Abstract:
A fluid dispenser includes an applicator attached to a base, as well as a case that is at least partially filled with a fluid. The base and case are telescopically mounted together and can be relatively reciprocated to retract and extend the applicator relative to the case. A piston is mounted in the case for outwardly urging the fluid.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/947,130, filed 29 Jun., 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to fluid dispensing, and in particular, to devices and methods for storing and applying fluids. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Dispensers of fluids such as cosmetics are often sold in small bottles with an applicator brush extending from a cap. 
     Cosmetics such as mascara, lip gloss and blush are widely used and enjoyed by many. People use cosmetics to enhance natural beauty and physical appearance. Often, confidence and self-esteem are elevated by results achieved when cosmetics are properly applied. 
     However, there are many who choose to restrict or even forgo the application of cosmetics due to certain difficulties associated with application. For example, a conventional mascara container consists of a cylindrical bottle having an applicator brush extending downwardly from the bottle cap into the contained fluid. To apply the fluid, the cap is removed from the bottle, pulling the fluid-saturated brush along with it. Often the brush contains excess fluid, causing uncontrollable dripping during application. In many instances, dripping still occurs even when the brush is carefully scraped against the mouth of the bottle. In addition, excess mascara often forms a tail on the end of the brush which must be removed before application, to avoid pilling, clumping or smearing. Users may tap or wipe off the excess, but this approach often creates a messy situation. Also, a large amount of the product is then wasted. 
     Even if the user successfully removes the mascara tail and is fortunate to avoid dripping, often the brush is not evenly coated with mascara when it is extracted from the bottle. This uneven distribution can prevent a neat and accurate application of the fluid, requiring multiple passes over the eyelashes. As a result, some lashes receive too much fluid, while others do not receive any. This tends to cause the eyelashes to clump together, creating an unsightly appearance which is difficult to rectify. 
     Further, a substantial portion of the product is often wasted due to being dried inside the container. In some cases the mechanical design does not prevent air seepage so that the brush and cosmetic may dry inside the container. Before long, the fluid begins to dry out or cake on the brush and inside the bottle, preventing it from being used. It is not uncommon for as much as 30% of the fluid content to be wasted. 
     Although the above example applies to mascara, many of the same disadvantages are also found with lip gloss, eyeliner, lip-liner, blush, nail polish and other liquid cosmetics. 
     See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,403,624; 4,687,364; 4,838,722; 4,750,502; 4,836,704; 4,976.562; 4,991,749; 5,042,955; 5,247,951; 5,349,972; 5,490,737; 5,851,079; 5,951,185; 6,231,256; 6,371,129; 6,718,990; 7,114,505; 7,237,973; and 4,838,722, as well as US Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004/0184865; 2005/0036823; 2006/0067781; and 2008/0056807. See also French Patent Publication Nos. 2563712; 2580479; 2598299; 2529765; 2562773; 2607731; 2585933; and 2701209. See also European Patent Specification Nos. 0 209 846; 0 163 323; 0 237 487; and 0 209 846. See also WO 8906097; ES 2011939 and DE 3808853. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a fluid dispenser. The dispenser has a base and an applicator attached to the base. Also included is a case at least partially filled with a fluid. The base and case are telescopically mounted together and are relatively reciprocatable to retract and extend the applicator relative to the case. The dispenser includes a piston mounted in the case for outwardly urging the fluid 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention a fluid dispensing method is provided. The method employs an applicator on a base that is telescopically mounted relative to a case that contains a fluid and a piston. The method includes in any order, the step of telescopically collapsing the base and case to expose the applicator. Another step is telescopically extending the base and case to sheath the applicator. The method includes the step of outwardly urging the piston to outwardly urge the fluid. 
     By employing apparatus and methods of the foregoing type an improved dispenser is achieved. In a disclosed embodiment, fluid is contained in a hollow case that is telescopically interfitted with a hollow base. An applicator such as a brush can be stored inside the case and mounted on a rod that is supported on the base, in the disclosed embodiment. The disclosed case can be closed with a cap; for example, an internally threaded collar fitted with a reciprocatable plunger. When the user depresses the plunger a slitted diaphragm on the plunger can wipe the tip of the applicator brush. 
     When the cap is removed and the base is telescopically collapsed into the case, the applicator brush can emerge through an opening at the end of the case. As the brush emerges from the case it passes by an annular lip that wipes excess fluid from the brush. 
     A fluid in the case, e.g., a cosmetic, can be urged through the case toward the applicator brush. The disclosed embodiment uses a piston that rides on a threaded sleeve, much like a lead screw. The threaded sleeve is rotatably mounted in the disclosed case at a fixed axial position relative to the case. The rod supporting the applicator brush can slide through the threaded sleeve and is keyed thereto. The user can turn the rod to turn the threaded sleeve and advance the piston inside the case. The outside end of the disclosed rod has an external ratchet wheel for turning the rod in one direction. 
     To prevent drying of the fluid when the dispenser is not in use, the disclosed embodiment has a number of sealing techniques. For example, to prevent leakage through the above-mentioned threaded sleeve, its inside end is tapered into a male fitting. The rod sliding through the threaded sleeve is fitted with a skirt that acts like a female fitting for engaging this male fitting much like a Luer fitting to prevent leakage through the threaded sleeve. This male and female fitting connect when the rod supporting the applicator brush is retracted into the case. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fluid dispenser in accordance with principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  with its cap removed and its base and case telescopically collapsed to expose an applicator brush; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view, partly in section, of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view, partly in section, of the dispenser of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded, detailed, fragmentary view of three of the components of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded, detailed, fragmentary view of three other components of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed, fragmentary view of the end of the base of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the dispensing wheel pulled away for illustrative purposes; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a locking clip that may be used with the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view, partly in section, of one end of the dispenser of  FIG. 2  showing the depression of the plunger of the cap; and 
         FIG. 11  is an inside end view of the plunger of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the illustrated fluid dispenser has a hollow base  12  telescopically fitted inside hollow case  10 . For most of its length case  10  has the shape of a generalized right oval cylinder; that is, a tubular form with an oval cross-section. Case  10  tapers through front section  10 A into a right cylindrical portion before stepping down into a smaller right cylindrical neck  10 B. Projecting from neck  10 B is a smaller cylindrical collar  10 C with about 1½ turns of threads  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , sections  10 A,  10 B and  10 C have progressively thinner walls. The main portion of case  10  has a proximal double wall shown composed of outer wall  10 - 1  and inner wall  10 - 2 . Inner wall  10 - 2  is shown extending beyond outer wall  10 - 1 . Base  12  has the shape of a generalized right oval cylinder whose distal annular wall is sized to telescopically fit in the space between double walls  10 - 1  and  10 - 2 . Having oval cross-sections, base  12  and case  10  cannot relatively rotate when fitted together. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the respective cross-sections can have a polygonal, circular or other shape. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , base  12  terminates in end wall  12 A, which is bordered by a pair of arcuate overhangs  12 B, each having an inwardly directed ratchet tooth  22  designed to engage ratchet thumbwheel  24  (also referred to as an exposed wheel). Perpendicularly projecting from the inside face of thumbwheel  24  is rod  26 , a cylindrical shaft with annular ridge  26 A for snapping the shaft into the hole in the center of end wall  12 A. 
     Rod  26  is flanked with an opposing pair of longitudinal, rectangular bosses  26 B designed to fit in rectangular slots  28 A of otherwise cylindrical passage  28 B of threaded sleeve  28 . The distal end of sleeve  28  is shown as frustroconical male fitting  30 , also referred to as a distal taper. External threads  32  are shown between fitting  30  and flange  28 C, whose distal face is formed into a frustroconical taper. Flange  28 D is spaced proximally from and shaped similarly to flange  28 C. Flange  28 E at the proximal end of sleeve  28  has a larger diameter than flanges  28 C and  28 D. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  7 , the proximal end of inner wall  10 - 2  is fitted with a retainer  38 , which again has the shape of a generalized right oval cylinder with a pair of partial flanges  34 A on one end, and on the other end, an annular sealing ridge  38 B. Threaded sleeve  28  snaps into opening  38 C of retainer  38  with flange  28 C on the inside and flange  28 D on the outside of the retainer. Wedges  38 D on opposite sides of retainer  38  are triangular prisms designed to snap into the two mating rectangular openings  39  near the end of inner wall  10 - 2 . 
     Piston  40  has a midsection in the shape of a generalized right oval cylinder, providing an axially asymmetric periphery and having on either end flared annular projections  40 A that act as seals against the internal surface of inside wall  10 - 2  of case  10 . Having an oval cross-section, piston  40  will not rotate inside wall  10 - 2 . In embodiments employing a circular cross-section, piston  40  may have may be keyed or have other means for preventing its rotation inside case  10 . Projecting from one end of piston  40  is internally threaded central tube  41  designed to thread onto threaded sleeve  28 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  6 , coupling  42  has a frustroconical mouth  42 A acting as an intermediate taper or female fitting for sealingly engaging tapered fitting  30  of sleeve  28 , much like a Luer fitting. Mouth  42 A leads to a smaller cylindrical receptacle for holding the distal end of rod  26 , which rod has a pair of recesses  26 C designed to snap over nubs (not shown) on the inside of coupling  42 . (Coupling  42  is also referred to as an intermediate section of support rod  26 .) 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-5 , distal applicator brush  44  has a bristle brush head  46  mounted on a wire stem  48 , which stem is forced fit into a cylindrical bore on the distal end of coupling  42 . Instead of force fitting, some embodiments may employ glue, heat sealing, etc. In this embodiment the bristles of brush head  46  may extend mostly radially from the axis of the brush head, but in other embodiments (e.g., nail polish embodiments) brush bristles may extend axially or otherwise. Applicator brush  44 , coupling  42  and rod  26  are herein referred to as an applicator. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 ,  10  and  11 , collar  50  is pressed into the mouth of threaded neck  10 C until flange  50 A reaches the abutting position as shown. The inside of collar  50  converges somewhat and terminates in an annular lip  50 B. 
     Cap  52  screws onto section  10 C, covering section  10 B. Cap  52  has a collar  54  with internal threads engaging threads  14  on section  10 C. An inwardly directed lip  54 A on collar  54  captures flange  56 A on plunger  56  of cap  52 . Hollow tapered column  58  projects from the inside of plunger  56  and terminates in transverse, flexible diaphragm  60 , shown pierced with cruciform slot  61 . When plunger  56  is depressed inwardly as shown in  FIG. 10  diaphragm  60  engages tip  46 A of brush head  46  and flexes inwardly. In some embodiments column  58  or diaphragm  60  may be molded from a material that is more flexible than the rest of plunger  56 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  9 , U-shaped locking clip  62  is a plastic plate having a pair of legs  62 A on one end, and on the other end, a gripping bead  62 B. Clip  62  can be inserted into either one of slots  64  on opposite sides of base  12  when the case  10  is extended as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  to expose these slots. As shown in phantom in  FIG. 3  legs  62 A of clip  62  straddle sleeve  28  between flanges  28 D and  28 E. Consequently, base  12  is locked to sleeve  28 . Since sleeve  28  is locked to retainer  38 , which is in turn locked to case  10 , case  10  is locked to base  12 . Accordingly, the dispenser will be locked in the extended position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, its operation will be briefly described. The dispenser can be assembled as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The interior of case  10  can be filled with a fluid F such as a cosmetic. Since case  10  is filled with fluid F, brush  46  is likewise covered with this fluid. The cosmetic may be mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, lipstick, eye shadow, rouge, nail polish, or the like. 
     The disclosed dispenser has several features for preventing drying of the fluid F due to the escape of moisture or due to the infiltration of ambient air. For example, ambient air infiltrating between rod  26  and sleeve  28  might reach coupling  42 . However any air inside coupling  42  cannot proceed further since male fitting  30  fits tightly in the female fitting of coupling  42  (see frustroconical surface  42 A of  FIG. 4 ). Likewise, moisture from fluid F cannot escape along this path for the same reason. 
     Also, retainer  38  has tight sealing ridge  38 B and also fits tightly around sleeve  28  to prevent drying of fluid F. In addition, cap  52  can be screwed tightly to avoid drying. 
     Before shipment, clip  62  can be inserted into slot  64  to lock case  10  and base  12  in the illustrated extended position. To use the dispenser, clip  62  must be removed from around sleeve  28  by gripping and pulling bead  62 B ( FIG. 9 ) of clip  62 . Now sleeve  28 , retainer  38  and case  10  can move together relative to base  12 . 
     Being initially immersed in fluid F, brush  46  will carry an excessive amount of fluid F and must be wiped. Tip  46 A of brush  46  can be wiped by depressing plunger  56  which will then move through collar  54  to the position shown in  FIG. 10 . Since diaphragm  60  has a cruciform slit (slit  61  of  FIG. 11 ) brush tip  46 A can pass between the petals of the diaphragm, thereby wiping excess fluid F from the brush tip. Once no longer pressed, plunger  56  will be urged outwardly by the force applied by brush  46  to diaphragm  60 . 
     A user can turn collar  54  to unscrew cap  52  and expose case sections  10 B and  10 C, as well as collar  50 . The user may now collapse base  12  and case  10  by sliding the wall of base  12  into the space between walls  10 - 1  and  10 - 2 . In doing so, support rod  26 , coupling  42  and brush applicator  44  move through case  10 . In particular, brush  46  passes through lip  50 B to wipe excess cosmetic fluid F off the brush. Eventually, brush  46  emerges from collar  50  and will be exposed as shown in  FIG. 4 . During this movement coupling  42  will disengage male fitting  30 , but leakage is of little concern since case  10  is already open due to the removal of cap  52 . 
     The user may now hold case  10  pencil-like and use brush  46  to apply cosmetic fluid F. Since brush  46  has been wiped including at its tip  46 A, excess cosmetic fluid has been removed. Thus brush  46  will have a relatively uniform distribution of cosmetic fluid F without any tails. Thus the user will be able to apply cosmetic fluid F evenly. In the case of mascara, this uniform distribution avoids the need for excessive multiple passes over the eyelashes and thus avoids the tendency to overapply mascara and cause the eyelashes to clump together. 
     If during the foregoing process, the user notices that brush  46  is dry, the brush can be retracted into case  10 . Specifically, the user may telescopically expand the dispenser by pulling the wall of base  12  from the space between walls  10 - 1  and  10 - 2 . This will again immerse brush  46  in cosmetic fluid F before the brush is again deployed and wiped in the manner just described. 
     As this routine is repeated (in the current or future sessions), eventually insufficient fluid F will remain around brush  46 . This is especially the case with a viscous cosmetic fluid such as mascara. When the user notices that brush  46  is dry, the brush can be retracted into case  10  as previously described. 
     With cap  52  still removed, the user can then turn wheel  24  to turn rod  26 . Since spline  26 B ( FIG. 6 ) keys rod  26  in slot  28 A of sleeve  28 , sleeve  28  will turn as well. Threaded sleeve  28  turns and acts as a lead screw, moving piston  40  closer to brush  46 . Thus cosmetic fluid F will be urged towards brush  46 , replenishing it. Because of the ratcheting action of teeth  22  ( FIG. 8 ) wheel  24  can be turned in only one direction; namely, the direction that advances piston  40  towards brush  46 . Brush  46  can then be redeployed and the user can continue applying fluid F. 
     Once cosmetic fluid F has been fully and satisfactorily applied, the user may retract brush  46  in the manner just described. Accordingly, brush  46  will pass through collar  50  and reach the position shown in  FIG. 3 . The female fitting  42 A of coupling  42  will reengage male fitting  30 , restoring the previously described seal that prevents drying. Cap  52  may now be screwed in place, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     It is appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described embodiments. The foregoing showed some elements as multiple interconnected components but in other embodiments one or more of these elements may be fabricated as a single integral unit. Alternatively, some elements shown as a single integral unit may be fabricated from multiple components. While the foregoing dispenser can be made by injection molding of plastic, other embodiments may employ metals or other materials that are formed in a variety of ways. Also, the shapes, proportions, and dimensions disclosed herein may be varied depending upon the desired size, capacity, strength, aesthetic considerations, etc. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.