Abstract:
A penpoint-like liquid distributor to be installed onto a container includes a receiving element, a propping element, a positioning element, a pen tube and a pen tip. The propping element has a cone that is flexibly pushing against the pen tube and closely fitting the positioning element. In non-use, a feeding portion provided on the pen tube is isolated from the container; however, when a user applies a force to the pen tube, the pen tube retreats inward and pushes the cone away from the positioning element so as to intercommunicate the feeding portion with the container. Thus, a liquid cosmetic product contained in the container is allowed to flow out through and then discharge from the pen tube. Therefore, the pen tube will not be polluted or blocked by the liquid cosmetic product accidentally.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to liquid distributing apparatuses, and more particularly, to a penpoint-like liquid distributor to be mounted on a liquid container for distributing a liquid cosmetic product stored in the container in a smooth and controlled manner without overflowing, polluting or clogging the liquid distributor. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The conventional cosmetic containers such as a nail art pen may include a container for accommodating a liquid cosmetic product and a penpoint-like liquid distributor for delivering the liquid cosmetic product in a controlled manner. The existing penpoint-like liquid distributors include those headed with a fiber brush and those headed with a ball-point mechanism for distributing liquid cosmetics. When a container adopting any of said prior-art devices is unintentionally pressed by an external force, which is a case that often occurs in a lady&#39;s purse, the liquid cosmetic product it contains may be squeezed out and pollute the surrounding of the container. Furthermore, after the overflow is dried, the liquid distributor may be blocked and fail to provide further liquid distribution. 
     A cap is therefore provided for preventing such overflow and blockage. Nevertheless, for easily uncapping the liquid distributer, the firm combination between the cap and the liquid distributer is usually compromised. As a result, such a cap is likely to coming off and thus is inefficient for the intended purpose. 
     Besides, since the existing penpoint-like liquid distributors are mostly designed to provide a single, fixed stroke width, the painted stroke of liquid cosmetics is constant and lacks for change. For creating vivid painting, plural liquid distributors of different stroke width have to be prepared, thus increasing inconvenience and expense. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the shortcomings of the prior-art devices, the present invention provides a penpoint-like liquid distributor to be installed to a container for distributing a liquid cosmetic product contained in the container with the attempt to improve liquid distribution. 
     For fulfilling the above goals, by referring to the drawings, the present invention involves a penpoint-like liquid distributor having at least a receiving element, a propping element, a positioning element, a pen tube and a pen tip. 
     The receiving element is a hollow pipe-like object and has a receiving space formed therein. The receiving element has one end formed with a connecting portion for mounting with the inner rim of an opening of a container and the other end opposite to the end terminated with a through hole, wherein at least one slot is provided on a wall of the receiving element surrounding the through hole for intercommunicating the receiving element with the inside of the container. 
     The propping element is in a shape approximate to a rod and is movably extendable and retreatable in the receiving space of the receiving element. The propping element is movably provided in the receiving element and has one end to be slidably penetrated into the through hole and the other end opposite to the end formed with a cone. Therein, a resilient element is disposed between the receiving element and the propping element. 
     The positioning element has an axial hole axially provided at its center, and the positioning element has one end formed with a mounting portion for movably engaging with the inner rim of the connecting portion and the other end opposite to the end provided with a plurality of non-closed flexible grooves. 
     The pen tube is a hollow tube having one end formed with a feeding portion and the other end opposite to the end formed with a pen nib. Therein, the feeding portion is flexibly pushed by the propping element. 
     The pen tip is a funnel-like cylinder having one end formed with a screwing portion that has a thread at inner side thereof for screwing with the outer rim of the opening of the container and for containing the receiving element and the positioning element therein. A passage is provided in the pen tip for allowing the pen tube to penetrate therethrough and exposing the pen nib outside. 
     The implementation of the present invention can achieve at least following objectives. 
     The primary objective of the present invention is to provide the feeding portion flexibly pushed by the resilient element and retreated inward the axial hole. When non-use or in storage, the feeding portion is not intercommunicating with the container so that preventing the liquid cosmetic product from flowing into the feeding portion. The cone is engaged with the axial hole and effectively preventing the liquid cosmetic product from flowing into the pen tube. Therefore, even when an external force acting on the container, the liquid cosmetic product will not overflow or spill accidentally, thus avoiding a pollution or waste of the liquid cosmetic product, or a blockage to the pen tube. 
     The present invention is to offer a solution to a user that when the pen nib is pressed against a surface to be worked, the pen tube is propped and pressed against the cone of the propping element, and then the pen tube and the propping element are retreated inward the axial hole, thereby intercommunicating the feeding portion of the pen tube and the container. At then, the feeding portion of the pen tube intercommunicates with the container thus allowing the liquid cosmetic product to flow into the pen tube and discharge from the pen nib. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the pen tube that is a hollow tube having the pen nib shaped as a cone and having more than one non-closed discharging grooves provided on the surface of the pen nib. Therefore, the pen tube is simple in structure and not easily blocked. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the penpoint-like liquid distributor combining the pen tube made of a plastic material with the cone design of the pen nib for preventing hurting the surface to be worked. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the container made of a plastic material, which is flexible and supple. The user can apply or paint with makeup products in diverse degrees of line that resulting in many stroke variants through the one-size pen tube by virtue of placing different magnitude of the strength on the container for controlling the flow of the liquid cosmetic product discharging from the pen tube and the design of the discharging grooves. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a penpoint-like liquid distributor according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an applied view of the penpoint-like liquid distributor in the present invention when adopted by a dual-head painter; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the penpoint-like liquid distributor in the present invention showing that the penpoint-like liquid distributor is to be mounted onto the painter; 
         FIG. 4  is another cross-sectional view of the penpoint-like liquid distributor in the present invention showing that the penpoint-like liquid distributor is mounted with and closed at the painter; and 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the penpoint-like liquid distributor in the present invention showing a motion explaining how the liquid cosmetic product flows into the painter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For the convenience of explaining the concept of subject matter in the present invention, herein a preferred embodiment is disclosed. It is noted that all objects contained in the embodiment are described in an appropriate ratio, scale, deformation or displacement quantities applicable to the scope of explanation purpose rather than the ratio of any actual elements of the present invention. 
     The object of the present invention is to provide a penpoint-like liquid distributor applicable to most containers for liquid cosmetics. As for functions provided by said penpoint-like liquid distributor adopted in the containers are detailed in the following paragraphs by referring to accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. As depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , according to the present invention, a penpoint-like liquid distributor applicable to a container for liquid cosmetics comprises a receiving element  10 , a propping element  20 , a positioning element  30 , a pen tube  40  and a pen tip  50 . 
     The receiving element  10  is a hollow pipe-like object and has a receiving space  11  formed therein. The receiving element  10  has one end formed with a connecting portion  12  for combining with the inner rim of an opening of a container  60 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , and the other end opposite to the end terminated with a through hole  13  wherein at least one slot  14  is provided on a wall of the receiving element  10  surrounding the through hole  13  for intercommunicating the receiving element  10  with the inside of the container  60 . 
     The propping element  20  is in a shape approximate to a rod and is configured to extend or retreat in the receiving space  11  of the receiving element  10 . The propping element  20  has one end slidably penetrated into the through hole  13  and the other end opposite to the end formed with a cone  21 . Therein, a resilient element  22  such as a spring is sleeved around the propping element  20  and disposed between the receiving element  10  and the propping element  20 , and the resilient element  22  has one end pressing against the cone  21  and the other end opposite to the end pressing against the wall of the receiving element  10  surrounding the through hole  13 , so that the propping element  20  is allowed to flexibly extend or retreat in the receiving space  11 . 
     The positioning element  30  has an axial hole  31  axially provided at its center, and the positioning element  30  has one end formed with a mounting portion  32  for movably engaging with the inner rim of the connecting portion  12  and the other end opposite to the end provided with a plurality of non-closed flexible grooves  33 , wherein the axial hole  31  has an opening formed atop the flexible grooves  33 . The positioning element  30  is dented with an arc recess axially aligned with the opening for matching up with the cone  21 . 
     The pen tube  40  is a hollow tube having one end that is received in the axial hole  31  of the positioning element  30  and formed with a feeding portion  41 , and the other end opposite to the end formed with a pen nib  42 . Therein, the feeding portion  41  has a plurality of feeding holes  411  for intercommunicating the container  60  with the pen tube  40 , while the pen nib  42  is shaped as a cone and has more than one non-closed discharging grooves  421  on the surface thereof for intercommunicating the pen tube  40  with the pen nib  42 , thus allowing the liquid cosmetic product in the container  60  to flow through the pen tube  40  and then get into the pen nib  42 . 
     The pen tip  50  is a funnel-like cylinder having one end formed with a screwing portion  51  that has threads at inner side thereof for screwing with the outer rim of the opening of the container  60  and for containing the receiving element  10  and the positioning element  30  therein. A passage  52  is provided in the pen tip  50  for allowing the pen tube  40  to penetrate therethrough and thereby exposing the pen nib  42 . The pen tip  50  has the other end opposite to the end formed with a fixing portion  53  facing the positioning element  30  and being gradually contracted in its diameter toward the passage  52  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The pen tip  50  is covered by a cap  70  as shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein the cap  70  is made of a soft and supple material, such as elastomer, to be contacted with the pen tube  40  so as to close the pen tube  40  and the cap  70  in an airtight manner. 
     Basing on the structure given above, the operation of the present invention and the principles on which the operation is established are explained in detail below. 
       FIG. 2  is an applied view of the penpoint-like liquid distributor in the present invention when adopted by a dual-head painter. The painter consists of two containers  60  and two penpoint-like liquid distributors respectively provided at two opposite ends thereof. The two containers  60  are capable of connecting with each other by virtue of a retaining ring  61  or other fastening means, thus allowing a user to handle various cosmetic products in a single grasp. Each of the penpoint-like liquid distributors is protected by a cap  70 . 
     As indicated in  FIG. 3 , to fabricate the penpoint-like liquid distributor, the receiving element  10 , the propping element  20 , the positioning element  30  and the pen tube  40  are assembled in order, and then the assembly is combined with the inner rim of the opening of the container  60 . Afterward, the pen tip  50  is secured within the container  60  through the screwing portion  51 . When the screwing portion  51  is screwed onto the container  60 , the fixing portion  53  having the tapered structure is gradually pressing toward the axial hole  31  of the positioning element  30 . In the meantime, the axial hole  31  is gradually compressed and contracted in virtue of the flexible grooves  33  and then placing a flexible retaining force, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , to the pen tube  40  to such an extent that the pen tube  40  is driven to slide inward, thus avoiding the pen tube  40  from loosing off. 
     As presented in  FIG. 4 , the cone  21  has its diameter gradually enlarged from the axial hole  31  toward the through hole  13 . The cone  21  is, at where its smallest diameter is, smaller than the diameter of the axial hole  31 , and is, at where its greatest diameter is, larger than the diameter of the axial hole  31 . On the strength of the resilient element  22 , the cone  21  closely fits an opening of the axial hole  31  at the mounting portion  32  while the feeding portion  41  of the pen tube  40  is pushed by the resilient element  22  and retreated inward the axial hole  31 , thereby not intercommunicating the pen tube  40  and the container  60 . Thus, in non-use or in storage, the feeding portion  41  of the pen tube  40  is not intercommunicating with the container  60  so as to prevent the liquid cosmetic product from flowing into the feeding portion  41 . Even in case of an external force applied to the container  60 , the liquid cosmetic product will not overflow or spill accidentally, thus avoiding a pollution or waste of the liquid cosmetic product, or a blockage to the pen tube  40 . 
     By referring to  FIG. 5 , when utilizing the painter employing the disclosed penpoint-like liquid distributor, the user holds the painter or the container  60  and contacts the pen nib  42  to a surface to be painted, so that a force is applied to the pen tube  40  to push forward the cone  21  of the propping element  20 . The pen tube  40  and the propping element  20  are pushed and flexibly retreated inward so as to allow the feeding portion  41  to intercommunicate with the container  60  and in turn allow the liquid cosmetic product to flow out from the container  60 , pass through the feeding holes  411 , and then get into the pen tube  40  so as to be discharged from the discharging grooves  421  and applied to the surface. 
     As described above, the pen tube  40  is a hollow tube having the pen nib  42  shaped as a cone and the discharging grooves  421  on the surface of the pen nib  42  for intercommunicating the pen tube  40  with the pen nib  42 , thus preventing the liquid cosmetic product from blocking the pen tube  40 . Furthermore, in combination of the pen tube  40  which is in simple structure and made of a plastic material with the cone design of the pen nib  42 , the painter is allowed to have a direct contact with the user&#39;s skin for applying or painting cosmetic products without hurting the skin. 
     In addition, the container  60  is usually made of a plastic material, which is flexible and supple. The user can apply or paint with cosmetic products in diverse widthes of line that resulting in many stroke variants through the one-size pen tube  40  by virtue of placing different magnitude of the strength on the container  60  for controlling the flow of the liquid cosmetic product discharging from the pen tube  40  and the design of the discharging grooves  421 . 
     Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention rather than limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.