Container for dispensing loose powder and method of filling the container

A container for loose powder, having a well defining a well volume, a side wall surrounding the well laterally to define an upwardly closed powder chamber extending circumferentially around the well, and a bottom member cooperating with the well and the side wall to close the lower ends of the well volume and the chamber. The bottom member and at least a part of the well are relatively rotatable between positions in which the well and bottom member cooperatively prevent passage of powder from the chamber to the well volume, and in which at least one gap opens to permit limited passage of powder from the chamber into the lower end of the well volume. A lid closing the well volume is removable to enable an applicator to transport powder from the well volume to a location outside the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cosmetic containers, and more particularly to containers for holding and dispensing loose powders.

Many powdered cosmetic and skin care products are conveniently packaged, for sale to end users, in compacts of a size appropriate to be carried in a handbag or pocket and to be comfortably held in a user's hand for application of the contents to the skin. Such compacts are generally satisfactory for holding a cake powder cosmetic product, which is pressed into cake form and coheres as a cake in the compact base until a portion of it is rubbed or scraped from the cake by the user, employing an applicator, at a time of desired application to the user's skin.

Some powders, however, are necessarily or preferably always maintained in loose condition. When loose powder is dispensed from a conventional container by a user, an undesirable powder cloud is generated. This problem of dust cloud generation has heretofore been intractable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a container for dispensing loose powders, in particular cosmetic powders, wherein the generation of a powder cloud incident to dispensing powder is significantly reduced or eliminated. Another object of the present disclosure is a cosmetic container that holds and dispenses materials that are supplied as frangible beads. The container is operable to grind the beads to release the material as a powder.

Other objects include providing such a container which is economical in manufacture, simple in structure, and easy both to fill with powder and to employ by a user for dispensing powder.

To these and other ends, the present disclosure broadly contemplates the provision of a container for loose powder, comprising a well defining a central upwardly open well volume having a lower end; a container side wall laterally surrounding the well and defining therewith an upwardly closed powder chamber extending circumferentially around the well and having a lower end; a bottom member disposed at a lower end of the well and powder chamber and cooperating therewith to close the central well volume and the lower end of the powder chamber, wherein the bottom member and at least a portion of the well are relatively rotatable between a first position in which the well and the bottom member cooperatively prevent passage of powder from the powder chamber to the well, and a second position in which at least one gap opens to permit limited passage of powder from the powder chamber into the lower end of the well volume; and an openable (e.g. removable) lid closing the upper end of the well for permitting a manipulable applicator to transport powder from the lower end of the well volume to an application location outside the container. The disclosure also embraces the container holding a quantity of powder.

In certain currently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, the container further comprises a bottom cap in which the bottom member is mounted, the bottom cap being disposed at the lower end of the container side wall with the bottom member facing the lower ends of the well volume and the powder chamber. The bottom cap is threaded on the container side wall such that by relative rotation of the bottom cap and the container side wall the bottom member can be moved back and forth between a first position engaging a lower end of the well to prevent passage of powder from the powder chamber into the well volume and a second position spaced from the lower end of the well sufficiently to define the aforesaid gap therewith. The well and the container side wall are connected together to close an upper end of the powder chamber. Moreover, the bottom cap may be initially separate from the container side wall such that the lower end of the powder chamber is open for filling with powder when the container side wall is inverted; in addition, the bottom cap and the container side wall may bear interfering surfaces permitting initial screwing of the bottom cap to mount the bottom cap on the container side wall at the aforesaid first position but preventing subsequent oppositely directed unscrewing of the bottom cap from the container side wall beyond the aforesaid second position.

In other embodiments of the disclosure, the container side wall, the bottom member, and a first upstanding cylindrical wall of the well are fixedly secured together, and the container further comprises a second cylindrical wall of the well snugly concentric with and rotatable relative to the first upstanding cylindrical wall about a common axis; a top cap (filling cap) closing an upper end of the powder chamber; and a lid rotatably removably mounted on the container (e.g. on the filling cap) for closing and opening an upper end of the well, the first and second cylindrical walls of the well each having at least one opening at or adjacent their lower ends such that rotation of the second cylindrical wall relative to the first cylindrical wall moves the aforesaid at least one opening of the second cylindrical (outer) wall into and out of register with the aforesaid at least one opening of the first cylindrical (inner) wall for opening and closing the gap, and the lid and an upper end portion of the second cylindrical wall having mutually engageable portions such that rotation of the lid on the container in opposite directions rotates the second cylindrical wall to open and close the gap.

In the latter embodiments, the lid may bear an applicator insertable in the well to pick up powder in the lower end of the well volume; and the filling cap may be initially separate from the container side wall to enable the powder chamber to be filled with loose powder from an upper end of the powder chamber and thereafter non-removably secured to the container side wall.

The disclosure in a further aspect embraces methods of filling the container. In embodiments of the container of the disclosure having a threaded bottom cap as described above, the method includes the steps of inverting the container before the bottom cap is mounted thereon such that the lower end of the powder chamber is open and faces upwardly, delivering loose powder into the powder chamber through the upwardly facing open lower end thereof while preventing delivery of loose powder into the well volume, and thereafter threading the bottom cap onto the container side wall until the bottom cap reaches the aforesaid first position. In embodiments of the container of the disclosure having the bottom member, container side wall and a first upstanding cylindrical wall of the well fixedly secured together, the method includes the steps of standing the container upright such that the powder chamber opens upwardly before the top cap is mounted on the container, delivering loose powder downwardly into the upwardly open powder chamber while preventing delivery of loose powder into the well volume, and thereafter non-removably mounting the filling cap on the container side wall.

In other embodiments of the disclosure the container further comprises a filling port through an upper surface of the powder chamber. The port is adapted to admit the powder into the chamber. A plug shaped to close the filling port is provided. According to one aspect a filling funnel is provide that is shaped to engage the filing port and adapted to direct the powder through the port.

According to another embodiment the container comprising a plurality baffles, the baffles each connected with an outer surface of the well and an inner surface of the sidewall. The baffles divide the powder chamber into a plurality of upwardly closed compartments. The container may also comprise a chamber bottom cover extending between the outer surface of the well and the sidewall and engaging bottom edges of the baffles. A plurality of holes may be provided in the chamber bottom cover, with at least one hole corresponding to each compartment so that the compartments are downwardly open through the respective holes. A bottom cap may also be provided in which the bottom member is mounted with the bottom cap disposed at the lower end of the container side wall with the bottom member facing the holes and being threaded on the container side wall such that by relative rotation of the bottom cap and the container side wall the bottom member moves back and forth between a first position engaging the holes to prevent passage of powder from the powder chamber into the well volume and a second position spaced from the holes to provide a passage for the powder from one or more of the chambers into the well volume.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure there is provided a container for dispensing powder from friable beads that comprises a well defining a central upwardly open well volume having a lower end, a container side wall laterally surrounding the well and defining therewith an upwardly closed bead chamber extending circumferentially around the well and having a lower end, the bead chamber adapted to hold one or more of the beads, one or more blades disposed on the side wall and extending into the chamber, and a bottom member disposed at a lower end of the well and bead chamber, rotatably connected with the sidewall, the bottom member comprising one or more protrusions extending partly into the chamber in close proximity to the blades, wherein the blades and protrusions are adapted to at least partially abrade or crush one or more of the beads when the bottom member is rotated with respect to the side wall. According to one aspect, the bead chamber contains one or more beads. The side wall is separated from the bottom member by a gap smaller than the beads to prevent the beads from exiting the chamber. Rotation of the bottom member with respect to the side wall abrades or crushes one or more beads to release the powder. The released powder flows through the gap and into the well. The container side wall may comprise a cylindrical extension and the bottom member may comprise a cylindrical gap adapted to accept insertion of the extension. The extension and the gap may be arranged to allow mutual rotation of the side wall and the bottom member. According to one aspect a ring is formed on one of the extension and the gap and a groove is formed on the other of the extension and the gap. Engagement of the ring and the groove provide a snap fit connection between the side wall and the bottom member.

According to a further aspect the container includes a lid that removably closes the upper end of the well and that can be opened for permitting a manipulable applicator to transport powder from the lower end of the well volume to an application location outside the container. According to a still further aspect the applicator is mounted on an inner surface of the lid.

It will be understood that orientations and directions such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upwardly,” “lower,” “top” and “bottom” are used with reference to the container when in closed condition with its base resting on a horizontal surface. “Limited passage of powder” means passage of a quantity of powder that is small relative to the capacity of the powder chamber and the depth of the well. “Snugly” means that the first and second cylindrical walls are in close enough contact with each other to effectively prevent passage of loose powder therebetween although they are relatively rotatable.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description hereinafter set forth, together with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1-13illustrate the loose powder container of the disclosure as embodied in an axially vertical cylindrical jar10(typically of a size that can be held in a user's hand) having a main body11, a lid12and a bottom cap14each comprising (for example) one or more molded plastic elements. The main body includes a downwardly tapering frusto-conical well16defining a central upwardly open well volume18with a lower end20, and a cylindrical container side wall22concentrically surrounding the well16so as to define therewith a powder chamber24extending circumferentially around the well and having a lower end30; an upper end31of the powder chamber is closed by a portion of the main body connecting the well and the side wall. Before the jar is used the powder chamber is filled with a quantity32of the loose powder (e.g. a cosmetic powder) which is to be held in and dispensed from the jar, and the central well volume (which extends vertically through the jar from the top to the bottom of the jar) is empty.

The lid12is mounted by mating threads33a,33bon the top of the main body11so as to be removable therefrom, enabling a user to access the upwardly open well volume with an applicator such as a bristle-headed brush B (shown in broken lines inFIG.4) for picking up powder from the bottom of the well and transporting and applying the powder to a selected area of the user's skin. The bottom cap is mounted by mating threads34a,34bon the lower end of the main body11so as to be vertically movable relative thereto, by relative screwing and unscrewing motion, between an upper first position (FIGS.3and7) and a lower second position (FIGS.4and8), but as explained below, the threaded engagement of the bottom cap and main body is such that once the bottom cap has been initially screwed on the main body past the second position toward the first position, it cannot be removed from the main body, i.e. it cannot move back in the other direction beyond the second position.

Fixedly secured within the bottom cap is a generally dish-shaped bottom member35disposed below and facing the circular lower end edge37of the well16and extending to the inner surface of the container side wall22(or to an annular seal38mounted on that surface, seeFIGS.7and8) so as to close the lower ends of the well volume18and the powder chamber24by engaging the well lower edge37when the bottom cap is in the aforesaid first position (FIG.3), thereby preventing passage of powder from the powder chamber to the well volume. When the bottom cap is rotated relative to the main body so as to descend from the first position to the second position (FIG.4), the bottom member moves downwardly away from the lower edge37of the well, opening a small continuous gap40between the bottom member and the well edge37around the periphery of the well. The lower end of the powder chamber24now communicates through this gap with the well volume, permitting limited passage of powder from the powder chamber into the lower end20of the well volume. That is to say, the bottom member (mounted in the bottom cap) and the well (fixedly secured to the main body) are relatively rotatable between a first position in which the well and the bottom member cooperatively prevent passage of powder from the powder chamber to the well, and a second position in which at least one gap opens to permit limited passage of powder from the powder chamber into the lower end of the well volume where it can be picked up by an applicator.

The central portion42of the bottom member35effectively serves as a floor of the well volume18and may be substantially planar; powder passing from chamber24to well volume18when the gap40is open lies on this portion42of the bottom member and is accessible to an applicator such as the aforementioned bristle-headed brush B inserted manually into the well volume from the top. To facilitate such pick-up of powder, the horizontal diameter of the well volume lower end20is sufficiently large to accommodate substantial lateral movement of the brush around the surface of bottom member portion42. The annular outer portion44of the bottom member35curves or slopes upwardly so that its periphery46engages the inner surface of the container side wall22(or annular seal38) not only when the bottom member is in the closed first position ofFIGS.3and7but also when it is in the open-gap second position ofFIGS.4and8. Consequently, powder cannot escape from the powder chamber, in either position of the bottom member, except through the gap40.

The features preventing removal of the bottom cap14from the main body11after the cap is initially screwed on the main body are illustrated inFIGS.5,6A and6B. The mating threads34a(on the bottom cap) and34b(on the container side wall22) have three sets of ramps or bumps48a(on threads34a) and48b(on threads34b) respectively having flats50aand50bthat interfere to prevent over-ride of the threads if a user attempts to unscrew the bottom cap beyond the second position after the bottom cap has initially been screwed onto the main body following the filling of the container with powder for dispensing. In particular, each ramp48aand48bis a non-return bump with a right-angle geometry (a flat50aor50bperpendicular to the tangent to the direction of screwing/unscrewing thread movement at the location of the flat); the flat50aof each ramp48aon the bottom-cap thread34afaces away from the screwing direction of advance of the thread, while the flat50bof each ramp48bon the cylinder side wall22faces toward the latter direction. Thus, during initial mounting of the bottom cap on the side wall22, the screw threads act normally; i.e., the ramps48aand48b, having relatively easy slopes and sliding easily over each other (deforming the plastic slightly), permit the bottom cap to be screwed on the side wall22all the way to the aforesaid first position. In the opposite (unscrewing) rotational direction, however, the flats50aand50bface each other and are positioned to engage interferingly with each other to prevent further unscrewing movement of the bottom cap when the bottom cap reaches the aforesaid second position relative to the container side wall22.

The method of initial filling of the powder chamber24of the jar10with loose powder to be dispensed is shown inFIGS.9-13.FIG.9is a perspective view of the main body11of the container, before mounting of the bottom cap but with the lid12screwed on, as positioned to receive the powder. The body11is inverted, resting on the lid12so that the lower end30of the circumferential powder chamber24defined by cylindrical container side wall22opens upwardly to receive the powder; the lower end20of the well volume18also opens upwardly, surrounded by the lower end edge37of the well16.

The inverted main body, lid down, is placed on a vibrating table54(FIG.10) beneath a filling arrangement including a powder hopper56, a standard loose powder auger58extending below the hopper for effecting controlled downward advance of loose powder from the hopper, and a filling adapter60at the lower end of the auger. This filling adapter has a cylindrical outer side wall62and a downwardly flaring frustoconical central diverter64cooperatively defining an annular region66, open at both top and bottom, for guiding all powder descending from the auger into the upwardly opening annular lower end of the powder chamber24, i.e., preventing the powder from entering the well volume18or falling outside the container side wall22.

After the hopper56has been supplied with loose powder to fill the jar10, the auger58is driven (rotated) to advance the powder downwardly from the hopper into the filling adapter60, which delivers the falling powder into the upwardly opening lower end of the powder chamber24while keeping the well volume18free of powder. When the powder chamber has been filled to a desired level the auger and vibrating table are switched off (the vibrating table serves to promote even distribution of the delivered powder within the powder chamber).

The filling of the powder chamber is also illustrated inFIG.11, which represents the powder being delivered to the chamber by arrows68. Once filed with the desired quantity of powder32, the lower end of the powder chamber is closed (as is the lower end of the well volume18) by mounting the bottom cap14on the lower end of the main body (FIG.12). The cap screws smoothly onto the main body until it reaches the fully screwed position, i.e., the aforementioned first position (FIG.13) because the ramps46aand48bon the mating screw threads permit such one-directional screwing movement, but thereafter the bottom cap is permanently held on the main body because the interengaging flats50aand50bprevent it from being unscrewed beyond the second position. The bottom member35engages the lower end edge of the well16, isolating the well volume from the filled powder chamber so that when the jar10is turned into the upright position, with the bottom cap down and the lid12uppermost (FIG.2), the well volume is entirely empty of powder.

Use of the jar10for dispensing the contained loose powder without generating powder clouds may now be readily explained. Starting with the jar in the position shown inFIG.2, a user opens the lid12by unscrewing and removing it, so that the empty well volume18is upwardly open for external access, but is isolated from the powder chamber at its lower end20(FIG.3). Then, holding the exposed outer side surface70of the main body11with one hand, the user twists the bottom cap14with the other hand, to unscrew the bottom cap until it descends to the aforementioned second position (FIG.4), at which it is stopped from further unscrewing by the above-described engagement of flats50aand50b. This restricted unscrewing motion opens the gap40between the well lower edge37and the bottom member35, enabling a small amount or dose of powder to pass from the powder chamber24to the central flat portion42of the bottom member, which serves as the floor of the well volume. Such passage of powder is facilitated by the downward slope of the annular outer portion of the bottom member, which constitutes the floor of the powder chamber.

The user now introduces an applicator, such as the brush B having a rigid wood or plastic handle and a brush head of soft bristles at its end, into the well volume18, and by manipulating the brush handle, swirls the bristles around the floor of the well volume to pick up the powder, which can then be carried on the brush out of the jar to a desired locality of application on the user's skin. The amount of powder delivered into the well from the powder chamber upon opening of the gap may be increased by shaking the jar or tapping the well16with the brush. When a desired application of powder is completed, the user twists the bottom cap14in a screwing-on direction while holding the main body at side surface70, thereby closing the gap40by return of the bottom member to its first position.

The container10effectively eliminates or prevents generation of a powder cloud incident to dispensing the loose powder by limiting the amount of powder that is exposed and available for pickup by the applicator, the powder being dosed only a small amount at a time into the central well volume which is the only locality of exposure of any loose powder. The depth of the well further reduces any powder cloud generation.

FIGS.14-28show another embodiment of the container of the disclosure, viz., a jar80including a cylindrical container side wall82, a bottom member84, and a first upstanding cylindrical wall86of a well88all fixedly secured together (e.g. molded integrally). A second cylindrical wall90of the well88snugly concentrically surrounds, and is rotatable relative to, the first upstanding cylindrical wall86about a common vertical axis. Well wall90extends above well wall86and also above container side wall82; at the top of wall86, the inner cylindrical surface of wall90is offset inwardly to form an annular seat91resting on the top edge92of wall86. Both cylindrical well walls86and90extend down to the bottom member84, the first or inner well wall86being fixedly attached to the bottom member and the second or outer well wall90being rotatable relative thereto.

The inner surfaces of the two cylindrical well walls86and90respectively define upper and lower portions of a central axially vertical well volume93opening upwardly and closed at its lower end94by a central portion96of the bottom member84which is fixedly secured to the bottom member. The outer surface98of well wall90and the inner surface of the container side wall82cooperatively define an upwardly open powder chamber100(for holding loose powder to be dispensed) closed at its lower end102by an annular peripheral portion104of the bottom member84fixedly secured to the lower end of the container side wall.

Along its lower edge105, where it joins the bottom member, the inner well wall86is formed with four relatively small openings or vents106, shown as rectangular, spaced equidistantly around the periphery of wall edge105. These openings are equal in size and shape; each has a horizontal length which is a minor fraction of the distance between adjacent openings104and a height less than its length. The lower edge108of the outer well wall90is similarly formed with four equidistantly spaced openings or vents110, at least substantially the same in size as the inner well wall openings106. The outer well wall90is capable of limited rotation about the aforesaid vertical axis, relative to the inner well wall86, between a first angular position in which the outer wall openings110are completely out of register with the inner wall openings106(i.e., each opening106is fully occluded by a portion of the outer wall90where no opening exists), such that no gap exists between the powder chamber and the well volume, and a second angular position in which the outer wall openings110are substantially entirely in register with the inner wall openings106, such that each pair of openings106,110cooperatively constitutes a gap or gap portion112through which a small amount or dose of loose powder contained in chamber100can pass into the lower end of central well volume93to rest on the bottom member portion96within the well volume for pickup by an applicator.

The top edge92of inner well wall86is formed with four equidistantly spaced upwardly open notches114each having vertical ends116and a horizontal lower margin118substantially twice as long as the length of each aperture106. Four equidistantly spaced teeth120formed on and projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the outer well wall90immediately below seat91are respectively received in the notches114, each of teeth120having a horizontal length that is substantially half that of each notch114. The locations of the notches, and the teeth, on the respective well walls relative to the wall openings106and110are such that rotation of outer wall90relative to inner wall86is limited (by interfering engagement between vertical end edges of notches and teeth) to a range between the aforesaid first and second angular positions respectively corresponding to closure and opening of gaps between the powder chamber and the central well volume. At its upper end, the outer well wall90has four equidistantly spaced indentations121for respectively receiving four vertical ribs140of a lid142that impart rotary movement (through the range just defined) to wall90when the lid is turned, enabling a user to open and close the aforementioned gaps112for permitting or preventing passage of loose powder from the bottom of the powder chamber to the bottom of the well volume.

Filling of the powder chamber100(FIG.16) with loose powder to be dispensed from the jar80is performed in the same manner as in the case of the jar10ofFIGS.1-13, using apparatus including a powder hopper122, standard loose powder auger124, filling adapter126with central diverter128, and vibrating table132, except that instead of being inverted, the jar80is positioned upright on the vibrating table and the powder is delivered into the open upper end of the powder chamber100while being prevented by the diverter from entering the open upper end of the well volume93.

When filling is complete, a filling cap144is non-removably mounted by thread134on the upper end of the container side wall82to permanently close the powder chamber93defined between the container side wall82and well88, and to trap the rotatable well wall90within the jar. The aforementioned lid142is rotatably removably mounted on the container (viz., on the filling cap144) for closing and opening an upper end of the well, the lid and an upper end portion of the outer well wall90having, as mentioned above, mutually engageable ribs140and indentations121such that rotation of the lid on the container in opposite directions rotates the wall90to open and close the gaps112. An applicator146with a bristle brush head may be mounted in the lid.

Specifically, a skirt150of the lid142surrounds applicator146and bears, on its inner surface, the four vertical ribs140respectively received in the indentations121of the outer well wall when the lid is mounted on the filling cap144. The lower edges152of ribs140are spaced above the lower edge154of skirt150, which bears four short and equidistantly spaced horizontal ribs157projecting inwardly. These ribs157are respectively inserted in four horizontal open-ended sockets158formed on the outer side surface of a short central cylindrical neck160of the filling cap; the upper end of rotatable well wall90, including the indentations121, projects through and above the filling cap neck160, as best seen inFIGS.27-28. In the fully assembled container ofFIGS.14-28, lid142is mounted on the filling cap by insertion of the horizontal ribs157into the sockets158, i.e. by turning the lid relative to the filling cap, the vertical ribs140being received in the indentations121at the top of rotary well wall90.

To remove the lid from the container for dispensing powder, the lid is initially turned in a direction for withdrawing the horizontal ribs from the sockets; the vertical ribs140and indentations121are so positioned and arranged that this initial turning of the lid does not rotate the wall90. After the ribs57are freed from the sockets158, continued turning of the lid in the same direction causes the vertical ribs140to engage vertical edges of the indentations121so as to rotate the wall90around the inner well wall86from the closed position (in which openings106and110are out of register) to the open position (in which the openings106and110are in register) providing the gaps112through which a small amount of loose powder is dispensed from the powder chamber into the bottom of the well for pick-up by the applicator. When the jar80is thus employed to dispense the contained loose powder, it affords advantages similar to those provided by the jar10ofFIGS.1-13with respect to the prevention or minimization of powder cloud generation.

FIGS.29A,29B,30A,30B,31A, and31Billustrate a further embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.29Ashows a perspective view of a container210similar to the one illustrated inFIGS.1-8. The container includes a main body211and bottom cap214. As shown in the cross section inFIG.29B, bottom cap214threads onto main body211. Side wall222of main body211forms an outer wall of powder chamber224. Frustoconical wall216of the main body211forms an inner wall of the powder chamber224and the outer wall of well218. Wall216has a lower edge237. When the container is in a first, closed position engagement of the lower edge237with the upper surface244of bottom cap214closes chamber224and prevents powder in chamber224from flowing into well218. As with previous embodiments, rotation of the main body211with respect to the bottom cap214causes the cap to move to a second, open position away from the main body, separating edge237and surface244, allowing a quantity of powder in chamber224to flow into well218.

Main body211includes a fill hole204that connects with chamber224. Plug202is sized to form an interference fit with hole204. According to one embodiment, friction between plug202and the sides of hole204keep the plug in the hole until a user removes the plug, as shown inFIG.30A. According to another embodiment, plug includes a groove about its circumference that engages with a protrusion on the inner surface of hole204. The groove and protrusion are positioned to create a snap fit connection between the plug and the hole. According to another embodiment plug202includes threads that engage with threads on the inner surface of hole204to removably fix the plug in the hole.

As shown inFIG.31A, a filling funnel206is provided. Funnel206has a bottom extension208that is shaped to fit within hole204and a hopper209positioned above the extension that is open to receive refill powder234. As shown inFIG.31B, refill powder234in hopper209flows through extension208and into chamber224. This allows a user to replenish the supply of powder in chamber224. Once the contents of chamber224are replenished, funnel206is removed from hole204and plug202is replaced, closing chamber224.

FIGS.32,33, and34show a container according to another embodiment of the disclosure that includes multiple chambers for holding different powders separate from one another.FIG.32shows a cross section of a container according to this embodiment.FIG.33shows a perspective view of the body311of the container with chamber cap360removed from chamber member320to show a plurality of powder chambers352.FIG.34shows body311with chamber cap360in place on chamber member320.

As shown inFIG.32, well318is provided in the center of the container. Threads334aon body311engage with threads334bon bottom cap314to connect the body with the cap. As with previously disclosed embodiments, a disk-shaped bottom member335on cap314engages with the lower edge337of inner wall316when the container is in a closed, first position, holding powder within powder chambers352, as will be discussed below. Rotation of cap314with respect to body311unscrews threads334aand334bto move bottom member335away from edge337into the second position, allowing powder contained in powder chambers352to flow into well318. Lid312is threaded onto main body311to close well318when the container is not in use. Foam seal331is adhered to the inner surface of lid312and presses against surfaces of body311to form a resilient, airtight closure.

FIG.33shows main body311, which is composed of chamber member320and chamber cap360.FIG.34shows chamber cap360positioned on chamber member320. Body311inFIGS.33and34is upside down with threads334aupward as compared with the assembled container inFIG.32. Inner wall316of chamber member320forms the outer side of well318and the inner sides of the powder chambers352when the container is assembled. The outer side of side wall322forms the outer surface of body311and the outer sides of chambers352.

As shown inFIG.33, a plurality of baffles350a-dextend from inner wall316to side wall322. Note that only two of the baffles350aand350dare visible in the cross-sectional view ofFIG.32. Walls316and322and baffles350a-dare connected with one another to form separate, upwardly closed chambers352. In this illustrative embodiment, four baffles352a-dare shown forming four chambers352. The disclosure is not limited to four chambers and a greater or lesser number of chambers may be provided within the scope of the disclosure.

As shown inFIG.33, chamber cap360is provided with a plurality of slots362a-dpositioned to engage with corresponding ones of baffles350a-d. Notches366are provided along the inner circumference of chamber cap360. According to one embodiment, each notch366is located mid-way between slots362a-dand each forms an opening for a respective chamber352.

FIG.34shows chamber cap360engaged with chamber member320. Corresponding baffles350a-dare engaged with slots362a-d. According to one embodiment, chamber cap360is fixed to chamber member320by a method known in the field, for example, by welding or gluing or by providing interengaging structures to snap fit the parts together. According to a further embodiment, chamber cap360and chamber body320are removeably connected with one another. Notches366provide openings for each respective chamber to allow powder to be released, as will be described below.

As shown inFIG.32, when main body311is in its closed, first position, edge337of inner wall316is positioned against bottom member335. In addition, chamber cap360is positioned against bottom member335. In this position, notches366are pressed against the bottom member, preventing powder from exiting the chambers352. When bottom cap314is rotated relative to body311, bottom member335moves away from chamber cap360into the open, second position so that notches366are in communication with well318, allowing powder from each of the chambers352to flow into well318.

In this embodiment, four chambers352may each hold a different powder. Each powder flows into well318separately through the respective notch366, allowing a user to blend the powders, for example, using a brush B, as shown inFIG.4. By providing powders in separate, closed chambers, a container according to the present embodiment allows different powders, that may interact chemically with one another during storage, to remain separate until they are used.

FIGS.35to39show another embodiment of a container for storing and delivering a product used in powdered form that is supplied as friable beads. As shown inFIG.35, the container has a cap412, a main body411, and a base414. Cap412is removably connected with main body411by interlocking threads on the inside surface of the cap and the outside surface of the main body.FIG.36shows a cross section of the main body411and base414with the cap removed. Threads433near the upper rim of the main body engage with the cap412.

Base414includes bottom component458and pan460.FIG.37shows pan460separable from bottom component458according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment, bottom component458and pan460are formed as a unitary body, for example, by molding. Pan460includes an outer annular region444surrounding a central platform420. One or more protrusions452are arranged circumferentially on the annular region444.

As shown inFIG.36, bottom component458has vertically extending outer wall446. Pan460has a vertically extending outer wall445. Walls445and446are concentrically arranged with a gap between them.

FIG.38is perspective view of main body411turned upside down from how it is shown inFIG.36. Frustoconical wall416forms the outer side of central well418and an inner surface of bead storage chamber424(as shown inFIG.36). One or more blades450extend radially outward from wall416. Cylindrical extension422forms a lower part of body411. Threads433along the upper rim of body411engage with cap412when the container is assembled.

As shown inFIG.36, cylindrical extension422is positioned in the gap between walls445and446of base414. Sufficient clearance is provided so that cylindrical extension422can rotate within the gap. According to one embodiment, a circumferential ring410is provided on an outer surface of extension422and a corresponding circumferential groove412is provided on the inner surface of wall445. Ring410and groove412interlock so that body411can be snap fit onto base414while allowing the body and base to rotate with respect to one another.

Lower edge437of wall416on body411is separated from annular surface444of pan460by a small gap. Chamber424holds supply of friable beads445. The beads are composed of material that will be abraded from the beads and delivered to the bottom surface of well418when the container is operated. The size of the beads is larger than the gap so the beads are secured in chamber424. Blades450on body411are positioned to pass closely to protrusions452when the container is operated. When the container is held in the upright position, as shown inFIGS.36and39, beads44rest on the surface of pan460in and around blades450and protrusions452.

FIG.39shows a perspective view of the assembled container in cross section. Beads are not shown inFIG.39for clarity. As indicated by the arrows, main body411rotates with respect to base414. Blades450rotate along with body411relative to protrusions452on the annular region444of pan460. Beads are caught between the edges of protrusions452and the blades450, crushing or abrading some of the beads, dislodging the friable material. The dislodged material flows down the annular portion466of the base, through the gap between edge437and annular region444, and onto the bottom surface of well418. This material can be collected, for example, using a brush B, as shown inFIG.4. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the features and embodiments hereinabove specifically set forth but may be carried out in other ways without departure from its spirit.