Abstract:
A unitary package having a retractable applicator is particularly suited for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic products, such as lip gloss or mascara. The package has a main body and a tubular shell arranged concentrically, wherein the tubular shell has a first portion disposed externally of the main body and a second portion disposed internally of the main body. The outer surface of the tubular shell is adapted to be grasped and rotated with respect to the main body. The inside of the main body defines a reservoir, and the applicator is positioned within and movable with respect to the reservoir. The portion of the tubular shell internal to the main body is threaded and cooperates with threads on the applicator to cause the applicator to extend from within the reservoir to a position external of the package.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to an apparatus useful for dispensing liquid or viscous products. More particularly, the invention relates to a package useful in the dispensing of a liquid or viscous cosmetic product.  
         [0002]     Liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic products, such as lip gloss or mascara, are often contained and dispensed from packages using a brush or foam tip applicator. Typically, a package used for dispensing the cosmetic product comprises two segments, a first segment that contains a reservoir of cosmetic material and a second segment that comprises an applicator such as a brush. In use, the two-part cosmetic package has several drawbacks. For instance, the applicator section and the reservoir section of the traditional package are fixed together, with the applicator inside the reservoir, when the applicator is not in use. Further, because the package is two parts, it requires the use of both hands when applying cosmetics.  
         [0003]     Some present-day cosmetic packages are unitary packages that contain an internal cosmetic reservoir. A movable applicator is disposed within the package and may be moved by the user from a retracted position, where the applicator receives cosmetic from the internal reservoir, to an extended position, where the applicator projects through an opening in the package, so that cosmetic may be applied from the applicator to the user.  
         [0004]     The unitary packages are more convenient for the user than the dual section packages, but the unitary packages of the past still suffer from drawbacks. The unitary packages usually contain somewhat complex mechanical components needed to move the applicator with respect to the reservoir in response to manipulation of the package by the user. For instance, applicators may be attached to the package by threaded or spring-loaded mechanisms. Since those mechanisms are often mass produced and poorly engineered, those mechanisms are subject to failure and breakage during use. Further, many unitary packages are not ergonomically designed and are not easily manipulated by the user.  
         [0005]     It is desired to provide an improved unitary cosmetic package with mechanical functionality that promotes reliability and longevity of the package. It is further desired to provide an improved cosmetic package with improved ergonomics such that the package is easily manipulated by a user.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The invention is a package for dispensing a liquid or viscous product. The package comprises a tubular main body and a concentrically arranged tubular shell. The main body has upper and lower ends and a hollow interior defining a reservoir for the product. An axial opening is formed at the upper end of the main body. The tubular shell has an outer first portion disposed externally of the main body and an inner second portion disposed internally of the main body. The outer portion of the tubular shell overlaps the outer surface of the main body and is adapted to be grasped and rotated with respect to the main body.  
         [0007]     An applicator is mounted for axial movement within the main body between a retracted position and an extended position. The applicator has an applicator tip that is positioned within the reservoir when the applicator is in the retracted position and projects from the axial opening in the main body for application of the product when the applicator is in the extended position. An advance interface cooperates with the applicator and with the tubular shell for moving the applicator axially between the retracted and extended position in response to rotation of the shell with respect to the main body.  
         [0008]     Structural advantages are gained over previous packages by having at least part of the outer tubular shell in contact with the main body. The main body supports the tubular shell such that, when rotational force is applied by a user, the tubular shell is kept in axial alignment with the main body and applicator so that the package mechanism works smoothly. Also, operation is simplified by having the tubular shell communicate force from the user directly to the applicator without the need for intermediate parts. The tubular shell may extend along a substantial portion of the outer surface of the main body, thus providing the user with a large gripping surface for use in operating the package. The package thus has several ergonomically desirable features.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cosmetic package according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the cosmetic package shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cosmetic package according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the cosmetic package shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a cap for use with the package; and,  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0017]     A cosmetic package in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , has a tubular shape with an upper end  12  and opposing lower end  14 . The package includes a tubular hollow main body  20  and a tubular shell  30 . The main body  20  includes an upper cylindrical portion  20   a  and a lower cylindrical portion  20   b  with a flange  20   c  therebetween. In the embodiment shown, the main body comprises a single unitary piece of material, although the upper and lower cylindrical portions  20   a ,  20   b  could be formed as separate pieces that are fixedly attached at flange  20   c  to form a fluid-tight seal.  
         [0018]     The tubular shell  30  is mounted for rotation relative to the main body  20 , but is axially fixed with respect to the main body  20 . The tubular shell  30  includes an outer portion  32  in the form of a cylindrical wall disposed externally of the main body  20  and adapted to be grasped and rotated, and an inner portion  34  disposed internally of the tubular main body  20 .  
         [0019]     At the top of the main body  20 , the side walls of the upper cylindrical portion  20   a  turn inward to define an axial opening  26 , and an integral cylindrical wall  22  extends axially inwardly into the interior of the upper cylindrical portion  20   a  to form an elongate axially extending passageway concentric with the side walls of the upper cylindrical portion  20   a . A reservoir  40  for containing cosmetic material is thus defined within the main body  20  by the cylindrical side walls of the upper cylindrical portion  20   a  and the inwardly extending cylindrical wall  22  and by a liquid-tight seal  70  disposed within the main body  20 .  
         [0020]     An applicator  50  is provided within the package having an applicator tip  50   a  that can be moved axially outwardly as described more fully below from a retracted storage position within the reservoir  40  as shown in  FIG. 2 , through the elongate passageway defined by the cylindrical wall  22 , and to an axially extended position in which the applicator tip  50   a  projects from the upper end of the package.  
         [0021]     Referring to the lower end of the package  14 , the bottom of the lower cylindrical portion  20   b  is open-ended to facilitate connection of the main body with the tubular shell  30 , which is connected to the main body  20  at the bottom of the lower cylindrical portion  20   b . The tubular shell  30  is mounted for rotation relative to the main body  20 , but is axially fixed with respect to the main body  20 . The tubular shell  30  includes an outer portion  32  in the form of a cylindrical wall disposed externally of the main body  20  and adapted to be grasped and rotated, and an inner portion  34  disposed internally of the main body  20 . As used with regard to the relationship of the tubular shell and main body, “external” means overlapping at least a region of the outer surface of the cylindrical main body  20  while “internal” means adjacent to the inner surface of the cylindrical main body  20 . At least a portion of the external tubular shell  30  is in flush contact with the outer surface of the lower end  14  of the main body. The outer diameter of the inner tubular shell portion  32  preferably rests flush against the internal diameter of the main body  20 . The inner portion  34 , more particularly, is cylindrical and has an outside diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the lower portion  20   b  of the tubular main body so that the inner portion  34  can be received within the lower portion  20   b . The outer portion  32  and the inner portion  34  are joined to a solid bottom  35  of the shell  30  and are spaced apart from one another to provide an annular recess for receiving the lowermost part of the lower portion  20   b  of the main body.  
         [0022]     The main body  20  and tubular shell  30  may be connected in a suitable manner allowing the two parts to be concentrically arranged and rotatably connected to one another. An example of such a connection is the snap-fit ridge and groove arrangement  38  shown in  FIG. 2 , where a ridge on one part, e.g. the inner portion  34  as shown, and a corresponding the groove on the other part, e.g. the outer portion, allow rotation of the connected elements but retain the parts in assembled relationship, preventing axial movement with respect to each other.  
         [0023]     The applicator  50  is mounted for axial movement within the main body  20  so that the applicator  50  may be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. The applicator  50  comprises an applicator tip  50   a , an elongate axially extending shank  50   b  of a non-circular cross-section, and a base member  50   c . The applicator tip  50   a  is typically a pliable material capable of absorbing cosmetic material, such as a foam, sponge, fabric, or brush. The applicator shank  50   b  is connected at its upper end to the applicator tip  50   a  and at its lower end to the base member  50   c . The base member  50   c  has an enlarged configuration so that at least a portion of its outer peripheral surface engages the internal surface of the inner portion  34  of the tubular shell. A helical advance interface  80  is provided at this location to convert a rotational movement of the outer portion  32  of the shell into an axial movement of the applicator  50 . As shown, the inner surface of the inner tubular shell  34  is inscribed with at least one helical thread or channel  82 . The base member  50   c  of the applicator  50  terminates radially into at least one lug  84  which is received by a correspondingly located thread or channel  82 . Thus, rotation of the tubular shell with respect to the applicator translates into axial movement of the applicator  50 . It is preferred that two or more lugs be spaced apart from one another about the base member  50   c  and further preferred that the periphery of the base member  50   c  immediately adjacent each lug  84  mate flush with the internal surface of the inner tubular shell  34  so that the applicator body  50   b  is stabilized radially during operation of the package.  
         [0024]     A liquid-tight seal  70  is fixed within the main body  20  separating the reservoir  40  from the internal volume of the lower end  14  of the main body. An aperture  72  is formed in the seal  70  and extends axially therethrough. The aperture  72  has a non-circular geometric cross-section that corresponds to the non-circular cross-section of the applicator shank  50   b  and thereby prevents product present in the reservoir  40  from passing through the aperture  72 . The applicator shank  50   b  can move axially through the aperture  72  but because of the non-circular cross-section of the shank  50   b , it does not rotate. Exemplary geometries include oval or square. The seal  70  may be secured in place within the main body  20  by any suitable arrangement. In the embodiment shown, the dimensional tolerances provide for a snap fit, and lugs and corresponding recesses, indicated at  74 , on the outer periphery of the seal  70  and the inner surface of the body  20 , hold the seal  70  securely in place.  
         [0025]     In the retracted storage position shown in  FIG. 2 , the applicator rests in a retracted position such that the tip  50   a  of the applicator resides within the reservoir  40  where it absorbs or is coated by cosmetic product. Rotation of the tubular shell  30  with respect to the main body  20  causes an upward force to be exerted upon the applicator  50  by the interface  80 . The applicator  50  is restricted from rotation by the non-circular seal aperture  72  and is thus propelled axially upward through the aperture  72  in seal  70 . Upon continued rotation of the tubular shell, the applicator tip  50   a  projects through the axial opening  26  of the main body so that the product upon the applicator tip  50   a  may be applied by the user. A wiper  28  is provided within the axial opening  26  to remove excess product from the applicator tip as it is extended out of the product reservoir  40 . Because the passageway defined by the cylindrical wall  22  is relatively narrow, the viscous cosmetic product does not flow freely and is thus prevented from escaping from the reservoir  40 . The wiper  28  can be a separate component made of an elastomer with bore slightly smaller than the diameter of the flexible applicator tip. The wiper  28  may be part of the axial opening or may be adjacent the axial opening but integrated into the product reservoir. To store the applicator, rotation of the tubular shell is reversed and the applicator is retracted within the package.  
         [0026]     As mentioned, the tubular shell  30  of this embodiment has an outer portion  32  that resides radially outside and an inner portion  34  that resides radially inside of the lower portion  20   b  of the main body. The outer portion  32  of the shell  30  rests flush against but is not fixedly bonded to the outer surface of the lower body  20   b . The cross-sections of both the lower body  20   b  and the outer tubular shell  32  are such that the lower body  20   b  and outer tubular shell  32  may be rotated with respect to one another while maintaining a flush correspondence. The inner tubular shell  34  preferably rests flush against the inside surface of the lower body  20   b.    
         [0027]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate an alternate embodiment which is similar in many respects to the embodiment previously described in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 2 . To avoid repetitive description, elements in this embodiment that correspond to elements of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  have been identified with corresponding reference numbers with prime (′) notation added. In this embodiment, the outer shell portion  32 ′ extends along a substantial portion of the outer surface of the lower main body  20   b ′. The longer extent of the outer shell portion  32 ′ provides a larger surface for the user to hold when using the package. The outer surface of the outer shell portion  32 ′ may be provided with a gripping surface  100 , such as an outer geometry having an unsmooth surface that enables the user to better grip and rotate the tubular shell  30 ′ of the package.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the package may be provided with a removable cap  120 . The cap  120  is shaped to correspond with the shape of the upper region of the upper main body  20   a  and forms a seal with the upper main body  20   a  when installed. The cap  120  preferably has a stem  122  projecting from the inner surface of the cap, where the stem corresponds to the shape of the opening  26  or, alternatively to the wiper  28  if the wiper  28  is installed within the opening  26 . The stem  122  seals the opening  26  when the cap is installed. The cap may be snap-fit, friction-fit, threaded, or otherwise connectable in an air-tight manner.  
         [0029]     According to the embodiments above, the tubular shell  30 ′ is a unitary component. Referring to  FIG. 6 , an embodiment of the invention is shown in which the tubular shell  30 ″ is still a unitary component but comprises an external portion  32 , internal portion  34 , and a separate threaded component  36  that may be attached to the internal portion  34  of the tubular shell during assembly so that a tubular component with inwardly extending threads  82 ″ is fixedly attached to the internal portion  34  of the shell and threadably engaged with the base member  50   c ″ of the applicator. The combined components of the tubular shell  32 ,  34 ,  36  of this embodiment perform as the unitary tubular shells of previous embodiments, but this embodiment demonstrates that the tubular shell may be assembled from various physical parts, i.e.  32 ,  34  and  36 , that are fixed to one another. The use of multiple parts provides flexibility in assembling the tubular shell. For instance, during assembly, the threaded component  36  may be threaded onto the applicator shank  50   b ″ within the main body  20 ″, after which the remaining portion of the tubular shell  32 ,  34  may be snap-fit or otherwise fixedly attached to the threaded component  36  in order to form a unitary tubular shell  30 ″.  
         [0030]     Further according to the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the outer periphery of the seal  70 ″ projects downwards to form a cylindrical collar between the main body  20 ″ and the threaded component  36 . The threaded component  36  is held steadily in axial alignment during rotation by flushly mating the outer surface of the aforementioned collar with the inner surface of the main body  20 ″, and further by flushly mating the inner surface of the collar with the outer surface of the threaded component  36 .  
         [0031]     The helical advance interface  80 ″ of the embodiment of  FIG. 6  comprises male threads  82 ″ extending from the inner surface of the threaded component  36  that mate with corresponding female indentations  84 ″ on the outer surface of the base member  50   c ″. As with previous embodiments, rotation of the tubular shell  32 ″ with respect to the base member  50   c ″ causes the applicator  50 ″ to extend or retract, depending upon the direction of rotation.  
         [0032]     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.