Systems, Methods, And Apparatuses For A Reusable Dropper And Bottle Assembly And Replacement Capsule For Personal Care Product Dispensing System

Abstract

The present application relates to the design of a class of beauty products that facilitates personalized replenishment. The physical product is a new type of dispenser comprising a pump assembly and a sleeve or housing for containing a replaceable cartridge of a specific type of product, such as a foundation. The cartridge is an air-less cartridge that may be releasably secured to the dispenser or pump assembly such that a user may remove the cartridge from the dispenser or pump and replace the cartridge with another cartridge containing the same or a different product.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present application relates to dispensing systems for dispensing fluid personal care products including hair care, skin care, body care, and cosmetic products and in particular to dropper bottle type dispensing systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A wide range of personal care products, including hair care, skin care or skincare, body care, cosmetics, foundation, concealer, primer, and a range of other beauty products, that consumers replenish frequently. As used herein, personal care and beauty care are used interchangeably to cover the afore-mentioned broad range of products. Often personal care products are selected based on consumer experience with trying such products and achieving a certain result. For these products, rather than seeking newness and variety, consumers purchase the same product for consistency in application and results. Due to all the packaging typically used with personal care products, replenishing a consumer's product is expensive. High-end brands can have especially expensive packaging and e-commerce brands may be burdened with the extra expense of shipping costs based on volume and weight. This means the consumer ends up paying more to replenish personal care product supply.

[0003] What is needed is a product and in particular a personal care product dispensing system that provides for less expensive replenishment while maintaining an elevated consumer experience that is both seamless and fun. Such a product would increase customer loyalty to the brand providing it by dramatically decreasing the cost to the consumer of replenishing product while maintaining the same or an improved customer experience.

[0004] Such a replenishment mechanism would also enable the brand to launch a subscription service. In beauty today, we see "trial" subscription services where the consumer receives recurring shipments of mystery boxes with different product assortments. However, we do not see any companies that are successful in selling either single-brand or fixed-product subscriptions.

[0005] Another challenge in the beauty industry today is sustainability. The large amount of packaging used for beauty products is of increasing concern within today's political climate and among younger consumers.

[0006] What is needed is a product that can deliver an equally elevated consumer experience while requiring less packaging and being more environmentally friendly. Many consumers demand the products they purchase are "eco-friendly."

[0007] Finally, to achieve their desired transformation for various occasions, consumers use multiple liquid/gel personal care products at the same time. For example, they might use primer and foundation, foundation and concealer or two types of foundation. They might use both products at the same time to get results on different areas of their face, or they may use one product on some occasions and another product or combination of products in other cases. They likely use these products up at a difference cadence.

[0008] What is needed is (1) a way for the consumer to replenish products based on their individual needs and the cadence at which they use up each product and (2) the ability to carry a single product that can deliver the benefits of multiple products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention is a product that supports ongoing replenishment. It makes it less expensive for a company to replenish the consumer's product and, therefore, it makes it less expensive for the consumer to continue buying the same product. This increases loyalty. The replenishment mechanism also has a lower environmental impact, resonating with consumer values. The replenishment experience is seamless and fun for the consumer. Finally, the reusable dropper bottle dispenser may be used to support a variety of personal care products supplied in a common replacement capsule format. This means that consumers can exchange capsules supported by the reusable dropper bottle as they desire to enjoy use of the base dispensing mechanism with multiple product types.

[0010] When the consumer uses up or depletes personal care product, the consumer can easily replace them. For example, the consumer may open the dropper bottle at the top cover, which may be completely removable in a threaded manner. The consumer then removes the spent capsule of product and replaces it with a new capsule of the same or other type of product. The consumer then replaces the cover on the dispenser and proceeds to use the dropper bottle dispenser as before. The process of replacing the capsule provides an improved configuration that is mess-free and spill-proof. The capsules in this manner provided added benefit as they are comprised of significantly thinner material than the reusable dropper bottle and are therefore significantly less expensive to make and less expensive to ship. They also have a reduced environmental impact. To make it easy for the consumer to refill the product correctly--specifically to make sure they are replacing a used capsule with the same type of product--the capsules may be color-coded or themed or designed with different patterns that are easily recognizable.

[0011] The present invention may be applied to a wide range of personal care products. The dropper bottle and replaceable capsule system can be applied to any liquid or gel product.

[0012] The present invention also provides for a personal care product subscription service that is the first of its kind. This subscription could be for any type of frequently replenished liquid or gel makeup or skincare or hair care or other personal care product. For example, for a subscription leveraging the reusable dropper bottle and capsule system of the present invention, the consumer would initially receive the reusable dropper bottle and a set of capsules, each with a different type of product. The consumer would then subscribe to receive regular deliveries of capsules, which they would use to refill the reusable dropper bottle. The cadence of the deliveries could be customized to the consumer's usage speed for both types of products. Due to the reusable configuration of the dropper bottle, the more limited packaging of the capsules, the shipping costs would be relatively low compared to shipping a traditional product case. The reduced shipping costs plus the reduced packaging costs would enable this service and product to be provided to consumers at a lower cost relative to a subscription service using traditional product packaging. The consumer experience would remain elevated due to the ease and fun of replacing the product capsules. Also, while prior dispenser systems might allow for manual refilling of a dispenser, this is often messy and detracts from user experience. Also, many personal care products are not available in larger "refill" formats and are not possible.

[0013] In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a dropper bottle liquid dispenser adapted to removably receive a replaceable capsule and dispense a liquid personal care product contained in an installed capsule, the dropper bottle dispenser comprising: a body having a top and a bottom and defining an interior space, wherein at least a portion of the body is transparent or semi-transparent to reveal at least in part the interior space, the top having an opening; and a dropper assembly comprising a top component and a dropper tube with an outlet disposed opposite the top component, the dropper tube defining an interior channel for receiving and dispensing liquid via a dropper tube outlet/inlet upon actuation of an actuator mechanism housed in the top component, the top component configured to be grasped by a user for removal of the dropper assembly from the body for dispensing liquid contained in the dropper tube; wherein the body opening is configured to receive the dropper tube therethrough and is further adapted to receive a capsule containing personal care liquid and to be supported and housed within the body.

[0014] The first embodiment dropper bottle liquid dispenser may be further characterized in one or more of the following manners and features: wherein the actuator mechanism is spring-biased and is self-actuated upon a user rotating the top component to draw in a pre-determined amount of liquid contained in the interior space of the body; wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a depressible pump adapted to causes personal care product liquid to flow into the dropper tube and to exit the dropper tube upon further action; further comprising a retaining cover adapted to be received on to the top of the body, the retaining cover comprising a threaded interior circumference serving as a first connector and adapted to matingly couple with an oppositely positioned threaded neck or shoulder serving as a second connector disposed on the top, whereby the retaining cover may be removably attached and secured to the top by threading and screwing the first and second connectors together; wherein the retaining cover further comprises a first neck extending upward from the top of the cover and defining an opening configured to receive therethrough the dropper tube, the first neck having a first neck threaded portion, and wherein the dropper top component includes a threaded interior portion, whereby the first neck threaded portion and the dropper top interior threaded portion are adapted to be threaded and screwed together to secure the dropper to the body with the dropper tube contained at least in part in the interior space of the body; wherein the retaining cover further comprises a second neck extending downward opposite the first neck and having a second neck threaded portion adapted to threadedly engage with a threaded portion of a capsule, whereby the second neck threaded portion and the capsule threaded portion are adapted to be threaded and screwed together to secure the capsule to the retaining cover and whereby the dropper tube is inserted through the first neck, through the second neck and into an interior space of the capsule; wherein the capsule is disposed within the interior space of the body through the top opening and the assembled dropper assembly and retaining cover are secured to the dispenser bottle body via the first and second connectors; wherein the capsule comprises an outer cap to conceal and protect the top of the capsule and to prevent spillage of liquid contents of the capsule prior to use, the outer cap being removeable from the capsule to provide access to the capsule threaded portion for secure attachment to the retaining cover; further comprising a sifter disposed at or near the opening for clearing liquid from the outside of the dropper tube when the dropper assembly is removed from the bottle body to prevent spillage and mess; further comprising a bottom cover for attaching to and protecting the bottom of the bottle body, the bottom cover having a flat portion to promote stability of the dropper bottle dispenser when place on a flat surface; wherein the capsule includes indicia disposed on the outside of the capsule indicating the personal care product contained in the capsule and with the capsule contained in the bottle body allowing the user to view the indicia through the transparent or semi-transparent portion of the body to ensure user awareness of personal care liquid dispensed.

[0015] In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a personal care liquid capsule adapted for use with a dropper bottle dispenser, the dispenser having a housing adapted to removably receive a capsule and a dropper assembly adapted to dispense a liquid personal care product contained in an installed capsule, the capsule comprising: a body having a top and a bottom and generally defining a personal care product reservoir and configured to be received within a correspondingly configured dispenser body, the top including an opening through which a dropper tube is received into the reservoir and is in fluid contact with the personal care product contained in the reservoir; a connector portion disposed at the top and adapted to matingly secure the capsule to the dispenser housing with the capsule received within the dispenser housing; and a cover disposed over the opening and adapted to prevent spillage of the personal care product contained in the reservoir prior to installation of the capsule in the dispenser housing, the cover being removeable from the capsule to provide access to the connector portion for secure attachment to the dispenser housing.

[0016] The second embodiment dropper bottle liquid dispenser may be further characterized in one or more of the following manners and features: wherein the capsule connector portion is a threaded neck and the dispenser housing includes a retaining cover having an oppositely threaded connector, whereby the retaining cover and the capsule are secured together by threading and screwing the threaded neck and the oppositely threaded connector together; further comprising a sifter disposed at or near the capsule opening for clearing liquid from the outside of a dropper tube when a dropper assembly is removed from the capsule to prevent spillage and mess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] To facilitate a full understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals. These drawings should not be construed as limiting the present invention but are intended to be exemplary and for reference.

[0018] FIG. 1 provides front views of exemplary reusable liquid dropper bottle dispenser, which contains personal care liquid products for dispensing, and a self-contained replacement capsule in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIGS. 2A-2E provide a series of views illustrating capsule and bottle exchange process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIGS. 3A-3C provide a series of views illustrating a process for dispensing liquid contained in the bottle via a dropper assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a dropper assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a capsule assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a perspective partial exploded view of a dropper bottle assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIGS. 7-9 provide a series of cross-section views of complimentary bottle collar, capsule body, and dropper assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of a replacement capsule assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the replacement capsule assembly of FIG. 10.

[0027] FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of an assembled reusable dropper bottle dispenser without a capsule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of an assembled reusable dropper bottle dispenser with capsule disposed therein according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings. While the present invention is described herein with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. Those possessing ordinary skill in the art and having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional implementations, modifications, and embodiments, as well as other applications for use of the invention, which are fully contemplated herein as within the scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed herein, and with respect to which the present invention could be of significant utility.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a system for dispensing and replenishing liquid personal care products, such as beauty care, skin care, hair care, cosmetics, or other personal products. With reference to FIG. 1, front views of exemplary reusable liquid dropper bottle dispenser 100 and a self-contained replacement capsule or cartridge 200 are shown and represent a first embodiment of the present invention. Much like Keurig.RTM. K-cup coffee pods, the replacement capsule 200 is only usable when placed in the reusable dispenser bottle 100. For eco-friendly enjoyment, the capsule assembly 200 is made preferably of plastic-PCR post-consumer recycled materials and may itself be recycled after use or returned/refilled.

[0031] Reusable liquid dropper bottle dispenser 100 includes a body or housing 104 having a top and bottom and that generally defines an interior space 105. The interior space 105 contains personal care liquid products for dispensing via dropper assembly 150 including dropper tube 152. The body or housing 104 may include a transparent or semi-transparent or translucent portion to allow a user to visually inspect the contents of the liquid within interior space 105. As shown here, no capsule is disposed within interior space 105, which may initially be provided to the user unfilled and for use with a capsule, may be filled with liquid product, may include a capsule installed, or may be provided with a capsule for insertion by the user. As shown the dropper assembly 150 is secured to a top portion or cover or collar 120 of the body or housing 104 and may be removed from the housing, e.g., unscrewed if threaded, for use by the user in dispensing product contained in the bottle 100. The dropper assembly includes an actuator for

[0032] Self-contained refillable or replacement capsule 200 includes a capsule top or cover 220 and a capsule body 204 that defines an interior liquid reservoir or cavity or space 205 in which liquid personal care products is stored. Cover 220 may be removeable by threaded attachment to the body 204 or may be a pop-off type and may be discarded upon opening of the capsule. Preferably, when screwing a threaded cover 220 onto the threaded neck 206, a protrusion and recess pair are provided, or similar means, to provide a "click" when the cover is fully and securely attached to the capsule. Preferably an airtight seal is formed when the cover 220 is connected to the capsule. In addition, a wrap or other seal may be placed about the circumference of where the cover 220 meets the capsule body 204.

[0033] With the cover 220 removed, the capsule 200 may be placed within body 104 of re-usable dispenser 100 as described in detail below. Capsule 200 may be refillable or disposable and may be returned to the retail or e-commerce source for a credit or other incentive to avoid waste associated with the container 200. Branding/text indicia 210 may be an adhesive label or otherwise affixed to the capsule body 204 and may include brand identifier, content description, application information, or other messaging visible when the capsule is placed into housing 104 via transparent portion made of glass or other transparent material. In this manner, the capsule 200 serves to inform the user as to the nature of the personal care product available for dispensing by the dispenser 100. In this manner the user knows exactly what she/he is about to use to prevent inadvertent application of product. When capsule 200 is installed in dispenser 100, there is preferably an annular gap separating the body 104 of the bottle from the body 104 of the capsule. The bottle body is preferably glass and transparent to provide clear view of the capsule and any marking, e.g., brand logo or identifier, directions, product description, on the circumference of the body 104 of the capsule when assembled.

[0034] FIGS. 2A-2E provide a series of views illustrating capsule and bottle exchange process according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, at FIG. 2A the collar or top 220 is rotated or unscrewed in a counterclockwise fashion to remove the collar or cover 120 from the housing or body 104. In this example, the dropper assembly 150 is connected to the cover 120 and is also removed from the housing. As shown at FIG. 2B, the capsule top cover 220 is removed from the capsule 200 by rotating in a counterclockwise manner by way of threaded neck or shoulder portion 206. With the outer cap 220 removed from the capsule assembly 200, the threaded neck 206 is revealed. Alternatively, the top or cover 220 may be disconnected from the capsule assembly 200 by other well-known means. As shown at FIG. 2C, the dropper tube 151 (not shown) is placed inside reservoir 205 of capsule 200 and collar or cover 120 of the dropper bottle 100 is attached to the replacement capsule 200 by rotating the collar in a clockwise fashion shown by the arrow. Embossments or other protrusions and/or slots or recesses may be provided in the components to result in a "click" sound or feel or other user feedback to confirm proper alignment and securement of the components. As shown at FIG. 2D, the dropper/collar/capsule assembly 150/120/200 as assembled is placed inside body 104 of the bottle 100 and is visible in part via glass or transparent housing or body 104. The collar 120 is then rotated in a clockwise manner to secure the dropper assembly/collar/capsule assembly to the housing 104. As shown in FIG. 2E, the replacement capsule 200 is assembled with the dropper bottle 100 with dropper assembly 150 to result in a replenished personal care delivery system and dispenser.

[0035] FIGS. 3A-3C provide a series of views illustrating a process for dispensing liquid contained in the fully assembled dispensing system 100/150/200, As shown dropper assembly 150 is rotated counter-clockwise the loosen the dropper assembly 150 from the collar/cover 120 and dispenser 100. In this exemplary embodiment, when unscrewing the top 154 of the dropper assembly 150 from the cover/collar 120 and housing 104 at threaded neck 126, the self-actuated actuator 160 pops up and causes liquid contained in the reservoir 205 to be drawn into the channel 151 formed in dropper tube 152. In use, the user presses on the actuator 160 to cause the liquid contained in the channel 151 to be dispensed at outlet 153 for application by the user as desired. In one manner of operation an embossed or raised/recessed set of features is include on one or more of the housing, dropper, or capsule components to generate a "click" or other feedback to alert the user the collar and dropper assembly are in place and secured to prevent spillage, leakage or other unwanted waste of liquid contained in the capsule. The collar or cover 120 should be capable of being easily disconnected from the housing 104 for exchange and insertion of the replacement capsule but should be otherwise securely closed.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a dropper assembly 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown the dropper assembly 150 includes a dropper tube 152 defining a channel in which liquid is drawn into and expelled from for dispensing during intended use. As shown an actuator 160 is biased by spring 158 and is received into an interior defined by inner cap 156, which is itself received into an inner space formed by outer cap 154. Vacuum vents or exhausts 162/164 are provided to facilitate operation of the actuator mechanism 160/158/156/154. In this example, the actuator is self-actuating and provides an auto-loading actuator-engine that draws in personal care liquid contained in the reservoir 205 into channel 151 of dropper tube 152. By rotating the outer cap 154 in a desired direction, the spring-biased actuator top 160 is caused to displace and liquid drawn into the tube 152 via opening 153. The collective assembly provides an automatic loading actuator-engine for dispensing liquid from the dropper.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of a capsule assembly 140 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which the reusable bottle dispenser 100 is provided with a capsule 140 as opposed to containing personal care liquid directly in interior space 105. The capsule 140 includes a sifter 144 and a threaded neck 146 extending upward from capsule body 142. As described herein, the capsule 140 is secured to the bottle body collar or cover 120 by threadedly screwing neck 146 into an interior threaded portion 122 (see FIG. 7) of the collar 120. The capsule body 142 may be made of plastic-PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) material and may be metalized to provide enhanced appearance and labeling. An alignment embossing or marking 148 may be provided to help confirm proper positing of the capsule 140 when connected to collar 120, which may have a corresponding alignment embossing or marking 128.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a perspective partial exploded view of a dropper bottle assembly 100. The bottle body 104 may be made of glass and may be transparent or semi-transparent to permit ease of view of contents, e.g., capsule 140 or capsule 200, contained within interior space 105 defined by the body 104. With the capsule 140 of FIG. 5 secured to the collar 120, the collar is then secured to the bottle body 104 at the exterior threaded body neck or shoulder 106. In this example, a bottom protective cover 102, e.g., made of plastic-PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) or other suitable material, protects the glass body 104 from damage and includes a flat bottom surface for stability of the bottle assembly when resting on a flat surface.

[0039] FIGS. 7-9 provide a series of cross-section views of a complimentary bottle collar 120 (FIG. 7), a replacement capsule 200 (FIG. 8), and a dropper assembly 150 (FIG. 9) according to a replenishable dispenser system embodiment of the present invention. As shown in cross-section, bottle collar or top cover 120, e.g., made of plastic-PCR, includes a raised neck having external threaded portion 126 adapted and configured to threadedly connect with dropper assembly 150 at compatibly threaded interior portion 155 of dropper over cap 154 shown in FIG. 9. Collar 120 also includes a downwardly projecting neck 122 having an interior threaded portion for securing the collar in screw on fashion to capsule 200 at compatibly configured neck 206 having external threaded portion.

[0040] A sifter 244 is disposed between the capsule opening 207 defined by the neck 206 and the opening 130 defined by the downwardly extending neck 122 of the collar. The sifter 244 may be made of a flexible material (e.g., plastic-PCR, rubber, elastic polymer, or neoprene) with a discontinuity formed therein, e.g., an "X-shaped" or "plus-shaped" cut (shown more clearly in FIGS. 5 and 10), that permits the dropper tube 151 to extend through the sifter 244 and into the capsule reservoir 205 when the dropper assembly 150 is secured to the collar and capsule assembly 120/200. The sifter helps "wipe" or deflect liquid product contained in the reservoir 205 when the dropper assembly is removed from the bottle during application of product. This helps avoid waste and mess during use and limits unsightly and unwanted product residue from accumulating on the dropper and dispenser assembly. In addition to the sifter, the capsule may include a film or foil to cover the capsule neck opening to protect the contents of the capsule. The sifter may be removable to then allow removal of the foil or film cover for use and then the sifter replaced over the neck opening 207.

[0041] In addition, A feedback mechanism, such as embossed projection/recess combination, may be provided in the collar 120 and capsule 200 to confirm secure attachment when screwed together, e.g., causes a "click" sound with the parts are secured together.

[0042] With reference to FIG. 8, a replacement capsule 200 is shown in cross-section and having an interior reservoir or cavity 205 for holding personal care liquid product and as defined by the housing or body 204 and terminating at the top at an outwardly threaded neck 206. The capsule 200 is attached to the bottle collar 120 in threaded/screwed fashion at the mating threaded portions of the respective necks 206 and 122. With a dropper assembly 150 of FIG. 9 connected to the collar 120, the dropper tube 151 is received into the reservoir interior space 205 through opening 207 and sifter 244.

[0043] With reference to FIG. 9, a dropper assembly 150 is shown in cross-section view having a dropper tube portion 151 that defines an internal channel 152 for receiving and deploying liquid personal care product via opening 153 during use of the dispenser. The dropper tube 151 may be made of glass or other suitable material capable of repeated removal and insertion into the bottle dispenser 100. At the top of the dropper assembly 150, an outer over cover or cap 154 may be generally cylindrical in shape with an inner hollow portion configured to encircle an inner cap 156, which includes a threaded interior portion 155 for securing the dropper assembly 150 to the collar 120 at oppositely and corresponding threaded neck 126. A dropper actuator 160 may be spring loaded or biased by spring 158 and may be released such as by rotating the over cap 154 to align tabs or dogs or protrusion 162 with a slot or the like to allow the actuator to "pop-up" or otherwise deploy and thereby cause a predetermined amount of liquid contained in reservoir 205 to be drawn into channel 152 of tube 151. The engine or actuator 160 activates the dropper and "pops out" when the user slightly turns or twists the over cap 154. In this manner, the actuator automatically loads liquid into the dropper tube 151 for ease of operation and to insure a predetermined and desired amount of product is used. The user may then push the actuator 160 to dispense the liquid drawn into the tube 151 at opening 153, e.g., squirt or release the liquid onto the palm of the user's hand or onto the user's scalp or other body part for application of the personal care product.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of a replacement capsule assembly 200 for use in the dropper bottle dispenser 100 of the present invention. As shown, replacement capsule 200 is self-contained and may be sold as a product separate from the dispenser 100. Personal care liquid product is stored in an interior space (205) defined by capsule body 204 for dispensing by dropper bottle dispenser 100. The capsule assembly may be in whole or in part disposable and may be reused as a refillable reservoir of product, e.g., returned for refill purposes or refilled directly by the user. For example, sifter 244 may be configured to be removably placed on the neck or shoulder 206 for removing during refilling and replacement on the capsule for reuse. The assembly 200 includes a removable outer cap or top 220, which includes, in this example, a weight 212, and an inner cap or top 210, which includes a recess area for receiving the neck 206 of the capsule when attached thereto. Alignment embossment or marking 208 provides a means for the user to properly align the capsule with the collar 120 of the bottle assembly as described herein.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the replacement capsule assembly 200 of FIG. 10. As shown, replacement capsule assembly 200, for use in the dropper bottle dispenser 100, is self-contained and adapted to store and transport personal care liquid product stored in the reservoir or interior space 205 defined by capsule body 204. The assembly 200 includes a removable outer cap or top 220, which includes, in this example, a weight 212, and an inner cap or top 210. When the capsule outer cover or top 220 is removed it may be discarded or retained for future use and the capsule may be connected to bottle collar 120 and inserted into bottle body or housing 104 for use as a completed dropper bottle dispenser assembly. As shown, sifter 244 is disposed on the neck or shoulder 206, which is received within a recess formed within the inner cap 210. As shown the threaded portions of neck 206 and inner cap 210 are configured to be mated together and secured by rotating or screwing the cap assembly on the capsule. A seal or other tamper proof component may be included to promote consumer confidence in quality and safety of the personal care product contained in the capsule 200.

[0046] FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of an assembled reusable dropper bottle dispenser 100 without a capsule 140/200 contained therein. In this manner, the dropper bottle assembly may be sold or provided in an empty condition for receiving a capsule containing personal care liquid product or it may be provided with liquid product contained in the interior space 105 defined by the body 104. As described herein, the dropper assembly 150 is secured to the collar 120 via threaded neck counterparts 126 and 155 and the collar 120 is secured to the bottle body 104 via threaded counterparts 106 and 124. As assembled dropper tube 151 is in large part or substantially disposed within interior space 105 of body 104. A portion of the dropper tube 151 extending through dropper over/inner cap 154/156 is disposed within the collar 120. When the engine or actuator 160 is deployed, a vacuum or pressure differential occurs in the space defined by the channel 152 and via 159 to cause liquid to be drawn into the channel 152. Exhaust or vent holes or openings (162/164 shown in FIG. 4) facilitate the process of drawing liquid into the dropper tube 151.

[0047] FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of an assembled reusable dropper bottle dispenser with a capsule 200 contained therein. In this manner, the dropper bottle assembly may be sold or provided with liquid product contained in the capsule interior space 205 defined by the capsule body 204. As described herein, the dropper assembly 150 is secured to the collar 120 via threaded neck counterparts 126 and 155 and the collar 120 is secured to the bottle body 104 via threaded counterparts 106 and 124. As described herein, the capsule 200 is secured to the collar 120 via threaded neck counterparts 206 and 122. As assembled dropper tube 151 is in large part or substantially disposed within interior space 205 of body 204. A portion of the dropper tube 151 extending through dropper over/inner cap 154/156 is disposed within the collar 120. When the engine or actuator 160 is deployed, a vacuum or pressure differential occurs in the space defined by the channel 152 and via 159 to cause liquid to be drawn into the channel 152. Exhaust or vent holes or openings (162/164 shown in FIG. 4) facilitate the process of drawing liquid into the dropper tube 151.

[0048] While the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept described. Also, the present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. It is fully contemplated that other various embodiments of and modifications to the present invention, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following appended claims. Further, although the present invention has been described herein in the context of particular embodiments and implementations and applications and in particular environments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be beneficially applied in any number of ways and environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present invention as disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A dropper bottle liquid dispenser adapted to removably receive a replaceable capsule and dispense a liquid personal care product contained in an installed capsule, the dropper bottle dispenser comprising: a body having a top and a bottom and defining an interior space, wherein at least a portion of the body is transparent or semi-transparent to reveal at least in part the interior space, the top having an opening; and a dropper assembly comprising a top component and a dropper tube with an outlet disposed opposite the top component, the dropper tube defining an interior channel for receiving and dispensing liquid via a dropper tube outlet/inlet upon actuation of an actuator mechanism housed in the top component, the top component configured to be grasped by a user for removal of the dropper assembly from the body for dispensing liquid contained in the dropper tube; wherein the body opening is configured to receive the dropper tube therethrough and is further adapted to receive a capsule containing personal care liquid and to be supported and housed within the body.

2. The dropper bottle liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuator mechanism is spring-biased and is self-actuated upon a user rotating the top component to draw in a pre-determined amount of liquid contained in the interior space of the body.

3. The dropper bottle liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a depressible pump adapted to causes personal care product liquid to flow into the dropper tube and to exit the dropper tube upon further action.

4. The dropper bottle liquid dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a retaining cover adapted to be received on to the top of the body, the retaining cover comprising a threaded interior circumference serving as a first connector and adapted to matingly couple with an oppositely positioned threaded neck or shoulder serving as a second connector disposed on the top, whereby the retaining cover may be removably attached and secured to the top by threading and screwing the first and second connectors together.

5. The dropper bottle liquid dispenser of claim 4, wherein the retaining cover further comprises a first neck extending upward from the top of the cover and defining an opening configured to receive therethrough the dropper tube, the first neck having a first neck threaded portion, and wherein the dropper top component includes a threaded interior portion, whereby the first neck threaded portion and the dropper top interior threaded portion are adapted to be threaded and screwed together to secure the dropper to the body with the dropper tube contained at least in part in the interior space of the body.

6. The dropper bottle liquid dispenser of claim 5, wherein the retaining cover further comprises a second neck extending downward opposite the first neck and having a second neck threaded portion adapted to threadedly engage with a threaded portion of a capsule, whereby the second neck threaded portion and the capsule threaded portion are adapted to be threaded and screwed together to secure the capsule to the retaining cover and whereby the dropper tube is inserted through the first neck, through the second neck and into an interior space of the capsule.

7. The dropper bottle liquid dispenser of claim 6, wherein the capsule is disposed within the interior space of the body through the top opening and the assembled dropper assembly and retaining cover are secured to the dispenser bottle body via the first and second connectors.

8. The dropper bottle liquid dispenser of claim 6, wherein the capsule comprises an outer cap to conceal and protect the top of the capsule and to prevent spillage of liquid contents of the capsule prior to use, the outer cap being removeable from the capsule to provide access to the capsule threaded portion for secure attachment to the retaining cover.

9. The dropper bottle liquid dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a sifter disposed at or near the opening for clearing liquid from the outside of the dropper tube when the dropper assembly is removed from the bottle body to prevent spillage and mess.

10. The dropper bottle liquid dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a bottom cover for attaching to and protecting the bottom of the bottle body, the bottom cover having a flat portion to promote stability of the dropper bottle dispenser when place on a flat surface.

11. The dropper bottle liquid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the capsule includes indicia disposed on the outside of the capsule indicating the personal care product contained in the capsule and with the capsule contained in the bottle body allowing the user to view the indicia through the transparent or semi-transparent portion of the body to ensure user awareness of personal care liquid dispensed.

12. A personal care liquid capsule adapted for use with a dropper bottle dispenser, the dispenser having a housing adapted to removably receive a capsule and a dropper assembly adapted to dispense a liquid personal care product contained in an installed capsule, the capsule comprising: a body having a top and a bottom and generally defining a personal care product reservoir and configured to be received within a correspondingly configured dispenser body, the top including an opening through which a dropper tube is received into the reservoir and is in fluid contact with the personal care product contained in the reservoir; a connector portion disposed at the top and adapted to matingly secure the capsule to the dispenser housing with the capsule received within the dispenser housing; and a cover disposed over the opening and adapted to prevent spillage of the personal care product contained in the reservoir prior to installation of the capsule in the dispenser housing, the cover being removeable from the capsule to provide access to the connector portion for secure attachment to the dispenser housing.

13. The capsule of claim 12, wherein the capsule connector portion is a threaded neck and the dispenser housing includes a retaining cover having an oppositely threaded connector, whereby the retaining cover and the capsule are secured together by threading and screwing the threaded neck and the oppositely threaded connector together.

14. The capsule of claim 12 further comprising a sifter disposed at or near the capsule opening for clearing liquid from the outside of a dropper tube when a dropper assembly is removed from the capsule to prevent spillage and mess.