Patent Publication Number: US-9420869-B2

Title: Refillable lipstick

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Lipstick for adding color, texture, and protection to the lips has been available in cylindrical metal tubes since 1915. Classic problems with lipstick containers include losing the lipstick cap when the lipstick is jostled in a purse, and having the lipstick melt from the heat of the sun. 
     Lipstick tubes have improved to address some of these problems. However, a user conventionally must buy the lipstick dispensing tube with the lipstick, adding significant cost. The lipstick container has become so associated with the lipstick product it contains that the dispensing tube itself is also referred to as a “lipstick.” The marketing of lipstick often becomes marketing of the dispenser tube. Since the cost of the lipstick and dispenser combination is relatively high, a manufacturer may limit the number of lipstick types or lipstick colors to be offered, to avoid an overstock of relatively expensive dispensers containing less popular lipstick colors or shade variations. 
     SUMMARY 
     A refillable lipstick is provided. In one implementation, a high-quality permanent lipstick dispenser incorporates a magnetic catch that enables replacement of the lipstick within the dispenser. Lipstick refills may be installed and removed from the dispenser with a refill cap that has an extraction lever. The refill cap may be made decorative. In one implementation, the refill cap and extraction lever make and break an attachment between a magnetic cup provided with the lipstick and the magnetic catch inside the permanent decorative dispenser. In an implementation, a swivel-up dispenser extends and retracts the lipstick. At extension, the user can twist a derailer, which then provides an additional groove for further extending and raising the lipstick from the dispenser for removal by the refill cap. A working cap is provided to cap the lipstick between refills. An exemplary kit contains a swivel-up dispenser, custom decorative outer shell and trim for the dispenser, one or more alternate lipsticks in one or more refill caps with extractors, and a working cap. 
     This summary section is not intended to give a full description of a refillable lipstick, or to provide a list of features and elements. A detailed description of example embodiments follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an example refillable lipstick dispenser. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a refill cap and a working cap for the example refillable lipstick dispenser. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the example refillable lipstick dispenser with the lipstick fully extended for installation or extraction. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the example refillable lipstick dispenser with the lipstick fully retracted and the working cap secured. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram of an example swivel-up implementation of the example refillable lipstick dispenser. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram of an example derailer and example derailer functionality. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of example moving payload part of the example refillable lipstick dispenser, including magnetic catch and release components. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of an example kit, containing a collection of refillable lipstick components that may be provided together to a user. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of an example method of constructing a refillable lipstick holder. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     This disclosure describes an example refillable lipstick. In one implementation, an example refillable lipstick provides a high-quality, permanent, decorative pen-like lipstick dispenser that can be refilled with new lipsticks at will. The new lipsticks may be the same as the lipstick being refilled, or the refill may be of different composition, color, texture, gloss, flavor, and so forth, than the lipstick being replaced or refilled. 
     The example refillable lipstick reduces the cost of buying lipstick over time, and enables a manufacturer to offer a wider selection of lipstick colors, textures, and types. If a given lipstick is depleted or damaged, the tube dispenser does not have to be discarded, and a new lipstick tube dispenser does not have to be purchased. This saves resources and the environment, and can be economical for the lipstick user, while potentially providing the lipstick user with a high-quality lipstick dispenser that can be customized and ornamented to be jewelry-like. 
     The refillable lipstick dispenser incorporates a mechanism for holding and releasing a given lipstick. In an implementation, the holding mechanism is a magnetic catch that secures and enables replacement of the lipstick within the dispenser. Alternatively, a friction fit, bayonet fitting, or other technique may be used to hold and release a given lipstick. A charge, portion, segment, or stick of lipstick constituting a lipstick refill will be referred to herein simply as a “lipstick.” In an implementation, a derailer moves the lipstick into extraction position at the top of a swivel-up mechanism when the user twists an outer sleeve. A groove on the derailer aligns with a groove on the inner guide sleeve to allow the guide pins of a lipstick carrier to extend up further away from the main dispenser. This exposes the lipstick payload for access and removal by an extractor on a refill cap. Otherwise, when not in extraction position, the lipstick is held firmly by the refillable lipstick dispenser for extension, retraction, and application to the user&#39;s lips. 
     Lipstick refills may be installed and removed from the dispenser with a refill cap that has an extraction lever. The refill cap and the extraction lever may be made decorative to match the decorative theme of the overall lipstick dispenser. For example, a chrome extraction lever and colored transparent refill cap may match the color and trim of the overall lipstick dispenser. Functionally, in one implementation, the refill cap and extraction lever make and break an attachment between the magnetic catch inside the decorative lipstick dispenser and a disposable magnetic cup holding the current lipstick. 
     In an implementation, a swivel-up version of the dispenser extends and retracts the lipstick, securing the lipstick so that a refill may be made only when the lipstick is fully extended from the decorative dispenser. A top or “working cap” is provided to cap the lipstick between refills. The refillable lipstick may be provided in a kit that contains any combination of a swivel-up dispenser with magnetic catch, custom decorative outer shells and trim for the dispenser, one or more alternate lipsticks in one or more refill caps with extractors, and a working cap. 
     Example Implementations 
       FIG. 1  shows an example refillable lipstick dispenser  100 , with integrated and exploded views. In one implementation, an example refillable lipstick dispenser  100  has a swivel-up mechanism  102  for containing and handling the lipstick  104 . In this implementation, the swivel-up mechanism  102  has a tubular member  106 , such as an inner guide sleeve, an O-ring  108  or other grommet to space and to dampen twisting motions, a spiral sleeve  110 , an outer shell  112 , a derailer  114 , and a derailer sleeve  116 . 
     In an implementation, a moving payload  118  consists of a carrier  120 , cup  122 , the lipstick  104 , and a magnet  124  or magnetized element. The carrier  120  rides in a rail or slot in the tubular member  106 . The cup  122  holds and grasps the lipstick  104  and removably attaches to the carrier  120 . The cup  122  may be constructed of a magnetic material, such as steel containing iron, and held to the carrier  120  by the magnet  124 , which may be incorporated in the carrier  120  or otherwise associated with the carrier  120 . 
     A refill cap  126  has a cover  128  that is attachable to the main body of the refillable lipstick  100 , such as to the outer shell  112 , the derailer sleeve  116 , or other parts of the example swivel-up mechanism  102 . The refill cap  126  has an extractor  130 , which the user moves in or out in relation to the cover  128  to extract or install a new lipstick  104  being refilled. 
     In one implementation, a user twists or rotates the refill cap  126  once it is placed on the main body of the refillable lipstick dispenser  100  to engage the derailer sleeve  116  and bring the carrier  120  and cup  122  into position to extract and refill the lipstick  104 . The user then pushes the extractor  130  towards the main body to secure the used lipstick in the refill cap  126  for extraction. In one implementation, movement of the extractor  130  alone installs or extracts a lipstick  104  being refilled. 
     A base cover  132  fits over the bottom of the tubular member  106  and provides a customizable decorative shell for the lower part of the refillable lipstick dispenser  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows attachment of the refill cap  126  and attachment of a working cap  202  to the main body of the refillable lipstick dispenser  100 . The working cap  202  may be customized to match a decorative theme of the overall refillable lipstick dispenser  100  and  100 ′, especially an artistic theme of the base cover  132  and the visible portions of the outer shell  112  and refill cap  126 . The working cap  202  provides a cover for the lipstick during everyday use, when the lipstick  104  is not being refilled. In an implementation, the working cap  202  attaches to the main body of the refillable lipstick dispenser  100 ′ when the lipstick  104  is fully retracted into the tubular member  106 . The refill cap  126 , by comparison, attaches to the main body of the refillable lipstick dispenser  100  to be used when the lipstick  104  is fully extended from the tubular member  106 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a cross section of the example refillable lipstick dispenser  100 , with the moving payload  118  extended for a lipstick refill. The extractor  130  is shown in an open position, allowing the cup  122  holding the lipstick  104  to magnetically seat on the carrier  120  and the magnet  124 , guided by an inner sleeve of the tubular member  106 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross section of the refillable lipstick dispenser  100  with the moving payload  118  retracted. The carrier  120 , magnet  124 , cup  122 , and lipstick  104  are fully enclosed within the tubular member  106  during retraction, and the working cap  202  can then be attached at the top to protect the lipstick  104 . 
       FIG. 5  shows exploded elements of an example swivel-up mechanism  102  of the refillable lipstick dispenser  100 . In an implementation, the carrier  120  has pins  502  that engage corresponding slots  504 , rails, or keyways in the tubular member  106 , shown as an inner guide sleeve. The spiral sleeve  110  has a second corkscrewed spiral slot  506 , rail, or keyway on its inner surface that also engages the pins  502  of the carrier  120 . Thus, when the spiral sleeve  110  is rotated around the tubular member  106 , the carrier  120  is raised or lowered by screw motion depending on the direction of rotation of the spiral sleeve  110 . However, the carrier  120  only moves straight up and down because of the straight slots  504  of the tubular member  106 . In one implementation, the spiral sleeve  110  is rotated around the tubular member  106  by the user twisting the bottom cap  132  with respect to the outer shell  112  and spiral sleeve  110 , or vice versa. 
       FIG. 6  shows the example derailer  114  in relation to the carrier  120  and the tubular member  106 . In an implementation, the tubular member  106  is a guide sleeve with corresponding slots  504  for the guide pins  502  of the carrier  120 . The derailer  114  can be twisted (e.g., rotated) by the user in relation to the main body of the dispenser to align extension grooves  602  on the derailer  114  with the slots  504  on the tubular member  106 . When twisted into this position, the derailer  114  provides extra track for the guide pins  502  of the carrier  120  to move up and further away from the main body of the tubular member  106 . 
     In one implementation, rotation of the derailer  114  in relation to the tubular member  106 , or vice versa, also lifts the carrier  120  via the guide pins  502  into the grooves  602  on the derailer  114  through cam action of a ramp or shelf  604  incorporated into the slots  504  of the tubular member  106 . Once lifted into the grooves  602  of the derailer  114 , the cup  122  and the lipstick payload  104  can be removed from the main dispenser by the extractor  130  of the refill cap  126 . 
       FIG. 7  shows exploded elements of an example moving payload  118 . In an implementation, each lipstick  104  is permanently inserted into a corresponding cup  122 , which may have teeth, serrations  702 , or other means for grasping the base of the lipstick  104 . The cup  122  is constructed at least in part of iron or a magnetic material. In one scenario, the carrier  120  contains the magnet  124 . A used or depleted lipstick  104  may be removed from the refillable lipstick dispenser  100  by breaking a magnetic attachment between the cup  122  and the carrier  120 . Likewise, a new lipstick  104  may be installed into the refillable lipstick dispenser  100  by allowing a new cup  122  and new lipstick  104  to magnetically bond with the carrier  120 , i.e., create a magnetic catch. The extractor  130 , pivotably attached to the refill cap  126 , includes a fork  704  or prong formation that mates with slots  708  on the sides of the cup  122 . When the extractor  130  is closed against the refill cap  126 , the fork  704  is engaged with the cup  122  and is in ready state to lift the cup  122  and its lipstick  104  away from the refillable lipstick dispenser  100 . When the extractor  130  is pivoted open from the refill cap  126  by the user, the fork  704  is disengaged from the slots  708  of the cup  122 , and the cup  122  is free to magnetically bond to the carrier  120 . Once bonded to the carrier  120 , the cup  122  and lipstick  104  can be controlled by rotational motions of the tubular member  106  and the spiral sleeve  110  on the pins  502  of the carrier  120  to extend and retract the lipstick  104 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an example kit  800 , containing a collection of refillable lipstick components that may be provided together to a user, e.g., for purchase. The example kit  800  contains a refillable lipstick dispenser  100 , custom decorative outer shell and trim for the dispenser  100 , one or more alternate lipsticks in one or more refill caps  126  with extractors  130 , and a working cap  202  that may match the decorative theme of the kit  800 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an example method  900  of constructing a refillable lipstick. In the flow diagram, steps of the method are shown in individual blocks. The order of the blocks does not imply a required order for the steps of the example method  900 . 
     At block  902 , a magnet is incorporated inside a refillable lipstick holder. 
     At block  904 , a lipstick in a magnetic cup is secured to the refillable lipstick via the magnet. 
     The magnetic cup can be released from the refillable lipstick holder to replace and refill the lipstick. The magnetic cup is alternately secured and released by a refill cap and extractor attached to the refill cap. 
     In an alternative implementation, the magnetic catch and release mechanism are replaced by another technique for holding and releasing a lipstick, such as a releasable friction fit or bayonet fitting between a cup holding the lipstick and the refillable lipstick dispenser. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although exemplary systems have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claimed systems, methods, and structures.