Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/570,783 filed May 13, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates in general to containers for cosmetics, and in particular to a fitment for preventing leakage of cosmetics from such containers.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0003]     Liquid makeup and other viscous cosmetics are often stored in specialized cosmetics containers. These containers typically include a reservoir for storing the cosmetics and an applicator, for example a brush, for allowing a user to apply the cosmetics. In certain containers, the applicator is affixed to the cap of the container, whereby the user grasps the cap, dips the applicator into the reservoir until a sufficient amount of makeup is on the applicator, and then removes the applicator and applies the makeup. Alternatively, the applicator can be affixed to the container body itself, whereby, for example, the user squeezes the container to force makeup out of the reservoir and directly into or onto the applicator.  
         [0004]     In the case where the applicator is affixed directly to the container body, it is not uncommon for leakage to occur at or near the location where the makeup passes from the storage reservoir into the applicator. This leakage can occur either during use of the device, when the cap has been removed from the container, or when the device is not in use and the cap is affixed to the container. When the cap is affixed to the container, leaking makeup can accumulate under the cap, such that once the cap is removed from the container, the accumulated makeup will spill out.  
         [0005]     Various types of cosmetics containers have been proposed to prevent or reduce this leakage. Certain of these containers utilized both a cap and a sealing mechanism, for example, a stopper, to prevent leakage. The sealing mechanism was designed to prevent potential leakage, and any makeup that did leak past the sealing mechanism was subsequently caught in the cap. However, a user had to perform multiple steps in order to access the makeup in these containers. For example, the user had to first remove the cap, and then disengage the stopper, in order to initiate flow of makeup from the device. Multiple steps were also needed to close and store the container, in that the user had to first engage the stopper, and then place the cap on the container, in order to provide maximum leakage protection when the device was not in use. Further, the sealing mechanisms were not effective to prevent leakage at the location between the storage reservoir and the applicator, and the sealing mechanisms were often easily removable from the container, which increased the likelihood of leakage.  
         [0006]     Prior to the development of the present invention, there has been no fluid dispenser assembly for use in storing and dispensing makeup and other cosmetics which: effectively prevents leakage of makeup from a cosmetics container; provides an improved seal at the location between the storage reservoir and the applicator of a cosmetics container; utilizes a sealing mechanism which is not easily removable from the cosmetics container; allows a user to remove the cap from a cosmetics container and access makeup from the reservoir in a single step; and allows a user to place the cap on a cosmetics container and restrict access to makeup from the reservoir in a single step.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Accordingly, the present invention provides a cosmetic dispensing assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a container body for storing a cosmetic material, the body having a dispensing opening, a set of bristles protruding from the dispensing opening for receiving cosmetic material from the container and applying the cosmetic material, a cap matingly engagable with the container body, and a fitment in the dispensing opening matingly engagable with and moveable with respect to the container body between an open position and a closed position in response to engagement with the cap, the fitment having an aperture formed therein for allowing cosmetic material to exit the container body in the open position disengaged from the cap, the aperture at least partially closing when the cap engages the fitment and moves the fitment with respect to the container body.  
         [0008]     An additional feature of the assembly is that the fitment has a base with the aperture formed therein, and whereby the base is formed of an elastic material. The base of the fitment is stretched when the cap contacts the fitment and moves the fitment with respect to the container body to the closed position. The fitment includes an insert and a dispenser, the insert and the dispenser each having a base with an aperture formed therein, a set of bristles being mounted to the dispenser. The insert has a hollow interior, and the dispenser is at least partially disposed within the hollow interior of the insert. The dispensing opening of the container body has a downward facing shoulder surface, the fitment has an upward facing shoulder surface, and the downward facing shoulder surface contacts the upward facing shoulder surface.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, the present invention provides cosmetic dispenser assembly having a container body for storing a cosmetic material, the body having a dispensing opening, a generally cup-shaped insert having a hollow interior and a base with an aperture formed therein, the insert being secured with the dispensing opening of the container, a generally cup-shaped dispenser having a base with an aperture formed therein, the set of bristles being mounted to the dispenser, the dispenser being at least partially disposed within the hollow interior of the insert and moveable with respect to the insert from an open position in which the aperture in the base of the insert is open and a closed position in which the aperture in the base is closed, and a removable cap that engages the dispenser to move the dispenser to the closed position.  
         [0010]     An additional feature is that the base of the insert is deformable, and the dispenser deforms the base of the insert to close the aperture. A spring is disposed between the insert and the dispenser, and the base of the dispenser is biased away from the base of the insert. The container has a neck that contains the dispenser opening. The dispenser has a tube mounted to the base and extending into the set of bristles, the set of bristles protruding past the tube.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front cross-section view of the components of a cosmetics applicator and cap in accordance with this invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cylindrical base of an insert of this invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front cross-section view of an applicator with its cap removed.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front cross-section view of an applicator with its cap affixed thereon.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of this invention with a spring surrounding an extension of the applicator dispenser.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a front cross-section view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5  with its cap removed.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front cross-section view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5  with its cap affixed thereon.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  shows the components of a fluid dispenser assembly  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  10  is preferably used for dispensing cosmetics in the form of a liquid or viscous material. Assembly  10  includes a vessel or container body  11  which stores the cosmetic material. Neck  14  extends upward from vessel  11  and typically has a smaller diameter than vessel  11 . Neck  14  has a hollow interior. In one embodiment, neck  14  has conventional external screw threads (not shown) so that a cap  16  with corresponding internal screw threads (not shown) can be attached to vessel  11 . In alternative embodiments, a friction or snap-on fit between cap  16  and neck  14  may be employed. Near its upper end, neck  14  has a band  18  that protrudes inward and has a flat downward facing shoulder surface  20  and a conical upward facing shoulder surface  22 . In a preferred embodiment, downward facing shoulder surface  20  is perpendicular to the axis of neck  14 , and upward facing shoulder surface  22  is at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the axis of neck  14 .  
         [0020]     Assembly  10  further includes a fitment  23  having an insert  24  with a base  30  disposed therein and a dispenser  34 . Preferably, insert  24  has a cylindrical outer chamber  25  and a hollow annular interior. In one embodiment, insert  24  is formed of a plastic or other similar material. Insert  24  has a downward facing shoulder surface  26  disposed within the interior wall of its outer chamber  25 . Insert  24  has an outer diameter that is smaller than the interior diameter of neck  14  so that insert  24  may be fitted within neck  14 . The conical upward facing shoulder surface  22  of band  18  on neck  14  allows insert  24  to slide into neck  14 . Insert  24  has an outward facing groove  28  formed in the surface of its outer chamber  25 . Groove  28  is sized so that band  18  of neck  14  will fit within groove  28  when insert  24  is disposed within neck  14 . Insert  24  has a base  30  disposed therein. Base  30 , which can be more clearly seen in  FIG. 2 , is preferably cylindrically shaped, and contains a hole  32  at or near its center. Hole  32  is approximately 1.0 mm in diameter, or about the same diameter as a standard sewing needle. Base  30  is preferably formed of a soft elastic material, for example silicon or rubber.  
         [0021]     Dispenser  34  preferably has a base  35 , a cylindrical outer chamber  36  and a hollow interior. In one embodiment, dispenser  34  is formed of a plastic or other similar material. Dispenser  34  has a band  37  disposed at the upper portion of chamber  36  that protrudes outward and has a flat upward facing shoulder surface  38  and a conical downward facing shoulder surface  40 . In a preferred embodiment, upward facing shoulder surface  38  is perpendicular to chamber  36 , and downward facing surface  40  forms a 45-degree angle. Dispenser  34  has an outer diameter that is smaller than the interior diameter of insert  24  so that dispenser  34  may fit within insert  24 . The sloped downward facing shoulder surface  40  of band  37  allows dispenser  34  to slide into insert  24 .  
         [0022]     In one embodiment, a dispensing tube  42  is fitted within, and extends upward from, base  35  of dispenser  34 . Tube  42  is preferably constructed of a plastic or other similar flexible material. Applicator  43 , for example a brush, is fitted within and extends upward from dispenser  34  and surrounds tube  42 . In one embodiment, applicator  43  is at least partially surrounded by a sheath  45 . Sheath  45  is preferably constructed of clear plastic or some other similar material, and keeps applicator  43  in place. Cosmetic is able to flow into tube  42  from hole  32  in base  30  and out of at least one opening  46  in tube  42 . In another embodiment, the cosmetic flows directly from an aperture in dispenser  34  without the use of a dispensing tube.  
         [0023]     Applicator cap  16  is preferably cylindrical and has an annular interior. Cap  16  has at least one engagement member  44  that extends downward within the interior of cap  16 . In one embodiment, the member  44  extends from a top  46  of cap  16 . In a preferred embodiment, engagement member  44  is a cylindrical wall with a hollow annular interior that fits over and covers brush  43  and tube  42  when cap  16  is disposed upon vessel  11 . Alternatively, engagement member  44  may be a plurality of arms that extend downward within the interior of cap  16 . In certain embodiments, engagement member  44  may have a friction reducing element  47 , for example padding, at its lower end for contact with surface  38  of dispenser  34 .  
         [0024]     In  FIG. 3 , cap  16  has been removed from assembly  10 . Insert  24  is disposed within the annular interior of neck  14  of vessel  11 . Band  18  of neck  14  is disposed within groove  28  of insert  24  so that insert  24  cannot easily be pulled out of, or removed from, vessel  11 . Dispenser  34  is disposed within the interior of insert  24 . An outer portion of upward facing shoulder surface  38  of band  37  contacts and is engaged with downward facing shoulder surface  26  of insert  24  so that dispenser  34  cannot easily be raised and pulled out of insert  24 . Base  35  of dispenser  34  contacts and is engaged with base  30  of insert  24  to form a fluid tight seal. The seal prevents cosmetics from leaking out around base  35  of dispenser  34  when the cosmetics are exiting hole  32  and flowing into dispenser tube  42 .  
         [0025]     Preferably, cosmetics can flow from vessel  11 , out of hole  32 , through dispensing tube  42 , out of opening  46 , and into applicator  43 . In one embodiment, cosmetic flow to applicator  43  can be aided and enhanced if the user applies pressure to vessel  11 . Vessel  11  is preferably formed of a flexible and resilient material such as polypropylene, so that it may be easily squeezed by the user and is capable of returning to its original shape.  
         [0026]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , when assembly  10  is not in use, cap  16  will typically be placed over applicator  43  to protect applicator  43  from dust and other contaminants. As cap  16  is being lowered and approaches full engagement with vessel  11 , the bottom end of engagement member  44  contacts an exposed portion of upward facing shoulder  38  on band  37  of dispenser  34 . Member  44  pushes down and places pressure upon band  37  and forces dispenser  34  downward into increased engagement with base  30  of insert  24 . As a result of the increased force, base  30  of insert  24  will compress and stretch downward. Preferably, the pressure placed upon base  30  by the increased force will result in about 0.5 mm of stretching. This stretching causes the sides of hole  32  in base  30  to come together, and hole  32  will close substantially or completely shut. As a result, the flow of cosmetics from vessel  11  into dispensing tube  42  is prevented. Further, base  35  of dispenser  34  engages base  30  of insert  24  in one or more locations to a significant degree and forms a fluid tight seal that further blocks any small flow of cosmetic from vessel  11  from leaking from assembly  10 .  
         [0027]     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . Dispenser  34  has an extension  52  that extends downward therefrom. The extension  52  fits within a cavity  56  formed within the base of insert  24 . Preferably, the extension  52  has two holes  58  formed therewithin to allow cosmetic to flow from the neck  14  of the vessel  11  through the holes  58  into the interior of the extension  52 , and then into the tube  42 . A stopper  50  surrounds the lower portion of the tube  42  to prevent leakage. A spring  54  surrounds some or all of the extension  52 . When the cap  16  is closed, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the dispenser  34  is forced downward, the spring  54  is compressed and the two holes  58  are brought into engagement with the surface of insert  24  and sealed closed so that cosmetic does not pass through. When the cap  16  is opened, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the spring  54  expands and the dispenser  34  moves upward, which opens the two holes  58  and allows fluid to pass through into the interior of the extension  52 . The spring  54  may be disposed within the cavity  56  or alternatively, the spring  54  may be wider than the diameter of the cavity  56  and brace against the bottom floor of the insert  24  without entering the cavity  56 .  
         [0028]     The present invention has several advantages. For example, the insert  24  and dispenser  34  are prevented from being easily pulled out of or removed from the vessel  11 . With the cap  16  is fully engaged with the vessel  11 , the closed hole  32  in the base  30  of the insert  24  and the seal between the base  30  of the insert  24  and the base of the dispenser  34  together prevent or significantly reduce the amount of cosmetic leakage from the assembly  10 . When the cap  16  is removed from the vessel  11 , the seal between the base of the insert  24  and the base of the dispenser  34  significantly reduces the amount of cosmetic leakage from the assembly  10 .  
         [0029]     While the invention has been described herein with respect to two embodiments, it should be understood by those that are skilled in the art that it is not so limited. The invention is susceptible of various modifications and changes without departing from the scope of the claims.

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