Cosmetic dispenser with long lasting swivel drag effect

Abstract: A cosmetic preparation dispenser (20) is provided that has a bevelled shoulder (90) around an outer wall of innerbody (50) and a step surface (92, 192, 194) that frictionally engages the bevelled shoulder (90) when downward force is applied to the elevator cup (100), thereby preventing relative rotation of the cam sleeve (30) and the innerbody (50) and consequent retraction of the elevator cup (100). The dispenser thus prevents undesirable retraction of the cosmetic pomade (108) when force is applied during application of the cosmetic by a consumer.

Description: The present invention relates to the field of cosmetic and lipstick dispensers, and particularly to a dispenser suited to provide a consistent and long lasting frictional swivel drag effect during operation of the dispenser. Conventional propel/repel lipstick dispensers typically have an outer helical cam track sleeve and a longitudinal track innerbody rotatable inside the cam sleeve to axially propel and retract an elevator cup with a lug or lugs that track in the cam track and in the longitudinal track. It is known in the art to provide cosmetic dispensers such as lipstick cases with a desirable frictional drag "feel" to the consumer operator when the dispenser is operated to extend or retract the cosmetic stick. It is desirable in providing such a feel that the swivel torque needed to rotate the components to dispense the lipstick remain nearly constant, regardless of whether the dispenser is nearly full or exhausted of the cosmetic. The swivel torque should be significant enough to impart a firm feel to the dispenser. Looseness, uneven drag, or inconsistency of torque can be interpreted by the consumer as indicating an inferior quality product. The prior art has attempted to provide the desired firmness and consistency of swivel torque by a number of devices. United States Patent No. 4,750,501 to Ackermann et al. is an example of one type of cosmetic applicator wherein an objective is to impart an even drag and swivel torque during operation. In other prior art devices, two lugs or tabs are provided on the elevator cup to press against the innerbody or the cam sleeve to provide frictional interference therebetween; in other devices ribs have been provided on the innerbody that frictionally fit against the elevator cup. However, these prior art devices have generally suffered from inconsistent swivel torque along the travel of the elevator cup as it moves from the extended to the retracted position. This problem arises because the effective inner diameter of the innerbody can vary along its length and thereby vary the swivel torque in an undesirable manner. The dispenser can therefore tend to feel looser when the cup is at one end and tighter when the cup is at the other end. In GB-A-1205241, the lower end of the cam sleeve of the cosmetic stick holder is provided with slots which form resilient tongues which flex radially outwardly and frictionally bear on a bevelled bearing surface provided at the base of the innerbody, as shown in Figure 8 of that document, so as to restrain relative rotation of the cam sleeve and innerbody. In yet other prior art devices, two lugs or tabs are provided an the innerbody to press against the cam sleeve to provide frictional interference between the two rotating elements of the dispenser. Such a device is shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 5,186,560, issued Feb. 16, 1993 to Holloway, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, as well as in U.S. Patent No. 5,186,561 issued Feb. 16, 1993 to Ackermann and Holloway, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. It has been found that over long periods of time the resilient flex tabs can sometimes lose their frictional engagement with the cam sleeve. This is believed to be due to the use of a plastic material to form the innerbody. The plastic experiences "cold flow" from the force of the flex tab against the cam sleeve, so that the flex tab is eventually bent out of position. The bent flex tab will have a substantially reduced frictional engagement with the cam sleeve. Another problem found in certain prior art dispensers is the problem of pomade back-off. Pomade back-off occurs when a consumer is using a lipstick dispenser and the force of applying the lipstick to the consumer's lips pushes the pomade and elevator cup down the helical tracks of the dispenser. Pomade back-off is generally prevented when the pomade is fully extended by providing horizontal locking tracks at the upper end of the inner body longitudinal tracks. However, if the consumer does not fully extend the pomade (as can often occur when a new lipstick is being used), the locking tracks are unavailing since the elevator cup is not extended sufficiently to engage in the locking tracks. Pomade back-off is most noticeable in single turn dispensers (in which the cam tracks extend around 360 degrees of the dispenser) which have relatively higher cam angles, so that pressure on the elevator cup tends to move the cup and pomade back down the cam and innerbody tracks. This problem is less acute in higher turn dispensers such as double or triple turn dispensers. However, for the convenience of a consumer, a single turn dispenser is preferable as it is easier and more elegant to use. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved cosmetic preparation dispenser having a mechanism to provide a consistent swivel torque which minimizes loss over time of the frictional drag that provides the desirable swivel torque. The desirable swivel torque imparts a luxurious feel associated in the perception of the consumer with a higher quality product. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved cosmetic preparation dispenser that reduces pomade back-off that can occur when a consumer applies pressure to a cosmetic pomade. It is an object of the present invention that the reduced pomade back-off feature be effective across the entire travel of the elevator cup. In accordance with the present invention there is provided a cosmetic dispenser comprising: a generally rigid cam sleeve having an upper end, a base and inner and outer walls and having an internal helical track extending along a substantial length of the inner wall of said cam sleeve; an innerbody having upper and lower ends, said innerbody being fitted into said tubular cam sleeve and being provided with a longitudinal track extending through the wall of said innerbody along a substantial length of said innerbody, said innerbody having a retaining lip at its upper end to retain said cam sleeve thereto; and a generally cylindrical elevator cup for containing a cosmetic preparation, fitted into said innerbody and having a cam follower lug extending through said longitudinal track to engage said helical track, said elevator cup being movable in an axial path by relative rotation of said innerbody and said cam sleeve; said innerbody having a bevelled shoulder around an outer wall thereof; and said cam sleeve being provided with a limited degree of axial movement relative to said innerbody and having a part thereof located adjacent said bevelled shoulder which is arranged to frictionally engage said bevelled shoulder, such that when downward force is applied to said elevator cup and transferred from said elevator cup to said cam sleeve through engagement of said lug in the helical track, said part is pushed downwardly into abutment with said bevelled shoulder and thereby acts as a frictional lock to prevent relative rotation of said cam sleeve and said innerbody and thus retraction of said elevator cup; characterized in that the part of the cam sleeve which is arranged to frictionally engage said bevelled shoulder comprises a corner or bevelled shoulder formed between the inner wall of a portion of said generally rigid cam sleeve, which extends generally parallel to said innerbody above said bevelled shoulder, and a lower edge of said cam sleeve. In one embodiment, a flex tab operating on one side of the cam sleeve causes the cam sleeve to tend to ride up the bevelled shoulder to increase frictional drag between an upper lip of the cam sleeve and a retaining lip of the innerbody to enhance the frictional effect. The increased friction thereby provided improves the feel of the dispenser and also reduces pomade back-off by making it more difficult for the dispenser components to rotate freely. This combination also reduces pomade back-off because force on the pomade is translated to the interface of the cam sleeve and the bevelled shoulder, causing the cam sleeve to frictionally lock in place against the bevelled shoulder of the innerbody. This prevents the innerbody and cam sleeve from rotation relative to each other and substantially eliminates pomade back-off. The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- FIG. 1 is a perspective view with a partial cutaway of an embodiment of a cosmetic dispenser with long lasting friction tab effect in accordance with the invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the dispenser of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-section elevation view of a bevelled shoulder of an innerbody engaging a cam sleeve in an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 3 showing a locking effect when force is applied to the elevator cup. FIG. 5 is a detail cross-sectional elevation view of a lower edge of an inner wall of the cam sleeve abutting a shoulder of the innerbody in another embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the invention. FIG. 6 is a detail cross-sectional elevation view of a lower edge of an inner wall of the cam sleeve abutting a shoulder of the innerbody in another embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the invention. Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, where like elements are identified by like numbers in the drawings, an improved cosmetic dispenser with long lasting swivel drag and anti-back-off features is shown generally at 20. Dispenser 20 comprises a cam sleeve 30, an innerbody 50, and an elevator cup 100. Cam sleeve 30 is rigid and tubular and has an upper end 32 and a lower base 34. Cam sleeve 30 has an inner wall 36 and an outer wall 38. At least one and preferably two internal helical tracks 40 and 42 are formed an the inner wall 36. Helical tracks 40 and 42 are located 180 degrees apart and extend along a substantial length of the inner wall 36 of the cam sleeve 30. Preferably, each helical track 40 and 42 provides one 360 degree circle in the inner wall 36 of cam sleeve 30. Cam sleeve 30 has a smooth inner wall 44 at its base 34. An ornamental outer shell 46 such as a brass tube may be fitted over the outer wall 38 of the cam sleeve for decoration. Innerbody 50 is also tubular and has an upper end 52 and a lower end 54. Innerbody 50 has an inner wall 56 and an outer wall 58. Innerbody 50 is fitted into the cam sleeve 30 and has at least one and preferably two longitudinal tracks 60 and 62 which extend along the axial length of the innerbody 50 and which extend through the walls 56 and 58 of the innerbody 50 along a substantial length of the innerbody 50. Preferably, one of the longitudinal tracks 60 extends to the upper end 52 of the innerbody 50 so that it is open at its upper end. The other longitudinal track 62 preferably does not so extend so that it is closed at its upper end. This permits easy assembly of the elevator cup 100 into innerbody 50. The longitudinal tracks 60 and 62 preferably have at their upper ends upper lateral track segments 64 and 66 respectively which preferably extend perpendicularly from the longitudinal tracks 60 and 62. The upper lateral track segments 64 and 66 assist the elevator cup 100 to be locked in an extended position for application of a cosmetic. The innerbody 50 is interlocked with the cam sleeve 30 so that rotation or application of a swivel torque to the cam sleeve 30 relative to innerbody 50 can be accomplished by gripping an extended cylindrical portion 68 on innerbody 50 with one hand and cam sleeve 30 with the other hand to raise or lower elevator cup 100. The cam sleeve 30 and innerbody 50 are preferably secured together by a retaining lip 70 on the upper end 52 of innerbody 50 that retains the upper end 32 of cam sleeve 30 in place on innerbody 50. The knob 68 of innerbody 50 has a larger diameter than the lower end 34 of cam sleeve 30 and thereby holds the cam sleeve lower end 34 in place. The elevator cup 100 is generally cylindrical and has a chamber 102 for containing a cosmetic preparation such as lipstick pomade 108. The cup 100 is fitted into the innerbody 50. Cup 100 has at least one and preferably two cam follower lugs 104 for seating in and following in the longitudinal tracks 60 and 62 of the innerbody 50 and the helical tracks 40 and 42 of the cam sleeve 30. The Jugs 104 are located 180 degrees apart and have a sufficient length to extend through the longitudinal tracks 60 and 62 to engage the helical tracks 40 and 42. Cup 100 is movable in an axial path in a conventional manner by relative rotation of the innerbody 50 and cam sleeve 30 by virtue of the lugs 104 seating in the helical tracks 40 and 42 of cam sleeve 30 and the longitudinal tracks 60 and 62 of innerbody 50. The relative rotation of the cam sleeve 30 and innerbody 50 causes the cup 100 to move axially to propel the elevator cup 100 to an extended position, and relative rotation in the opposite direction causes the elevator cup 100 to retract to a retracted position. In the preferred embodiment, the helical tracks 40 and 42 are right hand threads in the cam sleeve 30 and have a thread pitch of about 30 degrees so that each makes one complete revolution as the cup 100 traverses the length of the dispenser 20. This is desirable as only a single turn is needed to fully activate the dispenser 20 or to fully retract the dispenser. A resilient flex tab 76 is formed with and attached by tab root 77 to the lower end 54 of the innerbody 50. Preferably there is a single flex tab 76. The tab 76 is at least partially cut away from the innerbody 50 to enhance resilience. The flex tab 76 may have various embodiments as described in the art, and has sufficient resilience to be flexed radially inwardly. The flex tab 76 provides a frictional braking effect against the inner wall 44 of the base 34 of cam sleeve 30, to give the desired drag and constant swivel torque. Because the frictional engagement takes place around a fixed annular wall in a circumferential path, an even drag is provided that is relatively insensitive to the position of the elevator cup along the innerbody. The present invention provides enhanced swivel drag and eliminates undesirable pomade back-off during use of the dispenser 20 by providing a bevelled shoulder 90 at the lower end of innerbody 50 that engages the lower edge 92 of cam sleeve 30 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Referring to FIG. 3, the tab 76 provides an outwardly directed force on one side of the inner wall 44 of cam sleeve 30. This force pulls the cam sleeve 30 towards the side of innerbody 50 containing tab 76. This lateral force is translated, due to the angle of bevelled shoulder 90, into upward motion and force as lower edge 92 rides up shoulder 90. Consequently, the upper edge 32 of cam sleeve 30 is pressed against the retaining lip 70 of innerbody 50. This provides a substantial increase in swivel drag to impart the desired luxurious feel to dispenser 20. This enhanced swivel drag also helps to reduce pomade back-off by resisting relative rotation of the cam sleeve 30 and innerbody 50. Increased drag will also occur due to friction between bevelled shoulder 90 and lower edge 92. An additional benefit is that any unattractive gap that might exist between the retaining lip 70 and the upper edge 32 of the cam sleeve 30 is eliminated. In addition, the bevelled shoulder 90 will engage lower edge 92 and act as a positive frictional lock when force is applied to pomade 108, as follows. Force, such as the pressure of a consumer's lips, is applied to pomade 108, and will be transferred to lugs 104 of elevator cup 100. Lugs 104, being seated in helical tracks 40 and 42, transfer the downward force to the cam sleeve 30. Cam sleeve 30 is thereby moved downwardly slightly until lower edge 92 is jammed against and engages shoulder 90, effectively preventing rotation of cam sleeve 30 relative to innerbody 50 when the innerbody knob 68 is held stationary. Angle 93 of bevelled shoulder 90 is preferably in the range of about 6-20 degrees, and most preferably is 10 degrees. It has been found that the 10 degree angle provides the optimum frictional drag effect as well as an optimum locking effect. A stop shoulder 94 is provided on innerbody 50 to receive a stop wall 96 of cam sleeve 30. Stop shoulder 94 and stop wall 96 are located to prevent an over-extension of cam sleeve 30 on bevelled shoulder 90 which might cause splitting of the lower base 34 of cam sleeve 30. An alternative embodiment for minimizing undesirable pomade back-off during use of the dispenser 20 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein an interference fit is provided between a bevelled shoulder 190 on innerbody 50 and a joining wall of cam sleeve 30. Bevelled shoulder 190 is located at a higher location within cam sleeve 30 than the shoulder 90 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. 5, the cam sleeve joining wall 192 is a step or edged wall where an upper portion of the cam sleeve 30 joins the base wall 44. In FIG. 6, the cam sleeve joining wall 194 is bevelled to provide a mating surface 196 to fit against the bevelled shoulder 190 of innerbody 50. The joining walls 192 or 194 will press against shoulder 190 when a downward force is applied to the cam sleeve 30 and/or metal shell 46 via the pomade as described above. When the joining walls 192 or 194 are pressed against shoulder 190, the relative rotation of the cam sleeve 30 and innerbody 50 are restricted. This embodiment thus also reduces the ability of the elevator cup 100 to retract and consequently alleviates pomade back-off. The innerbody 50 and the cam sleeve 30 are preferably formed by molding from a thermoplastic such as styrene. The flex tab 76 is molded as part of the innerbody 50. If desired, ornamental coverings and caps may be provided as are known in the art. The present invention therefore provides a new and useful cosmetic dispenser with a substantially longer lasting frictional swivel drag effect than has been known in prior art dispensers, which is obtained without creating undesirable side effects. It is to be appreciated that the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting of the invention, and that various changes and modifications to the preferred embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and it is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the following claims.

Claims: A cosmetic dispenser (20) comprising: a generally rigid cam sleeve (30) having an upper end (32), a base (34) and inner (36) and outer (38) walls and having an internal helical track (40,42) extending along a substantial length of the inner wall (36) of said cam sleeve (30); an innerbody (50) having upper (52) and lower (54) ends, said innerbody (50) being fitted into said tubular cam sleeve (30) and being provided with a longitudinal track (60,62) extending through the wall of said innerbody (50) along a substantial length of said innerbody (50), said innerbody (50) having a retaining lip (70) at its upper end (52) to retain said cam sleeve (30) thereto; and a generally cylindrical elevator cup (100) for containing a cosmetic preparation (108), fitted into said innerbody (50) and having a cam follower lug (104) extending through said longitudinal track (60,62) to engage said helical track (40,42), said elevator cup (100) being movable in an axial path by relative rotation of said innerbody (50) and said cam sleeve (30); said innerbody (50) having a bevelled shoulder (90,190) around an outer wall thereof; and said cam sleeve (30) being provided with a limited degree of axial movement relative to said innerbody (50) and having a part thereof located adjacent said bevelled shoulder (90,190) which is arranged to frictionally engage said bevelled shoulder (90,190), such that when downward force is applied to said elevator cup (100) and transferred from said elevator cup (100) to said cam sleeve (30) through engagement of said lug (104) in the helical track (40,42), said part is pushed downwardly into abutment with said bevelled shoulder (90,190) and thereby acts as a frictional lock to prevent relative rotation of said cam sleeve (30) and said innerbody (50) and thus retraction of said elevator cup (100); characterized in that the part of the cam sleeve which is arranged to frictionally engage said bevelled shoulder (90,190) comprises a corner or a bevelled shoulder (194) formed between the inner wall (36,44) of a portion of said generally rigid cam sleeve (30), which extends generally parallel to said innerbody (50) above said bevelled shoulder (90,190), and a lower edge (92) of said cam sleeve. A dispenser in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bevelled shoulder (90) is provided at said lower end (54) of said innerbody (50), said cam sleeve portion is formed by said cam sleeve base (34), and said lower edge (92) is located at a lowermost end of said cam sleeve base (34). A dispenser in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bevelled shoulder (190) is provided above said lower end (54) of said innerbody (50), and said lower edge (92) is formed by an inner surface of a joining wall (192) between said cam sleeve portion and said cam sleeve base (34). A dispenser in accordance with claim 3, wherein said cam sleeve joining wall (192) is a step edged wall, such that said inner surface thereof extends generally perpendicular to the inner wall (36) of said cam sleeve portion extending above said bevelled shoulder (90,190). A dispenser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bevelled inner surface (194) is bevelled with respect to the inner wall (36) of said cam sleeve portion extending above said bevelled shoulder (90,190) and to the inner wall (44) of said cam sleeve base (34), and said bevelled inner surface frictionally engages said bevelled shoulder (90,190) when downward force is applied to said elevator cup (100). A cosmetic dispenser in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said bevelled shoulder (90,190) has an angle of between about 6 to about 20 degrees from an axis of said innerbody (50). A cosmetic dispenser in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said bevelled shoulder (90,190) has an angle of about 10 degrees from an axis of said innerbody (50). A cosmetic dispenser in accordance with any preceding claim, further comprising a stop shoulder (94) provided on the outer wall of said innerbody (50) to receive a stop wall (96) on the inner wall (36) of said cam sleeve (30) to limit downward movement of said cam sleeve (30) relative to said innerbody (50).

Inventors: ACKERMANN WALTER, HOLLOWAY THOMAS F, ACKERMANN, WALTER, HOLLOWAY, THOMAS F.
Applicants: RISDON AMS USA INC, RISDON/AMS (USA), INC.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A45D40
IPC codes: A45D40