Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a product comprising a liquid cosmetic composition ( <NUM> ) and a device ( <NUM> ) for applying the same, said device (<NUM>) comprising a porous polymeric applicator head ( <NUM> ), an absorbent material ( <NUM> ) fixed in intimate contact therewith, and a reservoir ( <NUM> ) for the liquid cosmetic composition ( <NUM> ) from which said composition is delivered to the absorbent material ( <NUM> ), characterized in that the total capacity of the absorbent material ( <NUM> ) for the liquid cosmetic composition ( <NUM> ) is less than the amount of liquid cosmetic composition ( <NUM> ) that may be held in the reservoir ( <NUM> ).

<CIT> relates to an applicator comprising a support which is configured to allow the applicator to be engaged with a container containing a first product, in the form of a gel, cream, or liquid, and an application member on the support. The application member is capable of conveying the first product from an opening defined by the support to an application face of the said application member. The applicator further includes a lid configured to removably cover the applicator member by engaging with the support. In a closed end of the lid there is a second product, in the form of a solid cake or powder. The application face is capable, when the lid is fitted, of being pressed elastically against the said second product so that the second product can be loaded onto the application face. Once the first and second products have been loaded onto the application face, the lid can be removed and the application face can be put in contact with a surface to apply the combined first and second products.

<CIT> discloses a packaging and dispensing device including a container holding a first product, and a closure capsule including a base part configured to detachably close off the container. The device includes a recess defined in a mobile part of the closure capsule, this recess containing a second product. An opening in the recess is closed off by a cap, such that the mobile part can assume, relative to the base part, a closed position wherein the cap is rendered inaccessible by the base part, and an open position wherein the cap is accessible.

The invention is specified by the independent and dependent claims.

In one general aspect, a dispensing device is disclosed that comprises a first container having a sidewall that defines a reservoir. The first container has an upper opening to the reservoir at a top of the first container. A first liquid, that comprises a dermatological agent, is in the reservoir, along with a porous applicator. The porous applicator comprises an injection-molded polyethylene body having open-celled pores that extend from a bottom of the porous applicator to a top surface of the porous applicator, such that the open-celled pores are filled with the first liquid such that the pores deliver the first liquid to the top surface of the porous applicator by capillary action without externally applied pressure, and such that the porous applicator substantially fills the reservoir and the upper opening at the top of the first container such that the first liquid is prevented from free-flowing out of the reservoir. As such, the porous applicator can deliver the first liquid to the top surface of the porous applicator without use of a pump or buffer. Additionally, as such, the porous applicator may advantageously reduce or prevent migration of low viscosity liquids such as oils or serums.

In other embodiments, the dispensing device comprises a second container, e.g., a squeeze tube, containing a second liquid that may comprise a second dermatological agent that is different from the first liquid. The second container may have a circular, threaded post at an upper end of the second container; and the first container may comprise a circular post that extends upward from a lower, central portion of the first container into the reservoir. The circular post of the first container may comprise a downward-facing threaded recess for receiving the threaded post of the second container such that first container is detachably removable from the second container by unscrewing the first container.

In various implementations, the circular post of the first container comprises an upper wall that blocks the second liquid from entering the reservoir defined by the first container. In other embodiments, the threaded post of the second container comprises a tip that extends from the threaded post of the second container into the porous applicator when the first container is attached to the second container. In such embodiments, the tip can comprise an opening for dispensing the second liquid that is in the second container. The upper (or distal) end of the tip can terminate below or at the top surface of the porous applicator when the threaded post of the second container is fully threaded into the circular post of the first container. Also, the cap can comprise a downward facing pintle that is inserted into the opening of the tip of the second container when the cap is attached to the first container and the threaded post of the second container is fully threaded into the circular post of the first container.

In other embodiments, the second container contains a powder, such as a glitter. Also, the top surface of the porous applicator can have a dome shape, and the dispensing device may comprise a lid that is removably coupled to the first container and that has a shape that corresponds to a shape of the porous applicator. The lid may define a space between a top portion of the lid and the top surface of the porous applicator such that upon the second container receiving a squeezing force, the powder (e.g., glitter) is squeezed into and dispersed about the space. That way, a user could remove the lid to simultaneously apply the powder and the liquid in the porous applicator. Moreover, the lid may comprise a pintle and a knob for controlling the coupling of the lid to the first container.

In additional embodiments, the first container has one or more interior walls in addition to having a sidewall so that the sidewall and one or more interior walls define a plurality of reservoirs, including a first reservoir and a second reservoir. In such embodiments, a liquid dermatological agent and the porous applicator could be in the first reservoir, and another dermatological agent, such as a cream that complements or supplements the liquid dermatological agent, could be in the second reservoir. A user could use their fingers to apply either dermatological agent simply by touching the porous applicator or the cream, at the user's choosing. The porous applicator may define a dome for controlling a dosage of the first liquid dispensed by the dispensing device. Moreover, the porous applicator may define a trough area around the dome.

In other embodiments, the dispensing device comprises a plastic bag that contains a liquid dermatological agent. The bag comprises a closed distal end and an opening at a proximate end. The porous applicator may be inserted into the opening at the proximate end of the plastic bag such that: the porous applicator has an upper portion that extends past a top of the proximate end of the plastic bag; the porous applicator draws the liquid in the plastic bag by way of a vacuum such that the open-celled pores of the porous applicator are filled with the liquid dermatological agent such that the pores deliver the liquid to a top surface of the porous applicator by capillary action; and the porous applicator substantially fills the opening at the proximate end of the plastic bag, to help create the vacuum, such that the liquid is prevented from free-flowing out of the plastic bag. The plastic bag may comprise high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and/or linear low-density polyethylene. Also, the dispensing device can comprise a rigid container containing the plastic bag and (at least partially) the porous applicator. The dispensing device may also comprise a cap that is removably coupled to the rigid container such that: when the cap is coupled to the rigid container, the rigid container is sealed and the vacuum is present; and when the cap is decoupled from the rigid container, a vent of the rigid container is exposed.

In yet other embodiments, the dispensing device comprises a first liquid dermatological agent in the reservoir and the porous applicator is saturated with a second dermatological agent such that the open-celled pores of the porous applicator are filled with the second dermatological agent such that the pores deliver the second dermatological agent to the top surface of the porous applicator by capillary action. The porous applicator is inserted in an opening at the top end of the first container and defines an opening from a bottom surface of the porous applicator to the top surface of the porous applicator, such that the first dermatological agent can flow through the opening in the porous applicator to the top surface of the porous applicator. That way, a user can simultaneously apply the first and second dermatological agents by, for example, squeezing the dispensing device so that the first dermatological agents flow through the opening in the porous applicator to the top surface of the porous applicator, and applying the porous applicator, with the second dermatological agent, to the user's skin. The second dermatological agent may form a lubricating layer or other type of enhancer over which the first dermatological agent flows.

The first and second liquid dermatological agents can be cosmetic or pharmaceutical dermatological agents, such as cosmetic or pharmaceutical creams, oils, lotions, fragrances, etc..

These and other benefits and features of the present invention will be apparent from the description below.

Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein by way of example in connection with the following figures, wherein:.

In one general aspect, the present invention is directed to a dispensing device that dispenses fluids, particularly dermatological agents, such as cosmetic, fragrance or pharmaceutical liquids or serums via a porous applicator. The porous applicator preferably prevents the liquid within the dispensing device from free flowing (e.g. spilling) out of the device. In various embodiments, the porous applicator delivers the liquid to the top surface of the porous applicator via capillary action. That is, for example, the porous applicator, which can form a pad or dome for easy application of the dermatological agent, wicks the liquid in the container to the top surface of the porous applicator. A user can apply the porous applicator directly to the desired skin area to dispense the liquid to the desired skin area; or the user could collect a desired amount of the liquid from the porous application on a finger or tool, and then apply the liquid to the desired skin area with the finger or tool, for example. As liquid is dispensed via the porous applicator, additional liquid of the dispensing device wicks upwards to the top surface to replenish the top surface of the porous applicator. One advantage of the dispensing device is that it facilitates the controlled application of the liquid dermatological agent while reducing or even preventing leaking or spilling. Another advantage is that dispensing device does not require a pump or buffer to deliver the liquid dermatological agent, thereby simplifying the manufacturer and operation of the dispensing device. In other words, the dispensing device does not require, and preferably does not include, a separate buffer or sealing layer for protecting against leakage that could be caused by displacement of the dispensing device. That is, for example, if a user of the dispensing device displaces the dispensing device to a <NUM> degree angle via accidental contact, the self-sealing porous applicator will prevent liquid dermatological agent from leaking past the top surface.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> show a dispensing device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown in these figures, the dispensing device <NUM> comprises a container <NUM>, a porous applicator <NUM> in the container <NUM>, and a cap <NUM>. <FIG> shows the cap <NUM> connected to the container <NUM>; <FIG> shows the cap <NUM> unconnected from the container <NUM>; and <FIG> shows the cap <NUM> unconnected from the container <NUM> and the porous applicator <NUM> removed from the container <NUM>.

The liquid dermatological agent is placed in the container <NUM> with the porous applicator <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the container <NUM> is a cylindrical container, although in other embodiments other three dimensional structures could be used, such as a rectangular prism. The container <NUM> comprises a bottom surface <NUM> and an annular sidewall <NUM> extending upward therefrom, which collectively define a reservoir <NUM> in which the liquid and porous applicator <NUM> are placed. The cap <NUM> preferably is detachably removable from an upper lip <NUM> of the sidewall <NUM> of the container <NUM>. For example, the cap <NUM> could snap-fit to the upper lip108 or, as shown in <FIG>, the cap <NUM> and upper lip <NUM> may comprise mating threaded portions so that cap <NUM> can be removably threaded to the container <NUM> through rotation of the cap <NUM> relative to the container <NUM> and upper lip <NUM>.

The porous applicator <NUM> may be any suitable porous material that wicks the liquid dermatological agent in the container <NUM> through capillary action from the container <NUM> to a top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> so that the liquid can be applied to a desired skin region of a user of the dispensing device <NUM>. In various embodiments, the porous applicator <NUM> may comprise POREX® porous plastics, porous polymer fibers, and/or porous foam. POREX® is a trademark of Porex Corporation. The porous plastics can comprise various polymers including ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethersulfone (PES), polyurethane (PU) and/or PE/PP co-polymer as base materials. The porous polymer fibers can comprise polyester core fiber (PE/PET) fiber or bicomponent polyester sheath and polyester core fiber (PET/PET fiber). A synthetic fiber binding process can be used to extrude various profile polymer fiber geometries with various density, permeability, and wicking performance requirements. In addition, other polymer fibers such as polyolefins, nylon, cellulosic, acetate and other fibers may be blended and bonded together with PE/PET or PET/PET fiber. The porous foam can be polyurethane foam manufactured through a hydrophilic or hydrophobic polyurethane process. Such porous materials comprise pores with interconnected cavities such that fluidic communication throughout each porous material is enabled, thereby enabling the liquid in the container <NUM> to be delivered to the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM>. For example, porous polymer fibers are utilized to produce wicking media with open-cell pore structures that control liquid volume capacity and liquid transfer rates. The size of the pores of the porous materials varies depending on the material used. For example, the pore size diameters range from: <NUM> to <NUM> micrometers (mm) and up to <NUM> for PE, <NUM> to <NUM> for PP, <NUM> to <NUM> for polymer fibers, and <NUM> to greater than <NUM> for porous foam.

As mentioned above, the annular sidewall <NUM> may define a reservoir <NUM> containing the liquid. The liquid can be a dermatological agent, such as a cleansing agent, serum, cream, astringent, topical corticosteroid, emollient, exfoliator, skin treatment, or other suitable dermatological agent. For example, the dermatological agent can be a skin moisturizing cream or a skin pharmaceutical. The reservoir <NUM> may be coextensive with the internal volume of container <NUM>. The annular sidewall <NUM> can also comprise an upper lip <NUM> that extends upward to define an upper opening for the container <NUM>. In various embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the upper opening is the only opening to the container <NUM>. The cap <NUM> can comprise a correspondingly downward facing inner sidewall <NUM> configured to engage the upper lip <NUM> of the container <NUM> in a friction fit or threaded engagement, according to various embodiments. In this way, the cap <NUM> is attachable and detachable from the container <NUM>. When the cap <NUM> is detachably removed from the container <NUM>, the porous applicator <NUM> becomes visible and accessible to a user so that the liquid dermatological agent in the container <NUM> can be applied to the desired skin area via the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM>.

Preferably, the porous applicator <NUM> is positioned within the reservoir <NUM> and substantially fills the reservoir <NUM> such that the liquid in the container <NUM> is prevented from free-flowing out of the reservoir <NUM>. Thus, the liquid may be dispensed from the dispensing device <NUM> without leaking. Prevention of liquid free flow is achieved based on the porous applicator <NUM> substantially filling the space defined by the reservoir <NUM> and a top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> substantially filling the upper opening <NUM> of the container <NUM>. This positioning of the porous applicator <NUM> in the container <NUM> creates a vacuum by absorption of the liquid by the pores of the porous applicator <NUM> that prevents the liquid from leaking out of the reservoir <NUM>. As liquid absorption occurs by the porous applicator <NUM>, the volume of the pores of the porous applicator increase, resulting in a corresponding decrease of the pressure within the pores according to Boyle's Law. Thus, the pores located at the topmost portion of the porous pad <NUM> have a lower pressure than the pressure of the air molecules at the top of the porous applicator <NUM>. This results in a net inward force at the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> at the opening <NUM>, which reduces or prevents leakage or spilling as liquid from the container <NUM> is dispensed via the porous applicator <NUM>. In other words, liquid absorption of the pores creates a vacuum within the container <NUM>. The vacuum slows the capillary flow of the liquid upwards and reduces or prevents leaking.

As shown in <FIG>, the shape of the porous applicator <NUM> preferably conforms to the internal volume of the container <NUM> such that the porous applicator <NUM> substantially fills the entire space defined by the reservoir <NUM> (i.e., fills the reservoir <NUM> enough to prevent leakage). Hence, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the porous applicator <NUM> is cylindrically shaped to match the shape of the container's reservoir <NUM>. Thus, the porous applicator <NUM> fits snugly into the container <NUM>. This can be advantageous because the porous applicator <NUM> can be easily inserted into the container <NUM> and remain in the inserted position without undesirable movement.

A user may comfortably access the liquid within the dispensing device <NUM> at the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> without external dripping or spilling of the liquid. As shown in <FIG>, the top surface <NUM> can have a convex curvature for direct application of the liquid by the user. In other embodiments, the top surface <NUM> could be flat or concave or some other desired profile. In other embodiments, the container <NUM> may comprise multiple compartments, with the porous applicator <NUM> and first liquid in one (or more) of the compartments. Another liquid dermatological agent (e.g., a cream) could be in another compartment, without the porous applicator, so that it is applied without a porous applicator.

<FIG> is a cross section view of the dispensing device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. The cross section view illustrates the capillary action of the porous applicator <NUM>. In various embodiments, a suitable molding process such as injection molding is used to mold the porous applicator <NUM> such that the porous applicator <NUM> comprises a plurality of open celled pores of varying sizes. In one embodiment, the varying size pores form a gradient such that the pore sizes are largest at the bottom of the porous applicator <NUM> and gradually decrease in size to the smallest pore sizes at the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM>. Accordingly, the liquid in the container <NUM> wicks upwards from the larger pores to the small pores, as denoted by the arrow <NUM>. The pore size gradient contributes to the creation of the vacuum within the container <NUM>. Specifically, larger pores absorb a relatively greater volume of liquid than absorbed by smaller pores. Consequently, when temperature is constant, according to Boyle's Law, the larger pores experience a corresponding relatively larger decrease in pressure than the smaller pores. Because the smaller pores have a relatively higher pressure than the larger pores, there is a corresponding force applied from the top surface <NUM> towards the bottom of the dispensing device <NUM>, according to the progressively decreasing size of the pores from bottom to the top. This force resists the capillary action of the liquid, causing the capillary flow of the liquid to slow down. Leakage of the liquid out of the dispensing device <NUM> is prevented or reduced based on this inward force applied at the surface of the single opening <NUM>.

The capillary action may be continuous such that the liquid continuously wicks upward to the pad <NUM> when there are pores available to absorb the liquid. Specifically, as a user dispenses the liquid by contacting the top surface <NUM> or the porous applicator, liquid is removed from the porous applicator, which is replenished based on the capillary action moving additional liquid to the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM>. Because the user contact for dispensing liquid removes liquid from the pores at the top surface <NUM>, the volume increase caused by absorption is reversed and the volume of such top surface <NUM> pores decreases. As a result, pressure of the top surface pores increases, and the vacuum within the container <NUM> is temporarily released. When the top surface pores are replenished based on the continuous capillary action, the smaller top surface pores again absorb a relatively lesser volume of liquid and consequently have a greater pressure than the larger pores below the top surface <NUM>. Thus, the vacuum is recreated as discussed above. The cycle of vacuum creation and release may advantageously enable continuous priming or supplying liquid to the pad <NUM> for dispensing liquid to the user, without leaks or spilling.

In addition, the porosity or wicking ability of the porous applicator <NUM> can be selected based on the liquid in the first container, since low viscosity liquids wick more easily than high viscosity liquids. Where the liquid is sufficiently viscous that the porous applicator can wick it continuously without additional external force, the container <NUM> could be made of a hard, rigid material, such as hard, rigid plastic, such as injection-molded or extruded high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which may be opaque or transparent. Where, however, the liquid is too viscous for the porous applicator alone to wick it without external forces, the container <NUM> could be made of a flexible, pliable material, such as a flexible, pliable plastic, so that the user could squeeze the container <NUM> to help force the liquid to the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM>. In this way, the combination of the capillary action from the porous applicator and an external force applied to the pliable container <NUM> by the user can enable the liquid to move to the top surface <NUM>. Moreover, where the container <NUM> is made of pliable material, the porous applicator <NUM> can comprise a hydrophilic material for encouraging capillary flow of the porous applicator <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a dispensing device <NUM> according to other embodiments of the present invention. In particular, the embodiments shown in <FIG> and <FIG> include two containers <NUM>, <NUM>; hence it is a "dual container" dispensing device. The first container <NUM> can comprise and dispense (via the porous applicator <NUM>) a first liquid dermatological agent and the second container can comprise and dispense a second dermatological agent that is the same as or, preferably, different from the first dermatological agent. The first container <NUM> is similar to the container <NUM> in <FIG>, but in the dual container configuration can also serve as a cap for the second container <NUM>. The second container <NUM> can comprise a squeeze tube, for example. In that connection, the first container <NUM> may comprise a circular post which extends into the interior reservoir defined by the first container <NUM>. The circular post may define a threaded recess <NUM> for receiving a corresponding threaded post <NUM> of the second container <NUM>. The first container <NUM>, therefore, can be removably attachable to the second container <NUM> by screwing the threaded post <NUM> of the second container <NUM> into the threaded recess <NUM> of the first container <NUM> (i.e. fully attached when fully threaded) and detachable by unscrewing the threaded post <NUM> from the threaded recess <NUM> (i.e. fully detached when fully unthreaded). The threaded recess <NUM> can comprise a top surface or cover that prevents the liquid from the second container <NUM> from flowing into the first container <NUM> when the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled together in this manner. <FIG> show the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM> attached together while <FIG> shows the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM> detached separately (with the first container <NUM> upside down).

The first container <NUM> also comprises the porous applicator <NUM> and the dispensing device <NUM> can additionally comprise an overcap <NUM> that is similar to the cap <NUM> in the embodiments of <FIG>. The overcap <NUM> may be attached or coupled to the first container <NUM> via a suitable attachment means, as described above.

The first container <NUM> is preferably made of a hard, rigid, non-pliable material, such as a hard, rigid plastic, such as injection-molded, blow-molded, or extruded high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The first container <NUM> could also be made of glass. The first container <NUM> may be opaque or transparent. The second container <NUM> is preferably made from a pliable material, such as a pliable plastic, such as injection-molded, blow-molded, or extruded low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), for example.

<FIG> are views of the dual configuration dispensing device <NUM> with components of the first container <NUM> detached from the second container <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> illustrates that the overcap <NUM> removed for application of the first liquid using the porous applicator <NUM>. In one embodiment, the user may simply twist off the overcap <NUM> to detach it from the first container <NUM>. Twisting off the overcap <NUM> enables the user to directly apply the first liquid using the porous applicator <NUM> with the advantage of reduction or prevention of leakage as discussed above. The porous applicator <NUM> is saturated such that the open celled pores of the porous applicator <NUM> absorb the first liquid in the first container <NUM>, as described above.

The user may also twist off the entire first container <NUM> by unscrewing the threaded post <NUM> of the second container <NUM> from the threaded recess <NUM> of the first container <NUM>. With the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM> detached, the user may apply a force to the second container <NUM> (e.g., squeeze it) to dispense the second liquid from an opening in the threaded post <NUM>. Accordingly, there can be at least two different methods of dispensing the two liquids from the dispensing device <NUM>, with at least one method for each of the two liquids, respectively.

<FIG> is an exploded view of the dispensing device <NUM> positioned with the components of the first container <NUM> on top of the second container <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the first container <NUM> may have a circular, internally-threaded post <NUM> that extend from the bottom surface of the first container <NUM> into the reservoir <NUM> defined by the first container <NUM>. In various embodiments, the circular post <NUM> can comprise a downward-facing threaded recess <NUM> for receiving the corresponding threaded post <NUM> of the second container <NUM> for attachment and detachment of the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM>. Although the circular post <NUM> of the first container <NUM> and the threaded post <NUM> of the second container <NUM> are both circular shaped, other suitable shapes are also possible. The porous applicator <NUM> may be shaped and sized to fit snugly into the reservoir <NUM> of the first container <NUM> so that the first liquid in the reservoir <NUM> can be wicked to the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> with reduced or prevented leakage of the first liquid from the first container <NUM>. To that end, at least part of the porous applicator <NUM> may be hollow to accommodate the post <NUM> extending there into. Also, the post <NUM> may have top surface or cover at the top end of the recess to prevent the second liquid, in the second container <NUM>, from being dispensed into the first container <NUM> when the two are connected.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> show additional views of the dual container dispensing device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> shows the overcap <NUM> attached to the first container <NUM>, with the first container <NUM> secured (threaded) to the second container <NUM>. <FIG> shows the overcap <NUM> removed. And <FIG> is an exploded view showing the cap <NUM> detached, the porous applicator <NUM> out of the first container <NUM>, and the first container <NUM> unthreaded from the second container <NUM>.

In other embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, instead of the threaded post <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the second container <NUM> comprises an integrally-formed, elongated applicator tip <NUM> with a threaded portion <NUM> at the bottom thereof. The applicator tip <NUM> can extend into and through the threaded recess <NUM> of the first container <NUM> so that the threaded portion <NUM> of the applicator tip <NUM> is threaded to the threaded recess <NUM> of the first container <NUM>. As such, in such an embodiment, the threaded post <NUM> of the first container <NUM> does not include the top cover, thereby allowing the top of the tip <NUM> to pass through the circular post <NUM> into the porous applicator <NUM>. Because the applicator tip <NUM> is elongated, the first container <NUM> and the porous applicator <NUM> can be correspondingly elongated. The applicator tip <NUM> could be useful for applying the contents of the second container <NUM> at desired body locations. For example, the liquid dispensed by the first and/or second containers could be eye makeup remover.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views of the dual configuration dispensing device <NUM> with the extended tip for the second (e.g., squeeze tube) container <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this illustrated embodiment, the upper end of the tip does not reach the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> when the second container <NUM> is fully treaded to the first container. In use, therefore, the user can squeeze the second container to dispense the second liquid into the porous applicator <NUM>, such that porous applicator <NUM> comprises both the first and second liquids, so that the user could simultaneously apply both liquids with the porous applicator <NUM>. In this manner, the first and second liquids may be mixed together before dispensing via the porous applicator <NUM> to the desired area of application. For example, the second liquid could comprise a skin color or pigment agent that could be mixed with the first liquid to dispense a colored or pigmented first liquid. The user can apply just the first liquid by not squeezing the second container <NUM>, and thereby not dispensing the second liquid into the porous applicator <NUM>, although residual amounts of the second liquid could still be in the porous applicator <NUM> from a prior dispensing of the second liquid into the porous applicator. And the user could apply the second liquid, without the first liquid, by removing the first container <NUM> from the second container <NUM> and applying the second liquid via the tip <NUM> to the desired area with the first container <NUM> removed.

In other embodiments, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the tip <NUM> could extend through to the top of the porous applicator <NUM>. As such, the top surface of the porous applicator <NUM> can comprise an opening to which the tip <NUM> from the second container <NUM> extends. As such, the user can simultaneously apply the first and second liquids, but without mixing them prior to application, by simultaneously squeezing the second container <NUM>, such that the second liquid is dispensed through the tip <NUM>, and applying the first liquid with the porous applicator <NUM>. <FIG> shows a cross section view of the porous applicator <NUM> and the overcap <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. This figure shows that the overcap <NUM> can comprises a downward facing pintle <NUM> for plugging the opening in the tip <NUM> of the second container <NUM> when the first and second containers are connected and the overcap <NUM> is connected to the first container <NUM>.

<FIG> show an exterior view of a fountain configuration of the dispensing device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. In the fountain configuration, the dispensing device <NUM> is a "dual container" dispensing device that includes two containers <NUM>, <NUM>. As discussed above, a first liquid dermatological agent may be in the first container <NUM> while a second dermatological agent may be in the second container <NUM>. Preferably, the second dermatological agent is a powder such as glitter or any other plurality of finely shaped particles produced by a grinding, crushing or other applicable disintegration process. However, other suitable cosmetic dermatological agents could possibly be used as the second dermatological agent. <FIG> shows an exploded view of the top of the fountain configuration dispensing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> shows a cross-sectional view of the top of the fountain configuration dispensing device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. The first container <NUM> has a sidewall <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) that defines the reservoir <NUM>, in which the first dermatological agent and the porous applicator <NUM> reside.

The porous applicator <NUM> is a suitable porous material such as a sintered plastic that is inserted into the first container <NUM>. Moreover, as described above, the porous applicator <NUM> dispenses the liquid dermatological agent in the first container <NUM> to the top surface of the porous applicator <NUM> via capillary action. The first container <NUM> may taper into a receding receiving portion <NUM> of the first container <NUM> for receiving a removably attachable overcap <NUM> (which functions similarly as the overcap <NUM>). The receding receiving portion <NUM> thus can define a receiving edge on which the overcap <NUM> can attach snugly in a friction fit. <FIG> shows the overcap <NUM> attached to the first container <NUM> in this manner. The overcap <NUM> may comprise a pintle <NUM> (similar to pintle <NUM>) which is designed to seal the applicator tip <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of the second container <NUM>. In addition, the pintle <NUM> can be shaped to guide airflow for evenly distributing powder from the second container <NUM> over the porous applicator <NUM> surface. Other suitable means of uniformly distributing powder are also possible, as discussed below. Also, the pintle <NUM> may comprise an upper knob portion that a user may grasp to assist in detaching the overcap <NUM> from the first container <NUM>. The user can similarly use the knob to attach the overcap <NUM> to the first container <NUM>. In addition to its functional purpose, the pintle <NUM> may also be decorated according to a desired aesthetic purpose.

In this way, the overcap <NUM> is attachable and detachable to the first container <NUM> to shift between the closed and open positions of the dispensing device <NUM>. The overcap <NUM> may have a transparent profile such that the sintered porous applicator <NUM> is visible even in the closed position. Having a clear (e.g., plastic) overcap <NUM> may be desirable for aesthetic and possibly functional purposes. For example, the transparent profile enables users to see the powder from the second container <NUM> dispense (e.g., flow, fountain, spray, sprinkle, or float onto the porous applicator <NUM>) from the orifice <NUM>. To this end, the applicator tip <NUM> of second container <NUM> has an opening and/or is connected to the orifice <NUM> in the porous applicator <NUM> so that the second dermatological agent is dispersed through the orifice <NUM> into the space between the top surface of the porous applicator <NUM> and the under surface of the overcap <NUM>. As discussed above, the second container <NUM> can be a squeeze tube such that users may squeeze to force the powder therein out of the second container <NUM>. More generally, the second container <NUM> may be a bottle or any suitable flexible package constructed from a pliable plastic, for example. The first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM> may be removably attachable from each other as discussed in connection with <FIG> and <FIG>. Alternatively, the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM> can be manufactured integrally as one integrated dispensing device <NUM>. That is, the first and second containers <NUM>, <NUM> can be permanently attached as one comprehensive container.

<FIG> portrays the dispensing device <NUM> without the overcap <NUM> so that the porous applicator <NUM> is exposed. In this diagram, the top surface of the porous applicator <NUM> is coated with the dispersed powder from a prior squeezing of the second container <NUM>. Preferably, the overcap <NUM> is closed while the powder is being dispensed through the orifice <NUM>. The distribution of the powder can be used to create a "fountain" effect. In <FIG>, the porous applicator <NUM> has a domed shape resulting in a half spherical applicator surface. However, other shapes for the porous applicator <NUM> are also possible. These other shapes may be designed to perform specific tasks. For example, the top surface of the porous applicator <NUM> may be a flat surface for using the entire surface of the porous applicator <NUM> to evenly contact skin. Additionally, as shown in <FIG>, there is space between the overcap <NUM> and the porous applicator <NUM>. This space could be useful for powder to flow and disperse onto the top surface of the porous applicator <NUM>. Stated differently, the powder is dispersed about the space such that the dispensing appears to function similarly to that of a fountain. Also, more than one orifice <NUM> could be provided. The one or more orifices <NUM> could be located at other places besides the center. For example, the one or more orifices <NUM> could be off-center at a left or right portion of the porous applicator <NUM> surface.

When the porous applicator <NUM> is coated with the powder, the user can simultaneously apply the first dermatological agent in the first container <NUM> (via the capillary action of the porous applicator <NUM>) and the dispersed powder using the porous applicator <NUM> (e.g., by touching the porous applicator <NUM> to the user's skin). As shown in <FIG>, the applicator tip <NUM> may have a threaded base portion <NUM> and a long nozzle <NUM>. The first container <NUM> may form a closure base such that the first container <NUM> is threaded on a bottom surface to accept the applicator tip <NUM> and the rest of first container <NUM> is shaped on the top surface to hold the porous applicator <NUM>. That is, the first container <NUM> may be hollow and threadedly recessed to accommodate the threaded base portion <NUM> of the second container <NUM>. This structure is shown in <FIG>. Additionally, the interior of the receding receiving portion <NUM> defines the reservoir <NUM> that is shaped to hold the second container <NUM> snugly in a friction fit. The receiving portion <NUM> may be tapered relative to the annular sidewall <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the orifice <NUM> is a through-hole for the porous applicator <NUM>.

<FIG> show cross sectional views of the fountain configuration dispensing device <NUM> with the pintle <NUM> in sealed and unsealed positions, respectively, according to various embodiments of the present invention. The pintle <NUM> transitions between the sealed and unsealed positions by moving the overcap <NUM> from a completely closed position (<FIG>) to a slightly open position (<FIG>) so that the pintle <NUM> is moved back from the top of the nozzle <NUM> and the orifice <NUM>. In <FIG>, the overcap <NUM> is in the closed configuration causing the pintle <NUM> to seal the nozzle <NUM> of the second container <NUM>. In this closed configuration, no (or very minimal) powder escapes from the nozzle <NUM>, even if minor squeezing forces are inadvertently applied to the second container <NUM>. When the pintle <NUM> is in the open configuration (<FIG>) and upon application of a squeezing force to the second container <NUM>, the powder from the second container <NUM> is free to flow through the nozzle <NUM> of the applicator tip <NUM> and into the space between the top surface of the porous applicator <NUM> and the overcap <NUM>, and to eventually settle onto to the top surface of the porous applicator <NUM>. As such, a center portion of the porous applicator <NUM> may be hollow to accommodate the nozzle <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> prevents the first dermatological agent in the first container <NUM> (and the porous applicator <NUM>) from mixing with the powder passing through the nozzle <NUM>. In this way, the nozzle <NUM> defines a route to bypass the porous applicator <NUM>. This may be advantageous because powder mixing with the first dermatological agent might cause clumping and poor dispensing performance of the dispensing device <NUM>. The top end of the nozzle <NUM> terminates at the orifice <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, the porous applicator 112may define a void <NUM> under the porous applicator <NUM> to hold the first dermatological agent of the first container <NUM>. In particular, a bottom portion of the porous applicator <NUM> may be cored out to create the cored portion <NUM>. In other words, the space <NUM> is a hollow portion of the porous applicator <NUM> where the first dermatological agent is contained. <FIG> depicts the powder inside second container <NUM> in a non-active position. In contrast, <FIG> depicts the pintle <NUM> disengaged from the orifice <NUM> in the open configuration so that the powder can be dispensed. The pintle <NUM> can be shaped to guide the airflow from the orifice <NUM> to evenly divide and distribute the powder. The pintle <NUM> may work in conjunction with the overcap <NUM>, whose domed upper surface can be helpful for evenly distributing the powder. Additionally or alternatively, one or more baffles, guides, or shields can be utilized to localize powder dispersal to a specific area of the porous applicator <NUM>. Accordingly, the user can obtain a higher proportion of the powder to first dermatological agent when contacting the particular portion of the porous applicator <NUM> surface where the localized powder has collected. Additionally or alternatively, a dip tube or other suitable feed mechanism can be included in the dispensing device <NUM>. The dip tube may be useful for precisely dispensing a small portion of the powder, the first dispensing agent, or a combination of both as described above.

Although <FIG> show a two position overcap <NUM> mechanism, other suitable mechanisms or systems are also possible. For example, a rotary switch could be used to control powder dispensing from the flexible second container <NUM>. Dispensing of the powder includes flowing, fountaining, spraying, sprinkling, or floating onto the porous applicator <NUM>. In general, any configuration or system enabling powder to freely exit the second container <NUM> for dispensing as described above is contemplated. <FIG> shows the fountain configuration dispensing device <NUM> being used to simultaneously apply the powder and the liquid dermatological agent to a user's skin, according to various embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted, however, that the dispensing device <NUM> can be used to dispense the first dermatological agent with or without the powder.

<FIG> shows an interior wall configuration of the dispensing device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. As depicted in <FIG>, the dispensing device <NUM> comprises a container <NUM> having a bottom surface <NUM>, an annular sidewall <NUM>, cap <NUM>, and one or more interior walls <NUM> which collectively define one or more reservoirs <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the container <NUM> may have one interior wall <NUM> defining two (first and a second) reservoirs <NUM>, although the container <NUM> may have more than one interior wall <NUM>, and thereby define additional reservoirs <NUM>, as appropriate and/or desired. Dermatological agents (which may be liquids, such as creams or oils) may be in each reservoir and the porous applicator <NUM> may be held within at least one of the reservoirs <NUM>, depending on the product's design. <FIG> depicts the cap <NUM> attached to the container <NUM> in a closed configuration, while <FIG> depicts the cap detached in an open configuration.

The wells or reservoirs <NUM> of the container <NUM> can be seen in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the interior wall <NUM> forms a boundary between the wells (the first and the second reservoirs 110A-B). In the interior wall configuration, the porous applicator <NUM> may be placed in the first reservoir 110A while a cosmetic emulsion <NUM> such as a cream or lotion may be placed in the second reservoir 110B. <FIG> portrays the porous applicator <NUM> in the first reservoir 110A located on the right portion of the container <NUM>, while the cosmetic emulsion <NUM> is in the second reservoir 110B located on the left portion. As discussed above, the porous applicator <NUM> may be used for dispensing a liquid dermatological agent such a serum through capillary action from the bottom of the first reservoir <NUM> to the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM>. Thus, the interior wall configuration of the dispensing device <NUM> results in at least a dual product system. That is, the first reservoir 110A contains a first cosmetic product saturated in the porous applicator <NUM> and the second reservoir 110B contains a second cosmetic product such as cosmetic cream <NUM>.

The cap <NUM> of the dispensing device <NUM> is removably coupled to the container <NUM>. In other words, the cap <NUM> can be threaded or screwed onto the container <NUM>. Similarly, the cap <NUM> can be detached from the container <NUM> by being threaded or screwed off with a rotating motion. Alternatively, the cap <NUM> could be coupled to the container <NUM> based on a snug friction fit or other suitable means of attachment. Decoupling may occur using the same means. As illustrated in <FIG>, the container <NUM> may have a tapering threaded portion which acts as a receiving portion for the corresponding threaded interior portion of the cap <NUM> when the cap <NUM> is being screwed on or off. The porous applicator <NUM> also could be threaded in a tapered manner, as depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>. Although <FIG> shows the porous applicator <NUM> in the first reservoir 110A and the cream <NUM> in the second reservoir 110B, other dermatological agents or dispensing mechanisms can be placed in the reservoirs <NUM>. For example, a second porous applicator <NUM> could be placed in the second reservoir 110B as well.

<FIG> is a view of the porous applicator <NUM> being inserted into the first reservoir <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. The porous applicator <NUM> can be a textured part that is constructed as a sintered plastic part via a suitable sintering process, such as solid state sintering, liquid phase sintering or viscous sintering. The upper surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> may also define a dome for controlling a dosage of liquid dermatological agent dispensed by the dispensing device <NUM> through the porous applicator <NUM>. Alternatively, the porous applicator <NUM> may define a recess in its upper surface <NUM> for dosage control in a similar manner as the protruding dome. The dome may be sized according to a standard dosage of the liquid dermatological agent so that when the user contacts the porous applicator <NUM> (e.g., with their finger), a controlled standard amount of liquid dermatological agent is dispensed onto the user's finger per contact. The porous applicator <NUM> may also define one or more trough areas for a greater amount of dermatological agent than that of the standard dosage to be dispensed per contact. For example, the trough areas could enable a dispensing amount equivalent to the user's fingertip. The dome and trough areas may be located on the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM>. Additionally, the dome, trough areas, or other parts of the porous applicator <NUM> may have unique textures or branding for aesthetic or advertising purposes. Any suitable textures and geometries may be created as part of the process for manufacturing the porous applicator <NUM>. In the view of <FIG>, the second reservoir <NUM> is empty.

<FIG> illustrates the user wiping their finger along the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> to transfer dermatological agent from the porous applicator <NUM> to their finger, according to various embodiments of the present invention. As discussed above, the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> could have domes, recesses, and/or trough areas for facilitating this transfer of dermatological agent. <FIG> depicts the empty container <NUM> with empty reservoirs 110A, 110B prior to any insertion of dermatological agent and/or porous applicators <NUM>, according to various embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> are cross-sectional views of the dispensing device <NUM> in the interior wall configuration, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In the sectional views, the cosmetic emulsion <NUM> is located in the second reservoir 110B on the left portion while the porous applicator <NUM> is located in the first reservoir 110A on the right portion. In <FIG>, the dermatological agent is not shown in the first reservoir 110A so that the porous applicator <NUM> is more visible, whereas in <FIG> the dermatological agent is shown in the first reservoir 110A.

As shown in both <FIG>, the porous applicator <NUM> can be cored out. In other words, as described above, the bottom of the porous applicator <NUM> can be cored out to create the cored portion <NUM>, which increases the area of the first reservoir 110A that is available for liquid dermatological agent. <FIG> shows that the first reservoir 110A can hold more dermatological agent when the porous applicator <NUM> has the cored-out configuration. The porous applicator <NUM> can be cored out or not cored out, as appropriate. Also, the two dermatological agents contained in the first and second reservoirs, respectively, may complement or supplement each other. In particular, the two dermatological agents may mutually support the cosmetic or other benefits derived from their use.

<FIG> show a bag-feed configuration of the dispensing device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> is an exploded view of the dispensing device <NUM> comprising a cap <NUM> (similar to cap <NUM>), the porous applicator <NUM>, a bag <NUM>, and a container <NUM> (similar to container <NUM>, except that container <NUM> is preferably rigid), according to various embodiments of the present invention. The bag <NUM> has an opening at the top end but is otherwise sealed; the bag <NUM> also contains a liquid dermatological agent. The porous applicator <NUM> is inserted, at least partially, into the opening in the bag <NUM> to seal the opening in the bag to create a vacuum. The vacuum and the capillary/wicking action of the porous applicator <NUM> draws the liquid dermatological agent in the bag <NUM> to the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator so that the liquid dermatological agent in the bag <NUM> can be applied to a user's skin by contacting the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> to the desired portion of the user's skin. By sealing the opening, the porous applicator <NUM> creates a vacuum in the bag <NUM> by absorption of the liquid by the open-celled pores of the porous applicator <NUM> that prevents the liquid from leaking out of the bag <NUM>. The cap <NUM> also contributes to the vacuum by closing the opening <NUM> in the container <NUM>. The cap <NUM> also prevents or reduces the accumulation of dust on the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM>. The capillary action of the porous applicator <NUM> draws the liquid dermatological agent from the bag <NUM>, thereby creating an internal vacuum inside the bag <NUM>. This internal vacuum may result based on ambient air particles being unable to penetrate the saturated porous applicator <NUM> and the unsaturated pores at the bottom of the porous applicator <NUM>. Thus, ambient air particles cannot replace the dispensed liquid. Because the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> continues to have pores that are saturated from liquid wicking upwards through the porous applicator <NUM> while the bottom portion of the porous applicator has unsatured pores, the internal vacuum occurs.

This eventually causes the capillary action of the dispensing device <NUM> to slow down. In other words, some of the pores begin to clog the dispensing device <NUM>, resulting in a vacuum-lock effect. The vacuum-lock effect may be augmented for higher viscosity liquid dermatological agents because more viscous liquids tend to seal pores more acutely. The bag <NUM> held within the container <NUM> may address this vacuum-lock effect. In particular, the bag <NUM> is coupled to the porous applicator <NUM> such that liquid held inside the bag <NUM> wicks upwards through the porous applicator <NUM> to replenish the liquid dermatological agent dispensed via the porous applicator <NUM>. No return of ambient air through the porous applicator <NUM> is necessary for the liquid in the bag <NUM> to continue experiencing capillary action. That is, the bag <NUM> may progressively collapse, shrivel, or otherwise reduce in size as liquid in the bag <NUM> continues to wick upwards through the porous applicator <NUM>, even as little to no ambient air replenishes the empty pores of the porous applicator <NUM> that have dispensed liquid.

However, ambient air may flow through an air vent <NUM> into the interior of the rigid container <NUM>. In this way, the ambient air replaces the volume ceded by the collapsing bag <NUM> as liquid wicks out of the bag <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the air vent <NUM> can be a sidewall air vent defined by the rigid container <NUM>. Additionally, <FIG> has an arrow <NUM> that illustrates the direction that air particles escape when the bag <NUM> is initially being filled with liquid. In contrast, <FIG> shows the cap <NUM> attached to the rigid container <NUM>, which causes the cap <NUM> to seal or close the air vent <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is removably attachable to the container <NUM> by, for example, a snug friction fit for attachment and a dislocating squeezing and upward force for detachment. Also, the rigid container <NUM> defines an opening that houses the bag <NUM>. The container <NUM> is preferably rigid so that squeezing the container <NUM> does not cause the internal bag <NUM> to be squeezed. The porous applicator <NUM> also can be partially disposed in this opening. Aside from the rigid container <NUM> opening, the bag <NUM> also can have an opening at a proximate end. The proximate end refers to the end of the bag <NUM> closest to the cap <NUM>. The porous applicator <NUM> may substantially fill the opening of the bag <NUM> so that liquid in the bag <NUM> is prevented from free-flowing out of the bag <NUM>. As discussed above, this liquid is drawn out of the bag <NUM> into the porous applicator <NUM> and eventually to the top surface <NUM> via capillary action. The bag <NUM> may be a plastic bag made of a suitable plastic material. The plastic material could be HDPE, LDPE, or linear LDPE. The bag <NUM> could also be made of other suitable materials.

The combination of the plastic bag <NUM> and sidewall air vent <NUM> may combine to advantageously address slower dispensing caused by the vacuum-lock effect. In particular, such a vented rigid container <NUM> with bag <NUM> enables the liquid therein to wick and dispense freely even as the bag <NUM> empties. However, a vented rigid container <NUM> may incur a greater risk of leaking. The pressure differential between the air molecules at the top of the porous applicator <NUM> and the pressure at the surface pores of the porous applicator <NUM> causes a net inward force which reduces or prevents liquid from leaking. Because air particles may freely enter and escape the air vent <NUM>, at least when the cap <NUM> is removed, the vented rigid container <NUM> does not have the same air-pressure differential. Consequently, liquid may seep from the porous applicator <NUM> out of the dispensing device <NUM>, particularly when the dispensing device <NUM> is inverted. In contrast, the air-pressure differential for a sealed rigid container <NUM> is the same and causes the same net inward force as discussed above. In other words, even with the introduction of the bag <NUM> inside the container, the sealed rigid container <NUM> with the bag <NUM> does not leak or reduces leaking. Accordingly, the cap <NUM> may usefully enable the bag-feed configuration dispensing device <NUM> to switch between a vented and sealed configuration, depending on when the cap <NUM> is in the detached and attached configuration, respectively. <FIG> illustrates that the cap <NUM> does not seal or block the sidewall air vent <NUM> in the open configuration while <FIG> illustrates that the cap <NUM> seals or block the sidewall air vent <NUM> in the closed configuration.

<FIG> shows the bag-feed configuration dispensing device <NUM> in an inverted position according to various embodiments of the present invention. The arrows <NUM> illustrate the direction that air flows into the container <NUM> to fill the volume previously occupied by the bag <NUM> as liquid from the bag <NUM> wicks through the porous applicator <NUM>. Also, the arrows <NUM> illustrate the direction that the liquid from the bag <NUM> and the porous applicator <NUM> wicks in order to dispense the liquid. Preferably, the cap <NUM> is in the open configuration during use of the dispensing device <NUM> and in the closed configuration during shipping and storage. In this way, the bag-feed configuration dispensing device <NUM> enables free-flowing dispensing in use and prevents leaking during shipping and storage. The air vent <NUM> also advantageously allows efficient insertion and filling the bag <NUM>, since when the bag <NUM> is inserted into the container <NUM> and liquid is being poured into the bag <NUM>, air displaced by the filling bag <NUM> can escape the internal volume of the container <NUM> through the air vent <NUM>. Also, the plastic (e.g., polyethylene) bag <NUM> could be used in other dispensing device <NUM> configurations, such as the fountain configuration dispensing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> and the pre-saturated porous applicator configuration dispensing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. Specifically, for a reservoir <NUM> that has a porous applicator <NUM>, a polyethylene bag may hold the liquid dermatological agent therein and a lower portion of the porous applicator <NUM> to facilitate dispensing the liquid dermatological agent from the porous applicator <NUM> as the amount of dermatological agent in the reservoir <NUM> decreases.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show a pre-saturated porous applicator configuration of the dispensing device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this configuration, unlike other configurations described herein, the porous applicator <NUM> is not sitting in and filling up a container that contains a liquid dermatological agent. Instead, the porous applicator <NUM> is pre-saturated or infused with the liquid dermatological agent, and its capillary action continuously wicks the liquid dermatological agent to the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> until the liquid dermatological agent is spent.

The top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> in the pre-saturated porous applicator configuration may be slanted (relative to the axis of the container <NUM>), as shown in <FIG>, or it may be flat. A slanted top surface <NUM> may allow for an improved, smoother dispensing of the dermatological agents both saturating the porous applicator <NUM> and in the container <NUM> onto specific body parts of the user, such as the user's lips or skin. Specifically, the pre-saturated porous applicator configuration dispensing device <NUM> can enable a user to dispense two dermatological agents simultaneously using the porous applicator <NUM>, with a main dermatological agent (squeezed from container <NUM>) layered on top of a secondary dermatological agent (contained within the porous applicator <NUM>). The secondary dermatological agent may be a lubricating layer formed on the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM>. The main and secondary dermatological agents could complement or supplement each other's dermatological or cosmetic effect. Application of the pre-saturated porous applicator configuration dispensing device <NUM> may be more comfortable and softer than conventional applicators of dermatological agent. Moreover, the pre-saturated porous applicator configuration dispensing device <NUM> may achieve better dermatological agent spreading performance, such as by increasing the smoothness and distribution of the layered main and secondary dermatological agents to be dispensed.

In such embodiments, the porous applicator <NUM> may be in the form of an applicator nib, as shown in <FIG>. The porous applicator <NUM> comprises a lower tapered body portion <NUM> that is designed to fit within a tapered receiving portion of the flexible container <NUM> to hold the porous applicator <NUM> in place relative to the container <NUM>. The tapered receiving region may define a threaded portion <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>) for receiving a threaded cap (not shown) that, when in place, would cover the porous applicator <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the porous applicator <NUM> comprises an orifice <NUM> which is coupled to the channel <NUM>, which spans through the porous applicator <NUM> from top to bottom. The orifice <NUM> is at the terminal (top) end of the channel <NUM>. Also as depicted in <FIG>, the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> can be inclined or slanted, relative to the axis of the container <NUM>, although in other embodiments it can be flat. The configuration for the top surface <NUM> may be selected for aesthetic, functional, or other reasons such as to ensure a shape that is specifically tailored for applying the liquids infused in the porous applicator <NUM> and in the container <NUM>. For example, a slanted top surface <NUM> could be used cosmetic lip products. In comparison to conventional products, the top surface <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> may act as a softer and more comfortable application surface for the user's lips (or other body parts). The container <NUM> could be made of a flexible, pliable material, such as a flexible, pliable plastic, so that squeezing the container <NUM> causes the liquid dermatological agent in the container <NUM> (which is preferably different from the liquid dermatological agent that saturates the porous applicator <NUM>) to flow through the channel <NUM> of the porous applicator <NUM> and through the orifice <NUM>, to the top surface <NUM>.

As mentioned above, the porous applicator <NUM> is preferably saturated with a second dermatological agent that is different from the first dermatological agent in the container <NUM>. This second dermatological agent may be a catalyst, enhancer, booster, or fragrance, for example. The first dermatological agent may be gel, balm, serum, ointment or some other suitable dermatological agent. Preferably, the second dermatological agent supplements or is otherwise a complimentary ingredient to the first dermatological agent in the flexible container <NUM>. During application of the dispensing device <NUM>, the second dermatological agent can create a lubricating layer on the top surface <NUM> to facilitate dispensing of the first dermatological agent. In particular, the lubricating layer of second dermatological agent can result in a smoother flow of the first dermatological agent.

<FIG> is a cross sectional view of the porous applicator <NUM> in which the channel <NUM> is visible, according to various embodiments of the present invention. The channel <NUM> is provided to enable the dermatological agent contained within the container <NUM> to flow through the channel <NUM> and orifice <NUM> to be dispensed, such as onto the user's lips. The porous applicator <NUM> preferably does not leak unless the porous applicator <NUM> contacts another porous surface like the user's lips. The second dermatological agent could be located in the applicator nib. Put differently, the porous applicator <NUM> can be saturated with the second dermatological agent.

<FIG> depict the pre-saturated porous applicator configuration dispensing device <NUM> with the porous applicator <NUM> assembled in a tube package according to various embodiments of the present invention. That is, the porous applicator <NUM> is connected to flexible container <NUM> via the threaded portion <NUM>. The porous applicator <NUM> can be shaped to snugly fit into the threaded portion <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, the porous applicator <NUM> may be otherwise molded into the threaded portion <NUM> so that porous applicator <NUM> and flexible container <NUM> form an integrated pre-saturated porous applicator configuration dispensing device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates how the first dermatological agent can flow through the channel <NUM> and orifice <NUM> onto the top surface <NUM>. In this way, the first dermatological agent may flow over or on top of the layer of second dermatological agent, upon application of a squeezing force. <FIG> are sectional views of the pre-saturated porous applicator configuration dispensing device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. <FIG> illustrates squeezing the first dermatological agent onto the top surface <NUM>. In <FIG>, the first dermatological agent is in a resting position inside the flexible container <NUM>. In <FIG>, the first dermatological agent is being forced through the channel <NUM> and orifice <NUM>, as illustrated by arrows <NUM>. As the first dermatological agent flows through the channel <NUM>, traces of the secondary dermatological agent may mix or combine with the main dermatological agent. Specifically, some amount of second dermatological agent may pass through from the pores adjacent the channel <NUM> into the channel <NUM>.

As can be seen in <FIG>, the porous applicator <NUM> is saturated with the second dermatological agent. The porous applicator <NUM> may be pre-saturated such that the second dermatological agent is in the porous applicator <NUM> prior to the first use of the dispensing device <NUM> by the user. <FIG> illustrates dispensing of the pre-saturated porous applicator configuration dispensing device <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated by <FIG>, a lubricating layer of second dermatological agent is on the top surface <NUM> while first dermatological agent is squeezed through the orifice <NUM> so that the first dermatological agent flows over the second dermatological agent.

In one general aspect, therefore, the present invention is directed to a dispensing device that comprises a first container <NUM>, <NUM> having a sidewall <NUM> that defines a reservoir <NUM>. The first container has an upper opening to the reservoir at a top of the first container. And there is a first liquid in the reservoir, where the first liquid comprises a dermatological agent. A porous applicator <NUM> is in the reservoir. The porous applicator comprises open-celled pores that extend from a bottom of the porous applicator to a top surface of the porous applicator, such that the open-celled pores are filled with the first liquid such that the pores deliver the first liquid to the top surface of the porous applicator by capillary action, and such that the porous applicator substantially fills the reservoir and the upper opening at the top of the first container such that the first liquid is prevented from free-flowing out of the reservoir.

In various implementations, the upper opening of the first container is the only opening of the first container. And the porous applicator delivers the first liquid to the top surface of the porous applicator without use of a pump or buffer.

In other various implementations, the sidewall of the first container comprises an upper lip (or neck portion), and the dispensing device further comprises a cap <NUM>, <NUM> that comprises a downward facing sidewall for engaging the upper lip (or neck portion) of the first container such that the cap is detachably removable from the first container to reveal the porous applicator.

In still other implementations, the dispensing device comprises a second container <NUM>, e.g., a squeeze tube, containing a second liquid. The second liquid may comprise a second dermatological agent that is different from the first liquid; the second container may have a circular, threaded post <NUM> at an upper end of the second container; the first container comprises a circular post <NUM> that extends upward from a lower, central portion of the first container into the reservoir; the circular post of the first container comprises a downward-facing threaded recess <NUM> for receiving the threaded post of the second container such that first container is detachably removable from the second container by unscrewing the first container. The first container may comprise a hard, rigid plastic and the second container may comprise a pliable plastic.

In various implementations, the circular post of the first container comprises an upper wall that blocks the second liquid from entering the reservoir defined by the first container. In other embodiments, the threaded post of the second container comprises a tip that extends from the threaded post of the second container into the porous applicator when the first container is attached to the second container. In such embodiments, the tip can comprise an opening for dispensing the second liquid that is in the second container. The upper (or distal) end of the tip can terminate below or at the top surface of the porous applicator when the threaded post of the second container is fully threaded into the circular post of the first container. Also, the cap can comprise a downward facing pintle that is inserted into the opening of the tip of the second container when the cap is attached to the first container the threaded post of the second container is fully threaded into the circular post of the first container.

In other general aspects, the present invention is directed to a dispensing device that comprises: a first container that defines a reservoir; a liquid dermatological agent in the reservoir; a porous applicator in the reservoir; and a second container containing a powder. The porous applicator comprises an injection-molded polyethylene body having open-celled pores that extend from a bottom of the porous applicator to a top surface of the porous applicator, where the open-celled pores are filled with the liquid such that the pores deliver the liquid to the top surface of the porous applicator by capillary action. The second container is attached to the first container and comprises a nozzle that extends to an orifice in a top surface of the porous applicator. The nozzle comprises an opening for dispensing the powder that is in the second container through the orifice and onto the top surface of the porous applicator.

In various implementations, the powder comprises a glitter. Also, the porous applicator may have a domed top surface. In addition, the second container may comprise a pliable material, such that the powder is caused to be dispensed through the nozzle and onto the top surface of the porous applicator when the second container is squeezed. Still further, the dispensing device may further comprise a lid that is removably coupled to the first container. The lid, when coupled to the first container, defines a space between an under surface of the lid and the top surface of the porous applicator such that when the powder is dispensed through the nozzle, the powder is about the space and settles onto the top surface of the porous applicator. In addition, the lid may further comprise a pintle for closing the orifice in the top surface of the porous applicator. Additionally, the second container may comprise a threaded post at an upper end of the second container that is securable to a threaded recess defined by the first container, such that the first container is detachably removable from the second container.

In another general aspect, the dispensing device comprises: a first container having a sidewall and one or more interior walls, which collectively define a plurality of reservoirs, including at least a first reservoir and a second reservoir; a first liquid dermatological agent in the first reservoir; and a first porous applicator in the first reservoir. The first porous applicator comprises an injection-molded polyethylene body having open-celled pores, where the open-celled pores extend from a bottom of the first porous applicator to a top surface of the first porous applicator, and where the open-celled pores are filled with the first liquid such that the pores deliver the first liquid to the top surface of the first porous applicator by capillary action without externally-applied pressure, and where the first porous applicator substantially fills the first reservoir such that the first liquid is prevented from free-flowing out of the first reservoir.

In various implementations, the dispensing device further comprises a second dermatological agent in the second reservoir. Also, the dispensing device may further comprise a second porous applicator in the second reservoir. The second dermatological agent may be a cream or lotion, for example. The dispensing device may further comprise a polyethylene bag in the first reservoir. As such, the first liquid dermatological agent may be in the polyethylene bag; and the first porous applicator may be partially disposed in the polyethylene bag. Also, the top surface may be a non-flat surface to define a dosage.

In yet other general aspects, the dispensing device may comprise: a plastic bag containing a liquid dermatological agent, where the plastic bag comprises a closed distal end and an opening at a proximate end; and a porous applicator inserted into the opening at the proximate end of the plastic bag. The porous applicator has an upper portion that extends past a top of the proximate end of the plastic bag; the porous applicator comprises an injection-molded polyethylene body having open-celled pores; the open-celled pores extend from a bottom of the porous applicator to a top surface of the porous applicator; the porous applicator draws the liquid in the plastic bag such that the open-celled pores are filled with the liquid such that the pores deliver the liquid to a top surface of the porous applicator by capillary action; and the porous applicator substantially fills the opening at the proximate end of the plastic bag such that the liquid is prevented from free-flowing out of the plastic bag.

In various implementations, the plastic bag comprises a plastic material selected from the group consisting of high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and linear low-density polyethylene. Also, the dispensing device may further comprise a rigid container that defines an opening that houses the plastic bag, where the porous applicator is at least partially disposed in the opening of the rigid container, and where the rigid container further defines a sidewall air vent to the opening of the rigid container.

In still other general aspect, the dispensing device comprises a container; a first liquid dermatological agent in the container; and a porous applicator partially inserted in an opening at a top end of the container. The porous applicator has a top surface that extends past the top end of the container. Also, the porous applicator is saturated with a second liquid comprising a second dermatological agent. And the porous applicator comprises an injection-molded polyethylene body having open-celled pores, where the open-celled pores extend from a bottom of the porous applicator to a top surface of the porous applicator, and where the open-celled pores are filled with the second dermatological agent such that the pores deliver the second dermatological agent to the top surface of the porous applicator by capillary action without externally-applied pressure. Also, the porous applicator defines a channel from a bottom surface of the porous applicator to the top surface of the porous applicator, such that the first dermatological agent can flow through the channel in the porous applicator over the top surface of the porous applicator.

In various implementations, the first container is pliable such that upon receiving, by the first container, a squeezing force, the first dermatological agent flows through the channel in the porous applicator to the top surface of the porous applicator. Also, the top surface of the porous applicator may be slanted or flat relative to the opening of the container. Still further, the top end of the container may comprise a tapered receiving portion to secure the porous applicator.

The dermatological agents of the first and second liquids can be cosmetic, fragrance, or pharmaceutical dermatological agents, such as cosmetic or pharmaceutical creams, fragrances, oils, lotions, etc..

Although various embodiments have been described herein, many modifications, variations, substitutions, changes, and equivalents to those embodiments may be implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, where example materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations as falling within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. The following claims are intended to cover all such modification and variations.

In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result from employing the inventions described herein. The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description.

Claim 1:
A dispensing device (<NUM>) comprising:
a first container (<NUM>) having a sidewall (<NUM>) that defines a reservoir (<NUM>), the first container (<NUM>) having an upper opening to the reservoir at a top of the first container;
a first liquid in the reservoir (<NUM>), wherein the first liquid comprises a dermatological agent; and
a porous applicator (<NUM>) in the reservoir (<NUM>), wherein the porous applicator (<NUM>) comprises an injection-molded polyethylene body having open-celled pores, wherein the open-celled pores extend from a bottom of the porous applicator (<NUM>) to a top surface (<NUM>) of the porous applicator (<NUM>), wherein the open-celled pores comprise varying pore sizes throughout the porous applicator, wherein the open-celled pores are filled with the first liquid such that the pores deliver the first liquid to the top surface (<NUM>) of the porous applicator (<NUM>) by capillary action without externally-applied pressure, wherein the porous applicator (<NUM>) substantially fills the reservoir (<NUM>) and the upper opening at the top of the first container (<NUM>) such that the first liquid is prevented from free-flowing out of the reservoir (<NUM>).