APPLICATOR FOR A FLUID INGREDIENT AND METHOD OF ACTIVATING AN APPLICATOR

Abstract

An applicator for a fluid ingredient includes at least one storage chamber, at least one first predetermined breaking point or line configured in or at the storage chamber, and an actuation mechanism. The storage chamber has an outlet end with an initially sealed outlet via which a fluid ingredient can be output. The actuation mechanism is arranged at the storage chamber, and has at least one activation part capable of being displaced relative to the outlet end and by which at least one part or section of the storage chamber is capable of being axially displaced to activate the at least one first predetermined breaking point or line, on an activation of the applicator.

Claims

1. An applicator for a fluid ingredient, comprising: at least one storage chamber, the storage chamber having an outlet end with an initially sealed outlet via which a fluid ingredient is capable of being output; at least one first predetermined breaking point or line configured in or at the storage chamber; and an actuation mechanism arranged at the storage chamber, the actuation mechanism having at least one activation part capable of being displaced relative to the outlet end and by which at least one part or section of the storage chamber is capable of being axially displaced to activate the at least one first predetermined breaking point or line, upon activation of the applicator.

2. The applicator in accordance with claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism is actuated by at least one of a rotation of the at least one activation part and an axial movement of the at least one activation part.

3. The applicator in accordance with claim 2, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a first threaded section configured to engage a second threaded section in the storage chamber to bring about both the rotation and the axial movement of the at least one activation part, upon the activation of the applicator.

4. The applicator in accordance with claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a plunger, formed by a web, with the plunger configured to transmit a force induced by the at least one activation part to the at least one part or section of the storage chamber during axial displacement thereof, upon the activation of the applicator.

5. The applicator in accordance with claim 3, wherein the storage chamber comprises at least two parts, an outlet part comprising the outlet and a sealing part inserted into the outlet part via an activation end, with an end of the sealing part being remote from the outlet end and sealing off the storage chamber so as to provide an airtight storage chamber.

6. The applicator in accordance with claim 5, wherein the second threaded section is disposed in the outlet part.

7. The applicator in accordance with claim 5, wherein the storage chamber is disposed between an inner surface of the outlet part and an outer surface of the sealing part, with the outer surface of the sealing part extending within the outlet part such that the storage chamber is of a tube-like design and is disposed around the sealing part that is likewise a tube-like design.

8. The applicator in accordance with claim 6, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a plunger, formed by a web, with the plunger configured to transmit a force induced by the at least one activation part to the at least one part or section of the storage chamber during axial displacement thereof, upon the activation of the applicator, the plunger being received within the sealing part via the activation end within a channel formed within the sealing part, with the channel being formed within the storage chamber.

9. The applicator in accordance with claim 5, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a plunger, formed by a web, with the plunger configured to transmit a force induced by the at least one activation part to the at least one part or section of the storage chamber during axial displacement thereof, upon the activation of the applicator, the plunger being configured to engage the sealing part and thereby indirectly the outlet part in a distal region in which the sealing part and the outlet part contact one another to activate the at least one first predetermined breaking point or line upon the activation of the applicator.

10. The applicator in accordance with claim 9, wherein the distal region comprises a nose in the outlet part and the sealing part engages the nose of the outlet part.

11. The applicator in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a venting system.

12. The applicator in accordance with claim 11, wherein the actuation mechanism includes a plunger, formed by a web, with the plunger configured to transmit a force induced by the at least one activation part to the at least one part or section of the storage chamber during axial displacement thereof, upon the activation of the applicator, and the plunger is part of a venting system.

13. The applicator in accordance with claim 12, wherein the sealing part is configured to accommodate at least a part of the venting system.

14. The applicator in accordance with claim 11, wherein the venting system is arranged at least in part within the storage chamber and comprises a venting channel.

15. The applicator in accordance with claim 11, wherein the venting system comprises a valve configured to control a flow of gas into the storage chamber.

16. The applicator in accordance with claim 11, wherein at least one second predetermined breaking point or line is arranged between the venting system and the storage chamber.

17. The applicator in accordance with claim 11, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises the venting system and the venting system is displaced within the storage chamber upon the activation of the applicator.

18. The applicator in accordance with claim 16, wherein, upon the activation of the applicator, the actuation mechanism axially displaces the venting system and activates at least the first and second predetermined breaking points or lines, with the at least one first predetermined breaking point or line being configured in the outlet part and the at least one second predetermined breaking point or line being arranged at the sealing part.

19. The applicator in accordance with claim 16, further comprising catching elements that retain parts of at least one of the first and second predetermined breaking point or line after activation of the applicator.

20. The applicator in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an application compartment adjacent to the storage chamber and separate from the storage chamber in a storage state of the applicator, and the at least one first predetermined breaking point or line being arranged between the application compartment and the storage chamber, or the applicator further comprising a dispensing aid at a dispensing end of the applicator.

21. The applicator in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a fluid ingredient stored in the at least one storage chamber.

22. A method comprising: activating the applicator in accordance with claim 1 to treat a patient.

23. A method of activating an applicator in accordance with claim 16 filled with a fluid ingredient, the method comprising: displacing the at least one activation part relative to a dispensing end, thereby breaking the at least one first predetermined breaking point or the at least one second predetermined breaking point through an axial displacement of at least a part of the storage chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0080] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings.

[0081] FIG. 1 is a lipstick type applicator;

[0082] FIG. 2 is a flexible wall type applicator;

[0083] FIG. 3 is a schematic section through the applicator of FIG. 2;

[0084] FIG. 4 is a schematic section of the storage chamber and of the venting system of the applicator of FIG. 3;

[0085] FIG. 5 is an enlarged section of the area A of FIG. 3 in a non-activated state; and

[0086] FIG. 6 is a view of the applicator of FIG. 5 in an activated state of the applicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0087] In the following the same reference numerals will be used for parts having the same or equivalent function. Any statements made having regard to the direction of a component are made relative to the position shown in the drawing and can naturally vary in the actual position of application.

[0088] FIG. 1 shows a lipstick type applicator 10. The lipstick type applicator 10 has an application compartment 12, a storage chamber 14 for storage of a fluid ingredient (not shown) and an actuation mechanism 16. The application compartment 12 is covered by a cap 18. The application compartment 12 is designed as a swivel-up tube as is common for lipstick applicators 10. Through a rotation of a wall 20 of the application compartment 12 relative to the storage chamber 14 a fluid ingredient 33 (see FIG. 3) contained in the application compartment 12 can be axially displaced along the longitudinal axis L towards a dispensing end 22 of the applicator 10.

[0089] FIG. 2 shows a flexible wall type applicator 10. In this example of an applicator 10 the application compartment 12 has a flexible wall section 24 that can be squeezed. By squeezing the flexible wall section 24 the fluid ingredient 33 present in the application compartment 12 can be dispensed via the dispensing end 22 of the applicator 10.

[0090] FIG. 3 shows a section through the applicator 10 of FIG. 2. The dispensing end 22 has a dispensing outlet 26 provided therein for the dispensing of the fluid ingredient 33 from the application compartment 12. The dispensing outlet 26 is formed as a simple passage extending from the interior of the application compartment 12 through the beveled dispensing end 22 of the application compartment 12. The beveled shape is selected such that on a dispensing of a fluid ingredient this can be uniformly dispensed from the applicator 10.

[0091] The application compartment 12 has an at least sectionally flexible outer wall 24 extending between the dispensing outlet 26 and the storage chamber 14. Moreover, a part of the wall 20 of the application compartment 12 receives the storage chamber 14. For this purpose the part of the wall 20 is formed as a sleeve at its end remote from the dispensing end 22. The storage chamber 14 is simply inserted into this sleeve and has an annular projection 28 that engages a groove 30 present in the sleeve in order to connect the storage chamber 14 to the application compartment 12.

[0092] The storage chamber 14 itself is composed of two parts an outlet part 32 comprising an initially sealed outlet 34 and a sealing part 36 inserted into the outlet part 32 via an activation end 38, with an end 40 of the sealing part 36 being remote from the outlet 34 and sealing off the storage chamber 14 so as to provide an airtight storage chamber 14.

[0093] The outlet part 32 has a nose 42 present therein, with the nose 42 being adjacent to the sealing part 36. Adjacent to the nose 42 is a first predetermined breaking line 44 which annularly surrounds the nose 42. On the activation of the applicator 10 a venting channel 46 of a venting system 54 at least partly extends within the sealing part 36. The venting system 54 comprises a web 74 acting as a plunger which following an activation of the activator 10 displaces the sealing part 36 axially towards the nose 42 and causes the first predetermined breaking line 44 to break forming an outlet slot 48 (see FIG. 6) between the nose 42 and the outer wall of the storage chamber 14. This outlet slot 48 then forms the outlet 34 of the storage chamber 14 and if a fluid ingredient is present in the storage chamber 14 this can then be output via this outlet slot 48. At its end 40 remote from the nose 42 the sealing part 36 forms a seal with an inner wall of the outlet part 32. Thereby an air tight storage chamber 14 is formed by the sealing part 36 and the outlet part 32.

[0094] A second predetermined breaking line 50 is present in the sealing part 36. This extends around the sealing part 36 and forms a venting slot 52 (see FIG. 6) between the end of the sealing part 36 engaging the nose 42 and the end of the sealing part 36 following an activation of the applicator 10. This venting slot 52 is provided such that airflow into the storage chamber 14 can be regulated, preferably by a valve 56 arranged in the venting system 54. The valve permits air flow into the storage chamber 14 to prevent a build-up of negative pressure in the proximal part of the storage chamber 14 in which no fluid ingredient is present, i.e. in an excess volume of the storage chamber 14. Preventing a build-up of negative pressure in the storage chamber 14 facilitates a dispensing of the fluid ingredient from the storage chamber 14.

[0095] The fluid ingredient 33 is stored in a distal part of the storage chamber 14. The distal part of the storage chamber 14 extends from the outlet 34 up to at most the location of the second predetermined breaking line 50. By providing the fluid ingredient 33 only in the distal part of the storage chamber 14 a flow of fluid ingredient 33 out of the venting slot 52 can be prevented.

[0096] A leak of the fluid ingredient 33 from the storage chamber 14 via the venting slot 52 can be prevented by dimensioning the storage chamber 14 and the venting slot 52 in such a way that a sufficient distance is maintained between the active ingredient 33 and the venting slot 52 regardless of in what spatial orientation the applicator 10 is located.

[0097] This can be achieved, on the one hand, by only filling the storage chamber 14 with a sufficiently small amount of fluid ingredient 33 and, on the other hand, by selecting the spacing between the venting slot 52 and the wall of the outlet part 32 disposed opposite the venting slot 52 so large, that in a storage state of the applicator 10, the fluid ingredient 33 can be stored in the storage chamber 14, preferably at the wall of the outlet part 32 disposed opposite the venting slot 52, without the fluid ingredient 33 actually coming into contact with the venting slot 52.

[0098] In addition to or as an alternative to the selection of an appropriate spacing between the venting slot 52 and the wall of the outlet part 32 disposed opposite the venting slot 52, the internal length of the storage chamber 14 between the venting slot 52 and the first predetermined breaking point or line 44 can be selected in such a way that, when the applicator 10 is positioned with the first predetermined breaking point or line 44 pointing downwardly (not shown), the fluid ingredient 33 stored in the storage chamber 14 does not reach a level that permits the fluid ingredient 33 to come into contact with the venting slot 52 or even a level that would cover the venting slot 52.

[0099] The venting slot 52 should preferably be arranged at the middle of the storage chamber 14, this means positioned as close to a longitudinal axis defining the longitudinal direction L of the applicator 10 as possible. In this way a maximum filling level of the applicator can be achieved in comparison to an arrangement of the venting slot 52 at the outer side of the storage chamber 14.

[0100] In order to output the fluid ingredient 33 from the storage chamber 14, the applicator 10 is positioned such that gravity can cause the flow of the fluid ingredient 33 out of the outlet 34, the venting system 54 preventing a build-up of negative pressure in the storage chamber 14.

[0101] The venting system 54 is integrated into an activation part 58 of the actuation mechanism 16. The venting system 54 comprises the venting channel 46 and the valve 56 formed in the activation part 58 (see also FIG. 4 with regard to the particulars of the venting system 54). The venting channel 46 actually comprises four separate venting channels 46 defined by a web 74 having an x-shaped cross-section (see also FIG. 4).

[0102] The activation part 58 has an outer thread 60 that engages an inner thread 62 of the outlet part 32 of the storage chamber 14 in order to bring about axial displacement of the venting system 54 and hence an activation of the first and second predetermined breaking lines 44, 50. The number of turns of the outer thread 60 determine the distance x (see FIG. 6) the venting system 54 can be displaced relative to the storage chamber 14 and also the distance which a part or section of the outlet part 32 and/or of the sealing part 36 can be displaced on an actuation of the applicator 10.

[0103] In this connection it should be noted that, on activation of the applicator 10, at least one section of the outlet part 32 and of the sealing part 36 is axially displaced. The at least one section of the outlet part 32 and of the sealing part 36 then being displaced relative to at least some of the other sections of the outlet part 32 and of the sealing part 36 that remain fixed in their original position.

[0104] FIG. 4 shows a section of the storage chamber 14 and of the actuation mechanism 16 comprising the venting system 54. The venting system 54 comprises the valve 56 connected to the venting channel 46. The valve 56 permits a flow of air into the storage chamber 14 but prevents a flow of air from the storage chamber 14 out of the venting slot 52 (see FIG. 6) formed in the sealing part 36 on an activation of the applicator 10. The venting channel 46 is formed within the sealing part 36. The valve 56 comprises a valve plunger 66 cooperating with a valve seat 68 at a proximal end 70 of the venting channel 46 in order to control the flow of air.

[0105] In use the web 74 of the venting system 54 acts as a plunger 74 that is arranged within a channel 78 present in the sealing part 36 of the storage chamber 14. Moreover, the web 74 is arranged remote from the storage chamber 14, this means that in the storage position of the applicator 10 there can be no contact between substances present in the storage chamber 14 and the web 74. The web 74 is introduced into the sealing part 36 via the activation end 38.

[0106] On activation of the actuation mechanism 16, the web 74 is displaced within the channel 78 in the direction of the outlet 34. Thereby, a distal end 72 of the web 74 engages the sealing part 36 and thereby axially displaces the nose 42 of the outlet part 32 to activate the first predetermined breaking line 44 and also the second predetermined breaking line 50 by entraining the end of the sealing part 32 engaging the nose 42 in the direction of the axial displacement of the at least one part or section of the storage chamber 14.

[0107] The storage chamber 14 is arranged around the sealing part 36. In this way the web 74 acting as a plunger is axially guided through a central region of the storage chamber 14 on activation of the applicator 10.

[0108] It should also be noted that the web 74 is coupled to the venting system 54 which in turn is coupled to the actuation mechanism 16 in such a way that on activation of the actuation mechanism 16, the activation part 58 is moved such that it axially displaces the venting system 54 and thereby the web 74 such that this acts as a plunger to bring about an activation of the first pre-determined breaking line 44 and thereby to cause the sealing part 36 to be stretched to such an extent that the second pre-determined breaking line 50 present in the sealing part 36 is activated.

[0109] According to a further embodiment the web 74 can be formed integrally with the actuation mechanism 16, in particular with the activation part 58.

[0110] The venting system 54 can comprise at least one venting passage connecting the venting channel 46 to the inside of the activation part 58 and/or to the environment.

[0111] FIG. 5 in a schematic section shows the region A of the storage chamber 14 of FIG. 3 in more detail. In particular FIG. 5 shows how the distal end 72 of the web 74 engages the sealing part 36 that engages the nose 42 of the outlet part 32. The venting channel 46 is axially displaced towards the nose 42 by the actuation mechanism 16 (see FIG. 4), so that the first and second breaking lines 44, 50 are activated. The first predetermined breaking point or line 44 forms a boundary between the section of the outlet part 32 comprising the nose 42 and a wall section of the outlet part 32 having the projection 28, with the boundary being broken on activation of the applicator 10.

[0112] FIG. 6 shows the situation once the first and second predetermined breaking lines 44, 50 have been broken in order to form the outlet slot 48 and the venting slot 52. The section of the outlet part 32 having the nose 42 formed therein has been displaced by a distance x. The distance x being predefined by the length the threaded section 60 of the activation part 58 can travel relative to the storage chamber 14 (see FIG. 4).

[0113] In order to retain the parts of the first and second predetermined breaking lines 44, 50 that may become detached a film hinge can be provided (not shown). However, it should be noted that designs naturally exist in which such a film hinge is not required. The film hinge is provided to prevent the section of the outlet part 32 having the nose 42 from being displaced so far into the application compartment 12 that the dispensing outlet 26 becomes blocked by this part.