Cosmetics dispenser

Abstract

 A cosmetic dispensing assembly having a container body for storing a cosmetic material, the body having a dispensing opening, an applicator protruding from the dispensing opening for receiving cosmetic material from the container and applying the cosmetic material, a cap matingly engagable with the container body and a fitment in the dispenser opening matingly engagable with and moveable with respect to the container body between an open position and a closed position in response to engagement with the cap, the fitment having an aperture formed therein for allowing cosmetic material to exit the container body in the open position disengaged from the cap, the aperture at least partially closing when the cap engages the fitment and moves the fitment with respect to the container body.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/570,783 filed May 13, 2004.

Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates in general to containers for cosmetics, and in particular to a fitment for preventing leakage of cosmetics from such containers.

Description of the Prior Art

[0003] Liquid makeup and other viscous cosmetics are often stored in specialized cosmetics containers. These containers typically include a reservoir for storing the cosmetics and an applicator, for example a brush, for allowing a user to apply the cosmetics. In certain containers, the applicator is affixed to the cap of the container, whereby the user grasps the cap, dips the applicator into the reservoir until a sufficient amount of makeup is on the applicator, and then removes the applicator and applies the makeup. Alternatively, the applicator can be affixed to the container body itself, whereby, for example, the user squeezes the container to force makeup out of the reservoir and directly into or onto the applicator.

[0004] In the case where the applicator is affixed directly to the container body, it is not uncommon for leakage to occur at or near the location where the makeup passes from the storage reservoir into the applicator. This leakage can occur either during use of the device, when the cap has been removed from the container, or when the device is not in use and the cap is affixed to the container. When the cap is affixed to the container, leaking makeup can accumulate under the cap, such that once the cap is removed from the container, the accumulated makeup will spill out.

[0005] Various types of cosmetics containers have been proposed to prevent or reduce this leakage. Certain of these containers utilized both a cap and a sealing mechanism, for example, a stopper, to prevent leakage. The sealing mechanism was designed to prevent potential leakage, and any makeup that did leak past the sealing mechanism was subsequently caught in the cap. However, a user had to perform multiple steps in order to access the makeup in these containers. For example, the user had to first remove the cap, and then disengage the stopper, in order to initiate flow of makeup from the device. Multiple steps were also needed to close and store the container, in that the user had to first engage the stopper, and then place the cap on the container, in order to provide maximum leakage protection when the device was not in use. Further, the sealing mechanisms were not effective to prevent leakage at the location between the storage reservoir and the applicator, and the sealing mechanisms were often easily removable from the container, which increased the likelihood of leakage.

[0006] Prior to the development of the present invention, there has been no fluid dispenser assembly for use in storing and dispensing makeup and other cosmetics which: effectively prevents leakage of makeup from a cosmetics container, provides an improved seal at the location between the storage reservoir and the applicator of a cosmetics container; utilizes a sealing mechanism which is not easily removable from the cosmetics container; allows a user to remove the cap from a cosmetics container and access makeup from the reservoir in a single step; and allows a user to place the cap on a cosmetics container and restrict access to makeup from the reservoir in a single step.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention provides a cosmetic dispensing assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a container body for storing a cosmetic material, the body having a dispensing opening, a set of bristles protruding from the dispensing opening for receiving cosmetic material from the container and applying the cosmetic material, a cap matingly engagable with the container body, and a fitment in the dispensing opening matingly engagable with and moveable with respect to the container body between an open position and a closed position in response to engagement with the cap, the fitment having an aperture formed therein for allowing cosmetic material to exit the container body in the open position disengaged from the cap, the aperture at least partially closing when the cap engages the fitment and moves the fitment with respect to the container body.

[0008] An additional feature of the assembly is that the fitment has a base with the aperture formed therein, and whereby the base is formed of an elastic material. The base of the fitment is stretched when the cap contacts the fitment and moves the fitment with respect to the container body to the closed position. The fitment includes an insert and a dispenser, the insert and the dispenser each having a base with an aperture formed therein, a set of bristles being mounted to the dispenser. The insert has a hollow interior, and the dispenser is at least partially disposed within the hollow interior of the insert. The dispensing opening of the container body has a downward facing shoulder surface, the fitment has an upward facing shoulder surface, and the downward facing shoulder surface contacts the upward facing shoulder surface.

[0009] In another embodiment, the present invention provides cosmetic dispenser assembly having a container body for storing a cosmetic material, the body having a dispensing opening, a generally cup-shaped insert having a hollow interior and a base with an aperture formed therein, the insert being secured with the dispensing opening of the container, a generally cup-shaped dispenser having a base with an aperture formed therein, the set of bristles being mounted to the dispenser, the dispenser being at least partially disposed within the hollow interior of the insert and moveable with respect to the insert from an open position in which the aperture in the base of the insert is open and a closed position in which the aperture in the base is closed, and a removable cap that engages the dispenser to move the dispenser to the closed position.

[0010] An additional feature is that the base of the insert is deformable, and the dispenser deforms the base of the insert to close the aperture. A spring is disposed between the insert and the dispenser, and the base of the dispenser is biased away from the base of the insert. The container has a neck that contains the dispenser opening. The dispenser has a tube mounted to the base and extending into the set of bristles, the set of bristles protruding past the tube.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] The various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a front cross-section view of the components of a cosmetics applicator and cap in accordance with this invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cylindrical base of an insert of this invention.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a front cross-section view of an applicator with its cap removed.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a front cross-section view of an applicator with its cap affixed thereon.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a front cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of this invention with a spring surrounding an extension of the applicator dispenser.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a front cross-section view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5 with its cap removed.

[0018] FIG. 7 is a front cross-section view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5 with its cap affixed thereon.

Detailed Description

[0019] FIG. 1 shows the components of a fluid dispenser assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 10 is preferably used for dispensing cosmetics in the form of a liquid or viscous material. Assembly 10 includes a vessel or container body 11 which stores the cosmetic material. Neck 14 extends upward from vessel 11 and typically has a smaller diameter than vessel 11. Neck 14 has a hollow interior. In one embodiment, neck 14 has conventional external screw threads (not shown) so that a cap 16 with corresponding internal screw threads (not shown) can be attached to vessel 11. In alternative embodiments, a friction or snap-on fit between cap 16 and neck 14 may be employed. Near its upper end, neck 14 has a band 18 that protrudes inward and has a flat downward facing shoulder surface 20 and a conical upward facing shoulder surface 22. In a preferred embodiment, downward facing shoulder surface 20 is perpendicular to the axis of neck 14, and upward facing shoulder surface 22 is at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the axis of neck 14.

[0020] Assembly 10 further includes a fitment 23 having an insert 24 with a base 30 disposed therein and a dispenser 34. Preferably, insert 24 has a cylindrical outer chamber 25 and a hollow annular interior. In one embodiment, insert 24 is formed of a plastic or other similar material. Insert 24 has a downward facing shoulder surface 26 disposed within the interior wall of its outer chamber 25. Insert 24 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the interior diameter of neck 14 so that insert 24 may be fitted within neck 14. The conical upward facing shoulder surface 22 of band 18 on neck 14 allows insert 24 to slide into neck 14. Insert 24 has an outward facing groove 28 formed in the surface of its outer chamber 25. Groove 28 is sized so that band 18 of neck 14 will fit within groove 28 when insert 24 is disposed within neck 14. Insert 24 has a base 30 disposed therein. Base 30, which can be more clearly seen in FIG. 2, is preferably cylindrically shaped, and contains a hole 32 at or near its center. Hole 32 is approximately 1.0 mm in diameter, or about the same diameter as a standard sewing needle. Base 30 is preferably formed of a soft elastic material, for example silicon or rubber.

[0021] Dispenser 34 preferably has a base 35, a cylindrical outer chamber 36 and a hollow interior. In one embodiment, dispenser 34 is formed of a plastic or other similar material. Dispenser 34 has a band 37 disposed at the upper portion of chamber 36 that protrudes outward and has a flat upward facing shoulder surface 38 and a conical downward facing shoulder surface 40. In a preferred embodiment, upward facing shoulder surface 38 is perpendicular to chamber 36, and downward facing surface 40 forms a 45-degree angle. Dispenser 34 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the interior diameter of insert 24 so that dispenser 34 may fit within insert 24. The sloped downward facing shoulder surface 40 of band 37 allows dispenser 34 to slide into insert 24.

[0022] In one embodiment, a dispensing tube 42 is fitted within, and extends upward from, base 35 of dispenser 34. Tube 42 is preferably constructed of a plastic or other similar flexible material. Applicator 43, for example a brush, is fitted within and extends upward from dispenser 34 and surrounds tube 42. In one embodiment, applicator 43 is at least partially surrounded by a sheath 45. Sheath 45 is preferably constructed of clear plastic or some other similar material, and keeps applicator 43 in place. Cosmetic is able to flow into tube 42 from hole 32 in base 30 and out of at least one opening 46 in tube 42. In another embodiment, the cosmetic flows directly from an aperture in dispenser 34 without the use of a dispensing tube.

[0023] Applicator cap 16 is preferably cylindrical and has an annular interior. Cap 16 has at least one engagement member 44 that extends downward within the interior of cap 16. In one embodiment, the member 44 extends from a top 46 of cap 16. In a preferred embodiment, engagement member 44 is a cylindrical wall with a hollow annular interior that fits over and covers brush 43 and tube 42 when cap 16 is disposed upon vessel 11. Alternatively, engagement member 44 may be a plurality of arms that extend downward within the interior of cap 16. In certain embodiments, engagement member 44 may have a friction reducing element 47, for example padding, at its lower end for contact with surface 38 of dispenser 34.

[0024] In FIG. 3, cap 16 has been removed from assembly 10. Insert 24 is disposed within the annular interior of neck 14 of vessel 11. Band 18 of neck 14 is disposed within groove 28 of insert 24 so that insert 24 cannot easily be pulled out of, or removed from, vessel 11. Dispenser 34 is disposed within the interior of insert 24. An outer portion of upward facing shoulder surface 38 of band 37 contacts and is engaged with downward facing shoulder surface 26 of insert 24 so that dispenser 34 cannot easily be raised and pulled out of insert 24. Base 35 of dispenser 34 contacts and is engaged with base 30 of insert 24 to form a fluid tight seal. The seal prevents cosmetics from leaking out around base 35 of dispenser 34 when the cosmetics are exiting hole 32 and flowing into dispenser tube 42.

[0025] Preferably, cosmetics can flow from vessel 11, out of hole 32, through dispensing tube 42, out of opening 46, and into applicator 43. In one embodiment, cosmetic flow to applicator 43 can be aided and enhanced if the user applies pressure to vessel 11. Vessel 11 is preferably formed of a flexible and resilient material such as polypropylene, so that it may be easily squeezed by the user and is capable of returning to its original shape.

[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 4, when assembly 10 is not in use, cap 16 will typically be placed over applicator 43 to protect applicator 43 from dust and other contaminants. As cap 16 is being lowered and approaches full engagement with vessel 11, the bottom end of engagement member 44 contacts an exposed portion of upward facing shoulder 38 on band 37 of dispenser 34. Member 44 pushes down and places pressure upon band 37 and forces dispenser 34 downward into increased engagement with base 30 of insert 24. As a result of the increased force, base 30 of insert 24 will compress and stretch downward. Preferably, the pressure placed upon base 30 by the increased force will result in about 0.5 mm of stretching. This stretching causes the sides of hole 32 in base 30 to come together, and hole 32 will close substantially or completely shut. As a result, the flow of cosmetics from vessel 11 into dispensing tube 42 is prevented. Further, base 35 of dispenser 34 engages base 30 of insert 24 in one or more locations to a significant degree and forms a fluid tight seal that further blocks any small flow of cosmetic from vessel 11 from leaking from assembly 10.

[0027] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5-7. Dispenser 34 has an extension 52 that extends downward therefrom. The extension 52 fits within a cavity 56 formed within the base of insert 24. Preferably, the extension 52 has two holes 58 formed therewithin to allow cosmetic to flow from the neck 14 of the vessel 11 through the holes 58 into the interior of the extension 52, and then into the tube 42. A stopper 50 surrounds the lower portion of the tube 42 to prevent leakage. A spring 54 surrounds some or all of the extension 52. When the cap 16 is closed, as shown in FIG. 7, the dispenser 34 is forced downward, the spring 54 is compressed and the two holes 58 are brought into engagement with the surface of insert 24 and sealed closed so that cosmetic does not pass through. When the cap 16 is opened, as shown in FIG. 6, the spring 54 expands and the dispenser 34 moves upward, which opens the two holes 58 and allows fluid to pass through into the interior of the extension 52. The spring 54 may be disposed within the cavity 56 or alternatively, the spring 54 may be wider than the diameter of the cavity 56 and brace against the bottom floor of the insert 24 without entering the cavity 56.

[0028] The present invention has several advantages. For example, the insert 24 and dispenser 34 are prevented from being easily pulled out of or removed from the vessel 11. With the cap 16 is fully engaged with the vessel 11, the closed hole 32 in the base 30 of the insert 24 and the seal between the base 30 of the insert 24 and the base of the dispenser 34 together prevent or significantly reduce the amount of cosmetic leakage from the assembly 10. When the cap 16 is removed from the vessel 11, the seal between the base of the insert 24 and the base of the dispenser 34 significantly reduces the amount of cosmetic leakage from the assembly 10.

[0029] While the invention has been described herein with respect to two embodiments, it should be understood by those that are skilled in the art that it is not so limited. The invention is susceptible of various modifications and changes without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0030] Other aspects of the invention include the following:

1. A cosmetic dispenser assembly, the assembly comprising:

a container body for storing a cosmetic material, the body having a dispensing opening;

an applicator protruding from the dispensing opening for receiving cosmetic material from the container and applying the cosmetic material;

a cap matingly engagable with the container body;

a fitment in the dispensing opening matingly engagable with and moveable with respect to the container body between an open position and a closed position in response to engagement with the cap, the fitment having an aperture formed therein for allowing cosmetic material to exit the container body in the open position disengaged from the cap, the aperture at least partially closing when the cap engages the fitment and moves the fitment with respect to the container body.

2. The assembly of aspect 1, wherein the fitment includes an insert and a dispenser, the insert and the dispenser each having a base with an aperture formed therein, the applicator being mounted to the dispenser.

3. The assembly of aspect 2, wherein the insert has a hollow interior, and the dispenser is at least partially disposed within the hollow interior of the insert.

4. The assembly of aspect 1, wherein the dispensing opening of the container body has a downward facing shoulder surface, the fitment has an upward facing shoulder surface, and the downward facing shoulder surface contacts the upward facing shoulder surface.

5. The assembly of aspect 2, wherein the base of the insert is formed of an elastic material.

6. The assembly of aspect 5, wherein the base of the insert is formed of silicone

7. The assembly of aspect 5, whereby the base of the insert is compressed when the cap contacts the fitment and moves the fitment with respect to the container body to the closed position.

8. The assembly of aspect 2, wherein a spring is disposed between the insert and the dispenser, and wherein the base of the dispenser is biased away from the insert.

9. The assembly of aspect 1, wherein the cap has an engagement member attached thereto, and the aperture at least partially closes when the engagement member contacts the fitment and moves the fitment with respect to the container body.

10. A cosmetic dispenser assembly, the assembly comprising:

a container body for storing a cosmetic material, the body having a dispensing opening;

a generally cup-shaped insert having a hollow interior, the insert being secured with the dispensing opening of the container;

a dispenser having a base with an aperture formed therein and an applicator mounted thereto;

the dispenser being at least partially disposed within the hollow interior of the insert and moveable with respect to the insert from an open position in which the aperture in the base of the dispenser is open and a closed position in which the aperture in the base of the dispenser is closed; and

a removable cap that engages the dispenser to move the dispenser to the closed position.

11. The assembly of aspect 10, whereby the dispenser has an upward facing shoulder surface and the insert has an downward facing shoulder surface, and the downward facing shoulder surface contacts the upward facing shoulder surface when the dispenser is in the open position.

12. The assembly of aspect 10, wherein a spring is disposed between the insert and the dispenser, and wherein the base of the dispenser is biased away from the insert.

13. The assembly of aspect 10, whereby the container has a neck that contains the dispenser opening.

14. The assembly of aspect 10, wherein the dispenser has a tube mounted therein and extending into an applicator protruding from the dispenser.

15. A cosmetic dispenser assembly, the assembly comprising:

a container body for storing a cosmetic material, the body having a dispensing opening and a neck that contains the dispensing opening;

a generally cup-shaped insert having a hollow interior and an aperture formed therein, the insert being secured with the dispensing opening of the container,

a dispenser having a base with an aperture formed therein, the dispenser having an upward facing shoulder surface and the insert having an downward facing shoulder surface, whereby the downward facing shoulder surface contacts the upward facing shoulder surface when the dispenser is in the open position, the dispenser being at least partially disposed within the hollow interior of the insert and moveable with respect to the insert from an open position in which the aperture in the dispenser is open and a closed position in which the aperture in the dispenser is closed;

an applicator mounted to the dispenser;

a spring disposed between the insert and the dispenser, whereby the base of the dispenser is biased away from the insert; and

a removable cap that engages the dispenser to move the dispenser to the closed position.

16. The assembly of aspect 15, wherein the aperture in the dispenser is blocked while the dispenser is in the closed position.

17. A cosmetic dispenser assembly, the assembly comprising:

a container body for storing a cosmetic material, the body having a dispensing opening;

a cap matingly engagable with the container body;

a fitment at least partially disposed within the dispensing opening and matingly engagable with and moveable with respect to the container body between an open position and a closed position in response to engagement with the cap, the fitment having a insert, a dispenser and an aperture formed therein for allowing cosmetic material to exit the container body in the open position disengaged from the cap, the aperture at least partially closing when the cap engages the fitment and moves the fitment with respect to the container body, thereby compressing a spring disposed between the insert and the dispenser; and

an applicator disposed within the fitment for receiving cosmetic material from the container and applying the cosmetic material.

18. The assembly of aspect 17, wherein the dispensing opening of the container body has a downward facing shoulder surface, the fitment has an upward facing shoulder surface, and the downward facing shoulder surface contacts the upward facing shoulder surface.

19. The assembly of aspect 17, wherein the spring is disposed between the insert and the dispenser, and wherein the dispenser is biased away from the insert.

Claims

1. A cosmetic dispenser assembly (10) having a container body (11) for storing a cosmetic material (12), the body (11) having a reservoir and a dispensing opening (14) with an axis, a cup-shaped insert (24) stationarily installed within the dispensing opening (14), the insert (24) having an interior and a passage (56) leading to the interior for communication with the reservoir of the container body (11), a dispenser (34) in the dispensing opening (14) and having a lower portion (52) that extends into the interior of the insert (24), the dispenser (34) being axially moveable with respect to the container body (11) and the insert (24) between an open position opening the passage (56) in the insert (24) and a closed position wherein the lower portion (52) of the dispenser (34) blocks the passage (56) in the insert (24), the dispenser (34) having an aperture (58) formed therein for allowing cosmetic material (12) in the container (11) to flow from the passage (56) in the insert (24) into the dispenser (34) while in the open position, a cap (16) releasably secured to the container body (11), the cap (16) causing the dispenser (34) to move to the closed position when closing the cap (16) on the container body, the dispenser (34) having an applicator (43) mounted to and protruding from the dispenser (34) for receiving liquid material (12) flowing through the aperture (58) in the dispenser (34) and for applying the cosmetic material to an object, the applicator (43) being enclosed by the cap (16) while the cap is closed on the container, and a spring (54) between the insert (24) and the dispenser (34) that urges the dispenser toward the open position, the improved characterized by:

the spring (54) is located within the interior of the insert (24) and surrounds the lower portion (52) of the dispenser (34), the lower portion (52) of the dispenser (34) being cylindrical and extending downward from the spring (54) into engagement with a cylindrical portion of the insert member (24) during the open and the closed positions.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring (54) is a coiled member.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the insert member (24) has a cylindrical side wall, an open upper end and a bottom.

Drawing