Cosmetic powder dispenser

A cosmetic powder dispenser, comprising a housing structure forming upper, intermediate and lower compartments, the structure forming through openings in registering walls associated with the compartments, the housing structure including upper and intermediate rotors whereby rotation of the upper rotor enables a metered quantity of powder to gravitate through a first of the openings from the upper to the intermediate compartment, and whereby rotation of the intermediate rotor enables metered quantity of powder to gravitate through an additional opening from the intermediate compartment to the lower compartment, for use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to dispensing of cosmetic powder, and more particularly to controlled and metered dispensing of such powder.

There is need for means to control and thereby conserve cosmetic powder use and dispensing, and also to enable controlled powder metering dispensing by means of apparatus that is easily usable and storable in readily dispensing mode, for simple, reliable instant use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the invention to provide an improved and preferred cosmetic powder dispenser meeting the above need. Basically, the dispenser comprises

a) housing structure forming upper, intermediate and lower compartments, the structure forming through openings in registering walls associated with the compartments,

b) The housing structure including, upper and intermediate rotors whereby rotation of the upper rotor enables a metered quantity of powder to gravitate through a first of the openings from the upper to the intermediate compartment, and whereby rotation of the intermediate rotor enables said metered quantity of powder to gravitate through an additional opening from the intermediate compartment to the lower compartment, for use.

Another object comprises provision of a screen in the lower compartment to receive contact with powder gravitated into the lower compartment. Typically the screen has a concave side facing the interior of the lower compartment, for exposure and mixing, as well as a convex side to receive excess powder from the screen concave side, for storage and later disposal. Also, the housing typically has a receptacle facing that screen convex side, for receiving the excess powder.

A yet further object comprises provision of a hinge connecting the receptacle to other wall structure of the housing. In this regard, the upper and intermediate compartments effectively define a lid covering the interior of the lower compartment; and removable to enable access to that lower compartment, for metered powder use. The hinge typically allows upward swinging of the upper and intermediate compartments, to expose metered powder arrayed in the lower compartment.

As will be seen, the housing may include upper rotor structure covering said upper compartment, and an intermediate wall enclosing said intermediate compartment; also, the upper rotor typically has a side wall extending about the intermediate wall, and the intermediate wall is rotatable to disperse powder from the intermediate compartment to the lower compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As seen inFIG. 1, housing structure10forms upper, intermediate and lower compartments11,12and13. Compartment11may include an annular side wall14, horizontal cover14aand a transverse lower wall15. Cosmetic powder16is stored in the interior of the upper compartment, for use. Compartment11is rotatable about an upright central axis17, as on bearing18, forming an upright axle; accordingly, compartment11defines an upper rotor. An annular lower projection15afrom lower wall15extends about an upright bearing post18aenabling guided rotation of compartment11, i.e. the upper rotor, about axis17.

Intermediate compartment12directly below wall15, is also rotatable about axis17, as by manual manipulation of its annular outer wall12a. An annular groove in12receives a downwardly extending annular flange on the wall15, to guide rotation of12relative to11; also a central opening12bformed by12receives the projection15ato assist in guiding rotation of12relative to11, maintaining the disc-like wall12eof12, in rubbing sealing contact with wall15, blocking powder entry between12eand15, as during their relative rotation. In this regard, cosmetic powder16initially gravitates (seeFIG. 3) into a metering opening20through wall15offset from axis17, to fill that opening; and when a somewhat like opening21through wall12eregisters with opening20, in response to controlled rotation of11relative to12, such powder in20gravitates into opening21. SeeFIG. 4. Rotation of11relative to12occurs when11is grasped at14, and when12is grasped at12a, the two walls then relatively rotated until a detent therebetween is encountered and sensed, to externally indicate registration of openings20and21.

Lower compartment13may typically include an upper transverse wall24adjacent wall12e, and a receptacle25. Screen structure26is retained in25; and horizontal wall24may be retained to26as by frictional retainer or retainers27. Accordingly,24is integrated with13so as not to rotate relative to13. A downward through opening28is formed in wall24, and located to register with opening21in response to rotation of compartment12relative to compartment13. SeeFIG. 5, at which time the metered amount of powder in21gravitates through28downwardly onto the concave upwardly shaped screen structure26. Registration of openings21and28is indicated and detected by engagement of detent structure. Detents as referred to are schematically indicated at locations29and30, inFIGS. 4 and 5.

Thereafter, the upper and intermediate compartments10and11may be swung upwardly, about 90°, as about a hinge located at40, and relative to the receptacle25and screen26, to expose the powder gravitated onto26, for mixing and application to a user, who observes how much powder is presented for use. Excess powder falls through the screen into lower zone42, of the receptacle. Excess powder application to the user is thereby automatically avoided. Repeated operation of the device enables known metered quantities of powder to be supplied to the screen for use.

Note that a flange43on12projects downwardly into the receptacle, to be frictionally engaged by the retainer or retainers27which are frictionally retained to the screen structure.