Powder Vessel for Makeup

Abstract

Disclosed is a powder vessel for makeup including a container body for storing powder, a coupling member coupled to a top portion of the container body, the coupling member having a stopper rib and a receiving bore provided above the stopper rib, an elastically deformable plug member fitted into the receiving bore of the coupling member and resting against the stopper rib, the plug member having a plurality of discharge holes for allowing the powder to be dispensed from the container body, a dispersion member for allowing the power to be uniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member adapted to enclose an outer portion of the plug member and hold the plug member against removal from the receiving bore of the coupling member, and a cover combined with the coupling member in such a manner as to enclose the dispersion member against exposure to the outside.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a powder vessel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a combined perspective view illustrating the powder vessel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the powder vessel illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing an elastically deformable plug member fitted into a container body, with no external force exerted on the plug member;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the elastically deformable plug member fitted into the container body, with an external force exerted on the plug member;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views respectively illustrating examples of the elastically deformable plug member;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a powder vessel in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the powder vessel in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 9.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a powder vessel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a combined perspective view illustrating the powder vessel in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the powder vessel illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing an elastically deformable plug member fitted into a container body, with no external force exerted on the plug member. FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the elastically deformable plug member fitted into the container body, with an external force exerted on the plug member. FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views respectively illustrating examples of the elastically deformable plug member. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a powder vessel in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the powder vessel in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a powder vessel of the present invention includes a container body 10 for storing powder, a coupling member 20 coupled to the container body 10 and having a receiving bore 21 and a stopper rib 22 of a predetermined width, an elastically deformable plug member 30 fitted into the receiving bore 21 of the coupling member 20 and resting against the stopper rib 22, the plug member 30 having a plurality of discharge holes 31 for allowing the powder to be discharged from the container body 10 under a pumping action, a dispersion member 40 for allowing the power dispensed through the discharge holes 31 of the plug member 30 to be uniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member 40 adapted to enclose an outer portion of the plug member 30 and hold the plug member 30 against removal from the receiving bore 21 of the coupling member 20, and a cover 50 combined with the coupling member 20 in such a manner as to enclose the dispersion member 40 against exposure to the outside.

The container body 10 is provided with an internal storage space for storing the powder and is engaged with to the coupling member 20, which in turn carries the elastically deformable plug member 30. Such a container body 10 optionally includes an inner powder bowl 12 of a hemispherical shape that helps the powder to be dispensed with ease. Forming the container body 10 into a dual vessel type assures an easier discharge of the powder and improves aesthetic appearance of the powder vessel.

More specifically, the inner powder bowl 12 received within the container body 10 is adapted to contain the powder therein and has a rim 13 resting on the top periphery of the container body 10. The inner powder bowl 12 is preferably of a hemispherical shape to ensure that the powder can be smoothly dispensed therefrom. Furthermore, the inner powder bowl 12, which is removably combined with the container body 10, may be optionally employed depending on the quantity of the powder to be stored.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 wherein the inner powder bowl 12 is removed from the container body 10, an annular sealing member 14, such as a rubber ring or a packing material, is provided below the bottom end of the coupling member 20 or above the top end of the container body 10 so that the powder can be inhibited from any leakage. Namely, the sealing member 14 is provided between the coupling member 20 and the top end of the container body 10. In this regard, the sealing member 14 may preferably be made of a foamed resin material, such as a sponge, or a rubber ring that can be resiliently compressed to provide sealing as the container body 10 and the coupling member 20 are combined together. The sealing member 14 may optionally have an adhesive layer on the top and/or bottom surface thereof so that the sealing member 14 can be bonded to one or both of the container body 10 and the coupling member 20.

The coupling member 20 acts to secure the plug member 30 and the dispersion member 40 to the container body 10 and is threadedly engaged with the top portion of the container body 10 in such a manner that the internal storage space of the container body 10 can communicate with the outside through the coupling member 20. The cover 50 is adapted to enclose the coupling member 20 and removably combined with the coupling member 20 at its end portion. The coupling member 20 has a step-like configuration for engagement with the container body 10 and the cover 50.

Further, the coupling member 20 has a receiving bore 21 and a stopper rib 22 on which the plug member 30 rests. The stopper rib 22 is shaped to support a part of the bottom surface of the plug member 30, while the receiving bore 21 is adapted to partially receive the plug member 30. In this regard, the plug member 30 has a size somewhat greater than that of the receiving bore 21 so that the plug member 30 can be forcedly fitted into the receiving bore 21.

As an alternative embodiment, referring to FIG. 9, the receiving bore 21 may be in a tapering shape to have a diameter gradually reducing from the top toward the bottom. Under a state that the plug member 30 is fitted into the receiving bore 21, the lower ends of the discharge holes 31 of the plug member 30 remain closed and prevent any discharge of the powder if no external force is applied to the plug member 30. If an external force is exerted on the plug member 30, however, the lower ends of the discharge holes 31 are opened to allow the powder within the container body 10 to be dispensed to the outside.

In addition, the coupling member 20 is provided with an engagement groove 23 into which the lower end of the dispersion member 40 is fitted. In other words, the dispersion member 40 encloses the plug member 30 and is then inserted into the engagement groove 23 of the coupling member 20 at its lower end, thus eliminating any gap which would otherwise be created between the coupling member 20 and the dispersion member 40 and would be a cause of powder leakage.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a reinforcing portion 24 is further provided on the part of the coupling member 20 at which the dispersion member 40 is engaged with the engagement groove 23. The reinforcing portion 24 firmly holds the dispersion member 40, thus ensuring that the coupling member 20 and the dispersion member 40 are combined together in such a manner as to prevent any leakage of the powder dispensed through the plug member 30 therebetween.

Specifically, the reinforcing portion 24 is provided with a plurality of radially outwardly protruding teeth 25 which may be a triangular, round or other shape. The teeth are disposed at a predetermined interval in a circumferential direction and have pointed ends that serve to firmly retain the dispersion member 40 against any inadvertent separation from the reinforcing portion 24.

The plug member 30 is generally comprised of a material for use in a puff, e.g., a sponge, and fitted into the receiving bore 21 of the coupling member 20. Further, the plug member 30 is provided with a plurality of discharge holes 31 that allows the powder to be dispensed from the container body 10 to the outside.

The plug member 30 may be formed in many different shapes. In the present embodiment, the plug member 30 is either a forced-fit type cylinder as depicted in FIG. 6 or a snug-fit type one having a portion whose size is equal to that of the receiving bore 21 of the coupling member 20.

The plug member 30 shown in FIG. 6 has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the receiving bore 21 of the coupling member 20 and is therefore forcedly fitted into the receiving bore 21. This assures that the lower ends of the discharge holes 31 of the plug member 30 is reduced to suppress any discharge of the powder from the container body 10, when no external force is applied to the plug member 30, but is opened or enlarged to allow the powder to be dispensed, if an external force is exerted on the plug member 30.

Since the plug member 30 has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the receiving bore 21, a part of the plug member 30 is compressed into the same diameter as that of the receiving bore 21 and the remaining part thereof is expanded into a sector-like shape in its cross-section at the time when the plug member 30 is forcedly fitted into the receiving bore 21. This means that the discharge holes 31 varies in their shape depending on whether the powder vessel is in use or not.

More specifically, at the time when the powder vessel is not in use and no external force is exerted on the plug member 30, the discharge holes 31 of the plug member 30 as viewed from the bottom are closed as illustrated in FIG. 4, thus preventing the powder stored in the container body 10 from any discharge. In the event that the powder vessel is used and an external force is applied to the plug member 30, the discharge holes 31 of the plug member 30 as viewed from the bottom are restored into their original shape as illustrated in FIG. 5 and provide passageways through which the powder is dispensed from the container body 10.

Such an opening and closing operation of the discharge holes 31 results in a pumping action whereby the powder in the container body 10 is drawn to the outside, thereby facilitating the discharge of the powder.

On the other hand, in the case that the plug member 30 is formed into a step-like shape corresponding to the inner and outer diameters of the coupling member 20 as illustrated in FIG. 7, a part of the plug member 30 is fitted into the receiving bore 21 of the coupling member 20 and the remaining part thereof rests on the top portion of the coupling member 20.

The discharge holes 31 are comprised of a plurality of through-holes penetrating the plug member 30 whose shape and size may be arbitrarily determined. In other words, the discharge holes 31 may include through-holes of a uniform diameter disposed concentrically or irregularly. Alternatively, the discharge holes 31 may have varying diameters which become smaller from the center toward the periphery of the plug member 30 and vice versa.

The dispersion member 40 allows the power dispensed through the discharge holes 31 of the plug member 30 to be uniformly dispersed to the outside. The dispersion member 40 is adapted to enclose an outer portion of the plug member 30 and is fitted at its lower end into the engagement groove 23 formed on the outer surface of the coupling member 20.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lower end of the dispersion member 40 fixedly secured to the reinforcing portion 24 and the engagement groove 23 is tougher and more resilient than other parts of the dispersion member 40 so that the dispersion member 40 can be fitted to the coupling member 20 and kept in place by the teeth 25 with enhanced durability.

The cover 50 encloses the upper portion of the dispersion member 40 against any exposure to the outside while the powder vessel is not in use, at which time the lower end of the cover 50 is combined with the outer surface of the coupling member 20.

Description will now be given to a method of using the powder vessel in accordance with the present invention.

First of all, the cover 50 is removed from the coupling member 20 and the container body 10 is inclined at a desired angle so that the dispersion member 40 can face the bodily part of the user.

Thus, the powder in the container body 10 flows downwards along the curved surface of the inner powder bowl 12. Since the discharge holes 31 of the plug member 30 are reduced in size and kept closed in this condition, no powder is dispensed through the discharge holes 31.

Subsequently, if the user brings the powder vessel into contact with his or her bodily part and presses the former against the latter, the elastically deformable plug member 30 is deformed by the external pressing force, in response to which the discharge holes 31 are restored into their original shape and opened, thus allowing the powder to be dispensed through the discharge holes 31 and then discharged to the outside through the dispersion member 40 in a fine powdery form.

As the pressing operation of the plug member 30 is repeatedly conducted by the user, a suitable amount of powder is continuously discharged from the powder vessel. At the end of use of the powder vessel, the cover 50 is combined with the coupling member 20.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made thereto within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A powder vessel for makeup comprising: a container body for storing powder, the container body having an open top portion;a coupling member coupled to the top portion of the container body, the coupling member having a stopper rib extending along an inner circumference of the coupling member and a receiving bore provided above the stopper rib;an elastically deformable plug member fitted into the receiving bore of the coupling member and resting against the stopper rib, the plug member having a plurality of discharge holes for allowing the powder to be dispensed from the container body;a dispersion member for allowing the power dispensed through the discharge holes of the plug member to be uniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member adapted to enclose an outer portion of the plug member and hold the plug member against removal from the receiving bore of the coupling member; anda cover combined with the coupling member in such a manner as to enclose the dispersion member against exposure to the outside.

2. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable plug member has a diameter greater than an inner diameter of the receiving bore of the coupling member and is forcedly fitted into the receiving bore, whereby one end of each of the discharge holes is reduced in size to prevent the powder from discharging when no external force is applied to the plug member but is opened to allow the powder to be dispensed from the container body when an external force is exerted on the plug member.

3. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 1, wherein the elastically deformable plug member is formed in a step-like shape corresponding to a shape of the receiving bore of the coupling member in such a manner that a part of the plug member is fitted into the receiving bore and the remaining part of the plug member rests on a top portion of the coupling member.

4. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 2, wherein the discharge holes of the elastically deformable plug member have a uniform diameter.

5. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 2, wherein the discharge holes of the elastically deformable plug member have different diameters changing from a center toward a periphery of the plug member.

6. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling member has an engagement groove into which an end of the dispersion member is fitted.

7. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 6, wherein the coupling member is provided with an outwardly protruding reinforcing portion at above the engagement groove.

8. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 7, wherein the reinforcing portion has a plurality of teeth of a triangular configuration with pointed ends oriented outwardly.

9. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 1, wherein the container body includes an inner powder bowl for storing the powder in an easy-to-discharge manner.

10. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 9, wherein the inner powder bowl is of a hemispherical shape.

11. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 1, further comprising an annular sealing member for preventing any leakage of the powder, the sealing member provided between the container body and the coupling member.

12. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 11, wherein the sealing member is made of foamed resin materials including a sponge.

13. A powder vessel for makeup comprising: a container body for storing powder, the container body having an open top portion;a coupling member coupled to the top portion of the container body, the coupling member having a stopper rib extending along an inner circumference of the coupling member and a receiving bore provided above the stopper rib;an elastically deformable plug member fitted into the receiving bore of the coupling member and resting against the stopper rib, the plug member having a plurality of discharge holes for allowing the powder to be dispensed from the container body;a dispersion member for allowing the power dispensed through the discharge holes of the plug member to be uniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member adapted to enclose an outer portion of the plug member and hold the plug member against removal from the receiving bore of the coupling member; anda cover combined with the coupling member in such a manner as to enclose the dispersion member against exposure to the outside,wherein the elastically deformable plug member has a diameter greater than an inner diameter of the receiving bore of the coupling member and is forcedly fitted into the receiving bore, whereby one end of each of the discharge holes is reduced in size to prevent the powder from discharging when no external force is applied to the plug member but is opened to allow the powder to be dispensed from the container body when an external force is exerted on the plug member.

14. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 13, wherein the discharge holes of the elastically deformable plug member have a uniform diameter.

15. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 13, wherein the discharge holes of the elastically deformable plug member have different diameters changing from a center toward a periphery of the plug member.

16. A powder vessel for makeup comprising: a container body for storing powder, the container body having an open top portion;a coupling member coupled to the top portion of the container body, the coupling member having a stopper rib extending along an inner circumference of the coupling member and a receiving bore provided above the stopper rib;an elastically deformable plug member fitted into the receiving bore of the coupling member and resting against the stopper rib, the plug member having a plurality of discharge holes for allowing the powder to be dispensed from the container body;a dispersion member for allowing the power dispensed through the discharge holes of the plug member to be uniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member adapted to enclose an outer portion of the plug member and hold the plug member against removal from the receiving bore of the coupling member; anda cover combined with the coupling member in such a manner as to enclose the dispersion member against exposure to the outside,wherein the elastically deformable plug member is formed in a step-like shape corresponding to a shape of the receiving bore of the coupling member in such a manner that a part of the plug member is fitted into the receiving bore and the remaining part of the plug member rests on a top portion of the coupling member.

17. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 16, wherein the discharge holes of the elastically deformable plug member have a uniform diameter.

18. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 16, wherein the discharge holes of the elastically deformable plug member have different diameters changing from a center toward a periphery of the plug member.

19. A powder vessel for makeup comprising: a container body including an inner powder bowl for storing powder in an easy-to-discharge manner;a coupling member coupled to a top portion of the container body, the coupling member having a stopper rib extending along an inner circumference of the coupling member and a receiving bore provided above the stopper rib;an elastically deformable plug member fitted into the receiving bore of the coupling member and resting against the stopper rib, the plug member having a plurality of discharge holes for allowing the powder to be dispensed from the container body;a dispersion member for allowing the power dispensed through the discharge holes of the plug member to be uniformly dispersed to the outside, the dispersion member adapted to enclose an outer portion of the plug member and hold the plug member against removal from the receiving bore of the coupling member; anda cover combined with the coupling member in such a manner as to enclose the dispersion member against exposure to the outside.

20. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 19, wherein the discharge holes of the elastically deformable plug member have a uniform diameter.

21. The powder vessel for makeup as recited in claim 19, wherein the discharge holes of the elastically deformable plug member have different diameters changing from a center toward a periphery of the plug member.