Cosmetic container

A cosmetic container is disclosed with which the dispensing amount of the content can be varied. A cosmetic container according to one aspect of the invention can include: a storage part that stores a content; a pump that is coupled to the storage part to dispense the content and includes a valve configured to move downward when pressed; a handle that is rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the storage part; a transfer member that is interlocked with the handle and configured to transfer the rotation of the handle to a valve guide; and the valve guide configured to move upward or downward along an exterior of the valve when rotated by the transfer member, where rotating the handle can adjust the relative position of the valve guide with respect to the valve to allow a varying of the dispensing amount of the content.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0106163, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Aug. 24, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cosmetic container with which the dispensing amount of the content can be varied.

2. Description of the Related Art

A container holding a liquid or gel type content (such as a cosmetic, shampoo, cleaning agent, etc.) may have a pump coupled to an upper portion of the container as a device for discharging the content. When a user presses down on the top of the pump, the pressure within the pump may be changed and the valve may be opened, forcing the content to be dispensed through the pump to the outside. Such a pump can prevent the content from being exposed to the outside, thereby preventing the content from spoiling and hence providing an advantage in terms of good hygiene.

A problem found in the conventional pump is that the amount of content dispensed may not be constant, depending on the extent to which the pump is pressed down. That is, if the pump is pressed down with a large force such that the valve, etc., within is moved by a large distance, the dispensed amount may be large, whereas if the pump is pressed with a small force such that the valve, etc., is moved by a small distance, the dispensed amount may be small. Thus, with the conventional pump, the dispensing amount cannot be adjusted precisely.

One form of container currently used involves holding two different types of contents separately and allowing the contents to be mixed at the time of use. This form of mixing container is mainly used in cases where a mixture of the two different types of contents provides a synergetic effect but where a premature mixing of the two different contents before the time of use causes the contents to spoil or exhibit a lowered performance after a prolonged period of distribution.

In such a mixing container also, the effect of the mixing can be maximized by supplying the two different types of contents in a constant mixture ratio.

PRIOR ART

Patent Document

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been conceived to address the problems above, and one aspect of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic container that can variably adjust the dispensing amount of the content.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic container that can adjust the dispensing amounts for two types of contents independently.

Other objectives of the invention will be more clearly understood from the embodiments described below.

A cosmetic container according to one aspect of the invention can include: a storage part that stores a content; a pump that is coupled to the storage part to dispense the content and includes a valve configured to move downward when pressed; a handle that is rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the storage part; a transfer member that is interlocked with the handle and configured to transfer the rotation of the handle to a valve guide; and the valve guide configured to move upward or downward along an exterior of the valve when rotated by the transfer member, where rotating the handle can adjust the relative position of the valve guide with respect to the valve to allow a varying of the dispensing amount of the content.

A cosmetic container according to an embodiment of the invention can include one or more of the following features. For example, the transfer member can be provided at the inner side of the handle.

A handle gear can be formed on the inner perimeter of the handle, the transfer member can include a spur gear that is interlocked with the handle gear and a spring washer that is configured to rotate together with the spur gear as an integrated body at the inner side of the spur gear, and the spring washer can guide the upward and downward movement of the valve guide while rotating together with the valve guide as an integrated body.

A guide protrusion shaped as a thread can be formed on the outer perimeter of the valve, and a guide thread can be formed in the inner perimeter of the valve guide, where the guide protrusion can be rotatably inserted in the guide thread.

The pump can include a piston guide, which may be coupled to the valve and which may include an inlet hole, and a piston, which may be coupled to an exterior of the piston guide and may be capable of closing the inlet hole, where the one-time dispensing amount of the pump can be adjusted in proportion to the distance between the valve guide and the piston.

The cosmetic container can include two storage parts and two pumps, the handle can include an upper handle and a lower handle having different heights, and the transfer member can include an upper transfer member interlocked with the upper handle and a lower transfer member interlocked with the lower handle, where the upper handle and the lower handle can be rotated independently to adjust the heights of the respective valve guides.

The height at which the upper transfer member is interlocked with the upper handle can be different from the height at which the lower transfer member is interlocked with the lower handle.

The two pumps can have the same height.

A pump cap can be coupled to the upper portions of the two storage parts, where the pump cap can include pump insertion holes through which the two pumps may be inserted, and the upper handle and the lower handle can be rotatably coupled to the exterior of the pump cap.

The cosmetic container can be configured to prevent of the pumps inserted in the pump insertion holes from rotating.

The cosmetic container can further include a nozzle connected to the two pumps, where the nozzle can include two dispenser holes configured to dispense contents individually from the two storage parts respectively.

A rotation detection means can be provided on a coupling portion between the upper handle and lower handle and the pump cap, where the rotation detection means can allow a detection of the amounts of rotation of the upper handle and lower handle.

The cosmetic container can include a pump module that includes the two pumps, the upper handle, the lower handle, the upper transfer member, and the lower transfer member, where the two storage parts can be coupled to each other and separably coupled with the pump module.

The coupling of the two storage parts can form a circular pump thread, and the pump module can include a storage-part cap that is screw-joined with the pump thread.

An embodiment of the invention described above can provide various advantages, including the following. However, a structure can constitute an embodiment of the invention without necessarily providing all of the advantages below.

An embodiment of the invention can provide a cosmetic container capable of varying the dispensing amount of a content.

Also, an embodiment of the invention can provide a cosmetic container that can adjust the dispensing amounts of two types of contents independently.

Also, an embodiment of the invention can provide a cosmetic container with which the storage part storing a content can be readily replaced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those components that are the same or are in correspondence are rendered the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a cosmetic container100according to a first disclosed embodiment of the invention, andFIG. 2is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cosmetic container100across line A-A ofFIG. 1.

Incidentally,FIG. 1shows an illustration with the over cap112(seeFIG. 13) removed.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a cosmetic container100based on this embodiment may include a first storage part260and a second storage part270separated from each other, where each storage part260,270may store a different content. A pump module110may be coupled to an upper portion of the storage parts260,270to be capable of dispensing the contents stored in the respective storage parts260,270simultaneously. In this way, a cosmetic container100according to this embodiment may be characterized by the ability to dispense two different types of contents.

A cosmetic container100based on this embodiment may also be characterized by the ability to adjust the amounts in which the contents stored in the two storage parts260,270are dispensed by the manipulation of the upper handle130and lower handle140. A more detailed description is provided below.

A cosmetic container100based on this embodiment may include a pump module110, a first storage part260, a second storage part270, and a lower cap280(seeFIG. 13). The pump module110may include a nozzle114, an upper handle130, a lower handle140, a pump cap150, two pumps170, and a storage-part cap290.

The nozzle114may be coupled to an upper portion of the cosmetic container100for pressing by the user and may include an upper surface and a cylindrical form having an open bottom. Within the nozzle114, there may be provided a first nozzle116and a second nozzle120, which may be hollow and may be formed vertically. The first nozzle116and the second nozzle120may be coupled and connected respectively to the valve heads212of the valves210provided in the two pumps170. A content (not shown) that is raised by the pump170may pass through the valve210and the first nozzle116or second nozzle120to be discharged to the outside through a dispenser hole118,122connected with each nozzle.

FIG. 3is a rear perspective view of the upper handle130in the cosmetic container100illustrated inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, the upper handle130may be positioned below the nozzle114and above the lower handle140and may be rotated by the user to adjust the one-time dispensing amount of a pump170(inFIG. 2, the pump on the right). The upper handle130may have the shape of a circular ring having an exterior surface132of a certain height and may have an upper ledge134and an upper handle gear136provided on its inner perimeter.

The upper ledge134may protrude inwardly from the inner perimeter of the upper handle130and may be formed higher than the upper handle gear136. The upper ledge134may be rotatably inserted into the detent groove160formed in the detent protrusion158of the pump cap150described below, whereby the upper handle130may be rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the cosmetic container100.

On the inner perimeter of the upper ledge134, rotation detection means138shaped as protrusions may be formed in certain intervals. As the rotation detection means138pass over protrusions (not shown) formed in the detent groove160of the pump cap150, the user may perceive that the upper handle130has been rotated by a certain angle. Such rotation detection means138allow the user to readily adjust the one-time dispensing amount of a pump170.

The upper handle gear136may be provided at a lower portion on the inner perimeter of the upper handle130and may be interlocked with the spur gear172of the transfer member coupled to the right pump170inFIG. 2. Thus, a rotation of the upper handle130may cause the spur gear172and spring washer180of the transfer member to rotate, in turn causing the valve guide230to rotate along the exterior of the valve210and move up or down. The upward and downward movement of the valve guide230may adjust the one-time dispensing amount of the pump170.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of the lower handle140in the cosmetic container100illustrated inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 2, andFIG. 4, the lower handle140may be positioned below the upper handle130and may be rotated by the user to adjust the one-time dispensing amount of a pump170(inFIG. 2, the pump on the left). The lower handle140may be rotated independently of the upper handle130. The lower handle140may have the shape of a circular ring having an exterior surface142of a certain height and may have a lower handle gear144and a lower ledge146formed on its inner perimeter.

The lower handle gear144may be formed at an upper portion on the inner perimeter of the lower handle140and may have the lower end of the upper handle130positioned on its upper surface. The lower handle gear144may be interlocked with the spur gear171of the transfer member coupled to the left pump170inFIG. 2. Thus, a rotation of the lower handle140may cause the spur gear171and spring washer180of the transfer member to rotate, in turn causing the valve guide230to rotate along the exterior of the valve210and move up or down. The upward and downward movement of the valve guide230may adjust the one-time dispensing amount of the pump170.

The lower ledge146may be formed below the lower handle gear144on the inner perimeter of the lower handle140, where two or more lower ledges146may be formed in annular shapes. The lower ledge146may be coupled with the rotary protrusion162provided on the pump cap150, whereby the lower handle140may be rotatably coupled in relation to the pump cap150.

Between the lower ledge146and the lower handle gear144, protrusions148may be formed in certain intervals, corresponding to rotation detection means. During the rotation of the lower handle140, the protrusions148may pass over a multiple number of rotation detection means166provided on the pump cap150, allowing the user to perceive the rotated amount of the lower handle140and readily adjust the one-time dispensing amount of the pump170.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of the pump cap150in the cosmetic container illustrated inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 5, the pump cap150may be coupled to the upper portions of the first storage part260and second storage part270and allow the two pumps170to be coupled to their respective storage parts260,270. The pump cap150may also serve to rotatably support the upper handle130and the lower handle140.

The pump cap150may be shaped as a cap having an open bottom and an upper surface, with two pump insertion holes152formed in the upper surface through which to insert the pumps170. In the inner perimeter of a pump insertion hole152, there may be formed an anti-rotation indentation154, where a protrusion (not shown) formed in the housing200of a pump170may be inserted into the anti-rotation indentation154to prevent the pump170from rotating.

The pump cap150may include two upwardly protruding cap exterior surfaces156. A cap exterior surface156may have an arced shape, and at the upper end of the cap exterior surface156, a detent groove160may be formed due to the detent protrusion158. The upper ledge134of the upper handle130may be rotatably coupled to the detent groove160.

The rotation detection means166may be formed on the outer perimeter of the pump cap150, and as the protrusions148provided on the lower handle140pass over the rotation detection means166, the user can recognize the rotated amount of the lower handle140.

On the outer perimeter of the pump cap150, a multiple number of rotary protrusions162may be formed in certain intervals. The rotary protrusions162may be rotatably inserted into the lower ledges146of the lower handle140.

At the lower end on the outer perimeter of the pump cap150, a flange164may be formed protruding outward. An upper portion of the storage-part cap290may be inserted into the groove (no numeral assigned) formed between the flange164and the rotary protrusions162, whereby the storage-part cap290and the pump cap150may be rotatably coupled to each other.

While the cosmetic container100according to this embodiment is illustrated as having two pumps170, a cosmetic container according to another embodiment of the invention can include just one pump170, in which case the pump cap can also include one pump insertion hole152.

The storage-part cap290may be coupled to a lower portion of the pump cap150. The storage-part cap290, which may be positioned at the lowermost portion of the pump module110, may have the pump cap150inserted onto its top and may have its bottom open. A thread (no numeral assigned) may be formed in the inner perimeter of the storage-part cap290, where the thread may be screw-joined with the pump threads264formed on the outer perimeters of the upper portions of the first storage part260and second storage part270. As the storage-part cap290is thus screw-joined to two storage parts260,270, the pump module110can be coupled to or separated from the two storage parts260,270, and the storage parts260,270can be replaced with new parts.

As the storage-part cap290is rotatable with respect to the pump cap150, it is possible to screw-join the pump module110onto the upper portions of the two storage parts260,270.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of a pump170in the cosmetic container100illustrated inFIG. 1, andFIG. 7is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pump170across line B-B ofFIG. 6.

Incidentally,FIG. 6andFIG. 7illustrate the pump170positioned on the right from between the two pumps illustrated inFIG. 2. The two pumps170inFIG. 2may have substantially the same composition with the exception that the heights of the gear indentations178in the coupled spur gears172are different.

Referring toFIG. 6andFIG. 7, the pump170may form a part of the pump module110and may be operated by the downward movement of the nozzle114to dispense a content from the first storage part260or second storage part270. On the exterior of the pump170, there may be provided a transfer member, which may include a spur gear172and a spring washer180, to allow an adjustment of the one-time dispensing amount of the pump170by a rotation of the upper handle130.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of the spur gear172in the pump170illustrated inFIG. 6, andFIG. 9is a perspective view of the valve210.FIG. 10is a perspective view of the spring washer180in the pump170illustrated inFIG. 6, andFIG. 11is a perspective view of the valve guide230.

Referring toFIGS. 6 to 11, on the exterior of the pump170, there may be provided a spur gear172, which corresponds to the transfer member. A gear176may be formed on the upper portion of the outer perimeter of the spur gear172, being interlocked with the upper handle gear136of the upper handle130. Thus, rotating the upper handle130may cause the spur gear172to rotate in the same direction and thus also rotate the spring washer180and the valve guide230.

The spur gear172may include a body172that is shaped as a hollow cylinder with both ends open. The spring washer180may be inserted within the body172. The gear indentations178may be formed in the inner perimeter of the body172, where outer protrusions182formed on the outer perimeter of the spring washer180may be inserted in the gear indentations178. The gear indentations178and outer protrusions182allow the spur gear172and spring washer180, which correspond to the transfer member, to rotate together as an integrated body.

The spring washer180may be shaped as a hollow cylinder with both the top and bottom open and may be positioned between the spur gear172and the valve guide230. On the outer perimeter of the spring washer180, there may be formed outer protrusions182, which have already been described above and will not be described here in further detail.

A washer ledge184may be formed at the lower end on the inner perimeter of the spring washer180. The washer ledge184may be formed protruding inward, and a multiple number of washer protrusions186may be formed in certain intervals on the inner perimeter of the washer ledge184. A lower end of a spring226may be positioned on the washer ledge184. The washer protrusions186may be inserted into rotary grooves236formed in the outer perimeter of the valve guide230, whereby the spring washer180and the valve guide230may rotate together as an integrated body.

The housing cover190may be positioned below the spring washer180. The housing cover190may be inserted into the open top of the housing200and may include a body192having a cylindrical shape and a flange194formed protruding from the outer perimeter of the body192.

The body192of the housing cover190may be inserted through the open top of the housing200and may have the shape of a hollow cylinder with both the upper end and lower end open. The upper end of the body192can be in contact with a lower surface of the washer ledge184of the spring washer180. The lower end of the body192can be in contact with the upper end of the piston250, to thereby limit the upward movement of the piston250.

The flange194may be formed protruding outwardly from the outer perimeter of the body192and may have a cross section shaped as an inverted “L”. The flange194may be in tight contact with the outer perimeter at the upper end of the housing200, whereby the housing cover190can be firmly secured to the housing200.

The housing200may correspond to the body of the pump170and may have an interior space204into which a content may be drawn from a storage part260,270by a pumping action. An inlet hole206may be provided in the housing200for the drawing in of the content, and at the inlet hole206, there may be provided a valve (not shown) that is opened or closed according to the pressure difference between the interior space204and the storage part260,270. As the valve corresponds to known technology, disclosed for example in Korean Registered Patent No. 1951627, the valve will not be described here in further detail.

The piston250may be movably positioned in the interior space204, and a piston guide240may be inserted onto the piston250. The process by which a content is drawn into and discharged from the inside of the interior space204is described in detail in documents such as Korean Registered Patent No. 1951627, and as the pumps of the cosmetic container100according to this embodiment may employ the same discharging operation, the discharging process will not be described here in further detail.

On the outer perimeter of the housing200, there may be provided a flange202. The flange202may contact an upper end of a coupler head262, which may correspond to an entrance of the first storage part260or second storage part270, whereby the housing200may be placed above the coupler head262of the storage part260,270.

The valve210, which may move downward or upward together with the downwardly pressed nozzle114to perform a dispensing action, may include a valve head212and a valve body216.

The valve head212may have the shape of a hollow cylinder with an open top, where the first nozzle116or second nozzle120of the nozzle114may be inserted to and be connected with the inside of the valve head212. The valve head212may also connect with the valve body216. Also, a head flange214may be provided at the upper end on the outer perimeter of the valve head212. The lower surface of the head flange214may contact the upper end of the spring226. Thus, when the external force is removed, the valve210and valve guide230and the piston250may be moved upward by the elastic restoring force of the spring226.

The valve body216may have the shape of a hollow cylinder with both the upper end and lower end open and may connect with the valve head212and the piston guide240. Guide protrusions220may be formed on the outer perimeter of the valve body216, where the guide protrusions220may be screw-joined to the guide thread234formed in the inner perimeter of the valve guide230. As the guide protrusion220and the guide thread234are screw-joined together, the valve guide230may move upward or downward while rotating around the exterior of the valve210. Here, the valve210may not be rotated.

At an upper end of the valve body216, there may be valve protrusions218formed. The valve protrusions218can be inserted into the guide indentations232formed in the upper end of the valve guide230, whereby the valve guide230can be prevented from rotating and stopped from moving upward.

The valve guide230may be rotatably coupled to the exterior of the valve body216and may be rotated in linkage with the rotation of the upper handle130or lower handle140to be moved upward or downward. A greater distance (d inFIG. 7) between the valve guide230and the piston250may result in the inlet holes246formed in the piston guide240remaining open for a longer duration and hence an increased amount of the content being drawn.

The valve guide230may be shaped as a hollow cylinder with both the upper end and lower end open, and guide threads234may be formed within. The guide threads234may be screw-joined with the guide protrusions220formed on the outer perimeter of the valve body216, whereby the valve guide230may be rotated along the outer perimeter of the valve210to be moved upward or downward.

The rotary grooves236may be formed in the outer perimeter of the valve guide230along the longitudinal direction. The washer protrusions186of the spring washer180may be inserted in the rotary grooves236, whereby the spring washer180and the valve guide230may rotate together as an integrated body.

At the upper end in the inner perimeter of the valve guide230, there may be formed guide indentations232, which have already been described above and will not be described here in further detail.

The piston guide240may have a portion thereof inserted within the valve210and may move up and down together with the valve210, while the piston250may be positioned in a movable manner around the exterior of the lower portion of the piston guide240. The piston guide240may have the shape of a hollow cylinder and may be provided with a guide head244, which may have a larger diameter, at its lower end. A coupler indentation242may be formed in the outer perimeter of the piston guide240, where a protrusion (no numeral assigned) formed on the inner perimeter of the valve210may be inserted in the coupler indentation so as to enable the valve210and the piston guide240to move up and down as an integrated body.

The inlet holes246may be formed in a lower portion of the piston guide240. When the piston250is positioned around the inlet holes246(as illustrated inFIG. 7), the inlet holes246may be closed, and the content drawn into the interior space204may not enter the inside of the piston guide240. When the piston250is not positioned around the inlet holes246, the inlet holes246may be opened, and the content that was drawn into the interior space204may enter the inside of the piston guide240, pass through the valve210and nozzle114, and be discharged to the outside. The longer the duration of the inlet holes246remaining open (i.e., the slower the downward movement of the piston250compared to the downward movement of the piston guide240), the greater would be the amount of content discharged by a one-time operation of the pump170.

At the lower end of the piston guide240, there may be provided a guide head244, which may have a larger diameter compared to other portions. The diameter of the guide head244may be formed larger than that of the guide contact part252of the piston250. Therefore, after the piston guide240and the piston250have been moved downward together and while the piston guide240and the piston250are being moved back up by the elastic restoring force of the spring226, the piston250may be caught on the guide head244and may move upward concurrently with the piston guide240.

The piston250may include a guide contact part252, which may be placed in tight contact with the exterior of the piston guide240, a housing contact part254, which may be placed in tight contact with the inner perimeter of the housing200, and a connection part256, which may connect these parts to each other.

The guide contact part252can maintain tight contact with the outer perimeter of the piston guide240to close the inlet holes246. When the valve210and the valve guide230are moved downward, the piston250may be moved relatively slowly due to the friction with the housing contact part254, whereby the inlet holes246may be opened, and the content that was drawn into the interior space204may enter the inside of the piston guide240.

If the valve guide230is moved further down compared to the state shown inFIG. 7due to the operation of the upper handle130or lower handle140, the valve guide230can more quickly press down on the connection part256when the valve guide230is moved down together with the valve210. As a result, the downward movement of the piston250may be achieved sooner, and duration of the inlet holes246remaining open may be decreased. A decrease in the duration of the inlet holes246remaining open would mean that the amount of content discharged by a one-time operation of the pump170would be reduced.

The housing contact part254may maintain tight contact with the inner perimeter of the housing200to delay the downward movement of the piston250in spite of the downward movement of the valve210and valve guide230.

While the cosmetic container100according to this embodiment is illustrated as having two pumps170, another embodiment of the invention can include just one pump170. A cosmetic container having just one pump can include one handle.

In a cosmetic container according to another embodiment of the invention, the valve210and the valve guide230can be formed as an integrated body. Also, in a cosmetic container according to another embodiment of the invention, the spur gear172and spring washer180corresponding to a transfer member can be formed as an integrated body.

In the foregoing, the pump170and the spur gear172are described for the pump170positioned on the right, from between the two pumps170illustrated inFIG. 2. The pump170positioned on the left can have the same composition as the pump170positioned on the right and thus will not be described here in further detail. It should be noted, however, that the spur gear171coupled to the left pump170may be formed with the gears176positioned lower compared to the spur gear172of the pump located on the right. The spur gear171may be interlocked with the lower handle140.

The structure and operation of the pumps170may be identical or similar to those of the pump disclosed in Korean Registered Patent No. 1951627 and thus will not be described here in further detail.

FIG. 12is a cross-sectional view illustrating the valve guide230after it is moved down from the state illustrated inFIG. 7.

Referring toFIG. 7andFIG. 12, when the valve guide230is moved downward by the rotation of the upper handle130or lower handle140, the distance (d) between the lower end of the valve guide230and the connection part256of the piston250may be decreased (d′<d). When the distance (d) is decreased, the valve guide230may contact the connection part256earlier when moved downward, whereby the piston250may also be moved down earlier, and the inlet holes246may be closed sooner.

The state shown inFIG. 7corresponds to the case in which the valve guide230is at its highest possible position such that the distance (d) is at a maximum value. In this case, the downward movement of the piston250can be achieved not by the valve guide230but by the downward force of the piston guide240only. With the state shown inFIG. 7, the amount of content discharged by a one-time operation of the pump170is at a maximum.

The state shown inFIG. 12corresponds to a case in which the valve guide230has been lowered compared to the state shown inFIG. 7such that the distance (d′) has been decreased compared to the distance (d) inFIG. 7. In this case, as the valve guide230is moved down, the valve guide230can press down on the connection part256of the piston250earlier compared to the state shown inFIG. 7, and as a result, the piston250can be moved down sooner, and the point at which the inlet holes246are closed can be made earlier. In this way, decreasing the distance between the valve guide230and the connection part256may allow the inlet holes246to be closed earlier, so that the amount of content discharged by a one-time dispensing of the pump170may be decreased.

Thus, with a cosmetic container100according to this embodiment, a user can readily adjust the amount of content dispensed by the operation of a pump170by manipulating at least one of the upper handle130and the lower handle140. Also, the cosmetic container100according to this embodiment may have two storage parts260,270and thus may be capable of simultaneously discharging two different types of contents, allowing the user to readily control the mixture ratio of the contents by controlling the one-time discharging amount of the pump170connected to each of the storage parts260,270.

FIG. 13is a perspective view illustrating the storage parts260,270with the pump module110separated.

Referring toFIG. 13, the pump module110can be separated from the two storage parts260,270. The storage parts260,270can be replaced as necessary, after which the semicircularly shaped storage parts260,270can be attached to each other to form a cylindrical shape, and the pump module110can be coupled thereto. A lower cap280can be coupled also to the lower portions of the two storage parts260,270forming a cylindrical shape, so as to prevent the storage parts260,270from being separated.

The two storage parts260,270can have semicircular shapes and substantially the same composition and can be formed symmetrically to each other. On the upper portions of the storage parts260,270, there may be formed coupler heads262, which may be inserted into the lower portion of the pump cap150. The coupler heads262may correspond to passageways through which the contents stored in the storage parts260,270are discharged to the outside and may receive the pumps170inserted therein.

The pump threads264may be formed on the outer perimeter at the upper portions of the storage parts260,270, and the thread (no numeral assigned) formed in the inner perimeter of the storage-part cap290may be screw-joined to the pump threads264. As a result, the pump module110may be separably coupled to the upper portions of the two storage parts260,270adjoining each other.

Cap threads266may be formed on the outer perimeter at the lower portions of the storage parts260,270, and the thread formed in the inner perimeter of the lower cap280may be screw-joined to the cap threads266. As a result, the two storage parts260,270can be coupled more securely.

Thus, the cosmetic container100according to this embodiment provides the advantage that the storage parts260,270can be readily replaced, since the pump module110coupled to the upper portions of the storage parts260,270can be easily separated from the storage parts260,270. Such structure that allows refills can be even more useful in the context of a variable dispensing structure, as is the case with a cosmetic container100according to this embodiment. That is, as the contents stored in the storage parts260,270can be dispensed in variable amounts, the rates of consumption of the contents can differ. However, when a content stored in one storage part260,270is depleted, the user may simply replace the storage part260,270with a new one storing the depleted content and continue to use the cosmetic container100.

While the foregoing provides a description with reference to an embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciated that a person having ordinary skill in the relevant field of art would be able to make various modifications and alterations to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention set forth in the scope of claims below.