Abstract
A cap for an applicator includes an inlet, a base having a connection portion embodied for connecting the cap to the applicator or a container formed therein, a head that receives an application part of the applicator within the head, and a projection formed at a top part of the cap. The top part formed at an opposite end to the inlet, and the projection cooperating with an outlet of the applicator. The head includes a cylindrical or conical inner or outer shape and the connection portion has a round inner or outer shape, that is an oval, round or square shape.
Claims
1. A cap for an applicator, the cap comprising: an inlet; a base having a connection portion configured to connect the cap to an applicator or a container; a head configured to receive an application part of the applicator within the head; and a projection disposed at a top part of the cap, the top part is disposed at an opposite end to the inlet and the projection is configured to cooperate with an outlet of the applicator, the head comprising at least one of a cylindrical or conical inner or outer shape, and the connection portion having an inner or outer shape selected from the group consisting of round, oval and square.
2. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the cap comprises both an alignment portion and a fitting portion.
3. The cap according to claim 2, wherein the alignment portion is substantially cylindrical in shape.
4. The cap according to claim 2, wherein a length of the alignment portion is about 20 to about 40% of a length of the head.
5. The cap according to claim 2, wherein the fitting portion comprises at least one change in the inner radius of the head.
6. The cap according to claim 5, wherein the change in the inner radius of the head is a reduction of the inner radius of the head.
7. The cap according to claim 6, wherein the reduction of the inner radius of the head is by one or more protrusions or a conical geometry or a change from a larger cylindrical diameter to a smaller cylindrical diameter.
8. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the projection has a tip disposed opposite of the top, the tip having a shape selected from the group consisting of a truncated cone, conical, bulbous and cylindrical.
9. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the projection comprises a body part extending between the top and the tip, the body part having one of a substantially conical, cylindrical, or rectangular shape.
10. An assembly comprising: the cap of of claim 1; the applicator; and a container configured to hold a fluid for application the applicator comprising a metering device to enable a controlled amount of the fluid contained in the container to flow through the outlet of the applicator, the metering device having an inlet, an intermediate storage reservoir and an outlet, all in fluid communication with each other, the inlet of the metering device in fluid communication with the container, and the outlet of the metering device in fluid communication with the outlet of the applicator.
11. An assembly comprising: the cap of claim 1; the applicator; and a container configured to hold a fluid for application comprising a button configured to dose the fluid, and the button located on a surface of the container.
12. An assembly comprising: the applicator; a container; and the cap of claim 1, the container comprising a sachet, the sachet configured to hold a fluid for application, and the sachet being disposed inside the container and in fluid communication with an outlet of the applicator.
13. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the container comprises a button configured to dose the fluid, and the button is disposed on a surface of the container.
14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the surface is a lateral surface of the container or a bottom of the container.
15. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the fluid is a medication or cosmetic mass.
16. The cap according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is a bristle applicator.
17. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the container comprises a button configured to dose the fluid, and the button is disposed on a surface of the container.
18. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the surface is a lateral surface of the container or a bottom of the container.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.
[0043] FIG. 1A shows a schematic view of a cap according to the invention.
[0044] FIG. 1B shows a schematic view of a cross-section of the cap.
[0045] FIG. 1C shows a schematic view of a cross-section of the head of the cap.
[0046] FIG. 1D shows a schematic view of a cross-section of the tip of projection of the cap.
[0047] FIG. 2A shows a schematic view of an applicator comprising an applicator part and cylindrical neck.
[0048] FIG. 2B shows a schematic view of a cross-section of the applicator having an outlet.
[0049] FIG. 2C shows a schematic view of a cross-section of the outlet of the applicator.
[0050] FIG. 3A shows a schematic view of an assembly comprising the cap, applicator and the container.
[0051] FIG. 3B shows a schematic view of a cross-section of the assembly comprising the cap, applicator and the container.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a cross-section of an assembly comprising the metering device, optionally comprising a button.
[0053] FIG. 5A shows a schematic view of the assembly comprising the button.
[0054] FIG. 5B shows a schematic view of a cross-section of the container at the mid-point of the button.
[0055] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a cross-section of an assembly comprising the sachet, optionally comprising a button.
[0056] FIG. 7A shows images of bristles of an applicator obtained while testing the opening and closing of a cap according to DE202014104781U1.
[0057] FIG. 7B shows images of bristles of an applicator obtained while testing the opening and closing of a cap according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Definitions
[0058] As used in the specification and claims of this application, the following definitions, should be applied: [0059] “a”, “an”, and “the” as an antecedent may refer to either the singular or plural unless the context indicates otherwise. [0060] ‘soft’ in the present application means a material is non-rigid and able to resume its normal (original) shape spontaneously after being stretched or compressed.
[0061] Geometric shapes and aspects refer to overall shapes and appearances and include shapes and aspects that do not substantially differ from the stated shape or aspect. For example, “round” therefore includes shapes that are substantially similar and differ only to a minor extent from a perfectly round shape, for example, due to tolerances and manufacturing constraints. Therefore “round” includes shapes which are substantially similar in function or capability to a round shape and/or which a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider to be substantially similar to a round shape.
[0062] Numerical values in the present application relate to average values. Furthermore, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical values should be understood to include numerical values which are the same when reduced to the same number of significant figures and numerical values that differ from the stated value by less than the experimental error of the conventional measurement technique of the type described in the present application to determine the value.
[0063] FIG. 1A depicts a cap 100 according to the present invention. The cap 100 has a top 1, a head 2, a base 3 and an inlet 4. Even though, as depicted in FIG. 1A the outer surfaces of the head 2 and the base 3 of the cap 100 are irregular, they could also be smooth. There exists a conical surface between the head 2 of the cap 100 and its base 3 in this embodiment.
[0064] To explain the invention, the individual regions of the cap 100 will be initially defined below referring to FIG. 1B which shows a cross sectional view of the cap. As can be seen from the figure, the inner part of the head 2 of the cap 100 comprises a projection 5, a fitting portion 6 and an alignment portion 7. The inner surface of the cap 100 has a conical shape starting from the top 1 of the cap, till the fitting portion 6, the radius of the cone increasing from the top 1 to the fitting portion 6. The alignment portion 7 begins in the head 2 of the cap, preferably after the fitting portion 6 ends, and is cylindrical in shape. The alignment portion 7 extends into the area between the transition from the head 2 to the base 3 of the cap 100, and the alignment portion 7 may be followed by a smooth curvature as shown in FIG. 1. The smooth curvature allows the cap 100 to sit on the applicator 200 and directs the bristles of the applicator 200 smoothly into the alignment portion 7. The inner surface of the cap 100, where there is a transition from the head 2 to the base 3, could alternatively have a conical geometry. The base 3 of the cap 100 comprises a connection portion 8 and an inlet 4. The connection portion 8 as seen in FIG. 1B can connect the cap to the container 15 by threading. The connection portion 8 of embodiments of the present invention is not specifically limited and can include one of a thread or a bayonet connection or a snap fit connection or a snap-on connection. FIG. 1B shows that the bottom of the base 3, at the inlet 4, can have a conical inner surface.
[0065] FIG. 1C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the head 2 of the cap. As seen from the figure, the projection 2 that extends from the top 1 of the cap 100 (and typically towards the inlet 4 and thus the entering applicator 200 and its application part or bristles 11) has a body 9 and a tip 10. The body 9 of the projection 5 can be cylindrical or conical, but it must generally be rigid. When the tip 10 seals the outlet 14 of the applicator 200, the body 9 of the projection 5 should not move or deform so as to prevent it from coming in contact with the bristles. The tip 10 can be rigid or soft, preferably soft, more preferably made of soft polymer, most preferably an elastomer or silicone. The head of the cap 100 further comprises a fitting portion 6 and alignment portion 7. The alignment portion 7 being preferably cylindrical, begins in the region at the transition between the head and the base of the cap. The fitting portion 6 lies above the alignment portion 7. As seen from the figure, there is a change in the inner radius of the cap 100 in the fitting portion 6. From the direction of bottom of the base to the top (from bottom to top), the fitting portion comprises an abrupt decrease in inner radius. There is a cylindrical inner surface between the two changes in radii of the fitting portion 6.
[0066] FIG. 1D shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tip 10 of the projection. The tip 10 has a conical surface and preferably an additional cylindrical surface below the conical surface. The cylindrical surface, having a radius lesser than the outlet 14 of the applicator 200, will penetrate into the outlet 14 of the applicator, and seal it (Shown in FIG. 3B).
[0067] FIG. 2A depicts a schematic view of the applicator 200. The applicator 200 comprises an application part 11, a neck 12, an outlet 14 and a connection base 13. As seen from the figure the outer surface of the neck 12 is preferably cylindrical. The outer radius of the applicator may form a smooth curve as it decreases from the neck 12 to the top of the applicator 200, as in this figure. In other embodiments the neck 12 may be conical, Codd-like, curved, with sloping shoulders, bulbous, wide, narrow, cylindrical, spout-like, candle-like, stepped, nozzle-like, fluted, have lips or various combinations of these so long as technically possible. One skilled in the art will understand that the shape and size of the cap 100 and its inlet 4, head 2 and various portions will correspondingly be selected to complement the shape of the applicator 200 and its neck 12.
[0068] FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the applicator 200. It can be seen here that the outlet 14 begins from the bottom of the applicator 200 part and extends into the neck 12 of the applicator 200.
[0069] FIG. 2C shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the tight point of the outlet 14 of the applicator 200. This tight point is the point at which the tip 10 of the projection 5 of the cap 100 seals the outlet 14 of the applicator 200.
[0070] FIG. 3A depicts a schematic view of the assembly 300 comprising the cap, applicator 200 and the container. The size of the container shown in the figure can be scaled up or down as per requirement.
[0071] FIG. 3B shows a cross sectional view of the assembly 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from the figure, the cap 100 of this embodiment of the present invention seals the outlet 14 of the applicator 200 while its bristles are accurately centered to allow the projection 5 of the cap 100 to penetrate without damaging the bristles. It can be seen that the projection 5 is configured to cooperate with the outlet 14 of the applicator 200. For example, the projection 5 seals the outlet 14 by contacting the surface of the outlet 14 to form a seal in this figure. One skilled in the art will understand that other cooperation mechanisms are possible, for example, the projection 5 can inter-lock with, or penetrate into the outlet 14. The head 2 is shown here to have an inner cavity which has a shape and/or diameter suitable for allowing a pre-determined portion of the application part 11 and the neck 12 to enter the head 2 and be covered and protected by it. This figure thus shows an example of how complementary shapes can be selected and used for the cap 100 and the applicator 200. By varying the dimensions of the inner cavity to those of the application part 11 and the neck 12, the penetration of the application part 11 and the neck 12 into the head 2 can be controlled. The applicator 200 is fixed on the container by way of its connection base 13 and can be detached from the container.
[0072] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an upper part of the assembly 300 comprising a metering device 16. The metering device 16 has an inlet 18, an intermediate storage reservoir 17 and an outlet 19. As can be seen from the figure, the outlet 19 of the metering device is connected to the outlet 14 of the applicator 200. The metering device 16 can be located in any part of the container. The assembly 300 can optionally comprise a button 20 (in dotted lines).
[0073] FIG. 5A depicts a schematic view of an assembly 300 comprising a cap 100, an applicator 200, a container 15 and a button 20. In this figure, the button 20 is located on the lateral surface of the container 15.
[0074] FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional top view of the container through the center of the button 20. The button 20 is separate from the container and can be produced together with the container or produced separately and subsequently attached onto the body of the container. The button 20 can be located on any part of the container including its bottom. The button 20 can be circular or polygonal.
[0075] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprising a sachet 21. As can be seen from the figure, the outlet of the sachet is connected to the outlet 14 of the applicator 200. The assembly 300 can optionally comprise a button 20 (in dotted lines).
EXAMPLES
[0076] Tests were conducted using an applicator and container similar to those in FIGS. 1 to 3. In one case a cap according to the prior art (as disclosed in DE'781) was tested, and in another case a cap according to an embodiment of the present invention (similar to that of FIGS. 1-3) was tested. The condition of the bristle applicator in each case was evaluated after repeated usage. After every 30 cycles of usage (opening and closing of the cap) photographs were taken.
Comparative Example 1
[0077] As can be seen from the images in FIG. 7A, the cap as disclosed in DE'781 caused deformations in the bristles of the applicator after 30 cycles. By 60 cycles multiple bristles of brush were extensively and irreversibly damaged, for example bent or deformed in shape, by use of the prior art cap.
Working Example 1
[0078] In contrast, as seen from FIG. 7B the bristles of the applicator were not damaged even after 150 cycles of opening and closing the cap according to this embodiment of the present invention.
[0079] These tests demonstrate the superiority of the cap of the present disclosure versus those of the prior art.
