Patent Abstract:
A powder dispensing container is provided, the container divided into a powder storage chamber and a powder dispensing chamber with an opening between the two controlled by a valve mechanism. A cap or closure member is disposed over an upper open end of a powder dispensing chamber and when opened, causes a closure of the valve mechanism. When the cover is returned to its closed position, the valve will automatically open allowing for new charge of powder form the storage chamber to enter into the dispensing chamber. The closure member is provided with an actuator that extends through the powder dispensing chamber and engages and causes operation of the valve mechanism.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates in general to a container that allows for controlled dispensing of particulate material. The invention has particular utility for use in connection with controlled dispensing of very fine powder, such as a cosmetic powder, and will be described in connection with such utility, although other utilities are contemplated, including, for example, controlled delivery of powdered spices, pharmaceuticals, dyestuffs and other particulate or powdered materials. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Many of the powders used as cosmetics are lightweight powders with small particle sizes. As a result, these powders can be easily dispersed during use. Although a “fine” or “loose” powder is desirable for use as a cosmetic, it also has the undesirable consequence of becoming difficult to control in use. As a simple example, a user may find it difficult to control free powder and in the process may drop some of the powder on his or her clothing. 
     Conventional sifter jars transfer small amounts of powder from a storage container through a sifter each time the jar is turned upside down transferring the powder to the surface of the sifter. Frequently, users will open a cosmetic jar only to find that the cosmetic powder billows and disperses in an uncontrollable fashion. This powder can and frequently does find its way into hinges and other small mechanisms causing undue friction and premature wear. 
     Traditional sifter jars also can become clogged with powder. This may necessitate the removal of the sifter and cleaning by the user. During this process, care must be taken not to disperse the powder contained in the jar. Moreover, some of the cosmetic powders are expensive and loss during removal and cleaning of the sifter is undesirable. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide a powder-dispensing jar which does not rely upon a sifter type principle for operation, but which nevertheless controls the use of the powder in such manner that a user dispenses only a limited amount of the powder upon demand and which thereby eliminates an unintended dispersal of the powder. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises a powder dispensing jar employing a valve mechanism to control dispensation of the powder. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a powder dispensing jar which does not use a sifter mechanism but rather, relies upon a metering mechanism coupled to a cover member for the jar. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a powder-dispensing jar which allows for the controlled dispensing of a fine powder without a widespread dispersal of the powder. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cosmetic powder-dispensing jar of the type stated which uses a metering valve associated with a partition in the jar and which separates a powder storage chamber from a powder dispensing container with the valve allowing for a limited but controlled amount of powder to be transferred from the powder storage container to a powder dispensing chamber when the cover member for the jar is opened. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a powder dispensing jar of the type stated which can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes and which is more effective than dispensing cosmetic powder with a sifter jar. 
     The present invention provides a loose powder dispensing jar which has a base storage unit and cover member where the cover member is subdivided into an upper powder dispensing chamber and metering mechanism located between the powder dispensing chamber and the base powder storage unit. 
     The invention provides a cosmetic powder dispensing container that employs a unique metering valve mechanism that is opened and closed in response to an opening and closing of a cover on the container or by operation by the user. 
     As used herein the term “powder” is intended to include particular materials of any size. The present invention provides a powder-dispensing jar that allows for a dispensing of a powder without the unintended and undesirable powder dispersal common to traditional sifter jars. In this respect, the powder-dispensing jar replaces the conventional powder sifter jar that uses a sifter mechanism to control the unintended disbursal of powder with an automatic metering valve. 
     In a broad aspect, the powder-dispensing jar of the invention has two portions, isolated from one another by a separator. One portion stores the powder and the other is accessible by a user to dispense the powder. In one embodiment, a cover or lid extends over the dispensing portion of the jar. The closure member or cover, which comprises a hinge mounted lid, selectively allows access to controlled quantities of powder which are automatically metered and transferred from storage via a valve mechanism. The closure member which also covers the upper portion powder-dispensing container, optionally may include a mirror mounted on the underside of the closure member. 
     A valve mechanism is located in a partition or wall that separates the powder storage chamber from the powder-dispensing chamber. The valve mechanism allows a predetermined amount of powder to pass from the powder storage chamber into the powder-dispensing chamber when the closure member is shifted from one of an opened or closed position to the other of an opened or closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the valve mechanism opens when the closure member is in a closed position, and closes when the closure member is opened. When the container is turned upside down, powder will load the valve mechanism. The container is then turned to an upright position. 
     In a more specific aspect of the invention, the powder dispensing jar has an internal chamber and a partition is located in the internal chamber and separates the internal chamber into a powder dispensing chamber and a powder holding chamber, sometimes called a “powder receiving chamber” or “storage chamber”. The closure member is in the nature of a lid, and preferably, a lid mounted by with a hinge on an actuating section and is opened when raised or moved away from a covering position over the powder dispensing chamber or “dispensing chamber.” 
     In a preferred mode of construction there are three major components to the powder-dispensing jar of the invention. These components constitute an upper closure member or “lid”, an intermediate valve actuating section and a lower jar portion which constitutes a powder storing chamber. The valve actuating section cooperates with an actuating element and metering valve in a manner hereinafter described in more detail. 
     The valve mechanism is associated with the partition, and includes a valve opening between the storage chamber and the dispensing chamber that allows a controlled amount of cosmetic powder to pass through the valve opening into the dispensing chamber. The valve mechanism also includes a valve plate which can be disposed over the valve opening to close the valve mechanism. The valve opening allows powder from the storage chamber to enter into the dispensing chamber, but only in limited and predetermined or controlled amounts. Similarly, the valve opens and allows for transfer of the powder into the dispensing chamber when the closure member is closed, temporarily precluding access to the dispensing chamber. 
     When the user opens the powder-dispensing jar, the valve mechanism closes limiting entry of additional powder into the dispensing chamber. When the closure member is opened, the user can access that limited amount of powder that has already collected onto the upper surface of the valve plate. The powder-dispensing jar also may include a metering member, which extends over the valve opening and thereby controls the amount of powder that is transferred from the storage chamber into the dispensing chamber when the valve is opened. The metering member blocks powder from transferring through the valve opening to the dispensing chamber when the closure member for the jar is in a closed position. In effect, the valve mechanism allows for transfer of a controlled quantity of powder from the storage chamber and through the valve mechanism into the dispensing chamber when the lid on the closure member is opened. The amount of loose powder that is loaded onto the valve can be controlled by increasing or decreasing the surface area or volume of the valve itself. 
     The overall process is as follows: a user shifts the lid of the closure member to an open position to enable delivery of a predetermined amount of powder from the metering valve. Opening of the lid also causes the valve plate of the valve mechanism to automatically close restricting communication between the storage chamber and dispensing chamber when the lid is open. In like manner, when the closure member is closed, the valve plate of the valve mechanism is opened allowing for a charge of powder to be transferred from the powder receiving chamber to the metering valve, in a manner further described in more detail hereinafter. 
     This invention possesses many other advantages and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of the forms in which it may be embodied. These forms are shown in the drawings forming a part of and accompanying the present specification. They will now be described in detail for purposes of illustrating the general principles of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings are not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a powder-dispensing jar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the powder-dispensing jar with a lid thereof opened; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  and showing the portions of the operating mechanism of the powder-dispensing jar of  FIG. 1  when a closure member is in a closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing a portion of the powder-dispensing jar of the present invention when the closure member is raised and opened; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary perspective view, showing the underside of a valve mechanism when closed; and 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary perspective view showing the under-side of the valve mechanism forming part of the powder-dispensing jar when opened. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view showing an alternate spring mechanism when the powder-dispensing jar is upside-down. 
     
    
    
     Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below. 
     Referred now in more detail and by reference to the drawings, a powder-dispensing jar  10  has a base  12  defining a central interior chamber  14  and a closure member or closure member assembly  16 . A hinge  11  on the jar base  12  supports the closure member  16 . The closure member may also be attached to the base by, e.g. a living hinge. 
     A suitable latching mechanism such as a push button actuated latch  18  may be provided for releasing of the closure member  16  from the jar base  12 , when it is desired to open the jar. 
     In a preferred embodiment, as described herein, a hinge  11  is mounted on the opposite side of the jar from the latch  18  so that the closure member  16  will always be in a proper position to mate with the latching mechanism. The details of the latching mechanism are not shown, and any latching mechanism could be employed. The closure member  16  may have an internal ring seal  22  (see  FIG. 2 ) so that there is a sealing member located between the closure member  16  and the jar base  12  when the closure member  16  is closed. 
     The closure member  16  is comprised of two major operating components, the first of which is an intermediate partition  64 . The closure member  16  is also comprised of a closure cap  60  and an internal ring seal  22 , which engages the upper end of the jar in the manner as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and thereby forms a seal with the jar base when in the closed position. A mirror  24  optionally may be mounted on the underside of closure cap  60 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The partition  64  also may contain a valve mechanism  36 . The partition  64  effectively divides the interior chamber into a lower powder storage chamber  30  and an upper powder dispensing chamber  32  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The powder storage chamber  30  optionally may be configured to concentrate powder near the valve mechanism  36 . The container also optionally may include a button  52  that allows the user to manually operate the valve to retrieve powder from or return powder to the powder storage chamber  30 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the construction as illustrated, the powder storage chamber is partially enclosed by the lower surface of the partition  64 . A valve mechanism  36 , which comprises a valve plate  38  that is shiftable in a valve opening  40  is mounted in the storage chamber  30 . By reference to  FIG. 3 , it can be observed that the valve plate  38  and the valve opening  40  each have a tapered edge  41  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) such that any excess powder would tend to fall into the powder storage chamber  30 . The valve plate  38  is pivotal on a pin  42  and is spring-biased to a closed position by means of a spring mechanism  44 . 
     By further reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it can be seen that there is a block or plug  46  located on the underside of the lid  60  of the closure member  16 . This plug  46  extends over the valve opening  40  and controls the amount of powder that can be released from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber  32  by affecting the opening of the valve plate  38  and blocking any unwanted communication between the storage chamber  30  and the dispensing chamber  32 . 
     In accordance with this construction, it can be seen that the valve mechanism  36  controls the amount of powder that passes from the powder storage chamber  30  and is introduced into the powder-dispensing chamber  32 . 
     In accordance with this construction, it can be seen that the valve mechanism  36  controls the amount of powder that pass from the powder storage chamber  30  and be introduced into the powder-dispensing chamber  32 . 
     The valve mechanism  36  is constructed in such manner that it effectively seals the valve opening  40  when in the closed position. However, when opened, it will allow a regulated amount of powder to enter into the powder-dispensing chamber  32 . Moreover, the plug  46  also limits the amount of powder that enters into the powder dispensing chamber when in the closed position by providing a scaling surface between the powder dispensing chamber  32  and the powder storage chamber  30 . 
     In one embodiment, there is an actuating or metering pin  50  on the underside of the plug  46  that engages the valve plate  38  causing the valve plate  38  to open when the closure member  16  is located in a closed position over the upper end of the jar. The actuating or metering pin  50  also limits the amount of powder that passes to the valve plate  38  based on the contact surface area of the pin to the valve plate, which has a blocking effect of the powder. Thus the spring mechanism  44  ensures that when the closure member is released, the closure member will be biased upwardly. This will cause the valve mechanism to completely close. However, before closing, a small amount of the powder is introduced into the powder-dispensing chamber  32 . In effect, there is a metering of a controlled amount of powder into the dispensing chamber  32 . 
     When the jar is turned upside down, before complete closure of the valve member, some powder is caused to collect on the upper surface of the valve plate before the plate moves to the closed position. When the jar is again reoriented, some of the powder will remain on the valve plate. Thus, as the valve plate is moved to the fully closed position, a controlled amount of the powder remaining on the valve plate will effectively enter the powder dispensing chamber. In effect, there is a metering of the amount of powder into the powder-dispensing chamber. 
     The closure member  16 , in and of itself, does not allow powder into storage chamber  30 . It is only when the lid  60  is open with respect to the partition  64  that the powder can transfer from the storage chamber  30  into the powder-dispensing chamber  32 . In other words, when the lid  60  of the closure member is opened, powder cannot enter into the powder-dispensing chamber  32  from the powder storage chamber  30 . 
     When the user of the powder dispensing jar desires to obtain a selected amount of powder, the user merely needs to turn the jar over or shake the jar slightly so that the powder will collect on the valve plate before the valve plate moves to the closed position. When the user opens the lid  60 , the plug  46  is released from the valve plate  38  and allows the valve plate  38  to move to the fully closed position. As a result, no further powder can move from the powder storage chamber  30  into the powder-dispensing chamber  32 . Nevertheless, opening of the lid  60  allows the user to obtain that amount of powder that has been introduced in the powder-dispensing chamber  32 . When the lid  60  and the entire closure member  16  is moved to the closed position, the valve  36  will open since the plug  46  or the actuating pin  50  will contact the valve plate  38  and move the same to the open position. This will allow the powder to collect upon the valve plate  38  in the manner as previously described. 
     The amount of the powder allowed to pan between chambers will be a function of the size of the valve plate  38 . Obviously, if the valve plate  38  has a large overall surface area, it will tend to collect more powder and in like manner a lesser surface area will cause a collection of a lesser amount of powder. In addition, the length of the valve plunger  46  will affect the opening of the valve plate  38  and allow more of the powder to remain on the valve plate  38 . If the actuator  50  or plug  46  has a shorter length, then the valve is opened less, and less powder may collect on the valve plate. 
     The distance of movement of the valve plate  38  is also a factor to be considered since a smaller distance of travel will cause the valve plate  38  to remain open less, thereby limiting the amount of powder that will collect on the valve plate. Further, the size of the valve opening  40  is a controlling factor since a small valve opening  40  will only allow a limited amount of powder to collect on the valve plate  38 . 
     In contrast to sifter jars, which utilize a sifting mechanism, it has been found that a valve-type metering mechanism of the present invention is far more effective in eliminating a wide dispersal of the powder in a dressing room or other environment. 
     The powder-dispensing jar can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes. Typically the powder-dispensing jar will be relatively small since it is largely designed for use with cosmetic powders. It should be understood that the jar and the dispensing mechanism could be used with essentially any type of finely dispersed powder. The powder-dispensing jar can preferably be made of a variety of plastics that are easily injection molded or made from other known molding techniques. Moreover, since there are a limited number of operating components, the powder-dispensing jar is highly effective in operation and requires little or no maintenance. The jar can be cleaned when emptied and reused for other powders, refilled, or disposed of. 
     It should be understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. While the present invention has been described with particularity in connection with the controlled delivery of powdered cosmetics, the invention also advantageously may be used for the controlled delivery of other particulate or powdered materials including spices, pharmaceuticals, dyestuffs, and the like. Therefore, any and all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0