Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to liquid dispensers and more particularly to a liquid (e.g., lotion) dispensing device having two different application heads at both ends respectively to allow an individual to use either application head as desired, the liquid dispensing device having advantages including compactness, cost reduction, and liquid saving. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A conventional liquid (e.g., lotion) dispenser having two opposite application heads, as a prior work of the present inventor, is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and comprises an intermediate sleeve  80  lockingly fastened on a hollow, cylindrical first container  82  and a hollow, cylindrical second container  83  spaced from the first container  82 . For using the second container  83 , a person may push the sleeve  80  toward the first container  82  to disengage teeth  801  on an inner surface of the sleeve  80  from teeth  831  on an outer surface of the second container  83  until the teeth  801  are lockingly engaged with teeth  821  on an outer surface of the first container  82 . Next, turning the second container  83  may turn a toothed positioning ring  923  which in turn turns a threaded bar  921  engaging through the positioning ring  923 . Thus, the threaded bar  921  moves to push a externally threaded plunger  922  which in turn pushes out lotion contained in the second container  83  out of a second application head (not numbered) in the second container  83  to, for example, the face of the person for dispensing. 
     While the conventional liquid dispensers continue to enjoy market success, a number of drawbacks have been found by the present inventor. For example, both the first and second containers can be turned clockwise or counterclockwise. But only a clockwise turning of the container can dispense lotion. This, however, may jam the components of the liquid dispenser or even cause damage to the liquid dispenser if a person turns the container counterclockwise due to carelessness or other reasons. Further, its assembly is a complicated process because, for example, the assembly of the first and second containers  82 ,  83 , the sleeve  80 , and the positioning ring  923 . The whole liquid dispenser will be useless if only of the above four components is malfunctioned or damaged. This can greatly increase the manufacturing cost. Thus, the need for improvement still exists. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a liquid dispensing device comprising a container comprising a first space for containing a quantity of first liquid and having a projecting opening at one end, and a second space for containing a quantity of second lotion and having a projecting opening at one end wherein the first space and the second space do not communicate each other; a first transmission assembly disposed in the opening of the first space and comprising a stepped diameter first sleeve, a first rotation ring fastened in the first sleeve, a first externally threaded pipe, and a first internally threaded plunger wherein one bare end of the first externally threaded pipe is partially retained in the first rotation ring, the first internally threaded plunger is engagement secured to the first externally threaded pipe, both the first sleeve and the first rotation ring are capable of co-rotating to turn the first externally threaded pipe, the first internally threaded plunger is sealingly engaged with an inner surface of the first space, and the first internally threaded plunger is capable of axially moving in the first space in a first predetermined range; a first dispensing assembly comprising a hollow, cylindrical mounting member, an elongated hollow first carrier, a first application head disposed at one end of the first carrier, and a first cap fittable to both the first sleeve and the first carrier wherein the mounting member comprises an inlet opening at one end and is disposed in both the first sleeve and the first carrier, and the first carrier is capable of axially moving in the mounting member in the first predetermined range; a second transmission assembly disposed in the opening of the second space and comprising a stepped diameter second sleeve, a second rotation ring fastened in the second sleeve, a second externally threaded pipe, and a second internally threaded plunger wherein one bare end of the second externally threaded pipe is partially retained in the second rotation ring, the second internally threaded plunger is engagement secured to the second externally threaded pipe, both the second sleeve and the second rotation ring are capable of co-rotating to turn the second externally threaded pipe, the second internally threaded plunger is sealingly engaged with an inner surface of the second space, and the second internally threaded plunger is capable of axially moving in the second space in a second predetermined range; and a second dispensing assembly comprising a hollow, stepped diameter second carrier, a tubular member, a second application head, an exterior case, and a second cap fittable to the second sleeve wherein the second carrier is disposed in the second sleeve, the tubular member is fastened in both the second carrier and the second application head, the second application head is engaged with the second carrier, the exterior case is lockingly put on the second application head and clamped between the second carrier and the second sleeve so that the second application head, the second carrier, the exterior case, and the second sleeve are fastened together. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a liquid dispense according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a longitudinal sectional view of the first cap of  FIG. 1  showing the ball as a first preferred configuration of the invention and other components of the first dispensing assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal sectional view of  FIG. 1  where the first cap is dislodged and lotion is picked up by the ball to be transferred to a desired body portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  showing the ball replaced by a roller as a second preferred configuration of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  showing the ball replaced by a brush as a third preferred configuration of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of the second cap of  FIG. 1  showing the application head and other components of the second dispensing assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a longitudinal sectional view of  FIG. 1  where the second cap is dislodged and lotion flows through the application head to be transferred to a desired body portion; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a conventional liquid dispenser; and 
         FIG. 10  is a longitudinal sectional view of the liquid dispenser shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 8 , a liquid dispenser in accordance with the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below. 
     A cylindrical container  1  has both ends open and comprises a first space  11  for containing a quantity of lotion and having an opening at one end, a pawl member  111  formed on the projecting opening of the first space  11 , a second space  12  for containing a quantity of lotion (which is preferably different from that contained in the first space  11 ) and having an opening at one end, and a pawl member  121  formed on the projecting opening of the second space  12 . The first space  11  and the second space  12  do not communicate each other. 
     A first transmission assembly  2  is disposed in the opening of the first space  11  and comprises a stepped diameter first sleeve  23 , a first rotation ring  21  in the first sleeve  23 , a first externally threaded pipe  25 , and a first internally threaded plunger  27 . The first sleeve  23  comprises internal teeth  231  on an intermediate portion of an inner surface. The first rotation ring  21  comprises an externally toothed section  211  one end adapted to engagement secure to the internal teeth  231  to anchor the first rotation ring  21  within the first sleeve  23 . One bare end of the first externally threaded pipe  25  is partially retained in the first rotation ring  21 . The first internally threaded plunger  27  comprises a separate internally threaded sealing ring  271 . Both the first internally threaded plunger  27  and the sealing ring  271  are put on the first externally threaded pipe  25  and engagement secured thereto so as to bring about a sealing effect as detailed later. Both the first sleeve  23  and the first rotation ring  21  may co-rotate to turn the first externally threaded pipe  25 . The first internally threaded plunger  27  is sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the first space  11 . Further, both the first internally threaded plunger  27  and the sealing ring  271  may move axially toward bottom of the first space  11  by engagement moving along the first externally threaded pipe  25 . The first rotation ring  21  further comprises a ratchet wheel  212  on the other end. The pawl member  111  is engaged with the ratchet wheel  212  together they form a ratchet so that the first rotation ring  21  is allowed to turn in only one direction about the container  1 . 
     A first dispensing assembly  3  comprises a hollow, cylindrical mounting member  31 , an elongated hollow first carrier  32 , and a first application head  33  integrally formed with one end of the first carrier  32 . The mounting member  31  is partially disposed in the first sleeve  23  and comprises an inlet opening  310  at one end and an outwardly extending rim  312  on the other end. The first carrier  32  comprises a shroud  322  extending outward and toward the mounting member  31  for receipt a portion of the mounting member  31  not disposed in the first sleeve  23 , and an inward extending annular stop member  321  at the open end of the shroud  322 . The first carrier  32  may axially move in the mounting member  31  in a range from the rim  312  contacting the blind end of the shroud  322  to the position when the rim  312  contacts the stop member  321  and being stopped by the stop member  321  (i.e., preventing the first carrier  32  from disengaging from the mounting member  31 ). The first application head  33  comprises an inwardly extending rim  323  at its opening distal the first carrier  32 . A ball  331  is partially disposed in the opening of the first application head  33  (i.e., projecting partially out of the opening of the first application head  33 ) and retained by the rim  323  but allowed to freely rotate to pick wet lotion (see  FIGS. 2 to 4 ). Alternatively, the ball  333  may be replaced with a roller  333  (see  FIG. 5 ) or a brush  332  (see  FIG. 6 ) in other preferred configurations of the invention. 
     The mounting member  31  further comprises an internal block member  311  proximate the bottom end. The first carrier  32  may axially move to have its bottom end not being sealed by the block member  311  in an open state of the liquid dispenser as shown in  FIG. 4  (i.e., the inlet opening  310  being not blocked). Alternatively, the bottom end of the first carrier  32  is blocked by the block member  311  when the liquid dispenser is closed as shown in  FIG. 3  (i.e., the inlet opening  310  being blocked). As a result, lotion contained in the container  1  is prevented from leaking. 
     A cup-shaped first cap  40  comprises on its inner surface a locking section  41  distal its open end. In a closed state of the liquid dispenser, a forward portion of the first sleeve  23  is lockingly, sealingly concealed by a portion of the first cap  40  from its open end to the locking section  41  and the shroud  322  is lockingly, sealingly concealed by the locking section  41  (see  FIG. 3 ). As such, the first carrier  32  is retained. To the contrary, a removal of the first cap  40  can pull the first carrier  32  away from the first sleeve  23  a short distance until the rim  312  contacts the stop member  321  and being stopped by the stop member  321  (see  FIG. 4 ). As a result, the inlet opening  310  is open. 
     A second transmission assembly  5  is disposed in the opening of the second space  12  and comprises a stepped diameter second sleeve  53 , a second rotation ring  51  in the second sleeve  53 , a second externally threaded pipe  55 , and a second internally threaded plunger  57 . The second sleeve  53  comprises internal teeth  531  on an intermediate portion of an inner surface. The second rotation ring  51  comprises an externally toothed section  511  at one end adapted to engagement secure to the internal teeth  531  to anchor the second rotation ring  51  within the second sleeve  53 . One bare end of the second externally threaded pipe  55  is partially retained in the second rotation ring  51 . The second internally threaded plunger  57  comprises a separate internally threaded sealing ring  571 . Both the second internally threaded plunger  57  and the internally threaded sealing ring  571  are put on the second externally threaded pipe  55  and engagement secured thereto so as to bring about a sealing effect as detailed later. Both the second sleeve  53  and the second rotation ring  51  may co-rotate to turn the second externally threaded pipe  55 . The second internally threaded plunger  57  is sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the second space  12 . Further, both the second internally threaded plunger  57  and the sealing ring  571  may move axially toward bottom of the second space  12  by engagement moving along the second externally threaded pipe  55 . The second rotation ring  51  further comprises a ratchet wheel  512  on the other end. The pawl member  121  is engaged with the ratchet wheel  512  together they form a ratchet so that the second rotation ring  51  is allowed to turn in only one direction about the container  1 . 
     A second dispensing assembly  6  comprises a hollow, stepped diameter second carrier  61 , a tubular member  62 , a bullet shaped second application head  63 , and a hollow, conic exterior case  64 . The second carrier  61  comprises an annular flange  611  at one end disposed in the second sleeve  53 , and an axial passage  613  with the tubular member  62  partially fastened therein. The remaining portions of the tubular member  62  are axially inserted into the second application head  63  and fastened therein. One end of the second application head  63  is engaged with the second carrier  61 . The exterior case  64  is put on the second application head  63  and clamped between the second carrier  61  and the second sleeve  53  by engaging with both the flange  611  and the second sleeve  53  so as to fasten the second application head  63 , the second carrier  61 , the exterior case  64 , and the second sleeve  53  together. 
     A cup-shaped second cap  70  is put on the second sleeve  53  to close the liquid dispenser in an unused state. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , for opening the liquid dispenser a person may pull the first cap  40  away from the first sleeve  23 . And in turn, the first carrier  32  bounces outward due to the removal of the force exerted by the locking section  41  on the first carrier  32 . Thus, an axial passageway of the first carrier  32  disengages from the block member  311  to communicate with the inlet opening  310 . The bouncing of the first carrier  32  will be stopped when the stop member  321  contacts the rim  312 . Next, the person may turn the first sleeve  23  toward a predetermined direction (i.e., allowed direction such as clockwise direction). And in turn, the first rotation ring  21  co-rotates to turn the first externally threaded pipe  25 . Next both the first internally threaded plunger  27  and the sealing ring  271  move axially toward bottom of the container  1  along the first externally threaded pipe  25 . And in turn, lotion contained in the first space  11  is pushed to flow to the ball  331  via an axial channel of the first externally threaded pipe  25 , the inlet opening  310 , and the axial passageway of the first carrier  32  as indicated by arrows. The person may apply pushed out lotion to his or her body. It is envisaged by the invention that the first sleeve  23  is allowed to turn about the container  1  in only one direction (e.g., clockwise direction) due to the ratchet engagement of the ratchet wheel  212  and the pawl member  111 . The amount of pushed out lotion for dispensing can be fairly controlled when turning the first sleeve  23 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  6 , after use, the person may close the first cap  40  onto the first sleeve  23  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Thus, the first carrier  32  is pressed toward the first sleeve  23  due to the force exerted thereon by the locking section  41 . As such, the axial passageway of the first carrier  32  engages the block member  311  to block the flow from the inlet opening  310  to the axial passageway of the first carrier  32 . As a result, lotion in the first space  11  is prevented from leaking into the ball  331  ( FIG. 3 ), the roller  333  ( FIG. 5 ), or the brush  332  (see  FIG. 6 ) via the inlet opening  310 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  7 , and  8 , for opening the liquid dispenser a person may alternatively pull the second cap  70  away from the second sleeve  53 . Next, the person may turn the second sleeve  53  toward a predetermined direction (i.e., allowed direction such as clockwise direction). And in turn, the second rotation ring  51  co-rotates with the second externally threaded pipe  55 . Next both the second internally threaded plunger  27  and the sealing ring  571  move toward bottom of the second space  12  along the second externally threaded pipe  55 . And in turn, lotion contained in the second space  12  is pushed to flow to the second application head  63  via an axial channel of the second externally threaded pipe  55 , the axial passage  613 , and the tubular member  62  as indicated by arrows. The person may apply pushed out lotion to his or her body. 
     It is envisaged by the invention that after use the lotion remained in the tubular member  62  will not return to the second space  12  because the diameter of the tubular member  62  is sufficiently small and the strong cohesive force of the sticky lotion. Thus, the remained lotion in the tubular member  62  is prevented from leaking out of the second application head  63 . Moreover, the second sleeve  53  is allowed to turn about the container  1  in only one direction (e.g., clockwise direction) due to the ratchet engagement of the ratchet wheel  512  and the pawl member  121 . Further, the amount of lotion pushed out of the second space  12  for dispensing can be fairly controlled when turning the second sleeve  53 . After use, the person may simply close the second sleeve  53  by putting the second cap  70  thereon. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

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