IE53601B1

IE53601B1 - Roll-on dispensing device

Info

Publication number: IE53601B1
Application number: IE1756/81A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Int Chem Co Ltd
Priority date: 1980-08-12
Filing date: 1981-07-31
Publication date: 1988-12-21
Also published as: PT73504B; CA1157425A; BR8105192A; PT73504A; DK356681A; DE3176717D1; AR229590A1; NO155831B; NO155831C; FI76480B; ES260235Y; ES260235U; FI76480C; IE811756L; EP0046038A2; EP0046038A3; EP0046038B1; FI812455L; DK156263B; GR75729B

Abstract

he invention provides a roll-on dispensing device for a viscous fluid or powder of the kind comprising a ball rotatably mounted in a housing which provides an inlet and an outlet for fluid or powder dispensed by rotation of the ball, wherein the housing is provided with a plurality of arcuate projections extending from the inlet side to the outlet side of the ball, serving to support the ball and to retain the ball in place, said projections having spaces in between through which fluid or powder can be fed by rotation of the ball. The device is used to dispense viscous fluids, especially depilatories, and powders. A method of removing hair is also described.

Description

The invention relates to roll-on dispensing devices for use in applying viscous fluids or powders to the body.

It is common practice to remove unwanted body hair by means of depilatories in the form of creams, lotions or sprays. A recent survey showed that the vast majority of people who remove body-hair from the armpits use a razor rather than a depilatory. This may be due to difficulty of applying conventional creams or lotions to this part of the body.

Although it is common to apply deodorants and antiperspirants to the armpits by means of special applicators such as the so called roll-on applicators, this means of applying depilatories has not been used to the best of our knowledge.

In the course of our researches we have investigated the possibility of applying depilatories to the armpits by means of roll-on applicators. It was found that the standard -type of roll-on applicator such as that used for deodorants or anti-perspirants is unsuitable for application of depilatories. We have devised a novel form of applicator which is particularly suitable for the application of depilatory fluids such as creams or lotions to the body and especially the armpits. It may also be used for application of other viscous fluids, especially thixotropic fluids, including cosmetic formulations e.g. deodorants and anti-perspirants, which may be in powder form, topical pharmaceutical formulations and also for talc. -3In one aspect tha invention provides a roll-on dispensing device for a viscous fluid or pouder of the kind comprising a ball rotatable mounted in a housing uhich provides an inlet and an outlet for fluid or pouder dispensed by rotation of the ball, uherein the housing is provided uith a plurality of arcuate projections extending from the inlet side to the outlet side of the ball, serving to support the ball and to retain the ball in place, said projections having spaces in between through uhich fluid or pouder can be fed by rotation of the ball.

Preferably the arcuate projections comprise radially inwardly protruding ribs formed in the housing and extending axially from the inlet side to the outlet side of the ball and tha radially inner edges of the ribs jointly define a zone of a sphere. Preferably in this construction the ball is a substantially smooth sphere.

In a preferred embodiment the device is provided uith a cap, the cap having therein a head space above the ball, uhich permits the ball to be bathed uith fluid uhen the device is shaken. In this construction the housing is preferably provided uith a bevelled edge and the cap is provided uith an internal rim or ledge uhich mates uith said bevelled edge to provide a liquid tight seal. -4Patent Specification No. describes and claims a method of removing body hair employing roll-on devices such as those claimed in the present application.

In the above embodiments the housing may be formed integrally with the neck of the container for the depilatory, or it may be a separate unit which is located at the neck of the container or it may even form the neck of the container.

If a separate unit, the housing may have internal screw threads or other means for attachment to the body of the container, such as a groove for mating with a corresponding rib on the body of the container. Preferably the housing for the ball is made of a relatively resilient plastics material such as polyethylene and is -5designed so that the ball can ba pushed into place by slight deformation of -the walls of the housing which then spring back into shape thereby gripping the ball. following is a description by way of example and 5 uith reference to the accompanying drawings of devices in accordance uith the invention.

In the drawings: figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing device; figure 2 is ah inverted plan view of the housing for the ball; figure 2a shows a projection in cross section; figure 2b is a plan view of the housing; figure 3 is a cross sectional view showing the neck of the device uith the cap in place; figure 4 illustrates, in perspective view, a housing similar to that used in the embodiment of figures 1-3; figure 5 is an axial section of figure 4; and figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified ball used in another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to figures 1 to 3 of the drawings the device comprises a container body 1, which may be made of moulded polyvinyl chloride, a housing 2, a ball 3, and a cap 4. The container body 1 has screw threads for attachment of cap 4 by corresponding screw threads 6. The container body 1 has a circumferential rib 7 for attachment of housing 2 by a co-operating circumferential groove 0. The housing 2 is made of polyethylene and is pressed over rib 7 to provide a snap fit thereby producing the neck of the container. As seen in figure 2, the housing 2 has a series of equispaced projections 9 of arcuate shape (fig. 2a). When in position the ball 3 sits on the base of arcuate projections 9 and is held in position by the arcuate shape of the projections 9. -6The housing 2 has a bevelled edge 10 at the top which mates uith a corresponding rim 13 on cap 4.

The housing 2 is fitted on to body 1 by snap fit of groove 8 over circumferential rib 7. The ball 3 has a diameter slightly greater than the circle provided by the tops of projections 9 (Fig. 2b) and is pushed into the housing through the tops of the resiliently deformable projections 9, until it rests snugly in the housing held by the arcuate projections 9. The ball can rotate freely on the seat provided by the bases 9a of these projections yet is held firmly by them in vieu of the curve of the upper parts 9b of the projections. As shoun in Figure 3 the cap 4 is screued on to container body 1, enveloping the neck produced by housing 2. The bevelled edge 10 and rim or ledge 13 provide a liquid tight seal. The cap has another internal ledge 16, uhich abuts the ledge 15 of band 17 of the housing. As seen in Figure 3 there is a head space 18 in the cap above the ball 3. The body 1 may carry labelling on the flat portion 14 of its side or sides.

In use the container body 1 may be filled uith a thixotropic depilatory lotion formulation such as one described in Harry’s Cosmeticology, published by Leonard Hill Books, 6th Edition 1976.

In use the cap is removed and the device is used to apply depilatory to the armpits or other body area. Before removal of the cap it is usually desirable to shake the container to ensure sufficient depilatory is covering the upper surface of the ball. This assist initial application of the depilatory. The headspace 18 is sufficient to enable depilatory lotion -7to baths upper surface of ball 3 uhen the device is shaken uith the cap on.

A device of the type described uas tested against a standard pack of the roll-on deodorant type and a depilatory spray.

Empty roll-on deodorant packs of a standard type currently marketed in United Kingdom, such as that illustrated in UK Patent No. 740220, were filled uith a depilatory lotion formulation instead of the deodorant formulation. It uas found that this type of pack failed to deliver sufficient quantity of the depilatory to effect underarm dapilation.

In a further trial SO uomen uere asked to carry out underarm depilation uith A) an aerosol spray depilatory pack having a special angled nozzle and B) a roll-on applicator of the type described herein uith reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drauings. of the 50 preferred the roll-on to the spray and of those uomen currently using either a razor or an electric razor for underarm hair removal 50$ rated the roll-on better or much better than their current method.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the drauings, there is shoun a roll-on dispensing device comprising a ball 20 held captive, but rotatably mounted, in a housing 21 providing a snap-on fitment 22 by uhich the housing can be secured to the mouth of a container for a viscous fluid. Uhen the container is tipped up to bring the fluid into contact uith the ball, rotation of the ball in contact uith a fixed surface causes fluid to be deposited on the surface. -8Ths ball is a smooth sphere, but the cavity 23 in uhich the ball is held captive has a plurality of radially-inuardly extending ribs 24 uhose radially inner edges together define a spherical surface supporting the bell for rotation and holding it captive. five ribs 24 are provided in the illustrated construction. The ribs 24 space the ball 20 from the cavity uall and enable a thick film of fluid to be carried by the ball in the areas betueen the ribs 24. This construction has been found to be particularly useful in dispensing thixotropic substances.

Referring nou to Figure 6, a ball 30 for a roll-on dispenser is shoun uhich has a multiplicity of radial protrusions 31. These protrusions have flat tops uhich together define a sphere. Such a ball is rotatably mounted in and held captive in a cavity in a housing of the knoun kind. The protrusions 31 act as spacers to accommodate betueen the spherical surface of the ball and the smooth spherically-curved uall of the cavity a relatively thick film of the fluid to be dispensed. This construction has been found particularly useful in dealing uith fluids uhich tend to lubricate the ball to such an extent that a smooth ball glides aver the surface without rotating. The protrusions on the ball 30 produce a frictional driving effect on the ball uhen it is moved across the surface.

Uhen the device is not in use, a sealing cover is placed over the ball and housing.

Thus liquid substances uhich could previously not be applied by the roll-on method can nou be applied by devices as described and illustrated. -9In the embodiments shown the ball preferably has a diameter of at least 25mm.

The roll-on devices of the invention may be used in a method of removing body hair which comprises applying to an area of the body a depilatory fluid by means of the roll-on device, of the type herein described, allowing said fluid to react with the hair for a sufficient period of time, removing the loosened hair and rinsing the body area.

IO The roll-on device of the invention is especially useful for removal of hair from the armpits. The depilatory fluid is usually allowed to react with the hair, for up to 10 minutes, e.g. 1-10 minutes or up to 5 minutes may be sufficient.

The devices of the invention may also be used to apply viscous liquid, cream or powder formulations, including topical pharmaceutical formulations such as liquids or creams, to other parts of the body besides the armpits.

Claims

1. CLAIWS

1. A roll-on dispensing device for a viscous fluid or pouder of the kind comprising a ball rotatably mounted in a housing uhich provides an 5 inlet and an outlet for fluid or pouder dispensed by rotation of the ball, uherein the housing is provided uith a plurality of arcuate projections extending from the inlet side to the outlet side of the ball, serving to support the ball and to Lo retain the ball in placs, said projections having spaces in betueen through uhich fluid or pouder can be fed by rotation of the ball.

2. A roll-on dispensing device as claimed in Claim 1, uherein the arcuate projections comprise 15 radially inuardly protruding ribs formed in the housing and extending axially from the inlet side to the outlet side of the ball and the radially inner edges of the ribs jointly define a zone of i sphere. 20

3. A roll-on dispensing device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 uherein the ball is a smooth sphere.

4. A roll-on dispensing device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, uherein the ball is a substan tially smooth sphere. S3601 -115. A roll-on dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the device is provided with a cap, the cap having therein a head space above the ball, which permits the ball to be

5. Bathed with fluid when the device is shaken.

6. A roll-on dispensing device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the housing is provided with a bevelled edge and the cap is provided with an internal rim or ledge which mates with said bevelled 10 edge to provide a liquid tight seal.

7. A roll-on dispensing device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when containing a depilatory fluid.

8. A roll-on dispensing device substantially 15 as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A roll-on dispensing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.