Patent Publication Number: US-8113219-B1

Title: Cosmetic powder dispenser with retractable brush

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of my/our U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/200,511 filed Dec. 1, 2008, and entitled COSMETIC POWDER DISPENSER WITH RETRACTABLE BRUSH, and the subject matter thereof is specifically incorporated herein by specific reference thereto. 
    
    
     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 powder dispensers of the type utilizing an applicator brush that is carried in a removable cover or cap, along with a powder reservoir to which the cap is selectively attached. 
     2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97-1.99 
     The following references are hereinbelow listed as being considered a representative sampling of prior art in the field to which the present invention pertains:
         U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,480,331
           4,626,119   4,974,981   
           U.S. Patent Applications Publications Nos.: 2002/0141807
           2006/0130869   2008/0060674   
               

     U.S. Pat. No. 2,480,331 shows a cosmetic dispenser utilizing a slide/slot arrangement for advancing a brush carried in a body member. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, there is a container for storing a quantity of the material to be dispensed, receivable on a base that contains an upwardly facing brush. A shutter mechanism accessible via an outwardly extending projection (16), permits the user to vary the amount of powder flowing, by gravity, from the container onto the bristles of the brush. The latter can be advanced with respect to its base, by means of the slide/slot arrangement shown in FIG. 3. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,626,119 discloses a powder applicator having a retractable brush. Column 3, lines 1-15 summarize the operation. A brush (36) with bristles (38) having tips (40) is slidably disposed in the open end of a member (34). The member has two oppositely disposed longitudinally extending slots (42), only one of which is shown, and a pair of runners (44) slidable therein. The brush can be slid outwardly from the member (34) to a first, forward position at which the bristles extend outwardly from the member, and can also be retracted into a second, withdrawn position at which only the tips are exposed. The positions of the slots and runners are such that the brush is always secured to the member and the member can thus act as a brush handle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,981 illustrates yet another construction for an applicator employing a retractable brush. In FIG. 3 of the patent, there is shown an upper container for storing a quantity of cosmetic powder, and a lower cylinder member in which there is slidably carried an applicator brush. Disposed at the bottom of the container is a small aperture for controlling the flow, by gravity, of powder from the upper container downwardly to the brush bristles. The upper container has a deformable wall which can be depressed in order momentarily pressurize the interior and commence a ‘spray’ of the powder through the aperture, as shown in FIG. 3. 
     Publication No. 2002/0141807 also discloses a cosmetic powder dispenser employing a retractable brush construction having a brush holder (50) for brush bristles (53). A mechanism (not shown) is suggested for advancing and retracting the bristles from the holder (50), as noted in paragraph [0034] of the document. Control of powder flow is accomplished by a scoop refill mechanism described in paragraphs [0020] to [0024] of the patent. 
     Publication 2006/0130869 relates to a retractable brush carried in a first compartment, and a second compartment containing multiple small holes for restricting passage of loose cosmetic powder from a third compartment, which latter constitutes a storage container therefor. The consumer controls the flow of powder by rotating one section of the brush-carrying compartment with respect to another section thereof, in the manner of opening a lipstick casing, i.e. by means of a twisting action. Reference is made to paragraph [0018] of the publication. 
     Finally publication No. 2008/0060674 involves a retractable brush structure, wherein the retraction is accomplished by turning a first part of a closure cap with respect to a second, stationary part of the same cap. The arrangement is briefly explained in the Abstract portion of this document. 
     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 significant quantities. 
     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 skin and beauty-care products. 
     SUMMARY 
     At least some disadvantages of prior cosmetic and like dispensers are largely overcome by the present invention, which is believed to have at least some of the following objects: 1) the provision of a novel and improved cosmetic dispenser which is especially simple in its structure, and which provides especially rapid access to cosmetic material contained therein. 
     2) to provide an improved cosmetic dispenser as above characterized, that can be readily stored in a pocketbook or purse, and thereafter readied for use by the consumer, with a minimum of effort. 
     3) to provide an improved cosmetic dispenser of the type noted above, wherein there are virtually eliminated problems with spillage of product, thus making use of the dispenser especially neat and tidy. 
     4) to provide an improved cosmetic dispenser 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. 
     An important feature of the invention is that of enabling a mostly-assembled dispenser to be filled with powder as a last step, followed by installation of a simple closure plug. By such an arrangement there is minimized undesirable powder spillage during the assembly of the components of the dispenser. 
     The objects are accomplished, in a main embodiment, by a cosmetic dispenser comprising a unique combination of a container for storage of a quantity of cosmetic powder, the container having a mouth, and wherein the dispenser further has a closure cap mounted on the mouth. The closure cap carries an applicator brush that is capable of advancing and retracting movement, by the user. Flow-regulating means comprising an apertured transverse wall, is carried by the container and extends across the mouth thereof. The flow-regulating means comprises a cover hingedly connected to the apertured transverse wall and overlying the same to normally isolate the applicator brush from the container and the powder disposed therein when the closure cap is received on the mouth of the container. The transverse wall and the cover are rendered accessible solely when the closure cap is removed from the container. The cover further is pivotally connected with the transverse wall and capable of being manually shifted from a first, closed position overyling the transverse wall to a second, open position exposing the transverse wall, by means of said hinged connection. The arrangement is such that in the second, open position, the powder contents on the transverse wall are accessible to be picked up by the advanced applicator 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 front elevation of the cosmetic dispenser of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the dispenser of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a vertical section taken on the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation of the dispenser of  FIGS. 1-4 , disassembled, illustrating the container and its bottom closure plug, the mouth of the container containing a sifting mechanism, and the closure cap for the container, the closure cap carrying an applicator brush and the brush being disposed in an advanced position with respect to the walls of the closure cap. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser of  FIGS. 1-5 , wherein the applicator brush is concealed by virtue of its being disposed in a retracted position inside the closure cap. 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation of the applicator brush of the dispenser, and a slide member which carries the brush in the closure cap. 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the slide member portion of the component of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of the brush and slide member of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a metal ring utilized to bundle together the bristles of the closed end of the applicator brush, and fasten them permanently to the slide member. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a pair of hinged cups that span the mouth of the container of the dispenser, and which are involved with selective opening and closing of the container. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view of the hinged cups of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a section taken on the line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a front elevation of the closure cap and applicator brush portions of the dispenser of the invention, with those structures which are normally hidden from view being shown in dotted outline. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic representation of the dispenser, partly in section and partly in elevation, in a mostly assembled state except for a bottom plug that is ultimately secured to the container, and wherein the container is being filled through its (open) bottom from a supply chute containing cosmetic powder. 
         FIG. 16  is a detail view, enlarged, of the dispenser portion indicated in  FIG. 4 , and 
         FIG. 17  is a detail view, enlarged, of the dispenser portion indicated in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND INVENTOR&#39;S BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , there is illustrated a cosmetic dispenser of the loose powder variety and generally designated by the numeral  10 , for storing and dispensing controlled quantities the product, the dispenser  10  including a container  12  having a side wall  14  and a bottom wall  16  which latter is preferably a closure plug that can be installed as a final step in the manufacturing/assembly process, to be discussed hereinbelow. 
     In accordance with the present invention or discovery, the container  12  has a mouth  18  which is spanned by an apertured transverse wall  20 ; the transverse wall  20  is preferably constituted as the bottom wall of a cup  22  having an annular side wall  24  and a radially extending flange  26  at the top of the annular side wall  24 . The cup  22  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13 . The flange  26  seats against a ledge  28 ,  FIG. 6 , and there exists a press fit between the annular wall  24  and the inner surface  30  of the container  12 ,  FIG. 16 . Disposed above the transverse wall  20  and spaced a short distance therefrom is a first cover  32 ,  FIGS. 12 and 13 , which closes off both the transverse wall  20  and the container  12  per se. Taken together, the cup  22  and cover  32  constitute a compartment for receiving small quantities of powder through holes in the transverse wall  20 , when the cover  32  is in place. The wall  20  can be thought of as a sifter member, for passing small quantities of powder into the compartment. The cover  32  is shown as being constituted as the bottom wall of a second cup  34 , the cups  22  and  34  being hingedly connected by a living hinge  36  or equivalent, as particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The cup  34  has a side wall  38  and a solid or imperforate bottom wall  40 . The cup  34  is telescopically received in the first cup  22 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , so as to close off the transverse wall  20  from an applicator brush  42  to be described below. 
     Returning to the invention, there is provided, in combination, a further cover or closure cap  44  having a side wall  46 , defining an inner compartment  48 . The compartment  48  houses the applicator brush  42 , which is slidably mounted therein by means of a slide member  50 , and arranged for movement therewith, between an advanced position illustrated in  FIG. 5 , and the retracted position, shown in  FIG. 4 . The grouped bristles of the closed end of the applicator brush  42  are held together by a metal ring  54 , shown in perspective in  FIG. 10 . The ring  54  can be fastened to the bundled bristles by any suitable manner. Thereafter, the uppermost end of the ring  54  in  FIG. 4 , fits snugly into a circular groove  56  in the slide member  50  such that the latter and brush bristles form a unitary assemblage, and thus the slide member  50  and applicator brush  42  move as a unit, as noted above. 
     The side wall  46  of the further cover or closure cap  44  is provided with internal screw threads  60 , adapted to mate with cooperable external screw threads  58 ,  63  on the container  12 . The closure cap  44  additionally contains a longitudinal through-slot  62 ,  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  6 . In conjunction with the slot  62 , finger-engageable means  64  are provided at the through-slot  62 , in the form of a button  66  and connecting bridge  68 , arranged to permit access to the slide member  50  from outside of the closure cap  44 . The bridge  68  extends from outside the closure cap  44  to the slide member  50 , via the through-slot  62 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the part of the side wall  46  that is diametrically opposite to the button  66 , has a longitudinal inner, blind slot  70 , which constitutes a track for a small lug  72  that projects from the slide member  50 ,  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4 ,  16  and  17 , the invention provides for the dual covers for the container  12 , namely second cup  34  and the closure cap  44 . In a preferred embodiment and as noted above, the transverse wall  20  which spans the mouth  18  of the container  12  is the bottom of the first cup  22 , having the apertures labelled  74  in  FIGS. 4 ,  12  and  13 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  16  and  17 , in place of the living hinge  68 , other suitable hinge mechanisms (not shown) could be substituted for that shown. 
     Opposite the hinge  36  is a finger-engageable lifting edge  76 , which enables the user to lift the first cover  32  and gain access to the transverse wall  20 , which latter carries a small quantity of powder that adheres thereto, from the container  12 . This small accumulation occurs as a consequence of normal jostling of the container  12  when contained in a pocketbook or purse. 
     Since both the transverse wall  20  and first cover  32  are parts of two cups, the cover  32  can nest in the cup  22  in telescoping fashion. Moreover, the fit between the cup  22  and cover  32  can be made to be sufficiently snug to permit the cover  32  to remain in a closed position overlying the cup  22 . 
     In use, the second cover or closure cap  44  is normally stored on the container  12  as in  FIG. 4 , when the dispenser  10  is being carried in the pocketbook or purse. The second cup  34  is seated in the first cup  22 , and small quantities of powder from the container can migrate through the apertured wall  20 , and adhere to the surface just above it. As noted, the adhesion of the powder arises from normal movement of the dispenser  10 , or alternately by a deliberate inversion of the unit so as to cause a flow of powder by gravity, to the area between the walls  20  and  40 . 
     When it is desired to use the dispenser, the closure cap  44  is unscrewed from the container  12 , and the brush  42  manually shifted to an advanced position in the closure cap  44 , as in  FIG. 5 . The cover  32  is then manually opened. The brush  42  can thus be utilized in this position, as a dabber, to attract a small amount of powder from the opened cup  22  and applied by the user, as desired. 
     Following completion of the application, the cover  32  is first re-closed, and the brush  42  retracted in the closure cap  44 . The latter is then re-applied to the container  12  and screwed in place to the normal storage/shipping position. 
     An important, optional feature of the invention is the provision of the wall or closure plug  16  noted above. During the assembly of the dispenser, cleanliness of the assembly area and lack of powder residues or spillage are important to maintain. With the plug  16  arranged as shown, all but the very last steps can be performed in a powder-free environment. The sequence of last steps, then, involves merely inverting the assembled dispenser, filling the container  12  through its open bottom, and installing the plug  16 . Reference is made to  FIG. 15 , which diagrammatically shows a filling operation. A stream of powder emanates from a chute  78  which is connected to a powder reservoir (not shown). The plug  16  can be secured by cement, sonic weld, or other known methods of fusion. 
     By such an arrangement, the possibility of cosmetic powder residue filtering into the area around the applicator brush  42  and its slide member  50  is eliminated. The resultant simplification in the fill step is thus seen to constitute a notable manufacturing economy. 
     From the above it can be seen that I have provided a novel and improved cosmetic dispenser which is physically small, and yet which provides all the necessary features required of a full-service unit. 
     Additionally, the dispenser of the invention is seen to be eye-catching, and featuring an overall attractive physical appearance when viewed from the outside. 
     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. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  Dispenser 
           12  Container 
           14  Side wall 
           16  Closure plug/bottom wall 
           18  Mouth of container 
           20  Transverse wall, sifter member 
           22  Cup 
           24  Annular side wall of cup 
           26  Flange 
           28  Ledge 
           30  Inner surface of container 
           32  First cover 
           34  Second cup 
           36  Living hinge 
           38  Cup side wall 
           40  Cup bottom wall 
           42  Applicator brush 
           44  Closure cap/further cover 
           46  Side wall 
           48  Inner compartment 
           50  Slide member 
           52  Closed bristles or bristle bunch 
           54  Metal ring 
           56  Cylindrical or circular groove 
           58 ,  63  External screw threads 
           60  Internal screw threads 
           62  Through slot 
           64  Finger-engageable means 
           66  Button 
           68  Connecting bridge 
           70  Blind slot 
           72  Lug 
           74  Apertures or access holes in transverse wall  20   
           76  Finger-engageable lifting edge 
           78  Chute