U.S. patent application number 16/041274 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-31 for cosmetic dispenser with piston action.
This patent application is currently assigned to HCT GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is HCT GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED. Invention is credited to ANTHONY DEMARCO, JUNG HAN, KRISTOPHER PORTER, ROBERT STEINHAUER, RALPH VESTBOM, ROBERT WILCZYNSKI.
Application Number | 20190029395 16/041274 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65137979 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190029395 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PORTER; KRISTOPHER ; et
al. |
January 31, 2019 |
COSMETIC DISPENSER WITH PISTON ACTION
Abstract
A cosmetic product dispenser having a body with a chamber for
containing a product, the body having an open first end with an
actuating structure thereon and a second end having a neck with a
product passageway therein, a receiver receiving and engaging with
the body, a piston adapted to slide within the chamber, and a
piston holder to hold the piston in a relative position relative to
the receiver. To dispense product, the body is rotated or twisted
relative to the receiver, causing the body to draw into the
receiver and pushing the piston into the body, expelling product
via the product passageway. The overall structure becomes shorter
as product is dispensed.
Inventors: |
PORTER; KRISTOPHER; (NEW
WINDSOR, NY) ; VESTBOM; RALPH; (CLIFFSIDE PARK,
NJ) ; STEINHAUER; ROBERT; (STONY BROOK, NY) ;
DEMARCO; ANTHONY; (MAHWAH, NJ) ; HAN; JUNG;
(NEW YORK, NY) ; WILCZYNSKI; ROBERT; (PERTH AMBOY,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HCT GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED |
CENTRAL |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
HCT GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
CENTRAL
CN
|
Family ID: |
65137979 |
Appl. No.: |
16/041274 |
Filed: |
July 20, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62538108 |
Jul 28, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/1045 20130101;
A45D 2200/1018 20130101; A45D 2200/055 20130101; A45D 34/04
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 34/04 20060101
A45D034/04 |
Claims
1. A cosmetic dispenser comprising: a body having a chamber for
containing a product having an open lower end having an outer
facing actuating structure, and an upper end with a neck having a
product passageway; a piston adapted to slide within the body
chamber from the lower end thereof; a piston holder for supporting
the piston; and a receiver for the body comprising an inner facing
engaging structure for engaging the outer facing actuating
structure of the body, the receiver having a lower portion
configured to engage and secure to the piston holder; wherein the
body is coupled to the receiver and the piston holder and piston
holder are coupled to the receiver such that twisting of the body
relative to the receiver causes axial motion of the piston within
the body due to interaction of the actuating structure of the body
with the engaging structure of the receiver, thereby dispensing
product from the body via the product passageway.
2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the neck comprises an outer
facing engagement structure for securing a product applicator
thereon.
3. A combination cosmetic dispenser and applicator comprising: a
product dispenser as in claim 2; and a product applicator secured
to the body using the outer facing engagement structure of the
neck.
4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the product applicator
comprises a sponge coupled to inner and outer collars, and the
inner collar is secured to the engagement structure of the neck to
fix the product applicator and outer collar to the body.
5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the engagement structure of
the neck comprises threading, and the inner collar comprises
corresponding threading for securing the inner collar to the
engagement structure of the neck.
6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the body has a length including
a first portion on which the actuating structure resides and a
second portion extending from the first portion toward the upper
end, and the body, piston and receiver are coupled together such
that: when the body is full of product, the piston extends
partially into the body and the second portion of the body extends
out from the receiver, with the first portion of the body in the
receiver such that the actuating structure of the body engages the
engaging structure of the receiver; and a twisting motion of the
body relative to the receiver will cause the piston to advance
within the body and expel product as the receiver engaging
structure interacts with the actuating structure of the body to
draw the body into the receiver.
7. The dispenser of claim 6 wherein the piston holder includes an
elongate section holding the piston at a first end and having a
stop at a second end for engaging the receiver.
8. The dispenser of claim 7 wherein: the second end of the piston
holder further comprises first teeth; the receiver comprises second
teeth; and the first and second teeth configured for rotationally
engaging the receiver and preventing rotation therebetween.
9. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a base shell for
securing to an outer surface of the receiver, such that the base
shell, receiver and piston holder are axially and rotationally
secured together.
10. A dispenser as in claim 1 wherein the piston is configured to
seal against an inner wall of the body.
11. A dispenser as in claim 1 further comprising a cap having a
plug configured to seal an upper end of the product passageway.
12. A dispenser as in claim 11 wherein: the dispenser has a first
end at which the piston holder and the receiver are secured
together and a second end at which the cap is placed defining an
axial length therebetween; when the body is full of product, the
axial length is a first value; and when the body is empty of
product, the axial length is a second value less than the first
value.
13. A method of dispensing a cosmetic product using a dispenser,
the dispenser comprising: a body having a chamber for containing a
product having an open lower end having an outer facing actuating
structure, and an upper end with a neck having a product
passageway; a piston adapted to slide within the body chamber from
the lower end thereof; a piston holder for supporting the piston;
and a receiver for the body comprising an inner facing engaging
structure for engaging the outer facing actuating structure of the
body, the receiver having a lower portion configured to engage and
secure to the piston holder; wherein the body is coupled to the
receiver and the piston holder and piston holder are coupled to the
receiver such that twisting of the body relative to the receiver
causes axial motion of the piston within the body due to
interaction of the actuating structure of the body with the
engaging structure of the receiver, thereby dispensing product from
the body via the product passageway, the method comprising twisting
the body relative to the receiver to expel product via the product
passageway.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/538,108, filed
on Jul. 28, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Numerous examples of cosmetic dispensers are available in
the art. New and alternative configurations offering unique and
different dispenser designs and techniques of operation are in
demand.
OVERVIEW
[0003] A first illustrative and non-limiting example takes the form
of a cosmetic dispenser comprising a body having a chamber for
containing a product having an open lower end having an outer
facing actuating structure, and an upper end with a neck having a
product passageway; a piston adapted to slide within the body
chamber from the lower end thereof; a piston holder for supporting
the piston; and a receiver for the body comprising an inner facing
engaging structure for engaging the outer facing actuating
structure of the body, the receiver having a lower portion
configured to engage and secure to the piston holder; wherein the
body is coupled to the receiver and the piston holder and piston
holder are coupled to the receiver such that twisting of the body
relative to the receiver causes axial motion of the piston within
the body due to interaction of the actuating structure of the body
with the engaging structure of the receiver, thereby dispensing
product from the body via the product passageway.
[0004] Additionally or alternatively, the neck may comprise an
outer facing engagement structure for securing a product applicator
thereon.
[0005] Additionally or alternatively, the body may have a length
including a first portion on which the actuating structure resides
and a second portion extending from the first portion toward the
upper end, and the body, piston and receiver are coupled together
such that: when the body is full of product, the piston extends
partially into the body and the second portion of the body extends
out from the receiver, with the first portion of the body in the
receiver such that the actuating structure of the body engages the
engaging structure of the receiver; and a twisting motion of the
body relative to the receiver will cause the piston to advance
within the body and expel product as the receiver engaging
structure interacts with the actuating structure of the body to
draw the body into the receiver.
[0006] Additionally or alternatively, the piston holder may include
an elongate section holding the piston at a first end and having a
stop at a second end for engaging the receiver.
[0007] Additionally or alternatively, the second end of the piston
holder further comprises first teeth; the receiver comprises second
teeth; and the first and second teeth configured for rotationally
engaging the receiver and preventing rotation therebetween.
[0008] Additionally or alternatively, the dispenser may further
comprise a base shell for securing to an outer surface of the
receiver, such that the base shell, receiver and piston holder are
axially and rotationally secured together.
[0009] A second illustrative and non-limiting example takes the
form of a combination cosmetic dispenser and applicator comprising
a product dispenser as in the first illustrative and non-limiting
example and/or variants thereof, and a product applicator secured
to the body using the outer facing engagement structure of the
neck.
[0010] Additionally or alternatively, the product applicator may
comprise a sponge coupled to inner and outer collars, and the inner
collar is secured to the engagement structure of the neck to fix
the product applicator and outer collar to the body.
[0011] Additionally or alternatively, the engagement structure of
the neck comprises threading, and the inner collar comprises
corresponding threading for securing the inner collar to the
engagement structure of the neck.
[0012] Additionally or alternatively, dispenser or combination may
be such that the piston is configured to seal against an inner wall
of the body.
[0013] Additionally or alternatively, the dispenser or combination
may further comprise a cap having a plug configured to seal an
upper end of the product passageway.
[0014] Additionally or alternatively, the dispenser may have a
first end at which the piston holder and the receiver are secured
together and a second end at which the cap is placed defining an
axial length therebetween; when the body is full of product, the
axial length is a first value; and when the body is empty of
product, the axial length is a second value less than the first
value.
[0015] Another illustrative, non-limiting example, may take the
form of a method of dispensing a cosmetic product using a dispenser
or combination as either of the first or second illustrative,
non-limiting examples, or variants thereof, by twisting the body
relative to the receiver to expel product via the product
passageway.
[0016] This overview is intended to provide an introduction to the
subject matter of the present patent application. It is not
intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the
invention. The detailed description is included to provide further
information about the present patent application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,
like numerals may describe similar components in different views.
Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent
different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate
generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various
embodiments discussed in the present document.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic dispenser with a
cap;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view as in FIG. 1 with the cap
removed to illustrate the dispenser and applicator;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the parts of an
illustrative dispenser;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a body for containing product in isolation;
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a piston and piston holder;
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a cosmetic dispenser with
applicator and cap in an extended form for when the body thereof is
full of cosmetic product;
[0024] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of a cosmetic dispenser in
retracted form for when the body has been emptied of product;
and
[0025] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a cosmetic dispenser with
a cap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic dispenser with a
cap. The dispenser comprises a cap 110 shown atop a body 160, with
the body extending into a base shell 210. The configuration shown
in FIG. 1 is a "full" configuration, in which the body is filled
with a cosmetic product. The cosmetic product may be, for example,
a foundation product. Other products may be provided instead
including, for example and without limitation, mascara, lip gloss,
eye liner, concealer, eye primer, lash primer, lip stain, nail
polish, polish remover, and other products applied via brushes,
sponges, or other cosmetic applicators.
[0027] As the product is used, the body 160 can be rotated or
twisted relative to the base shell 210, expelling product as
discussed below, until the configuration shown in FIG. 8 is
achieved, in which the cap 110 lies more or less adjacent the base
shell 210, with the body 160 mostly contained within the base
shell.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view as in FIG. 1 with the cap
removed to illustrate the dispenser and applicator. The upper
portion of the body is shown with an applicator 130, which may be,
for example, a sponge, metal, stone, ceramic, glass, a flexible or
hard plastic, rubber or polymer, a gel, or a multiple piece member
including for example, a metal portion and a plastic portion. A
brush may be provided instead as the applicator 130. Other parts of
the body may be made of any suitable materials, such as plastic
(for example, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene,
polyoxymethylene or other plastics, preferably ones which are
non-reactive with the cosmetic products to be used), glass, metal,
wood, composites thereof, or any other suitable material, for
containing a cosmetic, medicinal, personal care, or other
product.
[0029] An outer collar 150 is visible and is held in place by an
inner collar (not shown) which attaches to the top of the body 160
as shown below, as well as being secured to the applicator 130 by,
without limitation, snap fit, threaded attachment, press fit, heat
attachment, or adhesive, for example. Again the body 160 extends
into the base shell 210.
[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the parts of an
illustrative dispenser. Cap 110 is actual an outer shell in this
example that is fitted (press fit, snap fit and/or adhesive, for
example) on an inner cap 120 which. The applicator is shown at 130
adjacent to the inner collar 140. The inner collar 140 would be
affixed to the applicator 140 as previously explained, and also
secured to the body 160 in order to hold a decorative or protective
outer collar 150 in place. The body 160 is shown in greater detail
below in FIG. 4. A piston 170 is also provided and secures to a
piston holder 180. A plug 190 is provided to secure inside the
piston holder 180; in some examples, the plug 190 may be integral
with the piston holder 180 instead. The base shell 210 fits around
a receiver 200.
[0031] The receiver 200, as shown and explained further below, is
adapted to mate with and be secured to the piston holder 180 and
includes a structure on an inner face thereof, such as threads,
that engage with corresponding structure on the lower portion of
the body 160. A twisting motion between the body 160 and the
receiver 200 is translated to axial motion of the body 160 relative
to the piston 170, as further explained below, in order to expel
product from a chamber within the body 160.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a body for containing product in isolation. The
body 160 includes a neck at 162 which defines a product passageway
162A through its interior and has an outer facing engagement
structure 162B, shown here as threading, for securing a product
applicator over the neck. The outer facing engagement structure
162B may operate to directly attach to a product applicator or may
be for holding a collar or ferrule for a product applicator. A snap
fit may be used instead of threading by providing a ring over which
a snap fitting collar or the like may be placed and secured. In
some examples, the outer facing engagement structure 162B may be
omitted and a product applicator secured, for example, by adhesive
or by having a neck of its own that can insert into the product
delivery passageway 162A.
[0033] A cap receiving region is shown at 164 and may include
structure(s) to aid in holding a cap on top of the body 160 such
as, for example and without limitation, threading, a snap ring,
indentations, or protrusions, such as protrusion 164A. A main
portion of the body is shown at 166 and defines an interior chamber
for holding a cosmetic product. While the top end of the main
portion is closed as shown, the lower end (not shown) is generally
open. The lower end of the body includes an actuating structure as
shown at 168. The actuating structure 168 is shown as threading
that extends generally all the way around the body 160; a lesser
portion of the circumference may include the threading if
desired.
[0034] FIG. 5 shows a piston and piston holder. The piston is shown
at 170 and includes a body 172 that secures by snap fit onto the
piston holder 180. Adhesive, screw fit, press fit, or other manners
of securing the piston 170 to the piston holder 180 may be used in
addition or instead. The piston includes a through passageway as
shown at 174. In use, the through passageway may be used to allow
filling at the end of manufacturing before a plug (shown in FIG. 6)
is inserted. In an alternative embodiment, the passageway 174 may
be omitted and the device is instead configured to be assembled
with a body that is preloaded with product.
[0035] The outer portion of the piston includes a sealing member as
shown at 176. A sealing member may be an elastomer, rubber, cork,
or various plastics/polymers that allow for sealing (and which are
compatible with) the product to be dispensed relative to a surface.
In some embodiments, the outer profile of the sealing member 176 is
circular or oval; other shapes may be used instead, though for ease
of manufacture to yield a good seal, circular or oval are generally
simpler. The sealing member 176 is sized and shaped to match an
inner profile of the body (see FIG. 6).
[0036] The piston 170 is held in place by a piston holder 180. The
base of the piston holder 180 comprises, optionally, teeth 182,
which are used to engage with a receiver (see FIG. 6) to prevent
rotation therebetween. A polygonal shape may be used instead of
teeth 182. A securing structure is shown at 184 for securing to the
receiver (see FIG. 6) to prevent axial motion between the receiver
and the piston holder 180.
[0037] In some examples, the piston 170 is designed to be secured
such that is cannot rotate relative to the piston holder 180. In
other examples, particularly where the sealing member is
non-circular, the piston holder and piston may allow rotation of
the piston relative to the piston holder. In further embodiments,
the piston holder 180 may omit the teeth 182 and/or polygon and
allow the piston holder 180 to rotate relative to the receiver, if
desired.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a cosmetic dispenser with
applicator and cap in an extended form for when the body thereof is
full of cosmetic product. Beginning at the top of the Figure, the
cap shell is shown at 110 and is a thin piece provided largely for
decorative and/or protective purposes, and which may be made of a
metal or hard plastic, for example. The cap shell 110 is secured
over an inner cap 120 which may include a structure as shown at 122
that is adapted to enter and generally seal shut the upper end of
the product delivery passageway 162A through the neck 162 of the
body 160. Element 122 may be referred to as a pintle, in that it is
generally pin-like. In the example shown, the pintle 122 extends
through the entire thickness of the product applicator 130. A
pintle 122 may be omitted in other examples. The inner cap 120 may
be made for example of any suitable polymer.
[0039] The product applicator 130 is seated using, for example,
press fit, snap fit, threading, or adhesive, or other securing
method, to an inner collar 140. A decorative and/or protective
outer collar is provided as shown at 150 (more easily seen in
earlier Figures). The inner collar 140 is secured to the outer
facing engaging structure 162B and may be snap fit, press fit,
and/or adhesively secured to the outer collar 150; or,
alternatively, the outer collar 150 may simply be held in place by
the inner collar being secured to structure 162B.
[0040] The overall applicator structure may include the actual
applicator 130 (which may be any of various actual structures as
noted above, such as a sponge, metal or gel), the inner collar 140
and the outer collar 150.
[0041] The body 160 defines a chamber 166 for receiving a cosmetic
product. The lower portion of the body 160 includes the actuating
structure 168 which is shown as being coupled to the engaging
structure 202 of the receiver 200. Here, the engaging structure 202
is shown as threading that extends for most of the length of the
interior of the receiver 200. Twisting the receiver 200 relative to
the body 160 will, by action of the actuating structure 168
interacting with the engaging structure 202, cause the body 160 to
be drawn into the receiver 200.
[0042] The receiver 200 is secured to the piston holder 180 in two
ways. For prevention of axial motion of the receiver 200 relative
to the piston holder 180, the snap fit ring 184 of the piston
holder is engaged with an interior collar 204 of the receiver 200.
In addition, though not shown, the teeth of the piston holder 180
mate with corresponding teeth of the receiver 200, preventing
rotational motion therebetween. The receiver 200 sits within the
base shell 210, to which it may be snap fit, press fit, or
adhered.
[0043] The piston 170 is held in place on top of the piston holder
180 and resides, as shown here, into the lower portion of the
chamber 166 of the body 160. The sealing member 176 rests flexibly
against the inner wall of the body 160, as shown, creating a seal.
A plug 190 is shown and may include an upper end 192 adjacent to
the through hole of the piston 170. The plug 190 may be snap fit,
press fit, and/or heat or chemically adhered into place. In the
illustrative example, the plug 190 snap fits as shown at 192 to the
piston holder 180.
[0044] Thus, as shown here, the body 160 is coupled to the receiver
200 and the piston holder 180 and piston 170 are coupled to the
receiver 200 such that twisting of the body 160 relative to the
receiver 200 causes axial motion of the piston 170 within the body
160 due to interaction of the actuating structure 168 of the body
with the engaging structure 202 of the receiver 200, thereby
dispensing product from the body 160 via the product passageway
162A. Such twisting motion will draw the body 160 into the receiver
200 until the product is entirely dispensed, achieving a
configuration as shown in FIG. 7.
[0045] It may be noted that the actuating structure 168 of the body
160 may have a structure other than threads. For example and
without limitation, tabs or posts adapted to engage a threaded
structure of the receiver 200 may be provided instead. In the
example shown, the actuating structure 168 traverses a small
fraction of the length of the body 160 in order to provide a smooth
exterior; as a result, the engagement structure (here, threading
202) in the receiver 200 extends most of the length of the receiver
200. In an alternative, the body 160 may have threading over almost
all of its length, providing a different look and feel from an
aesthetic perspective, while the receiver 200 includes a shorter
portion of threading 202 or includes tabs or posts instead.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows a cross section of a cosmetic dispenser in
retracted form for when the body has been emptied of product. In
this Figure, the cap and applicator structures have been omitted to
allow easier viewing of the rest of the device; it should be
understood that in use such elements would be present. Here, the
actuating structure 168 of the body 160 has traversed the length of
the engaging structure 202 of the receiver 200, until reaching the
base or stop of the receiver 200, as shown at 208. During this
process, the piston holder 180, being secured to the receiver 200
as shown at 184, advances the piston 170 axially into the product
holding chamber of the body 160.
[0047] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a cosmetic dispenser with
a cap. Here, all the product has been expelled from the device as
indicated by the cap shell 110 now being adjacent to the base shell
210, with the body no longer visible. This end point is merely
illustrative; the body could still be visible in other
embodiments.
[0048] Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or
can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or
more of the other examples.
[0049] The above detailed description includes references to the
accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed
description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific
embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These
embodiments are also referred to herein as "examples." Such
examples can include elements in addition to those shown or
described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples
in which only those elements shown or described are provided.
Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any
combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or
one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular
example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other
examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described
herein.
[0050] In the event of inconsistent usages between this document
and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this
document controls. In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are
used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than
one, independent of any other instances or usages of "at least one"
or "one or more." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms
"first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and
are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not
restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or
more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other.
Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in
the art upon reviewing the above description.
[0051] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. .sctn.
1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the
technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that
it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of
the claims.
[0052] Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features
may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should
not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature
is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie
in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.
Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the
Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim
standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is
contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other
in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention
should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along
with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled.
* * * * *