Accordingly, the present invention relates in one aspect to dispensers which may be used under conditions where the gripping capacity is impaired by the presence of agents (water, grease, paints, or other substances) which may render the surface of the dispenser slippery. In another aspect the present invention relates to dispensers which are used in general under dry conditions, in particular to dispensers which must be shaken intensely before use in order to mix substances which tend to separate in the dispenser in an unmoved state (for example paint dispensers).

Dispensers for use under wet conditions have been known for a long time. These serve for example as containers for body cleansing agents. On the market a great variety exists with regard to their sizes, shapes, surface structure, as well as the materials used for their production.

Similarly, dispensers for use under dry conditions are known (for example paint dispensers).

A problem encountered with conventional dispensers is their often unsatisfactory handling characteristics. In particular, the gripping capacity associated with conventional dispensers is low, when they are used in wet locations and/or when they have to be shaken intensely. On the one hand, this results from an extremely smooth surface structure of the dispensers, which, moreover, scarcely leads away (drains off) any applied humidity. The resulting slipperiness of the wet dispenser frequently leads to unwanted slipping of the dispensers out of the user's hand when the dispensers are shaken or moved.

This effect is even more pronounced when the friction coefficient between the surface of the dispenser and the grasping hand is reduced through the use of soap or other washing agents usually present in wet locations like showers or bathrooms. This might require good reflexes of persons using conventional dispensers. This problem is even more pronounced in the case of aerosol dispensers, which are commonly used for dispensing shaving cream.

The same applies to dispensers which are used in locations where paints or other agents may be deposited on the dispenser surface. An example is a dispenser for paints in which case it may occur in practice that paint, grease and/or oil are present on the dispenser surface.

It is moreover known that dispensers for paints have to be shaken well before use in order to mix paint components which tend to separate from each other when the paint is left standing.

Experiments with test persons revealed that persons about to drop dispensers from their hand intensify their grip. This often occurs unconsciously. These reactions, which are presumably caused by the skin receptors in the fingers, had a latent time of about 80 ms. In particular in case of elder people the responsiveness required for such short latent times often no longer exists. The lacking grip of common dispensers thus is particularly disadvantageous among this group of persons.

The state of the art provides different starting points for improving the grip of household utensils.

As an example, German Utility Model No. 299 02 199 discloses an envelope, respectively coating, for commodities, which is contoured and made of silicone. The envelope described serves to improve the resistance to breaking of the commodity coated with it, and at the same time to provide a pleasant grip.

For dispensers in wet locations, however, the disclosed coating has the disadvantage that applied humidity, as generally occurring in wet locations, is insufficiently drained off.

The published international patent application WO 96/04123 discloses self-cleaning surfaces of objects and a process for producing same. Self-cleaning surfaces of objects are disclosed which acquire this characteristics by means of an artificial surface structure of protrusions and recesses with dimensions in the micrometer range.

However, the micro sized protrusions and recesses only insufficiently take a grip aspect in the macro range into account, such that a dispenser having the coating shown in WO 96/04123 provides only a moderately improved handling.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for use in wet and dry areas, the handling of which is thoroughly improved.

This object is achieved by a dispenser according to claim 1.

Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

In one preferred aspect, "dispenser"according to the present invention refers to a means, in particular a container, which serves to bring cleansing or treatment agents (in the following cosmetic agents") in contact with the body, in particular the skin or hair, of a user."Dispensers" according to the invention thus include shaving brushes or other means, in which the cosmetic agent is not kept in an enclosure, as well as dispensers comprising a container which contains, within an enclosure, the cosmetic agent to be applied. The latter dispensers may contain only the cosmetic agent to be applied onto the body of a user, or the cosmetic agent together with means to dispense it from the container.

The dispensing means can be chemical means, in particular propellants, or technical means, in particular pumps. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser contains the cosmetic agent to be applied to the body of a user and a propellant.

In another preferred aspect of the present invention, the dispenser may serve to apply any agent to a surface to be treated with the agent or to achieve some other effect (killing of insects, removal of bad odour, etc. ). A dispenser according to this aspect of the present invention is for example a dispenser for paints, in particular an aerosol dispenser for paints.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention the wet location comprises mainly water.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the wet location comprises mainly organic chemical compounds. The organic chemical compound may be a compound for treating surfaces, as for example a paint, or a compound which is to provide another result (for example an active ingredient like for example an insecticide or herbicide).

The dispenser according to the invention consists of one or more parts. For example, the dispenser may comprise a container and a cap for covering the opening of the dispenser, the cap being removable during use. Alternatively, the container's opening may be closed by some other means. In the following surface of the dispenser"includes also the optional removable cap, if applicable.

The dispenser of the present invention comprises at least on part of its surface a structure which enhances the grip of the dispenser. Preferably, the grip-enhancing structure on the surface of the dispenser of the present invention comprises a structure consisting of protrusions (preferably nap-like) and/or recesses. The lateral dimensions of these protrusions and/or recesses are generally in the range of from 0,2 to 20 mm, preferably in the range of from 0,5 to 15 mm, and even more preferably in the range of from 0,5 to 10 mm. It is most preferred when the lateral dimensions are in the range of from 1,5 to 4 mm. In general, the average height or depth, respectively, of the protrusions and/or recesses is in the range of from 0,1 to 15 mm, preferably in the range of from 0,2 to 10 mm, and most preferably in the range of from 0,5 to 5 mm.

The protrusions may be of uniform size and shape or may vary in size and shape.

The protrusions and/or recesses according to the present invention may have a height or depth that changes continuously with the distance from the centre of the protrusion or recess to its edge. Alternatively, the height of a protrusion or the depth of a recess, respectively, may have an extremum (maximum or minimum) in between centre and edge.

In one preferred embodiment, the dispenser of the present invention comprises a multitude of protrusions, wherein the height of the protrusions is at a local minimum in the centre of the protrusion, then increases to a maximum height and then finally decreases again such that its outer edge is coplanar with the surface of the dispenser. These protrusions may be referred to as suckers".

This structure has a number of advantages. The dispenser may be attached to a smooth surface. An advantageous possible application of this embodiment is, for example, the use in showers. Experimental results indicate that an optimum holding force is achieved when the suckers have an average lateral dimension in the range of from 0.5 to 10 mm, preferably of from 1 to 5 mm.

The structure comprising protrusions and/or recesses of the dispenser of the present invention comprises at least a part of the surface of the dispenser. The structure may cover the upper, middle and/or lower part of the dispenser completely or partially. Moreover, the surface may cover the whole or part of the circumference of the dispenser.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the part of the dispenser surface with a grip- enhancing structure increases in size from the bottom edge of the dispenser on upwards.

In an even more preferred embodiment, the side of the circumference of the dispenser surface opposite to the opening of the dispenser comprises a smaller part of the grip enhancing structure than the side where the dispenser opening is located. This provides the user, under conditions of decreased visibility, with an indication as to where to find the opening of the dispenser.

In another preferred embodiment, the dispenser is a shaving brush. It is preferred in this embodiment, that the structure is present around the whole circumference of the brush handle from the end of the brush handle until at least half the height of the brush handle.

The structure comprising protrusions and/or recesses may be formed by embossing or printing directly onto a container part of the dispenser, by applying pressure from inside of the container into a negative form, or through sleeving or glueing. Alternatively, fine particles (for example sand) may be applied onto the dispenser body surface before it is varnished or together with the varnish.

It is preferred, however, that the structure comprising protrusions and/or recesses is formed as a separate coating or envelope on the dispenser part comprising the grip and/ container.

In general, the protrusions and/or recesses are formed or disposed on a surface parallel to the grip and/or container surface of the dispenser, for example the surface of the container part of the dispenser.

Numerous materials may be used for the separate coating or envelope, with polymers, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, being preferred. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the polymer which the coating or envelope comprises is an elastomer, for example a silicone elastomer.

The coating or envelope may be applied to the dispenser by any known method.

The structure may be formed such that it is essentially coplanar with the surrounding surface of the dispenser or it may rise above the surrounding surface of the dispenser. It is to be understood in this context that the theoretical surfaces through the extrema of the protrusions and recesses, respectively, are in general not coplanar with the surrounding surface of the dispenser.

It is preferred with the present invention that the structure is essentially coplanar with the surrounding surface of the dispenser. This means that the structure is formed integrally with the surrounding surface of the dispenser.

This may be illustrated by an aerosol dispenser according to the present invention for shaving cream or for other agents, for example paint, wherein the body of the dispenser, which comprises the container for the shaving cream or paint and the propellant, has the shape of a cylinder. Applying a coating or envelope to the cylinder would result in the structure comprising protrusions and/or recesses being not formed integrally with the surrounding surface of the dispenser. Accordingly, in this preferred embodiment the container part of the dispenser would show a smaller diameter than the part of the dispenser surface which comprises the grip enhancing structure.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser comprises protrusions formed on the surface of a coating or envelope, and does not comprise recesses.

In a preferred embodiment, which is especially useful in locations comprising water, the macro size surface structure of the dispenser according to the present invention comprises additional protrusions and/or recesses of smaller dimensions which might further improve the grip. Such protrusions and/or recesses are similar to the ones observed in connection with the so-called"lotus effect", the dimensions of which are in the micrometer range. The term"lotus effect"is used for the water repellent and self-cleaning characteristics of a certain kind of micro- structured surfaces.

The"lotus effect"results, in particular, from the fact that due to the micro-structured surface, air is trapped in between the microstructures. A water droplet thus will lie only on the very top of these microstructures. This minimises the solid/water-boundary area and increases the water/air- boundary area. As a result, water can only gain little adsorption energy in order to compensate for the energy, which would be necessary for further wetting and thereby increasing the surface area.

The extent of wetting of a solid with water can be described by means of the contact angle a. The contact angle is defined as the angle between the solid surface and the tangent to a water droplet situated thereon at the phase transition water/solid/air. A contact angle of 0° indicates complete wettability, the water droplet spreads and forms a thin, monomolecular film. A contact angle of 180° indicates complete non-wettability-the droplet forms a sphere and only touches the surface in a single point.

The relationship between the contact angle and the surface tension between water and air (oy), solid and water (use) as well as solid and air (ors) is described by Youngs Equation : QSV-6SL-LV * COS CY The behaviour of water on the surface depends to a great extent on the roughness of the surface. If a smooth surface is hydrophobic and therefore poorly wettable, the roughening of the surface will lead to so-called super-hydrophobicity, i. e. extremely water-repellent properties in terms of the lotus effect. Another property inherent in the lotus effect is the capability of self-cleaning. Spreading and velocity of droplets that move on a surface with a low contact angle are rather low. Therefore, dirt particles are merely moved sideways somewhat, rather than being removed together with the droplets from the surface. On superhydrophobic surfaces, however, the velocity is high enough to entrain dirt particles and thus efficiently remove them from the surface.

Since the"lotus-effect"is based purely on physical-chemical phenomena and not necessarily associated with living organisms, an artificial, micro-structured surface can be produced by technical means, which surface, in analogy to the lotus effect, has water-repellent and self-cleaning properties. As materials for such novel surfaces, respectively coatings, fluorinated hydrocarbons (e. g.

Teflon@), hydrophobic materials (e. g. PTFE), in particular novel materials such as ormocers (organically modified ceramics) or polyelectrolyte-tenside complexes may be used.

A number of materials further allow to produce coatings which provide hydrophobic as well as oleophobic properties. These are wetted neither by water nor by oil and can thus be termed "ultraphobic".

The additional protrusions and/or recesses in the micrometer range according to the present invention preferably provide, in analogy to the"lotus effect", a water-repellent effect so that a further enhancement of the grip is achieved through an increase of the dryness, or the increased friction coefficient associated therewith. The additional protrusions and/or recesses lead the humidity away from the structure itself as well as from a humid, respectively wet hand touching the same, so that thereby, an advantageously increased dryness effect can be achieved. In the following, embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to the drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention, which depicts macro-like protrusions and/or recesses for enhancing the grip, Figure 2 depicts a further embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention with a groove structure for increasing the grip, Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention, the structure of which provides suckers for enhancing the grip, and Figure 4 is a schematic presentation of additional protrusions and/or recesses, the dimensions of which are in the micrometer range.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of dispenser 1 according to the invention for use in wet areas. Dispenser 1 comprises on at least part of its surface a grip-enhancing structure which comprises nap-like protrusions or/and recesses 2 for enhancement of the grip of the dispenser. These allow for the application of a very good holding respectively shaking force of the user, which is referred to as"Super-Grip"or"Hyper- Grip"of dispenser 1 according to the invention.

The embodiment shown is particularly suited for being adapted to the different grip requirements of various user groups.

This results, particularly, from the fact that the protrusions or/and recesses can be exactly positioned in terms of their arrangement on the surface of the dispenser whereby handling can be regulated in a simple manner. Thus, it is possible to respond in a particularly advantageous manner to the different circumstances and wishes of the specific persons or groups of persons.

Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention, comprising a grip-enhancing structure of grooves 3. These are disposed, in any desired pattern, on at least part of the surface, more precisely the circumference, of the dispenser. Grooves 3 are distinguished by their capability to lead excess water away from the surface of the dispenser, thus achieving a"pre-drying" effect. The embodiment shown is further distinguished in that the groove structure according to the invention allows for the creation of areas on the surface that are clearly spatially defined and separate from one another.

These areas on the surface can be made to be uniform or individually different, depending on the desired properties during use. It is, for instance, possible to apply the holding force to spatially different areas in the circumference of the dispenser, depending on the circumstances of the person (s) and environment (s). By means of colour coding each area, the potential for diversification can be further improved. Dispensers of that kind are of significance in wet areas of the most different nature, such as those encountered in the hotel and tourism business.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the dispenser according to the invention which comprises suckers 4 on at least part of its surface, more precisely circumference, in order to enhance the grip of the dispenser. It is an advantage of this embodiment that the user has the option to fix the dispenser, if desired for a longer time, in a desired, spatially defined position onto a surface, for instance when the dispenser is not in use. This embodiment is particularly suited for people having only one arm since the option of fixing the dispenser in such a manner enables them to apply a force onto the dispenser that is sufficient for dispensing the product with just one hand. Preferably, the suckers may be disposed on dispensers having a polygonal cross-section. Compared to dispensers with a round cross- section, this allows for suckers of smaller size.

Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of an additional structure according to the invention which comprises micro- like protrusions respectively recesses 5. The average distance between these additional protrusions or/and recesses is in the range of from 3 to 300 Am, preferably 5 to 100 Am, more preferably from 8 to 80 Am, even more preferably from 10 to 50 ym.

The average height respectively depth of the additional protrusions or/and recesses is in the range of from 5 to 100 ym, preferably from 8 to 80 Am, even more preferably from 10 to 50hum.

Preferably, the micro-like structure has a double-structure wherein a micro-like coarse structure as described above comprises a superimposed micro-like fine structure with dimensions in the range of from 100 nm to 8 Am, preferably from 200 nm to 5 Am.

The dispenser comprising the additional structure described above provides improved grip in particularly wet (water comprising) environments, which is referred to as"Aqua-Grip" of the dispenser. Advantageously, the micro relief according to the invention allows to achieve a certain self-cleaning effect in addition to water-repellency, which is a desirable additional property, in particular in view of the strict hygienic requirements in wet areas, respectively shower areas.

The dispenser according to the invention may comprise a mirror attached to its bottom surface.

In a preferred embodiment the dispenser of the present invention is substantially made of metal. In another preferred embodiment the dispenser is substantially made of synthetic plastic material.

It should be added that the embodiments of the present invention as described above may be combined in any way so that structures according to the invention may be designed in various ways. Advantageously, this allows to emphasise either the gripping aspect or the aspect of water-repellency and self-cleaning of the dispenser, depending on the area of application or the user, respectively.

Preferably diverse kinds of technical design of the structure according to the invention also allow, for instance, to change the design of entire series of dispensers at short notice, and thus allow to react very quickly to market developments or changing users'habits. The"time-to-market" can thus be significantly shortened.

The embodiments described above related solely to dispensers having cylindrical body shapes (in terms of their circumference). It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto, but may be used for dispensers with any kind of cross-section.

The dispenser of the present invention is distinguished by the fact that it comprises a grip-enhancing structure on at least part of its surface. An advantage thereof is, for instance, that the grip-enhancing structure can be adapted to the different requirements and circumstances of different users. The different holding forces of different people, amongst others, would be an example for this aspect.

The enhancement of the grip of the dispenser according to the invention allows for less dangerous handling since inadvertent slipping of the dispenser out of the user's hand during shaking is less likely.

Moreover, the time required for using the dispenser, i. e. holding the dispenser and dispensing some of its content, is considerably and advantageously reduced, due to the improved grip of the dispenser of the present invention.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings.

While this invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is capable of further modifications.

It is therefore intended to cover any variations, equivalents, uses or adaptations of the invention following the general principles thereof, and including such departures from the present disclosure as come or may come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and fall within the limits of the appended claims.