Patent Publication Number: US-11395535-B2

Title: Keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to cosmetic dispensers. More particularly, disclosed herein is a keyed cosmetic dispenser and a line of such keyed cosmetic dispensers formed with differently keyed cosmetic cartridges that are engagable and operable only with correspondingly-keyed dispenser bases. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a typical dispenser for a stick cosmetic, an elevator cup retains the cosmetic for axial extension and retraction by a rotation of a base portion relative to a body portion. Dispensers commonly employ a tubular cam member that is rotatably associated with a tubular inner body. The cam member has channels that communicate helically along the inner surface thereof, and the inner body has opposed longitudinal slots. Opposed lugs of an elevator cup, which retains the cosmetic, are received through the longitudinal slots to engage the helical channels of the cam member. A rotation of the cam member in relation to the inner body induces longitudinal travel of the elevator cup and the retained cosmetic as the lugs of the elevator cup slide along the helical channels of the cam member and are thereby driven along the longitudinal channels of the inner body. Relative rotation of the cam member and the inner body in a first direction will extend the elevator cup, and relative rotation of the cam member and the inner body in a second, opposite direction will retract the elevator cup. 
     It is desirable to be able to fill and refill cosmetic dispensers with cosmetic sticks, such as once a given cosmetic is spent or no longer desired. For instance, refillable cosmetic dispensers have been increasingly appreciated as being more environmentally sound and efficient while disposable packaging is often recognized as wasteful and irresponsible. Furthermore, by permitting the cosmetic of a given dispenser to be refilled, greater resources can be expended in rendering the cosmetic dispenser an aesthetically desirable, luxury item. Accordingly, a cosmetic dispenser that is simultaneously environmentally friendly and imbibed with enhanced luxury and beauty is now a sought-after advance in the art. 
     However, producers of cosmetic dispensers typically do not wish for their cosmetic dispenser bases to be refilled with third party cosmetics. Although beneficial for permitting extended usage of a given cosmetic dispenser, the modularity that facilitates replenishing the cosmetic often simultaneously facilitates the use of third party cosmetics relative to a given producer&#39;s cosmetic dispenser base. This can result not only in lost sales but also reputational and business harm where unbranded and inferior cosmetics are used relative to a dispenser base of a particular producer. It is also known that certain cosmetic refill cartridges and the retained cosmetic can be used altogether independently of the cosmetic base for which they were designed. 
     It has thus been recognized by the present inventors that it would be advantageous to devise of cosmetic insert cartridges and cosmetic dispenser bases for such cartridges that are differently keyed to one another to promote usage of keyed cosmetic insert cartridges only with correspondingly keyed cosmetic dispenser bases. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, the present invention is founded on the basic object of providing cosmetic dispensers with dispenser bases and cosmetic insert cartridges that are particularly and differently keyed to one another. 
     In certain practices of the invention, an object is to provide a line of keyed cosmetic dispensers with differently keyed cosmetic cartridges that are engagable and operable only with correspondingly-keyed dispenser bases. 
     A further object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a refillable cosmetic dispenser with a keyed dispenser base that prevents the usage of non-matching keyed cosmetic insert cartridges in relation thereto. 
     A related object of manifestations of the invention is to provide a keyed cosmetic insert cartridge for a refillable cosmetic dispenser that prevents usage of the insert cartridge in relation to non-keyed or differently keyed refillable dispenser bases. 
     An additional object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic insert cartridge that is not operational independently of a dispenser base. 
     An underlying object of the invention is to provide a refillable cosmetic dispenser and cosmetic insert cartridges for such a refillable cosmetic dispenser that minimize waste thereby to be environmentally sound. 
     A further object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a keyed dispenser base for a keyed cosmetic dispenser that can be refilled and reused thereby to justify greater investments in luxury relative to the dispenser. 
     These and further objects, advantages, and details of the present invention will become obvious not only to one who reviews the present specification and drawings but also to those who have an opportunity to make use of an embodiment of the keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser and cosmetic insert cartridges for such cosmetic dispensers disclosed herein. Although the accomplishment of each of the foregoing objects in a single embodiment of the invention may be possible and indeed preferred, not all embodiments will seek or need to accomplish each and every potential advantage and function. Nonetheless, all such embodiments should be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     In one embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser for a stick cosmetic with a keyed cosmetic insert cartridge and a keyed dispenser base for receiving the keyed cosmetic insert cartridge. The keyed cosmetic insert cartridge has an elongate body with a proximal end and a distal end, an elevator cup disposed within the elongate body for retaining the stick cosmetic, and a rotary extension and retraction mechanism for selectively adjusting the elevator cup between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the elongate body. The keyed cosmetic insert cartridge and the keyed dispenser base have a matching key pattern combination wherein a key pattern retained by the elongate body matches a key pattern retained by the dispenser base. 
     In certain embodiments, the elongate body comprises an inner body, and the insert cartridge further comprise a spiral member concentric with the inner body. The inner body has at least one longitudinal track therethrough, the spiral member has at least one spiral formation, and the elevator cup has a sidewall and at least one lug that projects from the sidewall, through the at least one longitudinal track, and into engagement with the at least one spiral formation. Under this construction, the elevator cup can be manipulated between the retracted position and the extended position by a relative rotation between the inner body and the spiral member. 
     As disclosed herein, the elongate body can have a keyway member, such as a keyway plate, with a keyway with the key pattern formed in the keyway in the keyway member. Further, the dispenser base can have a key member with the key pattern being formed on the key member. For instance, the key member can comprise a column, and the key pattern can be formed on the column. 
     According to manifestations of the invention, the key patterns of the cosmetic insert cartridge and the dispenser base can comprise matching patterns of surface deviations that intermesh when the keyed cosmetic insert cartridge is received by the keyed dispenser base such that a rotary driving engagement is established between the keyed dispenser base and the elongate body. For example, the key patterns of the cosmetic insert cartridge and the dispenser base can comprise matching patterns of protuberances and indentations, such as but not limited to matching patterns of ridges and channels. By way of example, the key pattern formed in the keyway of the keyway member can take the form of circumferentially spaced teeth separated by channels, and the key pattern formed on the key member can take the form of plural teeth sized and angularly spaced over the key member to align with and be received into the channels between the teeth of the key pattern of the keyway member. The teeth of the key pattern of the keyway member and the teeth of the key pattern of the key member can have matching pitches, and the teeth of the key pattern of the keyway member can be evenly spaced over 360 angular degrees. Meanwhile, it is disclosed herein that the key pattern of the key member can comprise first and second series of teeth spaced over less than 360 angular degrees, such as with each series of teeth spaced over approximately 90 degrees. 
     Exploiting the keyed refillable cosmetic dispensers disclosed herein, a line of keyed refillable cosmetic dispensers for stick cosmetics can be provided. The line of cosmetic dispensers can be formed, for example, with first and second keyed refillable cosmetic dispensers, each with a keyed cosmetic insert cartridge with a key pattern and a keyed dispenser base for receiving the cosmetic insert cartridge. The cosmetic insert cartridge and the dispenser base of the first keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser have a matching first key pattern combination wherein the key pattern of the cosmetic insert cartridge matches the key pattern of the dispenser base, and the cosmetic insert cartridge and the dispenser base of the second keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser have a matching second key pattern combination wherein the key pattern of the cosmetic insert cartridge matches the key pattern of the dispenser base. The second key pattern combination is different than the first key pattern combination whereby the key pattern of the cosmetic insert cartridge of the first keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser matches the key pattern of the of the keyed dispenser base of the first keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser but not the key pattern of the keyed dispenser base of the second refillable cosmetic dispenser. It is within the scope of the invention for the line of cosmetic dispensers to include third and further keyed refillable cosmetic dispensers with further, different key pattern combinations. 
     The foregoing discussion broadly outlines the more important goals and features of the invention to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to instill a better appreciation of the inventors&#39; contribution to the art. Before any particular embodiment or aspect thereof is explained in detail, it must be made clear that the following details of construction and illustrations of inventive concepts are mere examples of the many possible manifestations of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawing figures: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a keyed cosmetic cartridge during a stage of assembly with a correspondingly keyed cosmetic base according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the keyed cosmetic cartridge in a stage of assembly with the keyed cosmetic base; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the keyed cosmetic cartridge during a further stage of assembly with a keyed cosmetic base as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the keyed cosmetic cartridge and keyed cosmetic base fully assembled; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional elevational view of the keyed cosmetic cartridge and keyed cosmetic base fully assembled with the elevator cup in an extended position; 
         FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C  are perspective view of differently keyed inner bodies pursuant to the instant invention; 
         FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C  are top plan views of the inner bodies of  FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C , respectively; 
         FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C  are perspective views of center posts differently keyed in correspondence to the inner bodies of  FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C , respectively; 
         FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C  are top plan views of the keyed center posts of  FIGS. 9A, 9B , and  9 C, respectively; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a keyed center post according to the invention engaged with a correspondingly keyed inner body; 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are views in front and rear elevation of a keyed inner body; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the keyed inner body; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a spiral cam pursuant to the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the spiral cam; 
         FIG. 17  is a view of the spiral cam in longitudinal cross section taken along the line  17 - 17  in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a view in front elevation of an elevator cup pursuant to the instant invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a view of the elevator cup in longitudinal cross section taken along the line  19 - 19  in  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIGS. 20 and 21  are top and bottom plan views of the elevator cup, respectively; 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a dispenser base according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the dispenser base; 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser base taken along the line  24 - 24  in FIG.  23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a bottom shell as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 26  is a top plan view of the bottom shell; 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the bottom shell taken along the line  27 - 27  in  FIG. 26 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of the upper shell for the keyed cosmetic cartridge; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a weight for the keyed cosmetic dispenser; 
         FIG. 30  is a view of a cap of the keyed cosmetic dispenser in longitudinal cross section; and 
         FIG. 31  is a view in front elevation of the keyed cosmetic dispenser in fully assembled form. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser disclosed herein is subject to a variety of embodiments, each within the scope of the invention. However, to ensure that one skilled in the art will be able to understand and, in appropriate cases, practice the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of the broader invention revealed herein are described below and shown in the accompanying drawing figures. 
     Turning more particularly to the drawings, a keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser according to the invention is indicated generally at  10  in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . The cosmetic dispenser  10  has a tubular inner body  14  that is rotatably engaged with a concentric outer body  16 , which may alternatively be referred to as a spiral member  16 . An elevator cup  12 , which retains a stick cosmetic  100  as shown in  FIG. 6  only, is retained to travel longitudinally within the inner body  14 . A tubular shell  24 , which can be essentially decorative in nature, partially or substantially encases the spiral member  16  and, derivatively, the elevator cup  12  and the inner body  14  disposed therewithin. A lower shell  22  is fixed to encase the proximal portion of the inner body  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 through 6 , a keyed cosmetic cartridge  15  is formed when the elevator cup  12 , the inner body  14 , the spiral member  16 , the lower shell  22 , and the upper shell  24  are fully assembled. As disclosed herein and as is depicted in the progressive views of  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the proximal portion of the keyed cosmetic cartridge  15  can be inserted into a correspondingly keyed dispenser base  18  to permit a driving engagement between the keyed dispenser base  18  and the keyed cosmetic cartridge  15 . 
     When a keyed cosmetic cartridge  15  is fully engaged within a correspondingly keyed dispenser base  18 , a relative rotation can be produced between the inner body  14  and the spiral member  16 , such as by a gripping of the dispenser base  18 , a gripping of the upper shell  24 , and a relative rotation therebetween. Relative rotation in a first rotational direction, such as in a clockwise direction in the illustrated example, yields an axial extension of the elevator cup  12 , and a relative rotation between the inner body  14  and the spiral member  16  in a second, opposite rotational direction yields an axial retraction of the elevator cup  12 . Accordingly, when the cartridge  15  and the dispenser base  18  are fully engaged, the elevator cup  12 , and thus a retained stick of cosmetic  100 , can be selectively adjusted between the retracted disposition depicted, for instance, in  FIG. 5  and the extended disposition depicted, for instance, in  FIG. 6 . 
     The cosmetic dispenser  10  can be considered to have a proximal end defined as the closed bottom of the dispenser base  18  while the tip of the tubular shell  24  can be considered to define a distal end of the cosmetic dispenser  10 . Each component of the cosmetic dispenser  10  can generally be described under that convention. It should be noted that, while terms such as member or the like are employed in relation to the spiral member  16  and possibly other components of the cosmetic dispenser  10 , each could be formed unitarily as a single piece of material or from multiple subcomponents joined by any effective method to form the respective structure. Additionally, except as otherwise described or claimed, the elevator cup  12 , the inner body  14 , the spiral member  16 , the components of the dispenser base  18 , the tubular shells  22  and  24 , and each other component of the cosmetic dispenser  10  can be formed from any suitable material and by any effective method. Although the components of the cosmetic dispenser  10  are not limited as to material, the shells  22  and  24  in one practice of the invention are formed from a rigid material, such as a metal, while the elevator cup  12 , the inner body  14 , the spiral member  16 , and the dispenser base  18  are formed of plastic. 
     One embodiment of the inner body  14  is shown apart from the remainder of the keyed cosmetic dispenser  10  in  FIGS. 12 through 14 . The inner body  14  has a distally disposed body portion  36  for being received into a body portion  44  of the spiral member  16 , which is seen alone in  FIGS. 15 through 17 . The body portion  36  of the inner body  14  is tubular and has an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the body portion  44  of the spiral member  16 . An annular base portion  40  of the inner body  14  is disposed at a proximal end of the inner body  14 , such as by being formed integrally therewith, and a smooth annular bearing wall  45  is interposed between the body portion  36  and the base portion  40 . The annular bearing wall  45  is concentric with the inner body  14  and is longitudinally aligned with the body portion  36  and the inner body  14  in general. The annular bearing wall  45  thereby presents what can be referred to as a lateral bearing surface. Lateral force can bear against the annular bearing wall  45 . 
     First and second opposed longitudinal tracks  38  communicate along a substantial length of the body portion  36  of the inner body  14 . The longitudinal tracks  38  are disposed in general opposition and pass entirely through the body portion  36  to comprise slots. With this, the elevator lugs  52  of the elevator cup  12 , which is shown apart in  FIGS. 18 through 21  and is described further hereinbelow, pass through the longitudinal tracks  38  to engage the opposed spiral channels  46  of the spiral member  16  of, for instance,  FIGS. 15 through 17 . As shown, the first longitudinal track  38  of the inner body  14  can have closed proximal and distal ends while the second longitudinal track  38  can have a closed proximal end and an open distal end for enabling a receipt of the elevator lugs  52  of the elevator cup  12  and for enabling a radial compression of the body portion  36  of the inner body  14  during an insertion of the body portion  36  of the inner body  14  into the body portion  44  of the spiral member  16 . 
     The first and second longitudinal tracks  38  in this embodiment have distal lateral track segments at the distal ends thereof and proximal lateral track segments at the proximal ends thereof. The distal lateral track segments can be employed to lock the elevator cup  12  in an extended disposition, and the proximal lateral track segments lock the elevator cup  12  in a retracted disposition. With this, inadvertent movement, namely unintended extension or retraction, of the elevator cup  12  and the retained cosmetic stick  100  is prevented. 
     The elevator cup  12  is shown apart from the remainder of the cosmetic dispenser  10  in  FIGS. 18 through 21 . The elevator cup  12  has an open inner volume for receiving a proximal portion of a member of lipstick (not shown in  FIGS. 18 through 21 ). The open inner volume is defined by an annular peripheral wall  50  and a proximal base portion  56 . A plurality of fins  54 , each with a proximal end adjacent to the base portion  56 , a body portion, and a distal end terminating at a given height along the peripheral wall  50 , project radially inward from the peripheral wall  50 . In the present embodiment, the fins  54  project along radii of the elevator cup  12 , but other angular dispositions are possible. The fins  54  have a distal taper for enabling a most efficient receipt and engagement of the pomade of lipstick. The fins  54  are longitudinally aligned with the elevator cup  12  and the cosmetic dispenser  10  in general. First and second elevator lugs  52  project from opposed sides of the elevator cup  12  from a mid-portion of the peripheral wall  50  for passing through the longitudinal tracks  38  of the inner body  14  to be drivingly engaged with the helical channels  46  of the spiral member  16  as further shown and described herein. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15 through 17 , the cylindrical spiral member  16  has a proximally disposed skirt  48  and the distally disposed body portion  44 . The skirt  48 , which is flexible, has an outer diameter greater than the outer diameter of the body portion  44 . The tubular upper shell  24  can be disposed to encase the body portion  44  as seen, for example, in  FIGS. 2 through 6 . The spiral member  16  has an inwardly projecting annular shoulder  49  formed at the distal end of the skirt  48 . With that, the inner body  14  can be received through the proximal end of the spiral member  16  until the distal end of the annular bearing wall  45  of the inner body  14  contacts the shoulder  49  of the spiral member  16 . The outer shell  24  has an outer diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of an outer shoulder portion of the skirt  48  and an inner diameter marginally larger than the outer diameter of the body portion  44  of the spiral member  16  whereby a substantially consistent cylindrical outer surface is established along the outer surface of the tubular shell  24  and the outer surface of shoulder portion of the skirt  48 . 
     The inner diameter of the skirt  48  is marginally greater than the outer diameter of the annular bearing wall  45  of the inner body  14 . One or more protuberances  42 , which in this case comprise the end portions of resiliently deflectable fingers, project radially outward from the annular bearing wall  45  of the inner body  14  to establish a localized effective diameter greater than the undeflected inner diameter of the skirt  48 . Under this construction, the protuberances  42  deflect and frictionally engage the skirt  48  thereby to create a frictional engagement between the inner body  14  and the spiral member  16  during a relative rotation therebetween. The pressing of the protuberances  42  against the skirt  48  provides smooth and consistent frictional resistance to the rotation of the inner body  14  relative to the spiral member  16 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 15 through 17 , the body portion  44  of the spiral member  16  has a smooth outer wall surface and an inner wall surface with spiral formations  46 , which in this example comprise spiral channels  46 , that communicate helically therealong. It will be noted that, although spiral channels  46  are depicted in the instant embodiment, the spiral formations  46  alternatively could comprise spiral threads, spiral ridges, or any other spiral or helical arrangement. As in the present embodiment, first and second spiral channels  46  or other spiral formations  46  are disposed in general opposition to one another thereby to enable the spiral channels  46  to receive and drive the opposed elevator lugs  52  of the elevator cup  12 . 
     The inner diameters of the body portions  36  and  44  of the inner body  14  and the spiral member  16  and the outer diameter of the peripheral wall  50  of the elevator cup  12  are calibrated to allow the elevator cup  12  to slide longitudinally within the inner body  14  and the spiral member  16 , such as by having the outer diameter of the peripheral wall  50  be slightly less than the inner diameter of the body portion  36  of the inner body  14 . Similarly, the elevator lugs  52  and the opposed spiral channels  46  are dimensioned to enable a sliding of the elevator lugs  52  along the spiral channels  46 , such as by having the distance between the outer tips of the elevator lugs  52  slightly less than the distance between the opposed surfaces of the spiral channels  46 . 
     When the cartridge  15  is assembled with the inner body  14  received into the spiral member  16 , the skirt  48  of the spiral member  16  extends to surround the distal portion of the annular bearing wall  45  while the proximal portion of the base  40  of the inner body  14  extends proximally beyond the proximal end of the skirt  48  and beyond the spiral member  16  in general. With the proximal portion of the inner body  14  exposed and accessible, it would be possible to rotate the inner body  14  in relation to the spiral member  16  and, in so doing, to extend and retract the elevator cup  12  and a retained cosmetic. With the proximal portion of the base  40  exposed, the cosmetic cartridge  15  could in theory be used and operated independently of a dispenser base  18 . 
     According to the present invention, however, the proximal portion of the inner body  14 , which would otherwise be exposed and accessible, is encased by the lower shell  22  but for a keyhole opening defined by a bottom ring  28  of the lower shell  22 . Looking more particularly to  FIGS. 25 through 27 , where the shell  22  is shown alone, the lower shell  22  can be seen to have a cylindrical outer wall  26  that retains the bottom ring  28 . The bottom ring  28  defines a concentric keyhole opening. The cylindrical outer wall  26  is fit over the skirt  48  of the spiral member  16 . Access to the inner body  14  is prevented, except through the keyhole opening. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 7A through 8C , the inner body  14  can be seen to have a keyway plate  32  in the proximal end of the base portion  40  thereof. A keyway  60  is concentrically disposed within the keyway plate  32 . The keyway  60  has a keyway pattern  65  formed therealong. The keyway  60  in the keyway plate  32  and the keyhole opening in the lower shell  22  can thus be considered to define a socket. 
     The dispenser base  18  retains a concentric key member  20  that is particularly keyed to be received into a keyway  60  of a correspondingly-keyed inner body  14 . When the cosmetic dispenser  10  is fully assembled, the key member  20  is fixed within the proximal portion of the elongate tubular member  62  of the dispenser base  18 , such as by integral formation or, as here, by being fitted into place. The key member  20  can be fixed in place within the proximal end of the inner body  14 , such as but not limited to by a snap-fit engagement, adhesive, sonic welding, or some other method or combination thereof. 
     The structure of the key member  20  can be further understood with reference to  FIGS. 9A through 9C and 10A through 10C . The key member  20  has a round base plate  72  with a peripheral channel  74  so that the release member  20  can be snap fit or otherwise disposed in engagement with an annular ridge  66  of the dispenser base  18 . A central column  78  projects concentrically from the base member  72 . A plurality of fins  76  with L-shaped profiles project radially from the central column  78 . The L-shaped fins  76 , which are four in number in this non-limiting example, establish a shoulder for supporting an annular weight  34 , which is shown alone in  FIG. 29 . The central column  78  projects beyond the fins  76  to have a key tip  84 . An annular shoulder is disposed at the proximal end of the key tip  84 . First and second opposed resilient fingers  82  with radially projecting protuberances are interposed as portions of the key tip  84  whereby the fingers  82  can be snapped through the keyway  60  of the keyway plate  32  of the inner body  14  to retain the key member  20  and the dispenser base  18  and the cosmetic cartridge  15  in relation to one another. The key tip  84  has a key pattern  80  formed therealong. 
     For the key member  20  of the dispenser base  18  to be matingly received into the keyway  60  of the cosmetic cartridge  15 , the key pattern  80  of the key member  20  must match the key pattern  65  of the keyway plate  32 . The key patterns  65  and  80  comprise patterns of surface deviations spaced along the inner periphery of the keyway  60  and along the outer periphery of the key tip  84 . In certain embodiments, when viewed in plan along the longitudinals of the cosmetic cartridge  15  and the dispenser base  18 , the key patterns  65  and  80  can be characterized as comprising series or patterns of ridges, ribs, or other protuberances, potentially separated by channels, furrows, or other lowered sections or indentations. The key patterns  65  and  80  are formed to complement one another to permit the key tip  84  to be received into the keyway  60  with the key patterns  65  and  80  intermeshed. When the key patterns  65  and  80  are intermeshed, a driving engagement is established between the dispenser base  18  and the inner body  14 . 
     The scope of the invention is not limited to any particular pattern type or to any specific key patterns  65  and  80 . A number of illustrative but not limiting key patterns  65  and  80  are shown and described herein. A first key pattern combination is depicted in  FIGS. 7A, 8A, 9A, and 10A . The embodiment of the inner body  14  of  FIGS. 7A and 8A  has a keyway plate  32  that is keyed with a key pattern  65  formed as that of an internal spur gear with evenly circumferentially spaced cog teeth separated by evenly spaced channels. The key member  20  illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 10A  is particularly keyed with a key pattern  80  configured to intermesh with and drivingly engage the key pattern  65  of the inner body  14  of  FIGS. 7A and 8A . As such, the key pattern  80  of the key member  20  is formed with plural teeth that are sized and angularly spaced over portions of the circumference of the key tip  84  to align with and be received into the channels between the cog teeth of the key pattern  65  and with spaces between the teeth for receiving the cog teeth of the key pattern  65 . The teeth of the key tip  84  and of the keyway plate  32  have matching pitches. In the depicted embodiment, the key pattern  65  of the inner body  14  spans a continuous 360 degrees while the key pattern  80  of the key member  20  is formed with two series of teeth spaced over approximately 90 degrees, but this is not limiting. 
     Another key pattern combination is illustrated in  FIGS. 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B . In  FIGS. 7B and 8B , an embodiment of the inner body  14  is shown with a keyway plate  32  that is keyed to have a key pattern  65  of evenly circumferentially spaced saw teeth shapes that are separated by evenly spaced channels. The matching key member  20  of  FIGS. 9B and 10B  has a key pattern  80  configured to intermesh with and drivingly engage the key pattern  65  of the inner body  14  of  FIGS. 7B and 8B . As such, the key pattern  80  of the key member  20  has plural saw teeth shapes that are sized and angularly spaced over portions of the circumference of the key tip  84  with a matching pitch to align with and be received into the channels between the saw teeth of the key pattern  65  and with spaces between the teeth for receiving the saw teeth shapes of the key pattern  65 . Again in the present non-limiting embodiment, the key pattern  65  of the inner body  14  spans a continuous 360 degrees while the key pattern  80  of the key member  20  is formed with two series of teeth spaced over approximately 90 degrees. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 7C, 8C, 9C, and 10C , a further key pattern combination is illustrated. There, the inner body  14  again has a keyway plate  32  keyed to have a key pattern  65  of evenly circumferentially spaced saw teeth shapes separated by evenly spaced channels. The key member  20  of  FIGS. 9C and 10C  has a matching key pattern  80  configured to intermesh with and drivingly engage the key pattern  65  of the inner body  14  of  FIGS. 7C and 8C . The key pattern  80  of the key member  20  thus has plural saw teeth shapes that are sized and angularly spaced over portions of the circumference of the key tip  84  with a matching pitch to align with and be received into the channels between the saw teeth of the key pattern  65  and with spaces between the teeth for receiving the saw teeth shapes of the key pattern  65 . As before, the key pattern  65  of the inner body  14  spans a continuous 360 degrees while the key pattern  80  of the key member  20  is formed with two series of teeth spaced over approximately 90 degrees. In the present embodiment, however, the saw teeth of the key patterns  65  and  80  are disposed at a different pitch than the pitch of the key patterns  65  and  80  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B . While the embodiment of the inner body  14  of  FIGS. 7C and 8C  has twenty teeth spaced at a pitch of 18 degrees, the embodiment of the inner body  14  of  FIGS. 7B and 8B  has 24 teeth spaced at a pitch of 15 degrees. Moreover, the teeth of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B  have different face angles in comparison to the teeth of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7C, 8C, 9C, and 10C . As such, the key member  20  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B  is incorrect for the inner body  14  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7C, 8C, 9C, and 10C  and cannot be received therein. Similarly, the key member  20  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7C, 8C, 9C, and 10C  is incorrect for the inner body  14  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7B, 8B ,  9 B, and  10 B and cannot be received therein. 
     By virtue of the key patterns  65  and  80  of the inner body  14  and the dispenser base  18 , a refillable cosmetic dispenser  10  is thus provided wherein the dispenser base  18  and the cosmetic insert cartridge  15  are particularly keyed to one another with matching key patterns  65  and  80 . A series of different, matching key patterns  65  and  80  can be established to provide a line of keyed cosmetic dispensers  10  with different key pattern combinations, each key pattern combination resulting in a keyed cosmetic cartridge  15  that is engagable and operable only with the correspondingly-keyed dispenser base  18  of that key pattern combination. The ability to provide individually keyed refillable cosmetic dispensers  10  could be exploited, by way of example and not limitation, to enable a producer of cosmetic dispensers  10  to key one model of the keyed cosmetic dispenser  10  specific to one cosmetic manufacturer or specific to one cosmetic line of a given manufacturer, such as with the key pattern combination shown in  FIGS. 7A, 8A, 9A, and 10A , while keying a second model of the keyed cosmetic dispenser  10  specific to a second cosmetic manufacturer or specific to a second cosmetic line of a manufacturer, such as with the key pattern combination of  FIGS. 7B, 8B, 9B, and 10B  and keying a third model of the keyed cosmetic dispenser  10  specific to a third cosmetic manufacturer or specific to a third cosmetic line of a manufacturer, such as with the key pattern combination of  FIGS. 7C, 8C, 9C, and 10C . 
     The type and number of key pattern combinations are essentially limitless. Matching key patterns  65  and  80  can be created, by way of example and not limitation, by varying the shape, size, number, or other structural characteristic of surface deviations establishing the key patterns  65  and  80 . The resulting keyed cosmetic dispensers  10  prevent the usage of non-matching keyed cosmetic insert cartridges  15  in relation to particularly keyed cosmetic dispenser bases  18 . Moreover, cosmetic insert cartridges  15  keyed as taught herein prevent usage of the insert cartridge  15  in relation to non-keyed or differently keyed refillable dispenser bases  18 . Still further, by virtue of the encasing lower shell  22 , the assembled cosmetic insert cartridge  15  is not operational independently of a dispenser base  18 . 
     In practice, the cosmetic insert cartridge  15  can be assembled as in  FIGS. 1 through 6  with the elevator cup  12  concentrically disposed within the inner body  14 . The inner body  14  is concentrically disposed within the spiral member  16  with the lugs  52  of the elevator cup  12  received within the spiral channels  46  of the spiral member  16 . The cylindrical shell  24 , commonly referred to as an A-shell, is disposed to encase the spiral member  16 . The lower shell  22  is installed to receive the proximal end of the spiral member  16  and to encase the protruding proximal portion of the inner body  14 . To be rendered operational, the keyed cosmetic cartridge  15  must be engaged with a dispenser base  18  with a matching key pattern  80 . The key tip  84  of the keyed dispenser base  18  thus effectively unlocks the keyed cosmetic insert cartridge  15  by uniquely intermeshing only with the correspondingly-keyed cosmetic cartridge  15 . 
     A dispenser cap  68  as shown in  FIG. 30  can be snapped in place atop the dispenser base  18  as in  FIG. 31 . As  FIGS. 24 and 30  show, the dispenser base  18  has one or more protuberances  64  for engaging a channel  70  along the inner surface of the dispenser cap  68  to retain the dispenser base  18  and the dispenser cap  68  in engagement. 
     When a keyed cosmetic cartridge  15  is engaged with a matching keyed dispenser base  18 , the elevator cup  12 , the inner body  14 , and the spiral member  16  cooperate to form a rotary extension and retraction mechanism. By the engagement of the release member  20  with the locking member  22 , the inner body  14  is rotationally fixed relative to the dispenser base  18 , and the upper shell  24  is rotationally fixed relative to the spiral member  16 . The inner body  14  can then be manually rotated in relation to the spiral member  16  by, for instance, a gripping of the keyed dispenser base  18  and a relative rotation of the base  18  and the shell  24 . The elevator cup  12 , and thus a lipstick member  100  retained by the elevator cup  12  as in  FIG. 6 , can be manipulated between the retracted configuration depicted in  FIG. 5  and the extended configuration depicted in  FIG. 6  by a rotation of the inner body  14  in relation to the spiral member  16 . 
     As the inner body  14  is rotated in relation to the spiral member  16 , the elevator cup  12  is prevented from rotating in relation to the inner body  14  by engagement of the lugs  52  with the longitudinal tracks  38  of the inner body  14 . With that, the lugs  52  of the elevator cup  12  slide along the helical channels  46  of the spiral member  16  to yield an axial movement of the elevator cup  12  and the retained lipstick  100 . Relative rotation in a first direction will induce an extension of the elevator cup  12  while relative rotation in a second, opposite direction will induce a retraction of the elevator cup  12  and the retained cosmetic stick  100 . When desired, such as when a given stick cosmetic  100  is spent or when a different color or type of cosmetic  100  is desired, a user can disengage the keyed cosmetic cartridge  15  retaining the cosmetic  100  to be replaced from the keyed dispenser base  18 . A different, but again correspondingly-keyed, cosmetic insert cartridge  15  into the cosmetic base  18 . 
     It will be understood that terms of orientation may be referenced herein merely provide a complete understanding of the disclosed keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser  10  and are not limiting of the invention. Other nomenclature and conventions may be used without limitation of the teachings herein. Furthermore, the various components disclosed herein are merely illustrative and are not limiting of the invention. For example, except as limited by the claims, each of the components discussed herein may include subcomponents that collectively provide for the structure and function of the disclosed component. Furthermore, one or more components, sometimes referred to as members or otherwise herein, could be combined as a unitary structure while still corresponding to the disclosed components. Additional components that provide additional functions, or enhancements to those introduced herein, may be included. For example, additional components and materials, combinations of components or materials, and perhaps the omission of components or materials may be used to create embodiments that are nonetheless within the scope of the teachings herein. 
     When introducing elements of the present invention or embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. As used herein, the term “example” or “exemplary” is not intended to imply a superlative example. Rather, “exemplary” refers to an embodiment that is one of many possible embodiments. 
     With certain details and embodiments of the present invention for a keyed refillable cosmetic dispenser  10  disclosed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that numerous changes and additions could be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. This is particularly true when one bears in mind that the presently preferred embodiments merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Accordingly, it will be clear that those with major features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments. 
     Therefore, the following claims shall define the scope of protection to be afforded to the invention. Those claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It must be further noted that a plurality of the following claims may express, or be interpreted to express, certain elements as means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, any such claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in this specification but also all legally cognizable equivalents thereof.