Abstract:
The dispenser is of an ergonomic shape, provides for single hand use in the actuation of the dispenser and the application of substances to the skin, and can accommodate different application surfaces. The dispenser has a barrel closed at one end and an angled barrel extension at another end. The push button actuator to dispense the product is located in the barrel extension. On the upper end of the barrel extension is an applicator surface. This applicator surface can be microporous, porous or have separate distinct apertures. A gel, lotion or other semisolid liquid is stored in the barrel. Upon pressing the actuator the elevator rises upwardly with the gel, lotion or other semisolid liquid passing through conduits to the applicator surface. It then is applied to the skin. The pressing of the actuator causes a threaded rod to rotate which raises the elevational. By placing the actuator at a mid to upper part of the dispenser, the dispenser can be gripped with the thumb on the actuator and the other fingers passing behind the barrel of gripping. The actuator can be operated without changing the position of the dispenser in the hand

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part application under 35 U.S.C. 111 and 37 CFR 1.53(b) of prior applications U.S. Ser. No. 09/233,807 filed Nov. 4, 1998, now abandoned which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/168,144 filed on Oct. 7, 1998, now abandoned entitled Applicator For Flowable Substances and U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/082,390 filed Jan. 21, 1998 entitled Dispenser, all of which applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a cosmetic dispenser that has improved ergonomic characteristics and which is easier to operate. More particularly, this invention relates to a cosmetic dispenser that has an upper application portion that is at an angle to the lower handle portion and which has an actuator that is located adjacent the angled applicator portion. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cosmetic dispensers which include dispensers for deodorants, antiperspirants, lipstick, lip balm, mascara and related products have a generally linear form. These dispensers range from round, to oval, to having a rectangular contour. In the deodorant/antiperspirant area the dispensers presently are oval in shape or have a rectangular contour. Illustrative of such dispensers are the dispensers of U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,496, U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,212 and U.S. Design Pat. No. 379,927. These are very useful dispensers and provide ease in the application of the deodorant/antiperspirant product. However, there is a continuing need for dispensers that are easier to hold and to use. 
     The problem is to improve the ergonomics of the dispenser. Also, it is desired to improve the application of the contained product onto a person&#39;s skin. This entails the structure of the applicator surface of the dispenser and the shape of this applicator surface. Further, in the ejection of the contained product there is a need to improve the location of the dispenser actuator to improve the ergonomics of the dispenser. In particular, it would be useful to have single hand actuation of the dispenser during use in contrast to two hand actuation and then a subsequent use. Present dispensers require a holding in one hand and a rotating of a knob at the bottom of the dispenser, or the pressing of an actuator button at the bottom of the dispenser by the other hand. This is not a highly desirable way to use an applicator. 
     The present dispenser solves these and other problems. It has improved ergonomics. It is easier to hold . The applicator surface is at an angle to the dispenser body improving ease of use. The applicator surface is of an improved structure. Further, the dispenser actuator is moved to a point intermediate the ends thereby providing for single hand use. The dispenser can be actuated by a person&#39;s thumb while being gripped by the other four fingers. A person&#39;s thumb can rotate a knob or depress an actuator. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a cosmetic dispenser that has improved ergonomics. The dispenser is easier to hold, to actuate and to apply a cosmetic product to a person&#39;s skin. The dispenser comprises a barrel of a generally oval shape. Extending upwardly from the barrel, and at an angle from the vertical (longitudinal) axis of the barrel is an applicator. The cosmetic product to be dispensed is stored in the barrel and dispensed onto a person&#39;s skin by the applicator. 
     Intermediate to the ends of the dispenser there is an actuator. The actuator upon being depressed or rotated causes the product contained in the barrel to be dispensed. In a preferred embodiment the actuator is located at about the junction of the barrel and the applicator. At this location the dispenser can be gripped with four fingers around the barrel and with the thumb available to rotate or depress the actuator. 
     The applicator surface for applying a cosmetic product such as a deodorant or antiperspirant onto one&#39;s skin can have various structures and shapes. The shape can be oval, a rectangular contour, generally triangular or of many other shapes. The surface of the applicator can be microporous to generally porous to a series of apertures of a relatively large diameter. A microporous structure can be a microporous polymer. A generally porous structure can be a woven or nonwoven mesh fabric. A nonwoven mesh fabric can be an extruded material with a plurality of apertures or can be a layer of random arrayed fibers. Regardless of the applicator surface, the dispenser shape provides for an added ease of handling. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front exploded view of the cosmetic dispenser of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side exploded view of the dispenser of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a front-sectional view of the cosmetic dispenser of FIG. 1 with the front wall removed. 
     FIG. 4 is a side-sectional view of the cosmetic dispenser of FIG. 1 with the side wall removed. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the barrel extension of the applicator of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the dispenser. 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view in cross-section of an embodiment of the dispenser with an actuator at a lower portion. 
     FIG. 9 is a side elevational view in cross-section of an embodiment of the dispenser with a rotating knob actuator. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The cosmetic dispensers of the present invention have a new ergonomic shape for ease in gripping, actuation and use. This includes having the actuator in an upper part of the dispenser rather than at the base of the dispenser. In this way the dispenser can be held in one hand and actuated and used without changing the position in the hand. With the actuator at an upper part of the dispenser, the thumb can actuate the dispenser while also gripping the dispenser. The remaining four fingers traverse the rear surface of the dispenser and form the other part of the grip. The dispenser is gripped between the thumb and the remaining four fingers. The angled structure of the dispenser makes it easier to apply the contained products to the underarm area and other body areas. 
     FIG. 1 is a front exploded view of the cosmetic dispenser  10 . The cosmetic dispenser, which is particularly adapted for the application deodorants and antiperspirants, is comprised of the main parts of a barrel  12 , barrel extension  14 , applicator  18  and closure  20 . The barrel  12  is closed by lower cover  16  which is held onto the barrel as a snap fit over ridge  11 . The piston elevator  22 , i.e. viscous liquid holder, rides in barrel  12  with the cosmetic material to be dispensed located above this piston elevator. In this view the piston elevator has a sealing ring  24 . This sealing ring prevents the cosmetic material from flowing downwardly around the piston elevator. 
     On the upper part of the barrel are conduits  27  for flowing the cosmetic up into the conduits  32  in the barrel extension. Tabs  25  are guide tabs for aligning the barrel and the barrel extension. The barrel extension has the actuator for rotating the rod  40  which has a lower threaded screw  42  and an upper gear  44 . The recess area  43  is for rotatably locking the rod  40  in barrel extension  14 . The lower threaded portion  42  is threaded onto piston elevator  22  through threaded orifice  26 . 
     The applicator  18  holds the distributor  46 . The cosmetic flows from conduits  32  into conduits  48  in the distributor to the distributor top surface  47 . Closing the top surface of the distributor is applicator surface  50 . The applicator surface can be a microporous material to a porous mesh fabric material. The applicator is closed by closure  20 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a side exploded view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 This view shows the same parts of FIG. 1 but with the actuator shown in more detail. The actuator has an inwardly extending leaf spring  31 . The barrel  12  has closure  16  at one end and barrel extension  14  at the other end. Piston elevator  22  rides in barrel  12  and responds to the rotation of rod  40  upon which it is threaded. The actuator  30  rotates gear  44  of the rod which raises the piston elevator to dispense product into distributor  46  and through the applicator surface  50 . 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled dispenser along a plane parallel to the major axis of the dispenser. The cap  16  is snap fitted onto the barrel  12  at ridge  11 . The barrel extension is snap fitted onto the top of the barrel. The rod  40  is shown in a rotatable relationship with upper wall  17  of the barrel. Conduits  32  will flow cosmetic material from the interior of barrel  12  upon rotation of rod  40  and the upward movement of the piston elevator to interfitting conduits  48  of the distributor. The cosmetic material passes up to the surface below applicator surface  50 . This structure is shown in FIG. 4 in a cross-sectional view of the assembled dispenser in a plane parallel to the minor axis. The parts have been described with regard to the prior figures. Additionally, in this view the angle of the dispenser is shown in more detail and the angle x is an angle of about 5° to 75° and preferably about 10° to 50° to the vertical, i.e. longitudinal, axis of the barrel. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser. This view shows an alternative embodiment for the piston elevator and for the distributor. The piston elevator is shown with two piston seals  24 . There is an upper and lower seal with a concave region between these two seals. The distributor is shown with two distribution channels  49 . 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the cosmetic dispenser of FIG. 1 showing the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is comprised of the actuator  30  with a leaf spring  31  extending from each end of the actuator. A drive arm  33  extends from the actuator and contacts gear  44  of rod  40 . When the button is depressed, the drive rod moves the gear counterclockwise which moves the threaded piston elevator upward. The locking rod  35  prevents the gear  44  from reversing and backing off. After the actuator has been depressed the leaf springs  31  return the actuator to its original position. 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the dispenser fully assembled. By grasping the barrel  12  with the thumb on the front adjacent the actuator on the barrel extension and the other four fingers on the rear surface of the barrel, the dispenser can be handled and used using a single hand. The shape of the dispenser and the location of the actuator provides for improved ergonomics for the dispenser. 
     In FIG. 8 there is the embodiment of the dispenser with the actuator mechanism located at the base of the dispenser unit rather than in the region of angle. Dispenser  60  has a barrel  62  for containing the cosmetic to be dispensed. The lower section  64  contains the actuator mechanism to raise piston elevator  74 , i.e. viscous liquid holder, to dispense the product contained in the barrel. The barrel  62  is closed on the upper end by angled barrel extension  66 . An applicator surface  70 , such as a dispensing screen is mounted onto the applicator section  68 . The product flows to the applicator section  68  by means of conduit  72 . There can be more than one conduit. 
     The product in barrel  62  is flowed through conduit  72  when piston elevator  74  is raised upwardly on threaded rod  76 . The rotation of threaded rod  76  causes threadedly engaged piston elevator  74  to move upwardly on threaded rod  76  . A seal ring  75  provides a seal of the piston elevator to the barrel  62  . 
     The threaded rod  76  is rotated by means of actuator button  78 . When the actuator button is depressed drive rod  79  contacts gear  77 , rotating this gear, and thus, rod  76  which is connected to this gear. The angle of the barrel extension  66  aids in the application of a product to a skin surface. This angle can be the same as or similar to that of the dispenser of FIG.  1 . 
     In FIG. 9 there is shown a further embodiment of the dispenser. In this embodiment the dispensing of product is by means of rotating an actuator knob in the base of the dispenser. The dispenser  80  has barrel  82 , angled barrel extension  86  and applicator  88  which has an applicator screen  90 . The product to be dispensed flows from barrel  82  through conduit  92  to the applicator and screen  90 . Located in barrel  82  is piston elevator  94 , i.e. the viscous liquid holder. The piston elevator is sealed in barrel  82  by means of seal ring  95  on piston elevator  94 . The piston elevator threadedly engages threaded rod  96  which is rotated by means of knob  84 . Upon the rotation of knob  84  threaded rod  96  rotates and piston elevator  94  rises in barrel  82 . The product in barrel  82  then flows through conduit  92  to the screen  90  whereupon it can be applied to a surface, such as a skin surface. The angle of the barrel extension will be the same as or similar to that of the dispenser of FIG.  1 . 
     The applicator surfaces  50 ,  70  and  90  of the dispenser applicator  18  can be a microporous material through to porous mesh materials. A typical porous material can be a material that is marketed under the Porex® trademark. This is a microporous material of random interconnecting channels of a varying pore diameter. It is a porous polyene that usually is molded in the form in which it is to be used. The porous materials will be a woven or nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabrics can be a layer of randomly arrayed fibers or it can be an extruded film with apertures of a given size and array. 
     If a woven fabric the fabric can be of any of the three basic weaves. These are the plain, twill or satin weaves. If a plain weave this can be a regular plain weave, oxford weave, lousine weave, 2×2 basket weave, 3×2 basket weave, 3×3 basket weave, 4×4 basket weave, 4×5 basket weave, 3×5 basket weave and an 8×8 basket weave. In addition the fabric can be of a rip stop parachute type. In this type of weave there is an intermittent weave to stop any rips in the fabric. The twill fabrics can be a 2/1 right hand twill, a 1/2 right hand twill, a 2/2 right hand twill, a 3/1 right hand twill, a 3/1 45° right hand twill. The satin fabrics can be a 4 harness satin (i.e. crowfoot), 5 harness satin, 6 harness satin, a 7 harness satin or an 8 harness satin. These are all forms in which the fibers are interlaced in the warp and fill directions. The warp threads usually are called ends while the filling threads are called picks. The edges of the fabric are the selvage. 
     The construction of a woven fabric is given as ends x picks per inch. The weave can be balanced where there is the same number of threads in the warp direction and in the filling direction. In an unbalanced weave there will be more threads either in the warp direction or in the filling direction. 
     The tightness for a fabric can be calculated by the formula:          Weave                 Texture     =       ends                 per                 repeat         inch                 per                 repeat     +   interlacings                              
     This same formula can be used to calculate the maximum cover for a fabric. 
     Also of importance is the denier of the threads. Denier is the weight in grams for 9000 meters of a thread. A low denier indicates a fine, relatively narrow cross-section thread. A higher specific gravity material at a given denier will have a smaller cross-section than a lower specific gravity material at that same denier. 
     There are many variables in the selection of a woven fabric. By the selection of the weave style, fabric tightness, fiber material, fiber structure and fiber denier, the texture of the fabric can be changed. The skin feel can range from smooth to rough. By calendaring or similarly treating the fabric, the surface of the fabric can be modified to produce a smoother texture and skin feel. The skin feel and the application also can be adjusted by the tension on the fabric in its attachment to the applicator frame. The flexibility of the fabric can be modified. Also, the fabric can be supported or unsupported. If supported, it can be supported along the major axis and/or along the minor axis, assuming the usual oval shape of an applicator surface. If the applicator is round, it can be supported by means of one or more diametric supports. 
     If the fabric is non-woven, it can be an extruded film that by its structure is porous, or is a solid film which is perforated to make it porous. In addition, a non-woven fabric can be comprised of a plurality of short length fibers that are laid down in a random array and then selectively bonded together adhesively or by heat bonding. The former extruded apertured films can be produced by the processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,794 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,962. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,794 a sheet of thermoplastic film is extruded to a thickness of about 0.5 to 20 mils. One side of the film is provided with about 4 to 60 grooves per centimeter and the other side a set of grooves at an acute angle of 15° and 75° . The embossing rolls that have the patterns are at a pressure of about 4 to 120 pounds per linear centimeter. The result is a film with oval apertures. The film then can be uniaxially oriented in the machine or cross direction from about 50% to 500%, or sequentially biaxially oriented in the machine direction and cross direction up to about 600%. In the alternative the extruded and apertured film can be heat treated to increase the size of the apertures. 
     In the processes of U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,962 a thermoplastic film is extruded with the extruded film passed between a patterned nip roll and a smooth roll. The patterned nip roll has a plurality of raised projections with a sharp distal end. These sharp raised projections from the apertures in the film. The apertured film then can be uniaxially oriented in the machine or cross direction or biaxially oriented in both the machine direction and cross direction. The apertures will be of the shape and size of the distal end of the raised projections. The apertures also will be in a consistent repeating pattern. These extruded films are a class of non-woven fabrics for the purposes of this invention. 
     The extruded film also can be produced in the form of a sheet or in a plurality of strands. When extruded in the form of strands, these strands are in a sheet in a helical type of pattern. This also is known as a biplanar netting. The film that is produced in the form of helical strands can have 7 to 40 strands per 2.54 cm, be in a width of 30.48 cm to 152.4 cm and a thickness of 0.033 cm to 0.20 cm. The apertures can be in a size range of 100 to 500 micron and larger. The open area of the extruded strand type film can range from about 4% to 25% or more. Larger openings will provide a greater open area. Useful non-woven netting products are the Naltex®) products of Nalle Plastics, Inc. 
     The other parts of the cosmetic dispenser can be made using any injection moldable plastics. The preferred plastics are polyenes such as polyethylene and polypropylene and ABS (alkylbutylstyrene) polymers. Injection molding is a relatively inexpensive process and the polyene and ABS polymers are likewise of a relatively low cost.