Patent Description:
A container holding a liquid or gel type content (such as a cosmetic, shampoo, cleaning agent, etc.) may have a pump coupled to an upper portion of the container as a device for discharging the content. When a user presses down on the top of the pump, the pressure within the pump may be changed and the valve may be opened, forcing the content to be dispensed through the pump to the outside. Such a pump can prevent the content from being exposed to the outside, thereby preventing the content from spoiling and hence providing an advantage in terms of good hygiene.

A problem found in the conventional pump is that the amount of content dispensed may not be constant, depending on the extent to which the pump is pressed down. That is, if the pump is pressed down with a large force such that the valve, etc., within is moved by a large distance, the dispensed amount may be large, whereas if the pump is pressed with a small force such that the valve, etc., is moved by a small distance, the dispensed amount may be small. Thus, with the conventional pump, the dispensing amount cannot be adjusted precisely.

One form of container currently used involves holding two different types of contents separately and allowing the contents to be mixed at the time of use. This form of mixing container is mainly used in cases where a mixture of the two different types of contents provides a synergetic effect but where a premature mixing of the two different contents before the time of use causes the contents to spoil or exhibit a lowered performance after a prolonged period of distribution.

In such a mixing container also, the effect of the mixing can be maximized by supplying the two different types of contents in a constant mixture ratio.

(Patent Document <NUM>) <CIT> <CIT> discloses a dispenser comprising setting means for varying the discharge stroke or discharge volume. The setting means act on a valve. The associated valve face of the valve can be linearly shifted to thus ensure very safe function.

The present invention has been conceived to address the problems above, and one aspect of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic container that can variably adjust the dispensing amount of the content.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic container that can adjust the dispensing amounts for two types of contents independently.

Other objectives of the invention will be more clearly understood from the embodiments described below.

A cosmetic container according to one aspect of the invention comprises:.

A cosmetic container according to an embodiment of the invention can include one or more of the following features. For example, the transfer member can be provided at the inner side of the handle.

A handle gear can be formed on the inner perimeter of the handle, the transfer member can include a spur gear that is interlocked with the handle gear and a spring washer that is configured to rotate together with the spur gear as an integrated body at the inner side of the spur gear, and the spring washer can guide the upward and downward movement of the valve guide while rotating together with the valve guide as an integrated body.

A guide protrusion shaped as a thread can be formed on the outer perimeter of the valve, and a guide thread can be formed in the inner perimeter of the valve guide, where the guide protrusion can be rotatably inserted in the guide thread.

The pump can include a piston guide, which may be coupled to the valve and which may include an inlet hole, and a piston, which may be coupled to an exterior of the piston guide and may be capable of closing the inlet hole, where the one-time dispensing amount of the pump can be adjusted in proportion to the distance between the valve guide and the piston.

The height at which the upper transfer member is interlocked with the upper handle can be different from the height at which the lower transfer member is interlocked with the lower handle.

A pump cap can be coupled to the upper portions of the two storage parts, where the pump cap can include pump insertion holes through which the two pumps may be inserted, and the upper handle and the lower handle can be rotatably coupled to the exterior of the pump cap.

The cosmetic container can be configured to prevent of the pumps inserted in the pump insertion holes from rotating.

The cosmetic container can further include a nozzle connected to the two pumps, where the nozzle can include two dispenser holes configured to dispense contents individually from the two storage parts respectively.

A rotation detection means can be provided on a coupling portion between the upper handle and lower handle and the pump cap, where the rotation detection means can allow a detection of the amounts of rotation of the upper handle and lower handle.

The cosmetic container can include a pump module that includes the two pumps, the upper handle, the lower handle, the upper transfer member, and the lower transfer member, where the two storage parts can be coupled to each other and separably coupled with the pump module.

The coupling of the two storage parts can form a circular pump thread, and the pump module can include a storage-part cap that is screw-joined with the pump thread.

An embodiment of the invention described above can provide various advantages, including the following. However, a structure can constitute an embodiment of the invention without necessarily providing all of the advantages below.

An embodiment of the invention can provide a cosmetic container capable of varying the dispensing amount of a content.

Also, an embodiment of the invention can provide a cosmetic container that can adjust the dispensing amounts of two types of contents independently.

Also, an embodiment of the invention can provide a cosmetic container with which the storage part storing a content can be readily replaced.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to particular modes of practice, and it is to be appreciated that all changes that do not depart from the technical scope of the present invention set forth in the scope of the claims below are encompassed by the present invention. In the description of the present invention, certain detailed explanations of the related art are omitted, if it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention.

The terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms such as "including" or "having," etc., are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.

While such terms as "first" and "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, such components must not be limited to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

Certain embodiments of the invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those components that are the same or are in correspondence are rendered the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a cosmetic container <NUM> according to a first disclosed embodiment of the invention, and <FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cosmetic container <NUM> across line A-A of <FIG>.

Incidentally, <FIG> shows an illustration with the over cap <NUM> (see <FIG>) removed.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a cosmetic container <NUM> based on this embodiment may include a first storage part <NUM> and a second storage part <NUM> separated from each other, where each storage part <NUM>, <NUM> may store a different content. A pump module <NUM> may be coupled to an upper portion of the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> to be capable of dispensing the contents stored in the respective storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> simultaneously. In this way, a cosmetic container <NUM> according to this embodiment may be characterized by the ability to dispense two different types of contents.

A cosmetic container <NUM> based on this embodiment may also be characterized by the ability to adjust the amounts in which the contents stored in the two storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> are dispensed by the manipulation of the upper handle <NUM> and lower handle <NUM>. A more detailed description is provided below.

A cosmetic container <NUM> based on this embodiment may include a pump module <NUM>, a first storage part <NUM>, a second storage part <NUM>, and a lower cap <NUM> (see <FIG>). The pump module <NUM> may include a nozzle <NUM>, an upper handle <NUM>, a lower handle <NUM>, a pump cap <NUM>, two pumps <NUM>, and a storage-part cap <NUM>.

The nozzle <NUM> may be coupled to an upper portion of the cosmetic container <NUM> for pressing by the user and may include an upper surface and a cylindrical form having an open bottom. Within the nozzle <NUM>, there may be provided a first nozzle <NUM> and a second nozzle <NUM>, which may be hollow and may be formed vertically. The first nozzle <NUM> and the second nozzle <NUM> may be coupled and connected respectively to the valve heads <NUM> of the valves <NUM> provided in the two pumps <NUM>. A content (not shown) that is raised by the pump <NUM> may pass through the valve <NUM> and the first nozzle <NUM> or second nozzle <NUM> to be discharged to the outside through a dispenser hole <NUM>, <NUM> connected with each nozzle.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view of the upper handle <NUM> in the cosmetic container <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the upper handle <NUM> may be positioned below the nozzle <NUM> and above the lower handle <NUM> and may be rotated by the user to adjust the one-time dispensing amount of a pump <NUM> (in <FIG>, the pump on the right). The upper handle <NUM> may have the shape of a circular ring having an exterior surface <NUM> of a certain height and may have an upper ledge <NUM> and an upper handle gear <NUM> provided on its inner perimeter.

The upper ledge <NUM> may protrude inwardly from the inner perimeter of the upper handle <NUM> and may be formed higher than the upper handle gear <NUM>. The upper ledge <NUM> may be rotatably inserted into the detent groove <NUM> formed in the detent protrusion <NUM> of the pump cap <NUM> described below, whereby the upper handle <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the cosmetic container <NUM>.

On the inner perimeter of the upper ledge <NUM>, rotation detection means <NUM> shaped as protrusions may be formed in certain intervals. As the rotation detection means <NUM> pass over protrusions (not shown) formed in the detent groove <NUM> of the pump cap <NUM>, the user may perceive that the upper handle <NUM> has been rotated by a certain angle. Such rotation detection means <NUM> allow the user to readily adjust the one-time dispensing amount of a pump <NUM>.

The upper handle gear <NUM> may be provided at a lower portion on the inner perimeter of the upper handle <NUM> and may be interlocked with the spur gear <NUM> of the transfer member coupled to the right pump <NUM> in <FIG>. Thus, a rotation of the upper handle <NUM> may cause the spur gear <NUM> and spring washer <NUM> of the transfer member to rotate, in turn causing the valve guide <NUM> to rotate along the exterior of the valve <NUM> and move up or down. The upward and downward movement of the valve guide <NUM> may adjust the one-time dispensing amount of the pump <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the lower handle <NUM> in the cosmetic container <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the lower handle <NUM> may be positioned below the upper handle <NUM> and may be rotated by the user to adjust the one-time dispensing amount of a pump <NUM> (in <FIG>, the pump on the left). The lower handle <NUM> may be rotated independently of the upper handle <NUM>. The lower handle <NUM> may have the shape of a circular ring having an exterior surface <NUM> of a certain height and may have a lower handle gear <NUM> and a lower ledge <NUM> formed on its inner perimeter.

The lower handle gear <NUM> may be formed at an upper portion on the inner perimeter of the lower handle <NUM> and may have the lower end of the upper handle <NUM> positioned on its upper surface. The lower handle gear <NUM> may be interlocked with the spur gear <NUM> of the transfer member coupled to the left pump <NUM> in <FIG>. Thus, a rotation of the lower handle <NUM> may cause the spur gear <NUM> and spring washer <NUM> of the transfer member to rotate, in turn causing the valve guide <NUM> to rotate along the exterior of the valve <NUM> and move up or down. The upward and downward movement of the valve guide <NUM> may adjust the one-time dispensing amount of the pump <NUM>.

The lower ledge <NUM> may be formed below the lower handle gear <NUM> on the inner perimeter of the lower handle <NUM>, where two or more lower ledges <NUM> may be formed in annular shapes. The lower ledge <NUM> may be coupled with the rotary protrusion <NUM> provided on the pump cap <NUM>, whereby the lower handle <NUM> may be rotatably coupled in relation to the pump cap <NUM>.

Between the lower ledge <NUM> and the lower handle gear <NUM>, protrusions <NUM> may be formed in certain intervals, corresponding to rotation detection means. During the rotation of the lower handle <NUM>, the protrusions <NUM> may pass over a multiple number of rotation detection means <NUM> provided on the pump cap <NUM>, allowing the user to perceive the rotated amount of the lower handle <NUM> and readily adjust the one-time dispensing amount of the pump <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the pump cap <NUM> in the cosmetic container illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pump cap <NUM> may be coupled to the upper portions of the first storage part <NUM> and second storage part <NUM> and allow the two pumps <NUM> to be coupled to their respective storage parts <NUM>, <NUM>. The pump cap <NUM> may also serve to rotatably support the upper handle <NUM> and the lower handle <NUM>.

The pump cap <NUM> may be shaped as a cap having an open bottom and an upper surface, with two pump insertion holes <NUM> formed in the upper surface through which to insert the pumps <NUM>. In the inner perimeter of a pump insertion hole <NUM>, there may be formed an anti-rotation indentation <NUM>, where a protrusion (not shown) formed in the housing <NUM> of a pump <NUM> may be inserted into the anti-rotation indentation <NUM> to prevent the pump <NUM> from rotating.

The pump cap <NUM> may include two upwardly protruding cap exterior surfaces <NUM>. A cap exterior surface <NUM> may have an arced shape, and at the upper end of the cap exterior surface <NUM>, a detent groove <NUM> may be formed due to the detent protrusion <NUM>. The upper ledge <NUM> of the upper handle <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the detent groove <NUM>.

The rotation detection means <NUM> may be formed on the outer perimeter of the pump cap <NUM>, and as the protrusions <NUM> provided on the lower handle <NUM> pass over the rotation detection means <NUM>, the user can recognize the rotated amount of the lower handle <NUM>.

On the outer perimeter of the pump cap <NUM>, a multiple number of rotary protrusions <NUM> may be formed in certain intervals. The rotary protrusions <NUM> may be rotatably inserted into the lower ledges <NUM> of the lower handle <NUM>.

At the lower end on the outer perimeter of the pump cap <NUM>, a flange <NUM> may be formed protruding outward. An upper portion of the storage-part cap <NUM> may be inserted into the groove (no numeral assigned) formed between the flange <NUM> and the rotary protrusions <NUM>, whereby the storage-part cap <NUM> and the pump cap <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to each other.

While the cosmetic container <NUM> according to this embodiment is illustrated as having two pumps <NUM>, a cosmetic container according to another embodiment of the invention can include just one pump <NUM>, in which case the pump cap can also include one pump insertion hole <NUM>.

The storage-part cap <NUM> may be coupled to a lower portion of the pump cap <NUM>. The storage-part cap <NUM>, which may be positioned at the lowermost portion of the pump module <NUM>, may have the pump cap <NUM> inserted onto its top and may have its bottom open. A thread (no numeral assigned) may be formed in the inner perimeter of the storage-part cap <NUM>, where the thread may be screw-joined with the pump threads <NUM> formed on the outer perimeters of the upper portions of the first storage part <NUM> and second storage part <NUM>. As the storage-part cap <NUM> is thus screw-joined to two storage parts <NUM>, <NUM>, the pump module <NUM> can be coupled to or separated from the two storage parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> can be replaced with new parts.

As the storage-part cap <NUM> is rotatable with respect to the pump cap <NUM>, it is possible to screw-join the pump module <NUM> onto the upper portions of the two storage parts <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a pump <NUM> in the cosmetic container <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pump <NUM> across line B-B of <FIG>.

Incidentally, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the pump <NUM> positioned on the right from between the two pumps illustrated in <FIG>. The two pumps <NUM> in <FIG> may have substantially the same composition with the exception that the heights of the gear indentations <NUM> in the coupled spur gears <NUM> are different.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pump <NUM> may form a part of the pump module <NUM> and may be operated by the downward movement of the nozzle <NUM> to dispense a content from the first storage part <NUM> or second storage part <NUM>. On the exterior of the pump <NUM>, there may be provided a transfer member, which may include a spur gear <NUM> and a spring washer <NUM>, to allow an adjustment of the one-time dispensing amount of the pump <NUM> by a rotation of the upper handle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the spur gear <NUM> in the pump <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the valve <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the spring washer <NUM> in the pump <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the valve guide <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, on the exterior of the pump <NUM>, there may be provided a spur gear <NUM>, which corresponds to the transfer member. A gear <NUM> may be formed on the upper portion of the outer perimeter of the spur gear <NUM>, being interlocked with the upper handle gear <NUM> of the upper handle <NUM>. Thus, rotating the upper handle <NUM> may cause the spur gear <NUM> to rotate in the same direction and thus also rotate the spring washer <NUM> and the valve guide <NUM>.

The spur gear <NUM> may include a body <NUM> that is shaped as a hollow cylinder with both ends open. The spring washer <NUM> may be inserted within the body <NUM>. The gear indentations <NUM> may be formed in the inner perimeter of the body <NUM>, where outer protrusions <NUM> formed on the outer perimeter of the spring washer <NUM> may be inserted in the gear indentations <NUM>. The gear indentations <NUM> and outer protrusions <NUM> allow the spur gear <NUM> and spring washer <NUM>, which correspond to the transfer member, to rotate together as an integrated body.

The spring washer <NUM> may be shaped as a hollow cylinder with both the top and bottom open and may be positioned between the spur gear <NUM> and the valve guide <NUM>. On the outer perimeter of the spring washer <NUM>, there may be formed outer protrusions <NUM>, which have already been described above and will not be described here in further detail.

A washer ledge <NUM> may be formed at the lower end on the inner perimeter of the spring washer <NUM>. The washer ledge <NUM> may be formed protruding inward, and a multiple number of washer protrusions <NUM> may be formed in certain intervals on the inner perimeter of the washer ledge <NUM>. A lower end of a spring <NUM> may be positioned on the washer ledge <NUM>. The washer protrusions <NUM> may be inserted into rotary grooves <NUM> formed in the outer perimeter of the valve guide <NUM>, whereby the spring washer <NUM> and the valve guide <NUM> may rotate together as an integrated body.

The housing cover <NUM> may be positioned below the spring washer <NUM>. The housing cover <NUM> may be inserted into the open top of the housing <NUM> and may include a body <NUM> having a cylindrical shape and a flange <NUM> formed protruding from the outer perimeter of the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> of the housing cover <NUM> may be inserted through the open top of the housing <NUM> and may have the shape of a hollow cylinder with both the upper end and lower end open. The upper end of the body <NUM> can be in contact with a lower surface of the washer ledge <NUM> of the spring washer <NUM>. The lower end of the body <NUM> can be in contact with the upper end of the piston <NUM>, to thereby limit the upward movement of the piston <NUM>.

The flange <NUM> may be formed protruding outwardly from the outer perimeter of the body <NUM> and may have a cross section shaped as an inverted "L". The flange <NUM> may be in tight contact with the outer perimeter at the upper end of the housing <NUM>, whereby the housing cover <NUM> can be firmly secured to the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may correspond to the body of the pump <NUM> and may have an interior space <NUM> into which a content may be drawn from a storage part <NUM>, <NUM> by a pumping action. An inlet hole <NUM> may be provided in the housing <NUM> for the drawing in of the content, and at the inlet hole <NUM>, there may be provided a valve (not shown) that is opened or closed according to the pressure difference between the interior space <NUM> and the storage part <NUM>, <NUM>. As the valve corresponds to known technology, disclosed for example in <CIT>, the valve will not be described here in further detail.

The piston <NUM> may be movably positioned in the interior space <NUM>, and a piston guide <NUM> may be inserted onto the piston <NUM>. The process by which a content is drawn into and discharged from the inside of the interior space <NUM> is described in detail in documents such as <CIT>, and as the pumps of the cosmetic container <NUM> according to this embodiment may employ the same discharging operation, the discharging process will not be described here in further detail.

On the outer perimeter of the housing <NUM>, there may be provided a flange <NUM>. The flange <NUM> may contact an upper end of a coupler head <NUM>, which may correspond to an entrance of the first storage part <NUM> or second storage part <NUM>, whereby the housing <NUM> may be placed above the coupler head <NUM> of the storage part <NUM>, <NUM>.

The valve <NUM>, which may move downward or upward together with the downwardly pressed nozzle <NUM> to perform a dispensing action, may include a valve head <NUM> and a valve body <NUM>.

The valve head <NUM> may have the shape of a hollow cylinder with an open top, where the first nozzle <NUM> or second nozzle <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> may be inserted to and be connected with the inside of the valve head <NUM>. The valve head <NUM> may also connect with the valve body <NUM>. Also, a head flange <NUM> may be provided at the upper end on the outer perimeter of the valve head <NUM>. The lower surface of the head flange <NUM> may contact the upper end of the spring <NUM>. Thus, when the external force is removed, the valve <NUM> and valve guide <NUM> and the piston <NUM> may be moved upward by the elastic restoring force of the spring <NUM>.

The valve body <NUM> may have the shape of a hollow cylinder with both the upper end and lower end open and may connect with the valve head <NUM> and the piston guide <NUM>. Guide protrusions <NUM> may be formed on the outer perimeter of the valve body <NUM>, where the guide protrusions <NUM> may be screw-joined to the guide thread <NUM> formed in the inner perimeter of the valve guide <NUM>. As the guide protrusion <NUM> and the guide thread <NUM> are screwjoined together, the valve guide <NUM> may move upward or downward while rotating around the exterior of the valve <NUM>. Here, the valve <NUM> may not be rotated.

At an upper end of the valve body <NUM>, there may be valve protrusions <NUM> formed. The valve protrusions <NUM> can be inserted into the guide indentations <NUM> formed in the upper end of the valve guide <NUM>, whereby the valve guide <NUM> can be prevented from rotating and stopped from moving upward.

The valve guide <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the exterior of the valve body <NUM> and may be rotated in linkage with the rotation of the upper handle <NUM> or lower handle <NUM> to be moved upward or downward. A greater distance (d in <FIG>) between the valve guide <NUM> and the piston <NUM> may result in the inlet holes <NUM> formed in the piston guide <NUM> remaining open for a longer duration and hence an increased amount of the content being drawn.

The valve guide <NUM> may be shaped as a hollow cylinder with both the upper end and lower end open, and guide threads <NUM> may be formed within. The guide threads <NUM> may be screw-joined with the guide protrusions <NUM> formed on the outer perimeter of the valve body <NUM>, whereby the valve guide <NUM> may be rotated along the outer perimeter of the valve <NUM> to be moved upward or downward.

The rotary grooves <NUM> may be formed in the outer perimeter of the valve guide <NUM> along the longitudinal direction. The washer protrusions <NUM> of the spring washer <NUM> may be inserted in the rotary grooves <NUM>, whereby the spring washer <NUM> and the valve guide <NUM> may rotate together as an integrated body.

At the upper end in the inner perimeter of the valve guide <NUM>, there may be formed guide indentations <NUM>, which have already been described above and will not be described here in further detail.

The piston guide <NUM> may have a portion thereof inserted within the valve <NUM> and may move up and down together with the valve <NUM>, while the piston <NUM> may be positioned in a movable manner around the exterior of the lower portion of the piston guide <NUM>. The piston guide <NUM> may have the shape of a hollow cylinder and may be provided with a guide head <NUM>, which may have a larger diameter, at its lower end. A coupler indentation <NUM> may be formed in the outer perimeter of the piston guide <NUM>, where a protrusion (no numeral assigned) formed on the inner perimeter of the valve <NUM> may be inserted in the coupler indentation so as to enable the valve <NUM> and the piston guide <NUM> to move up and down as an integrated body.

The inlet holes <NUM> may be formed in a lower portion of the piston guide <NUM>. When the piston <NUM> is positioned around the inlet holes <NUM> (as illustrated in <FIG>), the inlet holes <NUM> may be closed, and the content drawn into the interior space <NUM> may not enter the inside of the piston guide <NUM>. When the piston <NUM> is not positioned around the inlet holes <NUM>, the inlet holes <NUM> may be opened, and the content that was drawn into the interior space <NUM> may enter the inside of the piston guide <NUM>, pass through the valve <NUM> and nozzle <NUM>, and be discharged to the outside. The longer the duration of the inlet holes <NUM> remaining open (i.e., the slower the downward movement of the piston <NUM> compared to the downward movement of the piston guide <NUM>), the greater would be the amount of content discharged by a one-time operation of the pump <NUM>.

At the lower end of the piston guide <NUM>, there may be provided a guide head <NUM>, which may have a larger diameter compared to other portions. The diameter of the guide head <NUM> may be formed larger than that of the guide contact part <NUM> of the piston <NUM>. Therefore, after the piston guide <NUM> and the piston <NUM> have been moved downward together and while the piston guide <NUM> and the piston <NUM> are being moved back up by the elastic restoring force of the spring <NUM>, the piston <NUM> may be caught on the guide head <NUM> and may move upward concurrently with the piston guide <NUM>.

The piston <NUM> may include a guide contact part <NUM>, which may be placed in tight contact with the exterior of the piston guide <NUM>, a housing contact part <NUM>, which may be placed in tight contact with the inner perimeter of the housing <NUM>, and a connection part <NUM>, which may connect these parts to each other.

The guide contact part <NUM> can maintain tight contact with the outer perimeter of the piston guide <NUM> to close the inlet holes <NUM>. When the valve <NUM> and the valve guide <NUM> are moved downward, the piston <NUM> may be moved relatively slowly due to the friction with the housing contact part <NUM>, whereby the inlet holes <NUM> may be opened, and the content that was drawn into the interior space <NUM> may enter the inside of the piston guide <NUM>.

If the valve guide <NUM> is moved further down compared to the state shown in <FIG> due to the operation of the upper handle <NUM> or lower handle <NUM>, the valve guide <NUM> can more quickly press down on the connection part <NUM> when the valve guide <NUM> is moved down together with the valve <NUM>. As a result, the downward movement of the piston <NUM> may be achieved sooner, and duration of the inlet holes <NUM> remaining open may be decreased. A decrease in the duration of the inlet holes <NUM> remaining open would mean that the amount of content discharged by a one-time operation of the pump <NUM> would be reduced.

The housing contact part <NUM> may maintain tight contact with the inner perimeter of the housing <NUM> to delay the downward movement of the piston <NUM> in spite of the downward movement of the valve <NUM> and valve guide <NUM>.

While the cosmetic container <NUM> according to this embodiment is illustrated as having two pumps <NUM>, another embodiment of the invention can include just one pump <NUM>. A cosmetic container having just one pump can include one handle.

In a cosmetic container according to another embodiment of the invention, the valve <NUM> and the valve guide <NUM> can be formed as an integrated body. Also, in a cosmetic container according to another embodiment of the invention, the spur gear <NUM> and spring washer <NUM> corresponding to a transfer member can be formed as an integrated body.

In the foregoing, the pump <NUM> and the spur gear <NUM> are described for the pump <NUM> positioned on the right, from between the two pumps <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The pump <NUM> positioned on the left can have the same composition as the pump <NUM> positioned on the right and thus will not be described here in further detail. It should be noted, however, that the spur gear <NUM> coupled to the left pump <NUM> may be formed with the gears <NUM> positioned lower compared to the spur gear <NUM> of the pump located on the right. The spur gear <NUM> may be interlocked with the lower handle <NUM>.

The structure and operation of the pumps <NUM> may be identical or similar to those of the pump disclosed in <CIT> and thus will not be described here in further detail.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating the valve guide <NUM> after it is moved down from the state illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the valve guide <NUM> is moved downward by the rotation of the upper handle <NUM> or lower handle <NUM>, the distance (d) between the lower end of the valve guide <NUM> and the connection part <NUM> of the piston <NUM> may be decreased (d'<d). When the distance (d) is decreased, the valve guide <NUM> may contact the connection part <NUM> earlier when moved downward, whereby the piston <NUM> may also be moved down earlier, and the inlet holes <NUM> may be closed sooner.

The state shown in <FIG> corresponds to the case in which the valve guide <NUM> is at its highest possible position such that the distance (d) is at a maximum value. In this case, the downward movement of the piston <NUM> can be achieved not by the valve guide <NUM> but by the downward force of the piston guide <NUM> only. With the state shown in <FIG>, the amount of content discharged by a one-time operation of the pump <NUM> is at a maximum.

The state shown in <FIG> corresponds to a case in which the valve guide <NUM> has been lowered compared to the state shown in <FIG> such that the distance (d') has been decreased compared to the distance (d) in <FIG>. In this case, as the valve guide <NUM> is moved down, the valve guide <NUM> can press down on the connection part <NUM> of the piston <NUM> earlier compared to the state shown in <FIG>, and as a result, the piston <NUM> can be moved down sooner, and the point at which the inlet holes <NUM> are closed can be made earlier. In this way, decreasing the distance between the valve guide <NUM> and the connection part <NUM> may allow the inlet holes <NUM> to be closed earlier, so that the amount of content discharged by a one-time dispensing of the pump <NUM> may be decreased.

Thus, with a cosmetic container <NUM> according to this embodiment, a user can readily adjust the amount of content dispensed by the operation of a pump <NUM> by manipulating at least one of the upper handle <NUM> and the lower handle <NUM>. Also, the cosmetic container <NUM> according to this embodiment may have two storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> and thus may be capable of simultaneously discharging two different types of contents, allowing the user to readily control the mixture ratio of the contents by controlling the one-time discharging amount of the pump <NUM> connected to each of the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> with the pump module <NUM> separated.

Referring to <FIG>, the pump module <NUM> can be separated from the two storage parts <NUM>, <NUM>. The storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> can be replaced as necessary, after which the semicircularly shaped storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> can be attached to each other to form a cylindrical shape, and the pump module <NUM> can be coupled thereto. A lower cap <NUM> can be coupled also to the lower portions of the two storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> forming a cylindrical shape, so as to prevent the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> from being separated.

The two storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> can have semicircular shapes and substantially the same composition and can be formed symmetrically to each other. On the upper portions of the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM>, there may be formed coupler heads <NUM>, which may be inserted into the lower portion of the pump cap <NUM>. The coupler heads <NUM> may correspond to passageways through which the contents stored in the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> are discharged to the outside and may receive the pumps <NUM> inserted therein.

The pump threads <NUM> may be formed on the outer perimeter at the upper portions of the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and the thread (no numeral assigned) formed in the inner perimeter of the storage-part cap <NUM> may be screw-joined to the pump threads <NUM>. As a result, the pump module <NUM> may be separably coupled to the upper portions of the two storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> adjoining each other.

Cap threads <NUM> may be formed on the outer perimeter at the lower portions of the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and the thread formed in the inner perimeter of the lower cap <NUM> may be screw-joined to the cap threads <NUM>. As a result, the two storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> can be coupled more securely.

Thus, the cosmetic container <NUM> according to this embodiment provides the advantage that the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> can be readily replaced, since the pump module <NUM> coupled to the upper portions of the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> can be easily separated from the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM>. Such structure that allows refills can be even more useful in the context of a variable dispensing structure, as is the case with a cosmetic container <NUM> according to this embodiment. That is, as the contents stored in the storage parts <NUM>, <NUM> can be dispensed in variable amounts, the rates of consumption of the contents can differ. However, when a content stored in one storage part <NUM>, <NUM> is depleted, the user may simply replace the storage part <NUM>, <NUM> with a new one storing the depleted content and continue to use the cosmetic container <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A cosmetic container (<NUM>) comprising:
∘ a first storage part (<NUM>) configured to store a first content;
∘ a second storage part (<NUM>) configured to store a second content;
∘ a first pump (<NUM>) coupled to the first storage part (<NUM>) and configured to dispense the first content, the first pump (<NUM>) comprising a first valve (<NUM>) configured to move downward by a pressing;
∘ a second pump (<NUM>) coupled to the second storage part (<NUM>) and configured to dispense the second content, the second pump (<NUM>) comprising a second valve (<NUM>) configured to move downward by pressing;
∘ an upper handle (<NUM>) and a lower handle (<NUM>) each rotatably coupled to an upper portion of the storage parts (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the upper handle (<NUM>) and the lower handle (<NUM>) have different heights;
∘ an upper transfer member interlocked with the upper handle (<NUM>) and configured to transfer a rotation of the upper handle (<NUM>) to a first valve guide (<NUM>), the first valve guide (<NUM>) configured to move upward or downward along an exterior of the first valve (<NUM>) when rotated by the upper transfer member,
∘ a lower transfer member interlocked with the lower handle (<NUM>) and configured to transfer a rotation of the lower handle (<NUM>) to a second valve guide (<NUM>), the second valve guide (<NUM>) configured to move upward or downward along an exterior of the second valve (<NUM>) when rotated by the lower transfer member,
the upper handle (<NUM>) and the lower handle (<NUM>) being configured to be rotated independently to adjust heights of the respective valve guides (<NUM>);
wherein rotating the upper handle (<NUM>) adjusts a relative position of the first valve guide (<NUM>) with respect to the first valve (<NUM>) to allow a varying of a dispensing amount of the first content; and
wherein rotating the lower handle (<NUM>) adjusts a relative position of the second valve guide (<NUM>) with respect to the second valve (<NUM>) to allow a varying of a dispensing amount of the second content.