EP0476090A1

EP0476090A1 - Applicator for resins and varnishes

Info

Publication number: EP0476090A1
Application number: EP91906305A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Herrli
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-04-02
Filing date: 1991-03-26
Publication date: 1992-03-25
Also published as: CA2056390A1; AU7480091A; WO1991015136A1; CH681681A5

Abstract

Un applicateur comprend un réservoir (1) de vernis à ongles, un pinceau (2), une chambre (3) ménagée à l'intérieur d'un couvercle (27) qui contient un élément (4) absorbant d'un liquide de nettoyage qui maintient le pinceau constamment en état de fonctionner, ainsi qu'un doseur (5, 6, 7, 8) avec un bouton tournant (5). La rotation du bouton tournant (5) est convertie en un déplacement axial du piston (10) par une tige d'entraînement (6) et par une tige creuse filetée (7) dont le filetage extérieur (18) enclenche le filetage intérieur (19) d'une bague (8) fixe. Des crans d'arrêt (9) agencés dans le bouton tournant permettent de faire avancer pas à pas le piston (10), assurant une distribution dosée de vernis à ongles au pinceau (2). Dans un autre mode de réalisation, le réservoir avec le pinceau et le couvercle qui entoure le pinceau et forme la chambre constituent une unité échangeable insérable dans un boîtier dans lequel est agencé le doseur.An applicator comprises a reservoir (1) of nail varnish, a brush (2), a chamber (3) arranged inside a lid (27) which contains an element (4) absorbing a cleaning liquid which keeps the brush constantly in working order, as well as a dispenser (5, 6, 7, 8) with a rotary knob (5). The rotation of the rotary knob (5) is converted into an axial displacement of the piston (10) by a drive rod (6) and by a threaded hollow rod (7) whose external thread (18) engages the internal thread (19 ) of a fixed ring (8). Stop notches (9) arranged in the rotary knob make it possible to advance the piston (10) step by step, ensuring a dosed distribution of nail varnish to the brush (2). In another embodiment, the reservoir with the brush and the cover which surrounds the brush and forms the chamber constitute an exchangeable unit which can be inserted into a casing in which the dispenser is arranged.

Description

Applicator for applying resin and lacquer substances

Technical field

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying resin and lacquer substances, in particular nail polish, according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

An applicator of the above type is disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift DE-OS 35 20 523. It is an applicator in which liquid can be forcibly and precisely supplied to the tip of the application. For this purpose, a piston which is displaceable in the liquid container is provided and is displaced by a certain amount in the direction of the application tip each time it is pressed onto a push button attached to the rear of the applicator. The liquid container has an outlet which is closed by a non-return valve and which is connected to the application tip. An actuating rod that can be actuated from the outside with the push button and extends coaxially to and through the liquid container is provided for opening the check valve. The actuating rod is guided through the piston and connected to it via a type of one-way clutch in such a way that when the actuating rod is displaced to open the check valve, the piston is carried along while it remains in the liquid container when the actuating rod moves back. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that the piston must be sealed twice against the wall of the liquid container on the one hand and against the actuating rod on the other hand. In addition, it is hardly possible to dose the To make the tip of the application liquid as small as desired, since on the one hand a minimal path of the actuating rod is necessary to open the check valve. The piston is moved downwards by this minimal distance each time.

A similar applicator is disclosed in GB 21 50 424. The applicator has a storage container which is closed off by a piston. An actuating rod is connected to the piston and extends from the storage container. A feed mechanism is arranged along the actuating rod, which rotates the threaded actuating rod by a small amount when a push button arranged at the end of the applicator is actuated. Although a finer dosage is possible with this applicator, it is noticeable that an unlikely number of individual parts are required to produce it.

Both of the above-mentioned applicators are also poorly suited to be carried in handbags, because there is a risk that the push button will be actuated several times unintentionally.

Another applicator is disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift 22 07 288. In it, a liquid container is likewise closed off with a longitudinally displaceable piston on which a threaded rod extends from the liquid container. A sleeve with an internal thread is arranged around the threaded rod and is designed as a turntable at the end of the applicator. The piston can be moved along the liquid container by turning this disc. A targeted metering by, for example, gradually moving the piston forward is hardly possible in this embodiment. Because the piston can be moved both forwards and backwards with the turntable, there is no guarantee that that liquid is actually dispensed with each rotation for moving forward. However, this applicator is simple in structure. To move the piston longitudinally, it must not rotate about its axis. However, the fact that such a twisting is to be prevented solely by the friction of the piston on the wall of the liquid container means that there is a certain degree of functional uncertainty. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to propose an applicator of the above-mentioned type in which an exact dosing is possible and in which there are no undesired forward movements of the piston. In addition, the applicator should be extremely simple in its structure.

This object is achieved with an applicator which has the features listed in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the applicator are characterized in the dependent claims.

The simple structural features present on the applicator with an externally operable rotary knob, the rotational movement of which is converted into an axial movement of the piston via a thread, the step means advancing the piston and thus a defined, batches of nail varnish are guaranteed for simple and safe operation and for a high level of functional safety.

A preferred embodiment provides for the storage container with the brush and the cover covering the brush to be designed as an exchange unit. On the one hand, the exchange unit takes account of the environmental concept in that the applicator is not a disposable article. and, on the other hand, that all parts subject to non-negligible wear and tear on the applicator can be replaced at the same time and without any risk of contamination. Another advantage of the applicator according to the invention results from the fact that different exchange units, for example with different lacquer colors, can be inserted into the applicator as required. An exchange unit can be changed at any time. The remaining content and the color are either directly visible on the transparent storage container or can be read off from a display window when an exchange unit is used.

In versions without an exchange unit, the fill level and, depending on the location of the opening, the color of the contents of the storage container can be made visible by attaching a slit-shaped opening that extends along the housing part. These display options mentioned are important because it can be assumed that a fully transparent applicator is hardly desired in the cosmetics sector.

Brief description of the drawings

The applicator according to the invention is described in more detail, for example, with reference to drawings. Show it:

1 shows a longitudinal section through an applicator without an exchangeable storage container, FIG. 2 shows a partial cross section through the applicator according to FIG. 1, along lines I-II,

3 shows a cross section through the rotary knob of the applicator, along the lines III-III in FIG. 1, 4 shows a further embodiment of the rotary knob, with which a resetting of the metering device is possible,

Fig. 5 is a partially sectioned view of an applicator with one assigned to an exchange unit

Storage container,

6 shows an exchange unit,

7 shows an applicator according to FIG. 5, without an exchange unit, and

8 shows a section through the housing part of the applicator according to FIG. 7 along lines VIII-VIII.

Best way to carry out the invention

The applicator shown in FIG. 1 essentially has an outer, cylindrical shape. At one end of the cylinder there is a removable cover 27 with an internal chamber 3, which is formed between the outer wall surface of a cover insert part 37 and the inner cover wall and in which a liquid-absorbing element 4 is arranged. The liquid-absorbing element 4 contains means, for example alcohol, for keeping a brush 2 ready for operation at all times. The cover insert part 37 has at least one locking cam 39. The lid 27 is designed to be rotatably closable by the said locking cam 39 and a helically extending groove arranged on a storage container closure part 38. A ring seal 40 arranged on the end part 38 prevents the ready-to-operate means from evaporating. With the lid 27 is all around thin nail polish discharge channel 25, which is present in the end part 38, arranged brush 2 can be covered.

The cover insert part 37 is essentially hollow-cylindrical. It is widened towards the opening of the cover so that brush 2 can be centered easily when the cover is put on. The inner circumferential surface of the cover insert part 37 is essentially matched to the contour of the brush 2 and the adjoining end part 38 of the storage container 1. So that an atmosphere saturated with the ready-to-operate agent is created as quickly as possible when the lid is in place, there should be as little as possible a cavity between the brush 2 or the end part 38 and the lid insert part 37. This can make a significant contribution to the long-term effectiveness of the operational readiness means. The cover insert 37 also serves to mechanically shield the element 4.

This prevents the same from swelling, which would make the opening for the brush 2 smaller. The aforementioned channel 25 opens into a storage container 1. This is enclosed by a cylindrical housing part 31 and is closed on its side opposite the channel 25 by a piston 10 which can be displaced along the cylindrical housing part. The storage container 1 is sealed after the filling with the end part 38. The housing part 31 is extended beyond the piston 10 on the side facing away from the brush 2. This extension is referred to below as the end region and is designated by reference number 11. At the end of said end region 11 facing away from the storage container 1, an operating element, in the exemplary embodiment shown a rotary knob 5, is arranged. The rotary knob 5 is operatively connected to the piston 10 via coupling elements 6, 7. With the 5, 6, 7 and 8 characterized metering device, a rotary movement carried out on the rotary knob 5 is converted via the coupling elements 6, 7 into an axial movement of the piston 10. The inside of the rotary knob 5 has a cavity 12, in which a driving element 15 with a hexagon socket 20 is arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis and connected to the sleeve-shaped cover wall via webs 30. A driving rod 6, which is axially non-displaceably mounted on the end of the end region 11 facing away from the storage container 1, has an end which penetrates the aforementioned hexagon socket 20 and is designed as an elastic spreading device with two forks 21. Barbs 22 for holding the rotary knob 5 are arranged on the forks 21 and, after the latter has been pushed on, partially overlap the corresponding end face of the driving element 15. The spreading device rests on two opposite sides of the hexagon socket 20. By turning the knob, the driver rod 6 is rotated. An opening of the rotary knob facing away from the end region 11 can be covered with a cover 23. The driving rod 6, which extends approximately over the entire end region 11, engages in the opening of a longitudinally displaceable hollow threaded rod 7. The latter has an external thread 18, which is in engagement with an internal thread attached to a ring 8. The ring 8 is connected with its outer surface 29 approximately at the transition point of the storage container 1 to the end region 11 with the inner wall of the sleeve. This connection can either be an adhesive point or a welding point or, as is often done in plastic injection molding, by means of appropriately designed, interlocking grooves and elevations by pressing or snapping. A slit-shaped opening 33 which extends and extends in the longitudinal direction of the applicator Extending over the end region 11 serves as a display means for making the position of the hollow threaded rod 7 visible and thus the fill level of the storage container.

2 shows a cross section through the driving rod 6 and through the hollow threaded rod 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the driving rod is cross-shaped in cross section and comprises four first ribs 17. The hollow hollow rod 7 has four second ribs 16 projecting into its cavity , which extend over the entire length of the hollow threaded rod, and are evenly distributed in cross section over the circumference. The driving rod 6 can be inserted between the second ribs 16 in such a way that it is longitudinally displaceable but not rotatable relative to the hollow hollow rod 7. The transferred to the driving rod 6

Rotary movement of the rotary knob 5 is transmitted to the threaded hollow rod 7. As a result of the engaging threads 18, 19, this moves in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the applicator. The end of the threaded hollow rod 7 resting on the piston 10 has a shoulder 26 which bears against the piston 10 in a funnel-shaped indentation 28. The piston 10 is provided with an O-ring 24 for sealing the storage container 1.

In order to be able to precisely and finely dose the delivery of the nail polish stored in the storage container 1 to the brush 2, latching means 9 are provided, with which essentially a gradual forward movement of the piston 10 is made possible. In the present exemplary embodiment, these latching means, according to FIG. 3, are arranged in the form of flags 9 in the rotary knob 5. The flags 9 extend, starting from the mentioned driving element 15 of the rotary knob 5, in a spiral in the direction of the rotary knob wall 14. The inner peripheral wall is along the end of the end region 11 facing the rotary knob arranged essentially sawtooth-shaped notches 13 into which the resilient flags 9 snap. This engagement is made possible because the end region mentioned and the rotary knob overlap over a short region. The latching means 9 and the notches 13 can, for example, be designed such that the rotary knob 5 can only be rotated in one direction.

4 shows a further embodiment of a rotary knob. The area of overlap of the rotary knob 5 with the end of the end area 11 is enlarged compared to the example shown above. A compression spring 43 is held between a support plate 41 and an end plate 42 between the end face of the entrainment member 15 facing away from the storage container and the forks of the expansion device 21. The rotary knob 5 can be lifted off the applicator by a distance determined by the distance between the two disks mentioned. The lugs 9 disengage from the notches 13 and the hollow threaded rod 7 can be turned back into its starting position. When the rotary knob 5 is released, snap-in bevels 44, which are arranged on the side of the snap-in notches 13, ensure that the snap-in flags 9 are returned to the snap-in notches 13.

5, 6 and 7 show an applicator of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the storage container 1 with the end piece 38 and the brush 2 arranged thereon, as well as the cover 27, which encloses the chamber 3, are combined to form an exchange unit 32 . The exchange unit can be inserted in the housing part 31 of the applicator. The latter includes a cavity for

Receiving the storage container 1 and the adjoining end region 11, in which the coupling elements already described above for adjusting the longitudinally displaceable piston 10, which holds the storage container completes, are arranged. The rotary knob 5, which is preferably designed analogously to that which was described above on the occasion of FIG. 4, is arranged on the end of the housing part 31 opposite the exchange unit. Provision is made for the exchange unit 32 to be at least partially insertable into the housing part 31 and to be latched thereon. Due to simple handling, the interchangeable part 32 should also be able to be disengaged or detached from the housing part 31 at any time and removed. A preferred embodiment provides that an elongated cam 36 is arranged on the storage container, and protrudes on the lateral surface. On the inner surface of the insertion groove 31 is a Gehäuseteileε 45 is present, which has against the open end ⁵ deε housing part 31 towards a Einführerweiterung 34 for easy attachment of the cam 36 upon insertion of the replacement unit 32nd When the cam 36 is in contact with the rear end of the groove 45, the replacement unit 32 can be rotated relative to the housing part 31, which leads to the cam snapping into a viewing window 35, overcoming an obstacle 46. This is an opening arranged in the form of a slot in the housing part 31, the contour of which essentially corresponds to the contour of the cam 36. Since the reservoir 1 with the 5 cam 36 made of a transparent thermoplastic

Made of plastic, the fill level and the color of the lacquer substance in the storage container can be read through the cam in the viewing window. The aforementioned slot-shaped opening serves on the one hand to hold the exchange unit 32 in the housing part 31 and on the other hand as a viewing window. The mutually abutting surfaces of the cam 36 locked in the viewing window 35 and the snap-in obstacle 46 are directed essentially radially, so that disengagement is impossible becomes. In contrast, an extension groove 47 is arranged on the side of the viewing window 35 facing away from the insertion groove 45. A disengagement obstacle 48 that can be overcome by the cam is present on the corresponding side of the viewing window 35 in contact with the cam. According to the example shown, this disengagement obstacle can consist of a side surface of the viewing window forming an inclined plane, which abuts a correspondingly beveled surface of the cam. By turning the exchange unit 32 further, the wall of the viewing window is raised by the side surface of the cam and the cam can get into the exit channel 47. The exchange unit 32 can be removed from the housing part. 8 shows what has just been described with reference to a partial section. The mode of operation of the engagement and disengagement of the cam 36 is self-explanatory.

As already said, the exchange unit 32 comprises the storage container 1 and the cover 27 with its internal chamber 3. The storage container 1 is on its side facing the cover 27 with the closure part 38, also mentioned, on which the part shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 not visible brush is arranged, closed. On the side facing away from the cover 27, the storage container is closed with the piston 10. The cover 27 is preferably designed to be rotatably lockable, as described at the beginning. Trouble-free engagement and disengagement of the exchange unit is ensured if the insertion groove 45 and the disengagement channel 47 are arranged on the inner circumference of the housing part 31 in the direction of closure of the cover 27.

Although only one cam 36 and one viewing window 35 are shown in the exemplary embodiment shown, in a preferred embodiment they can be doubled by 180 ° arranged staggered. An insertion groove and an exit channel are correspondingly associated with each of the viewing windows 35.

In this exemplary embodiment, the storage container 1 can be filled up in the same way as described at the outset, namely by welding the end part 38 after the lacquer substance has been filled in. Here, however, it is also possible to manufacture the closure part 38 in one piece with the storage container and to close the latter by inserting the piston 10 after filling. In this way, the storage container could be designed as a return part and be refillable.

The individual parts of the applicator are preferably produced from thermoplastic materials.

All parts that come into contact with the alcohol-containing paint substance must be made of an alcohol-impermeable thermoplastic or of another material. For luxury versions, it is also conceivable to produce individual parts from metal or plastic with a metallized surface. There are no limits to the design in this regard.

Claims

1. Applicator for applying resin and lacquer substances, in particular nail polish, with a sleeve-shaped housing part (31), a storage container (1), a brush (2), a cover (27) for covering the brush (2) with 5 a chamber (3) formed within the cover (27) with an element (4) for receiving a liquid for the constant keeping of the brush, a dosing device (5, 6, 7, 8) for the resin and lacquer substances with a Operating element (5), which is arranged on an end region (11) of the housing part (31) facing away from the pin ° (2), latching means (9, 13) through which the storage container is actuated when the operating element (5) is actuated (1) final displaceable piston (10) can be moved into the interior of the storage container, this movement taking place essentially step by step due to the latching means (9, 13), characterized in that the operating element has an end on the end facing away from the storage container (1) of go usteiles (31) arranged Dreh¬ button (5), that the latching means (9, 13) at least one resilient Einrastfahne (9) and at least one

Enclose notch (13), the snap-in tab being arranged in the rotary knob (5) having a cavity (12) and the snap-in notch being formed on the inside of the housing part (31).

2. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary knob (5) partially overlaps said end of the housing part (31), that the latching notch (13) is arranged in the overlapping area of the housing part (31) and that the snap-in lug (9) extends essentially spirally from the center of the rotary knob against the snap-in notch (13).

3. Applicator according to claim 23, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that means (21, 41, 42, 43, 44) for canceling the mutual locking action of the locking lug (9) and the locking notch (13) are present.

4. Applicator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the metering device (5, 6, 7, 8) comprises a driver rod (6) which is non-displaceable in the axial direction and with the rotary knob (5). rotatably connected, there is a threaded hollow rod (7) facing the rotary knob ° (5) with an external thread on the piston (10), so that the driving rod (6) more or less in the thread, depending on the position of the piston (10) ¬ hollow rod (7) protrudes and is longitudinally displaceable relative to the latter, wherein means (16, 17) for preventing mutual rotation on the driving rod (5) and in the threaded hollow rod (7) are provided.

5. Applicator according to claim 4, characterized in that the external thread of the hollow threaded rod (7) is in engagement with a ring (8) which is present in the housing part (31) and has an internal thread.

6. Applicator according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the storage container (1) closed with the longitudinally displaceable piston (10), the brush (2) arranged on the storage container and the 5 lid (27) are one in form the housing part (31) insertable and removable replacement unit (32).

7. Applicator according to claim 6, characterized in that the exchange unit (32) is at least partially insertable into the housing part (31) and the means 0 (35, 36, 45, 46, 47, 48) for mutual insertion and Out- the said parts (31, 32) are arranged on the housing part (31) and / or on the exchange unit (32).

8. Applicator according to claim 7, characterized in that the snap-in means (45, 46) and the snap-out means (47, 48) of the housing part (31) are arranged on the inner circumferential surface thereof and that the snap-in means (45, 46) and the disengaging means (47, 48) are present at least once in the closing direction of the cover and in the above-mentioned order.

9. Applicator according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lid (27) can be connected to the storage container (1) in a rotationally lockable manner, and a seal (40) between the lid and the storage container essentially is effective for gas-tight sealing of the lid interior.

10. Applicator according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the cover (27) has a substantially hollow cylindrical cover insert part (37) protruding into the inside of the cover, that the cover insert part (37) against the opening of the cover (27) is expanded and that the inner lateral surface of the cover insert (37) is adapted to the contour of the brush (2) and the adjoining region of the storage container (1) to avoid a cavity.

ιι. Applicator according to Claim 10, characterized in that the chamber (3) with the element (4) is arranged between the outer wall surface of the insert part (37) and the inner wall surface of the cover (27) and that the insert part for mechanically shielding the Element (4) relative to the brush (2) is determined.

12. Applicator according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the display means (33, 35, 36, 49) for displaying the filling level and / or the color of the content of the storage container (1) are present.

13. Applicator according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the parts surrounding the storage container (1) are made of a thermoplastic and alcohol-impermeable plastic.