APPLICATOR UNIT

Abstract

 Applicator unit for applying a product to a surface - with or without an applicator that can be stuck into a container through a removal opening - comprising a container for storing the product to be applied, a closure for closing or releasing the removal opening, wherein the closure comprises at least one closure plate for closing the removal opening and at least one spring element, wherein the at least one closure plate is mounted so as to be translationally displaceable above the removal opening of the container and is pressed automatically into its closure position by the at least one spring element, and in that the closure plate ends in a handle by means of which it can be transferred into a release position by the user against the tension of the at least one spring element.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an applicator unit according to the generic term of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a closure unit according to the generic term of claim 12.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Such an applicator unit with a closure unit is not least intended for closing containers from which care products, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products or even technical substances are applied, such as adhesives.

[0003] In order to provide an illustrative example, the following section focuses mainly on a cosmetic system - especially for the purpose of tooth whitening -, but at moment without restricting effect.

[0004] A standard cosmetic system usually at least comprises a container, a wiper, a closure cap and an applicator. Furthermore, it is usual that the container contains the wiper and the closure cap contains and/or holds the applicator. Therefore, generalizing one can say that the cosmetic unit can be divided into an upper part (closure cap with applicator) and a lower part (container with wiper).

[0005] In order to apply the product that is stored in the container, the cosmetic system has to be opened. Usually, that is done by separating the upper part from the lower part. In most cases, the user therefore has to unscrew the closure cap from the container and afterwards can extract the applicator from the container. During this extraction process, the applicator with the product on it has to pass the wiper and excess product is wiped off in order to provide the right amount of product on the applicator for the application.

[0006] During the phase of application of the product, the container does not have his closure cap that is connected to the applicator and therefore stays open. This way the product inside the container is no longer protected by the closure cap and therefore can dry out, gas out and/or leak. Especially when the usually very slim, open cosmetics container falls over and crashes to the floor or into the sink.

[0007] The same problem arises at all kinds of application systems like pharmaceutic or glue application systems, with or without a wiper being comparable to that one of the cosmetic system.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide a means by which the product inside the container of an application system can be protected in a simple way when the container is opened.

SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

[0009] A solution to this problem is provided by the main claim.

[0010] For this purpose, an applicator unit for applying a product to a surface is proposed. This applicator unit comprises a container for storing the product to be applied, a closure for closing or releasing (or also: unblocking) the removal opening, wherein the closure comprises at least one - preferably essentially or better completely flat - closure plate for closing the removal opening and at least one spring element.

[0011] The applicator unit is designed without or preferably with an applicator that can be stuck into a container through a removal opening for removing the product to be applied.

[0012] The applicator unit according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one closure plate is mounted so as to be translationally displaceable - in laterally sealing engagement - above the removal opening of the container. Furthermore, the at least one closure plate is pressed automatically into its closure position by the at least one spring element. Furthermore, the closure plate ends in a handle (in German: "handle" = "Handhabe") by means of which it can be transferred into a release position by the user against the tension of the at least one spring element. This handle is preferably integrally joined with the closure plate in the sense that both form a one-piece integral plastic part, ideally along with a plastic spring element. In most cases the handle is embodied as a push button.

[0013] Because the at least one closure plate is translationally displaceable above the removal opening, the user is able to easily move the at least one closure plate via the handle into the release position. In this position, the access to the interior of the container is given, wherein the applicator can be extracted from the container. When the applicator is removed from the inside of the container, the at least one spring element moves the at least one closure plate into its closure position as soon as its handle is not any longer pressed down by the user.

[0014] This "closure position" in a broader sense means that the direct access to the container is blocked. Preferably the said blocking is accomplished by the at least one closure plate being in the way of the usual removal opening. In a preferred narrower sense, it means that the usual removal opening is fully shut tight from outside influences, also not allowing a leaking of the product in any intended positions of container. Overall, the product in the inside of the container therefore is protected.

PREFERRED DESIGN OPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A preferred design option is that the at least one closure plate has a closing section and a release section, the release section having a - preferably circular or also partly circular - aperture which can be brought to overlap with the removal opening in order to release the removal opening. Said aperture ideally is bordered on all sides by the material of the closure plate, as seen in the circumferential direction. This is a simple way of ensuring the blocking of the removal opening.

[0016] It is furthermore preferred that the at least one closure plate merges on one side of its aperture into a handle, preferably in the form of a push button and on the diametrically opposite side of its aperture into the closing section. Therefore, a convenient release of the removal opening by simply pushing can be ensured. Said push button is in any case a part with which the closure plate can be moved by the user.

[0017] It is preferred that the handle in the form of a push button - when the applicator unit is in its intended position with removal opening upwards - is located substantially completely below the at least one closure plate. Therefore, a push button with a large area can be formed in order to ensure an easy operation and without the container having to be raised and/or lengthened.

[0018] Furthermore, it is preferred that the handle in the form of a push button is arranged in such a way that it can be actuated or pushed with one finger of the hand holding the applicator unit. So, an easy operation of the applicator unit can be ensured.

[0019] It is also preferred that the at least one closure plate - apart from its visibility through the removal opening - is completely concealed between the container, a top cover of the container and the handle in the form of a push button, preferably formed by the closure plate. The closure plate tends to carry away product adhering to it from the removal process. This product carryover does not appear disturbingly with such an arrangement of the closure plate.

[0020] It is furthermore preferred that the applicator unit has two closure plates which are located directly above one another - in relation to the intended removal position "removal opening pointing upwards". Furthermore, the two closure plates can be actuated in opposite directions. Therefore, the applicator and/or an element on the applicator and/or the stem of the applicator can be clamped uniformly and thus firmly from both sides in order to ensure a tight fit of the applicator.

[0021] It is also preferred that the stem connected to the applicator has a form-locking element - preferably in the form of an annular groove - which can interact with the at least one closure plate - which is thereby preferably in a position between its complete closure position and its complete release position - in such a way that the stem is positively locked in such a way that it cannot be pulled out through the aperture of the at least one closure plate to the outside or cannot be pulled out further - generally not or in any case under application of the forces which can be expected within the scope of the intended use.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferred that the container is a bottle which is tapered on one side and thereby forms a bottle neck, the bottle neck merging at its outward end face into an annular disc with a central hole - which preferably is identical with the removal opening - projecting radially inwardly from the wall forming the bottle neck. Therefore, the length of the sealing gap between the lowermost closure plate and the end face of the bottle neck can be increased.

[0023] Further possible configurations, functions and advantages result from the dependent claims and/or the following description of the exemplary embodiment and/or with reference to the figures.

FIGURE LIST

[0024] 

Figure 1 shows the applicator unit in the release position in three-dimensional view.

Figure 2 shows the applicator unit in the release position in cut side view.

Figure 3 shows the applicator unit in the clamped position between its complete closure position and its complete release position in three-dimensional view.

Figure 4 shows the applicator unit in the clamped position between its complete closure position and its complete release position in cut side view.

Figure 5 shows the applicator unit in the closure position in three-dimensional view.

Figure 6 shows the applicator unit in the closure position in cut three-dimensional view.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 show a preferred embodiment of the applicator unit 1. The applicator unit comprises a container 3 with a bottle neck 15 and a closure 5. A cap - that is usually used to hold the applicator and to close the applicator unit 1 is not shown in the figures.

[0026] Firstly, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the applicator unit 1 in the release position. Here, the user has already pressed the preferably two handles 8 - each in form of a push button - against the tension of a spring element 7 respectively. It is preferred that each handle 8 comprises an own spring element 7, preferably even directly connected to one another. Furthermore, it is preferred that the spring element 7 is a compression spring that rests on one end in a respective reception in the handle 8, preferably a circular groove supporting at least one winding of the spring element 7.

[0027] Each handle 8 is preferably integrally joined with a closure plate 6. Therefore, the preferred embodiment has two closure plates 6 which are located directly above one another and can be actuated in opposite directions - when the handles 8 are pushed. Preferably, the handles in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 therefore do not protrude beyond the outer circumferential surface of the container 3. Each closure plate 6 preferably comprises an aperture 11 through which the applicator 2 can be extracted in this release position. This aperture 11 - in the release position - is preferably aligned with the removal opening 4 of the container 3 in such a way that the applicator 2 can be extracted by the user freely or essentially freely that means at least without applying an excessive amount of force. Fig. 2 furthermore shows a top cover 12 of the applicator unit 1. This top cover 12 can also be used as a wiper for the applicator 2.

[0028] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show the clamped position of the applicator unit 1. This is the position between its complete closure position (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) and its complete release position (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). This position is the standard position in which the applicator unit 1 stays when the user does not interact with it and the handles 8 are not actuated. It is preferred that the handles 8 are in this state fully or essentially flush with the outer circumferential surface of the container 3. The handles 8 with their respective closure plate 6 are pressed radially outwards by the respective spring element 7, as there is no outside pressure on the handles 8 by the user. Therefore, the aperture 11 of each closure plate 6 are in contact with the applicator 2 or the stem 13 connected to the applicator 2 - preferably integrally connected. The radially outwards movement is basically stopped by the contact of the applicator 2 or stem 13 with the closure plate 6. The applicator 2 or stem 13 is therefore clamped inside the apertures 11 through the radially outwards movement of the preferably two closure plates 6.

[0029] In order to ensure a preferred clamping effect, the stem 13 preferably comprises a form-locking element 14 - preferably in the form of an annular groove - which can interact with the at least one closure plate 6 and/or the aperture 11 of the at least one closure plate 6 in such a way that the stem 13 is positively locked. Therefore, the applicator 2 cannot be pulled out through the aperture 11 of the at least one closure plate 6 to the outside or cannot be pulled out further. It is preferred that the aperture 11 is formed equivalently to the form-locking element 14, for example by providing a protrusion 18 - preferably with a smaller shape and/or smaller radius than the initial aperture 11 - that fits around a part of the outer circumferential surface of the form-locking element 14.

[0030] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show the applicator unit 1 in the closure position. Here, the applicator 2 was extracted - in the release position - through the removal opening 4 and the apertures 11 of the closure plates 6. Because the radially outwards movement of the handles 8 and the respective closure plate 6 connected to it - forced by the tension of the spring elements 7 - is not blocked anymore by the applicator 2, the handles 8 are moved outside the outer circumferential surface of the container 3. The closure plates 6 block the removal opening 4 of the container 3, preferably with their closing section 9. In Fig. 5, also the release section 10 with its aperture 11 can be seen without the view being blocked. When two closure plates 6 are used, it is preferred that the handle 8 with the closure plate 6 that is the lower closer plate 6 comprises a step 17 that can be used as a stop for the upper closure plate 6 when both handles 8 are pressed. Fig. 5 also shows the preferable protrusions 19 that are located on the handle 8. It is preferred that two protrusions 19 are arranged on one handle 8. The protrusions 19 are preferable arranged on the edges of the handle's area that touches the container 3 - preferably its bottle neck 15 - when pushed radially inwards completely (as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

[0031] The protrusions 19 act as a stop in the closure position so that the handles 8 and therefore the closure plates 6 stay in the intended blocking position and cannot be pulled radially outward out of the intended position. Preferably, the top cover 12 acts as counterpart of these protrusions 19. Therefore, it is preferred that the top cover also comprises at least two shell areas that are designed in a way that their outer circumferential surfaces is formed analogue to the course of the outer circumferential surface of the container 3 and preferably are even flush with that outer circumferential surface of the container 3.

[0032] Overall, the applicator unit 1 with the applicator 2 shown in the figures can be used for cosmetics, pharmaceutical products or even technical substances. It is preferred that this specific applicator 2 that is shown, is used for dental purposes - especially for applying teeth whitening products.

[0033] The container 3 is preferably a bottle which is tapered on one side and thereby forms a bottle neck 15. The bottle neck 15 preferably merges at its outward end face into an annular disc 16 with a central hole projecting radially inwardly from the wall forming the bottle neck 15. This central hole is preferably the removal opening 4. Preferably, the container 3 consists of two parts - a sleeve and the inner part. The Inner part preferably comprising said tapering and bottle neck 15.

[0034] Overall, the closure 5 of the applicator unit 1 is preferably a closure unit with a support structure which can be fixed on the bottle neck 15 of a container 3 - preferably by screwing it on, otherwise by snapping it on again, preferably without tools. This support structure comprises at least one closure plate 6 that is mounted above the removal opening 4 of the container 3 - when the support structure is mounted on a container as intended. So, the at least one closure plate 6 can be displaced translationally and is automatically pressed into its closure position by at least one spring element 7. Furthermore, the at least one closure plate 6 ends in a handle 8 with which it can be transferred by the user into a release position against the tension of the at least one spring element 7.

MISCELLANEOUS

[0035] In due course, claim will also be made to (individually paragraph by paragraph and /or combined with each other or with other disclosure):

• A closing unit for a container including: a pushable button having a pressing surface and a spring mechanism, that pushes the pushable button outwards; and a closing element extending towards the inside of the container forming at least one opening section forming a first opening portion corresponding with the removal opening of the container, and a closing section.
• The closing unit wherein the container can be adapted to an upper part preferably comprising an applicator part disposed to be inserted in the container through the first opening portion.
• The closing unit wherein the applicator part has a notch, and the at least one opening section forms a second opening portion corresponding with the notch.
• The closing unit having at least three defined positions including:

  a closing position in which the pressing surface is protruding outside the container and the removal opening of the container is closed by the closing sections of the closing element;

  an opening position in which the pressing surface is pushed inside the container and the first opening portion is aligned with the removal opening of the container; and

  a sealing position in which the pressing surface is aligned with the surface of the container, and the second opening portion is aligned with the opening of the container and pressed against the applicator part.

• The closing unit wherein when the unit is in the sealing position and the notch is in contact with the second opening portion the applicator cannot be removed from the container.
• The closing unit having at least two defined positions including:

  a closing position in which the pressing surface is aligned with the surface of the container and the removal opening of the container is closed by the closing section of the closing element; and

  an opening position in which the pressing surface is pushed inside the container and the first opening portion is aligned with the removal opening of the container.

• The closing unit for a container including: two pushable buttons each of them having a pressing surface;

  two spring mechanisms that push the buttons outwards, and

  two closing elements extending towards the inside of the container each of them forming:

  at least one opening section, wherein the interaction of such at least two opening sections forms a first opening portion corresponding with the opening of the container; and

  a closing section.

• The closing unit wherein the container can be adapted to an upper part preferably comprising an applicator part disposed to be inserted in the container through the first opening portion.
• The closing unit wherein the applicator part has a notch, and the interaction of the at least two opening sections forms a second opening portion corresponding with the notch.
• The closing unit having at least three defined positions including:

  a closing position in which the two pressing surfaces are protruding outside the container and the opening of the container is closed by the closing sections of the closing elements;

  an opening position in which the two pressing surfaces are pushed inside the container and the first opening portion is aligned with the opening of the container; and

  a sealing position in which the two pressing surfaces are aligned with the surface of the container, and the second opening portion is aligned with the opening of the container and pressed against the applicator part.

• The closing unit wherein when the unit is in the sealing position and the notch is in contact with the second opening portion the applicator cannot be removed from the container.
• The closing unit having at least two defined positions including:

  a closing position in which the two pressing surfaces are aligned with the surface of the container and the opening of the container is closed by the closing sections of the closing elements; and

  an opening position in which the two pressing surfaces are pushed inside the container and the first opening portion is aligned with the opening of the container.

• The closing units including a case disposed to adapt it to the neck or the upper part of the container, and a cover disposed to close the container; wherein case and the container have holes corresponding with the pushable buttons and the cover has a hole corresponding with the first opening portions.
• The closing units in which the upper part also includes a cap and a thread part, and the container has a corresponding outer thread part.
• The closing units wherein the opening section or the interaction of the at least two opening sections forms a third opening portion that operates as a wiping element when the unit is in a wiping position.
• The closing units wherein the third opening portion is equivalent to the first opening portion, and the opening position is equivalent to the wiping position.

REFERENCE LIST

[0036] 

1

Applicator unit

2

Applicator

3

Container

4

Removal opening

5

Closure

6

Closure plate

7

Spring element

8

Handle

9

Closing section of the closure plate

10

Release section of the closure plate

11

Aperture

12

Top cover

13

Stem

14

Form-locking element

15

Bottle neck

16

Annular disc

17

Step

18

Protrusion of the aperture

19

Protrusion of the handle

Claims

1. Applicator unit (1) for applying a product to a surface - with or without an applicator (2) that can be stuck into a container (3) through a removal opening (4) - comprising a container (3) for storing the product to be applied, a closure (5) for closing or releasing the removal opening (4), wherein the closure (5) comprises at least one closure plate (6) for closing the removal opening (4) and at least one spring element (7), characterized in that the at least one closure plate (6) is mounted so as to be translationally displaceable above the removal opening (4) of the container (3) and is pressed automatically into its closure position by the at least one spring element (7), and in that the closure plate (6) ends in a handle (8) by means of which it can be transferred into a release position by the user against the tension of the at least one spring element (7).

2. Applicator unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one closure plate (6) has a closing section (9) and a release section (10), the release section (10) having a - preferably circular - aperture (11) which can be brought to overlap with the removal opening (4) in order to release the removal opening (4).

3. Applicator unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one closure plate (6) merges on one side of its aperture (11) into a handle (8) in the form of a push button and on the diametrically opposite side of its aperture (11) into the closing section (9).

4. Applicator unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle (8) in the form of a push button is located substantially completely below the at least one closure plate (6).

5. Applicator unit (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the handle (8) in the form of a push button is arranged in such a way that it can be actuated or pushed with one finger of the hand holding the applicator unit (1).

6. Applicator unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one closure plate (6) is completely concealed between the container (3), a top cover (12) of the container (3) and the handle (8) in the form of a push button formed by it.

7. Applicator unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle (8) in the form of a push button is pushed into the applicator unit (1) to bring the closure plate (6) associated therewith into its release position, the handle (8) in the form of a push button preferably projecting laterally beyond the outer circumferential surface of the container (3) when the closure plate (6) is in its closure position.

8. Applicator unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator unit (1) has two closure plates (6) which are located directly above one another and can be actuated in opposite directions.

9. Applicator unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator unit (1) comprises an applicator (2) connected to a stem (13), and the applicator (2) and the aperture (11) in the at least one closure plate (6) are designed in such a way that the applicator (2), when the closure plate (6) is in its release position, can be inserted through the aperture (11) of the closure plate (6) into the container (3) and can also be pulled out of it again completely, and therefore that product to be applied is discharged with the applicator (2).

10. Applicator unit (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the stem (13) connected to the applicator (2) has a form-locking element (14) which can interact with the at least one closure plate (6) in such a way that the stem (13) is positively locked in such a way that it cannot be pulled out through the aperture (11) of the at least one closure plate (6) to the outside or cannot be pulled out further.

11. Applicator unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (3) is a bottle which is tapered on one side and thereby forms a bottle neck (15), the bottle neck (15) merging at its outward end face into an annular disc (16) with a central hole projecting radially inwardly from the wall forming the bottle neck (15).

12. Closure unit for an applicator unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, with a support structure which can be fixed on the bottle neck (15) of a container (3), characterized in that in the support structure at least one closure plate (6) is mounted above the removal opening (4) of a container (3) so as to be translationally displaceable and is automatically pressed into its closure position by at least one spring element (7), and in that the closure plate (6) ends in a handle (8) with which it can be transferred by the user into a release position against the tension of the at least one spring element (7).

Drawing