Patent Application
20060291949
The present invention relates generally to cosmetic containers and dispensers. Stated more particularly, disclosed herein is a cosmetic containing and dispensing arrangement demonstrating smooth swiveling action by a frictional engagement between relatively moveable components.
In a typical prior art lipstick dispenser, an elevator cup retains a body of lipstick for axial extension and retraction by a swiveling of a base portion in relation to a body portion of the dispenser. Dispensers have commonly employed a cam member with helical threads formed therealong that is rotatably associated with a tubular innerbody that has one or more longitudinal tracks formed therein. The elevator cup typically has one or more lugs received through the longitudinal track and associated with the helical threads of the cam member. Under this arrangement, a rotation of the cam member in relation to the tubular innerbody induces the desired axial movement of the elevator cup and the retained body of lipstick as the lug or lugs of the elevator cup slide along the helical threads and the longitudinal track.
This basic lipstick dispensing design has demonstrated plural disadvantages that have been well recognized in the cosmetic industry. For example, there can be axial and radial looseness between the various components of the lipstick dispenser that can lead to a perceived lack of quality of the device and, by inference, the retained product. The lipstick product can also be perceived as being inferior when the swivel torque required to operate the dispenser is excessively light or inconsistent. Still further, a loosely retained elevator cup can wobble thereby resulting in damage to the product, which again would be likely to reduce the perceived quality thereof.
Conversely, it has been found that a lipstick mechanism with a smooth feel and with consistent torque characteristics lends a perception of quality to the device with a resultant increase in the perceived value of the product. A frictional drag of sufficient significance imparts a firm feel to the device that gives an impression of luxury. Preferably, the frictional drag will remain generally constant during extension and retraction of the lipstick and without regard to whether the dispenser is substantially full or substantially exhausted of cosmetic.
The prior art has attempted numerous arrangements for meeting these needs and goals. In one construction, tabs project radially from the innerbody to provide a frictional engagement with the cam member. That frictional engagement is intended to provide the dispenser with the desired braking effect and constant swivel torque. Other arrangements have produced a similar frictional engagement by the introduction of fins or ribs on the innerbody. It has been found, however, that the tabs and ribs can plastically deform over time thereby losing effectiveness. Furthermore, such constructions consume significant materials and can be considered rather complex in manufacture. Still further, such arrangements can yield an inconsistent swivel torque during travel of the elevator cup since the effective diameter of the components can vary along their length thereby changing the frictional drag in an undesirable manner.
Another problem exhibited by many prior art lipstick dispensers is an unintentional retraction of the elevator cup during use of the dispenser. In such a situation, the force necessary to apply the lipstick tends to drive the elevator cup toward a retracted position as the lugs slide down the helical threads of the cam member. This retraction has been prevented by the provision of a lateral locking track at the distal end of the innerbody longitudinal track. However, when the dispenser is anything other than fully extended, the locking track is inoperative.
Based on the state of the art as summarized above, it becomes clear that there remains a need for an improved cosmetic dispenser that overcomes the difficulties that have been demonstrated by devices of the prior art while providing additional, heretofore unrealized advantages thereover.
Advantageously, the present invention is founded on the broadly stated object of providing a dispenser for cosmetics, such as lipsticks, that overcomes the disadvantages from which the prior art has suffered while achieving further previously unrealized advantages thereover.
A more particular object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser that extends and retracts a cosmetic smoothly and with consistent swivel torque characteristics.
Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser that demonstrates a frictional drag during operation of the dispenser to impart a firm feel to the user.
A further object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser that minimizes perceptible looseness and play between components.
A resultant object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser that provides an impression of quality and luxury to the user.
Still another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide a cosmetic dispenser that conserves materials and is relatively efficient in construction, assembly, and operation.
These and further objects and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become obvious not only to one who reviews the present specification and drawings but also to one who has an opportunity to make use of an embodiment of the cosmetic dispenser disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however, that, although the accomplishment of each of the foregoing objects in a single embodiment of the invention may be possible and indeed preferred, not all embodiments will seek or need to accomplish each and every potential object and advantage. Nonetheless, all such embodiments should be considered within the scope of the invention.
In carrying forth the aforementioned objects, a basic embodiment of the present invention for a cosmetic dispenser comprises a cam member, an adapter member with an open inner volume for receiving a distal portion of the cam member in a relatively rotatable, mating relationship, and an elevator member with a cosmetic retaining portion and an elevator rod. A means can be provided for producing an axial movement of the elevator member in response to a rotation of the cam member in relation to the adapter member. With the axial movement of the elevator member, the cosmetic retaining portion of the elevator member, and thus a volume of cosmetic, can be manipulated between an extended disposition for enabling application of the cosmetic and a retracted, storage disposition. A shell can envelope the elevator member and the cosmetic when the two are in a retracted disposition.
The adapter member can be tubular with an annular inner wall surface. An elevator aperture can be disposed in a distal end of the adapter member, and a proximal portion of the elevator rod can be received through the elevator aperture and into the cam member. In such an arrangement, the means for producing an axial movement of the elevator member in response to a relative rotation between the cam member and the adapter member can take the form of at least one helical thread disposed on the cam member, such as along an inner annular surface thereof, in combination with a means, such as one or more lugs adjacent to the proximal end of the elevator rod, for engaging the elevator rod with the at least one helical thread.
To promote the ability of the helical thread or threads to induce an extension and retraction of the elevator rod, a means can be provided for preventing a rotation of the elevator rod in relation to the adapter member such that the lug or lugs will slide along the helical thread or threads during a rotation of the cam member in relation to the adapter member. In one example of the invention, that means could comprise a formation of the elevator rod and the elevator aperture with noncircular cross sections, which could be similar or different. In one presently contemplated embodiment, the elevator rod and the elevator aperture can each have a generally rectangular cross section, possibly with rounded end portions.
To provide the desired firm, luxurious feel during operation of the cosmetic dispenser, embodiments of the invention can incorporate a means for inducing frictional drag between the cam member and the adapter member during a rotation therebetween. The inner diameter of the adapter member can be greater than the outer diameter of the cam member by a diametrical difference, and at least one drag protuberance can be interposed between the inner diameter of the adapter member and the outer diameter of the cam member. The drag protuberance or protuberances can produce an effective change in diameter greater than the diametrical difference between the inner diameter of the adapter member and the outer diameter of the cam member such that the drag protuberance or protuberances will induce a frictional engagement between the cam member and the adapter member.
The drag protuberance or protuberances can project from the outer wall surface of the cam member or from the inner wall surface of the wall of the adapter member. Alternatively, one or more drag protuberances can project from the outer wall surface of the cam member while one or more drag protuberances can project from the inner wall surface of the adapter member. Where the at least one drag protuberance projects from the inner wall surface of the wall of the adapter member, the effective change in diameter can comprise a reduced effective diameter of the adapter member. Under such arrangements, the drag protuberance or protuberances will tend to slide along the same portion of wall surface as the cam member is rotated in relation to the adapter member thereby creating a consistent frictional drag.
To better enable the cam member and the adapter member to be engaged in a mating relationship and to enable a control of the torque required to produce a relative rotation therebetween, the wall of the adapter member, or possibly the cam member, can be resiliently deflectable in proximity to the at least one drag protuberance. In one manifestation of the invention, for example, the wall of the adapter member can have a thin wall area in proximity to the at least one drag protuberance that is sufficiently thin to permit a resilient deflection of the at least one drag protuberance. The thin wall area can at least partially overlap, possibly by substantially surrounding, the at least one drag protuberance. A wall area of the adapter member outside of the thin wall area can be thicker than the thin wall area such that it is substantially inflexible and rigid.
The number of drag protuberances can vary within the scope of the invention. A single drag protuberance could be provided. Alternatively, first and second drag protuberances, which could be disposed in general opposition, can be employed. In still other constructions, three or more drag protuberances, which could possibly be evenly disposed to ensure a concentric reduced effective diameter, can be interposed between the cam member and the adapter member. A thin wall area to enable a resilient deflection can be disposed in proximity to one, some, or all drag protuberances.
To promote the ability of the drag protuberance or protuberances to deflect, at least the thin wall area of the adapter member and possibly the entire adapter member can be formed from a resiliently deflectable material. While numerous different materials are within the scope of the invention, one presently contemplated material comprises polyoxymethylene or POM. The cam member can be formed from the same material as the adapter member or from a different material. In one construction, the cam member can be formed from a rigid polymeric material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS.
Additional protuberances can be interposed between the inner surface of the adapter member and the outer surface of the cam member that do not have a resiliently deflectable wall portion associated therewith. Such protuberances, which can be termed centering protuberances, can project radially inwardly from, for example, the adapter member a lesser distance than the drag protuberances to establish what can be termed a centering diameter. The centering diameter can be less than the inner diameter of the adapter member but greater than the reduced effective diameter created by the drag protuberances. In certain cases, the centering diameter can be slightly less than the outside diameter of the cam member to produce frictional drag. Alternatively, the centering diameter can be equal to or greater than the outside diameter of the cam member such that the centering protuberances will reduce play between the cam member and the adapter member while not tending to create substantial frictional drag therebetween.
With a plurality of embodiments of the present invention for a cosmetic dispenser summarily described, one will appreciate that the foregoing discussion broadly outlines the more important features of the invention merely to enable a better understanding of the detailed description that follows and to instill a better appreciation of the inventor's contribution to the art. Before an embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it must be made clear that the following details of construction, descriptions of geometry, and illustrations of inventive concepts are mere examples of the many possible manifestations of the invention.
In the accompanying figures:
As is the case with many inventions, the present invention for a cosmetic dispenser with frictional swivel action is subject to a wide variety of embodiments. However, to ensure that one skilled in the art will be able to understand and, in appropriate cases, practice the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of the broader invention revealed herein are described below and shown in the accompanying drawing figures.
With this in mind and looking more particularly to the accompanying figures, a first exemplary embodiment of a cosmetic dispenser pursuant to the present invention is indicated generally at 10 in
For ease of reference, the cosmetic dispenser 10 can be considered to have a proximal end defined by the base of the cam member 14 while the tip of the tubular shell 18 can be considered to define a distal end of the cosmetic dispenser 10. Each component of the cosmetic dispenser 10 can be described under that convention. It should be noted that, while the term member is employed in relation to the adapter member 12, the cam member 14, and the elevator member 16, each could be formed unitarily as a single piece of material or from multiple subcomponents joined by any effective method to form the respective structure. Just as clearly, except as otherwise described or claimed, the adapter member 12, the cam member 14, the elevator member 16, and the tubular shell 18 can be formed from any suitable material and by any effective method.
A greater understanding of the adapter member 12 can be had by reference to
The cam member 14, which is shown alone in
The adapter member 12 and the cam member 14 can be rotatably retained in relation to one another. In the present example, a means for retaining the adapter member 12 in relation to the cam member 14 comprises an annular retaining ridge 48 that rings the outer surface of the distal portion of the cam member 14 and engages an annular furrow 30 formed along an inner diameter of the adapter member 12. Under this arrangement, the adapter member 12 and the cam member 14 can be rotatably coupled by a mechanical engagement between the retaining ridge 48 and the furrow 30. Of course, the retaining ridge 48 and the furrow 30 could be oppositely disposed. It will also be noted that numerous other means for accomplishing such a rotatable coupling would readily occur to one skilled in the art after reading this disclosure.
The cam member 14 can have a plurality of radially communicating fins 50 projecting from a proximal portion thereof for enabling an actuation of the cosmetic dispenser 10 as will be described below. Additionally, the inner annular wall of the cam member 14 can have one or more helical threads 54 disposed therealong for conveying the elevator member 16 as will also be elaborated upon below. The fins 50 and the helical threads 54 can be integrally formed with the tubular body 46 or can be fixed or coupled thereto.
The elevator member 16, which is shown apart from the remaining components of the cosmetic dispenser 10 in
One or more elevator lugs 38 can project from the elevator rod 36 for engaging the helical thread or threads 54 of the cam member 14. In the depicted example, first and second elevator lugs 38 project from opposed sides of the elevator rod 36 adjacent to the proximal end thereof. As
Relative rotation between the elevator member 16 and the adapter member 12 can be prevented to facilitate the sliding of the elevator lug or lugs 38 along the thread or threads 54. Numerous effective methods and means will readily occur to one skilled in the art after reading this disclosure with each such method and means being within the scope of the present invention. In certain constructions, relative rotation can be prevented by forming the elevator rod 36 of the elevator member 16 and the elevator aperture 22 of the adapter member 12 with noncircular cross sections, which can be similar or different. In the present case, the elevator rod 36 and the elevator aperture 22 have generally rectangular cross sections with straight sides and rounded ends.
The lugs 38 can project in opposing directions from opposed, narrower sides of the elevator rod 36. Also, one or more stop protuberances 40 can project from the elevator rod 36 adjacent to the proximal end thereof but distal to the lugs 38. The retaining protuberances 40 can project in opposing directions from the opposed, broader cross-sectional dimension of the elevator rod 36 to be wider than the distance between the corresponding opposed, broader sides of the elevator aperture 22. Under this arrangement, the retaining protuberances 40 prevent an overextension of the elevator member 16 while remaining clear of the helical thread or threads 54 of the cam member 14 as the lugs 38 will intermesh with the helical thread or threads 54.
The proximal end of the elevator rod 36 can be chamfered as can be the distal surface of the elevator aperture 22 to facilitate an insertion of the elevator rod 36 into and through the elevator aperture 22. Further, one or both of the opposed, broader sides of the elevator aperture 22 can be flexible to enable the insertion of the proximal end of the elevator rod 36 through the elevator aperture 22 without damage to the retaining protuberances 40. In the present example, both of the opposed, broader sides of the elevator aperture 22 are rendered flexible by being formed with flexible tongue portions 27. The flexible tongue portions 27 are formed by the formation of a concave area on the underside of the distal end portion of the adapter member 12. Other arrangements for rendering the opposed sides of the elevator aperture 22 flexible are possible and within the scope of the invention.
The tubular shell 18 can have a proximal end engaged with the adapter member 12 and can be constructed to encase substantially the entire member of lipstick 100 when the elevator member 16 is in a retracted disposition and to allow substantially the entire member of lipstick 100 to project beyond a distal end of the tubular shell 18 when the elevator member 16 is in an extended disposition. The proximal end of the tubular shell 18 can be perpendicular to the axis of the tubular shell 18 while the distal end of the tubular shell 18 can also be perpendicular to the axis of the tubular shell 18 or mitered as in
With the cosmetic dispenser 10 fully assembled, the elevator cup 34, and thus a member of lipstick 100, can be manipulated between the extended configuration depicted in
As noted previously, a cosmetic dispenser that extends and retracts smoothly and with consistent torque characteristics, such as by the provision of frictional drag, tends to impart a firm and luxurious feel to the user that gives the perception of quality as to the cosmetic dispenser and the product retained thereby. The present invention can incorporate a means for inducing a frictional drag between the cam member 14 and the adapter member 12 to provide the desired torque characteristics.
Taking
The adapter member 12 can have a thinned wall portion 24 that overlaps and possibly surrounds one, both, or all of the drag protuberance or protuberances 26. Each thinned wall portion 24 and possibly the entire adapter member 12 can be formed from a deflectable material, preferably a resiliently deflectable material. With this, the drag protuberance or protuberances 26 can deflect to accommodate the outside diameter of the body portion 46 of the cam member 14. Since the adapter member 12 and the cam member 14 do not move axially in relation to one another, the protuberance or protuberances 26 travel radially over the same portion of the smooth outer surface of the cam member 14. As a result, the frictional drag will be smooth and substantially constant, which represents an improvement over many cosmetic dispensers of the prior art. Furthermore, the amount of frictional drag can be controlled by a calibration of, among other things, the thickness of the thinned wall portion 24, the difference between the reduced effective diameter and the outside diameter of the cam member 14, and the materials from which the cam member 14 and the adapter member 12 are formed.
Additional protuberances 28 can be interposed between the inner surface of the adapter member 12 and the outer surface of the cam member 14 without having a resiliently deflectable wall portion 24 associated therewith. Such protuberances 28, which can be termed centering protuberances 28, can project radially inwardly from, for example, the adapter member 12 a lesser distance than the drag protuberances 26 to establish what can be termed a centering diameter. The centering diameter can be less than the inner diameter of the adapter member 12 but greater than the reduced effective diameter created by the drag protuberances 26. In certain cases, the centering diameter can be slightly less than the outside diameter of the cam member 14 to produce frictional drag. Alternatively, the centering diameter can be equal to or greater than the outside diameter of the cam member 14 such that the centering protuberances will reduce play between the cam member 14 and the adapter member 12 while not tending to create substantial frictional drag therebetween. The centering diameter can be between a single centering protuberance 28 and an opposing portion of the inner wall of the adapter member 12, between opposed centering protuberances 28 as depicted in the present embodiment, or between further centering protuberances 28 establishing a general reduced effective diameter or multiple, likely identical, centering diameters.
It will, of course, be appreciated that the dimensions of the components of the cosmetic dispenser 10 could vary within the scope of the invention. Nonetheless, the description of dimensions in relation to one potential embodiment of the cosmetic dispenser 10 may assist in a better understanding of the invention. For convenience, reasonable tolerances will be assumed. It will be noted that the particular dimensions and dimensional relations will vary depending on the needs and goals of the manufacturer and on the materials from which the components are formed.
In one construction, the distal portion of the cam member 14 can have an outside diameter of 8.99 mm (0.354 inches) while the adapter member 12 can have an inside diameter of 9.14 mm (0.360 inches) thereby leaving a difference in diameters of 0.15 mm (0.006 inches). The opposed centering protuberances 28 can each project 0.05 mm (0.001 inches) to cooperate to produce a centering diameter of 9.04 mm (0.356 inches), which leaves a slight clearance in relation to the outside diameter of the cam member 14. However, the opposed drag protuberances 26 can each project 0.165 mm (0.0065 inches) such that they would cooperate to produce a reduced effective diameter of 8.81 mm (0.347 inches), which is 0.18 mm (0.007 inches) smaller than the outside diameter of the cam member 14.
By virtue of the thinned wall portion 24 and the formation of the thinned wall portion 24 from a deflectable, possibly resiliently deflectable, material, the drag protuberances 26 can deflect to extend the reduced effective diameter to accommodate the outer diameter of the cam member 14, which can be smooth. With that, the drag protuberances 26 will press on the outer surface of the cam member 14 and will exert a frictional drag during a rotation of the adapter member 12 in relation to the cam member 14. In one example of the adapter member 12, the wall 25 can have a general thickness of 1.42 mm (0.056 inches). The thinned wall portion 24 can be sufficiently thin to permit the resiliency and frictional drag contemplated herein. By way of example, the thinned wall portion 24 can have a thickness between approximately 0.15 mm (0.006 inches) and 0.76 mm (0.030 inches).
It will again be noted that the components of the cosmetic dispenser 10 could be formed form numerous different materials. In one presently contemplated embodiment, the cam member 14 can be formed from a rigid material to ensure that it retains its form and to prevent failure of the threads 54 and fins 50. The rigid material can, for example, comprise a rigid thermoplastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS. It has been found that the drag protuberances 26, the thinned wall portion 24, and possibly the entire adapter member 12 can be formed from a different thermoplastic, such as polyoxymethylene or POM, which can be advantageous for, among other things, its abrasion resistance, dimensional stability, excellent resilience, and low friction characteristics due to what has been termed a natural self-lubrication. For the same reasons, the elevator member 16 can also be formed from a rigid thermoplastic, which again can comprise POM. The tubular shell 18 can be formed from a metal, such as aluminum.
By forming the cam member 14 and the adapter member 12 from different materials, such as ABS and POM respectively, it has been discovered that the components can be rotated in relation to each other with minimal or no start up friction but with the desired frictional drag being present as the drag protuberances 28 slide along the outer surface of the cam member 14. Because the drag protuberances 28 slide over the same portion of the cam member 14, the frictional drag will be highly consistent. The same frictional drag will cause the elevator member 16 and a member of lipstick 100 retained thereby to resist retracting in response to the application of axial force thereto, such as during the application of lipstick.
From the foregoing, it will be clear that the present invention for a cosmetic dispenser 10 has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments that merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Certainly those skilled in the art can conceive of alternative embodiments. For instance, those with the major features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments.
With the foregoing in mind, the following claims are intended to define the scope of protection to be afforded the inventor, and the claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. A plurality of the following claims express certain elements as a means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, these claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in the specification but also equivalents thereof.
