APPLICATION DEVICE

Abstract

APPLICATION DEVICE Application device, comprising: a container defining a holding space for the application material; an applicator detachably mounted on an opening in the container and to which the application material is to be attached; and a stirrer for stirring the application material, wherein the container includes a top wall formed with a through hole through which the applicator mounted on the opening is inserted, and an outer wall extending downwards from the outer periphery of the top wall, and wherein a non-stick protrusion is provided on an internal surface of the container, which defines the holding space, between the through hole and the outer wall, which prevents the stirrer from sticking to the top wall between the through hole and the outer wall. Figure for abbreviation: none

Description

Title of the invention: APPLICATION DEVICE technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an application device for applying an application material such as a viscous liquid cosmetic, for example a concealer, onto an application object such as skin. CONTEXT

[0002] An application device for applying an application material, such as a viscous liquid cosmetic, for example a concealer, to an application object such as skin, comprises a container for holding the liquid cosmetic and an applicator detachably mounted on the container. A ball-shaped agitator for agitating the liquid cosmetic before application is housed within the container.

[0003] As an application device including such an agitator, EP0332487A1 discloses an application device comprising a bottle containing manicure liquid, and balls and a ball valve housed within the bottle. The bottle is provided with a valve protrusion that opens and closes the ball valve.

[0004] Furthermore, JPH11-179268A1 discloses an application device comprising a container containing a liquid cosmetic to be dried, such as manicure liquid, and a stirring ball housed within the container, and an applicator. The container is divided into a proximal portion and a distal portion, and the container is provided with a stopper between the proximal and distal portions to prevent the stirring ball housed in the proximal portion from moving towards the distal portion.

[0005] Furthermore, JPS52-64117A1 discloses an application device comprising a container containing a liquid cosmetic to be dried, such as manicure liquid, and a stirring ball housed within the container, and an applicator. The cap is provided with a partition to limit the movement of the stirring ball. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] However, in such an application device, the agitator onto which the application material is applied can stick to the inside of the container when the application material is agitated. In particular, if the agitator sticks to the top wall of the container when the agitator is above the level of the application material, the agitator will not fall to the bottom of the container even when the application device is shaken and inverted, and the agitator will not function.

[0007] Therefore, the purpose of this application is to propose an application device to prevent the agitator from sticking to the top wall of the container. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention employs the following means to solve the above problem. The application device according to the present invention comprises: a container defining a holding space for the application material; an applicator mounted detachably on an opening in the container and to which the application material is to be attached; and an agitator for agitating the application material.

[0009] - the container includes a top wall formed with a through hole, in which The applicator mounted on the orifice is inserted, and an outer wall extending downwards from the outer periphery of the top wall, and

[0010] - a non-stick protrusion is provided on an internal surface of the container, which defines the containment space, between the through hole and the outer wall, which prevents the agitator from sticking to the top wall between the through hole and the outer wall.

[0011] According to the present invention, when the agitator onto which the application material is applied moves inside the container during shaking of the application device, for example, the anti-stick protrusion prevents the agitator from sticking to the top wall. Thus, the agitator, onto which the application material is applied, has a reduced possibility of being applied to the top wall, and therefore a reduced possibility of the agitator sticking to the top wall. Furthermore, the possibility of the agitator sticking to the top wall can be reduced without changing the appearance of the container or the shape of the agitator.

[0012] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, the anti-stick protrusion can be provided on the top wall.

[0013] According to the present invention, the anti-stick protrusion directly provided on the top wall can effectively prevent the agitator from being stuck to the top wall.

[0014] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, the top wall can be provided with an internal wall extending from an opening edge of the through hole.

[0015] According to the present invention, the applicator protruding from the hole through the top wall can be protected by the inner wall.

[0016] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, a lower end of the anti-stick protrusion can be located higher than a lower end of the inner wall.

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the anti-stick protrusion from being damaged during shaking of the application device.

[0018] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, the anti-stick protrusion may have a rib shape extending between the through hole and the outer wall of the top wall.

[0019] According to the present invention, the anti-stick protrusion with a rib shape can more reliably prevent the agitator from being stuck to the top wall.

[0020] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, the anti-stick protrusion has a pin shape or a column shape extending downwards from the top wall.

[0021] According to the present invention, the anti-stick protrusion in the shape of a pin or in the shape of a column can more reliably prevent the agitator from being stuck to the top wall.

[0022] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, the top wall may have a polygonal shape in the top view, and

[0023] - the non-stick protrusion can be provided between a corner and the through hole in the wall from above.

[0024] According to the present invention, the polygonal top wall has wider spaces between the outer wall and the through hole at its corners, and thus by providing the anti-stick protrusion at the corner where the agitator has an increased possibility of being stuck to the top wall, the possibility of the agitator being stuck to the top wall can be reduced more reliably.

[0025] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, a plurality of anti-stick protrusions are spaced around the through hole in the top wall.

[0026] According to the present invention, the possibility of the agitator being stuck to the top wall can be reduced even more reliably.

[0027] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, the container may include a lower housing which includes a bottom wall and the outer wall, and an upper housing which is mounted on the lower housing and includes the top wall closing an upper opening of the lower housing.

[0028] According to the present invention, by dividing the container into the lower housing and the upper housing to separately form the upper housing provided with the anti-stick protrusion and the lower housing, the upper housing provided with the anti-stick protrusion can be easily formed.

[0029] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, an external periphery of the top wall can be formed with a fitting wall fitted inside the external wall of the lower housing, and

[0030] - the non-stick protrusion may be provided with a space relative to the wall adjustment.

[0031] According to the present invention, by providing the anti-stick protrusion with a space relative to the adjustment wall, the space allows the adjustment wall to deform elastically inwards more securely when the adjustment wall of the upper housing is inside the outer wall of the lower housing, the upper housing can be mounted more easily onto the lower housing by adjustment.

[0032] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, the container may include a mounted internal cylinder which is mounted on the top wall so as to extend through the through hole and surrounds a part of the applicator.

[0033] According to the present invention, the portion of the applicator can be protected by the mounted internal cylinder.

[0034] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, a lower end of the applicator may protrude from a lower end of the mounted internal cylinder.

[0035] According to the present invention, the application material can be effectively fixed to the applicator during shaking of the application device.

[0036] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, an upper end of the mounted internal cylinder can form the orifice.

[0037] According to the present invention, the applicator is fixed to the upper end of the mounted internal cylinder.

[0038] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, the lower end of the mounted internal cylinder, which protrudes from the through hole, may have a tapered shape with its external diameter decreasing downwards.

[0039] According to the present invention, since the lower end of the mounted inner cylinder has a tapered shape, it is possible to more reliably prevent the agitator from being stuck between the lower end of the mounted inner cylinder and the outer wall.

[0040] Furthermore, in the application device according to the present invention, the applicator may include an application member to which the application material must be attached, and a mounting cap attached with the application member and mounted in a detachable manner on an orifice of the container.

[0041] According to the present invention, the mounting cap is used as a handle to apply the application material fixed on the application member to an application object. Brief description of the drawings

[0042] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 shows a front view of the application device in a mode of the fulfillment of this request.

[0043] [Fig.2] Fig.2 shows a top view of the application device shown on the [Fig.l].

[0044] [Fig.3] Fig.3 shows a cross-sectional view of the application device shown on the [Fig.l].

[0045] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] shows a partial enlarged view of the application device shown in [Fig.3].

[0046] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] shows a cross-sectional view of an upper housing of the application device shown in [Fig.3].

[0047] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] shows a condition of use of the application device shown in the [Fig.1]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0048] The embodiment of the application device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. In the figures used in the following description, each element is scaled accordingly to make each element recognizable.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the application device 1 according to one embodiment of the present application 1 comprises a container 2, which has a cubic box shape with its upper opening and contains a liquid cosmetic (an application material) C, such as a concealer; and an applicator 3, which has a circular bar shape, is detachably mounted on the container 2 and applies the liquid cosmetic C to an application object, such as skin. The container 2 and the applicator 3 are arranged so that their central axes are aligned on a common axis. Hereinafter, the common axis is referred to as the device axis O. Furthermore, one side of the device axis O, on which the container 2 is located within the application device 1, will be referred to as the proximal side, and the opposite side will be referred to as the distal side.Furthermore, a direction that crosses the axis of device O will be called a radial direction, and a direction around the axis of device O will be called a circumferential direction.

[0050] The container 2 comprises a container body 11 which has a cubic box shape with its upper opening, a mounted inner cylinder 12 which is mounted on the container body 11 and has a cylindrical shape, and an agitator 13 which is housed in the container body 11 and has a ball shape. The central axes of the container body 11 and the mounted inner cylinder 12 are arranged on the axis of the device O.

[0051] The container body 11 is formed of PETG, for example, and includes a lower housing 21 which has a cubic box shape with its upper opening, and an upper housing 22 which has a circular tubular shape and is mounted on the upper end of the lower housing 21.

[0052] The lower housing 21 includes a bottom wall 31 which has a square shape in the top view, and an outer wall 32 which had a square tubular shape and extends upwards from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 31.

[0053] The internal circumferential surface of the upper end of the outer wall 32 is recessed downwards so as to form a step.

[0054] The upper housing 22 includes a top wall 41 which has a square shape in the top view, a first cylindrical fixing portion 42 which has a circular tubular shape and extends upwards from an opening edge of a first through hole 41A formed on a central portion of the top wall 41, a second cylindrical fixing portion (an internal wall) 43 which has a circular tubular shape and extends downwards from the opening edge of the through hole 41A, and a tubular fitting portion 44 which has a square tubular shape and extends downwards from a portion of the top wall 41 which is located slightly radially inwards with respect to the external circumferential edge.

[0055] The top wall 41 closes the upper opening of the lower housing 21. The outer circumferential edge of the top wall 41 is arranged on the step of the outer wall 32, and made to adhere to the outer wall 32. In addition, a lower surface of the top wall 41 is provided with a plurality of anti-stick projections 41B projecting downwards.

[0056] Four anti-stick projections 41B are provided in this embodiment, and the anti-stick projections 41B are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction and extend in the radial direction, while being centered at the axis of the device O at the four corners of the square-shaped top wall 41. Furthermore, one radial end of the anti-stick projections 41B is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the second cylindrical fixing portion 43, while the other radial end of the anti-stick projections 41B is located with a gap relative to the fitting wall 44. Thus, the anti-stick projections 41B reinforce the second cylindrical fixing portion 43, while the anti-stick projections 41B do not inhibit the inward radial elastic deformation of the fitting wall 44.

[0057] The vertical length of the first cylindrical mounting portion 42 is longer than the vertical length of the second cylindrical mounting portion 43. The inner circumferential surface of the upper end of the first cylindrical mounting portion 42 is provided with a first mounting protrusion 42A for mounting the internal cylinder 12, extending around its entire circumference. Furthermore, the inner surface of the portion of the first cylindrical mounting portion 42 that is located lower than the first mounting protrusion 42A is provided with notched protrusions 42B extending vertically and evenly distributed in the circumferential direction.

[0058] The lower end of the second cylindrical fixing portion 43 is formed with a support projection 43A to prevent the mounted internal cylinder 12 from passing downwards.

[0059] The tubular adjustment portion 44 is fitted inside the outer wall 32 of the lower housing 21. The vertical length of the tubular adjustment portion 44 is adjusted so that the tubular adjustment portion 44 does not come into contact with the liquid cosmetic C when the application device 1 is on a horizontal surface.

[0060] The mounted internal cylinder 12 is fitted inside the upper housing 22, and includes a cylinder body 51 which has a tapered cylindrical shape with its internal and external diameters gradually decreasing downwards, and a first sealing cylinder 52 which protrudes radially inwards from the external circumferential surface of the cylinder body 51.

[0061] The lower end opening of the cylinder body 51 is a communication hole 51A communicating to the outside and inside of the mounted inner cylinder 12. The external circumferential surface of a portion of the upper end of the mounted inner cylinder 12 that protrudes upwards from the first cylindrical fixing portion 42 is formed with a male threaded portion 51B. Thus, the portion of the upper end of the mounted inner cylinder 12 that protrudes upwards from the first cylindrical fixing portion 42 configures the orifice of the container 2, to which the applicator 3 is detachably mounted.

[0062] Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface of a portion of the upper end of the cylindrical body 51 that is located downwards from the male threaded portion 51B is provided with a first mounting groove 51C that engages with the first mounting protrusion 42A, extending over its entire circumference. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of a portion of the cylindrical body 51 that is located lower than the first mounting groove 5IC is provided with notched grooves (not shown) extending in the vertical direction and evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. The notched grooves engage with the notched protrusions 42B in the circumferential direction and prevent the cylindrical body 51 from rotating relative to the upper housing 22 around the device axis O.The cylindrical body 51 can be adjusted tightly inside the upper housing 22 so as not to rotate relative to the upper housing 22 around the axis of device O.

[0063] The first sealing cylinder 52 extends radially outwards from the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder body 51 and downwards. The first sealing cylinder 52 is fitted inside the second cylindrical fixing portion 43, and the outer circumferential surface of the first sealing cylinder 52 is tightly butted against the second cylindrical fixing portion. 43. In addition, there is a gap between the first sealing cylinder 52 and the support projection 43A of the second cylindrical fixing portion 43, and the lower end of the first sealing cylinder 52 faces the support projection 43A in the vertical direction.

[0064] The agitator 13 is a ball made of metal such as SUS. The size of the agitator 13 is larger than that of the communication hole 51A of the mounted internal cylinder 12 so that the agitator 13 cannot pass through the communication hole 51A.

[0065] The applicator 3 includes a mounting cap 61 which has a cylindrical shape surmounted, and an application member 62 mounted inside the mounting cap 61.

[0066] The mounting cap 61 is formed of PETG, for example, and includes a sleeve body 71 which has a topped cylindrical shape, and a second connecting ring 72 which extends radially outwards from the lower edge of the sleeve body 71, an upper mounting cylinder 73 which has a cylindrical shape and extends downwards from the outer circumferential edge of the second connecting ring 72, and a second sealing cylinder 74 which has a cylindrical shape and extends from the second connecting ring 72 to a position radially inwards from the upper mounting cylinder 73.

[0067] The inner circumferential surface of the handle body 71 is provided with a second fixing recess 71A extending around its entire circumference. Thus, the applicator member 62 is fitted inside the lower end of the handle body 71.

[0068] The internal circumferential surface of the upper mounting cylinder 73 is provided with a second male thread 73A which can be threaded with the first male thread 51B of the mounted internal cylinder 12.

[0069] The second sealing cylinder 74 is configured to be fitted inside the mounted inner cylinder 12.

[0070] The application member 62 includes a sleeve 81 which has a cylindrical shape and a brush 82 mounted on the sleeve 81.

[0071] The sleeve 81 is made of PP, for example, and includes an upper cylinder 91 which has a cylindrical shape and is fitted inside the mounting cap 61, and a lower cylinder 92 which has a cylindrical shape and on which the brush 82 is mounted, and a flange 93 formed on a connecting portion between the upper cylinder 91 and the lower cylinder 92.

[0072] The external circumferential surface of the lower end of the upper cylindrical part 91 is provided with a second fixing protuberance 91A engaging with the second fixing recess 71 A, extending over its entire circumference.

[0073] The intermediate portion of the lower cylinder 92 in the vertical direction is provided with a partition 92A dividing the internal space of the lower cylinder 92 into two parts. The upper space of the lower cylinder 92 above the partition 92A communicates with the internal space of the upper cylinder 91, and the lower space of the lower cylinder 92 below the partition 92A is a space intended to be mounted with the brush 82.

[0074] The flange 93 is abutted or close to the lower surface of the internal circumferential edge of the second connecting ring 72.

[0075] The brush 82 is made of PBT, for example, and is inserted into the space of the lower cylinder 92 of the sleeve 81 below the partition 92A. The lower end of the brush 92 protrudes from the communication orifice 51A of the mounted internal cylinder 12 of the container 2.

[0076] Next, the use of the application device 1 with such a configuration will be described.

[0077] First, the user shakes and / or turns over the container 2, so that the agitator 13 agitates the liquid cosmetic C. During agitation, the agitator 13 moves inside the container 2. As shown in [Fig. 6], for example, the agitator 13, to which the liquid cosmetic C is applied, moves towards the top wall 41 of the upper housing 22 of the container 2. The agitator 13 moving towards the top wall 41 tends to stick to the top wall 41 due to the viscosity of the liquid cosmetic C.However, the agitator 13 hits the anti-sticking protrusion 41B, and there is therefore not enough contact area for the agitator 13 to stick to the top wall 4L. Then, the agitator 13 moves away from the top wall 4L. In particular, there are wider gaps between the outer wall 32 and the second cylindrical fixing portion 43 at the corners of the square-shaped top wall 41, and the agitator 13 has a strong possibility of sticking to the top wall 4L. However, the anti-sticking protrusions 41B provided on the areas prevent the agitator 13 from sticking to the top wall 4L.

[0078] After agitating the liquid cosmetic C in the well of the container 2, the user removes the applicator 3 from the container 2. The user applies the liquid cosmetic C to the brush 82 on an object such as skin, and after applying the liquid cosmetic C, the user mounts the applicator 3 onto the container 2.

[0079] According to the application device 1 with the above configuration, although the agitator 13, onto which the liquid cosmetic product C is applied, moves towards the top wall 41 during the agitation of the liquid cosmetic product C, the agitator 13 strikes the anti-stick protrusions 41B and does not adhere to the top wall 4L. Thus, the possibility of the agitator 13 sticking to the top wall 41 can be reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of sticking without changing The appearance of the container 2 and the shape of the agitator 13. Moreover, since the anti-stick projection 41B has a ribbed shape, it is possible to reduce the possibility of sticking more effectively. It is also possible to reduce the possibility of sticking by providing the anti-stick projections 41B at the corners of the square-shaped top wall 41. The applicator 3, in particular the brush 82, is protected by the second cylindrical fixing portion 43. By dividing the container 2 into the lower compartment 21 and the upper compartment 22 to separately form the upper compartment 22 with the anti-stick projections 41B and the lower compartment 21, the upper compartment 22 with the anti-stick projections 41B can be easily formed.Furthermore, the anti-stick projections 41B are located with a spacing relative to the adjustment wall 44, the spacing causes the adjustment wall 44 to deform elastically inwards more securely when the adjustment wall 44 of the upper housing 22 is fitted inside the outer wall 42 of the lower housing 21, and the upper housing 22 can be mounted more easily onto the lower housing 21 by adjustment.

[0080] The mounting cap 61 is used as a handle to apply the liquid cosmetic C fixed to the brush 82 onto the skin.

[0081] The inventions of this application are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications of the embodiments described above may be made without departing from the concept of the inventions of this application.

[0082] Cosmetics are not limited to liquids, and may exist in other states such as a semi-liquid state, a powder, or a mixture of liquid and powder. Furthermore, the application material is not limited to cosmetics.

[0083] Although the container comprises the lower housing, the upper housing, and the mounted inner cylinder, the mounted inner cylinder may be omitted, and the container configuration may be changed. The internally mounted body may not be cylindrical. Furthermore, the mounted inner cylinder may be configured so that the tip of the applicator protrudes from the communication hole in the mounted inner cylinder. The mounted inner cylinder may have shapes other than a conical shape. Moreover, the mounted inner cylinder may not form the opening for mounting the applicator.

[0084] The shape of the anti-sticking protrusion is not limited to a rib shape; the shape of the anti-sticking protrusion may be peg-shaped, column-shaped, or another shape that can effectively prevent the agitator from sticking to the top wall. Furthermore, the lower edge of the anti-sticking protrusions may be located lower than the lower edge of the inner wall.

[0085] The anti-stick projections can be provided on any portion of the container, which defines the containment space, such as the second cylindrical fixing portion, the tubular adjustment portion and the mounted internal cylinder.

[0086] Anti-stick projections may be provided at the corners of the top wall, and the number of anti-stick projections is not limited to four.

[0087] Although the applicator is mounted on the container by threading, the applicator can be mounted on the container by snapping, for example.

[0088] The shape of the agitator is not limited to a sphere shape, and the number of agitators may be greater than one.

[0089] The shape of the main body of the container is not limited to a square box and can take other shapes such as a barrel shape with its central portion along the axis of the container extending radially outwards. Furthermore, the shape of the top wall is not limited to a square box and can take other polygonal shapes such as a triangle or a hexagon, and the shape of the top wall can take any shape other than a polygon, such as a circle or an oval.

[0090] Although the applicator has a configuration including the mounting cap, the sleeve, and the brush, the applicator may have other configurations, such as a configuration with a brush directly attached to the mounting cap. Furthermore, the application portion may have other configurations besides a brush, such as an application portion with embedded bristles and an application portion with flocked fibers, a flexible applicator, such as a flexible plastic applicator and a silicone applicator, a molded sponge applicator, and a metallic applicator.

Claims

Demands

1. Application device, comprising: a container defining a holding space for an application material; an applicator detachably mounted on an orifice of the container and to which the application material is to be attached; and an agitator for agitating the application material, in which the container includes a top wall formed with a through hole into which the applicator mounted on the orifice is inserted, and an outer wall extending downwards from the outer periphery of the top wall, and in which an anti-sticking protrusion is provided on an internal surface of the container, which defines the holding space, between the through hole and the outer wall, which prevents the agitator from sticking to the top wall between the through hole and the outer wall.

2. Application device according to claim 1, wherein the anti-stick protrusion is provided on the top wall.

3. Application device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top wall is provided with an inner wall extending from an opening edge of the through hole.

4. Application device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower end of the anti-stick protrusion is located higher than a lower end of the inner wall.

5. Application device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-stick protrusion has a rib shape extending between the through hole and the outer wall of the top wall.

6. Application device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-stick protrusion has a pin shape or a column shape extending downwards from the top wall.

7. Application device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top wall has a polygonal shape in the top view, and wherein the anti-stick protrusion is provided between a corner and the through hole in the top wall.

8. Application device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of anti-stick projections are spaced around the through hole in the top wall.

9. Application device according to claim 8, wherein an outer periphery of the top wall is formed with a fitting wall fitted inside the outer wall of the lower housing, and wherein the anti-stick protrusion is provided with a space relative to the fitting wall.

10. Application device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises an internally mounted cylindrical body which is mounted on the top wall so as to extend through the through hole and surround a portion of the applicator.

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