DISPENSER FOR TOILET PREPARATIONS

Abstract: A dispenser for a toilet preparation comprises a container (12) for containing the preparation, and an applicator (14) for applying the preparation when dispensed from the container, there being a flow passage (34, 36) leading from the inside of the container, through which the preparation can flow from the container to theapplicator. The applicator comprises an applicator head (38) which is swivelable with respect to the container, between a first position in which the applicator head is directed sideways with respect to the container, and a second position in which the applicator head is directed longitudinally with respect to the container. This enables a cap to be placed over the applicator when not in use, facilitating packaging and protecting the applicator against contamination.

Description: DISPENSER FOR TOILET PREPARATIONS. This invention relates to a dispenser for a toilet preparation, and to an applicator for use in forming part of such a dispenser. Applicant is aware of dispensers for toilet preparations such as shaving cream, which comprise an aerosol-type container containing the preparation, and an applicator mounted on the container. The preparation is contained in the container under pressure, and the container has a valve and a dispensing nozzle through which, when the valve is actuated, the preparation is dispensed. The applicator is in communication with the nozzle so that, when the valve is actuated, the preparation flows from the nozzle directly to the applicator. To make the dispenser comfortable in use, the head of the applicator should face sideways, i.e. at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the container. The dispenser can then be held in one hand, using the container as a handle, and the valve actuated with a finger of the same hand, whilst the applicator head is simultaneously applied to the user's face for the application of shaving cream. This configuration however causes difficulties in packaging the dispenser. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser which has the advantages of the prior art dispensers, yet does not cause the difficulties in packaging that are experienced with the prior art devices. According to the invention there is provided a dispenser for a toilet preparation, the dispenser comprising a longitudinally extending container for containing the preparation, and an applicator for applying the preparation when dispensed from the container, there being a flow passage leading from the inside of the container, through which the preparation can flow from the container to the applicator, the applicator comprising an applicator head which is swivelable with respect to the container, between a first position in which the applicator head is directed sideways with respect to the container, and a second position in which the applicator head is directed longitudinally with respect to the container. The applicator may comprise a first component which is mounted on the container, and a second component which is pivotally mounted on the first component, the applicator head forming part of the second component, whereby the second component is pivotally displaceable with respect to the first component about a pivot axis which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the container. The first and second components may have complementary curved surfaces which are slidably displaceable with respect to one another, the axis of curvature of the curved surfaces coinciding with the pivot axis, and the flow passage being partly in the first component and partly in the second component, the arrangement being such that when the second component is in said first position that part of the passage which is in the second component is in register with that part of the passage which is in the first component. Where the container is in the form of an aerosol-type container containing the preparation under pressure, and having a valve and a nozzle through which, when the valve is actuated, the preparation is dispensed, the first component may comprise a base which connects the applicator to the container, and a sub-structure on which the second component is mounted, the sub-structure seating on the nozzle and being displaceable with respect to the base so as to enable the valve to be actuated by the application of finger pressure to the sub-structure. The invention extends to an applicator which can be mounted on a longitudinally extending container containing a toilet preparation, for applying the preparation when dispensed from the container, the applicator comprising a first component whereby the applicator can be mounted on the container, and a second component including an applicator head, the second component being pivotally mounted on the first component so that the second component is pivotally displaceable with respect to the first component about a pivot axis which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the container, and there being a flow passage leading from the first component to the second component, for the flow of the preparation from the container to the applicator head. The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical section of a dispenser in accordance with the invention, showing the applicator head thereof in the operative position; Figure 2 is a vertical section on ll-ll in Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is a vertical section similar to that shown in Figure 1 , but showing the applicator head in the inoperative position. Referring now to the drawings in more detail, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a dispenser which comprises an aerosol-type container 1 2 (only the top part of which is shown) and an applicator 14 which is adapted to be mounted on the container. The container 1 2 is of conventional construction, having a dispensing nozzle 1 6 and a valve (not shown) which is actuated by applying downward pressure to the nozzle. The applicator 14 comprises a first component 1 8 which is mounted on the container 1 2, and second component 20 which is pivotally mounted on the first component so that the second component can be displaced pivotally with respect to the first component about a pivot axis 22. The pivotal connection is effected by the first component having a pair of spaced cheek elements 24 in each of which there is a socket 28, and by the second component having a part which is accommodated between the cheek elements and has a pair of short pivot pins 26 which protrude therefrom in opposite directions and are entered in the sockets. The first and second components 1 8 and 20 have complementary cylindrical surfaces 30 and 32 respectively, the axis of curvature of the cylindrical surfaces coinciding with the pivot axis 22. Thus, when the second component 20 is displaced pivotally with respect to the first component 1 8, the surfaces 30 and 32 slide over one another, there being little clearance between the two surfaces so as to minimise the leakage of toilet preparation. The first component 1 8 seats on the nozzle 1 6 and has a passage 34 therein which is in flow communication with the nozzle 1 6. The second component 20 also has a passage therein, indicated by reference numeral 36, the two passages 34 and 36 being in register with one another when the second component is in the operative position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The second component 20 includes an applicator head 38 which, in the embodiment illustrated, includes a brush having bristles 40 (shown dotted in outline). It will be understood that other forms of applicator head may be used, for example an applicator head which comprises a sponge instead of a brush. The first component 1 8 comprises an annular base 42 which is a tight fit on the rim of the aerosol-type container 1 2 and, in use, remains fixed with respect to the container. It further comprises a sub-structure 44 which is connected to the base on one side thereof by a flexible bridging element 46 while, for the major part of its periphery, the sub-structure is separated from the base 42 by the gap indicated at 48. As the bridging element 46 is flexible, it allows the sub-structure 44 to be displaced up or down to a small degree with respect to the base 42. Thus, by applying downward pressure to the sub-structure 44 via the second component 20, the valve of the aerosol-type container 1 2 can be actuated. To this end, the second component 20 has a recess 50 therein in which the user's index finger can be accommodated for purposes of applying downward pressure. When in use, the second component 20 will be in the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, in which position the applicator head 38 faces sideways. This is the position which is most convenient for applying shaving cream or other toilet preparation dispensed from the container. For packaging purposes, however, this position of the applicator head is far from desirable. However, for packaging purposes, the applicator head will be pivoted to the position in which it faces upwards, as illustrated in Figure 3. In this position it is essentially in line with the container 1 2. This construction, for example, enables a cap to be placed over the applicator. This is particularly desirable for packaging purposes. Also, such a cap can be used to cover the head 38 and bristles 40 when the dispenser is not in use, protecting the head and bristles against contamination and from coming into contact with other objects, and so providing for better hygiene. Detent means (not illustrated) may be provided to provide for click-stop operation of the second component 20 relative to the first component. This may be arranged to hold the second component 20 in either one of the two positions illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 and, if desired, in one or more intermediate positions. It is to be understood that the container may alternatively be of the un-pressurised type, in which event the applicator may comprise a reciprocating pump for pumping preparation from the container to the applicator head. In this event the applicator will have a first part which is connected to the container and a spring-loaded second part which can reciprocate up and down with respect to the first part, the applicator head of the applicator being part of the second part. The pump can then be operated by pressing down and releasing the second part. In this event the arrangement should be such that the second part is restrained from rotating with respect to the first part.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1 . A dispenser for a toilet preparation, the dispenser comprising a longitudinally extending container ( 1 2) for containing the preparation, and an applicator (14) for applying the preparation when dispensed from the container, there being a flow passage (34, 36) leading from the inside of the container, through which the preparation can flow from the container to the applicator, characterized in that the applicator comprises an applicator head (38) which is swivelable with respect to the container, between a first position in which the applicator head is directed sideways with respect to the container, and a second position in which the applicator head is directed longitudinally with respect to the container. 2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the applicator (14) comprises a first component (1 8) which is mounted on the container, and a second component (20) which is pivotally mounted on the first component, the applicator head (38) forming part of the second component, whereby the second component is pivotally displaceable with respect to the first component about a pivot axis (22) which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the container. 3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the first and second components ( 1 8, 20) have complementary curved surfaces (30, 32) which are slidably displaceable with respect to one another, the axis of curvature of the curved surfaces coinciding with the pivot axis (22), and the flow passage (34, 36) being partly in the first component and partly in the second component, the arrangement being such that when the second component (20) is in said first position that part of the passage (36) which is in the second component is in register with that part of the passage (34) which is in the first component. 4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, the container being in the form of an aerosol-type container containing the preparation under pressure, and having a valve and a nozzle (1 6) through which, when the valve is actuated, the preparation is dispensed, characterized in that the first component ( 1 8) comprises a base (42) which connects the applicator to the container, and a sub-structure (44) on which the second component is mounted, the sub-structure seating on the nozzle and being displaceable with respect to the base so as to enable the valve to be actuated by the application of finger pressure to the sub-structure. 5. An applicator which can be mounted on a longitudinally extending container (1 2) containing a toilet preparation, for applying the preparation when dispensed from the container, characterized in that it comprises a first component ( 1 8) whereby the applicator can be mounted on the container, and a second component (20) including an applicator head (38), the second component being pivotally mounted on the first component so that the second component is pivotally displaceable with respect to the first component about a pivot axis (22) which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the container, and there being a flow passage (34, 36) leading from the first component to the second component, for the flow of the preparation from the container to the applicator head. 6. An applicator as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the first and second components (1 8, 20) have complementary curved surfaces (30, 32) which are slidably displaceable with respect to one another, the axis of curvature of the curved surfaces coinciding with the pivot axis (22), and the flow passage (34, 36) being partly in the first component and partly in the second component, the arrangement being such that, when the second component (20) is in a position in which the applicator head (38) is directed sideways with respect to the container, that part of the passage (36) which is in the second component is in register with that part of the passage (34) which is in the first component. 7. An applicator as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, for use with a container which is in the form of an aerosol-type container containing the preparation under pressure, and having a valve and a nozzle ( 1 6) through which, when the valve is actuated, the preparation is dispensed, characterized in that the first component (18) comprises a base (42) which is adapted to connect the applicator to the container, and a sub-structure (44) on which the second component (20) is mounted, the sub-structure being arranged to seat on the nozzle when the applicator is in position on the container, and being displaceable with respect to the base so as to enable the valve to be actuated by the application of finger pressure to the sub-structure. 8. A dispenser for a toilet preparation, substantially as herein described and illustrated. 9. An applicator for a toilet preparation, substantially as herein described and illustrated.

Inventors: VENTER JACQUES, VENTER, JACQUES
Applicants: VENTER JACQUES, VENTER, JACQUES
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65D83
IPC codes: A45D34, B65D83