Abstract:
A case for cosmetics, wherein, upon fastening up/down through rotation, an outer cap automatically opens/closes a dispensing hole of a cosmetic liquid dispenser to regulate a supply of cosmetic liquid to an applicator, thereby preventing unnecessary leakage of the cosmetic liquid and, even upon long-term use, preventing malfunction of the cosmetic liquid dispenser while simplifying the opening/closing structure of the dispensing hole thereof, and maximizing the reliability of use by ensuring the smooth supply of the cosmetic liquid.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates, in general, to a case for cosmetics in which a cosmetic liquid dispenser and an applicator are coupled onto a tubular case body so that they are protected by an outer cap to be screwed thereto and, more particularly, to a case for cosmetics, wherein upon fastening up/down through rotation, an outer cap automatically opens/closes a dispensing hole of a cosmetic liquid dispenser to regulate a supply of cosmetic liquid to an applicator, thereby preventing unnecessary leakage of the cosmetic liquid and, even upon long-term use, preventing malfunction of the cosmetic liquid dispenser while simplifying an opening/closing structure of the dispensing hole thereof, and maximizing the reliability of use through smooth supply of the cosmetic liquid. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Generally, sticky cosmetics, like cream, among liquefied cosmetics are contained in a tubular case body made from a soft material, and are used by squeezing them out of a cosmetic liquid dispenser, which is coupled to the case body, through forced pressing of the case body. 
         [0005]    This makes it possible to use the cosmetic liquid without applying it to one&#39;s hands. For further enhancement of convenience, a separate cosmetic liquid dispenser is provided in front of the case body so as to dispense the cosmetic liquid toward an applicator coupled thereto, so that a user can apply the cosmetic to his/her face using the applicator. 
         [0006]    Thus, such a case for liquefied cosmetics is used such that the makeup is carried out using the applicator which is to be applied with the cosmetic liquid via the cosmetic liquid dispenser by pressing the case body with the outer cap in an open state. 
         [0007]    However, since the liquefied cosmetics have fluidity, even when not in use, the cosmetic liquid in the case body leaks outside through the cosmetic liquid dispenser, thereby being wasted. Further, in the case where no sealing function is provided, volatile components are volatilized so as to accelerate curing of the cosmetics, thus shortening the lifetime thereof. 
         [0008]    Therefore, many technologies have been proposed for preventing unnecessary dispensing of the cosmetic liquid by opening the dispensing hole of the cosmetic liquid dispenser merely by detaching the outer cap. 
         [0009]    Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-436166 has, for example, disclosed a case for cosmetics in which a support coupled with a painting brush is resiliently supported by a lower resilient piece and a compressing spring on an inner cap coupled onto a case body, so that the support is resiliently moved upward to open a dispensing hole of the inner cap to supply the cosmetic liquid, depending upon opening/closing operations of an outer cap coupled onto the case body. 
         [0010]    Here, the opening/closing of the dispensing hole below the support is carried out through the insertion/separation of an opening/closing valve into/from the dispensing hole. 
         [0011]    However, such conventional technologies need a plurality of parts and are complicated to assemble, increasing the manufacturing cost. 
         [0012]    In particular, since the support resiliently operates with the resilient piece and the compressing spring below the support, there is a problem in that a malfunction occurs in the opening/closing of the dispensing hole through weakened resilient movement of the support due to deterioration in performance of the resilient piece and the compressing spring for reasons of repetitive use and long-time use. 
         [0013]    Further, there is a problem in that it is difficult to open/close due to the occurrence of deformation in the opening/closing valve or other members, which may be caused from long-time repetitive operations, such as separation and insertion of the valve from/into the dispensing hole in the cosmetic liquid dispenser. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, since the dispensing space of the cosmetic liquid is formed by a gap in the outer periphery of the opening/closing valve upon the opening operation of the support, the smooth dispensation of the cosmetic liquid is impeded, thus being inconvenient to use. 
         [0015]    As another example, a case for cosmetics has been disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2006-74820, in which a dispenser coupled with an applicator is engaged with an upper portion of the case so as to be movable up and down, such that a pressing step on the outer periphery of the dispenser is assembled with and supported by an inner engaging ring of a cap so that the dispenser moves upward to open through separation of the cap from the case. 
         [0016]    However, such a conventional case for cosmetics has a problem in that the support structure between the cap and the inner engaging ring of the support may be weakened upon long-term use, thus causing a malfunction in the operation of moving up the dispenser. 
         [0017]    Further, there is a problem in that, if the dispenser returns down to its original position during use, the dispenser returns again to a closed state, so that it cannot supply the cosmetic liquid. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, since, even when the dispenser is in an open state, the dispensing path of the cosmetic liquid, extending from a division hole to a dispensing hole via a guide path, is crooked, the smooth supply of the cosmetic liquid is difficult, so that additional force has to be applied to press the case, which is inconvenient. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and the present invention is intended to propose a case for cosmetics, wherein, upon fastening up/down through rotation, an outer cap automatically opens/closes a dispensing hole of a cosmetic liquid dispenser to regulate the supply of cosmetic liquid to an applicator, thereby preventing unnecessary leakage of the cosmetic liquid and, even upon long-term use, preventing malfunction of the cosmetic liquid dispenser while simplifying the opening/closing structure of the dispensing hole, and providing a smooth supply of the cosmetic liquid by making a dispensing path linear to thereby maximize the reliability of use. 
         [0020]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a case for cosmetics in which, even with a minimization in the number of parts and simplification of the assembly structure, opening/closing operations are reliably carried out, and the market quality is improved with a simplified assembly process and a minimized defective proportion. 
         [0021]    In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a case for cosmetics including a tubular case body containing the cosmetic liquid therein, a cosmetic liquid dispenser coupled to an upper portion of the case body and having a center cosmetic liquid dispensing hole and an upper engaging groove, an applicator engaged with the engaging groove of the cosmetic liquid dispenser, an outer cap screw-fastened to the case body in such a way as to include the cosmetic liquid dispenser and the applicator therein, an opening/closing valve provided below the cosmetic liquid dispensing hole in the cosmetic liquid dispenser and having a vertical discharging hole and an opening/closing hole horizontally passing through the discharging hole, and an opening/closing piece member horizontally inserted into the opening/closing hole in the valve while being resiliently supported by a compression spring such that an outer end thereof passes outside an assembling hole provided in the side face of the cosmetic liquid dispenser, whereby, upon screw-fastening of the outer cap, the opening/closing piece member horizontally moves forward to compress the compression spring to block the discharging hole, and whereby, upon screw-releasing of the outer cap, the opening/closing piece member is released from the compressed state to move back due to the restoring force of the compression spring to thereby open the discharging hole of the opening/closing valve. 
         [0022]    The cosmetic liquid dispenser may be provided on its lower inner periphery with a ring type assembling protrusion, and the case body may be provided on its upper outer periphery with an assembling groove, into which the assembling protrusion is inserted, thereby providing a one-touch interference-fitting type structure. 
         [0023]    The dispenser may be provided on the lower portion of the dispensing hole thereof with an assembling protrusion, and the opening/closing valve may be provided on the upper portion thereof with an assembling groove, thereby providing a relative press-fitting structure. 
         [0024]    The opening/closing piece member may be provided, along the outer periphery of the outer end, with an annular engaging piece that is to be engaged with the inside of the assembling hole so as to prevent disconnection from the assembling hole of the dispenser. 
         [0025]    The outer end of the opening/closing piece member, which is a head portion of the piece member, may be shaped like a semi-spherical round protrusion so as to minimize contact friction force with the outer cap upon screw-movement to thereby realize smooth movement. 
         [0026]    The opening/closing piece member and the opening/closing valve may be respectively provided on the insides of the outer periphery with corresponding spring seating recesses for stable support of the compression spring therein. 
         [0027]    According to the present invention, there is provided an effect of convenience in use in that the outer cap is fastened down onto the tubular case body so that the opening/closing feature resiliently and horizontally moves through the dispensing hole in the cosmetic liquid dispenser to close so as to reliably block the supply of the cosmetic liquid to the applicator to thereby prevent unnecessary leakage of the cosmetic liquid, and in that the opening of the dispensing hole of the cosmetic liquid dispenser is carried out by separation through screw-rotation of the outer cap so that the opening/closing feature returns to its original position to open by the resilient support by the compression spring to thereby prevent a malfunction. 
         [0028]    Further, the path of the dispensing hole is provided in a linear form to, at the time of dispensing, prevent blockage of the cosmetic liquid, thereby advantageously reducing the strength of the grip required by a user. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, simplified parts make it possible to minimize the manufacturing cost and defective proportion when manufacturing and prevent the occurrence of a malfunction even upon long-term use, thereby improving the reliability of a product. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a case for cosmetics according to the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is an exploded sectional perspective view illustrating the case for cosmetics according to the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a front sectional view illustrating the case for cosmetics according to the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view illustrating the case for cosmetics according to the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a plan sectional view illustrating the case for cosmetics according to the present invention; and 
           [0037]      FIGS. 7 to 9  are views illustrating the operating states of the case for cosmetics according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0039]    The case for liquefied cosmetics according to the present invention is characterized in that a dispensing hole of a cosmetic liquid dispenser is opened/closed through a simple structure, by which the cosmetic liquid dispenser and an applicator are fastened onto and released from a case body through a screwing operation, to thereby regulate the supply of the cosmetic liquid to the applicator. 
         [0040]    The case for cosmetics as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 6  includes a tubular case body  200  containing the cosmetic liquid therein, a cosmetic liquid dispenser  300  coupled to an upper portion of the case body  200  and having a center cosmetic liquid dispensing hole  300   a  and an upper engaging groove  300   b,  an applicator  500  engaged with the engaging groove  300   b  in the cosmetic liquid dispenser  300 , and an outer cap  700  screw-fastened to the case body  200  in such a way as to include the cosmetic liquid dispenser  300  and the applicator  500  therein, an opening/closing valve  100  provided below the cosmetic liquid dispensing hole  300   a  in the cosmetic liquid dispenser  300  and having a vertical discharging hole  110  and an opening/closing hole  120  horizontally passing through the discharging hole, and an opening/closing piece member  210  horizontally inserted into the opening/closing hole  120  in the valve while being resiliently supported by a compression spring  250  such that the outer end thereof passes outside an assembling hole  300   c  provided in the side face of the cosmetic liquid dispenser  300 , whereby, upon screw-fastening the outer cap  700 , the opening/closing piece member  210  horizontally moves forward to compress the compression spring  250  to block the discharging hole  110 , and whereby, upon screw-releasing the outer cap  700 , the opening/closing piece member  210  is released from the compressed state to move back due to the restoring force of the compression spring to thereby open the discharging hole  110  in the opening/closing valve  100 . 
         [0041]    The tubular case body  200  is made from a soft resinous material for implementing the pressing operation for discharging the cosmetic liquid, and may be of diverse shapes other than the one shown in the figures. 
         [0042]    Further, the cosmetic liquid dispenser  300  has an upwardly-narrowing outer shape, in which an upper portion is narrow and a lower portion is wide, and the outer cap  700  covered around the dispenser has a corresponding shape so as to provide easy insertion. 
         [0043]    The cosmetic liquid dispenser  300  is provided on its lower inner periphery with a ring type assembling protrusion  400   a,  and the case body  200  is provided on its upper outer periphery with an assembling groove  400   b,  into which the assembling protrusion is inserted, thereby providing a one-touch interference-fitting type structure. 
         [0044]    In addition, the dispenser  300  is provided on the lower portion of the dispensing hole  300   a  thereof with an assembling protrusion  300   d,  and the opening/closing valve  100  is provided on the upper portion thereof with an assembling groove  130 , thereby providing a relative press-fitting structure. 
         [0045]    The outer end of the opening/closing piece member  210 , i.e., a head portion of the piece member, is shaped like a semi-spherical round protrusion  210   a  so as to minimize the contact friction force with the outer cap  700  upon screw-movement to thereby realize smooth movement. 
         [0046]    Further, the opening/closing piece member  210  is provided, along the outer periphery of the outer end, with an annular engaging piece  220  which is to be engaged with the inside of the assembling hole so as to prevent disconnection from the assembling hole  300   c  of the dispenser  300 . 
         [0047]    Meanwhile, the opening/closing piece member  210  and the opening/closing valve  100  are respectively provided on their insides of the outer periphery with corresponding spring seating recesses  240  and  140  for stable support of the compression spring  250  therein. 
         [0048]    Reference numerals  200   a  and  200   b,  which have not yet been explained, denote a screw portion of the case body  200  which is screw-engaged with a screw portion  700   a  provided in an inner periphery of the outer cap  700 , and an upper center through-hole of the case body  200 , respectively. 
         [0049]    Description will now be made of the operation and effect of the present invention, constructed as described above. 
         [0050]    Describing first an assembling structure of the case for cosmetics, one end of the opening/closing piece member  210  is inserted into the opening/closing hole  120 , which horizontally extends through the opening/closing valve  100  while being resiliently supported by the compression spring  250 . 
         [0051]    Here, both ends of the compression spring  250  are assembled in the spring seating recesses  140  and  240 , each provided inside the opening/closing valve  100  and the opening/closing piece member  210 . 
         [0052]    Then, the opening/closing valve  100  is assembled below the dispensing hole  300   a  in the dispenser  200  such that the assembling protrusion  300   d  provided on the lower portion of the dispensing hole  300   a  is press-fitted into the corresponding assembling groove  130  provided in the upper portion of the opening/closing valve  100 . 
         [0053]    Then, the assembled dispenser  300  is press-fitted into the upper portion of the case body  200  so that the ring type assembling protrusion  400   a  provided on the lower inner periphery of the dispenser  300  is fitted into the assembling groove  400   b  provided in the upper outer periphery of the case body  200  in a one-touch type fitting manner. 
         [0054]    Here, the upper engaging groove  300   b  in the dispenser  300  is coupled with an applicator  500 , and finally the outer cap  700  is screw-fastened to the case body  200  such that it includes the dispenser  300  and the applicator  500  therein. 
         [0055]    Now the operation of the case for cosmetics will be described. 
         [0056]    If a user wants to use cosmetic liquid (liquefied cosmetics), as shown in  FIG. 7 , when he/she rotates and screw-releases the outer cap  700 , which opens upward from the case body  200 , the opening/closing piece member  210 , which has been horizontally compressed inside the outer cap  700 , comes released to move horizontally outside the assembling hole  300   c  in the dispenser  300  due to the resilient support by the compression spring  250 . 
         [0057]    In that state, when the outer cap  700  is completely separated, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the opening/closing piece member  210  moves horizontally outside in the opening/closing hole  120  of the opening/closing valve  100  by the restoring force of the compression spring  250  to thereby open the discharging hole  110 , which vertically extends from the opening/closing valve  100 . 
         [0058]    Herein, since the engaging piece  220  formed along the outer periphery is engaged with the inside of the assembling hole  300   c  of the dispenser  300 , the opening/closing piece member  210  is prevented from being separated due to the limitation of resilient movement to a predetermined distance. 
         [0059]    When the discharging hole  110  is opened in this way, a user presses the case body  200  to supply the cosmetic liquid to the applicator  500  via the discharging hole  100  in the valve  100  and the dispensing hole  300   a  in the dispenser. 
         [0060]    Particularly, since the discharging path of the cosmetic liquid is made vertically linear and the discharging hole  100  is opened/closed substantially completely, the supply of the cosmetic liquid is smoothly carried out. 
         [0061]    When the cosmetic liquid is supplied to the applicator in this way, a user is able to apply the cosmetic to his/her face using the applicator. 
         [0062]    After the use, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the user screw-fastens the outer cap  700  to the case body  200  to close it. 
         [0063]    Here, the dispenser  300  and the outer cap  700  have corresponding upwardly-narrowing shapes, so that initial insertion can be easily carried out in a one-touch manner. 
         [0064]    When the outer cap  700  is fitted in a one-touch manner as such, the opening/closing piece member  210 , which has protruded horizontally outside the dispenser  300  by the resilient force of the compression spring  250 , is forced toward the lower inner periphery of the outer cap  700  to compress the compression spring  250 , and moves the opening/closing valve  100  forward, thereby blocking the discharging hole  110 . 
         [0065]    Particularly, since the outer end of the piece member  210  is a semi-spherical round protrusion  210   a,  upon one-touch fitting of the outer cap  700 , it horizontally moves forward smoothly without friction against the inner periphery of the cap to thereby minimize the vertical load applied thereto. 
         [0066]    In this one-touch fitting state of the outer cap  700 , when screw-fastening is carried out to provide a complete locking state, the piece member  210  fixes the forwarded state in the opening/closing hole  120  of the valve  100  to completely block the vertical discharging hole  110  in the valve  100 , so that, even when the case body  200  is pressed by external force, the supply of the cosmetic liquid is blocked to thus secure the stability thereof.