Abstract:
A cost effective device for storing a fluid material, and controlling the amount of fluid material that will be provided on an applicator for application to a particular surface is disclosed. The device is comprised of few parts including an outer housing having a first chamber and a second chamber, a fluid insert, an applicator, and an adjustment mechanism. This makes the device cheaper to manufacture, and easy to assemble. The embodiments disclosed can be provided in a pre-assembled form to cosmetic companies and the like seeking to fill a dispenser with their fluid cosmetic products.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/320,854 filed Apr. 5, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a fluid dispenser assembly that is capable of being easily assembled and dispensing predetermined amounts of fluid material. 
     Various types of dispensers for fluids are well known in the art. Dispensers typically comprise a cartridge for holding the fluid material, as well as a spray, pump, or plunger to dispense the fluid material out of the cartridge. Some dispensers have a spray pump attached to a pump line that runs through a cartridge containing fluid material, such as perfume. When the user depresses the spray pump, fluid material flows through the line to the spray, and then onto the desired medium. Other dispensers, such as those used for caulking, have a cartridge filled with caulk, and a trigger mechanism which causes a plunger in the cartridge to push the caulk out of the cartridge. 
     Various improvements have been made to overcome the shortcomings of such dispensers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,467,908 (“the &#39;908 Patent”), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a fluid dispenser that has few parts, can be readily assembled, and provides only a predetermined amount of fluid material. Nonetheless, improvements can still be made to a dispenser, such as the one disclosed in the &#39;908 Patent, to better tailor the fluid dispenser to a specific type of user application and to overcome shortcomings related to same. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed embodiments of fluid dispenser assemblies are designed to overcome the shortcoming of the prior art and provides improvements over such designs. In one aspect of the presently disclosed embodiments, there is a device for applying a predetermined amount of fluid material to an applicator that includes an outer housing, an adjustment mechanism, a pump, and an applicator. The outer housing may have a first chamber, a second chamber, an aperture at the second end, and a pump actuating surface between the first chamber and second chamber. An adjustment mechanism may also be constructed and arranged within the outer housing and associated with the aperture of the outer housing. The fluid insert houses fluid material. The fluid insert has a first end and a second end. A pump may be attached to the second end of the fluid insert. The applicator of the device may be insertable into the second chamber of the outer housing through the opening in the outer housing. Movement of the fluid insert relative to the outer housing causes the pump to abut the pump actuating surface of the outer housing and to discharge a predetermined amount of fluid material into the second chamber. The adjustment mechanism regulates the amount of fluid on the applicator by adjusting a relative size of the aperture so as to interfere with the applicator upon removal of the applicator from the second chamber. 
     In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanism may comprise an adjustment dial surrounding at least a portion of the outer housing. The adjustment dial may be positioned within at least a portion of the outer housing. The adjustment dial may be movable so as to regulate the size of the aperture of the outer housing. The adjustment dial may also include wiping edges for contacting the edges of the applicator. 
     In another embodiment, the adjustment mechanism may further comprises a grommet overlying the outer housing. The grommet may have an opening aligned with the opening in the outer housing. The grommet may be positioned between the adjustment dial and the outer housing. 
     In another embodiment, the adjustment dial may further comprise an opening aligned with the grommet, and at least a portion of the adjustment dial may be positioned within the opening of the grommet so as to adjust the size of both the opening of the grommet and the opening of the outer housing. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the first chamber of the outer housing is positioned adjacent the first end of the outer housing, and the second chamber is positioned adjacent the second end of the outer housing. 
     In another embodiment, the fluid insert is capable of being arranged within the first chamber of the outer housing. 
     In still another embodiment, the device further comprises a diaphragm for pushing fluid material in the fluid insert toward the pump positioned at the second end of the fluid insert. 
     Turning to another aspect of the presently disclosed embodiments, there is a device for applying a predetermined amount of fluid material to an applicator that includes a fluid insert for housing the fluid material, a pump a pump arranged at the second end of the fluid insert, an outer hosing having first and second interior chambers, an applicator insertable into the second chamber; and an adjustment mechanism for controlling the amount of fluid material that is on the applicator. The fluid insert may have a first end, a second end, and a protruding ridge arranged on an exterior of the fluid insert between the first end and the second end. One of the interior chambers of the housing receives the fluid insert therein. The outer housing may have a first end, a second end, a pump actuating surface positioned between the first and second ends, and an interior ridge arranged within the first chamber of the outer housing for securing the fluid insert therein when the protruding ridge of the fluid insert is positioned between the interior ridge of the outer housing and the second end of the outer housing. There may also be an adjustment mechanism for controlling the amount of fluid material that is on the applicator. The fluid insert may be constructed and arranged to be movable within the first chamber of the outer housing between a stationary position and an actuated position, the pump being in an extended position when the fluid insert is in the stationary position, and the pump being in a retracted position within the pump body as a result of the pump being in engagement with the pump actuating surface of the outer housing when the fluid insert is in the actuated position. The pump may be operative to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid material into the second chamber as the fluid insert is moved from the stationary position to the actuated position within the first chamber of the outer housing. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the first interior chamber of the outer housing is positioned adjacent the first end of the outer housing, and the second interior chamber is positioned adjacent the second end of the outer housing. 
     In another embodiment, the adjustment mechanism further comprises an adjustment dial overlying at least a portion of the first end of the outer housing. The adjustment dial may further includes wiping edges that can interfere with the applicator upon removal of the applicator from the second interior chamber, so as to regulate the amount of fluid material on the applicator. 
     In another embodiment, the adjustment mechanism further includes an opening and the outer housing includes an opening, wherein the opening of the adjustment mechanism and the opening of the outer housing are aligned. 
     In another embodiment, the opening of the outer housing is positioned at the second end of the outer housing. 
     In still another embodiment, the adjustment mechanism further comprises a grommet positioned between the outer housing and the wiper dial, the grommet having an opening aligned with an opening in the outer housing. The grommet and adjustment dial may cooperate to regulate the amount of fluid material on the applicator. At least a portion of the adjustment dial may be movable within the grommet, the at least a portion of the adjustment dial capable of increasing or decreasing the size of the opening of the grommet. 
     For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be performed, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Turning to another aspect of the presently disclosed embodiment, a device for dispensing a predetermined amount of fluid material to an applicator includes an outer housing having first and second ends, a first interior chamber, and a second interior chamber. The first interior chamber may be adjacent the first end, and the second interior chamber may be adjacent the second end. The first interior chamber includes a first ridge and a second ridge displaced from the second end, and a recessed portion positioned between the first and second ridges. There is also a fluid insert for housing fluid material. The fluid insert may have a raised ridge on a surface thereof, the fluid insert being constructed and arranged to fit within the first chamber of the outer housing so that the raised ridge can be arranged between the first and second ridges. The fluid insert may be movable from a first position to a second position within the outer housing to disperse fluid material into the second interior chamber. The fluid insert is in a first position when the raised band is adjacent to the first ridge of the fluid insert, and the fluid insert is in a second position when the raised band is adjacent to the second ridge of the fluid insert. There is also an adjustment mechanism for regulating the amount of fluid material that is provided on the applicator. The adjustment device may include an adjustment knob and a grommet, wherein the adjustment knob and grommet cooperate to regulate the size of the opening of the outer housing. The fluid insert may dispense a predetermined amount of fluid material contained in the fluid insert into the second interior chamber when the fluid insert moves from the first position to the second position. 
     In another embodiment, the applicator may be positioned within the first interior chamber. The applicator may be capable of applying the fluid material to a surface. 
     In another embodiment, the adjustment knob includes an opening that is aligned with an opening of the grommet. The adjustment knob may be capable of moving from a first position to a second position. A first length of the adjustment knob may be positioned within the opening of the grommet when the adjustment knob is in the first position. A second length of the adjustment knob may be positioned within the grommet when the knob is moved to a second position. The second length may be greater in size than the first length. The adjustment knob may therefore increase the size of the opening of the grommet when the adjustment knob moves from the first position to the second position. The adjustment knob may be rotated about the outer housing to move the adjustment knob from the first position to the second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a fluid dispenser assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the fluid dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of each of the individual components of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 5-5D  are views of the end cap of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6-6D  are views of the wiper dial of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7-7E  are views of the grommet of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8-8F  are views of the dispensing chamber of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9-9D  are views of the diaphragm of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10-10E  are views of the product container of  FIG. 2  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11A-11B  are views of the assembled fluid dispenser assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is another view of the assembled fluid dispenser assembly in accordance with  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A dispenser assembly  100  is shown in  FIG. 1  for dispensing predetermined amounts of fluid material and providing the user with greater control over the precise location the fluid material is to be dispensed. As shown, the dispenser assembly may have a generally cylindrical shape with curved edges, although the dispenser may take on a variety of alternate shapes that may be desired by a user, such as rectangular, triangular, etc. Some of the improvements made to the dispenser, as compared to prior art dispensers, includes the location that fluid material is stored and then dispensed from the outer casing, the ability of the user to more precisely apply the fluid material dispensed from the fluid dispenser, and the ability to help prevent clumping of materials on the applicator. 
     As will be discussed in more detail herein, fluid material housed within the fluid dispenser assembly can be expelled within the interior portion of the outer casing, or into the interior portion of the outer casing, such that the fluid material is not immediately exposed to the air exterior to the outer casing. This is in contrast to the &#39;908 Patent, wherein the fluid material is expelled through an opening at the end of the outer casing and immediately exposed to the air exterior to the outer casing. The presently disclosed embodiments also provide a separate applicator wand tip, as opposed to the prior art embodiments, wherein the applicator tip was integrally formed within the outer casing or formed at an end of the outer casing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the dispenser assembly may preferably be comprised of three primary components: an applicator  200 , an outer casing  300 , and a fluid insert  400 . Turning now to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of each of the three primary components of the dispenser assembly is shown. Turning first to the applicator  200 , the applicator includes an end cap  210 , as well as an applicator wand  212  having a brush  213  that further includes a cap connecting end  214  and an applicator tip end  216 . As best shown in  FIGS. 5-5D , the end cap  210  may include an exterior cap end  218  and an interior cap end  220 . The interior surface  222  of the end cap  210  may include grooves ( FIGS. 5A ,  5 C) extending around a portion of the interior surface adjacent the interior cap end  220 . The interior surface  222  of the end cap  210  may further include a channel  226  ( FIG. 5A ) that has a diameter large enough to receive the cap connecting end  214  ( FIG. 3 ) of the applicator wand  212 . When the applicator  200  is assembled together, the cap connecting end  214  of the applicator wand  212  can be secured within the channel  226  of the end cap  210 . The brush  213  may be a traditional form of a brush, such as a mascara brush, but other forms of brushes may be utilized. Additionally, instead of the brush  213 , the applicator wand  212  may take on numerous other forms that will aid in the application of a cosmetic, pharmaceutical cream, or the like to a surface, such as a sponge applicator. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the outer casing  300  of the fluid dispenser assembly  100  may includes, a wiper dial  302 , a grommet  304 , and a dispensing chamber  306 .  FIGS. 6-6D  illustrate an embodiment of the wiper dial  302  having a body  308  with an applicator end  310  and a grommet receiving end  312 . As shown in  FIGS. 6-6B , the outer surface  316  of the body  308  is generally curved and the interior surface  314 , also curved, may have grooves  316  formed therein. 
     An end cap connecting portion  318  of the wiper dial  302  may extend outwardly from the applicator end  310 . The end cap connecting portion  318  may have an exposed end  320  with an outer surface  322 . As best shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C , grooves  324  may be constructed and arranged to extend around the outer surface  322  of the end cap connecting portion  318  and to cooperate with the grooves  224  ( FIGS. 5A ,  5 C) on the interior surface  222  of the end cap  210  ( FIGS. 5A ,  5 C) of the applicator  200 . As best seen in  FIGS. 6B and 6D , the end cap connecting portion  318  of the wiper dial  302  may also extend into at least a portion of the body  308  of the wiper dial  302  and may terminate at a tapered end  326 . The tapered end  326  may form a preferably circular opening  328  with an edge  329  that can help to scrape away excess amounts of fluid material that may be deposited onto the applicator wand  212 , as will be discussed in more detail herein. The tapered end  326  has an outer surface  323 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7-7E , the grommet  304  of the outer casing  300  may have a generally circular body with a wiper dial receiving end  334  and a dispensing chamber receiving end  336 . As best shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7C , the grommet  304  may have a tapered wall  335  that tapers inwardly from the wiper dial receiving end  334  toward its dispensing chamber receiving end  336 . The tapered wall has a top surface  337  and a bottom surface  339 . The tapered wall  335  terminates in a preferably circular opening  340 , such that the grommet has a funnel-shaped entrance  343 . ( FIGS. 7A ,  7 C). The circular opening has an edge  347  that can scrape away excess material on an applicator wand. The interior surface  341  of the grommet  304  also preferably has grooves  338 . The grommet  304  is preferably formed from a flexible material, such as rubber, although other alternative materials known in the art, such as neoprene, silicones, or other flexible materials may be used. The grommet  304  is also preferably constructed and arranged to fit within the wiper dial and over the tapered end of the body of the dispensing chamber, as will be discussed herein. It is to be appreciated that any known types of grommets may be used, and that the grommet may take on alternate designs. For example, without limitation, the grommet may have a different shaped opening, such as rectangular, semi-circular, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-8F , details of the dispensing chamber  306  of the outer casing  300  are shown. The dispensing chamber  306  may be considered an outer housing that may include a body  307  having a grommet receiving end  342  and a fluid insert receiving end  344 . The body  307  may be generally hollow with an interior surface  346  and an exterior surface  348  that are generally cylindrical in shape. The dispensing chamber  306  has a first opening  317  at the fluid insert receiving end  344  and a second opening  319  at the grommet receiving end  342 . A pump actuating surface  350  ( FIG. 8B ) may be positioned between the fluid insert receiving end  344  and the grommet receiving end  342 , which may effectively divide the interior of the body  307  into two interior chambers: a first chamber  352  and a second chamber  354 . The first chamber  352  may preferably be located closer to the fluid insert receiving end  344  the second chamber  354  may be located closer to the grommet receiving end  342 . A raised circular wall  356  may extend away from the pump actuating surface  350  and an opening  358  extending through the pump actuating surface  350  may be used to expel fluid material onto the applicator wand ( FIG. 3 ). Although not required, the circular wall  356  can help to align the pump tip  412  of the pump  402  ( FIG. 3 ) with the opening  358  in the pump actuating surface  350 . 
     The interior of the dispensing chamber  306  may have various diameters. As best shown in  FIG. 8B , there is a pumping region  355  adjacent the fluid insert receiving end of the body  307 , which is preferably recessed. The pumping region  355 , which has a length X, has a diameter that is slightly larger than the remainder of the first chamber  352  of the outer casing and preferably larger than the second chamber  354  as well. The pumping region  355  may be defined as the area between the retaining ridge  343  ( FIGS. 8A ,  8 B) and inner ridge  362 . It is to be appreciated that the diameter of the first chamber  352  is also preferably larger than the diameter of the second chamber  352 , although not required. The diameter of the first chamber  354  need only be large enough to accommodate the fluid insert  400  which will be inserted therein, as described in more detail herein. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 8B and 8C , the grommet receiving end  342  of the body  307  of the dispensing chamber  306  includes grooves  360  extending around most of the exterior surface  348  ( FIG. 8B ) of the grommet receiving end  342 . The grooves  360  on the body  307  may be constructed and arranged to cooperate with the grooves  338  positioned on the grommet  304 . As best shown in  FIG. 8B , the retaining ridge  343  may extend around the interior surface of the body near the fluid insert end and the inner ridge  362  may extend around the interior surface a distance from the retaining ridge  343 . The inner ridge may result from the differing diameters of the pumping region  355  and the remainder of the first chamber  354 . As will be described herein, the retaining ridge  343  will help to secure the fluid insert within the outer casing and the inner ridge will prevent movement of the fluid insert  400  beyond the inner ridge  343  when the fluid insert is actuated. 
     To assemble the components of the outer casing  300  together, the grooves  338  on the interior surface  341  of the grommet  304  can be positioned over the grooves  360  extending around the exterior surface  348  of the body  307  of the dispensing chamber  306 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the grommet  304  is positioned over the grooves  338  of the body  307 , some grooves  360  on the body  307  remain exposed ( FIG. 4 ). The opening  340  of grommet  304  will also be aligned with the second opening  319  of the dispensing chamber  306 . 
     It is to be appreciated that although in this embodiment, some of the grooves  360  are utilized to facilitate attachment of the grommet  304  to the body  307 , any type of methods or devices for attaching the grommet may be used. For example, the grommet  304  and/or body  307  may be attached together using numerous alternatives. For example, without limitation, either the grommet  304  or body  307  or both may include any type of surface roughenings. Alternatively, no grooves or surface roughenings may be used, and the grommet may simply be adhered to the body  307  using an adhesive material or the like, or alternatively designed so that when the grommet  304  fits over the body  307 , it is readily secured to the body  307 . 
     When the grommet is attached to the body, the wiper dial  302  can then be positioned over the grommet  304  such that the grooves  324  on the wiper dial  302  cooperate with the one or more of the remaining exposed grooves  360  on the dispensing chamber  306 . The opening  335  of the wiper dial  302  will then be aligned with both the opening  340  of the grommet  304  and the second opening  319  of the dispensing chamber  307 . The outer surface  323  of the tapered end  326  of the wiper dial  302  may fit into and be adjacent the top surface  337  of the grommet. Once assembled, the wiper dial  302  may be securely attached to the body of the outer casing. As with respect to the grommet, the wiper dial  302  may be attached to the grommet and body  307  of the outer casing using alternative methods or devices. 
     Turning now to the third primary portion of the fluid dispenser assembly  100 , the fluid insert  400 ,  FIG. 3  illustrates that the fluid insert  400  may further include a pump  402 , a diaphragm  404 , and a product container  406 . As also shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the pump  402  of the fluid insert  400  includes a body  410  having an actuating end  413 , a pump tip  412 , a diaphragm receiving end  414  which can cooperate with the diaphragm  404 , and a spring  411  extending around the pump tip  412 . The pump  402  may alternatively be a standard pump with an internal check valve that is preferably capable of dispensing fluid materials of high viscosity such as those known in the art. For example, an EMSAR pump, PAV (A45) series having a 130 mcl microliter output may be utilized. It is to be appreciated that other types of pumps known in the art may also be used. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pump  402  is capable of pumping fluids having a fluid viscosity ranging from at least 500 cps to 700,000 cps, although a pump capable of pumping fluids having a much lower or much higher viscosity is also contemplated. In this particular embodiment, mascara may be contained within the fluid insert, although any type of fluid material may be utilized, such as, in one example, any type of pharmaceutical composition. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-9D , the diaphragm  404  of the fluid insert  400  is shown. The diaphragm  404  preferably has a generally cylindrical body with a first outer surface  420  ( FIG. 9A ) and a second outer surface  421  ( FIG. 9B ). A first flared end  422  projects from the edge  424  of the first outer surface  420  and a second flared end  428  projects outwardly from the edge  430  of the second outer surface  421 . As best shown in  FIGS. 9B and 9D , a projection  434  may extend from the second outer surface  421  of the diaphragm  404 . In this embodiment, the projection  434  is circular although in other embodiments, the shape of the projection  434  may vary. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-10E , the product container  406  of the fluid insert is shown having a fluid insert body  450  with an interior end  452  that has an opening and a free end  454 . The product container  406  preferably has a hollow inner chamber  456  capable of storing the desired fluid material to be dispensed. A raised band  458  positioned adjacent the free end  454  extends around the outer surface  460  of the product container  406 . The product container  406  preferably has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the body  307  of the outer casing  300 , such that the product container  406  can fit within the body  307 . In this embodiment, the desired fluid material is preferably provided into the interior end  452  of the free end  454  of the product container  406  prior to assembly of the pump  402 . However, it is to be appreciated that the product container  406  can alternatively be designed so that the fluid material can be instead provided through the free end  454 , such as providing a cap or the like adjacent the free end  454 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in order to assemble the fluid insert  400 , the diaphragm  404  is placed into the product container  406 , such that the second outer surface  421  (FIG.  FIG. 9B ) of the diaphragm  404  is facing the free end  454  of the product container  406  and the first outer surface  420  ( FIG. 9B ) of the diaphragm  404  is facing the interior end  452  of the product container  406 . When the diaphragm  404  is positioned within the product container  406 , the desired amount of fluid material can then be inserted into the product container  406 . Thereafter, the pump  402  can be inserted and preferably snapped into the interior end  452  of the product container  406 . The interior surface  456  of the product container  406  is essentially sealed when the pump  402  is set in place, to provide an airless chamber that will minimize unnecessary contamination of the fluid material and prolong the life of the fluid material within the product container  406 . 
     Once the applicator  200 , outer casing  300 , and fluid insert  400  are individually assembled, the overall dispenser assembly  100  simply requires that these components be assembled together as one unit. In this embodiment, the fluid insert  400  fits within the body  307  of the outer casing  300 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the interior end  452  of the product container of the fluid insert  400  will fit within the body  307  of the outer casing  300 . The pump tip  412  may preferably be aligned with the opening  358  on the pump actuating surface  350 , and more specifically positioned within the area created by the raised circular wall  356 . Once positioned within the outer casing  300 , the band  458  extending around the outer surface of the fluid insert  400  will be positioned just below the retaining ridge  343  of the outer casing  300  to secure the fluid insert  400  within the body  307  of the outer casing  300 . As shown, because the outer casing  300  includes pumping region  355 , it will be possible to actuate the pump, as discussed in more detail herein. 
     The applicator  200  can also be assembled to the outer casing  300 . The applicator wand  212  may first be inserted into the second chamber  354  of the body  307  of the outer casing  300 . The applicator wand  212  will effectively pass through the aligned openings of the wiper dial  302 , grommet  304 , and body  307  of the outer casing  300 . When the grooves  224  on the interior surface  322  of the end cap  210  are adjacent to the grooves  324  on the wiper dial  302  of the outer casing  300 , the end cap  200  can be turned so that the grooves on the end cap  210  engage with the grooves  324  on the wiper dial  302  of the outer casing  300  to secure the end cap  210  to the outer casing  300 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the applicator is secured to the outer casing, the tip  216  of the applicator wand  212  may extend into the opening  358  of the pump actuating surface  350  and may contact or be adjacent the pump tip  412 . The pump tip  412  will be prevented from misalignment with the opening  358  of the pump actuating surface  350  by the wall  356  extending around the opening  358 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4 , when it is desired to dispense fluid from the dispenser assembly  100 , a Force F can be applied to the free end  454  of the product container of fluid insert  400 . The pump tip  412  of the pump  402  of the fluid insert  400  will contact the pump actuating surface  350  of the outer casing  300  and cause the fluid insert  400  to move a short distance x ( FIG. 8B ) within the pumping region  355  of the outer casing  300 . The movement of the fluid insert  400  causes the pump tip  412  to be partially arranged within the body of the pump  402  and the pump spring  411  to be compressed. When the pump tip  412  is retracted into the pump  402 , fluid material is withdrawn from the fluid material contained in the body  410  of the pump  402  and expelled through the opening  358  in the pump actuating surface  350  of the outer casing  300 . The predetermined amount of fluid material will then pass onto the applicator wand  212  for eventual use by a user. When the fluid insert  400  is in its actuated or retracted position, the lower edge  457  of the band  458  ( FIG. 10A ) abuts the lower edge  362  ( FIG. 8B ) of the pumping region  355 . 
     When the Force F is released, the fluid insert  400  will return to its fully extended position, wherein the upper edge  459  of the band  458  ( FIG. 10A ) abuts the edge  345  ( FIG. 4 ) of retaining ridge  343  on the body  307  of the outer casing  300 . This is because the Force F that is transferred to the springs  411  is also released. This simultaneously causes the pump  402  to withdraw fluid material from the product container  406  of the fluid insert body  400  through small openings in the pump body  400  and to store it in the pump body  400  until another Force F is applied. It should be noted that although a user may continue to apply a Force F to the fluid insert  400 , no additional fluid material will be dispensed until the Force F is released, and a new Force F is applied. In this way, only predetermined amounts of fluid materials are dispensed at any one given time. 
     When the fluid material is expelled through the opening  358  of the pump actuating surface  350 , it deposits the fluid material into the second chamber  354  of the outer casing  300  and along at least a portion of the brush  213  on the applicator wand  212 , which in this embodiment can act as a mascara brush. When a user desires to then apply the fluid material to a surface, such as eyelashes, the end cap  200  is turned so that the grooves  224  on the applicator  200  will disengage with the grooves  324  on the wiper dial  302  of the outer casing  300 . As the applicator wand  212  is withdrawn from the second chamber  345  of the outer casing  300 , the bristles of the brush will wipe against the edge of the grommet to help distribute the fluid material uniformly across the brush and to ensure that only an appropriate amount of mascara is on the brush  213 . Once the user completes application of the mascara or fluid material, the end cap  200  can again be assembled within the outer casing  300 , such that the mascara brush is ready for the next distribution and application of fluid material. 
     It is to be appreciated that in one embodiment, the wiper dial  302  can be used to control the amount of fluid material that is removed or remains on the brush when the applicator  200  is removed from the outer casing  300 . With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 12 , when the fluid dispenser assembly is assembled, the outer surface  323  of the tapered end  326  of the wiper dial  302  is positioned adjacent the top surface  337  of the tapered wall  335  of the grommet  304 . The wiper dial  302  can be adjustably moved over the grommet  304  and along the grooves of the dispensing chamber  306 . Adjustment of the wiper dial  302  can cause the tapered end  326  of the wiper dial  302  to be moved further into or out of the funnel shaped opening  343  of the grommet  304  created by the tapered wall  335 . As the wiper dial  302  is adjusted so as to allow for the tapered end  326  of the wiper dial  302  to further extend into the entrance  343  of the grommet, the opening  340  of the grommet  304  will be enlarged, thereby increasing the size of the second opening  319  of the dispensing chamber  306  of the outer casing  300 . An enlarged opening  340  will allow the applicator brush  213  to more freely pass through the opening  340  of the grommet without contacting or minimally contacting the edges of the opening  340  of the grommet. This will allow more fluid material to remain on the applicator brush  213 . In contrast, when the wiper dial is adjusted so to cause the tapered end  326  of the wiper dial to retract, the diameter of the opening  340  of the grommet  302  (and the overall second opening  319  of the dispensing chamber) will also be reduced. The reduced openings will cause more contact between the applicator and edge of the grommet, such that less fluid material will remain on the applicator brush  213  as the applicator  200  is removed from the outer casing  300 . The wiper dial  302  can be adjusted such that if the tapered end of the wiper dial  302  is completely within the opening  335  of the grommet, the applicator brush  213  will contact the edges of the opening of the grommet  304 . 
     It is to be appreciated that as previously discussed, in this embodiment, the combination of the wiper dial  302  and grommet  304  act as an adjustment mechanism. They cooperate to regulate the size of the overall second opening  319  of the dispensing chamber  306 . It is to be therefore appreciated that there are numerous other arrangements for adjustment mechanisms that can be used to regulate the overall size of the second opening  319  of the dispensing chamber  306 . In alternative embodiments, the grommet  304  and wiper dial  302  may be constructed and arranged as a single unit that regulates the opening  319  of the dispensing chamber  306 . Similarly, other devices can be utilized that may function as an adjustment mechanism, that may include additional components. 
     The wiper dial  302  may alternatively include additional components that may help to further regulate the overall second opening  319  of the dispensing chamber  306 . For example, the wiper dial  302  may include a mechanism that will help a user to better control how much the wiper dial  302  can be adjusted at any one time. In one embodiment, the wiper dial  302  may include a ratcheting mechanism or the like to help incrementally adjust the size of the opening  340  of the grommet  304  and the second opening of the dispensing chamber  306 . 
     As the fluid material is expelled from the product container, the weight of the diaphragm  404  will cause the diaphragm  404  to push down upon the remaining fluid material in the product container  400  and to scrape the interior surface  453  of the hollow inner chamber  456  of the product container  400 , such that a sufficient amount of fluid material will always be positioned adjacent the pump  402 . The diaphragm  404  will continue to apply a force to the fluid material until the diaphragm  404  is directly adjacent the pump  402  and all of the fluid material within the product container is used. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. Although the presently disclosed embodiments are directed to a mascara dispensing device, it is to be understood that these dispensing devices may have a wide range of application, including, without limitation, other types of cosmetic or pharmaceutical dispensers. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.