The present disclosure relates generally to dispenser systems. In particular, dispenser systems having a plurality of containers are described.
Many individuals consider caring for one's skin to be important for health, aesthetic, and hygienic reasons. Topically applying skincare products, often to one's face, arms, hands, legs and feet, is a common method of caring for one's skin. Some practice skincare regimens that involve multiple steps, including a popular ten step skincare regimen.
A wide variety of skincare products exist, commonly in the form of creams, lotions, salves, toners, serums, treatments, and moisturizers. Different skincare products may serve different purposes. Often personal skincare regimens include topically applying multiple different skincare products.
Many skincare products benefit from being topically applied with an applicator. Applying product by hand is time consuming and unhygienic because one must open and close multiple containers and touching one's face after touching the container surfaces can transfer germs to one's mouth, eyes, nose, and ears. Further, applying skincare products by hand can leave one's hands greasy and slippery.
Conventional means for storing, dispensing, and applying skincare products have various disadvantages. For example, storing and using multiple containers of skincare product is cumbersome, inconvenient, messy, and unorganized. Working with individuals product containers increases the chances of misplacing a given container, cap, or applicator.
Existing attempts to manage multiple containers of skincare products are not entirely satisfactory. For instance, known systems for managing multiple containers of skincare products either lack an applicator component or are limited to housings with fixed chambers of predetermined size in which to contain different skincare products. Housings with fixed containers generally limit people to a single brand of skincare products rather than allowing them to mix and match skincare products from different brands.
Further, housings with fixed chambers of predetermined size do not accommodate changes in the number or size of the containers within the dispenser systems nor do they allow a user to swap out containers as he or she sees fit. For example, a user may later wish to have a larger size container in the dispenser systems to store a skincare product in larger volume.
Some known attempts to manage multiple skincare products in a single system or housing are undesirably complex. For example, some existing solutions require microprocessors, sensors, and other electronics to function. Complex electronics increase costs and are more prone to malfunction than mechanical solutions.
Even known mechanical solutions suffer from complexities. For instance, some existing mechanical dispenser systems rely on a centralized pumping element and/or a centralized outlet. Centralized pumping elements limit a system to predefined container configurations and sizes. When the container configuration and/or sizes are changed, the system must undergo complex redesign efforts. A centralized outlet also limits the forms of products that can be stored within the dispenser systems. When different forms of products must exit through one single outlet, some products, such as cream or oil, can leave behind residues that cause clogging issues over time or unintended product mixing effects.
Another limitation of conventional dispenser systems is their lack of means to clean product applicators and containers. Germs and bacteria can accumulate on product applicators and containers over time and during use. Accumulated germs and bacteria can create an unhygienic environment not ideal for close contact with one's skin, hands, face, and orifices. Lacking effective means to clean applicators and containers, current dispenser systems subject users to unhygienic conditions and increase the risk of illness or infection.
Thus, there exists a need for dispenser systems having a plurality of containers that improve upon and advance the design of known skincare product dispenser systems. Examples of new and useful dispenser systems relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.
Disclosure addressing one or more of the identified existing needs is provided in the detailed description below. Examples of references relevant to dispenser systems include U.S. Patent References: U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,440 and patent application publications 20160058156 and 20160270511. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The present disclosure is directed to dispenser systems including a plurality of containers and an applicator. The plurality of containers are supported together to define a container set. Each container in the plurality of containers includes a dispenser configured to dispense contents within the container. The applicator is operatively coupled to the container set and configured to apply contents from the containers to a target surface. In some examples, the dispenser system includes a cap. In certain examples, the dispenser system includes a cleaning system.
The disclosed dispenser systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various dispenser systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
Definitions
The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.
“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.
“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited.
Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.
“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components.
Dispenser Systems Having a Plurality of Containers
With reference to the figures, dispenser systems having a plurality of containers will now be described. The dispenser systems discussed herein function to dispense skincare products from a plurality of containers. In particular, the dispenser systems are configured to accommodate different forms of skincare products produced by different manufacturers and to accommodate different size containers. Additionally or alternatively, the dispenser systems can be used to dispense other products in the form of pastes, slurries, ointments, and the like, such as medicines, makeup, and sunscreen.
The presently described dispenser systems address many of the shortcomings existing with conventional dispenser systems. For example, the dispenser systems described here support skincare product produced by different manufacturers instead of being limited to product produced by just one skincare product manufacturer. Further, the novel dispenser systems below accommodate a variety of different size containers and allow a user to swap out containers as he or she sees fit.
Another improvement over conventional dispenser systems is the lack of complexity existing in the presently described dispenser systems. For example, the dispenser systems described below do not rely on complicated and expensive electronics, which improves reliability and reduces cost. Further, the dispenser systems described here do not require a central pumping mechanism or central outlet, but instead utilize actuators or outlets built into the containers by the container manufacturers. Thus, the presently described dispenser systems are more adaptable to different container configurations and are less complicated to engineer.
The dispenser systems described below improve over known dispenser systems by including cleaning features in certain examples to make the dispenser system more hygienic for the user. By including cleaning features, the present dispenser systems help reduce illness and infection and make using the dispenser system a more pleasant experience.
Dispenser System Embodiment One
With reference to
Dispenser system 100 includes a plurality of containers 102, an applicator 108, a housing 116, a cap 122, and a cleaning system 130. In some examples, the dispenser system includes fewer, additional, or alternative features. For example, some dispenser system examples do not include a housing, a cap and/or a cleaning system.
In certain dispenser system examples, a microprocessor, associated circuitry, and a display and/or audio device is provided along with instructions encoded in memory for communicating information to the user of the dispenser system based on the parameters detected by the one or more sensors. For example, the microprocessor may communicate to the user via the display and/or audio device an optimal order in which to use the products based on the detected pH levels and/or viscosity of the product. The encoded instructions for the order of product application may be based on observed effectiveness correlations indicating that applying skincare products in order of increasing pH levels and viscosity is an especially effective technique. In another example, the encoded instructions may cause the microprocessor to communicate a warning message to the user if a harmful or incompatible ingredient is detected.
Plurality of Containers
Plurality of containers 102 function to store and dispense content 103 within each container 105. In the present example, the content stored and dispensed by plurality of containers 102 are skincare products, but the containers may contain any currently known or later developed content. Suitable content includes solids, liquids, and gases in various forms and combinations, such as lotions, creams, gels, granules, slurries, and vapors. In examples where the contents are skincare products, the skincare products may be any currently known or later developed type of skincare product.
Plurality of containers 102 are supported together to define a container set 104. Container set 104 functions as an integrated unit allowing user 101 to conveniently hold, move, and manipulate all of containers 105 included in container set 104 at once.
In the present example, plurality of containers 102 are supported together by housing 116. In some examples, with or without a housing, the containers are held together by magnetic attraction provided by a magnetic coating applied to the containers. In some examples where magnetic attraction is utilized, magnets are secured to the containers via adhesives or fasteners. In some examples, the walls of the containers are integrally magnetic. In some examples, a portion of the container is magnetic and another portion is subject to magnetic attraction, such as metals and metal coatings.
Additionally or alternatively to magnetic attraction, in some examples the containers are held together mechanically with fasteners or interlocking features designed into the containers. In some examples, the containers are held together with adhesives or hook-and-loop fasteners. In additional examples, the containers are bound together or supported within a tray, by a holding rack, or, as in
Container
Containers 105 serve to store and selectively dispense skincare product. The containers contain different skincare products from different manufacturers. In some examples, the containers are designed to form a substantially airtight seal to provide an “airless” container as that term is known in the product container industry. Airless container help maintain the integrity of product contained within a container by reducing oxidation reactions that can occur when a product is exposed to oxygen molecules in the air.
With reference to
The outlet may be any currently known or later developed form of product outlet, including ports, nozzles, and the like. In some examples, as shown in
With brief reference to
Actuator 111 functions to pump content 103 in container 105 out of outlet 107. In some examples, the actuator functions to open a valve in fluid communication with the outlet to allow product pressurized within the container to exit through the outlet. In the examples shown in
Containers 105 are specifically designed for use with dispenser systems described herein. In certain examples, one or more of the containers in the plurality of containers are consumer products filled with content by a manufacturer while other containers are filled with consumer product content from a consumer product container by a user.
As shown in
The containers may be any currently known or later developed form of container suitable for containing skincare products and other similar products. In some examples, the container includes one or more sensors to detect parameters of relevance to a skincare regimen. Parameters of interest may include the pH level, viscosity, weight, or temperature of the product in the container and/or ingredients or components of the product in the container.
Applicator
Applicator 108 functions to apply content 103 from containers 105 to a target surface 110. As shown in
The reader can see in
In the example, shown in
With reference to
In use, user 101 may first move applicator 108 to a first position where port 112 aligns with dispenser 106 of a first container and dispense content 103 from the first container onto application surface 109 of applicator 108 through port 112. Then, user 101 may apply content 103 to target surface 110 with applicator 108 by pressing application surface 109 on which content 103 is disposed against target surface 110 as shown in
Housing
As shown in
With reference to
As can be seen in
The housing may be formed from any currently known or later developed material suitable for supporting the container set and/or other components of the dispenser system. Suitable materials include plastic, polymers, metal, wood, and composites.
In the example shown in
Cad
Cap 122 functions to cover and protect applicator 108. In the example shown in
With reference to
As shown in
The cap may be formed from any currently known or later developed material suitable for supporting the container set and/or other components of the dispenser system. Suitable materials include plastic, polymers, metal, wood, and composites.
Cleaning System
Cleaning system 130 functions to help user 101 remove content 103, germs, bacteria, and other debris from application surface 109 in addition to cleaning other surfaces, such as the outer surface of housing 116 or target surface 110. Additionally or alternatively, user 101 may use cleaning system 130 to assist with cleaning her fingers or containers 105.
With reference to
Additionally or alternatively, cleaning system may include a cleaning solution to assist with cleaning surfaces. The cleaning solution may be any currently known or later develop cleaning solution formulation. In some examples, the cleaning solution is an alcohol-based solution.
In some examples, the cleaning system includes an ultraviolet light projector to irradiate surfaces with ultraviolet light to reduce or eliminate germs and bacteria on the surfaces. In some examples, the ultraviolet light projector is mounted to irradiate the containers and the applicator to reduce or eliminate germs and bacteria on them.
Additional Embodiments
With reference to the figures not yet discussed, the discussion will now focus on additional dispenser system embodiments. The additional embodiments include many similar or identical features to dispenser system 100. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of the additional embodiments below will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between the additional embodiments and dispenser system 100 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the different dispenser system examples.
Second Embodiment
Turning attention to
A distinction between dispenser system 200 and dispenser system 100 is that dispenser system 200 does not include a housing. Instead, containers 205i-v are held together by magnetic attraction. In the
In some examples where magnetic attraction is utilized, magnets are secured to the containers via adhesives or fasteners. In some examples, the walls of the containers are integrally magnetic. In some examples, a portion of the container is magnetic and another portion is subject to magnetic attraction, such as metals and metal coatings.
Additionally or alternatively to magnetic attraction, in some examples the containers are held together mechanically with fasteners or interlocking features designed into the containers. In some examples, the containers are held together with adhesives or hook-and-loop fasteners. In additional examples, the containers are bound together or supported within a close fitting tray, by a holding rack, or by a housing.
As can be seen in
Containers 205i-v shown in
Third Embodiment
Turning attention to
Fourth Embodiment
With reference to
A distinction between dispenser system 400 and dispenser system 100 is that dispenser system 400 includes support ring 440 encircling containers 405 and on which applicator 408 is removably supported. The reader can see in
In the present example, support ring 440 fits tight enough to the outer circumference of container set 404 to be held in place on container set 404 by friction. However, the fit of support ring 440 is selected to be loose enough to allow support ring 440 to selectively slide relative to container set 404 when moved by a user. In some examples, the support ring is held in place by magnetic attraction. In certain examples, the containers have supports defining a shelf or track formed in them or attached to them by mechanical, adhesive, or magnetic means to movably support the support ring.
Applicator 408 and support ring 440 cooperate to position applicator 408 in a position to collect skincare product from side outlets 407 of containers 405 in container set 404. In particular, as shown in
Applicator 408 is removably supported by support ring 440 to enable the user to bring the applicator towards his or her skin to apply skincare product after dispensing skincare product from a desired container onto applicator 408. The applicator may be held in place in the support ring via a friction fit or latch to help secure the applicator to the support ring until the user desires to remove the applicator.
Cap 422 shown in
Fifth Embodiment
With reference to
A distinction between dispenser system 500 and dispenser system 400 is that applicator 508 is removably and rotationally mounted to the top of containers 505 rather than to the side of container set 404 on support ring 440. Applicator 508 shown in
The inventions described in this application may be made by a variety of industrial processes, including by various mechanical assembly and molding techniques.
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.
This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 62/818,358, filed on Mar. 14, 2019, and to copending Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US20/22648, filed on Mar. 13, 2020, which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2020/022648 | 3/13/2020 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2020/186167 | 9/17/2020 | WO | A |
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1797465 | De Biasi | Mar 1931 | A |
4651890 | Coker | Mar 1987 | A |
7585125 | Muhlhausen | Sep 2009 | B2 |
7722277 | Byun | May 2010 | B2 |
8550739 | Robbins | Oct 2013 | B1 |
11259616 | Bickford | Mar 2022 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210401151 A1 | Dec 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62818358 | Mar 2019 | US |