Patent Publication Number: US-6666607-B2

Title: Applicator and method for applying a product

Description:
The present invention relates to an applicator and method for applying a product. In particular, the invention relates to an applicator and method for applying a cosmetic product, such as nail varnish or lip make-up, for example, or a care product. The applicator and method for applying may be especially suitable for applying a liquid or semi-liquid product. 
     The invention may include an applicator that may enable application of a product to be performed with precision. Moreover, the applicator may be used for at least a length of time sufficient to enable a product, such as a cosmetic or a care product, to be applied under good conditions. 
     It should be understood that the invention could be practiced without performing one or more of the objects and/or advantages described herein. Other objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent from the description which follows. 
     In accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes an applicator element configured to be loaded with product to be applied. The applicator element may comprise a wall defining a cavity in which product accumulates. The cavity has at least one opening through which product to be applied passes. The at least one opening is disposed at an end of the applicator element. The applicator element may further comprise at least one retention element disposed inside the cavity. The wall and the at least one retention element may be configured such that the product is held substantially within the cavity. 
     According to another aspect, the invention may include an applicator for applying a product comprising an applicator element configured to be loaded with product to be applied. The applicator element may comprise a substantially elongate, hollow enclosure having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end may define at least one opening through which the product to be applied passes. The applicator element may further comprise at least one retention element disposed within the hollow enclosure. The at least one retention element and the enclosure may be configured so as to hold product substantially within the enclosure. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the wall and the at least one retention element may be configured such that the product is held between the wall and the at least one retention element via capillary attraction. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one retention element and the enclosure may be configured such that the product is held substantially within the enclosure via capillary attraction. That is, the wall and the retention element, or the enclosure and the retention element, have a configuration with respect to each other such that the adhesion forces between the product and the surfaces of the wall, or the enclosure, and the retention element are greater than the internal cohesion of the product itself. This may cause the product to be raised against the surfaces of the wall and the retention element. In other words, the adhesion forces may thus at least substantially prevent the product from exiting the cavity in the absence of external forces (i.e., forces other than those associated with the weight of the product itself). In an exemplary embodiment, the product is a liquid or semi-liquid and the surfaces of the wall, the enclosure, and the retention element are substantially solid. 
     The wall may surround the entire cavity or at least substantially the entire cavity. In an embodiment, the at least one opening is a single opening. This single opening may permit relatively precise application of product and may be configured so as to be suitable for applying liquid to fingernails or toenails, for example. 
     The retention element may allow the at least one opening through which product passes to be of relatively large dimensions for application purposes while substantially preventing the product from exiting the cavity when the applicator element is not being used to apply the product. Further, the cavity also may have a relatively large volume. This may permit continued use of the applicator for a sufficient length of time before it becomes necessary to reload the applicator element with product. 
     Optionally, the at least one opening is at a distal end of the applicator element, and the wall defines at least one vent opening proximate a proximal end of the applicator element. The proximal end may be located opposite to the distal end. 
     The at least one retention element may be disposed completely within the cavity. An end of the at least one retention element may be substantially flush with a plane defined by the opening of the cavity. Alternatively, an end of the at least one retention element proximate the opening may be disposed at a distance from a plane defined by the opening. The end of the at least one retention element may be at a distance ranging from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 3 mm from the plane defined by the opening. More particularly, the end of the at least one retention element may be at a distance ranging from approximately 1 mm to approximately 2 mm from the plane defined by the opening. This disposition makes it possible to avoid direct contact between the retention element and the surface on which the liquid is deposited, where such contact can interfere with uniform application of the liquid. 
     According to an aspect, the at least one opening is disposed in a plane that extends substantially obliquely relative to a longitudinal axis of the cavity. This may facilitate application of the product to a surface. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the wall may be cylindrical at least over a portion of its height. A transverse cross-section of at least a portion of the wall, or a portion of the enclosure, may be substantially circular, substantially oblong, substantially polygonal, substantially bean-shaped, or any other suitable cross-sectional shape. The particular shape chosen may depend on factors such as the nature of the product and the type of application. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one retention element may be formed integrally with the wall or with the enclosure. Optionally, they may be formed by injection molding of a plastic material, for example. As yet another option, the retention element may be made as a single piece with the wall or the enclosure. 
     According to an aspect, the at least one retention element may be fixed within the cavity. The applicator may further comprise at least one fin extending from the at least one retention element and configured to hold the at least one retention element within the cavity. The at least one retention element and the at least one fin may be formed integrally, for example, as a single piece. They may be formed by injection-molding a plastic, for example. 
     The at least one fin may extend substantially radially from the at least one retention element, and the at least one fin may be configured to hold the at least one retention element inside the cavity via friction fit with an interior surface of the wall or the enclosure. Alternatively, some other suitable mechanism for holding the retention element within the cavity may be used. 
     The applicator may further comprise flocking in an exemplary embodiment. The flocking may be on at least a portion of at least one of the wall and the at least one retention element. Such flocking may increase the amount of product that is retained on the applicator element and/or control a flow rate of the product. Indeed, such flocking may make application of the product more uniform and any contact with the treated surface more flexible. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, the applicator further comprises a rod and the applicator element may be connected to the rod. The longitudinal axis of the applicator element optionally forms a non-zero angle with a longitudinal axis of the rod. For example, the longitudinal axis of the applicator may be substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rod. 
     As an option, the wall or the enclosure may be connected to the rod. The applicator also may comprise a handle member and the rod may be connected to the handle member. According to an aspect, the handle member may be formed as a single piece with the rod. In yet another aspect, the rod and the wall may be formed as a single piece. The at least one retention element and the rod may optionally be formed integrally, for example, as a single piece. Also optionally, the retention element and the rod may be formed by injection molding a plastic, for example. 
     Optionally, the rod is at least as flexible as the applicator element. This may ensure that the applicator is flexible in the event that the applicator element comes into contact with the surface being treated. Also optionally, a diameter of the rod may be not larger than a diameter of the applicator element. This also may confer flexibility to the applicator. 
     In an aspect, the at least one retention element forms a non-zero angle with the rod. The at least one retention element may be adjustably fixed to the wall, or adjustably fixed to the enclosure. This may permit modification of the manner in which the product is released. 
     The at least one retention element and the wall, or the at least one retention element and the enclosure, may be made of materials that differ from each other. 
     According to an aspect, the wall comprises a substantially vertical wall portion and a substantially transverse wall portion, the substantially transverse wall portion may be connected to the rod. The enclosure may comprise a substantially vertical wall portion and a substantially transverse wall portion, with the transverse wall portion connected to the rod. The substantially transverse wall portion and the rod may be connected or formed as a single piece. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the applicator further comprises a cap configured to close a receptacle for containing a product to be applied. The rod may be connected to the cap. The cap may be configured to close the receptacle in a sealed manner. 
     The wall may be tapered along at least part of its length. The enclosure also may be tapered along at least part of its length. Optionally, the wall, or the enclosure, may taper in a direction away from the opening. Also optionally, the wall or the enclosure may flare outwardly in a direction toward the opening. 
     According to an aspect, the at least one retention element may be disposed substantially centrally within the cavity. The at least one retention element may be substantially elongate. The cavity may have a longitudinal axis and the at least one retention element may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. As an option, the longitudinal axis of the cavity is a curved longitudinal axis. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the wall and the at least one retention element are further configured such that a drop of product is formed at the opening when product is held between the wall and the at least one retention element. In another exemplary embodiment, the enclosure and the at least one retention element are further configured such that a drop of product is formed at the opening when product is held substantially within the enclosure. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one retention element and the wall form an angle that either diverges or converges toward the at least one opening. In another embodiment, the at least one retention element and the enclosure form an angle that either diverges or converges toward the at least one opening. In the case of a converging angle, a portion of the applicator element may be more pointed so as to permit a relatively more precise application. 
     The wall or enclosure may flare in the vicinity of the opening used for application purposes, for example, in order to modify the characteristics of the drop of liquid that may be formed at the opening. 
     According to yet another aspect, the invention includes a system for applying a product comprising a receptacle configured to contain a product to be applied and any of the applicators described above. The applicator element may be configured to be inserted into the receptacle. 
     The system may further comprise a wiper member for wiping the applicator element as the applicator element is withdrawn from the receptacle. The wiper member may be configured to wipe an outer surface of the wall as the applicator element is withdrawn from the receptacle. Alternatively, the wiper member may be configured to wipe an outer surface of the enclosure as the applicator element is withdrawn from the receptacle. 
     Optionally, the system further comprises the product in the receptacle. The product may be chosen from a care product and a cosmetic product. In an exemplary embodiment, the cosmetic product is chosen from lip make-up and nail varnish. 
     Yet another aspect of the invention includes a method of applying a product to a surface. The method may comprise providing any of the applicators discussed above, loading the applicator element with product such that product is held between the wall and the at least one retention element, and depositing at least some of the loaded product onto a surface. The method may further comprise moving the applicator element relative to the surface so as to apply the product over at least a portion of the surface. 
     It is noted that the term “providing” is used broadly, and refers to, but is not limited to, making available for use, giving, supplying, obtaining, getting a hold of, acquiring, purchasing, selling, distributing, possessing, making ready for use, and/or placing in a position ready for use. 
     The loading of the applicator element may comprise immersing the applicator element at least partially in the product to be applied. 
     The depositing of at least some of the product on the surface may comprise depositing at least a drop of the product formed at the at least one opening of the cavity. In an exemplary embodiment, the depositing of at least some of the product on the surface occurs at least substantially without bringing the applicator element into contact with the surface. 
     As an option, the product may be chosen from a cosmetic product and a care product. More particularly, the cosmetic product may be chosen from a lip make-up and a nail varnish. Further, the product may be chosen from one of a liquid and semi-liquid product. The depositing of at least some of the loaded product onto a surface may comprise depositing at least some of the loaded product onto one of skin, hair, a fingernail, and a toenail. 
     Aside from the structural and procedural arrangements set forth above, the invention could include a number of other arrangements, such as those explained hereinafter. It is to be understood that both the foregoing description and the following description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings, 
     FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a device for applying a product; 
     FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the applicator element of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken from the perspective of arrow III in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an applicator element; 
     FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an applicator element; 
     FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of an applicator element; 
     FIG. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an applicator element; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a retention element; 
     FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an applicator element; 
     FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing an embodiment of an applicator used during application of nail varnish to a fingernail; 
     FIG. 11 is a partial axial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an applicator element; 
     FIG. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an applicator element; 
     FIG. 13 is a partial axial sectional view of an embodiment of an applicator; 
     FIG. 14 is a partial axial sectional view of an embodiment of an applicator; 
     FIG. 15 is a partial axial sectional view of another embodiment of an applicator; 
     FIG. 16 is a partial axial sectional view of yet another embodiment of an applicator; 
     FIG. 17 is a partial axial sectional view of yet another embodiment of an applicator; 
     FIG. 18 is a partial axial sectional view of another embodiment of an applicator; 
     FIG. 19 is a partial axial sectional view of another embodiment of an applicator; 
     FIG. 20 is a partial axial sectional view of yet another embodiment of an applicator; 
     FIG. 21 is a partial axial sectional view of another embodiment of an applicator; and 
     FIG. 22 is a partial axial sectional view of yet another embodiment of an applicator. 
    
    
     Reference will now be made in detail to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
     FIG. 1 shows an applicator system  1  comprising a receptacle  2  having an axis X, and an applicator  3 . The applicator  3  comprises an applicator element  4  connected by a rod  5  to a handle  6 . The handle  6  also may be configured as a cap for closing the receptacle  2 , as shown in FIG. 1, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the cap may close the receptacle in a sealed manner. 
     The receptacle  2  has a threaded neck portion  7  and the cap  6  may have an assembly skirt  8  arranged to screw onto the neck portion  7 . As shown in FIG. 1, the skirt  8  may have screw threading configured to engage with screw threading on the neck portion  7 . 
     The top of the rod  5  may be connected to the cap  6  via an assembly portion  9 . The assembly portion  9  may be shaped to engage via friction-fit in the assembly skirt  8  and may include a sealing lip  10  configured to press in sealed manner against the neck portion  7 . 
     The receptacle  2  may be filled with a product P to be applied. Optionally, the product P may be a liquid, such as, for example, nail varnish. As an alternative, the product P may be a semi-liquid. Further, the receptacle  2  may be provided with a wiper member W, which may be configured so as to wipe an outer surface of the applicator element  4 , for example, as the applicator element is withdrawn from the receptacle  2 . 
     The applicator element  4  is shown on a larger scale in FIG.  2 . According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the applicator element  4  may comprise a wall  12  having a longitudinal axis X. The wall  12  may define a reservoir-forming cavity  13  in which the product P may accumulate. The wall  12  may be substantially tubular in shape. The wall  12  may be pierced radially near the top (i.e., proximal end) by a vent opening  14 . In an alternative embodiment, the wall  12  may have a plurality of vent openings. 
     The applicator element  4  also may comprise a retention element  16  disposed within the cavity. In other embodiments, there may be a plurality of retention elements within the cavity. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the retention element may extend along the axis X of the cavity. In this case, the retention element  16  is of substantially circular cross-section, as can be seen in FIG.  3 . 
     The wall  12  may be connected to the rod  5  by a transverse wall  17 . The retention element  16  may be connected at its top end to the transverse wall  17 . 
     Aside from the wall  12  and transverse wall  17  shown in FIG. 2, the applicator element may comprise virtually any type of hollow enclosure that forms a cavity configured to accumulate the product to be applied. The cavity may have at least one opening through which the product passes for applying the product. 
     The bottom edge  18  of the wall  12  may be substantially tangential to a plane K that extends obliquely relative to the axis X of the receptacle  2 . The bottom edge  18  also may define at least one opening  19 . 
     In the optional embodiment shown, the retention element  16  has a chamfered bottom end  20  that is substantially flush with the plane K, as can be seen in FIG.  2 . 
     The retention element  16  may serve to retain the product P via capillary 
     attraction in the suitably narrow annular gap formed between the retention element  16  and the inside surface of the wall  12 . A drop G of the product P may be formed at the opening  19 . This may enable the product P to be applied on the surface at least substantially without bringing the applicator element  4  into contact with the surface. 
     The applicator element may have various other configurations without going beyond the scope of the present invention. By way of example, FIG. 4 shows an applicator element comprising a tubular wall  22  of substantially oblong cross-section. The retention element  26  in the center thereof co-operates with the tubular wall  22  so as to leave an annular gap  23  of substantially constant width selected as a function of the nature of the liquid to be applied, so that the liquid is retained by surface tension (i.e., capillary attraction) between the tubular wall  22  and the retention element  26 . 
     FIG. 5 shows an applicator element comprising a wall  32  having a polygonal cross-section. More specifically, as in the optional embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the polygonal cross-section may be a triangular cross-section. The retention element  36  may have a cross-section that is substantially geometrically similar to the cross-section of the wall  32 , as shown, for example, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG.  5 . Alternatively, the respective cross-sections of the retention element and the wall may differ. In a manner similar to that described with reference to FIG. 2, liquid may be retained via capillary attraction between the wall  32  and the retention element  36  in a gap  33  of sufficiently small width. 
     FIG. 6 shows an applicator element in cross-section wherein the applicator element comprises a wall  42  of hexagonal cross-section together with a retention element  46  placed inside the cavity  43  formed by the wall  42  in order to retain the liquid between the retention element and the wall via capillary attraction. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12, the wall  82  has a substantially bean-shaped transverse cross-section and the retention element  86  has a substantially curved cross-section co-operating with the wall  82  to leave a gap  83  of substantially constant width. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, the wall  52  is of substantially circular transverse cross-section, similar to the wall  12  described above. The retention element  56  is in the form of a separate piece fitted in the cavity defined by the wall  12 . This separate piece  56  is shown in FIG.  8 . Near its top (i.e., proximal end), the retention element  56  comprises end fins  57  for holding it within the cavity. The fins  7  bear against the inside surface of wall  52  in a friction-fit manner so as to hold the retention element. The fins  57  may be formed integrally with the retention element  56 . 
     In the exemplary embodiments discussed above, the applicator element presents at least one opening at its bottom end that may be suitable for forming at least a single drop of liquid. 
     The retention element  56  may be fixed in adjustable manner inside the wall  52 , i.e. it can be pressed into the wall  52  to a greater or lesser extent, thereby having a free end that is set back at a distance to a greater or lesser extent from the opening that is used for applying the liquid. The distance between the free end of the retention element and the plane defined by the opening may be determined as a function of various factors, such as the nature of the liquid that is to be applied and the type of application, for example. 
     In FIG. 9, the applicator element has a wall  62  of substantially circular cross-section and a retention element  66  connected to the wall  62  by a bridge of material  67 . The bridge  67  extends radially and may be formed integrally with the wall  62  and the retention element  66  by injection-molding, for example. 
     The bridge of material  67  may extend as far as the bottom end of the applicator element, in which case the opening  69  used for applying the liquid may be in the form of an annulus interrupted by the bridge of material  67 . 
     The applicator system  1  shown in FIG. 1 may optionally be used as follows. To perform application, the user may unscrew the cap  6  and extract the applicator element  4  from the receptacle  2 . The cavity  13 , and more specifically the volume (i.e., annular gap) defined between the retention element  16  and the tubular wall  12 , may be filled with product because of the presence of the vent opening  14 . 
     A drop G of product P may form at the opening at the bottom end of the applicator element  4 , with the product P being retained by capillary attraction inside the cavity defined by the tubular wall  12 . This capillary attraction may be enhanced by the presence of the retention element  16 . 
     When the user brings the applicator element  4  near a surface, such as a fingernail O, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the drop G of product P can be brought into contact with the fingernail without the applicator element  4  touching the fingernail O. This may permit the product P to be deposited and applied to the fingernail substantially without leaving stripe marks or ridges. This also may provide an advantage compared with conventional applicator elements that come into contact with the nail, such as brush applicator elements, for example. 
     The applicator element may comprise flocking, for example, on at least a portion of the retention element, on at least a portion of a wall defining the cavity, and/or on at least a portion of an enclosure defining the cavity. 
     By way of example, FIG. 11 shows an applicator element comprising a wall  72  and a retention element  76  disposed inside a cavity defined by the wall  72 . The retention element  76  and the wall  72  define a gap  73  in which the product P can be retained by capillary attraction. The bottom edge of the wall  72  may be covered in a coating of flocking  80 , as shown in FIG.  11 . It will be observed that the bottom end  79  of the retention element  76  can be set back slightly from the plane K defined by the opening that is used for applying the liquid. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13, the retention element  96  and the wall  99  can be received in a housing  97  formed at the end of a rod. 
     In this embodiment, the retention element  96  has a top portion  96   a  that may be inserted into the housing  97  formed at the bottom end of a rod  98  which may be connected to a closure cap, such as the above-described cap  6 , for example. The wall  99  surrounding the retention element  96  may be covered near its bottom in a coating of flocking, as shown. 
     In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the wall that defines the cavity may be inserted inside a ring  100 , as shown in FIG.  14 . The bottom end  100   a  of the ring  100  may then form a downward projection extending past the distal end of the wall. The ring  100  may be made of a material that differs from the material of the retention element and the wall, for example, a material that has a different flexibility. For example, the ring  100  may be more flexible than the retention element and the wall. 
     The wall also may be connected in numerous ways to the rod, as shown in FIGS. 15 to  19 . Thus, the wall  152  defining the cavity containing the product can be connected to the rod  158  by forming an obtuse angle i relative thereto, as shown in FIG.  15 . Alternatively, the wall  162  also may be connected to the rod  168  by forming an acute angle j, as shown in FIG.  16 . 
     Depending on the way in which the wall connects to the rod, the end of the cavity containing the liquid can present different shapes. For example, the opening through which product passes during application may have different shapes. These different shapes may have an influence on the way in which the product is retained within the cavity and may effect the application of the product to a surface. 
     The wall  172  and the retention element  176  also may extend in a direction that is at an angle with the longitudinal axis of the rod, as shown in FIG.  17 . This angle may be selected as a function of the surface region that is to be treated and/or as a function of the type of application for which the applicator is being used. 
     The wall  182  defining the reservoir-forming cavity may have an inside section that flares in a direction toward the opening, as shown in FIG.  18 . That is, the wall may taper from the distal end to the proximal end of the applicator element. It also is contemplated that the wall tapers over only a portion of its length. Furthermore, an inside cross-section of the cavity may either taper or flare toward the opening. Such a taper may facilitate a more precise application of product. 
     The wall  192 , the retention element  196 , or both optionally may extend along a curved longitudinal axis, as shown in FIG.  19 . In this figure, it should be observed that the retention element  196  and the cavity-defining wall  192  are at an orientation in the immediate vicinity of the rod  198  that is substantially parallel to the axis of the rod  198 . 
     As shown in FIG. 20, the wall  202  also may have a radially outwardly-directed rim portion  200   a  around the opening. This rim portion  200   a  may be used to assist in applying the product. A rim portion  210   a  also may be provided that extends both inward and outward, as shown in FIG. 21, or the rim portion may extend inwardly only, as shown by rim portion  222   a  in FIG. 22, for example. 
     In general, the shape of the wall or enclosure defining the cavity for containing the product and the shape of the retention element should be selected as a function of the rheology of the product, the type of application, the materials used, and/or as a function of the space between the retention element and the wall or between the retention element and the enclosure, for example. 
     The shape and number of vents enabling the cavity to be filled when the applicator element is immersed in the product may be selected as a function of the nature of the product. 
     All or part of the applicator element may be of a flexibility that differs from that of the rod. This may permit a flexible contact with the surface to be treated, which may result in a less harsh application of product to the surface. 
     The cavity-forming wall, the cavity-forming enclosure, and/or the retention element may be made of a plastics material such as PE, PP, PA, PET, PC, PVC, or EVA, or optionally may be made out of an elastomer material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer material, for example. 
     When they are not both formed integrally by molding, the retention element can be assembled within the cavity-defining wall or cavity-defining enclosure by means of heat-sealing, crimping, securing, snap-fastening, adhesive, or other suitable means, for example. 
     In the exemplary embodiments described herein, the applicators were mainly described in the context of using the applicator for applying a nail varnish to a nail. However, it should be noted that the applicators, and the related systems and methods, may be used to apply a variety of cosmetic products, such as liquid eye make-up and lip make-up, and care products, such as various pharmaceutical compositions and dermo-pharmaceutical compositions. Indeed, in its broadest aspects, the present invention could be used for the application of many other types of products to many other types of surfaces, which those skilled in the art will appreciate. Furthermore, sizes of various structural parts and materials used to make these parts are illustrative and exemplary only and one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that these materials and sizes can be changed as necessary to produce different effects or desired characteristics of the applicator or application. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure and methodology of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the specification. Rather, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and variations of this invention, provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.