Wiper member for a container for packaging and dispensing products

Abstract

The present invention generally is a wiper for a container for dispensing and dispensing cosmetic or care products. More particularly, the invention relates to a wiper member that is novel and inventive by way of its construction such that it prevents air from getting pumped / entrapped inside the container during usage. There is provided a wiper member that helps in increasing the life of the product by allowing it to remain in its original fluid state and prevents drying out of the product. Further, the wiper member by virtue of its internal configuration results in efficient wiping of the applicator element and at the same time provides an anti-pumping action by allowing the air to pass through the air vents in it. Also disclosed is a wiper member that is able to regulate the amount of product retained on the applicator when a force is either applied or removed from its central axis.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a wiper member for a container for packaging and dispensing cosmetics or care products. More particularly the invention relates to a wiper member that provides for an anti-pumping action to take place when the container is put to use and also provides for a product with a longer life. The present invention also relates to the wiper member being able to provide varying amounts of product to be retained on the applicator as per user's convenience for application of a cosmetic or a care product.[0003]Wiper member of the present invention can be employed in application of various products, such as for viscous cosmetics, mascara, eye liner, lip gloss, coloring strands of hair and like products.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Numerous kinds of cosmetic and care products are available in the market today. Some such products include mascara, lip gloss, eye liner or like produ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The present invention generally is a wiper for a container for packaging and dispensing cosmetic or care products. More particularly, the invention relates to a wiper member that is novel and inventive by way of its construction such that it prevents air from getting pumped / entrapped inside the container during usage. There is provided a wiper member that helps in increasing the life of the product by allowing it to remain in its original fluid state and prevents drying out of the product. Further, the wiper member by virtue of its internal configuration results in efficient wiping of the applicator element and at the same time provides an anti-pumping action by allowing the air to pass through the air vents in it.

[0019]According to another embodiment of the invention, there may be present a plurality of the flange-like projections on the inner diameter of the wiper. Further, these flange-like projections may be present at varying heights inside the wiper i.e. in multi-levels on the inside of the wiper. Further, they may occupy any proportion of the inner diameter of the wiper so as to cover the entire diameter of the wiper. Provision of flange-like projections at multiple levels helps in efficient wiping action and the air passage thus formed allows for smoother retrieval of the applicator element from the reservoir thereby avoiding the jumping out of the applicator stem from inside of the container. Whereas these flange-like projections when present as one continuous flange in a wiper made of flexible material is able to regulate the amount of product retained on the applicator when a force is either applied or removed from the central axis of the wiper.

[0023]Independently or in combination with the above, there is provided a wiper member that helps in regulating the amount of product which is retained onto the applicator upon its withdrawal from the container. The wiper member may contain at least one continuous flange-like projection on its inner diameter, thereby providing a single wiping zone in the wiper. Alternatively, the flange-like projections may cover the inner diameter by being present at different levels, thereby providing different wiping zones in the wiper and also, thereby acting both as an anti-pumping agent as well as controlling the retention of volume on the applicator when it is removed from the container.

[0024]In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a container comprising the wiper as described above. The container thus provided has a limited number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and is easy to use.

[0025]According to an embodiment of the invention, the flanges in the wiper are so arranged as to cause progressive modification in the amount of product being retained onto the applicator element. The flange-like projections when present in middle portion of a wiper made from a flexible material help in controlling the amount of product retained on the applicator. The wiper is fixed inside the neck of the container and when a force is applied or removed from its central axis, the wiper gets either constricted thereby causing the flange-like projections to come close together and cause maximum interference with the applicator element which in turn results in close wiping of the applicator and lesser product is available for application. Alternatively, when the wiper is in relaxed position the flange-like projections are spaced apart and therefore cause lesser interference with the applicator and hence a higher quantity on the applicator for application would be available.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, the addition of air in the bulk causes the product to become lumpy and may also lead to infection by bacteria.

However, this has not stopped the users from continuing with the pumping actions which is a more natural and psychologically satisfying response when trying to churn or mix the bulk.

Although, the pumped air causes the applicator stem to have a tendency to jump out of the container as soon as the cap is unscrewed.

However, this wiper might not be able to fit onto narrow necked containers as the extended holes would need a certain area to be able to function as vent creating holes.

However, the disclosed wiper has a problem that there are gaps created in the wiping zone which results in appearance of product streaks on the applicator rod even after being wiped.

Further, the slits in the wiper may lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the wiper with regular usage.

However, in aforementioned volume control wipers, there is an external body being used to cause constriction or relaxation of wiper to control the aperture diameter.

Further, the as the wiper makes physical contact with the rigid external body, there are chances that the product might get clogged at such spaces.

Also, most of the existing devices are typically complex in construction and costly to manufacture.

Further, such devices are often ineffective in removing excess mascara from the applicator.

As a result, the consumer is still often required, in an additional step, to manually remove excess mascara from the applicator using a tissue or other similar item.

As can be appreciated, this additional step renders the entire mascara application process more time consuming and results in a greater waste of mascara.

Further, these wipers are not able to provide a simultaneous anti-pumping action.

The wiper is fixed inside the neck of the container and when a force is applied or removed from its central axis, the wiper gets either constricted thereby causing the flange-like projections to come close together and cause maximum interference with the applicator element which in turn results in close wiping of the applicator and lesser product is available for application.

Further, there is no additional component inserted or withdrawn to achieve the deformation in the wiper.

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