Abstract
A sunscreen dosing device comprises a cup and a structured elongation which is an integral part of the cup. A first ear and a second ear are integral parts of the cup. For attaching the sunscreen dosing device to a body of a sunscreen bottle a free end of the structured elongation can be inserted in the first or the second ear.
Claims
1. A sunscreen dosing device comprising: a cup defined by an upper rim, a bottom and a sidewall connecting the upper rim and the bottom; a structured elongation integral with the cup; a first ear with a through hole, the first ear being integral with the cup; and a second ear with a through hole, the second ear being integral with the cup and formed oppositely to the first ear of the cup, wherein the second ear is integral with the structured elongation and wherein a free end of the structured elongation is insertable in the through hole of the first ear or the second ear.
2. The sunscreen dosing device of claim 1, wherein the sunscreen dosing device is made of a reversible flexible material.
3. The sunscreen dosing device of claim 2, wherein the reversible flexible material is a thermoplastic elastomer or an elastomer.
4. The sunscreen dosing device of claim 1, wherein at least one radial reduction in thickness is formed in the sidewall of the cup.
5. The sunscreen dosing device of claim 4, wherein the at least one radial reduction in thickness of the sidewall forms the cup collapsible in height.
6. The sunscreen dosing device of claim 1, further comprising at least one mark for a defined amount of sunscreen to the upper rim at an inner surface of the sidewall of the cup.
7. A sunscreen dosing device comprising: a cup defined by an upper rim, a bottom and a sidewall connecting the upper rim and the bottom; a structured elongation integral with the cup; a first ear with a through hole, the first ear being integral with the cup; and a second ear with a through hole, the second ear being integral with the cup and formed oppositely to the first ear of the cup; wherein the second ear is integral with the structured elongation, wherein the structured elongation comprises a plurality of sub-structures arranged periodically along a longitudinal axis of the structured elongation, each sub-structure having a maximal width and a minimal width, wherein the maximal width is larger than a width of the through hole of the first ear and the through hole of the second ear.
8. A sunscreen bottle comprising: a sunscreen dosing device comprising: a cup defined by an upper rim, a bottom and a sidewall connecting the upper rim and the bottom; a structured elongation integral with the cup; a first ear with a through hole, the first ear being integral with the cup; and a second ear with a through hole, the second ear being integral with the cup and formed oppositely to the first ear of the cup; wherein the second ear is integral with the structured elongation; wherein a free end of the structured elongation is insertable in the through hole of the first ear or the second ear; and wherein the sunscreen dosing device is attached by a form and force fit to a body of the sunscreen bottle.
9. The sunscreen bottle as claimed in claim 8, wherein a structured elongation of the sunscreen dosing device is wrapped around the body of the sunscreen bottle, and wherein a free end of the structured elongation of the sunscreen dosing device is inserted into the through hole of the first ear or the second ear of the cup.
10. The sunscreen bottle as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a plurality of sub-structures of the structured elongation arranged periodically along a longitudinal axis of the structured elongation, wherein once the sunscreen dosing device is in form and force fit with the body of the sunscreen bottle one of the sub-structures, having a maximal width which is larger than a width of the through holes of the first ear or the second ear, cooperates with the through hole of the first ear or the second ear.
11. The sunscreen bottle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sunscreen dosing device is made from a thermoplastic elastomer or an elastomer.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) For a better understanding of the various described implementations, reference should be made to the Detailed Description below, in conjunction with the following drawings.
(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the sunscreen dosing device;
(3) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the sunscreen dosing device;
(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the sunscreen dosing device;
(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of a cup of the sunscreen dosing device;
(6) FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view the cup of the sunscreen dosing device;
(7) FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of an inner wall portion of the cup of the sunscreen dosing device;
(8) FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of an inner wall portion of the cup of the sunscreen dosing device;
(9) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of one possible embodiment to use the structured elongation of the sunscreen dosing device;
(10) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another possible embodiment to use the structured elongation of the sunscreen dosing device;
(11) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, wherein the structured elongation is pulled tight;
(12) FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment, wherein the structured elongation is pulled tight;
(13) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a further possible embodiment to use the structured elongation of the sunscreen dosing device, wherein the cup is collapsed;
(14) FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the sunscreen dosing device fixed to a body of a sunscreen bottle; and
(15) Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings and specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(16) Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedure and components, have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.
(17) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the sunscreen dosing device 1. The sunscreen dosing device 1 comprises a cup 2 for receiving the sunscreen and a structured elongation 3 which is integrally formed with the cup 2. The structured elongation 3 has a length L3 and a free end 6. Preferably, the sunscreen dosing device 1 is fabricated by an injection molding process from a material which exhibit a certain flexibility. The material of the dosing device 1 could be a thermoplastic elastomer or an elastomer. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, are a class of copolymers or a physical mix of polymers (usually a plastic and a rubber) that consist of materials with both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. While most elastomers are thermosets, thermoplastics are in contrast relatively easy to use in manufacturing, for example, by injection molding. Thermoplastic elastomers show advantages typical of both rubbery materials and plastic materials. The benefit of using thermoplastic elastomers is the ability to stretch to moderate elongations and return to its near original shape creating a longer life and better physical range than other materials. The principal difference between thermoset elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers is the type of a cross-linking bond in their structures. In fact, cross-linking is a critical structural factor which imparts high elastic properties.
(18) FIG. 2 shows a top view of the sunscreen dosing device 1. The cup 2 of the sunscreen dosing device 1 is open at an upper rim 9 and closed at the opposite end by a bottom 10. A surrounding sidewall 11 (see FIG. 3) connects the upper rim 9 and the bottom 10. A first ear 4 and a second ear 5 formed oppositely to the first ear 4 are integral parts of the cup 2. In addition, the second ear 5 is an integral part of the structured elongation 3 and arranged opposite to the free end 6 of the structured elongation 3. Both the first ear 4 and the second ear 5 have a through hole 7 having a width W7. The structured elongation 3 has a plurality of sub-structures 8, which are arranged periodically along the longitudinal axis A of the structured elongation 3. Each sub-structure 8 has a length L8 which is smaller than the length L3 of the structured elongation 3. Each sub-structure 8 has a maximal width W3.sub.Max and a minimal width W3.sub.Min. The maximal width W3.sub.Max is larger than the width W7 of the through holes 7. With the free end 6 the structured elongation 3 can be inserted into the through hole 7 of the first ear 4 or the second ear 5. The mechanical cooperation of the portion of one of the sub-structures 8 having the maximal width W3.sub.Max with the through hole 7 of the first ear 4 or the second ear 5 enables the fixation of the sunscreen dosing device 1, for example, to a sunscreen bottle 32 (see FIG. 13).
(19) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the sunscreen dosing device 1. The first ear 4 and the second ear 5 with the structured elongation 3 and its sub-structures 8 are flush with an upper rim 9 of the cup 2. Opposite to the upper rim 9 the cup 2 is closed by a bottom 10. The sidewall 11 is designed such that the cup 2 has a conical shape.
(20) FIG. 4 shows a side view of a cup 2 of the sunscreen dosing device 1. The present view is on the outer surface 12.sub.O of the sidewall 11 of the cup 2 at which the first ear 4 is formed. The cup 2 has an outer diameter D.sub.O2 of the upper rim 9 and an overall height H2. The cup 2 has a structured sidewall 11. In the embodiment shown here the structured outer surface 12.sub.O of the sidewall 11 defines three distinct sections 22. The number of sections 22 should not be regarded as a limiting factor of the invention. It is clear for anybody skilled in the art that the number of sections 22 vary due to the design of the cup 2.
(21) FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the cup 2 of the sunscreen dosing device 1 as shown in FIG. 4. The cup 2 has an inner diameter D9 at the upper rim 9. From the upper rim 9 to the bottom 10 the inner diameters are decreasing. In the embodiment shown here, an inner diameter D.sub.122 of the first section 22, following the upper rim 9, is smaller than the inner diameter D9 at the upper rim 9. An inner diameter D.sub.222 of the second section 22, following the upper rim 9, is smaller than the inner diameter D.sub.122 of the first section 22. An inner diameter D.sub.322 of the third section 22, following the upper rim 9, is smaller than the inner diameter D.sub.222 of the second section 22. An inner surface 12.sub.I of sidewall 11 of the cup 2 has a rounded shape 13 at the transition from the inner surface 12.sub.I of sidewall 11 to the bottom 10. The rounded shape 13 has the advantage that one can easily get all the sunscreen out of the cup 1. The bottom 10 of the cup 2 has a defined thickness T10.
(22) FIG. 6 shows the construction of the sidewall 11 of the cup 2 of the sunscreen dosing device 1. The sidewall 11 which stretches from the upper rim 9 to the bottom 10 has at least one radial reduction 14 in the sidewall 11 of thickness T11. The reduction 14 supports the collapsibility of the cup 2. The at least one reduction 14 is correlated with the distinct sections 22 (see FIG. 4) of the cup 2. In the possible embodiment shown here, the cup 2 has two radial reductions 14 in the sidewall 11.
(23) FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of a portion of inner surface 12.sub.I of the sidewall 11 of the cup 2. At least one mark 15 is provided close to the upper rim 9 the inner surface 12.sub.I of the sidewall 11. The at least one mark 15 is stamped at the inner surface 12.sub.I of the sidewall 11. The volume unit 18, written on the inner surface 12.sub.I of the sidewall 11 should not be regarded as a limitation of the invention.
(24) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of one possible embodiment for using the structured elongation 3 of the sunscreen dosing device 1. The free end 6 of the structured elongation 3 is inserted from the bottom up 25 into the through hole 7 of the first ear 4 of the cup 2.
(25) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of one further embodiment for using the structured elongation 3 of the sunscreen dosing device 1. The free end 6 of the structured elongation 3 is inserted from above 26 into the through hole 7 of the first ear 4 of the cup 2.
(26) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, wherein the structured elongation 3 is pulled tight. The structured elongation 3 is pulled with the free end 6 through the through hole 7 of the first ear 4. The structured elongation 3 comes close to the upper rim 9 of the cup 2, so that the sunscreen dosing device 1 can be removably fixed to an article (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2 the maximal width W3.sub.Max of a sub-structure 8 is cooperates with the smaller width W7 of the though holes 7. This cooperation holds the structured elongation 3 in place at the first ear 4.
(27) FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment, wherein the structured elongation 3 is pulled tight. The structured elongation 3 is pulled with the free end 6 through the through hole 7 of the second ear 5. The structured elongation 3 comes close to the second ear 5 of the cup 2, so that the sunscreen dosing device 1 can be removably fixed to an article (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, the maximal width W3.sub.Max of a sub-structure 8 cooperates with the smaller width W7 of the though holes 7. This cooperation holds the structured elongation 3 in place at the second ear 5.
(28) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a further possible embodiment to use the structured elongation 3 of the sunscreen dosing device 1. Here the cup 2 of the sunscreen dosing device is collapsed (the height H2 of the cup 2 is reduced as compared to the height H2 of the cup 2 in the not collapsed state (see FIG. 4)). The free end 6 of the structured elongation 3 is inserted from above 26 into the through hole 7 of the first ear 4 of the cup 2.
(29) FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the sunscreen dosing device 1 fixed to a body 30 of a sunscreen bottle 32. Here the body 30 of the sunscreen bottle 32 is implied by a plurality of broken lines. The sunscreen dosing device 1 is attached to the body 30 of the sunscreen bottle 32 in that the collapsed cup 2 and the structured elongation 3 are in contact with the body 30 of the sunscreen bottle 32. It is noted here that the sunscreen dosing device 1 can be attached to the body 30 of the sunscreen bottle 32 as well with the cup 2 which is not collapsed. It is to be noted that the sunscreen dosing device 1 can be attached as well to the neck (not shown) of a sunscreen bottle 32. The expression body encompasses all parts of the sunscreen bottle 32.
(30) The foregoing description has been described with reference to specific embodiments for explanation purposes. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the claims to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen in order to best explain the principles underlying the claims and their practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular uses contemplated.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
(31) 1 Sunscreen dosing device 2 Cup 3 Structured elongation 4 First ear 5 Second ear 6 Free end 7 Through hole 8 Sub-structures 9 Upper rim 10 Bottom 11 Side wall 12I Inner surface 12O Outer surface 13 Rounded shape 14 Reduction 15 mark 18 volume unit 22 Distinct sections 25 From the bottom up 26 From above 30 Body of sunscreen bottle 32 Sunscreen bottle A Longitudinal axis D.sub.O2 outer diameter D9 inner diameter D.sub.122 inner diameter D.sub.222 inner diameter D.sub.322 inner diameter H2 height L3 length L8 length T10 Thickness T11 Thickness W3.sub.Max Maximal width W3.sub.Min Minimal width W7 Width
