WO2001003542A2

WO2001003542A2 - An applicator for applying a product

Info

Publication number: WO2001003542A2
Application number: PCT/GB2000/002524
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Arthur Charles Chown
Original assignee: Breakthrough Innovations Group Ltd.
Priority date: 1999-07-07
Filing date: 2000-07-07
Publication date: 2001-01-18
Also published as: GB0016691D0; GB2351779A; WO2001003542A3; AU5693500A; GB2351779B

Abstract

An applicator (2) for applying a product (4), the applicator (2) comprising a pressurised container (6), a sleeve member (8) which receives the pressurised container (6), a retaining mechanism (10) for retaining the pressurised container (6) in the sleeve member (8), and an applicator head (12). The pressurised container (6) comprises a body portion (14), the product (4) under pressure in the body portion (14), and a valve (16) which is actuated for dispensation of the product (4) from the pressurised container (6). The applicator (2) is arranged so that, in use, the applicator head (12) receives the product (4) from the pressurised container (6) upon actuation of the valve (16). The pressurised container (6) is separable from the applicator (2) so that the pressurised container (6) can be replaced when empty.

Description

AN APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING A PRODUCT

This invention relates to an applicator for applying a product.

Products are traditionally applied in a wide variety of ways. For example toothpaste is applied by squeezing toothpaste from a tube on to a toothbrush. A mouthwash is applied by pouring the mouthwash from a bottle into a glass for enabling the mouthwash to be used. An after-shave lotion is poured from a bottle on to a person's hands, and then applied to a person's face from the wet hands. Many of the different ways for applying a product are messy. They are also often uneconomical in that insufficient metering control is available for the product being applied, and often too much of the product is applied.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided an applicator for applying a product, which applicator comprises a pressurised container, a sleeve member which receives the pressurised container, retainer means for retaining the pressurised container in the sleeve member, and an applicator head; the pressurised container being such that it comprises a body portion, the product under pressure in the body portion, and a valve which is actuated for dispensation of the product from the pressurised container; the applicator being such that in use the applicator head receives the product from the pressurised container; and the pressurised container being such that it is separable from the applicator so that the pressurised container can be replaced when empty.

The applicator of the present invention can be used for applying a wide variety of different types of products. Thus products which have traditionally been applied in different ways can be applied in the same way using the applicator of the present invention. If accurate dispensation of the product is required, then the valve can be arranged as a metering valve to meter precise amounts of product. The pressurised container may be an aerosol dispenser containing a product and a propellant under pressure. Alternatively, the pressurised container may be of the type where a hand pump or similar device is used to provide the required pressure, either by pumping air or the like inside the container so as to act as a propellant, or possibly by applying pressure directly to the product itself.

The applicator may be one in which just the pressurised container is separable from the applicator head. In this case, the pressurised container may be separated from the applicator head merely by pulling it from the sleeve member. The sleeve member advantageously includes a retaining mechanism, such as at least one resilient vane, ring or other projection from its inner surface for releasably retaining the pressurised container. Other releasable connection means for separating the pressurised container from the applicator head may be employed, such as a compression ring or a screw connection on one or other or both of the applicator head and the pressurised container.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the applicator may be one in which the pressurised container and the sleeve member are separable from the applicator head. In this case, the sleeve member may have a releasable connection allowing the pressurised container and the sleeve member to be separable from the applicator head. The releasable connection may be a screw connection. Other types of connection may be employed so that, for example, the releasable connection may be a push connection.

The applicator head may be connected to the pressurised container via a connector portion, the connector portion having a bore, which may be a central bore, through which the product passes from the pressurised container to the applicator head.

Preferably, the connector portion is shaped so as to serve as a handle. A handle may be especially useful where the pressurised container and the sleeve member are moved and it is desired to apply a product using the applicator head. Where the connector portion is shaped so as to serve as a handle, then the connector portion is preferably a hollow rigid tubular connector portion.

The applicator head may be one of the following.

(i) A toothbrush head for applying a product in the form of a tooth cleaning product such as a toothpaste or tooth gel.

(ii) A toothbrush head for applying a product in the form of a mouthwash.

(iii) A toothbrush head for receiving an anti-bacterial, antiseptic or disinfectant product for keeping the toothbrush head antiseptic after use. The toothbrush head may then have an enclosure for retaining the anti-bacterial product around the toothbrush head.

(iv) A razor head for receiving a product in the form of a shaving foam, a shaving cream or a shaving gel.

(v) A razor head for receiving a product in the form of a skin lubricant for lubricating a person's skin whilst shaving.

(vi) A hair brush for receiving a hair product. The hair product may be, for example, a hair control gel, a hair colorant or a hair medicament.

(vii) A brush for applying a product to an animal. For example, the product may be a medicament (e.g. an insecticide or insect repellent) or a hair conditioner, and the animal may be a dog or a cat.

(viii) A brush for applying a product in the form of a nail varnish or a nail care agent to a person's nails. (ix) A nib of a pen, such as a felt tip pen, for applying a product in the form of an ink, such as a writing ink.

(x) A paint brush head for applying a product in the form of a paint.

(xi) An applicator head, preferably having a portion made of an absorbent material, for applying a product in the form of a cleaning and/or disinfectant and/or biocidal fluid such as, for example, detergents or other surfactants and/or bleach.

(xii) An applicator head for applying a medicament. Metered doses of the medicament may be applied if desired, for example using a valve which is in the form of a metering valve.

(xiii) An applicator head for applying a product in the form of a hair remover or depilatory product, for example for a lady's legs or underarms.

(xiv) An cleaning brush, such as a toilet brush or the like, for applying a cleaning and/or disinfectant and/or biocidal fluid such as, for example, detergents or other surfactants and/or bleach.

The applicator may include a retainer member at a base part of the applicator, the retainer member being such as to enabling the applicator to be retained in position on or under a support shelf when the retainer member and the shelf are made of materials that allow a magnetic connection between the retainer member and the shelf.

In one embodiment of the invention, the applicator is one in which the shelf is made of a magnetic material, and in which the retainer member is made of a material that is attracted to the magnetic material of the shelf. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the applicator may be one in which the retainer member is made of a magnetic material, and in which the shelf is made of a material that is attracted to the magnetic material.

The shelf may be a plastics covered shelf. The plastics covered shelf may then be easy to wipe clean. Also, different coloured plastics materials may be employed, for example for suiting various bathroom decors.

The retainer member may be mounted on the sleeve member.

The retainer member may be a ring. Other shaped retainer members may be employed.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a section through a first applicator for applying a product;

FIGURE 2 is a section through a second applicator for applying a product;

FIGURE 3 is a section through a third applicator for applying a product;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view from underneath of a shelf;

FIGURE 5 is a front view, partly in section, of the shelf as shown in Figure 4; and

FIGURE 6 is a side view, partly in section, of the shelf as shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an applicator 2 for applying a product in the form of a tooth cleaning product 4. The applicator 2 comprises a pressurised container 6, a sleeve member 8 which receives the pressurised container 6, and retainer means 10 for retaining the pressurised container in the sleeve member 8. The applicator 2 also comprises an applicator head 12.

The pressurised container 6 is such that it comprises a body portion 14. As can be seen from Figure 1 , the tooth cleaning product 4 is under pressure in the body portion 14. The pressurised container 6 also comprises a valve 16 which is depressed for dispensation of the tooth cleaning product 4 from the pressurised container 6.

The applicator 2 is such that in use, the applicator head 12 receives the tooth cleaning product 4 from the pressurised container 6. The pressurised container 6 is such that it is separable from the applicator 2 so that the pressurised container 6 can be replaced when empty.

The pressurised container 6 and the sleeve member 8 are separable from the applicator head 12. More specifically, the sleeve member 8 has a releasable connection 18 allowing the pressurised container 6 and the sleeve member 8 to be separable from the applicator head 12. As shown, the releasable connection 18 is a screw connection.

The applicator 12 is connected to the pressurised container 6 via a connector portion 20. The connector portion 20 has a central bore 22 through which the tooth cleaning product 4 passes from the pressurised container 6 to the applicator head 12. The connector portion 20 is shaped so as to serve as a handle. More specifically, the connector portion 20 is a hollow rigid tubular connector portion 20.

The tooth cleaning product 4 may be in the form of liquid toothpaste. The valve 16 may be a metered valve with associated metering equipment (not shown). By depressing the bottom 24 of the pressurised container 6, the pressurised container 6 can move upwardly as shown in Figure 1 with respect to the sleeve member 8. The valve 16 is held in a tube 26 forming part of the sleeve member 8. The upward movement of the pressurised container 6 causes depression of the valve 16 and thus the tooth cleaning product 4 is dispensed form the pressurised container 6, along the bore 22, and to the applicator head 12. The tooth cleaning product 4 can then be applied to a person's teeth.

The retainer means 10 is in the form of four inwardly projecting vanes 10. More or less of the vanes 10 can be employed. As shown in Figure 1 , the vanes 10 grip an upper part 28 of the pressurised container 6. The tube 26 can also act as part of the retainer means. The sleeve member 8 is provided with guide vanes 30 for guiding the lower part of the pressurised container 6. The bottom 24 of the pressurised container 6 extends below the guide vanes 30 so that the pressurised container 6 can easily be gripped for being pulled out of the sleeve member 8 when the pressurised container 6 is empty. A new pressurised container 6 can then be pushed into position.

The applicator 2 shown in Figure 1 can also be used for dispensing products other than a tooth cleaning product 4. Thus, for example, the applicator 2 may be employed for dispensing a product in the form of an anti-bacterial mouthwash. Whilst a person is brushing their teeth in the conventional way, the person can then press the bottom 24 of the pressurised container 6 in order to dispense the mouthwash product 4 to the applicator head 12.

In either of the above two mentioned embodiments of the invention, the applicator head 12 is in the form of a toothbrush head as shown. The actual shape of the toothbrush head can be varied as desired. It will be seen that the toothbrush head has holes 32 in its base for allowing the product 4 passing up the bore 22 to reach bristles 34 forming part of the toothbrush head.

Figure 23 shows an embodiment of the invention which is similar to that shown in

Figure 1. Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. More specifically, Figure 2 shows the applicator 2 of

Figure 1 but also provided with an outer cover 36. The cover 36 is provided as a liquid tight connection on the sleeve member 8. The liquid type connection can be a screw connection 38 or any other suitable and appropriate type of connection. With the cover removed, the applicator head 12 in the form of the toothbrush head can receive toothpaste from an ordinary tube of toothpaste. After cleaning of the teeth, the cover 36 can be placed in the position shown in Figure 2. If the pressurised container 6 then contains an anti-bacterial product 4, then this product 4 can be applied through the bristles 34 and into the space 40. Thus the toothbrush can be kept in antiseptic conditions until its next use.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown an applicator 42. Similar parts as in Figure 1 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 3, the applicator head 12 is in the form of a razor head. The product 4 is in the form of a lubricating product which is able to be applied in metered quantities as desired to the applicator head 12 in the form of a razor head. A person is thus able to lubricate his or her skin whilst shaving. This overcomes a problem for wet shaving with a razor in that the removal of shaving foam or other shaving product from a person's skin, for example face, legs or underarms, often leaves the skin dry. The lubricating product stops this dryness.

As shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3 a base part 44 of the sleeve member 8 is provided with container means in the form of a ring 46. The ring 46 is made from a ferrous material or other material that is attracted to magnetic material. The ring 46 can thus be used to position the applicators 2, 42 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 on top of, or hanging from, a shelf 48 as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. More specifically, the shelf 48 is shaped as shown and it has an insert 50 made of a magnetic material. The insert 50 is covered by the remainder of the material 52 from which the shelf 48 is made, and this material 52 can be a plastics material. Thus, the shelf 48 can be a moulded plastics shelf with the insert 50 being covered by a plastics material. Holes 54 are provided for enabling the shelf 48 to be fixed to a wall or other vertical surface (not shown). Because the insert 50 is a magnetic insert, the ring 46 will adhere by magnetism to the insert 50. Thus, the applicators 2, 42 can easily be stood up in a stable condition on the upper surface 56 of the shelf 48, or alternatively they can be hung form the lower surface 58 of the shelf 48.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the releasable connection 18 has been shown as a screw connection but it could alternatively be a push fit connection. The pressurised container 6 could extend beyond the bottom of the sleeve member 8, in which case pressure on the sleeve member 8 with the pressurised container 6 standing on a support surface, would cause the required relative movement between the sleeve member 8 and the pressurised container 6 for opening the valve 16. Applicator heads other than the illustrated toothbrush head and the razor head may be employed as indicated above. The product being applied may be a liquid and/or a foam.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An applicator (2, 42) for applying a product (4), which applicator (2) comprises a pressurised container (6), a sleeve member (8) which receives the pressurised container (6), a retaining mechanism (10) for retaining the pressurised container (6) in the sleeve member (8), and an applicator head (12); the pressurised container (6) being such that it comprises a body portion (14), the product (4) under pressure in the body portion (14), and a valve (16) which is actuated for dispensation of the product (4) from the pressurised container (6); the applicator (2) being such that in use the applicator head (12) receives the product (4) from the pressurised container (6); and the pressurised container (6) being such that it is separable from the applicator (2) so that the pressurised container (6) can be replaced when empty.

2. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve (16) is arranged as a metering valve so as to dispense a predetermined amount of product (4) upon each actuation thereof.

3. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sleeve member (8) is fixedly connected to the applicator head (12) and the pressurised container (6) is separable from the applicator head (12) and the sleeve member (8).

4. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sleeve member (8) and the pressurised container (6) are releasably connected to the applicator head (12).

5. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pressurised container (6) has a push fit to the applicator head (12).

6. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining mechanism (10) comprises at least one resilient projection (10) from an inner surface of the sleeve member (10).

7. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in claim 4 or in claim 5 or 6 depending from claim 4, wherein the sleeve member (8) has a screw connection (18) to the applicator head (12).

8. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in claim 4 or in claim 5 or 6 depending from claim 4, wherein the sleeve member (8) has a push connection to the applicator head (12).

9. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the applicator head (12) is connected to the pressurised container (6) by way of a connector portion (20), the connector portion (20) having a bore (22) through which the product (4) may pass from the pressurised container (6) to the applicator head (12).

10. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connector portion (20) is shaped so as to serve as a handle.

1 1. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the connector portion (20) is a hollow rigid tubular connector portion (20).

12. An applicator (2) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the applicator head (12) is a toothbrush head and wherein the product (4) is a tooth cleaning product.

13. An applicator (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a toothbrush head and wherein the product is a mouthwash.

14. An applicator (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a toothbrush head and wherein the product (4) is an anti- bacterial, antiseptic or disinfectant product for keeping the toothbrush head antiseptic after use.

15. An applicator (2) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the toothbrush head is provided with a removable enclosure (36) for retaining the product (4) around the toothbrush head.

16. An applicator (42) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a razor head and wherein the product (4) is a shaving foam, a shaving cream or a shaving gel.

17. An applicator (42) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a razor head and wherein the product (4) is a skin lubricant for lubricating a person's skin whilst shaving.

18. An applicator (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a hair brush head.

19. An applicator (2) as claimed in claim 18, wherein the product (4) is a hair control gel, a hair colorant or a hair or scalp medicament.

20. An applicator (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a brush for applying a product to an animal.

21. An applicator (2) as claimed in claim 20, wherein the product (4) is a medicament or a hair conditioner.

22. An applicator (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a brush for applying a product (4) in the form of a nail varnish or a nail care agent to a person's nails.

23. An applicator (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a pen nib and wherein the product (4) is an ink.

24. An applicator (2) as claimed in claim 23, wherein the pen nib is a felt tip pen nib.

25. An applicator (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a paint brush and wherein the product (4) is a paint.

26. An applicator (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) includes a portion made of an absorbent material and wherein the product (4) is a cleaning fluid.

27. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is adapted to apply a medicament and wherein the product (4) is a medicament.

28. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is adapted to apply a hair removal or depilatory product and wherein the product (4) is a hair removal or depilatory product.

29. An applicator (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a cleaning brush and wherein the product (4) is a cleaning, disinfectant or biocidal fluid.

30. An applicator (2) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the applicator head (12) is a toilet brush and wherein the product (4) is a cleaning, disinfectant or biocidal fluid.

31. An applicator (2, 42) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the applicator (2, 42) includes a retainer member (46) at a base part (44) thereof, the retainer member (46) being such as to enable the applicator (2, 42) to be retained in position on or under a support shelf (48) when the retainer member (46) and the shelf (48) are made of materials that allow a magnetic connection between the retainer member (46) and the shelf (48).