US3212120A

US3212120A - Cosmetic dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3212120A
Application number: US314004A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles J Gentile
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-10-04
Filing date: 1963-10-04
Publication date: 1965-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 1982-10-19

Description

Filed 001;. 4, 1963 FIG.

A Tram/5y United States Patent 3,212,120 COSMETIC DISPENSER Charles J. Gentile, 511 Seven Oaks Road, Orange, NJ. Filed Oct. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 314,004 2 Claims. (Cl. 15558) My invention relates to dispensers generally and specifically to a propel-repel type cosmetic dispenser in which the cosmetic material is positively expelled from a supply cartridge onto the bottom of a rotatable applicator ball.

A large number of cosmetic dispensers have been developed in which the cosmetic material contained within a generally cylindrical cartridge is forcibly both expelled from and thereafter retracted into the cartridge by means of an axially movable piston. In the past, these cartridges have been applicable only to solid or semi-solid cosmetic material. My invention contemplates the application of the basic propel-repel concept to the dispensing of liquid cosmetic material such as deodorant formulas by means of a rotatable applicator ball.

Another aspect of my invention lies in a novel structural adaptation of the propel-repel mechanism for dispensers which is more simple to both fabricate and assemble. Known propel-repel mechanisms are so constructed that the piston must be screwed downwardly the entire length of the supply cartridge during assembly. This procedure requires an inordinate amount of both labor and time.

Therefore, it is among the objects and advantages of my invention to provide a cosmetic dispenser in which a liquid or fluidized solid cosmetic material is dispensed by a rotatable applicator ball.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser in which the cosmetic material is forcibly fed from a supply cartridge to the bottom of an applicator ball by means of a piston axially movable in the cartridge in general opposition to the applicator ball.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser in which the bottom of the supply cartridge is both closed and sealed against leakage of the cosmetic material by a rotatable turning knob which is in turn operably connected to a threaded transport extending axially through the supply cartridge.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser in which the cosmetic material is propelled in the direction of an applicator ball by a piston, axially movable in a supply cartridge and threadably engaged to a rotatable transport.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser, in which the transport shaft is bifurcated at at least one end to facilitate passage through and positive engagement in a cooperative opening.

Still yet another object of my invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser in which the piston may first be threadably engaged to one end of the transport, the piston with the transport engaged thereto then inserted into the supply cartridge and the turning knob thereafter engaged to both the bottom of the supply cartridge and the end of the transport without further rotation of the transport.

Yet a further object of my invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser in which a supply cartridge, a ball dispenser assembly, a threaded transport and a turning knob are mutually interconnected to produce rotation of the transport upon rotation of either the ball assembly or the turning knob with respect to the supply cartridge.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser employing a threaded transport at least one end of which is provided with a truncated, bifurcated tip defining a pair of resilient, inwardly defiectable arms and an abutment seat adapted to facilitate mounting of the end of the transport in an opening.

These objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages may be achieved by my invention two embodiments of which are illustrated in the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational, cross-sectional view of one embodiment of my invention having a transport turning knob rotatably mounted on the bottom of a cylindrical cosmetic material supply cartridge;

FIGURE 2 is a top cross-sectional view taken along line 22 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of my invention in which rotation of a threaded transport is produced by rotation of a supply cartridge with respect to -a ball dispensing assembly;

FIGURE 4 is a top cross-sectional View taken along line 44 in FIGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and specifically referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, my cosmetic dispenser comprises a generally cylindrical cosmetic material supply case or cartridge 11. While the cartridge 11 is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 as having a generally circular crosssectional configuration, it may optionally have an eliptical or any other suitable cross-sectional configuration. The bottom of the cartridge 11 is open and is provided with an annular, external recess or undercut portion 12. An an nular external rib 13 is provided intermediate the ends of the undercut portion 12. The bottom rim 14 of the undercut portion 12 is finished to present a generally domeshaped configuration. However, any other configuration may be employed which is adapted to form a seal with a cooperative groove in a complementary element.

The opposite end of the cartridge 11 is also open and is provided with an annular internally concave, resilient mounting collar 15 for a rotatable ball applicator 16. The collar 15 may assume any one of a number of well-known configurations and may define a plurality of internally concave resilient mounting legs 17.

The external surface of the cartridge 11 immediately beneath the collar 15 may be provided with a suitable thread-form 18 adapted to threadably engage an internal thread-form on a closure cap 19 which may be employed to cover the applicator ball 16.

The cartridge 11 defines an internal, generally cylindrical cosmetic material supply cavity 20. A pair of internal, generally

parallel guide ribs

21, 21 are formed on the cartridge 11 within the cavity 20 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof. A threaded, transport screw 22 is mounted generally axially within the chamber 20. A transport piston 23 is threadably engaged to the transport screw 22 and is adapted to move on the said transport screw 22 axially with respect thereto and the cartridge 11. The piston 23 is provided with a pair of

grooves

24, 24 complementary to and adapted to co operatively and slidably engage the

ribs

21, 21 on the cartridge 11. The piston 23 is therefore unable to rotate with the transport, rather, with rotation of the transport screw 22, the piston moves axially with respect thereto and the cartridge 11.

The bottom end of the transport screw 22 is provided with a generally square shank 25. The width of the shank 25 is less than the major pitch diameter or crest diameter of the threads on the transport screw 22. The end of the shank 25 opposite the threads 26 is provided with a generally truncated pyramidal tip 27 defining an external peripheral shoulder 28 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the shank 25. Of course, the tip 27 may also have a generally truncated conical shape as well as a truncated pyramidal shape. A transverse slot 29 extends from the end of the tip 27 therethrough into the shank 25 bifurcating the end of the transport screw 22 and defining a pair of resilient, inwardly

deflectable arms

30, 30.

A turning knob 31 is keyed to the shank 25 of the screw 22 for rotation therewith and is rotatably mounted to the undercut portion 12 of the cartridge 11. The turning knob 31 is provided with a generally round, bottom portion 32 having formed integrally therewith a perpendicular, annular flange 33. The internal surface of the flange 33 is provided with an internal, annular groove 34 complementary to and adapted to engage the external, annular rim 13 on the recessed portion 12 of the cartridge 11. The bottom portion 32 of the knob 31 at the base of the annular flange 33 is provided with an annular internal groove 35 complementary to and adapted to engage the rim 14 on the bottom of the recessed portion 12 of the cartridge 11. The upstanding annular flange 33 and the bottom portion 31 is fabricated of a resilient material such as polyethylene so that the knob 31 may be snapped over the rib 13, thereby mounting the bottom 31 rotatably upon the cartridge 11. The bottom 31 is also provided with an axial, generally square transverse passage 36 dimensioned to snugly receive the shank 25. The shank 25 is approximately as long as the knob 31 is thick at the opening 36.

In operation, the piston 23 is threadably engaged to the threaded transport screw 22 at its bottom adjacent to the shank 25. The bottom 31 is then snap-engaged to the screw 22. This engagement is accomplished by forcing the screw 22 downwardly against the opening 36 in the knob 31. The generally truncated pyramidal or conical tip 27 engages the opening 36. The diameter of the bottom-most or smallest end of the tip 27 should be slightly less than the diameter of the opening 36 so that it fits therein. Downward pressure against the screw 22 causes the

arms

30, 30 to deflect inwardly closing the slot 29. This action is facilitated by the cam action of the truncated pyramidal or conical shape of the tip 27. The thickness of the slot 29 is dimensioned to permit the entire tip 27 to pass through the opening 36 when the

legs

30, 30 are sufliciently deflected inwardly. After the tip 27 passes through the opening 36, the normal resilience of the

arms

30, 30 cause them to snap outwardly so that the surface 28 engages the bottom 32 of the knob 31, thereby positively retaining the screw 22 in engagement therewith. For the purpose of this application and its claims, I define this type of fastening means as snap-engaging means.

The knob 31 with the transport screw 22 mounted thereon for rotation therewith, is then snap-engaged to the cartridge 11. The complementary rib 13 in groove 34 and rim 14 in groove 35 provide a sealed yet rotatable engagement between the knob 31 and the cartridge 11. When so assembled, the piston 32 is in the lowermost position and the cartridge 11 may then be filled with cosmetic material through the opposite end. When filled with a cosmetic material, the opposite end of the cartridge 11 may be closed by insertion of the ball applicator 16 Rotation of the knob 31 causes the transport screw 22 to rotate with it. Rotation of the screw 22 in turn causes the piston 23 to move axially upwardly or downwardly thereon. As the piston 23 moves upwardly, cosmetic material in the cartridge 11 is forced upwardly against the bottom of the applicator ball 16. As the applicator ball 16 rotates, cosmetic material adhering to the bottom thereof is carried to the body while additional cosmetic material passes from the cartridge 11 onto the bottom of the applicator ball 16.

A second embodiment of my invention is illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4. The dispenser, as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, comprises a generally cylindrical case or cartridge 37 having an integral bottom 38. As in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in FIG- URES l and 2, the cartridge 37 may have a circular, elliptical or any other suitable cross-sectional configuration. The cartridge 37 defines a cosmetic material supply chamber or cavity 39. The end of the cartridge 37 opposite the bottom 38 is open and is rotatably connected to a ball dispenser assembly 40.

The ball dispenser assembly 40 comprises a generally annular base 41 having formed thereon an upstanding annular flange 42. Formed integrally with the top of the flange 42 are a plurality of internally arcuate ball retainer fingers 43 which rotatably mount a dispensing ball 44 therebetween. The annular base 41 is provided with a plurality of radial, inwardly disposed legs 45. The inwardly extending ends of the legs 45 are formed integrally with a mounting ring 46. There is thus defined a plurality of generally wedge-shaped openings or sectors 47 between the legs 45 to permit passage of the cosmetic material from the cavity 39 upwardly to the ball 44.

A downwardly extending annular flange 48 is formed integrally with the base 41 of the ball assembly 40. The external, vertical surface of the flange 48 is provided with an annular rib 49 adapted to seat within a complementary groove 50 in the internal face of the cavity 39 at the top of the cartridge 37. The external surface of the flange 42 formed on the top of the base 41 is provided with a generally helical thread-form 51 to threadably receive a cap 52 which fits over the ball dispensing assembly 40. The external surface of the cartridge 37 at its open top is provided with an annular recess 53 adapted to receive the lowermost port-ion of the cap 52 thus forming a smooth, continuous surface with the cartridge 37.

A threaded transport 54 is mounted between the ring 46 in the ball dispensing assembly 40 and the bottom 38 of the cartridge 37. The top of the transport 54 is provided with -a generally square shank 55 which rotatably mounts within a square opening in the ring 46. The end of the transport 54 is provided with a generally truncated, pyramidal tip 56 having an abutment surface 57 adapted to extend radially outwardly over the top of the ring 46. The end of the transport 54, mounted within the ring 46, is bifurcated having been provided with a transverse, vertical slot 58 extending from the truncated, conical tip 56 downwardly into the threaded portion of the transport 54.

The opposite end of the transport 54 is provided with a cylindrical shank 59. The shank 59 is mounted within a circular opening 60 in the bottom 38 of the cartridge 37. The end of the shank 59 opposite the threads is provided with a generally truncated, pyramidal tip 61 defining an annular abutment surface 62 underlying .a portion of the bottom 38 of the cartridge 37 immediately adjacent to the opening 60. This end of the transport 54 is also bifurcated having a transverse slot 63 extending from the bottom of the top 61 upwardly into the threaded portion.

A piston 64 is threadably engaged to the transport 54 within the cavity 39. The piston 64 is provided with a pair of vertical,

opposed grooves

65, 65 which are adapted to slidably receive a pair of

complementary rails

66, 66 extending generally vertically upwardly along the internal surface of the cavity 39 in the cartridge 37.

In operation, rotation of the cartridge 37 with respect to the ball dispensing assembly 40 produces rotation of the transport shaft 54 since the square shank 55 is keyed to the square opening in the ring 46 of the ball dispensing assembly 40. In contrast, the round shank 59 on the opposite end of the transport 54 is rotatably mounted within the square opening 60.

During assembly, the piston 64 is first threadably engaged to the bottom of the transport 54. This requires but a few revolutions of the piston 64. The transport 54 with the piston 64 threadably engaged thereto at its bottom is then inserted through the open top end of the cartridge 37. The conical tip- 61 is pressed against the round opening 60 in the bottom 38 of the cartridge 37. The diameter of the tip 61 at its bottom-most end is dimensioned slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening 60 to produce a cam effect as the tip 61 is forced into the opening 60. Since the tip 61, the shank 59 and the end of the transport 54 adjacent thereto are bifurcated, having been provided with the transverse slot 63, the tip 61 deflects inwardly closing the slot 63 and permitting the wider portions of the tip to pass through the opening 60. When the tip 61 has completely passed through the opening 60, its bifurcated end snaps outwardly under the norrnal resilience of the material from which it is fabricated. The shoulder 62 engages the bottom 38 peripherally to the opening 60 thereby positively retaining the transport 54 therein. In a similar manner, the ball dispensing assembly 40 is forced downwardly over the tip 56 on the opposite end of the transport 54. Again, since the top-most portion of the tip 56 has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening in the ring 46, the cam action deflects the bifurcated tip 56 inwardly to permit it to pass through the ring 46. When the tip 56 has completely passed through the ring 46, it expands outwardly under its normal resilience so that the annular shoulder 57 engages the top of the ring 46. Thus, the transport 54 is keyed to and positively retained in the ring 46. Of course, the ball dispensing assembly 40 is dimensioned with respect to the cartridge 37 and the transport 54, that the end-s of the transport seat within the

openings

46 and 60 when the assembly 40 is engaged to the top of the cartridge 37.

As the cartridge 37 and the ball dispensing assembly 40 rotate with respect to each other, the transport 54 also rotates. Since the piston 64 threadably engaged to the transport 54 is held against rotation therewith by means of the engagement of the

grooves

65, 65 in its side with the

rails

66, 66 on the internal surface of the cartridge 37, the piston 64 will rise and fall within the cavity 39 depending upon the direction of relative rotation between the cartridge 37 and the ball dispensing assembly 40. As the piston 64 rises, cosmetic material within the cavity 39 thereabove, is forced through the sectoral openings defined by the radial legs 45 in the ball dispensing assembly 40. Thus, cosmetic material is force-fed to the bottom of the ball 44.

The foregoing description is merely intended to illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The component parts have been shown and described. They each may have substitutes which may perform a substantially similar function; such substitutes may be known as proper substitutes for the said components and may have actually been known or invented before the present invention; these substitutes are contemplated as being within the scope of the appended claims, although they are not specificaliy catalogued herein.

I claim:

1. A cosmetic dispenser comprising:

(a) a hollow cartridge defining a supply chamber open at both ends,

(b) the supply chamber having a uniform crosssectional configuration and dimension along its longitudinal axis,

(c) a closure on each open end of the cartridge, one

closure being rotatably mounted to the cartridge,

(d) a transport positioned within the supply chamber,

(e) a polygonal shank on an end of the transport,

(f) the rotatable closure having a transverse polygonal opening shaped to conform to the said shank and dimensioned to receive and seat the shank therein,

(g) a generally truncated, bifurcated tip on the end of said polygonal shank, the tip being resiliently compressible for passage through the said opening in the rotatable closure and resiliently expandable after passage therethrough to positively secure the transport against disengagement from the closure,

(h) a piston rotatably mounted on the transport, the piston having a passage dimensioned to pass the said tip on the polygonal shank of the transport,

(i) the said polygonal shank and tip fixedly connecting the transport to the rotatably mounted closure for rotation therewith,

(j) the piston when mounted on the transport and connected to the said rotatable closure being shaped and dimensioned to pass through the end of the cartridge to which said closure is rotatably mounted,

(k) cooperative means on the piston and within the supply chamber securing the piston to the cartridge for rotation therewith, the piston moving longitudinally with the supply chamber upon rotation of the transport with respect to the cartridge,

(1) a ball dispenser mounted on one end of the cartridge, the ball dispenser defining one of the aforesaid closures, and

(In) passage means communicating between the supply chamber and the ball dispenser.

2. A cosmetic dispenser comprising:

(a) a hollow cartridge defining a supply chamber open at both ends,

(c) a bottom on one end of the cartridge,

((1) a ball dispenser assembly rotatably mounted to the opposite end of the cartridge,

(e) a transport positioned within the supply chamber,

(f) a polygonal shank on an end of the transport,

(g) the rotatable ball dispensing assembly having a transverse polygonal opening shaped and dimensioned to receive and seat the said polygonal shank therein,

(h) a generally truncated, bifurcated tip on the end of the said polygonal shank, the tip being resiliently compressible for passage through the said opening in the rotatable closure and resiliently expandable after passage therethrough to positively secure the transport against disengagement from the ball dispenser assembly,

(i) the transport being fixedly and positively connected to the ball dispenser assembly for rotation therewith,

(j) a cylindrical shank on the opposite end of the transport,

(k) the bottom having a circular transverse opening dimensioned to receive the said cylindrical shank, (l) a generally truncated, bifurcated tip on the end of said cylindrical shank, the tip being resiliently compressible for passage through the said circular opening in the bottom and resiliently expandable after passage therethrough to positively secure the transport against disengagement from the bottom,

(m) the transport being rotatably and positively connected to the bottom of the cartridge,

(11) a piston rotatably mounted on the transport, the piston having a passage dimensioned to pass the tip on the end of the cylindrical shank of the transport therethrough,

(o) the piston when mounted on the transport adjacent to the cylindrical shank on the end of the transport being shaped and dimensioned to pass through the end of the cartridge to which the ball dispenser as- 7 8 sembly is rotatably mounted and downwardly to the 3,100,315 8/63 Laxalt 15558 bottom of the cartridge, and FOREIGN PATENTS (p) passage means communicating between the supply chamber and the ball dispenser assembly. 1,261,214 4/61 France- 5 249,25 3 7/ 12 Germany. References Cited by the Examiner 191,843 Great B i a n.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 597893 9/59 Italy' 132,662,922 10/32 Braselton 20656 ROBERT W. MITCHELL, Primary Examiner.

,0 8,1 11/ S h 11 5-17 3,010,138 11,61 gg L595 2 10 WALTER A. scHEE Exam r.

3,088,161 5/63 Schaich 15-572

Claims

1. A COSMETIC DISPENSER COMPRISING: (A) A HOLLOW CARTRIDGE DEFINING A SUPPLY CHAMBER OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, (B) THE SUPPLY CHAMBER HAVING A UNIFORM CROSSSECTIONAL CONFIGURATION AND DIMENSION ALONG ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS, (C) A CLOSURE ON EACH OPEN END OF THE CARTRIDGE, ONE CLOSURE BEING ROTATABLY MOUNTED TO THE CARTRIDGE, (D) A TRANSPORT POSITIONED WITHIN THE SUPPLY CHAMBER, (E) A POLYGONAL SHANK ON AN END OF THE TRANSPORT, (F) THE ROTATABLE CLOSURE HAVING A TRANSVERSE POLYGONAL OPENING SHAPED TO CONFORM TO THE SAID SHANK AND DIMENSIONED TO RECEIVE AND SEAT THE SHANK THEREIN, (G) A GENERALLY TRUNCATED, BIFURCATED TIP ON THE END OF SAID POLYGONAL SHANK, THE TIP BEING RESILIENTLY COMPRESSIBLE FOR PASSAGE THROUGH THE SAID OPENING IN THE ROTATABLE CLOSURE AND RESILIENTLY EXPANDABLE AFTER PASSAGE THERETHROUGH TO POSITIVELY SECURE THE TRANSPORT AGAINST DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE CLOSURE, (H) A PISTON ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE TRANSPORT, THE PISTON HAVING A PASSAGE DIMENSIONED TO PASS THE SAID TIP ON THE POLYGONAL SHANK OF THE TRANSPORT, (I) THE SAID POLYGONAL SHANK AND TIP FIXEDLY CONNECTING THE TRANSPORT TO THE ROTATABLY MOUNTED CLOSURE FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, (J) THE PISTON WHEN MOUNTED ON THE TRANSPORT AND CONNECTED TO THE SAID ROTATABLE CLOSURE BEING SHAPED AND DIMENSIONED TO PASS THROUGH THE END OF THE CARTRIDGE TO WHICH SAID CLOSURE IS ROTATABLY MOUNTED. (K) COOPERATIVE MEANS ON THE PISTON AND WITHIN THE SUPPLY CHAMBER SECURING THE PISTON TO THE CARTRIDGE FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, THE PISTON MOVING LONGITUDINALLY WITH THE SUPPLY CHAMBER UPON ROTATION OF THE TRANSPORT WITH RESPECT TO THE CARTRIDGE, (L) A BALL DISPENSER MOUNTED ON ONE END OF THE CARTRIDGE, THE BALL DISPENSER DEFINING ONE OF THE AFORESAID CLOSURES, AND (M) PASSAGE MEANS COMMUNICATING BETWEEN THE SUPPLY CHAMBER AND THE BALL DISPENSER.