ROLLER BALL APPLICATOR HAVING A NON-CONTACT PISTON FOR EXTRACTING A FORMULATION - Patent application

Abstract

An applicator comprising a reservoir configured to hold a formulation, a roller ball configured to apply the formulation, a non-contact piston configured to expel the formulation, and a piston magnet disposed below the non-contact piston, the piston magnet configured to move the piston in response to a magnetic field.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 732036, filed April 28, 2022, and French Patent Application No. 2206390, filed June 27, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Described below is a system for applying a skin care formulation with an applicator having a non-contact piston for dispensing the formulation in a quiet, cost-effective and efficient manner, and a mechanism for accurately measuring the amount of formulation still present in the applicator.

[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In one aspect, an applicator is disclosed that includes a reservoir configured to hold a formulation, a roller ball configured to apply the formulation, a non-contact piston configured to expel the formulation, and a piston magnet disposed below the non-contact piston, the piston magnet configured to move the piston in response to a magnetic field.

[0006] In another aspect, a system for dispensing a formulation is disclosed, the system including an applicator including a reservoir configured to hold the formulation, a non-contact piston configured to dispense the formulation, a piston magnet disposed under the non-contact piston configured to move the piston in response to a magnetic field, a roller ball configured to apply the formulation, and an attachment for connecting to a dispensing device, and a dispensing device configured to connect to the applicator and administer light treatment.

[0007] In yet another aspect, a method of expelling a formulation is disclosed, comprising the steps of attaching an applicator filled with the formulation to a dispensing device, identifying the formulation by reading a non-contact tip on the applicator with a non-contact reader on the dispensing device, generating a magnetic field with one or more magnets, which moves a piston magnet connected to a piston, and expelling the formulation as the piston moves. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is an exemplary applicator in accordance with the present technology.

[0010] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary applicator of FIG. 1A in accordance with the present technology.

[0011] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exemplary system including a dispensing device 200 having an exemplary applicator 100 attached thereto in accordance with the present technology.

[0012] [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is an example of a method of using the skin care system according to the present technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] While exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0014] Described herein is an applicator with a non-contact piston for dispensing and applying a formulation to a surface with a roller ball. In some embodiments, the applicator also includes a mechanism for accurately detecting how much product is in the applicator.

[0015] In some embodiments, the applicator is configured to be attached to a dispensing device, hi some embodiments, the dispensing device is configured to administer light therapy while applying the formulation.

[0016] 1A is an exemplary applicator in accordance with the present technology. Applicator 100 can include a roller ball 110 and an attachment 120.

[0017] Roller ball 110 can be configured to dispense and apply a formulation disposed in a reservoir within applicator 100 (as shown in FIG. 1B). In some embodiments, roller ball 110 is plastic, while in other embodiments, roller ball 110 can be glass or metal.

[0018] In some embodiments, the applicator 100 also includes an attachment 120 configured to secure the applicator 100 to a dispensing device, such as the dispensing device 200 of Figure 2. Although the attachment 120 is illustrated as one or more tabs for coupling to the dispensing device, the attachment 120 can take any form capable of securing the applicator to the dispensing device, including a threaded attachment, a magnet, or an attachment configured to snap or slide onto the dispensing device. In some embodiments, the attachment 120 is transparent so that the dispensing device can be seen through the attachment.

[0019] In operation, the applicator 100 may be placed into a dispensing device (as shown in FIG. 2) and secured to the dispensing device with attachment 120. The roller ball 110 may be rolled over a surface, such as a user's skin, to apply the formulation.

[0020] 1B is a cross-sectional view of the applicator of FIG. 1A in accordance with the present technology. The applicator 100 can include a roller ball 110, a reservoir 130 configured to hold a formulation 140, a piston 150, a non-contact tip 160, a piston magnet 170, and one or more magnets 180a, 180b, 180c.

[0021] In some embodiments, a reservoir 130 is disposed within the applicator 100 and configured to hold a formulation 140. In some embodiments, the formulation 140 is a skin care formulation. In some embodiments, the skin care formulation is a moisturizer, a toner, an acne treatment, a wrinkle or fine line treatment, or a cosmetic product such as a foundation or concealer. As the roller ball 110 rolls, the formulation 140 from the reservoir 130 is applied to the surface.

[0022] In some embodiments, the applicator 100 further includes a piston 150 configured to push the formulation 140 towards the roller ball 110 as the formulation is applied. In some embodiments, the piston 150 is directed to push the formulation 140 towards the roller ball 110 by circuitry in a dispensing device (such as dispensing device 200 of FIG. 2) or by circuitry in the applicator itself.

[0023] In some embodiments, the piston 150 is driven upward by the piston magnet 170. The piston magnet 170 may be positioned below the piston 150. The piston 150 may be pushed up by the piston magnet 170 in response to a magnetic field. In some embodiments, the piston magnet 170 and the piston 150 are two separate pieces, while in other embodiments, the piston magnet 170 and the piston 150 are a single piece. In some embodiments, the piston magnet 170 is positioned within the piston 150. In some embodiments, the piston 150 is constructed of plastic and contains the piston magnet 170. In some embodiments, the piston magnet 170 is non-removable. In some embodiments, the piston 150 can be precisely positioned for better control.

[0024] In some embodiments, the applicator 100 includes one or more magnets 180a, 180b, 180c to generate a magnetic field. In some embodiments, the one or more magnets 180a, 180b, 180c are a first magnet 180a, a second magnet 180b, and a third magnet 180c. As shown, in some embodiments, the first magnet 180a is parallel to the piston magnet 170. In some embodiments, the second magnet 180b is positioned at a 45 degree angle to the right of the first magnet 180a, and the third magnet 180c is positioned at a 45 degree angle to the left of the first magnet 180a. Although this configuration is illustrated, it should be understood that the one or more magnets 180a, 180b, 180c can be in any configuration to generate a magnetic field. Although one or more magnets 180a, 180b, 180c are illustrated as internal to the applicator, in some embodiments, one or more magnets 180a, 180b, 180c are internal to the dispensing device, such as dispensing device 200 of FIG.

[0025] In some embodiments, the applicator 100 includes a non-contact tip 160 configured to allow a dispensing device to identify the type of formulation 140 within the applicator 100. The non-contact tip 160 can be used to identify any number of things related to the formulation 140 or applicator 100. What can be identified includes the amount of formulation 140 within the applicator 100, the expiration date of the formulation 140 within the applicator 100, or when to replace the applicator 100.

[0026] In some embodiments, the applicator 100 further includes a mechanism 190, 195 for measuring how much formulation 140 is in the reservoir 130. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes a time of flight (ToF) sensor 190 and a mirror coating 195 in the reservoir 130. In some embodiments, the ToF sensor 190 is disposed inside the applicator 100, although the ToF sensor 190 may also be disposed inside a dispensing device (such as the dispensing device 200 of FIG. 2).

[0027] In operation, the ToF sensor 190 is configured to emit LED light, shown in dashed lines. The mirror coating 195 is configured to reflect the LED light back to the ToF sensor 190. Although the ToF sensor 190 is illustrated as being directly below the mirror coating 195, in some embodiments the ToF sensor may be remote from the mirror coating 195. In such a case, one or more reflectors (not shown in FIG. 1B ) reflect the emitted LED light back to the ToF sensor 190, off the mirror coating 195.

[0028] 2 is an exemplary system including a dispensing device 200 with an exemplary applicator 100 attached thereto in accordance with the present technology. In some embodiments, the applicator 100 may be attached to the dispensing device 200. In some embodiments, the dispensing device includes an end 210, one or more light sources 220a, 220b, an actuator 230, and a contactless reader 240. In some embodiments, the applicator 100 connects to the dispenser 200.

[0029] In some embodiments, the dispensing device 200 includes an end 210. The end 210 may be configured to be viewed through an attachment 120 on the applicator 100. In some embodiments, the base 210 includes one or more light sources 220a, 220b configured to provide light treatment to a surface while the formulation is being applied.

[0030] In some embodiments, one or more of the light sources 220a, 220b are LEDs. In some embodiments, there are only two light sources 220a, 220b in the dispensing device. In some embodiments, the first light source 220a is configured to deliver light therapy at a first wavelength. In some embodiments, the second light source 220b is configured to deliver light therapy at a second wavelength. In some embodiments, the light therapy at the first wavelength and the light therapy at the second wavelength are administered simultaneously. In some embodiments, the light therapy and application of the formulation are administered simultaneously.

[0031] In some embodiments, the dispensing device 200 includes one or more actuators 230. Although the actuators 230 are illustrated as buttons, in some embodiments the actuators may be switches, capacitive touch buttons, dials, etc. The actuators may be configured to initiate application of light therapy, apply the formulation, or both.

[0032] In some embodiments, the dispensing device 200 also includes a non-contact tip reader 240 for reading the non-contact tip 160 on the applicator 100 .

[0033] In operation, a user can place the applicator 100 into the dispensing device 200. When the actuator 230 is actuated, the formulation is applied, light therapy is administered, or both simultaneously. The user can then apply the formulation with the applicator 100.

[0034] FIG. 3 is an example of a method 300 of using a skin care system in accordance with the present technology.

[0035] At block 310, the applicator is attached to the dispensing device. In some embodiments, the applicator is slid into the dispensing device. In some embodiments, the applicator snaps into the interior of the dispensing device. In some embodiments, the applicator is secured to the dispensing device through snaps, tabs, or magnets.

[0036] Optionally, a non-contact reader on the dispensing device identifies the formulation inside the applicator with a non-contact tip of the applicator in block 320. In some embodiments, the non-contact tip can also identify the amount of formulation inside the applicator or whether the applicator needs to be replaced.

[0037] At block 330, a magnetic field is generated, moving the piston magnet, and thereby the piston, to the top of the reservoir, pushing the formulation towards the roller ball. In some embodiments, the magnetic field is generated by one or more magnets inside the applicator. In some embodiments, the magnetic field may be generated by the dispensing device. In some embodiments, the magnetic field is generated by a first, second and third magnet. When the magnetic field is generated, the piston magnet pushes the piston, moving the formulation towards the roller ball.

[0038] In block 340, the formulation is expelled as the piston pushes up the reservoir. As the piston is pushed up, the formulation is forced towards the rollerball.

[0039] At block 350, the dispensing device administers the light treatment. In some embodiments, the dispensing device administers the light treatment using one or more light sources. In some embodiments, the dispensing device may be configured to administer one or more light therapies. In some embodiments, one or more light sources on the dispensing device are configured to administer a first light therapy at a first wavelength, and one or more light sources are configured to administer a second light therapy at a second wavelength. In some embodiments, the first light therapy and the second light therapy are administered sequentially, while in other embodiments, the first light therapy and the second light therapy are administered simultaneously.

[0040] In block 360, the roller ball is rolled over a surface, such as a user's skin, to apply the formulation to the surface. In some embodiments, steps 330-360 are all performed simultaneously.

[0041] At block 370, the method ends.

Claims

1. 1. An applicator comprising: a reservoir configured to hold the formulation; a roller ball configured to apply the formulation; a non-contact piston configured to expel the formulation; and a piston magnet disposed under the non-contact piston; The piston magnet is configured to move the piston in response to a magnetic field.

2. 2. The applicator of claim 1, The applicator comprises: a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor configured to detect an amount of the formulation within the applicator; and Further comprising an LED, An applicator, wherein the LED emits light inside the applicator configured to reflect off the piston and into the ToF sensor.

3. 3. The applicator of claim 2, the applicator further comprises a mirror coating on the piston; The mirror coating is configured to reflect the LED into the ToF sensor.

4. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the applicator further comprises one or more magnets disposed within the applicator; The one or more magnets generate the magnetic field to control the non-contact piston.

5. 5. The applicator of claim 4, The one or more magnets comprise a first magnet, a second magnet, and a third magnet.

6. 6. The applicator of claim 5, The first magnet is parallel to the piston magnet.

7. 7. The applicator according to claim 5 or claim 6, The second magnet and the third magnet are positioned at a 45 degree angle from the first magnet.

8. 1. A system for dispensing a formulation, the system comprising: An applicator and a dispensing device, The applicator comprises: a reservoir configured to hold the formulation; a non-contact piston configured to expel the formulation; a piston magnet disposed beneath the non-contact piston configured to move the piston in response to a magnetic field; a roller ball configured to apply the formulation; and an attachment for connecting to the dispensing device; The system, wherein the dispensing device is configured to connect to the applicator and administer a light treatment.

9. 9. The system of claim 8, A system wherein the light treatment is administered simultaneously with application of the formulation.

10. 10. The system of claim 8 or claim 9, the applicator further comprises one or more magnets disposed within the applicator; The one or more magnets generate the magnetic field for controlling the non-contact piston.

11. A system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, The system, wherein the applicator further comprises a non-contact chip configured to identify the formulation within the applicator.

12. 12. The system of claim 11, The system, wherein the dispensing device further includes a contactless reader that reads the contactless tip on the applicator.

13. 1. A method of dispensing a formulation, comprising: The method includes the steps of attaching, identifying, generating, and dispensing; The step of attaching includes attaching an applicator filled with the formulation to a dispensing device; The identifying step includes identifying the formulation by reading a non-contact tip on the applicator with a non-contact reader on the dispensing device; The generating step generates a magnetic field with one or more magnets; The magnetic field moves a piston magnet connected to the piston; The method, wherein the expelling step expels the formulation as the piston moves.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, The method further comprises measuring the amount of the formulation within the applicator at a given time.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: The step of measuring the amount of the formulation comprises: illuminating an interior of the applicator with an LED; reflecting the light generated by the LED off a mirror coating on the interior of the applicator; and determining an amount of the formulation within the applicator based on the time it takes for the light to reflect off the mirror coating.

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