U.S. patent application number 11/380733 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for dispenser with applicator.
This patent application is currently assigned to HCT Limited. Invention is credited to G. Scott Desson, Richard Christopher Thorpe.
Application Number | 20060207627 11/380733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37009033 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060207627 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thorpe; Richard Christopher ;
et al. |
September 21, 2006 |
DISPENSER WITH APPLICATOR
Abstract
The invention pertains to a dispenser comprising an applicator
that is capable of receiving material from a reservoir. The
applicator is inserted into the body with applicator protrusions on
an outer surface of the applicator engaged with locking grooves on
an inner surface of the body.
Inventors: |
Thorpe; Richard Christopher;
(Chislehurst, GB) ; Desson; G. Scott;
(Bernardsville, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NORRIS MCLAUGHLIN & MARCUS, P.A.
P O BOX 1018
SOMERVILLE
NJ
08876
US
|
Assignee: |
HCT Limited
Hong Kong
CN
|
Family ID: |
37009033 |
Appl. No.: |
11/380733 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10903137 |
Jul 30, 2004 |
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11380733 |
Apr 28, 2006 |
|
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11253938 |
Oct 19, 2005 |
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11380733 |
Apr 28, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/320 ;
401/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/1066 20130101;
A46B 11/0024 20130101; A45D 19/0066 20210101; A45D 2200/055
20130101; A45D 40/26 20130101; A45D 34/042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/320 ;
401/174 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26 |
Claims
1. A dispenser comprising a) a body having a narrowed section with
a narrowed section inner surface and a narrowed section outer
surface with the narrowed section inner surface having one or more
locking grooves; b) a reservoir having material stored within the
reservoir, c) an applicator comprising a top section having an
applicator top surface comprising a pinhole, a mid section, a base
section having an external surface with one or more applicator
protrusions extending from the external surface of the base section
wherein the applicator is inserted into the narrowed section of the
body with the one or more applicator protrusions on the external
surface of the base section of the brush applicator engaged with
the one or more locking grooves at the narrowed section inner
surface; and d) a cover having a protrusion wherein the protrusion
is capable of engaging at least the pinhole to seal the material
from the external environment.
2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the applicator top surface is
smooth.
3. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the applicator top surface
comprises a plurality of protrusions.
4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a
bottom, a main section which has an outer surface and an inner
surface and a tapered section which has an outer surface and an
inner surface and the reservoir is defined by the inner surface of
the main section, inner surface of the tapered section and the
bottom.
5. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a nozzle section
having a nozzle section body with a nozzle section body bottom,
nozzle section body top, a nozzle section body outer surface and a
nozzle section body inner surface wherein the nozzle section body
is adjacent to the top of the body; and a nozzle element having a
base section with a base section inner surface, a nozzle mid
section with a mid section inner surface and a tip with a tip
opening and a tip inner surface wherein the base section inner
surface, mid section inner surface and tip inner surface define a
nozzle annular space.
6. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a nozzle section
having a base section with a base section internal dimension, a
tapering piece adjacent to the base section with a plurality of
tapering piece internal dimensions, a mid section adjacent to the
tapering piece having a mid section internal dimension, a tip taper
adjacent to the mid section having a plurality of tip taper
internal dimensions and a tip opening adjacent to the tip taper
wherein the tapering piece internal dimension adjacent to the base
section is about the same as the base section internal dimension
and the tapering piece internal dimension adjacent to the mid
section is about the same as the mid section internal dimension and
the tip taper internal dimension adjacent to the mid section is
about the same as the mid section internal dimension and the tip
taper is a frustoconical piece which extends from the mid section
to the tip opening.
7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the mid section of the
applicator comprises one or more turret pieces each having a turret
wall and a shelf wherein each turret piece extends into the top
section of the applicator.
8. The dispenser of claim 7 comprising 2 turret pieces.
9. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein each locking groove comprises
groove upper wall, groove back wall and groove lower wall with the
groove upper wall extending from the inner surface of the narrowed
section to the groove back wall, the groove back wall extending
from the groove upper wall to the groove lower wall, and the groove
lower wall extending from the groove back wall to the inner surface
of the narrowed section.
10. The dispenser of claim 9 wherein the groove upper wall and
groove lower wall are about perpendicular to the groove back
wall.
11. The dispenser of claim 10 comprising one locking groove, an
upper slot at the inner surface of the narrowed section defined by
an upper slot side wall and an upper slot bottom wall and a lower
slot at the inner surface of the narrowed section defined by a
lower slot side wall and a lower slot upper wall.
12. The dispenser of claim 11 comprising a first applicator
protrusion and a second applicator protrusion wherein the first
applicator protrusion is within the lower slot and the second
applicator protrusion is within the locking groove.
13. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein each applicator protrusion
comprises a continuous outer surface which extends from the
external surface of the base section.
14. The dispenser of claim 13 wherein the continuous outer surface
is semi-circular or half-circular in shape.
15. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the
narrowed section of the body comprises one or more body screw
threads.
16. The dispenser of claim 15 wherein the cover inner surface
comprises one or more cover screw threads.
17. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the body is made of resilient
material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/253,938 filed Oct. 19, 2005 which was a
continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/903,137 filed Jul. 30, 2004, both applications currently
pending. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/253,938 and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/903,137 are both incorporated herein
in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention pertains to a twist up pen type dispenser
comprising a brush applicator, such as an applicator with a brush
applicator top surface having a smooth surface for applying
material, which is capable of receiving material from a reservoir.
In an embodiment of the invention, the brush applicator of the
twist up pen type dispenser has a plurality of protrusions, such as
at the brush applicator top surface, for brushing teeth.
[0003] The invention further pertains to a dispenser comprising an
applicator which may have a smooth surface or may comprise one or
more protrusions which form a brush like feature on the angled
surface of the applicator. The cylindrical dispenser comprises a
reservoir for holding material and the material is generally
dispensed from the reservoir to the top of the applicator by
physical means, such as partially or completely inverting the
dispenser to allow the material to move by gravity and/or force of
the user, such as by shaking. The dispenser may also be a spray
type dispenser whereby the user can apply force to the container to
dispense material from the reservoir, like squeezing the dispenser
in the area of the reservoir to force some or all of the contents
from the reservoir.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The twist up pen type dispenser with brush applicator
comprises a body having an annular space, an end cap, a nozzle
section having a nozzle section body and a nozzle element, a brush
applicator having a brush applicator top, which may have a brush
applicator top surface having a smooth surface or the brush
applicator top surface may have a plurality of protrusions, and a
cover. Material, such as a dentifrice composition, can be stored in
the annular space. The brush applicator comprises a pinhole which
is capable of being engaged with the nozzle, particularly a nozzle
opening at the tip of the nozzle. The cover, which can be
releasably secured and thus removable has a cover protrusion. When
the cap is secured, the cover protrusion is engaged with the
pinhole and/or the nozzle opening to seal or substantially seal the
material from the external environment.
[0005] Mechanical means within the dispenser may be applied to move
the material from the annular space through the nozzle and deposit
the material on the brush applicator through the pinhole. Because
the cover protrusion seals or the substantially seals the material
from the external environment, the material is isolated from any
deleterious affects that the environment may have on the material,
such as spoilage, drying, hardening and the like.
[0006] The engagement of the cover protrusion with the nozzle
opening and/or the pinhole also prevents material from flowing out
of the twist up pen type dispenser with brush applicator while not
in use, thus making the device particularly portable especially for
less viscous materials, such as a tooth cleaning gel or
eyeliner.
[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the twist up pen type
dispenser with brush applicator has a dentifrice composition
contained in the annular space and the brush applicator has one or
more brush protrusions for brushing human or animal teeth.
Dentifrice compositions that may be used in this embodiment include
tooth gel, tooth paste, mouthwashes, mouth rinses, tooth whiteners
and combinations thereof. This embodiment provides a handy portable
tooth brush having a relatively narrow body that can be easily
stored in smaller bags, such as a handbag, pouch, fanny pack,
backpack and the like, without the material spoiling, hardening,
drying out, or flowing out of the twist up pen type dispenser with
brush applicator while the device is not being used. In a further
embodiment of the invention, the brush applicator does not have any
protrusions, but rather is an applicator with a brush applicator
top surface having a smooth surface for applying material to a
person or other animal.
[0008] In a further embodiment of the invention, the dispenser
comprises a body, preferably a cylindrical body, with an internal
cavity, i.e., annular space, that defines a reservoir for holding
material and an applicator. The body comprises at least a narrowed
section, such as at a top or upper end of the body. The narrowed
section comprises an outer surface and inner surface. The inner
surface of the narrowed section comprises one or more locking
grooves, and the outer surface of the applicator, preferably at the
outer surface of a base section of the applicator, comprises one or
more protrusions. The applicator is secured to the body at the
narrowed section by inserting at least the base section of the
applicator into the narrowed section with the protrusions on the
outer surface of the base section of the applicator engaged with
the locking grooves on the inner surface of the narrowed
section.
[0009] The outer surface of the narrowed section may also comprise
one or more body screw threads and in an embodiment of the
invention these body screw threads mate with screw threads on the
inner surface of the cap, i.e. cap screw threads, which enables the
cap to be releasably secured to the body by placing the cover over
the narrowed section of the body and rotating the cover and/or body
so that the cover screw threads engage the body screw threads.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a person using the twist
up pen type dispenser with brush applicator for brushing teeth in
an embodiment of the invention wherein the brush applicator has a
brush applicator top with a brush applicator top surface comprising
a plurality of protrusions.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the twist up pen type
dispenser with brush applicator showing the cover in a closed
position covering the brush applicator in an embodiment of the
invention wherein the brush applicator has a brush applicator top
with a brush applicator top surface comprising a plurality of
protrusions.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the twist up pen type
dispenser with brush applicator showing the cover in an open
position in an embodiment of the invention wherein the brush
applicator has a brush applicator top with a brush applicator top
surface comprising a plurality of protrusions.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the twist up pen type
dispenser with brush applicator showing a cap in a closed position
covering the brush applicator in an embodiment of the invention
wherein the brush applicator has a brush applicator top with a
brush applicator top surface comprising a plurality of
protrusions.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the twist up pen type
dispenser with brush applicator showing the cap in an open position
in an embodiment of the invention wherein the brush applicator has
a brush applicator top with a brush applicator top surface
comprising a plurality of protrusions.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front view of the brush applicator engaged with
the nozzle section in an embodiment of the invention wherein the
brush applicator has a brush applicator top with a brush applicator
top surface comprising a plurality of protrusions.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the brush applicator
engaged with the nozzle section with material in the nozzle in an
embodiment of the invention wherein the brush applicator has a
brush applicator top with a brush applicator top surface comprising
a plurality of protrusions.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the brush applicator
engaged with the nozzle section with material in the nozzle and on
the brush applicator top surface in an embodiment of the invention
wherein the brush applicator has a brush applicator top with a
brush applicator top surface comprising a plurality of
protrusions.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective drawing of a person using the twist
up pen type dispenser with brush applicator to apply material to
the lips in an embodiment of the invention wherein the brush
applicator has a brush applicator top with a brush applicator top
surface having a smooth surface.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the twist up pen type
dispenser with brush applicator showing the cover in a closed
position covering the brush applicator in an embodiment of the
invention wherein the brush applicator has a brush applicator top
with a brush applicator top surface having a smooth surface.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the twist up pen type
dispenser with brush applicator showing the cover in an open
position in an embodiment of the invention wherein the wherein the
brush applicator has a brush applicator top with a brush applicator
top surface having a smooth surface.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the twist up pen type
dispenser with brush applicator showing a cap in a closed position
covering the brush applicator in an embodiment of the invention
wherein the brush applicator has a brush applicator top with a
brush applicator top surface having a smooth surface.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the twist up pen type
dispenser with brush applicator showing the cap in an open position
in an embodiment of the invention wherein the brush applicator has
a brush applicator top with a brush applicator top surface having a
smooth surface.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a front view of the brush applicator engaged with
the nozzle section in an embodiment of the invention wherein the
brush applicator has a brush applicator top with a brush applicator
top surface having a smooth surface.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the brush applicator
engaged with the nozzle section with material in the nozzle in an
embodiment of the invention wherein the brush applicator has a
brush applicator top with a brush applicator top surface having a
smooth surface.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of the brush applicator
engaged with the nozzle section with material in the nozzle and on
the brush applicator top surface in an embodiment of the invention
wherein the brush applicator has a brush applicator top surface
having a smooth surface.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of dispenser in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention having a body with a narrowed
end and an applicator.
[0027] FIG. 18 is cross section view showing the interface between
the body and the applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention having a body with a narrowed end and an applicator.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a detail view of an aspect of FIG. 18 showing the
locking grooves and slots of the inner surface of the narrowed
section of the body and the protrusions of the base section of the
nozzle in an engaged relationship in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention having a body with a narrowed end and an
applicator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2-5 and in FIGS. 10-13, the twist up pen
type dispenser with brush applicator 1 comprises a body 2,
preferably substantially in the shape of a cylinder, having a top
3, a bottom 4, an outer surface 5 and an inner surface 6 which
defines an annular space 7. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and also in
FIGS. 12 and 13, material 8 may be within the annular space 7,
which functions as a reservoir for the material 8 within the twist
up pen type dispenser with brush applicator 1. The material 8 may
be a dentifrice, such as tooth gel, tooth paste, mouthwash, mouth
rinse, tooth whitener and combinations thereof, cosmetics, such as
mascara and eyeliner, hair colorants such as darkeners, like
darkeners for facial hair such as moustaches, dyes or similar
materials, or skin treatment compositions, combinations thereof,
and the like.
[0030] Again referring to FIGS. 2-5 and to FIGS. 10-13, the twist
up pen type dispenser with brush applicator 1 further comprises an
end cap 9, preferably substantially in the shape of the cylinder,
having a continuous lateral side 10 with an outer surface 11 and an
inner surface 12, an end cap top 13 having an end cap opening 14
and an end cap bottom 15 with an outer surface 16 and an inner
surface 17, the end cap having a cavity 18 defined by the inner
surface 12 of the continuous lateral side 10 and the inner surface
17 of the end cap bottom 15. The end cap top 13 is adjacent to the
bottom 4 of the body 2 with the end cap opening 14 and cavity 18
about aligned with the annular opening 7 of the body 2. As shown in
FIGS. 2-5 and in FIGS. 10-13, the outer surface 11 of the end cap 9
may have a continuous protrusion 111 at about the end cap top 13.
Also, the inner surface 17 of the end cap 9 may have a plurality of
sequential and adjacent polygonal surfaces 19, such as rectangular
surfaces. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and also in FIGS. 12 and 13,
the polygonal surfaces may protrude within the annular opening 7
being opposite the inner surface 6 of the body 2 at about the
bottom 4 of the body 2. The end cap is preferably capable of
rotation. The end cap and/or body may be made of clear or opaque
plastic material which permits portability without risk of breakage
and allows a user to see the amount of material 8 remaining in the
annular space 7.
[0031] The twist up pen type dispenser with brush applicator 1
further comprises means 21 for moving the material 8 from the
annular space 7 to a brush applicator 20. As shown in the
embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-5 and in FIGS. 10-13, the means 21
comprises a driving rod 22, a compression spring 23, a ratchet
wheel 24, a securing seat 25, a piston rod 26 and a piston 27. As
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and also in FIGS. 12 and 13, the driving rod
22 has a top 28, bottom 29, an inner surface 30 and an outer
surface 31. The bottom 29 of the of the driving rod 22 is inserted
into the end cap bottom and is held into place by the polygonal
surfaces 19 such that as the end cap rotates the driving rod is
driven to rotate which causes the piston rod 26 and piston 27 to
move through the annular space 7.
[0032] As shown in the drawings, particularly FIGS. 2-5 and FIGS.
10-13, a continuous shelf 33 is located on the inner surface 6 of
the body proximate to the bottom 4 of the body 2. The ratchet wheel
24 has a top 34 and a bottom 35 and comprises a plurality (e.g. a
ring) of teeth 36 at the top 34. The compression spring 24 is
mounted to the outer surface of the driving rod between the bottom
35 of the ratchet wheel and the continuous shelf 33 and facilitates
movement of the ratchet wheel 24.
[0033] The securing seat 34 is above the ratchet wheel. The
securing seat 34 has a top 35 and a bottom 36 and there are a
plurality of teeth 33 (e.g. a ring of teeth) at the bottom 36 of
the securing seat. The seat further has a circumferential edge 37
which is provided with securing engagement edge 38 of polygonal
shape on the inner surface of the body for mounting within the
annular opening 7 of the body 2. The securing seat 34 further
comprises a hole 39 at about the center running from the top 35 to
the bottom allowing the piston rod 26 to pass through. As shown in
FIGS. 2-5 and in FIGS. 10-13, the top 35 of the securing seat 34
may be smaller in dimension, e.g., have a smaller diameter in the
axial direction than the bottom 36 of the securing seat 34.
[0034] The piston rod 26 is threaded with screw threads 40 for
mounting to the inner surface 30 of the driving rod 22. The inner
surface 30 of the driving rod 22 may also have screw threads 45.
The piston rod is secured at the top of the piston rod to the
piston 27. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and also in FIGS. 12 and 13,
the top of the piston rod 26 is provided with an engaging block 46
having a continuous outer protrusion 47 and a center protrusion 147
to engage with the piston 27. The continuous outer protrusion 47 is
proximate to the outer edge of the engaging block 47 and the center
protrusion 147 corresponds to the piston rod 26.
[0035] The piston 27 is located in the annular space 7 of the body
2. The bottom 48 of the piston interfaces with the engaging block
46 and, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and also in FIGS. 12 and 13 the
continuous outer protrusion 47 and center protrusion 147 protrude
within the piston 27 thus securing the piston 27 to the engaging
block 46 and thus the piston rod 26. The piston may be any
geometric shape, such as a disc with a flat top and bottom, but is
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and also in FIGS. 12 and 13 as having a
conical shape, such as a crown top. The conical shape maximizes
removal of the material 8 from the annular opening 7. The piston 27
may be made from silicone or similar type plastic material.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2-5 and FIGS. 10-13, when the end cap 10
rotates counterclockwise, the driving rod 22 will drive the ratchet
wheel 36 to rotate counterclockwise. At the same time, the piston
27 will move upward within the annular space 7 as a result of the
piston rod 26 being driven by the driving rod 22. The material 8 is
on the top of the piston 27 and is squeezed upwards to the nozzle
section 48. When the ratchet wheel 24 rotates counterclockwise, the
teeth 33 will not move for the reason that the securing seat 34 is
secured to the body 2. The sloping face of the teeth 36 of the
ratchet wheel 24 will move along the corresponding sloping face of
the teeth 33 of the securing seat 34 so that the ratchet wheel 24
will be lowered and compress the compression spring 23 until the
teeth 36 of the ratchet wheel 24 are moved to the teeth 33 of the
securing seat 34 (i.e., the sloping face of the teeth 36 of the
ratchet wheel 24 are engaged with the sloping face of the teeth 33
of the securing seat 34 displaced by one tooth 33 section in the
counterclockwise direction). At this instance, the ratchet wheel 24
will restore to its original position by the spring force of the
compression spring 26.
[0037] In the original position, the teeth 36 of the ratchet wheel
24 are mutually opposed to the teeth 33 of the securing seat 34,
such that the teeth are mutually engaging, so that reverse
direction (e.g., clockwise direction) of the ratchet wheel will not
be possible. The piston 27 defines the lower edge of the material 8
within the annular space 7. Because reverse direction of the
ratchet wheel is not possible, the piston 27 is effectively
unidirectional and thus the material will always move toward the
top 3 of the body 2. This precludes material 8 and, in part,
prevents material 8, from entering portions of the annular space 7
behind the advancement of the piston 27 and contacting the other
elements of the means for moving the material. This aspect of the
invention facilitates the function of the device.
[0038] U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,891 describes a material-extracting
device for a pen type make up dispenser. This material-extracting
device can be used with the twist up pen type dispenser with brush
applicator as described herein. U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,891 is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
[0039] The twist up pen type dispenser with brush applicator 1
further comprises a nozzle section 48. As shown in FIGS. 2-5 and in
FIGS. 10-13, the nozzle section comprises a nozzle section body 49
and a nozzle element 50. The nozzle section body is generally
cylindrical having a nozzle section body bottom 51, nozzle section
body top 52, a nozzle section body outer surface 53 and a nozzle
section body inner surface 54 and is adjacent to the top 30 of the
body 2. The nozzle section further comprises a sheath 55 having a
bottom plate 56, a middle wall 57 and a top wall 58. The top wall
58 of the sheath 55 is adjacent to the nozzle section body top 52
and protrudes inwards from the nozzle section body top 52 adjacent
to the middle wall 57 which is opposed to the nozzle section body
inner surface 54. The middle wall 57 terminates at the bottom plate
56 which protrudes from the nozzle section body inner surface,
preferably at an angle of about 90.degree., at some point between
the nozzle section body bottom 51 and nozzle section body top 52.
As shown in FIGS. 2-3 and also in FIGS. 10 and 11, the nozzle
section body outer surface 53 near the nozzle section body bottom
51 may have one or more protrusions 78 for engaging the cover
77.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2-5 and in FIGS. 10-13, the nozzle element
50 comprises a base section 59, nozzle mid section 60 and a tip 61.
The base section 59 is cylindrical and has a base section outer
wall 62 that has a plurality of protrusions which secure the nozzle
element to the nozzle section body. The nozzle section body 49 is
either attached to the body 2 or is integral with the body 2. The
nozzle element base section 59 has a base section inner surface 159
which may be tapered that defines all or part of a nozzle annular
space 63 that is continuous through the base section 59, mid
section 60 and tip 61. The nozzle mid section 60 has an outer wall
64 that may have one or more protrusions 65 for engaging the brush
applicator 20 and a mid section inner surface 160 which may be
tapered that defines all or part of a nozzle part annular space 63.
The tip 61 is a tapered element having a nozzle opening 66 at the
end opposite the mid section 60. The tip has a tip inner surface
161 which may be tapered that defines all or part of a nozzle part
annular space 63.
[0041] The twist up pen type dispenser with brush applicator 1
further comprises the brush applicator 20, which is shown in the
drawings and in particular FIGS. 6-8 and in FIGS. 14-16. The brush
applicator 20 comprises a brush applicator base 67 which is
generally a cylindrical sleeve 120 having a hollow inner section
for engaging the nozzle section 48, and a brush applicator top 68.
The brush applicator base 67 has an outer surface 69 and an inner
surface 70 with the inner surface 70 defining the sleeve. The
sleeve is capable of engaging the outer wall 64 of the nozzle mid
section 61 and the top wall 58 of the sheath 55 such that the brush
applicator can be secured to or releasably secured to the nozzle
element. The bottom of the brush applicator base 67 has an opening
defined by the inner surface 70. The brush applicator top 68 may be
angled. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6-8, the
brush applicator 20 has a brush applicator top 68 with a brush
applicator top surface 168 having one or more brush protrusions 71
and a pinhole 72. In the embodiment of the invention shown FIGS.
14-16, the brush applicator 20 has a brush applicator top 68 with a
brush applicator top surface 168 that is smooth, in that the brush
applicator surface is flush and has no protrusions or other raised
portions, other than optionally having some texture along the
relatively flat plane surface, and the brush applicator 20 in this
embodiment also comprises the pinhole 72. As shown in FIGS. 6-8 and
14-16, when the brush applicator 20 is releasably secured to the
nozzle, the nozzle opening 66 is engaged with the pinhole 72. The
brush applicator 20 may be a single piece made of silicone, such as
injection molded silicone, or similar type material.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 10-11, the twist up pen type
dispenser with brush applicator 1 also comprises a cover 77,
preferably substantially in the shape of a cylinder, having a cover
outer surface 73, a cover inner surface 74 and a cover top 75 with
an inner and outer surface. The cover has a cover opening 76 at the
end opposite the cover top 75. The cover inner surface 74 and the
inner surface of the cover top defines a cavity so that the cover
can be placed over the nozzle element and brush applicator with the
cover inner surface 74 engaging the nozzle section body outer
surface 53, such as the one or more protrusions 78 near the nozzle
section body bottom 51. In this manner the cover can be replaceably
secured to the twist up pen type dispenser with brush
applicator.
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 10-11, the cover further comprises
a cover protrusion 79 emanating from the inner surface of the cover
top 75, generally from about the center of the inner surface of the
cover. The protrusion 79 may be tapered and has a protrusion tip 80
at the end opposite the cover top 75. When the cover is releasably
secured to the twist up pen type dispenser with brush applicator 1,
the protrusion tip 80 is engaged with the pinhole 72 and/or the
nozzle opening 66. As such, the engagement of the nozzle opening,
pinhole and cover protrusion effectively seals the material from
the external environment when the twist up pen type dispenser with
brush applicator 1 is not in use. The cover top 75 may further
comprise one or more holes (not shown) to allow ambient air onto
the brush applicator. The cover may be made of a clear plastic
material.
[0044] The material 8 in the twist up pen type dispenser with brush
applicator 1 is stored for use in the annular space 7 of the body
2. When a person desires to use the twist up pen type dispenser
with brush applicator, the user removes the cover 78 and rotates
the end cap 10 thereby causing the driving rod 22 to drive the
ratchet wheel 36 to rotate thus moving the piston 27 upward within
the annular opening 7 as a result of the piston rod 26 being driven
by the driving rod 22 thereby forcing some or all of the material 8
from the annular space 7 to the nozzle section 48. The pressure
caused by the piston on the material 8 forces the material 8
through the nozzle part annular space 63 to the nozzle opening 66
and through the nozzle opening and pinhole 72 thereby depositing
the material on the brush applicator top 68, as shown on FIGS. 7
and 8 and also in FIGS. 15 and 16. When sufficient material is on
the brush applicator top, the user simply stops rotating the end
cap 10. After use, the user replaces the cover 78 on the twist up
pen type dispenser with brush applicator 1 which as discussed
above, seals the material from the external environment.
[0045] In an embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the
twist up pen type dispenser with brush applicator 1 is used as a
portable tooth brush and in the embodiment of the invention shown
in FIG. 9 the twist up pen type dispenser with brush applicator 1
comprises a brush applicator 20 having a smooth brush applicator
top surface 168 and is used to apply material, such as lip gloss or
lip balm or other lip protecting or medical substance to the lips.
Although the twist up pen type dispenser with brush applicator 1 is
shown in FIG. 1 as a toothbrush and in FIG. 9 to apply material to
the lips, it should be understood that these are depictions of a
few of many uses or embodiments for the twist up pen type dispenser
with brush applicator. Another use, for example, can be as an
applicator for darkening facial hair, such as a moustache, wherein
the material 8 is hair darkener and can be applied to the moustache
by depositing the hair darkener on the brush applicator top and
then engaging the brush applicator top with the moustache, such as
stroking the brush protrusions through the moustache hairs.
[0046] FIGS. 17-19 show an embodiment of the invention wherein the
dispenser 200 comprises a body 201 and an applicator 202. The
dispenser 200 may further comprise a cover such as that discussed
above with respect to the other embodiments of the invention and
shown in FIGS. 1-16, for example.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 17-18, the body 201 comprises a bottom 203
and a top 204. The body has a main section 205, a tapered section
206 and a narrowed section 207. The main section 205 extends from
the bottom 203 to the tapered section 206 and the tapered section
206 extends from the main section 205 to the narrowed section 207
with the narrowed section 207 extending from the tapered section to
the top 204. The body is shown in FIGS. 17-19 as substantially
cylindrical; however, the body may have any shape or
configuration.
[0048] The main section 205 of the body has an inner surface 208
and an outer surface 209 and the tapered section 206 also comprises
an inner surface 210 and an outer surface 211. The inner surface
208 of the main section, inner surface 210 of the tapered section
and the bottom 203 of the body 201 provides an annular space within
the body which defines a reservoir 212 for material, such as
cosmetic material, lip balm tooth paste or any of the other
materials discussed herein regarding other embodiments of the
invention.
[0049] Referring to the detail of FIG. 19, the narrowed section 207
has an inner surface 213 and an outer surface 214. The inner
surface 213 of the narrowed section 207 comprises on or more
locking grooves 215, such as two locking grooves as shown in the
drawings. Each locking groove 215 may be defined by a groove upper
wall 215a, groove back wall 215b and groove lower wall 215c. As
shown in FIGS. 18-19, the groove upper wall 215a extends from the
inner surface of the narrowed section to the groove back wall 215b
which is more proximate to the outer surface 214 of the narrowed
section 207 than the inner surface 213. The groove back wall 215b
extends from the groove upper wall 215a to the groove lower wall
215c, and the groove lower wall 215c extends from its intersection
with the groove back wall 215b to the inner surface 213. In the
embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the groove upper
wall 215a and groove lower wall 215c are about perpendicular to the
groove back wall 215b, however, any shape or configuration may be
used provided that the shape of the groove is compatible with the
shape of the applicator protrusions on the base section of the
applicator, in that the applicator protrusions may fit within the
locking groove. As shown in FIGS. 18-19, the outer surface 214 of
the narrowed section 207 may have one or more body screw threads
216.
[0050] The applicator 202 may be similar to that described above
with respect to other embodiments of the invention, such as that
described in 33-35, above, and shown in FIGS. 1-16. As shown in
FIGS. 17-19, however, the applicator may comprise a top section
217, a mid section 218 and a base section 219. The top section
comprises an applicator top surface 220 which may be angled and
comprises a pinhole 221. The applicator top surface may be smooth
as shown in FIGS. 17-18, or it may comprise one or more
protrusions, which generally create a brush element, similar to or
the same as those shown above with respect to other embodiments of
the invention. The top section 217 extends from the applicator top
surface to the mid section 218. Internally, as shown in FIG. 18,
the mid section 218 comprises one or more, such as two, turret
pieces 222 which extend internally from the mid section 218 into
the area of the top section 217. The turret pieces 222 have a
turret wall 223 which extends from the upper terminus of the turret
222 to a shelf 224 in the mid section, and the turret 222,
including the turret wall 223 and shelf 224 provide an internal
interface between the top section 217 and the mid section 218. The
mid section 218 extends from this interface to the base section
219.
[0051] As shown, particularly in the detail of FIG. 19, the
applicator 202, at the base section 219 comprises one or more
applicator protrusions 225. In the embodiment of the invention
shown in the drawings, particularly FIG. 19, the applicator
protrusion 225 comprises an applicator protrusion outer surface
which extends from an external surface 226 of the base section 219
in a semi-circular or half-circular shape such that the applicator
protrusion outer surface is a continuous outer surface extending
from the external surface 226 of the base section 219. The
applicator protrusion, however, may be any shape or configuration
provided that the shape of the applicator protrusion is compatible
with the shape of the groove on the inner surface of the narrowed
section of the body.
[0052] The applicator is engaged with the body by inserting the
base section of the applicator into the opening of the narrowed
section of the body. As such the applicator protrusions on the
outer surface of the base section engage the locking grooves on the
inner surface of the narrowed section of the body. This arrangement
holds the applicator in place and prevents it from disengaging from
the body when the dispenser is in use.
[0053] In an embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 19, the
inner surface of the narrowed section 207 may comprise one locking
groove 215 having a groove upper wall 215a, a groove back wall 215b
and a groove lower wall 215c, as discussed above. In this
embodiment there is an upper slot 250 which is more proximate to
the top 204 of the body than the locking groove 215. This upper
slot 250 at the inner surface of the narrowed section is defined by
an upper slot side wall 250a and an upper slot bottom wall 250b,
which may be perpendicular to each other. In this embodiment the
inner surface of the narrowed section further comprises a lower
slot 255 which is defined by a lower slot side wall 255a and a
lower slot upper wall 255b. The lower slot 255b is further from the
top 204 of the body than the locking groove 215. As shown in FIG.
19, moving downwards from the top 204 of the body, the inner
surface of the narrowed section has the upper slot first which may
be adjacent to the top of the body, then the locking groove and
then the lower slot. This arrangement facilitates the insertion of
the applicator such that the applicator protrusion can be moved
into the slot and then forced into the locking groove with the
walls of the locking groove preventing movement absent the exertion
of force. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the applicator has a
first applicator protrusion 225a and a second applicator protrusion
225b, wherein upon inserting the applicator into the narrowed
section, the first applicator protrusion 225a rides within the
upper slot 250 and then can further be moved into the locking
groove 215 while the second applicator protrusion 225b rides within
the upper slot and with further movement the first applicator
protrusion 225a is moved into the lower slot 255 while the second
applicator protrusion 225b is moved into the locking groove 215. In
this arrangement, the interaction of the second applicator
protrusion 225b with groove upper wall 215a and the first
applicator protrusion 225a with the lower slot upper wall 255b
prevents the applicator from inadvertently releasing from the body
during product application, or for that matter during normal
storage or use.
[0054] The dispenser 200 further comprises a nozzle section 227
which extends from the upper terminus of the narrowed section 206
of the body 201. The nozzle section comprises an annular opening
228 which extends from the upper terminus of the narrowed section
of the body to the pinhole 221. The annular opening has a base
227a, a tapering piece 229, a mid section 227b, and a tip taper
230. The base 227a of the annular opening 228 has a base internal
dimension, the tapering piece 229 of the annular opening 228 has a
plurality of tapering piece internal dimensions with the internal
dimension adjacent to the base 227a having the same internal
dimension as the base internal dimension, the mid section 227b of
the annular opening 228 has a midsection internal opening with the
tapering piece internal dimension adjacent to the mid section 227b
having the same internal dimension as the mid section internal
dimension and the tip taper 230 has a plurality of tip taper
internal dimensions with the internal dimension of the tip taper
230 adjacent to the mid section 227b being about the same as the
mid section internal dimension and internal dimension of the tip
taper 230 at its opening 231 adjacent to the pinhole 221 being
about the same as the dimension of the pinhole, such that the tip
taper is a frustoconical piece which extends from the mid section
to the pinhole. As shown in the drawings, particularly FIG. 18, the
applicator is placed over the nozzle section 227 such that the
annular space or portion of the reservoir 212 defined by inner
surface of the narrowed section 218 of the body contains the base
of the applicator and at least part of the base of the nozzle
section 227. Thus, the nozzle section is in communication with the
reservoir of material such that the material may be moved from the
reservoir through the nozzle.
[0055] The dispenser 200 may be used in conjunction with the cover
shown in the other embodiments of the invention. For example, a
cover like the cover 77 as shown in FIG. 3 could be used in
conjunction with the body 200. The protrusion 79 on the inside of
the cover would, at its protrusion tip 80, engage the pinhole 221
shown in FIG. 17 such that the engagement of the nozzle opening,
pinhole and cover seals the material in dispenser from the external
environment. Using a cover 77 like that that shown in FIG. 3 would
provide a snap fit over the body. In an embodiment of the
invention, however, the cover is modified to provide for cover
screw threads (not shown) on the cover inner surface 74 which would
engage the body screw threads 216 on the outer surface of the
narrowed section 218 of the body to releasably secure the cover to
the body.
[0056] The body may be made of resilient material that allows the
user to compress the body in order to release material from the
reservoir. As such, the user would simply squeeze the container as
shown in FIG. 17 to release product to the upper surface of the
applicator top.
* * * * *