US1910669A - Applicator for liquid cosmetics - Google Patents

Description

May 23,' 1933. w BIEDERMAN y APPLICATOR FOR LIQUID COSMETICS Filed May 3l, 1930 FlGfQ HG2 Y III FIG. 5 FIG. 6 Fics. 7

INVENTOR WILL/Am /foLAM/QN v ATTORNEY Paieniea May 23, 17933 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE p Application `tiled. Hay 31,

rI`his application relates to applicators for liquid cosmetics and the like.

It is ian object of this invention to provide apparatus for the application to the skin surfaces or the like of cosmetics or materials having a predetermined medical effeet, such as the application of coloring matter to the lips of a person, as is customarily done in the application of lip-stick, or in' the use of solution of camphor or similar substances. In conjunction with such apparatus would be used a fluid carr ing the desired materials, such fluid-utilizing water or some similar liquid as the carrying medium so that there is produced alfinalsolution, emulsion or similar fluid which will react normally in accordance with the ordinary laws of surface tension applicable to liquids which wet a surface.

The apparatus is constructed so that one or more capillary passages are provided' through which the iiuid may be fed to an applicator tip which is used to spread the fluid over the surface to be coated or moistened. rlhe tip, in suitable cases, may vhave a slit or similarly sharply defined opening, or may have a pad of felt, s onge rubber or similar material through willich the iiuid might be fed for spreading in the desired manner.

By forming an enlargement intermediately of the capillary passage or passa es, in

any manner, provision may be made or the storage of fluid at any predetermined distance from the point of application, or with relation to a main storage chamber, which.

may be provided auxiliary to the applicator ti In a proper case, means may be provi ed for adjusting the capacity of this 0 storage chamber in accordance with the viscosity of the li uid handled, or to adjust the charge of liqui to be fed to any particular single operation. l

It is an additional object of this invention to vrovide an a plicator of the type hereina ove set fort and in which a primary reservoir is located adjacent the end of the applicator, wherein a device is assembled within the reservoir and is operable to limit 5 the flow from the end of the applicator' 1980. Serial No. 457,802.

when the force of gravity is added to the capillary force actin@ to move liquid through the passages uch device may also operate to trap liquid within the reservoir When the passage is positioned upright and the tendency of gravity would be to draw the liquid downwardly through said passages and away from the applicator tip.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an applicator nozzle having two or more capillary passages leading therethrough substantially in parallel relation, the capillarity of at least one passage being less than that of the other so that, as the applicator tip is applied to the'surfaceto be moistened, the passage capable of exerting only the lesser capillary force will" become an air vent for the reservoir with which it is assembled. The reduction in capillary effect in any one passage maybe accom- 7o plished in any suitable manner, as by variation of the diameters of the passages. A preferred method, however, is to increase the capillary action in one passage by inserting a very fine wire theremto.

It is an object ofthe invention to provide a'n a plicator of the type herein described which will be capable of feeding fluid for coating or moistening a surface which is disposed in any plane relative to the applicaso tor, thatis, a surface above, as well as a surface below the applicator, and one vertically disposed, as well as one horizontally disposed. For this purpose, the property of certain fluids, known as surface tension, is utilized to effect the feeding of such fluid upwardly, or in any other direction, for attaining the desired coating or moisteningv of said surface.

The applicator discharge end may, for the 'purposes of-this invention, be disposed in a vertical, as well as a horizontal, or like plane. In any case, suitable vents are provided to assure the'necessary flow of li uid to the final discharge orifice or like fee ing means. No particularmethod of venting the storage chamber or like supply source of liquid is lintended to form a specific part of the generic invention herein involved.; however, certain specied methods of' vent- 100 ing have been designed which cooperate with the generic invention to edect combinations claimed by me as specific inventions. The invention may be incorporated into a suitable device capable of being carried in a purse or may, in any other suitable manner, be assembled for use.

@ther objects of this invention will be apparent trom the drawin and trom the description thereof, or wil be specitically indicated therein.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the construction and arrangement or parts herein shown and described, nor to the various details thereof, as the same may be modified in various particulars without departing from the spirit and scope et the invention, lsome practical embodiments et whichhave been herein illustrated and described without attempting to show all the various terms aid modifications in which the invention might be embodied.

@n the drawing, wherein are disclosed several preferred embodiments otV the invention,

Fig. l is a vertical diametrical sectional Iviewkot an assembled applicator, embody-v ingy the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view ot a portion et said applicator, with the top cap removed, and the nozzle turned through ninety degrecs .and broken away to illustrate the relation ot the passages therein.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through y a modified embodiment ot the invention, illustrating a method et adjusting the capacity ot the reservoir et the applicator.

Fig. t is a side elevational view et a detail ot a modilied 'term of the invention, shown breiten away in part to illustrate the internal construction thereof.

Fig. 5 is a iront elevational view ot the applicator shown-in Fig. l.

Fig. ti is an elevational view ot a further modidcation et the invention, broken away to illustrate the constructionot the applicator tip portion thereof.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a further moditied torni ot the invention.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view through a tui-ther modified form ofthe invention.

ln the particular construction ot Figs. l and 2, the invention is seen to have been embodied into a container l0, which may be made of any suitable material for 'retaining liquids therein, and which may lend itself readily to formation into such ornamental shapes and the like :tor commercial purposes as may be desired. Preferably, the container is ot sinall diameter or cross-section, and consists ot a tube l2, to which may be secured, in any desired or well-known manner, a bottom ll, such bottom being made nordsee readily removable .tor refilling or similar pur oses.

'll e other end ot tube l2 may have assembled therewith a nozzle cap 16, removably retained upon the tube, as by means of screw threading or the like. lhrough the cap is formed abore 18, within which the body 20 of the applicator 22 is received and retained.

The applicator, in a referred, but not a necessary, form, is ma e up ot a pair oil mated sections 2t and 26. rl"he a plicator could be made in any other suita le manner, as by drilling, or otherwise working, a solid piece ot metal or the like. The mated sections may be formed out ot bakelite, hard rubber or similar substances which the liquid to be used therewith will wet, the mating surfaces et the sections being substantially dat throughout. ln portion 28 of the applicator, the surfaces are intended to conform accuratel to each other so as to provide a li uid-tight dt when the sections are united, t e surfaces having no spacing therebetween except at cut-out portions in each ot the sections which are mated to produce a duct 30.'

At the external portion 32 et the applicator, adjacent the nozzle cap, the dat sur- 'laces ot the opposed sections are separated an appreciable extent to provide a passage 38, the surfaces then 'either continuing at the same degree ot separation, or converging to a tine line opening t0 at the exterior.

surface ot the applicator. rlhe junction edges or the sections contiguous to passage 38 are sealed together in any well-linown manner to provide a water-tight, non-lealiing connection. At the point et origination of the passage, the duct 30 is completely or substantially lost thereinto. llllie two surfaces ot the mated sections at asse-ge 38 are separated to such degree t at but a capillary passage is produced therebetween, so that liquid deposited at the beginning or the passage will be ted, due to the eilect et surface tension, to the outer end or tip of the applicator. rl`he principal result ot the invention herein does not, however, require the specific construction hereinabove set forth, as arrangement ot one or more capillary pas'- sages of any particular constructions may be utilized tor' the purpose herein set forth. Liquid ted to the outer end or tip or the applicator by an means, that is, either by capillary torce in the passage or by the gravitational or lilie torce exerted by the ody oil the liquid within the chamber oil container l0, will meisten the tip so that, when the tip end is moved across any surtace to be moistened, such as the lips et a person, when the applicator is used tor' liti end moves onward, the joinder of the liquid film and the liquid in the applicator will cause a movement of liquid through the duct orcapillary passages of the applicator, the liquid therein moving tol compensate .for that liquid which has been removed, due to the effect of the forces of surface tension.

To clarify still further, theunion of the body of liquid within the applicator passages or ducts with the wetted surface results in the application of a force upon the bodyr of liquid adjacent the tip opening,

, drawing it out therefrom as the liquid in the applicator end seeks to join the liquid wetting the4 surface, due to the fact that a liquid tends to assume the smallest possible surface underl the circumstances. This force externally o f the applicator will be greater than the similar force applied to the liquid within the tubes or passages by the walls thereof, because of the greater extent of the external surface, and the liquid within the passa es will tend to move toward the liquid deposited externally, In other words, as the applicator continues to move over the surface to be coated or wetted, the flow of liquid from the passages will continue so long as there is a liquid connection between the external liquid and the liquid Within the tube, or so long as the latter holds out.

Where the tube is held vertically, so that liquid would flow down into the capillary passages under the yforce of gravity, the sup'- ply going to the surface to be moistened will he limited only by the contents of the con?,`

tainer.4 However, where the tube is held vertically upward and the force of gravity is not operative to lift the body yof liquid from the container into the capillary passages of the applicator, the extent of application possible is limited by the quantity of liquid having direct liquid connection with the liquid at the tip end of the applicator, as can be readily understood.

lln order-to facilitate the capillary feeding of liquid between the two complementary fiat surfaces, hair line depressions 42 are provided to constitute a plurality of 26 are mated. In this manner, .the necessity for having the convergence of, or the close approach of the surfaces'to each other with any considerable accurateness is avoided. V

In order to provide a quantit of liquid for use at the applicator tip, in w ateverposition it may be used, it is found desirable vto have a secondary storage chamber of small capacity adjacent the outlet from the applicator. For this purpose, a suitable enlargement 44 of the duct 30 is formed within the body of the applicator in closel adjacency to thetip end and substantially at the commencement ofthe final capillary passages. In this manner, liquid may be .tip

fed to the enlargement throu h the duct 30 and be retained therein. A t in film of liquid will form in the passage 38 and, in most cases, will be liquidly connected with the liquid in the enlargement; the inability of atmospheric pressure tol breakl down this film of liquid will act as a seal, under normal circumstances, to retain the liquid, so fed, trapped in the enlargement. Then, when it is desired to make use of the li uid thus stored, the applicator tip is applie in the customary manner, and liquid will flow from the enlargement into the capillary passages and then out thereof in the manner hereinabove set forth.

It may be desired to rotect the applicator against excessive ischarge when apparatus of the type hereinabove set forth is used with the applicator tip ,pointed substantially downward and gravitational force is exerted by the body of liquid within the chamber of the container upon the of liquid from the enlargement when the is pointed vertically upward, and against the possibility of breaking the liquid Vseal at the tip, in which case the liquid in the enlargement may flow down the duct and into the reservoir of the container l0,

an additional seat 50 may be provided at the junction of the'duct 30 with ,the enlargement. When the applicator is positioned with the tip portion thereof pointed vertically or substantially so upwardly, the ball 46 will coact with the seat 50 toclosey off communication between the enlargement and the duct. y

Some suitable means must be provided for venting the chamber of the container l0. For this purpose, the nozzle cap 16 is provided with one or more air vent passages 52 which extend therethrough and provide open communication between the exterior of the container and the interior thereof.,

Preferably, these passages taper inwardly so that the liquid within thecontainer, when the container is positioned with the applicator tip downwardly, will be restrained against flowing down through the air vents, while air will be permitted free access to the container at any other time. As appears at 54, I have found the end of a hypodermic needle', with the tip thereof ositioned within the chamber and the ot er end thereof externally of the container 10 to serve-elliciently the purposes intended. 1

ln order that the container and the attached applicator tip may be carried in such means as a pocketbook or the like, a cap 56 is provided, and may have means for screwL threadedly engaging the outer surface of the nozzle cap to close the cap down a ainst the nozzle cap and also to bring a ruber or like cushion 58 retained within the endl of the ca down upon theend of the a plicator tip,thus to seal the latter. rlhe cu ion will also serve to maintain a film of liquid at the tip, after once moistened, so that the tip will be prepared for instant use, upon the removal of the ca Preferably, the shoulder 66 of the nozz e cap and the face 62 of the cap are formed to cooperate in such manner that, when the ca has been brought down against the nozz e cap, the shoulder 66 will tightly abut the face 62 and substantially seal od the ends of the air vent passages.

ln Fig. 3 is shown a modied form of the applicator tip which is adapted for use either in connection with a primary reservoir such as provided by a container 16, or in anyother similar relation. 'lhe a plicator 6ft in this modification may be ma e of material similar to that used for applicator 22; also, the a plicator may be made up in substantially t e same marier, that is, by the use of two sections, brought into abutting and mating relation, althouh in either case, it is not essential that suc construction be followed to attain the desired form. lln the case of applicator 6d, a duct 66 is formed by the mated sections, the passage 1 leading to a reservoir chamber 68 from such an article will not jar the plug out o a set-up position. ln order to ermit thel feeding of liquid from the cham r of the container with which such applicator is.

. assembled, one or more capillary or like ducts 76 are provided in thewalls of the duct 66 or in the face of the plug, and extend substantially the entire length thereof. lln

this manner, the plug is by-passe'd and liquid supply for the reservoir chamber set up.,

A ball 78 may be retained by the plug within the reservoir chamber to coact with -a suitable seat 86 at the entrance to the Y' Y capillary lpassages 76, as set forth above for the ball d6, The" 'capillarity of ducts" 76 will substantially prevent any back-flow the plug in the.

faces 9a forming the capilla terence' y therethrough, so thatno other means is necessary to check such dow.

For venting apparatus of the character set forth above, and as shown in Fig. 3, itis possible to use passages similar to the air vent passages 52 in the nozzle cap or to provide a vent passage 82 which may be formed lengthwise through the applicator body, opening at the external face 84 of the applicator and into the chamber of the container with which the applicator is assembled. 'lhe passage 82 maybe shaped in a manner similar to the passages 52, that is, converging inwardly, to prevent, to a substantial degree, the. outdow of li uid therethrough at undesirable times. By t is means, liquid will be permitted movement up through the capillary passages 76 to the tip end while air wil move down the vent passage to the chamber of the container to compensate for the reduction of pressure therein as liquid is withdrawn.

ln liigs. l and 5, a further modification of the invention is disclosed in which the capillary passages, instead of opening at the extreme tip of the applicator, open along a surface 86 at the side of the applicator. llt is to be understood, in this connection, that the particular location'of the applicator tip or surface is of no s ecic import since, as in this illustration, 1t may open at the side of the applicator, as well as at the extreme end. lin this construction, the applicator end is not formed lwith the line opening, as are the modifications previously discussed; a substantial opening is provided within which is seated a pad 88 of felt, sponge rubber or similar material which, in itself, exhibits capillary functions. Liquid brought into contact with the pad will thus wet the same and be conducted to the outer surface thereof to be applied to any surface with which the pad 1s brought in contact.

A reservoir 96 may be provided in connection with an applicator of the type herein set forth, and an air vent 92 open through the walls of the applicator from said reservoir to the atmosphere; Preferably, such Ivent would be tapered inwardly, in the same manner, and for like purposes, as previously set forth.

A. further modihcation of the invention is disclosed in Fig. 6, in which case the flat surl passages are dented, as at 96, in any suita le manner, to

4provide small pockets or recemes for receiving and retainii small sup lies of liquid, as the same is f through t e passages. Thus, as liquid passes throu h the capillar p sage, these pockets wil provide small reservoirefor holding reserve` suppliesV of liquid; should the @dect of capillarity be lost at a lower point, these supplies will become effective and will be fed to the outer can ill@

otherwise available.

In Figs. 7 and 8, a method of conducting air to the container and of providing for thc capillary action of the necessary passages is shown. In this case, the surfaces of the mated members 98 and 100 are not complementary but are substantially convexed so that but a small portion of one is contactedwith a small portion of the other. The other portions of the surfaces are free of each and substantially diverge away from each other. Thus at some point, the effect of the force of suriace tension will be broken between the two surfaces and a free area the surface can therefore be utilized for the purpose of conducting air to the interior of the container.

ln Fig. 9, there is disclosed a inodiiication of the invention in which the applicator 102 has formed therein a pair ot capillary passages 10d and 106, leadin' upto the common tip 108. The tip end, ior the purposes oi the invention, is not made straight across the end but preferably is slightl curved so that, in use, the entire face wil not contact the surface to be wetted. For the purposes oi the invention, one of the passages is pref erably made capable ot exerting a lesser capillary force than the other, either byniaking the diameter thereof greater than that oil the other, or, as in the arrangement herein shown, by inserting a hns wire ll() inone of two passages of equal diameter. Thereby, the edect 'o'liquid upon the surface off the wire is added to the effect of liquid upon the surface of the passa e and the torce in such passage is there y increased over that of the other passage. When application takes place, liquid will normally travel down the passage havin-g the wire il() therein, while air will flow up the other passage or passages ot lesser capillary force.

As many changes could be made in the above yconstructions and many apparently widely diiierent embodiments of the invention designed without departing from the scopennd spirit of the invention, as defined in the'accornpanying claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above`descriptlonor shown in the drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative merely of an operative embodiment of the invention and not in a limiting sense.

It will be understood that de ressions or recesses such as shown at 94 an 96 may be located, if desired, within the one or more of the capillary passages. y

' It will also be understood, of course, that where a plurality of capillary passages orl tubes are provided, as for example in Fig.`

9, these passages may vary in cross sectional area and one or more of such capillary assages may be sub-divided lon itudinal y so as to provide a multiplicity 0% smaller capillary grooves or channels within one or more of the majorl passages. Where a lurality of capillary passages are provi ed, these, of course, may vary in length. l e

' I claim:

1. A liquid lip-stick applicator, including an applicator nozzle, a liquid-tra ping storage chamber intermediately of the applicator nozzle, and a capillary'passage in the applicator knozzle communicating with said chamber and being operative to bring liquid from said chamber to the exposed end of said applicator against the action of gravitational force. A

2. A liquid lip-stick applicator, including an applicator nozzle, a liquid-tra ping storage chamber intermediair/ely oi the applicator nozzle, and a plurality of capillary passages in the applicator nozzle cdrnmunicating with said chamber and bein operative to bring liquid from said cham Ur to the en" pose end of said applicator against the action ot gravitational force.

3. A liquid lip-stick applicator, including a liquid storage chamber, and an applicator having a capillary passagecorninunicating with said chamber and when in use leading upwardly away from said chamber to the exposed end ofsaid ap licator, the crosssection ot said passage ecreasing from the chamber end to the exposed end thereof to make the passage operative to bring liquid from the chamber to the exposed end of the applicator against the action of gravitational force.

4. ln combination, a li uid storage' chamber, and an applicator aving a passage communicating with said chamber, said passage being formed between two substantially complementary surfaces positioned closely adjacent each other and leading from said chamber to the exposed end or' said applicator to bring liquid from said chamber to the exposed end of the said applicator against the action of gravitational orcfe.

-5. An applicator nozzle for attachment to a liquid lip-stick container, the nozzle having a capillary passage therein for communication with the interior of said container, said passage leadin to and opening at the applicator end of said nozzle, the nozzle and container being constructed to .feed the liqllt) llt:3

' @5 passage vat uid against gravitational edort when the applicator end is in use.

6. An applicator nozzle for attachment to a liquid lip-stick container, the nozzle having a capillary passage therein for communication with the interior of said container, said passage leading to and opening at the applicator end of said nozzle, and bein enlar ed intermediately of said nozzle to orm a liquid reservoir in roaimity to smidap-1 plicator end, the nozz e and container being constructed to feed liquid against gravitational eifort when the applicator end is in use.

'l'. in applicator nozzle having a capillary passage therein leading to and opening at the applicator end of said nozzle, said passage ing enlarged intermediately of said nozzle to form a liquidreservoir in proximity to said applicator end, and a member in said reservoir adjusting its position in accordance with the position of the nozzle, said member operating to close said passage against the flow of liquid therethrough.

8. An applicator nozzle having a capillary passage therein leading to and opening at the applicator end of said nozzle, said passage being enlarged intermediately of said nozzle to form a liquid reservoir in proximity to said applicator end, and a member in said reservoir automatically adjusting its relation to the passage to close said passape against the return flow of liquid away rom the applicator end.

9. An applicator nozzle for attachment to a liquid container having a capillary passage therein for communication with the interior 'of said container, said passage leadin to and opening at the applicator end of sai nozzle, and bem enlarged intermediately of said nozzle to orm a liquid reservoir` in proximity to said applicator end, the applicator end consisting substantially of a surface of inconsiderable width, and a member in said reservoir to close said passage Y against the dow of liquid from saidresern till -voir to said containeror from said container directly into said ca illar passage and operatin to trap liqui wit in the reservoir as t e nozzle is tilted into various positions. l

lll. lin combination with a liquid lip-sticlr container having an o ening therein, an applicator nozzle assem led at said opening and having a capillary passage therein for counication with the interior of said container, said assage leading to and open ing at the applicator endy of said nozzld, the

nozzle and container being'constructed `to feed liquid against gravitational effort when thelpp licat/or end is in use.

lary passage therein leading to an open at 'the applicator end of said nozzle, saiv applicator nozzle havi l a capil` sing enlarged intermediately of' naiaeee said nozzle to form a liquid reservoir in proximity to said applicator end, and a member freely movable in said reservoir to close said passage against the flow of liquid therethrough.

l2. lin an applicator, a nozzle having an applicator surface at an end thereof, a capillary passage leading through said `nozzle to said surface, said assage being enlarged intermediatel of said nozzle `to form a chamber 'therewithim and adjustable means in said chamber for varying the edective capacity thereof.

i3. ln an4 applicator, a nozzle having an applicator surface at an end thereof, a capillary passage leading throu h said nozzle to said surface, said passage ing enlarged intermediately of said nozzle to form a chamber therewithin, means in said chamber for reducing the effective capacity thereof, and a member in said chamber to che/cli the flow therefrom when said applicator surface is positioned downwardly.

ll. ln an applicator, a nozzle having an applicator surface at an end thereof, a capillary passage leading through said nozzle to said surface, said passage being enlarged intermediately of said nozzle to form a chamber therewithin, adjustable means in said chamber for varying the effective capacity thereof, and a member in saidl chamber to checlr the flow therefrom when said applicator surface is positioned downwardly.

l5. ln an applicator, a nozzle having an anpplicator surface at an end thereof, a ca iary passage leading throu h said nozz e to said surface, said passage eing enlarged intermediately of said nozzle to forma lll. ln an app icatornozzle having an ap, plicator surface at an end thereof, acapillary passage leading through said nozzle to said surface, said lpassage being enlarged intermediately of said nozzle to form a chamber thenewithin, a plug tightly htting in said chamber and movable therein for varying the effective capacity thereof, capille. passages bypassing said plug, and a mofidier in said chamber to checlr the dow therefrom when said applicator surface is positioned downwardly.

il?, lln an ap lication, a nozzle formed of two substanti y complementary surfaces positioned closely adjacent each other and o eratire to transmit liquid therealong to t e exposed end of said applicator, mid surf ees sing formed with a plurality of indentations, as and for the'pu described. lo.. ln an ap 'licaton a nozzle formed of two substantie y complementary surfaces positioned closely adjacent each other and 'operative to transmit liqnidtherealong to lll@ lllti lili the exposed end of said applicator, portions of said surface being out away to provide air ventin means.

19. n applicator nozzle consisting of a body portion formed'with a tip having an applicator surface at an end thereof, and a pair of capillary passages leading to and openingat said surface, said surface being slightly curved, as and for the purposes set forth.

20. An` applicator nozzle consistin of a body portion formed with la tip having an applicator surface at an end thereof, and a pair of capillary passages leading to and opening at said surface, one of said passages being of a lesser eective .cross-section.'

2l. An applicator nozzle yconsisting of a body portion formed with a tip having an applicator surface at an end thereof, and a pair of capillary passages leading to and opening at said surface, one of said passages, when filled with liquid, being aiiected by a greater capillary orcethan the cornpalflionpassage.

22. An applicator nozzle consisting of a body portion formed with a tip having an applicator surface at an end thereof, a pair of capillary passages leading to and opening at said surface, and a Wire in one of said passages.

23. In combination, a liquid storage chainber, and an applicator having a plurality et passages communicating with said chamber, said passages being formed between two substantlally complementary surfaces positioned closely adj ent each other and leading from said chamber to the exposed end of said applicator, the cross-section of said assages decreasing from the chamber endl to the exposed end thereof.y A

24. In an ap licator, a nozzle ormed'of two substantia ly complementary flat 'surfaces positioned closely adjacent each other and loperative to transmit liquid therealong to the exposed end of said applicator, said surfaces being formed with a plurality-,of

indentations, as and for .the purposes de- '4 scribed, s

In testimony whereof he has axedhis signature.

WILLIAM BIEDERMAN.

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