Abstract:
A device for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product includes a bottle, a cosmetic dispensing member, and a cosmetic applicator. The bottle contains a volume of cosmetic product and comprises a closed end and an open end. The cosmetic dispensing member is coupled to the open end of the bottle. The cosmetic dispensing member includes an outlet and an actuating element configured to be actuated to enable delivery of a portion of the volume of cosmetic product through the outlet. The cosmetic applicator is coupled to the closed end of the bottle by one or more collar members.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/023,331, filed Jul. 11, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to a cosmetic applicator which combines a pump for dispensing cosmetic product and a blending sponge in a single unit. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a device for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product includes a bottle, a cosmetic dispensing member (e.g., airless pump), and a cosmetic applicator (e.g., blending sponge). The bottle contains a volume of cosmetic product and comprises a closed end and an open end. The cosmetic dispensing member is coupled to the open end of the bottle. The cosmetic dispensing member includes an outlet and an actuating element configured to be actuated to enable delivery of a portion of the volume of cosmetic product through the outlet. The cosmetic applicator is coupled to the closed end of the bottle by one or more collar members. In one embodiment, these one or more collar members include a bottle collar member connected to the closed end of the bottle and a sponge collar member connected to the bottle collar member and the cosmetic applicator. In some embodiments, the device further comprises a cap member fit removably over the cosmetic applicator while the device is in a closed configuration. 
         [0004]    An example device for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product is disclosed. The device comprises:
       a bottle configured to hold a volume of cosmetic product, the bottle comprising a closed end and an open end;   a cosmetic dispensing member coupled to the open end of the bottle and comprising:
           an outlet;   an actuating element configured to be actuated to enable delivery of a a portion of the volume of cosmetic product through the outlet; and   
           a cosmetic applicator coupled to the closed end of the bottle by one or more collar members.       
 
         [0010]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the one or more collar members comprise:
       a bottle collar member connected to the closed end of the bottle; and   a sponge collar member connected to the bottle collar member and the cosmetic applicator.       
 
         [0013]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, further comprising:
       a cap member fit removably over the cosmetic applicator while the device is in a closed configuration.       
 
         [0015]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cosmetic dispensing member is an airless pump. 
         [0016]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cosmetic applicator is a blending sponge. 
         [0017]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cosmetic applicator is a brush. 
         [0018]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the brush is coupled to a brush holder. 
         [0019]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, further comprising a sleeve slidably coupled to the brush holder. 
         [0020]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the sleeve is designed to shift between a first position where the sleeve covers the brush and a second position where the brush is exposed. 
         [0021]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the sleeve includes a flange that is designed to engage a bump formed along the brush holder. 
         [0022]    An example combination dispenser and applicator is disclosed. The combination dispenser and applicator comprises:
       a bottle designed to hold a cosmetic product, the bottle comprising a first end and second end;   a cosmetic dispensing member coupled to the first end of the bottle, the cosmetic dispensing member comprising an outlet and an actuating element configured to be actuated for delivery of a portion of the cosmetic product through the outlet; and   a cosmetic applicator coupled to the second end of the bottle.       
 
         [0026]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, further comprising a bottle collar member connected to the second end of the bottle and a sponge collar member connected to the bottle collar member and the cosmetic applicator. 
         [0027]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, further comprising:
       a cap member fit removably over the cosmetic applicator while the combination dispenser and applicator is in a closed configuration.       
 
         [0029]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cosmetic dispensing member is an airless pump. 
         [0030]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cosmetic applicator is a blending sponge. 
         [0031]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the cosmetic applicator is a brush. 
         [0032]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the brush is coupled to a brush holder, and further comprising a sleeve slidably coupled to the brush holder. 
         [0033]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the sleeve is designed to shift between a first position where the sleeve covers the brush and a second position where the brush is exposed. 
         [0034]    Alternatively or additionally to any of the embodiments above, the sleeve includes a flange that is designed to engage a bump formed along the brush holder. 
         [0035]    Another example combination dispenser and applicator is disclosed. The combination dispenser and applicator comprises:
       a bottle designed to hold a cosmetic product, the bottle comprising a first end and second end;   a cosmetic dispensing member coupled to the first end of the bottle, the cosmetic dispensing member comprising an outlet and an actuating element configured to be actuated for delivery of a portion of the cosmetic product through the outlet;   a collar coupled to the second end of the bottle; and   a cosmetic applicator coupled to the collar.       
 
         [0040]    Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    The foregoing and other aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating examples of the disclosure, there are shown in the drawings embodiments, it being understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures: 
           [0042]      FIGS. 1 and 2  provide an open view and a closed view, respectively, of a combination dispenser and applicator, along with a view of a Blending Sponge used therein, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0043]      FIG. 3  provides an exploded view of a Combination Dispenser and Applicator in a cylindrical configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0044]      FIG. 4  provides a side view of an example Combination Dispenser and Applicator in an open configuration; 
           [0045]      FIG. 5  provides a side view of an example Combination Dispenser and Applicator in a closed configuration; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 6  provides an exploded view of an example Combination Dispenser and Applicator. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0047]    The present disclosure relates generally to a device which combines cosmetic product dispensing and application components in a single unit. This technology is particularly well-suited for, but by no means limited to, cosmetic products such as liquid concealer or foundation. 
         [0048]      FIG. 1  provides an open view  110  and  FIG. 2  provides a closed view  105  of a Combination Dispenser and Applicator, along with a view of a Blending Sponge  125  used therein, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in the closed view  105  and the open view  110 , the Combination Dispenser and Applicator includes a Pump  115  for dispensing cosmetic product from a Bottle  120 . The open view  110  shows a Blending Sponge  125  located on the end of the Combination Dispenser and Applicator opposite to the Pump  115 . In the closed position  105 , the Combination Dispenser and Applicator includes a Sponge Cap  130  removably fit over the Blending Sponge  125 . In the example of  FIGS. 1-2 , the Combination Dispenser and Applicator is shown in an elongated cylindrical configuration. However, it should be understood that embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be applied to various other configurations in other embodiments. For example, the Combination Dispenser and Applicator may alternatively be embodied in an elongated cubical configuration where the components of the device are all cubical in shape. 
         [0049]    Activation of the Pump  115  removes a portion of the cosmetic product from the Bottle  120  via a vacuum effect and dispenses that portion through an outlet  135  in the Pump  115 . The technique used for activating Pump  115  may vary according to different embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of  FIG. 1 , the Pump  115  is activated by depressing an actuating element on an inner region (not shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ) of the Pump  115  in a direction towards the Bottle  120 . This causes the inner region of the Pump  115  to be lowered, with the outlet  135  on the Bottle  120  moving down along a groove  140  on the face of the Bottle  120 . As the Pump  115  is lowered a vacuum effect is created and makeup is dispensed through the outlet  135 . 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, the Pump  115  is part of an airless pump system. For example, in on embodiment where an airless pump is used, a small piston (not shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ) sits on the bottom of the cosmetic product inside the Bottle  120 . When the Pump  115  is activated, the piston pushes the material to the top of the bottle as the vacuum effect pulls the piston upwards. A small hole (not shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ) may be provided in the bottom of the Bottle  120  to allow for air to fill the space beneath the piston as cosmetic product is removed. In other embodiments where an airless pump is used, the Bottle  120  includes an elastically deformable diagram which acts to push material out of the Bottle  120  and through the Pump  115 . Various types of materials may be used for constructing the Bottle  210  including, for example, plastic-based materials and glass. 
         [0051]    The Blending Sponge  125  is made of a material suitable for controlled application and blending of the cosmetic product material stored in Bottle  120  on the user&#39;s skin. In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 , the Blending Sponge  125  includes a pointed end that may be used, for example, to apply cosmetic product to smaller areas, such as around the user&#39;s eyes or nose. In other embodiments, the pointed end may be omitted and the Blending Sponge  125  may be an alternate shape. These alternate shapes may include, without limitation, round, square, rectangular, teardrop, or wedge-shaped sponges. The Blending Sponge  125  may be made of various materials including, without limitation, foam, latex, rubbers, and/or natural sponge materials. The Blending Sponge  125  can be removed from the Combination Dispenser and Applicator in some embodiments, thereby allowing a user to clean the Blending Sponge  125  or replace it with an alternative sponge (not shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ). 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  provides an exploded view  200  of a Combination Dispenser and Applicator in a cylindrical configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Conceptually, in this example, the Combination Dispenser and Applicator may be viewed as including two ends, referred to herein as the pump end and the blending end. On the pump end, Pump  205  is attached to a top portion  210 A of the Bottle  210  storing the cosmetic product. When the pump is activated (e.g., by depressing an actuating element on top portion of the pump), a vacuum effect is created which draws the cosmetic product up through an opening in the top portion  210 A of the Bottle  210  for dispensing through an outlet  205 A in the Pump  205 . The top portion  210 A of Bottle  210  may include various features which allow it to be affixed with the Pump  205 . In some embodiments, these features are designed to allow the Pump  205  to be removed by an end user, allowing the Bottle  210  to be refilled with additional cosmetic product. For example, a screw-type mechanism may be used, with the top portion  210 A including threads on its exterior portion designed to be received by threads on the interior of the Pump  205 . 
         [0053]    Continuing with reference to  FIG. 3 , the blending end of the Combination Dispenser and Applicator includes a Blending Sponge  225  affixed to a lower portion  215 B of the Bottle Collar  215  by Sponge Collar  220 . The Bottle Collar  215  may be affixed to a bottom portion  210 B of the Bottle  210  using similar features as those discussed above with reference to the affixing of the top portion  210 A with the Pump  205 . Alternatively, different affixing features may be used for each respective portion  210 A,  210 B. For example, the top portion  210 A may include a screw-type feature to allow for removal by the user, while the bottom portion  210 B may be affixed to the Bottle Collar  215  by glue to discourage removal. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the Blending Sponge  225  may be removed by the user (e.g., via a twisting and/or pulling motion). Thus, the Blending Sponge  225  may be replaced if it becomes worn or the user desires a different type of blending sponge. The Blending Sponge  225  may be covered by Sponge Cap  230  when the Combination Dispenser and Applicator is not in use. The Sponge Cap  230  is removably affixed by joining it with an upper portion  215 A of the Bottle Collar  215 . The exterior dimensions of the Sponge Cap  230  are roughly approximate to that of the Pump  205 , while the interior of the Sponge Cap  230  includes a hallow region sized to receive the Blending Sponge  225 . 
         [0055]    The size of the bottle may vary according to the overall size of the Combination Dispenser and Applicator. For example, in one embodiment, the Bottle  210  is a 0.5 ounce bottle with dimensions on either end selected to allow for connection to the Pump  205  and a Bottle Collar  215 , respectively, to the Bottle  210 . However, in other embodiments, longer bottles or different shape bottles may be used (e.g., cubical). 
         [0056]      FIG. 4  provides an a side view of an example Combination Dispenser and Applicator  300  that may be similar in form and function other Combination Dispenser and Applicators disclosed herein. The Combination Dispenser and Applicator  300  may include a bottle  310 . Bottle  310  may resemble the bottle  210  shown in  FIG. 3  and may be connected to a pump (not shown; may be similar to pump  205  as shown in  FIG. 3 ). A bottle collar  315  may be coupled to the bottle  310 . A brush holder  332  may be coupled to the bottle collar  315 . The brush holder  332  may include a brush  336 . The brush  336  may be made of a material suitable for controlled application and blending of a cosmetic product material (e.g., a cosmetic product material that may be dispensed from the bottle  310  via a pump). 
         [0057]    The Combination Dispenser and Applicator  300  may include a sleeve  334  that is designed to move relative to the brush holder  332 . For example, the sleeve  334  may slide along the brush holder  332  to either cover the brush  336  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 4 ) or expose the brush  336  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 5 ). In other words, the sleeve  334  is designed to shift between a first position where the brush  336  is covered and a second position where the brush  336  is exposed. In at least some instances, the sleeve  334  may include one or more tabs or projections  338  that are designed to seat within one or more grooves  340  formed along the brush holder  332 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 6  provides an exploded view of the Combination Dispenser and Applicator  300 . Here it can be seen that the sleeve  334  may include a flange  342  that projects from an outer surface of the sleeve  334 . The flange  342  is designed to slide along the interior of the brush holder  332 . In some instances, the brush holder  332  may include one or more bumps or projections  344   a / 344   b . The bumps  344   a / 344   b  may be utilized to help hold or otherwise secure the sleeve  334  in either the covered or exposed configuration. For example, flange  342  may slide along the brush holder  332  and then “snap” into engagement with bump  344   a  in order to hold the sleeve  334  in the covered configuration. Similarly, flange  342  may slide along the brush holder  332  and then snap into engagement with bump  344   b  in order to hold the sleeve  334  in the exposed configuration. In some instances, additional flanges and/or bumps may be utilized. 
         [0059]    Various decorative finishes may be applied on the Combination Dispenser and Applicator. For example, in some embodiments, a high gloss finish is placed on the exterior surface of the various components of the Combination Dispenser and Applicator. In other embodiments, other types of finishes (e.g., a matte finish) may be used. 
         [0060]    The systems illustrated in the figures are not exclusive. Other systems may be derived in accordance with the principles of the disclosure to accomplish the same objectives. Although this disclosure has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments and variations shown and described herein are for illustration purposes only. Modifications to the current design may be implemented by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”