Lipstick-type cosmetic case

A lipstick-type cosmetic case with inner and outer coaxial sleeves with respective axial and helical cam tracks receiving cam followers for reciprocating a cosmetic pomade support within the sleeves. The axial cam tracks in the inner sleeve have inner restricted sections with upper tapered end pockets for receiving the cam followers and restricting inward axial movement therefrom. The helical cam tracks in the outer sleeve have upwardly facing continuous helical cam edges on one edge thereof and, on the opposite edge thereof, two inwardly facing stepped helical edge sections and an intermediate inwardly facing locking edge section for locking the followers against outward axial movement from the pockets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to lipstick-type cosmetic cases 
having a cosmetic pomade carrier adapted to be reciprocated between an 
inner, fully retracted or storage position and an outer, fully extended or 
cosmetic apply position. More particularly, the present invention relates 
to a new and improved cam track mechanism for reciprocating the carrier 
between its fully retracted and extended positions and for positioning and 
retaining the carrier in a predetermined stable intermediate position. 
Lipstick-type cosmetic cases of the type described conventionally employ a 
carrier with a cosmetic pomade support cup and a pair of coaxial sleeves 
surrounding the support cup. The support cup has one or two cam followers 
received within one or two pairs of axial and helical cam tracks in the 
sleeves for reciprocating the carrier between its fully retracted and 
extended positions by relative rotation of the sleeves. Typically, the 
sleeves are rolled or drawn sheet metal parts or injection molded plastic 
parts. 
Various proposals have been advanced for positioning and retaining the 
carrier in a predetermined stable position intermediate its fully 
retracted and extended positions. The primary purpose of such proposals is 
to enable the cosmetic case to be assembled and marketed with the carrier 
in the intermediate position for displaying the cosmetic pomade partly 
extended. The display of the partly extended cosmetic pomade may be 
accommodated by using a transparent cap and/or a transparent package. 
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,558, dated Aug. 22, 1978 and entitled 
"Lipstick Dispenser", a circumferentially extending section is provided in 
an axial cam track for positioning and retaining the carrier in an 
intermediate display position. In another example, in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,380,402, dated Apr. 19, 1983, entitled "Lipstick-Type Cosmetic Case With 
Display Position" and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, a 
circumferentially extending pocket is provided in a helical cam track for 
positioning and retaining the carrier in an intermediate display position. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A principal object of the present invention is to provide a sleeve 
mechanism for a lipstick-type cosmetic case of the type described having a 
new and improved cam track system for positioning and retaining the pomade 
carrier in a predetermined stable intermediate position. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved sleeve 
mechanism of the type described having sleeves which can be economically 
manufactured on a mass production basis by injection molding. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved 
lipstick-type cosmetic case of the type described which facilitates 
manually positioning the carrier in a predetermined stable intermediate 
position. In a conventional manner, the carrier is filled with cosmetic 
pomade with the carrier in its fully extended position. Then, the carrier 
is manually retracted to a stable intermediate position for preparing the 
product for being packaged and marketed with the cosmetic pomade partly 
extended for display. 
Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in 
detail hereinafter. 
A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from the following 
detailed description and accompanying drawings of an illustrative 
application of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts, a 
lipstick-type cosmetic case 10 incorporating a preferred embodiment of the 
present invention comprises a generally tubular applicator 12 and a 
transparent, generally cylindrical cap 14. A cosmetic pomade carrier 16 of 
the applicator 12 is supported by a sleeve mechanism of the applicator 
which comprises a pair of coaxial, generally cylindrical inner and outer 
guide sleeves 30, 40. In a conventional manner, the carrier 16 has a 
support cup 17 employed to support a lipstick or like cosmetic pomade 18. 
The support cup 17 is axially reciprocated within the sleeve mechanism 
between a fully extended pomade apply position and a fully retracted 
pomade storage position. The cosmetic case 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 
with the carrier and supported lipstick pomade 18 in a predetermined 
stable display position intermediate the fully extended and retracted 
positions. 
As best shown in FIG. 1, the applicator 12 has a stepped cylindrical base 
20 below the pair of coaxial sleeves 30, 40. The inner sleeve 30 and base 
20 are provided by a single injection molded plastic part. The outer 
sleeve 40 is mounted on the inner sleeve 30 for coaxial rotation thereon. 
The outer sleeve 40 is also an injection molded plastic part. The outer 
sleeve 40 is axially retained on the inner sleeve 30 between a lower 
annular shoulder 22 provided by the top of the stepped base 20 and an 
upper annular shoulder provided by a peripheral annular bead 24 at the 
upper end of the inner sleeve 30. 
The annular bead 24 of the inner sleeve 30 and the upper end of the outer 
sleeve 40 are configured to enhance the appearance of the sleeve assembly 
by fully enclosing the upper end of the inner sleeve 30 within the outer 
sleeve 40. The outer sleeve 40 may be made of opaque plastic having an 
aesthetically pleasing appearance. As alternatives, the inner and outer 
sleeves 30, 40 may be made of transparent plastic or a cover sleeve (not 
shown) may be provided on the outer sleeve to give the desired appearance. 
The inner sleeve 30 has a pair of diametrically opposed axial slots or cam 
tracks 32 having substantially the same shape and configuration (except 
for the provision of a tab 37 at the upper end of only one of the slots 
32). The two axial slots 32 extend from adjacent the lower end of the 
sleeve 30 to the upper end of the sleeve 30 (thereby bifurcating most of 
the sleeve 30 into two diametrically opposed, generally semi-cylindrical 
segments). A lateral slot or cam track offset 34 is provided just below 
the top of each axial slot 32 and a similar lateral slot or cam track 
offset 36 is provided at the bottom of each axial slot 32. The cam track 
offsets 34, 36 extend in opposite circumferential directions and are 
employed in a conventional manner for retaining the carrier 16 in its 
fully retracted and extended positions. The tab 37 is provided above the 
entrance to one of the upper cam track offsets 34 to help guide the 
carrier to its fully extended position. 
Each of the diametrically opposed axial slots 32 is divided into elongated 
sections 38, 39 having different slot widths. The relatively wide slot 
section 39 is provided at the upper or outer end of each axial slot 32 and 
the relatively narrow slot section 38 is provided at the inner or lower 
end of each axial slot 32. Each section 38, 39 has a uniform width except 
for the tab 37 and except that the lower narrow section 38 has an upwardly 
and outwardly tapered upper end providing a smooth cam track transition to 
the upper wide section 39. 
The outer sleeve 40 has a pair of helically extending grooves or cam tracks 
42 on its inner generally cylindrical surface. The grooves 42 are 
diametrically opposed and have substantially the same shape. Each groove 
42 is divided into an upper relatively narrow section 44 and a lower 
relatively wide section 45. The two sections have the same helix angle. 
Viewing the applicator 12 from above, the counterclockwise or upwardly 
facing edge or shoulder 46 of each helical cam track 42 provides a 
continuous helical cam edge as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8a-8d. The other, 
clockwise or downwardly facing edge or shoulder 47 of each helical track 
42 provides stepped helical cam edge sections as also seen in FIGS. 5 and 
8a-8d. Transverse or circumferential, downwardly facing locking edges or 
shoulders 48 are provided at the transition between the two cam edge steps 
or sections of the stepped edge 47. The locking shoulders 48 are parallel 
and in diametrically opposed relationship. The locking shoulders 48 lie in 
a common transverse plane immediately above the upper tapered ends of the 
lower axial slot sections 38 and face axially downwardly toward those slot 
sections 38. 
The carrier 16 is an injected molded plastic part of conventional 
construction The carrier support cup 17 has a pair of integral, 
diametrically opposed lugs or pins 60 which serve as cam followers. Each 
cam follower 60 is circular and extends radially outwardly through one of 
the axial slots 32 of the inner sleeve 30 and into one of the helical 
grooves 42 of the outer sleeve 40. Relative rotation of the inner and 
outer sleeves 30, 40 drives the followers along the cam tracks 32, 42 to 
axially position the carrier support cup 17 within the sleeves. 
To facilitate assembly of the carrier and coaxial sleeves 30, 40, the axial 
slots 32 of the inner sleeve and the internal grooves 42 of the outer 
sleeve extend to the outer ends of the sleeves for receiving the cam 
followers 60. The retention tab 37 of the inner sleeve 30 is dimensioned 
to permit insertion of the respective cam follower 60 past the tab 37 and 
yet to retain the carrier 16 below the tab 37 after assembly. 
Manual relative rotation of the sleeves 30, 40 reciprocates the carrier 16 
between its fully retracted position (where the supported lipstick pomade 
18 is retracted completely into the sleeves) and a fully extended position 
(where the lipstick pomade 18 projects from the sleeves for cosmetic 
application). In a conventional manner, relative rotation of the sleeves 
30, 40 may be accomplished by holding the outer sleeve (or any cover 
sleeve (not shown) mounted thereon) with one hand and manually rotating 
the base 20 with the other hand. Relative rotation in one direction drives 
the carrier 16 in one axial direction and relative rotation in the 
opposite direction drives the carrier 16 in the opposite axial direction. 
The continuous, upwardly facing helical cam edges 46 of the two helical 
cam tracks 42 cam the carrier 16 upwardly upon relative rotation of the 
sleeves 30, 40 in one direction. The other, downwardly facing, stepped 
helical edges 47 of the two helical cam tracks 42 cam the carrier 16 
inwardly upon relative rotation of the sleeves 30, 40 in the opposite 
direction. The end offsets 34, 36 receive and axially support the 
followers 60 in the end positions of the carrier 16 to lock the carrier 16 
against inadvertent axial displacement. 
The axial and helical cam tracks 32, 42 cooperate to position and retain 
the carrier 16 in a predetermined stable position intermediate its fully 
extended and retracted positions. The width of the upper axial slot 
sections 39 (0.101 inch in the disclosed embodiment) is slightly greater 
than the diameter of the cam followers 60 (0.088 inch in the disclosed 
embodiment) to permit the followers 60 to travel freely along those 
sections 39 in a conventional manner. When retracting the carrier 16 from 
its fully extended position, the cam followers 60 are retracted along the 
upper slot sections 39 to a predetermined intermediate position just above 
or just engaging the tapered edges of the upper ends of the lower narrow 
slot sections 38. Those upper tapered ends provide intermediate retaining 
pockets 65 for positioning the cam followers 60 and restraining them 
against further downward axial displacement. Further downward axial 
displacement is restrained because the cam followers 60 are slightly 
larger than the elongated narrow axial slot sections below the pockets 65. 
For example, each elongated slot section below the pocket 65 has a normal 
slot width (0.084 inch in the disclosed embodiment) which provides a 0.004 
inch interference. 
The width of the upper helical sections 44 (0.115 inch in the disclosed 
embodiment) is slightly greater than the diameter of the cam followers 60 
to permit the followers to travel freely along those sections in a 
conventional manner. The width of the lower helical sections 45 (0.300 
inch in the disclosed embodiment) is several times greater than the 
diameter of the cam followers 60. Therefore, the circumferential length of 
the transverse shoulders 48 is also several times greater than the 
diameter of the cam followers 60. 
The transverse shoulders 48 are axially located relative to the tapered end 
pockets 65 of the inner sleeve 30 so that after the cam followers 60 are 
retracted to their predetermined intermediate position within the 
retaining pockets 65, further relative rotation of the sleeves 30, 40 
positions the cam shoulders 48 directly above the cam followers 60. The 
cam shoulders 48 are then positioned to retain the cam followers 60 
against axial displacement in the upper or outward axial direction. The 
carrier 16 is then held in a stable intermediate position (with the 
cosmetic pomade partly extending from the sleeve mechanism) by the tapered 
end pockets 65 of the inner sleeve 30 and the transverse shoulders 48 of 
the outer sleeve 40. When retracting the carrier from its fully extended 
position, after the cam followers 60 are retracted to the intermediate 
retaining pockets 65, the succeeding slight relative rotation of the 
sleeves 30, 40 is free of further inward movement of the followers 60 and 
thus is accompanied by lower frictional resistance which signals that the 
carrier 16 is in the desired intermediate position. 
The lower elongated slot sections below the pockets 65 are only slightly 
narrower than the cam followers 60 to permit axial movement of the 
followers 60 therealong accompanied by slight outward expansion of the 
inner sleeve 30 (i.e., slight separation of the two semi-cylindrical 
segments of the bifurcated inner sleeve 30). The parts are dimensioned so 
that the resistance provided by those narrow slot sections is overcome 
with relatively little additional torque to provide for withdrawal of the 
carrier 16 to its fully retracted position. However, with the carrier 16 
in its intermediate position with the cam followers 60 in the tapered end 
pockets 65 and below the transverse shoulders 48, inadvertent displacement 
of the carrier 16 during storage, shipment and normal handling is 
prevented. 
Although the above-described orientation of the axial and helical cam 
tracks 32, 42 is preferred, the axial and helical cam tracks may be 
reversed end for end if desired. That is, the wide helical slot sections 
and narrow axial slot sections may be provided at the upper ends of the 
respective sleeves instead of at the lower ends. Also, the axial and 
helical cam tracks 32, 42 preferably are provided on the inner and outer 
sleeves 30, 40 respectively as disclosed. That could be reversed if 
desired to provide the helical cam tracks on the inner sleeve (in which 
event the helical cam tracks would be provided by slots) and the axial cam 
tracks on the outer sleeve. Further, if desired, only one of the two axial 
cam tracks 32 could be formed with a narrow or restricted cam track 
section 38 or only a single cam follower 60 and corresponding single pair 
of cooperating axial and helical cam tracks 32, 42 could be employed in 
place of the dual follower and dual cam track system shown and described. 
Although the drawings and description disclose the preferred embodiment of 
the present invention, they should not be deemed to limit the invention. 
Various modifications, adaptations and alternatives to the preferred 
embodiment may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the 
spirit and scope of the present invention.