Abstract:
A dual dispensing mode cosmetic compact for use with a cosmetic powder puff, cosmetic applicator sponge, or cosmetic brush, has a base member with an annular lip, a well to hold a cake of cosmetic material, and a closure lid receivable onto the base member. A scraper member located adjacent the well is engageable with the upper surface of the cosmetic cake. Finger-engageable structures adjacent to the well are turnable thereon, and there is a driving connection between the finger-engageable structures and the scraper member, which effects corresponding turning movement of the latter during turning of the finger-engageable structures. In one mode, the scraper member shaves off limited quantities of the upper surface of the cosmetic cake to produce controlled amounts of dust-like cosmetic powder particulates therefrom. In another mode, the scraper member is shifted by the user, to a second position remote from and outside of the annular lip. This second position fully exposes the upper surface of the cosmetic cake and enables direct access to the cake surface by a cosmetic powder puff, cosmetic applicator sponge, or cosmetic brush.

Description:
NO CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Statement as to Rights to Inventions Made Under Federally Sponsored Research and Development 
     Research and development of the present invention and application have not been Federally-sponsored, and no rights are given under any Federal program. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to cosmetic products, and more particularly to cosmetic compacts of the type carried on the person, in a pocketbook or purse. 
     2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97-1.99 
     The following patents are hereby made of record and are believed to constitute a sampling of existing prior art in the field to which the invention relates: 
     U.S. Pat. Nos.
         1,362,808   1,845,938   1,847,840   1,900,089   2,150,152   2,141,815       

     Great Britain Patent Application No. GB 2 236 673A 
     British Published Application, No. GB 2 236 673A shows a cosmetic compact having an inner axially-shiftable, spring-biased compartment for storing a solid cake of cosmetic powder, and also having a circular scraper member with scraper lugs that engage the upper surface of the cake. The arrangement is such that the cosmetic cake is continually urged upwardly, into engagement with the scraper member. Manual turning of the latter results in pulverization of minute particles of the cake, and subsequent transfer of the particles through slits in the scraper member. The particles are then available to be picked up by a powder puff or dabber. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,847,840 shows a somewhat similar arrangement utilizing an internal compartment for holding cosmetic powder, a turnable member having scraper blades, and an apertured disk. When the turnable member is rotated, the blades force the powder from the compartment, up through holes in the apertured disk. The details of the operation are set forth in col. 1, line 32 through col. 2, line 72. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,900,089 describes a compact having a compartment which is divided into 4 sections by scraper blades, and wherein the user inverts the case to pour or dump powder onto the surface of a puff. Thereafter, the case is turned to an upright position, and the scraper is utilized to remove excess powder from the puff. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,362,808 involves a rouge holder having an apertured scraper disk ( FIG. 2 ), that forms the upper wall of a chamber containing the rouge. The scraper disk has minute teeth that engage the surface of an applicator or puff. Turning of the latter rotates the scraper disk, which in turn shaves off small quantities of the rouge material. When the user removes the applicator, this shaved material in turn adheres to the fibers thereof, in the usual manner, for transfer to the user&#39;s cheeks. 
     Yet another cosmetic dispenser is described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,845,938. The embodiment of  FIGS. 9 and 10  is of interest. A powder chamber is formed by a casing having a perforated retainer plate. The perforations enable small quantities of powder to be transferred to a puff during normal jostling of the casing. The puff is then ready for use in the usual manner. 
     Still another powder-type dispensing container is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,150,152. A can-type body is provided with a lid having a dispensing nozzle, and a hand-operable plunger. The latter is connected with an internal combination spring and closure member. The closure member normally stoppers the nozzle. When the plunger is depressed, the closure member uncovers the nozzle, and the plunger simultaneously disturbs the contained powder such that a small quantity of it can be directed toward the nozzle and dispensed therethrough. 
     A further known construction for a dispenser is illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,141,815. This structure also utilizes an inverted can-type body having a dispensing nozzle. Powder to be dispensed is stored in a chamber formed by the body. A control or measuring cylinder is disposed in the path between the chamber and the nozzle. The measuring cylinder can be manually turned by an external crank handle. The arrangement is such that a predetermined charge of powder is obtainable by mere turning of the handle through one-half a revolution. A scraper member adjacent the cylinder prevents undesirable build-up of material between uses. 
     It is considered that large scale commercialization of the devices noted above has not occurred. Undue complexity may have been a concern. Alternately, promotional considerations may have prevented the disclosed arrangements from being made and sold in quantity. 
     It is further noted that some of the devices discussed above did not relate directly to cosmetic applications. Accordingly, the relatively high demand today, for treatments to the face, hands, and body, has resulted in the need for large-scale, inexpensive yet reliable methods and fixtures for storing and dispensing health-care and/or beauty products. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above shortcomings of prior cosmetic and like dispensers are largely overcome by the present invention, which has for an object the provision of a novel and improved dual-mode cosmetic compact which is simple in construction, and which provides different multiple dispensing options as to the cosmetic material contained therein. 
     A related object of the invention is to provide an improved dual-mode cosmetic compact of the type noted above, that can be readily stored in a pocketbook or purse, and thereafter readied for use by the consumer, with a minimum of effort. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an improved dual-mode cosmetic compact as above characterized, wherein there are virtually eliminated problems with spillage of product, thus making use of the compact especially neat and tidy. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved dual-mode cosmetic compact of the kind indicated, which can be readily molded in simple mold cavities, and assembled with a minimum of time and with no special equipment being required. 
     The arrangement is such that the compact can function in a direct-contact mode with respect to the cosmetic cake or material contained therein, or, by means of a simple shifting of an intermediate member in the compact, can function in a shaved powder mode wherein the cosmetic cake can be first subjected to gentle abrasion by the intermediate member, and the resulting pulverized material made directly available for application by means of a conventional cosmetic powder puff, cosmetic applicator sponge, or cosmetic brush. 
     The above objects are accomplished in a preferred embodiment of the invention, by a cosmetic compact for use with a cosmetic powder puff, cosmetic applicator sponge, or cosmetic brush, comprising in combination a base member of generally circular configuration, having an annular lip and having a well for storage of a cake of cosmetic material in compressed powder form, a lid cooperable with and receivable on the base member, for selectively closing off the base member during storage and shipping, and a scraper member disposed adjacent the well of the base member and being engageable with the upper surface of the cosmetic cake. In addition, there are finger-engageable means adjacent to the well of the base member, these being turnable thereon, and keying means connecting the scraper member to the finger-engageable means such that turning of the latter will impart corresponding rotary movement of the scraper member and consequent shaving of the upper surface of the cake to produce controlled quantities of cosmetic powder particulates therefrom. Additional means are provided, enabling the scraper member to be swung from a first position overlying and engaging the upper surface of the cake, to a second position remote from and outside of the annular lip, this second position exposing the upper surface of the cake and enabling direct access to this cake surface by the usual cosmetic powder puff, cosmetic applicator sponge, or cosmetic brush. 
     As noted above, dual-mode dispensing is possible, either by direct access to the cake by the puff or brush, or by alternately shaving of the cake surface by an intermediate member, to provide a dust-like powder residue thereon, that can be taken up by such a puff or brush. 
     Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cosmetic compact of the present invention, shown with its cap or lid assembled, for storage or shipping purposes. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the compact of  FIG. 1 , with the lid removed. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the various parts of the cosmetic compact of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the compact of the present invention. A scraper member component part is disposed in a nested condition in a base member part of the compact. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view like that of  FIG. 4 , wherein the scraper member part is disposed in an open or remote position with respect to the base member of the compact. 
         FIG. 6  is an axial section taken on the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is an axial section taken on the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a vertical section of the cover or lid of the compact of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary view of the scraper member of the compact, shown in an open or remote position with respect to the base member of the compact. The view corresponds to the showing of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the combined actuator member and scraper member of the compact, with the scraper member occupying its remote or open position. 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of the assembled base member and actuator member of the compact. 
         FIG. 11B  is a diagrammatic view of the scraper blades of the scraper member of the compact, as the blades would appear when projected over a product-carrying cup containing a new cake of cosmetic material. Product transfer slots associated with each scraper blade are illustrated in dotted outline in this figure. 
         FIG. 11C  is a fragmentary section of a scraper blade of the scraper member of the compact, taken on the line  11 C— 11 C of  FIG. 4 . This view shows one scraper blade in engagement with the upper surface of the cosmetic cake component of the compact. 
         FIG. 11D  is a fragmentary section similar to  FIG. 11C , showing the scraper blade beginning to shave off small quantities of dust-like particulates from the surface of the cosmetic cake. 
         FIG. 11E  is a fragmentary section similar to  FIGS. 11C and 11D , and illustrating the action of the scraper blade after it has scraped off a larger quantity of powder from the cosmetic cake and wherein the particulates begin to accumulate on the upper surface of the scraper member. 
         FIG. 12A  is an enlarged, fragmentary axial section through the left portion of the cosmetic compact of  FIG. 5 . This view shows the product-carrying cup as substantially full of cosmetic cake powder. 
         FIG. 12B  is an enlarged, fragmentary axial section similar to  FIG. 12A , except showing the product-carrying cup as partially depleted of its cosmetic cake, and wherein the cup has been raised in the base member well by a springy or resilient sponge material between the cup and the base member&#39;s bottom wall. 
         FIG. 13  is a detail view of a ratchet arrangement component for effecting one-way rotation of the actuator member with respect to the base member of the compact of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  shows the location of the  FIG. 13  detail view. 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the base member of the compact of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a cosmetic powder puff for use with the compact of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a cosmetic applicator brush for use with the compact of the invention, and 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a cosmetic applicator sponge for use with the compact of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-3 ,  6  and  7 , there is illustrated a dual-mode cosmetic compact  10  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     The compact comprises a base member generally designated  12  in the form of an upwardly facing cup having an upstanding annular wall  14  and a transverse bottom wall  16  providing a central well  18 ,  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  14 . The top of the annular wall  14  forms a lip  17 ,  FIG. 3 , on the well  18 . Receivable in the well  18  is a product-carrying cup  20  having a bottom wall  22  and a substantially cylindrical side wall  24 , and containing a quantity of cosmetic powder  26  preferably in the form of a pressed cosmetic cake. 
     Turnably receivable on the base member  12  is a finger-engageable rotatable actuator member  28  particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 . The actuator member  28  has an annular side wall  30  and a peripheral two-piece inner shelf  32 ,  34  which shown in  FIG. 10 . The shelf  32 ,  34  is carried by the annular side wall  14 , and is substantially rigid therewith. 
     In accordance with the invention there is provided a novel scraper member  56  that is hingedly connected to the annular side wall  30  of the actuator member  28  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ,  9 ,  10  and  13 . The scraper member  56  is substantially flat, having upper and lower surfaces. It can be manually swung by the user about the hinge  58 , between a retracted position shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  6 , and an extended position, shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  7 ,  9  and  10 . 
     The annular side wall  30  of the actuator member  28  is notched at two places, designated  60  and  62 , respectively,  FIGS. 5 and 10 . The notches in effect key the scraper member  56  to the annular wall  30 , and thus establish a driving connection between the wall  30  and the scraper member  56 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  and as noted above, the two piece inner shelf  32 ,  34  is carried by the actuator member wall  30 . It has inwardly facing edges  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 , and  54  respectively, which generally define the outline of a polygon. The shape of the polygon is complementary to the shape of the scraper member  56 , such that the latter can nest snugly with the adjacent edges of the inner shelf  32 ,  34 , as in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . 
     Further by the invention, the scraper member  56  has a series of radially extending scraper blades  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 , and  74 , shown as being 6 in number, although a different number of such blades could be provided instead, if desired. The scraper blades  64 - 74  extend slightly below the plane of the remainder of the scraper member  56 , such that they engage and press against the upper surface of the pressed cosmetic cake  26  when the scraper member  56  is disposed in the position of  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 . 
       FIGS. 11A ,  11 C,  11 D, and  11 E show the details of a typical scraper blade. In practice, the scraper blades  64 - 74  can be of alternating length, except that preferably one scraper blade,  64   a , is made slightly longer than the remaining scraper blades, so as to be capable of intimate contact with the outer part or periphery of the cosmetic cake  26 . Adjacent to each scraper blade are elongate product transfer slots  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 , and  81  respectively. The slots provide multiple clearance openings through which the powder passes as it is being scraped from the cake. Reference is made to  FIGS. 11C ,  11 D and  11 E respectively, where the arrows  103  and  105  show the scraping action of one of the scraper blades  68  and its adjacent product transfer slot  78 . 
     As noted, one edge of the scraper member  56  is hinged to the annular wall  14  of the base member  12 . The opposite edge thereof carries a finger-engageable tab  84 ,  FIGS. 4 and 6 , with a detent nib  86 ,  FIGS. 5 and 6 , that mates with a corresponding nib  88  on the annular wall  14  of the base member  12  when the scraper member  56  is disposed in the nested position of  FIGS. 2-4  and  6 . 
     The actuator member  28  has an internal groove  92  ( FIGS. 7 ,  12 A and  12 B) at its underside, arranged to receive with a sliding fit, a series of external nibs  94  on the base member  12 . Reference is also made to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . During assembly, the actuator member  28  ( FIG. 3 ) is merely placed onto the base member  12 , and the nibs  94  received in the groove  92 , whereby the actuator member  28  is held captive, but can be turned with respect to the base member  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  7 , there is provided a disk  96  of resilient sponge or sponge-like material, either plastic or rubber, natural or synthetic, which is interposed between the bottom wall  16  of the base member  12  and the bottom wall  22  of the product-carrying cup  20 . The arrangement is such that the sponge/disk  96  is initially under moderate compression so as to apply a spring bias to the product-carrying cup  20  in an upward direction. This in turn, maintains physical contact of the upper surface of the cosmetic cake  26  with the scraper member  56  when the latter is disposed in the nested position of  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  6 . 
     As noted, the actuator member  28  is turnable on the base member  12 . However, one-way turning direction is necessary because of the shape of the scraper blades  64 - 74 . In accomplishing this, the annular wall  14  of the base member  12  is provided with a series of ratchet teeth  98 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . One of these is shown in detail, in  FIG. 13 . The ratchet teeth  98  are engaged by a corresponding inwardly-extending tooth  100  on the base member wall  14 ,  FIG. 3 . The teeth  98  are normally hidden from view when the compact is in use. Accordingly turning in the direction of the arrow  102  in  FIG. 11A  is permitted, whereas turning in an opposite direction is prevented by the back-check action of the tooth  100  and the ratchet teeth  98 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the base member  12  has a peripheral upwardly facing annular shoulder or shelf  104 , which is arranged to receive a closure cap or lid  106 , shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  8 . The lid  106  has an inner peripheral groove  108 , and the annular wall  30  of the actuator member  28  has a series of external nibs  110 . The nibs  110  are dimensioned to be received in the groove  108  of the lid  106 , and hold the lid captive, for storage and/or display of the compact. 
     The operation of the improved cosmetic compact of the invention can now be understood. With the lid  108  removed, there is provided a dual mode of dispensing, involving two modes for accessing the cosmetic powder at the cosmetic cake  26 . One mode involves use of the scraper member  56 , and the other involves displacement of the scraper member  56  to the position of  FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  10 . In the nested position of  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  6 , the user slowly rotates the actuator member  28  (and its nested scraper member  56 ) on the base member  12 . The revolving movement of the scraper blades  64 - 74  with respect to the upper surface of the cosmetic cake is diagrammatically illustrated by the arrows  103  and  105  respectively in  FIGS. 11D and 11E . There thus results a shaving off of small quantities of cosmetic powder  26 , as shown in detail in  FIGS. 11C ,  11 D, and  11 E. Depending on the amount of powder desired, more or less turning is initiated. 
     By way of illustration,  FIG. 11B  shows a projection of the scraper blades  64 - 74  of the scraper member  56  over the surface of the cosmetic cake  26  as well as the locations of the respective product transfer slots  76 - 81 . The two arrows  109  indicate the direction of rotation of the scraper member  56 . As utilized in the one mode of dispensing, shaved particulates from the cosmetic cake are produced when the scraper member  56  is rotated in the direction indicated, as explained previously. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , over time, as the cosmetic cake  26  becomes depleted the product-carrying cup  20 , being upwardly biased by the resilient, compressed sponge  96 , is raised with respect to the base member  12  and its well  17 . The arrangement is such that the sponge normally maintains firm contact between the upper surface of the cosmetic cake  26  and the scraper member  26 . In  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the progression of the cup  20  is illustrated by the dimensions indicated by the letters T 1  and T 2 . In particular, T 1  represents the thickness of the cosmetic cake  26  in its new, unused condition, whereas T 2  represents the lesser thickness as part of the upper surface of the cake has been shaved. Under this circumstance, the product-carrying cup has been biased upwardly as in  FIG. 12B , by the expanded sponge disk  96 ,  FIG. 12B . In these figures there is further illustrated an annular space  97  which receives the side wall  24  of the product-carrying cup  20  as the latter is shifted upwardly by the sponge  96 . 
     The powder so produced is accumulated on the surface of the scraper member, in flat areas thereof between the scraper blades. The upper surfaces of the two inner shelves  32  and  34  also serve to catch and hold any powder which lands outside the scraper member  56  per se. Application of a suitable puff  114  or brush  116 ,  FIGS. 15  and  16  respectively, or applicator sponge,  FIG. 17 , then will attract the granular powder in the usual manner, for powdering the face, etc. 
     In the second mode of dispensing the cosmetic powder  26  from the cosmetic cake, the user lifts the tab  84  with his finger, causing by-pass of the detent nibs  86  and  88 , and swings the scraper member  56  up and out over the annular wall  30  of the actuator member  28 , as in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . This movement is indicated by the arrow  99  in  FIG. 5 . Consequently the upper surface of the cosmetic cake is now exposed, with the exception of the part that underlies the shelves  32  and  34 . The user can then, with an appropriate powder puff, cosmetic brush, or cosmetic sponge, rub the cake upper surface and pick up a suitable quantity of particulate cosmetic powder from the cake directly. As a consequence, finer control of the absorption of powder is made realizable with the second mode or arrangement just described. 
     When the user has finished, he returns the scraper member  56  to its nested position, and assembles the lid  106  to the combined base member  12  and actuator member  28 . 
     From the above it can be seen that there has been described a novel and improved dual-mode dispenser type cosmetic compact which is simple in its structure, readily assembled with automated assembly equipment, and especially convenient to carry and use. The disclosed arrangement is thus seen to represent a distinct advance and improvement in the cosmetic field. 
     Each and every one of the appended claims defines an aspect of the invention which is separate and distinct from all others, and accordingly it is intended that each claim be treated as such in any determination of novelty or validity. 
     Variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, and portions of the improvement can be used without others. 
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     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               10  Cosmetic compact 
               12  Base member 
               14  Base member annular wall 
               16  Base member transverse bottom wall 
               17  Lip of well  18   
               18  Cup-like well in base member 
               20  Product-carrying cup 
               22  Product-carrying cup bottom wall 
               24  Product-carrying cup circular side wall 
               26  Cosmetic powder, cake 
               28  Rotatable actuator member 
               30  Actuator member annular side wall 
               32 ,  34  Two-piece inner shelf 
               36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  Edge portions of inner arcuate shelves 
               56  Scraper member 
               58  Hinge 
               60 ,  62  Notches in annular wall 
               64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74  Radially-extending scraper blades 
               76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  Elongate product transfer slots 
               84  Finger-engageable tab 
               86  Detent nib 
               88  Corresponding detent nib 
               92  Internal groove 
               94  External nibs 
               96  Disk of sponge/plastic 
               97  Space 
               98  Ratchet teeth 
               99  Arrow 
               100  Inwardly extending ratchet tooth 
               102  Arrow, direction of turning 
               103  Arrow 
               104  Upwardly facing shoulder or shelf 
               105  Arrow 
               106  Closure cap or lid 
               108  Lid inner peripheral groove 
               109  Arrows. 
               110  Nibs receivable in peripheral groove 
               112  Minute, dust-like particles of cosmetic powder 
               114  Cosmetic powder puff 
               116  Cosmetic applicator brush 
               118  Cosmetic applicator sponge.