. In some embodiments, the packaging 100 further includes a jar 135.

In some embodiments, the packaging 200 includes a refill system 215. In some embodiments, the refill system 215 includes an insert 220 configured to surround the porous applicator 105, a pintle 225 that extends from the interface IF between the porous applicator 105 and the porous reservoir 110 through the porous applicator and towards an application surface AS of the porous applicator 105, and one or more deformable arms 230A, 230B connecting the insert 220 with the pintle 225, where the one or more deformable arms 230A, 230B are configured to deform from a first state (shown in FIG. 2A) to a second state (shown in FIG. 2B).

In some embodiments, the insert 220 is configured to couple to the jar 235. In some embodiments, the insert 220 is configured to surround the porous applicator 205. In some embodiments, the insert 220 secures the applicator 105 into the jar. In some embodiments, the insert 220 includes one or more grooves to further secure the porous applicator 205 in the jar 235.

In some embodiments, the pintle 225 may take any number of forms, such as cylindrical, conical, tapered, ziggurat, or extruded forms, such as illustrated and described in FIGS. 9A-9E. In some embodiments, there is an opening 255 in the porous applicator 205 that the pintle 225 extends through. In some embodiments, the pintle 225 extends from the interface IF between the porous applicator 205 and the porous reservoir 210 towards the applicator surface AS of the porous applicator 205, through the opening 255 in the porous applicator 205. In some embodiments, the pintle 225 has an end E that extends towards the applicator surface AS of the porous applicator 205. In some embodiments, there is a gap 245 between the end E of the pintle 225 and the applicator surface AS.

In some embodiments, the one or more deformable arms 230A, 230B are configured to connect the pintle 225 and the insert 220. In some embodiments, the deformable arms 230A, 230B are configured to deform from a first state (as shown in FIG. 2A) to a second state (as shown in FIG. 2B). While two deformable arms 230A, 230B are illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, it should be understood that any number of deformable arms may be included in the refill system 215. In some embodiments, the refill system 215 includes a single deformable arm, three deformable arms, or the like, as shown and described in detail in FIGS. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, and 6A-6B.

In some embodiments, when the deformable arms 230A, 230B are in the first state, the refill system 215 prevents dripping, dribbling, or leaking of the porous reservoir 210 and/or the porous applicator 205. In some embodiments, the refill system 215 is formed from olefins, polypropylene, polyolefin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one or more elastomers, one or more thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), one or more thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), silicone, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the example packaging 200 of FIG. 2A, where the two deformable arms 230A, 230B are in a second state, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the two deformable arms 230A, 230B deform in response to pressure being applied to the pintle 225. In some embodiments, pressure is applied to the pintle with a portion 270 of a container (not pictured in FIG. 2B), as shown and described in detail in FIG. 10. As shown, when the two deformable arms 230A, 230B are in the second state, a cavity 260 is formed in the porous reservoir 210. In some embodiments, the porous reservoir 210 is configured to deform in response to the deformable arms 230A, 230B to form the cavity 260. In some embodiments, the cavity 260 may be filled with a formulation. In some embodiments, when the pressure is removed from the pintle 225, the formulation flows into the porous reservoir 210, thereby refilling the packaging 200.

FIGS. 3A-3B are views of an example refill system 300, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the refill system 300 includes an insert 320, a deformable arm 330, and a pintle 325. In some embodiments, the pintle 325 includes an end E. Also illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B is a porous applicator 305. In some embodiments, the refill system 300 includes only a single deformable arm 330. As described herein, the deformable arm 330 is configured to deform from a first state to a second state. In some embodiments, the deformable arm 330 is straight, with a rounded edge, but it should be understood that the deformable arm 330 may take any form.

FIGS. 4A-4B are views of another example refill system 400, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the refill system 400 includes an insert 420, a first deformable arm 430A, a second deformable arm 430B and a pintle 425. In some embodiments, the pintle 425 includes an end E. Also illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B is a porous applicator 405. In some embodiments, the refill system 400 includes two deformable arms 430A, 430B. As described herein, the two deformable arms 430A, 430B are configured to deform from a first state to a second state. In some embodiments, the first deformable arm 430A is disposed 180 degrees from the second deformable arm 430B so that the two deformable arms 430A, 430B form a contiguous line, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B.

FIGS. 5A-5B are views of another example refill system 500, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the refill system 500 includes an insert 520, three deformable arms 530A, 530B, 530C, and a pintle 525. In some embodiments, the pintle 525 includes an end E. Also illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B is a porous applicator 505. In some embodiments, the refill system 500 includes three deformable arms 530A, 530B, 530C. As described herein, the three deformable arms 530A, 530B, 530C are configured to deform from a first state to a second state. In some embodiments, the first deformable arm 530A, the second deformable arm 530B, and the third deformable arms 530C are equidistant from one another. In some embodiments, the first deformable arm 530A, the second deformable arm 530B, and the third deformable arm 530C are curved, but in other embodiments, the three deformable arms 530A, 530B, 530C are straight, polygonal, or organically shaped. In some embodiments, the three deformable arms 530A, 530B, 530C allow for a larger and/or more uniform cavity (such as cavity 260) in the porous reservoir (such as porous reservoir in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B).

FIGS. 6A-6B are views of another example refill system 600, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the refill system 600 includes an insert 620, a first deformable arm 630A, a second deformable arm 630B, and a pintle 425. In some embodiments, the pintle 625 includes an end E. Also illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B is a porous applicator 605. In some embodiments, the refill system 600 includes two deformable arms 630A, 630B. As described herein, the two deformable arms 630A, 630B are configured to deform from a first state to a second state. In some embodiments, the first deformable arm 630A and the second deformable arm 630B are angled to form a bi-arm spring. In some embodiments, the bi-arm spring allows for a larger cavity (such as cavity 260) being formed in the porous reservoir (such as porous reservoir in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B).

FIG. 7A is an example porous applicator 705 of an example packaging, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the porous applicator includes an applicator surface AS, configured to apply a formulation. In some embodiments, the porous applicator includes an opening 755. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 2A, the pintle does not extend to the applicator surface AS. In such embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 2A, there is a gap between an end of the pintle and the applicator surface AS. In some embodiments, the gap allows for the pintle to not interrupt the applicator surface AS.

FIG. 7B is another example applicator 705 of an example packaging, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the end E of the pintle 725 is flush with the applicator surface AS. In such embodiments, the pintle 725 becomes a part of the applicator surface AS. In some embodiments, the opening 755, and therefore the pintle 725, are not centered in the porous applicator 705. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the opening 755 and the pintle 725 are offset from the center of the porous applicator 705.

FIGS. 8A-8B are views of a backside of an example porous applicator 805, with and without a refill system including one or more deformable arms 830A, 830B, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the porous applicator 805 includes an opening 855, and one or more grooves 840 configured to hold the one or more deformable arms 830A, 830B. While two deformable arms 830A, 830B are illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B, it should be understood that any number and arrangement of deformable arms may fit in the one or more grooves 840, including those illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B, and 6A-6B. In such embodiments, the grooves 840 allow the deformable arms 830A, 830B to be flush with the backside of the porous applicator 805. In some embodiments, this allows the porous applicator 805 and a porous reservoir (such as porous reservoir 110 or porous reservoir 210 described and illustrated herein) to be in more contact at an interface (such as interface IF described and illustrated herein). Accordingly, the groove 840 may allow for a larger surface area of the porous applicator 805 to be in contact with the porous reservoir at the interface.

FIGS. 9A-9E are example pintles 925, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the pintle 925 includes an end E. The pintle 925 may take any form, such as tapered (FIG. 9A), cylindrical without a taper (FIG. 9B), faceted and angled like a pyramid (FIG. 9C), ziggurat-shaped (FIG. 9D), or extruded (FIG. 9E). In some embodiments, the pintle 925 includes a taper, such as shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9C, and FIG. 9D. In some embodiments, the pintle is not tapered, such as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9E. In some embodiments, the pintle 925 may be branded or otherwise include a graphic of some kind. In some embodiments, the pintle 925 includes one or more grooves such as shown in FIG. 9E. FIGS. 9A-9E are merely representative. FIGS. 9A-9E should not be interpreted as the only forms the pintle 925 can take. Different forms of the pintle 925 can have different advantages, such as balance, stability, formulation flow when the system is in use (such as shown in FIG. 10), and the like.

FIG. 10 is an example system 10000 for refilling a packaging 1000, in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the system 10000 includes packaging 1000. In some embodiments, the packaging 1000 is the packaging as shown and described herein, such as packaging 100 and packaging 200 of FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B. In some embodiments, the system 10000 includes a formulation F, and a container 7000 configured to hold the formulation F.

In some embodiments, the packaging 1000 includes a porous applicator 1005, and a porous reservoir 1010, where the porous applicator 1005 and the porous reservoir 1010 are in contact with each other at an interface IF. In some embodiments, the packaging 1000 includes a refill system, which includes a pintle 1025, two deformable arms 1030A, 1030B, and an insert 1020. In some embodiments, the deformable arms 1030A, 1030B are configured to deform from a first state to a second state when pressure is applied to the pintle 1025. As shown in FIG. 10, the deformable arms 1030A, 1030B are in the second state. When the deformable arms 1030A, 1030B are in the second state, a cavity 1050 is formed in the porous reservoir. While two deformable arms 1030A, 1030B are illustrated in FIG. 10, any number of deformable arms may be included, such as shown in detail in FIGS. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5C, and 6A-6B.

In some embodiments, the system 10000 includes a container 7000 configured to hold a formulation F. In some embodiments, the container 7000 includes a portion 7005 configured to contact the pintle 1025, but this may be omitted. In some embodiments, the portion 7005 is a nozzle, such as illustrated in FIG. 10. In some embodiments, the formulation F is a liquid formulation. The formulation F may be a formulation relating to make-up, or a formulation meant to be applied to the skin and/or hair. In some embodiments, the formulation is a fragrance. In some embodiments, the formulation is a cream, lotion, gel, salve, dye, or the like.

In some embodiments, the packaging 1000 can be refilled with the formulation F without having to take apart the packaging 1000. In operation, the container 7000, or the portion 7005 of the container 7000, is configured to apply pressure to the pintle 1025. In some embodiments, applying pressure to the pintle 1025 deforms the first deformable arm 1030A and the second deformable arm 1030B from the first state to the second state. In some embodiments, deforming the deformable arms 1030A, 1030B from the first state to the second state forms a cavity 1050 in the porous reservoir 1010. In some embodiments, the container 7000 is configured to allow for formulation F to flow over the pintle 1025 and into the cavity 1050. In some embodiments, the container 7000 allows for the formulation F to flow from the portion 7005, which can contact the pintle 1025 and distribute the formulation F. In some embodiments, the formulation F flows down the pintle 1025 and into the cavity 1050. When the pressure from the nozzle 7005 is removed, the deformable arms 1030A, 1030B return to a first state. In the first state, porous reservoir 1010 returns to the interface IF, and the cavity 1050 recedes. The formulation F may then fill and saturate the porous reservoir 1010. In such a manner, the packaging 1000 may be refilled with the formulation F without taking apart the packaging 1000.

FIG. 11 is an example method 1100 of using the system of FIG. 10, in accordance with the present technology. It should be understood that method 1100 should be interpreted as merely representative. In some embodiments, process blocks of method 1100 may be performed simultaneously, sequentially, in a different order, or even omitted, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, method 1100 is a method of using the system shown in FIG. 10. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the system includes a packaging (such as packaging 1000) with a refill system including an insert (insert 1020), one or more deformable arms (deformable arms 1030A, 1030B), and a pintle (pintle 1025). In some embodiments, the system further includes a container (container 7000) configured to hold a formulation (formulation F).

In block 1105, pressure is applied to the pintle with the container. In some embodiments, the container is shaped or formed specifically to apply pressure to the pintle. In some embodiments, the container has a portion, such as a nozzle or other extrusion, configured to apply pressure to the pintle. In some embodiments, the pressure is applied with gravity, but in other embodiments, the pressure may be applied manually, such as with a hand of a user, or machinery.

In block 1110, the deformable arm (or in some embodiments, the deformable arms) is deformed from a first state to a second state. In some embodiments, deforming the deformable arm to the second state forms a cavity in the porous reservoir.

In block 1115, the cavity is filled with a formulation. In some embodiments, this allows for more formulation F to seep into or otherwise fill the porous reservoir. In some embodiments, the cavity may be partially filled, or completely filled. In some embodiments, the size of the cavity is dependent on how much formulation is needed to saturate the porous reservoir.

In block 1120, pressure is removed from the pintle. In some embodiments, the container is removed from the pintle, and in other embodiments, pressure is relieved off of the pintle without fully removing the container.

In block 1125, the deformable arm (or deformable arms) returns to the first state. In some embodiments, formulation flows from the cavity into the porous reservoir. In some embodiments, as the porous reservoir returns to an interface between the porous applicator and the porous reservoir, the formulation saturates, fills, or flows to the porous reservoir.

Optionally, in block 1130, the formulation is transferred from the porous reservoir to the porous application. In some embodiments, the porous reservoir may be wetted with a liquid formulation, and the porous applicator becomes wetted with the liquid formulation through contact of the porous reservoir at the interface IF. In some embodiments, the three-dimensional surfaces that make contact between the porous reservoir and the porous applicator improve the transfer from one medium to the other. For example, contact alone of the porous reservoir and the porous applicator is sufficient to transfer the liquid formulation from the porous reservoir to the porous applicator.

The present application may reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but representative of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also, in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about,” “approximately,” “near,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.

The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, are intended as a description of various embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in order to achieve the same or substantially similar result. Generally, the embodiments disclosed herein are non-limiting, and the inventors contemplate that other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may include structures and functionalities from more than one specific embodiment shown in the figures and described in the specification.

In the foregoing description, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without embodying all the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.

The present application may include references to directions, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “top,” and “bottom,” etc. These references, and other similar references in the present application, are intended to assist in helping describe and understand the particular embodiment (such as when the embodiment is positioned for use) and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these directions or locations.

The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also, in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The term “about,” “approximately,” etc., means plus or minus 5% of the stated value. The term “based upon” means “based at least partially upon.”

The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure, which are intended to be protected, are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REFILLING COSMETIC PACKAGING WITH POROUS APPLICATOR

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