Patent ID: 12201951

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments.

One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

The present invention relates to a new and useful mixing system and method and will be described by first referring toFIG.1which illustrates various components of a mixing system100pursuant to some embodiments. In the embodiment depicted inFIG.1, the mixing system100has two main components, a powder assembly110and a liquid assembly150. In some embodiments, the powder assembly110is removably coupled to the liquid assembly150at a powder assembly cap114. In some embodiments, when the powder assembly110is detached from the liquid assembly150the powder assembly cap114may be removed from an outer bottle112to allow a user to access an interior of the powder assembly110to, e.g., refill a powder jar held therein.

As will be described further herein, the powder assembly cap114may also be formed to allow a predetermined quantity or volume of powder to drop from the powder assembly110into a mixing bowl. In one embodiment described herein the mixing bowl is formed or held within a top portion of the liquid assembly150. In other embodiments, the mixing bowl may be formed as a separate component positioned between the powder assembly110and the liquid assembly150. In some embodiments, the base154of the liquid assembly150may be removed from a liquid assembly cap152to allow a user to access an interior of the liquid assembly150to, e.g., refill a liquid bottle held therein. In the embodiment depicted inFIG.1, the exterior surface of the liquid assembly cap152is formed with a series of vertical ridges or knurls178, but such features are not required. Further, while the illustrative embodiment of a powder assembly110and liquid assembly150are shown as having a specific shape, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a number of different shapes and ornamental configurations may be used.

Each of the components may be made from plastic or other durable and non-toxic materials. The components together function to allow a user to mix a powder and a liquid on demand, allowing, for example, personal care products (such as cosmetics, skin cream or the like), pharmaceutical products, food products, decorative products or other compounds to be created when needed. The liquid assembly150and the powder assembly110dispense specified volumes of both the liquid and the powder. Controlling these volumes optimizes the effects of the resulting combination. The liquid assembly150and the powder assembly110function to protect the powder and the liquid from air, ultraviolet light, water and other particles that could contaminate the ingredients and/or cause degradation of the efficacy of the ingredients.

The mixing system100may be formed or manufactured in a shape which facilitates ease of use by a user. For example, referring now toFIG.1Awhich is a side perspective view of the mixing system100, the liquid assembly150may be generally square or rectangular in shape making it easy for a user to hold while a user rotates and depresses a generally cylindrical powder assembly110to operate the system100. Those skilled in the art, upon reading the present disclosure, will appreciate that other shapes and configurations may be used.

In use, the system100operates as follows. A powder (such as dried vitamin C, Retinol, CoQ10, Resveratrol, Willow Bark extract, or the like) is placed in an interior cavity of the powder assembly110(e.g., in a jar or bottle in the interior of the powder assembly110). A liquid (such as an activator) is placed in an interior cavity of the liquid assembly150(e.g., in a jar or bottle in the interior of the liquid assembly150). Pursuant to some embodiments, the powder and liquid may be compounds as discussed in co-pending and commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/375,588 for “Topical Composition Using a Two-Part Form Factor”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

The powder assembly110and liquid assembly150are engaged by a user action. For example, as will be described further below, the user may depress the powder assembly110with a light force (which causes a predetermined amount of liquid to be dispensed into a mixing well or bowl positioned at a top of the liquid assembly150) while rotating the powder assembly110to cause a predetermined amount of powder to drop from the interior of the powder assembly110into the mixing well. The user may then separate the powder assembly110from the liquid assembly150revealing the mixing well (which now holds a predetermined amount of liquid as well as a predetermined amount of powder). The user may then mix the liquid with the powder using a finger or other object. The mixing activates the ingredients in the powder, thereby ensuring maximum efficacy immediately before the mixture is applied, e.g., to a user's skin.

The result is a mixing system and method that are reusable, that may be used with a quantity of liquid and powder before a refill is required, and that allows a desired volume of liquid to be mixed with a desired quantity of powder without requiring measurement by the user. Further, embodiments allow a user to selectively mix the liquid and powder as needed, thereby preserving the efficacy of the compounds. Embodiments allow the mixing apparatus to be washed and cleaned between uses. Other features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following disclosure.

Reference is now made toFIG.2, where a top view of the liquid assembly150is shown as seen when the powder assembly110is removed. As shown, the top of the liquid assembly150holds a mixing well156. The mixing well156is formed as a generally concave central area at the top of the liquid assembly150. The mixing well156has a raised rim182at its perimeter. Pursuant to some embodiments, the raised rim182is shaped to match a corresponding protruding shape formed on a base of the powder assembly110(not shown inFIG.2). The raised rim182helps to hold the powder assembly110in alignment with the mixing well156when the powder assembly110is properly installed on top of the liquid assembly150. At the center (and at the bottom of the concave shape) of the mixing well156is a through hole that creates an opening in the mixing well156extending to a pump assembly168(not shown inFIG.2) positioned beneath the mixing well156. The through hole retains a small umbrella valve160such that the top valve surface is flush with the surface of the mixing well156. The through hole may contain a short tube that extends between the small umbrella valve160and the pump assembly168. The mixing well156is generally positioned in a center of the top of the liquid assembly150and the interior of the liquid assembly150is sealed from the outside by the mixing well156, the umbrella valve160, and a mixing well surround180. Pursuant to some embodiments, the mixing well156may be rotated from a locked position to an unlocked position by rotating as depicted by rotation190. In some embodiments, one or more lock indicators158may be formed on the mixing well surround180and the mixing well156to provide a visual indication to the user of the locked or unlocked status of the mixing well156. Pursuant to some embodiments, when placed in a locked status or position, the mixing well156is unable to be depressed (e.g., the pump assembly168may not be engaged), thereby ensuring that liquid is not pumped into the mixing well156when the mixing well156is in a locked status. When unlocked, the pump assembly168may be engaged and liquid may be pumped into the mixing well156as described herein. Pursuant to some embodiments, the umbrella valve160serves to ensure that liquid that has been pumped into the mixing well156does not drain out of the mixing well156back into the pump assembly168, thereby ensuring that a predetermined amount of liquid is available in the mixing well156for use.

Reference is now made toFIG.3where a side cross-sectional view of a liquid assembly150pursuant to some embodiments is shown. The liquid assembly150may be configured to hold a bottle170which contains a liquid176for dispensing and mixing in the mixing bowl156. The bottle170may be accessed (e.g., for insertion or removal) by separating the base154from the liquid assembly cap152(e.g., by unsnapping, unscrewing or otherwise pulling the two pieces apart). In some embodiments, the bottle170is screwed into threads of an inner cap166which is mounted on an interior of the liquid assembly cap152. When the mixing well156is in an unlocked status, liquid176from within the bottle170may be pumped into the mixing well156by depressing the mixing well156(preferably by pressing down on the powder assembly110which is positioned to cover the mixing well156as described herein). This action causes the pump assembly168to be engaged and causes liquid176to flow from the interior of the bottle170, through the umbrella valve160and into the mixing well156. The pump assembly168may need to be depressed several times to prime the pump for use.

In some embodiments, the underside of the mixing well156(or the mixing well surround180) is formed with several equally spaced tabs (e.g., such as four equally spaced tabs) extending radially outward from a center of the mixing well156. The tabs may correspond to several equally spaced configured to hold several magnets164. For example, in one embodiment, four pockets are provided, each holding a magnet164. The magnets164are positioned to sit near the top surface of the mixing well surround180to magnetically engage a steel ring in the powder assembly110(not shown inFIG.3) when the powder assembly110is positioned near the mixing well156. This allows the powder assembly110and the liquid assembly150to remain in contact while in use or while awaiting use.

The inner cap166(which may also be referred to as a threaded insert) generally acts as a frame of the assembly. It has a lower cylindrical area with a threaded recess to engage the neck of bottle170. On the central axis there is a hole and features to accept and retain a pump assembly168from below, such that when the bottle170is screwed into the threaded recess, a foam liner174is compressed and seals the bottle170to the inner cap166. When the pump assembly168is configured for use a pump stem169protrudes upwardly along a center axis out of the center hole of the inner cap166to be connected to the umbrella valve160(e.g., via a tube). Pursuant to some embodiments, the inner cap166(or another component of the liquid assembly150) is formed with features that work in conjunction with features of the mixing well156to limit the range of motion of the mixing well156when the mixing well156is depressed. For example, in some embodiments, the inner cap166may have equally spaced vertical radial ribs that are positioned about the circumference of the inner cap166. The ribs may be formed and positioned to work with equally spaced patterns of cut-outs formed on a lower portion of the mixing well156that limit the downward stroke of the mixing well156.

Further, the ribs and cut-outs may be shaped to allow the mixing well156to be rotated between a locked and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the ribs and cut-outs may prevent the mixing well156from being depressed and while in the unlocked position the ribs and cut-outs may allow the mixing well156to be depressed (although in a limited range of motion).

In some embodiments, the inner cap166is shaped to match the shape of the external shell (the liquid assembly cap152). In the embodiment depicted, the liquid assembly cap152and the inner cap166are generally square in cross-sectional shape, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that other shapes and configurations may also be used. In some embodiments, the inner cap166is open at the bottom so that the bottle170may be accessed by a user when the base154is removed from the liquid assembly cap152. When the base154is removed, the bottom of the bottle170may be accessed for a user to unscrew to refill the liquid contents or to replace with a new bottle170. For example, the length of the inner cap166is selected such that the bottle170protrudes beyond the lower end of the inner cap166allowing an area for a user to grasp and unscrew the bottle170from the inner cap166. As shown inFIG.3, the inner cap166, the base154and the liquid assembly cap152may mate to provide a friction fit between the components ensuring the assembly stays together during use while allowing a user to separate the base153as needed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other approaches may be used to secure the components together.

Pursuant to some embodiments, the liquid assembly cap152is formed as a hollow shell shaped to fit closely onto the inner cap166. The bottom end of the liquid assembly cap152is open to accept the mixing well156and the inner cap166. In some embodiments, the vertical walls are substantially solid and the flat top surface has a central cylindrical bore sized to fit about the cylindrical mixing bowl162with clearance. At the top edge of the hole, an inward 360 degree step is sized to touch the top of the mixing well156elastomeric seal ring when at rest, yet allow the mixing well156to move vertically on axis within the bore.

In some embodiments, the mixing well156is shaped and configured to allow a user to mix the liquid and powder together with a single finger. Its shape and size are selected specifically to allow the user to easily scoop the mixture from the mixing well156. Preferably, the mixing well156has no corners or recesses in which the mixture could be trapped. For example, the mixing well156may be ergonomically designed to allow for easy mixing with a user's finger (such that the well is not too shallow but with enough depth so powder doesn't fly out of the well).

The base154serves to protect the interior of the assembly as well as to provide an improved aesthetic when assembled. The base154is shaped to match the shape of the liquid assembly cap152. The top end of the base154is open and the base154consists of four sidewalls and a floor155. The floor155may be provided with a central through hole157and the inside surfaces of the sidewalls may have a series of horizontal undercut slots159formed therein.

A base insert172is sized and shaped to just fit into the base154. The base insert172has outward tabs161on the four sides of the base insert172that engage the undercut slots159of the base154when pressed together. The central area of the base insert172protrudes upwardly to engage the shaped open end of the inner cap166by, for example, bumps and undercuts175. This provides a gentle snap fit between the base154, the base insert172, the inner cap166and the liquid assembly cap152. The interior of the base insert172defines a cylindrical bore that is sized to fit the outside of the bottle170. When the base153and the base insert172are pressed into the inner cap166and the liquid assembly cap152the bottle170is completely encapsulated by those parts. In some embodiments, the base insert172has no floor, allowing a user to view the bottom of the bottle170through the central through hole157of the base154. This allows a user to determine whether there is liquid176in the bottle170or if the bottle170needs to be replaced or refilled.

An exploded side perspective view of the liquid assembly150is shown inFIG.3Awhich may further illustrate the components of some embodiments of the present invention. For example,FIG.3Aillustrates the shape of the underside of the mixing well156and depicts how the underside of the mixing well156interacts with tabs or fins protruding from the inner cap166to move between locked and unlocked positions.

Reference is now made toFIGS.4and5which show details of the powder assembly110.FIG.4shows a side cross sectional view of a powder assembly110pursuant to some embodiments.FIG.5shows a side perspective view of the components of the powder assembly110. In general, the powder assembly110is a metering dispenser that screws onto a jar containing a non-flowing powdery product so that when the jar is inverted, the product can enter a dispenser unit. The assembly110has a shaped bottom that fits onto and magnetically engages above a mixing well156of a liquid assembly150. At rest, the powder assembly110is closed. When the powder assembly110is rotated an amount (e.g., such as one-quarter turn) to a stop position relative to the mixing well156, one dose of a specific volume of the product is dropped by gravity into the mixing well156. Pursuant to some embodiments, each one-quarter turn of the powder assembly110results in the dispensing of one dose of the product (which will be referred to herein simply as the powder136).

The powder assembly110is formed of a number of components, including a body or outer bottle112which may generally be a cosmetic part that fits over and encloses a jar132(containing a powder136) and which mechanically engages with a powder assembly cap114. The powder assembly cap114is cylindrical and has an open upper side sized to receive a number of components which cooperatively operate to dispense powder for use in mixing with a liquid in the mixing well156. For example, an anchor128is cylindrical and fits rotatably with the powder assembly cap114. The anchor128has a central cylindrical axel129(best seen inFIG.5) protruding upwardly from a thin horizontal floor. The axel129has a keyed shape in cross section. The bottom perimeter of the anchor128is shaped to fit closely to the mixing well perimeter (e.g., rim182ofFIG.2). As shown inFIG.5, the anchor128may have four equally spaced holes131in the floor of the anchor128. Further, there may be four equally spaced angular posts133protruding upwardly from the perimeter of the floor. The tip end of the axel129is shaped to engage and snap to a mixer116.

A doser122is a cylindrical part having a certain thickness and a central shaped through-hole on the central axis that fits loosely about the anchor axle129such that they are axially keyed together with some clearance. The diameter of the doser122is sized to fit within the lower central area of the anchor128. In the embodiment depicted, the doser122has four equally spaced doser chambers123parallel to the axis, all sized to contain a specific equal volume of powder. In the depicted embodiment, each chamber123is sized to contain one-half the volume of a full dose of the powder136. As such, two chambers123of powder136provides a single dose. The upper surface of the doser122is flat. On the underside of the doser122, between each chamber123, is a cantilevered arm125with an edge protruding just outside of the circumference of the doser122. The arms125are configured to interfere with the angular posts133protruding from the perimeter of the base floor. The arms125are flexible and are sized to produce an audible click and vibration as the doser122and the powder assembly cap114are rotated relative to each other. The vibration improves the flow of the powder into and out of the chambers123of the doser122.

A doser plate124is also provided. The doser plate124is a flat shaped part sized to fit captively with the underside of the doser122and to cover the areas over the arms125. The doser plate124also is shaped to be open below each of the four doser chambers123. A dispense plate126is positioned under the doser plate124and is a flat cylindrical part with two through holes spaced at 180 degrees from each other. The perimeter of the dispense plate126has two orienting features (or tabs127) two engage the drive arms125such that the dispense plate holes are 90 degrees apart from two holes in the body floor.

A mixer116is positioned within the powder assembly110and securely snaps onto an end of the axel129and holds the assembly together. In some embodiments, the mixer116has a series of arms pointing outwardly from the center, in a radial pattern. In some embodiments, the mixer116is positioned over a drive arm120and extends into a mouth of the jar132containing the powder136. As the unit is rotated during use, the mixer116agitates the powder136to keep it flowable and helps to move powder136over the two holes in a floor of the drive arm120to feed the doser chambers123effectively. The drive arm120has a series of threads which mate with threads of the jar132. A gasket118may be positioned between the drive arm120and the jar132.

In some embodiments, a steel ring130is provided, shaped of thin steel in a cylindrical shape and sized to fit inside a perimeter wall of the anchor128. The steel ring130is positioned so that it is proximate the magnets164of the liquid assembly150when the powder assembly110and the liquid assembly150are brought proximate each other. Once the parts are assembled, the powder assembly110and the liquid assembly150may be used together to dispense a predetermined amount of powder for mixing with a predetermined amount of liquid.

With the above description of components of some embodiments of the present invention, a brief description of the operation of a mixing assembly pursuant to the present invention will now be provided. Those skilled in the art, upon reading this disclosure, will appreciate that different configurations of components may be used to achieve the following operation and that the components described above are an illustrative example of specific embodiments.

A user wishing to produce a mixture of a formulation or compound (such as, for example, a skin care formulation) may interact with a mixing assembly of the present invention by first placing ajar132containing a powder136in an upright position (so that the threads and opening of the jar132face upwards such that the powder136does not spill from the jar132). The jar132is screwed into the powder assembly110as described above. A cosmetic outer cover (shown as the outer bottle112above) may then be placed around the jar132and the other components of the powder assembly110. The user may then (or may have previously) screw the bottle170containing a liquid172into the liquid assembly150(and may also attach the base154and a decorative liquid assembly cap152). The liquid assembly150is placed upright and the powder assembly110is then brought into contact with the upper portion of the liquid assembly150such that the bottom of the powder assembly110is in contact with the mixing well156of the liquid assembly150. The magnets164in the liquid assembly150engage with the steel ring130of the powder assembly110keeping the two assemblies110,150in contact. When the powder assembly110is placed in this position, the jar132is upside down, allowing powder136to fall and fill an area of a doser in the powder assembly110. The powder136generally falls around an area proximate a mixer116as well as holes or chambers123in the doser. Because only two chambers123are exposed at any time, only two chambers123are filled with powder at this time, ensuring that only a specific volume or dose of powder136is in a position to be dispensed.

The dose of powder136is dispensed into the mixing well156when the user presses the powder assembly110in a downward direction with a light force while also rotating the powder assembly110clockwise one-quarter of a turn to a stop. At rest, the four posts133on the anchor128are sifting proximate depressions or holes131. Once rotated, the four posts133ramp out of the holes131lifting the components of the doser vertically as the components ride on top of the four posts133. This flexes the floor of the anchor128like a biased spring, as the center of the anchor128is a fixed height but the perimeter height of the parts increase to a fixed level based on the height of the four posts133.

Continued rotation causes the components to rotate about the fixed central axis. The doser122is fixed radially to the anchor128and the dispense plate126is keyed to the body of the components. As the components rotate, the raised bump ribs in the inner area momentarily interfere with the tops of the doser arms, causing the arms to flex and snap past each of the bumps. This creates a stuttering vibration of the doser at each click, facilitating the free flow of powder into and out of the chambers.

As the body is turned out of the start position, the two open and now filled chambers123of the doser122rotate away from the openings in the dispense plate126to the closed area of the dispense plate126shutting off the chambers123to the reservoir of powder136. At the same time, the other pair of chambers123become exposed to the two holes in the dispense plate126. Continued rotation causes the two filled doser chambers to become aligned with the two holes in the dispense plate126allowing the enclosed volume of powder136to fall out of the chambers123by gravity and assisted by vibration.

At the end of a ninety degree rotation, the anchor posts that were in spring compression against the underside of the device encounter the four depressions in the track, causing a sudden downward snap action of the body which helps to evacuate any remaining powder from the chambers as well as tactilely signaling the end of the dispense cycle. This snap-vibration mechanism also helps new powder enter and fill the chambers that are now in communication with the jar. After a single dispense cycle, the powder assembly110may be removed from the mixing well and the dose of powder may be mixed with the dispensed dose of liquid to achieve a predetermined ratio of the two ingredients.

As discussed above, the liquid may be dispensed into the mixing well by rotating the powder assembly110out of the locked position and then depressing the powder assembly110, which causes the mixing well156to be depressed, thereby activating the pump mechanism and causing a dose of the liquid to be fed into the mixing well156. The result is a mixing system and method that allows a predetermined volume of powder and liquid to be dispensed on demand for mixing prior to application. Embodiments provide a mixing system and method that allows a user to mix powder and liquid in predetermined proportions at the time the user wishes. Embodiments may be used in conjunction with, for example, skincare compounds which are sensitive to oxygen and ultraviolet light. In general, embodiments allow products (such as skin-care products) to be activated by a user on demand in a way that keeps clinically proven ingredients at peak potency without degradation.

While embodiments have been described herein by reference to skin care and beauty formulations, those skilled in the art, upon reading the present disclosure, will appreciate that other formulations would benefit from the mixing and storage features of the present invention.

The present invention has been described in terms of several embodiments solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled in the art will recognize from this description that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be practiced with modifications and alterations limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, while an embodiment has been described in which a mixing well is provided as part of a liquid assembly, in some embodiments, a mixing well or bowl may be provided as a component or assembly separate from the liquid assembly (e.g., such as a component that sits between a powder assembly and a liquid assembly). An example of such an embodiment is shown inFIG.6which is a perspective view of a mixing assembly200pursuant to some embodiments. As shown, the mixing assembly200includes a powder assembly210a mixing bowl256and a liquid assembly250. Each of the components may be made from plastic or other durable material. The three components together function to allow a user to mix a powder and a liquid on demand, allowing, for example, personal care products (such as cosmetics, skin cream or the like) or pharmaceutical products to be created when needed. The liquid assembly250and the powder assembly210dispense specified volumes of both the powder and the liquid. Controlling these volumes optimizes the effects of the resulting combination.

In use, the assembly200operates as follows. A powder (such as dried vitamin C, Retinol, CoQ10, Resveratrol, Willow Bark extract, or the like) is placed in an interior cavity of the powder assembly210. A liquid (such as an activator) is placed in an interior cavity of the liquid assembly250. The mixing bowl256is placed atop the liquid assembly250, and the powder assembly210atop the mixing bowl256. The assembly200can be operated in any of a number of ways. For example, the assembly200can be pumped to cause the liquid to pump into a cavity of the mixing bowl256. The powder is then dispensed into the mixing bowl256by turning or otherwise operating the powder assembly210. When both elements are in the mixing bowl256, a user can mix them together with a finger or other device. The mixing activates the ingredients in the powder, thereby ensuring maximum efficacy immediately before applying the mixture to the skin. The assembly200can also be twisted (to release the powder from the powder assembly210) before pumping (to pump the liquid from the liquid assembly250) and then mixed. Other sequence of operations may also be used. As shown inFIG.6, the assembly200may be formed of different shapes for visual appeal as well as to improve operation of the assembly200during use.

The present invention has been described in terms of several embodiments solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled in the art will recognize from this description that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be practiced with modifications and alterations limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.