Patent Grant
11896109
The present application relates to dispensing systems for dispensing fluid cosmetic products that facilitates personalized replenishment.
There are some beauty products, including foundation, skincare, concealer, primer, and a range of other complex beauty products, that consumers replenish frequently. For these products, rather than seeking newness and variety, consumers consistently purchase the same product. Due to all the packaging typically used with beauty products, replenishing a consumer's product is expensive. High-end brands can have especially expensive packaging and ecommerce brands may be burdened with the extra expense of shipping costs based on volume and weight. This means the consumer ends up with a high price tag for no reason.
What is needed is a product that provides for less expensive replenishment while maintaining an elevated consumer experience that is both seamless and fun. Such a product would increase customer loyalty to the brand providing it by dramatically decreasing the cost to the consumer of replenishing product while maintaining the same or an improved customer experience.
Such a replenishment mechanism would also enable the brand to launch a subscription service. In beauty today, we see “trial” subscription services where the consumer receives recurring shipments of mystery boxes with different product assortments. However, we do not see any companies that are successful in selling either single-brand or fixed-product subscriptions.
Another challenge in the beauty industry today is sustainability. The large amount of packaging used for beauty products is of increasing concern within today's political climate and among younger consumers.
What is needed is a product that can deliver an equally elevated consumer experience while requiring less packaging.
Finally, to achieve their desired transformation for various occasions, consumers use multiple liquid/gel beauty products at the same time. For example, they might use primer and foundation, foundation and concealer or two types of foundation. They might use both products at the same time in order to get results on different areas of their face, or they may use one product on some occasions and another product or combination of products in other cases. They likely use these products up at a difference cadence.
What is needed is (1) a way for the consumer to replenish products based on their individual needs and the cadence at which they use up each product and (2) the ability to carry a single product that can deliver the benefits of multiple products
The present invention is a product that supports ongoing replenishment. It makes it less expensive for a company to replenish the consumer's product and, therefore, it makes it less expensive for the consumer to continue buying the same product. This increases loyalty. The replenishment mechanism also has a lower environmental impact, resonating with consumer values. The replenishment experience is seamless and fun for the consumer. Finally, in some embodiments, the product contains multiple types of product within the same package. This means that consumers can carry a single product while still realizing the benefits of multiple product types.
In a first embodiment the present invention comprises an air-less cartridge dispensing system for dispensing a product, such as a fluid make-up product, by a manually operated pump. A cartridge carrier is disposed within a one or two-piece housing and holds an air-less cartridge. The carrier may be rotated, such as by 30 degrees, to disengage the carrier from a set of locking tabs, lugs, pins, or ramps to permit the carrier to be partially removed from the housing. A cartridge may then be removed and/or inserted into the carrier. After inserting the cartridge, the carrier may be reinserted into the housing and rotated, e.g., counter-rotated, to engage a set of locking tabs, lugs, pins, or ramps. When locked, a pump assembly at the top of the dispenser penetrates a seal on the cartridge to permit flow of a product from the cartridge through the pump assembly to be dispensed. The cartridge may be replaced when emptied or as desired by the user to permit dispensing of alternate product types. A replaceable or resealable cap may be used with the cartridge to re-seal the cartridge after a first-use or tamper seal has been breached by the pump assembly.
In another embodiment the physical product is a new type of case comprising one or two sides or chambers, where each chamber retains a cartridge of a specific type of product, such as a foundation. For example, in an embodiment where the case of the present invention comprises a single chamber product, the cartridge may contain a single type of foundation. In an embodiment where the present invention comprises a case capable of retaining two cartridges, or comprises two product chambers, one cartridge may hold a relatively lightweight foundation, and the other may hold a long-wear foundation. Alternatively, in the second example, one chamber may hold a primer and the other a moisturizer. On a day to day basis, the consumer may access a set of pumps, each pump operating one of the cartridges in the case, by lifting or removing a lid of the case and then pumping out either of the products in the cartridges from either side.
When the consumer uses up or depletes either type of product below a desirable level, the consumer can easily replace them. For example, the consumer may open or remove the bottom of the case, which may swing open on a hinge or be completely removable. The consumer then removes the used cartridge of product and replaces it with a new cartridge of the same or other type of product. The consumer then closes the case and proceeds to use the case as before. The process of replacing the cartridge provides an improved configuration that is mess-free and spill-proof. The design may leverage air-less technology which uses a vacuum to pump the product out of the cartridge through the pump without need for a tube. The cartridges in this manner provided added benefit as they are comprised of significantly thinner material than the exterior case and are therefore significantly less expensive to make and less expensive to ship. They also have a reduced environmental impact. To make it easy for the consumer to refill the product correctly—specifically to make sure they are replacing a used cartridge with the same type of product—the cartridges are designed with different patterns that are easily recognizable.
The present invention may be applied to a wide range of beauty products. The same air-less pump and replaceable cartridge technology can be applied to any liquid or gel beauty product.
The present invention also provides for a beauty subscription service that is the first of its kind. This subscription could be for any type of frequently replenished liquid or gel makeup or skincare. For example, for a subscription leveraging the dual-cartridge case of the present invention, the consumer would initially receive the exterior case and a set of cartridges, each with a different type of product. The consumer would then subscribe to receive regular deliveries of cartridges, which they would use to refill the exterior case. The cadence of the deliveries could be customized to the consumer's usage speed for both types of products. Due to the more limited packaging of the cartridges, the shipping costs would be relatively low compared to shipping a traditional product case. The reduced shipping costs plus the reduced packaging costs would enable this service and product to be provided to consumers at a lower cost relative to a subscription service using traditional product packaging. The consumer experience would remain elevated due to the ease and fun of replacing the product cartridges.
In one embodiment the present invention comprises a dual-cartridge case. In this embodiment, a cap of the case may be used to cover a set of air-less pumps. In this embodiment, the case is two-sided. Each side may hold an air-less cartridge comprising a different type of product. Each side of the case may have a separate air-less pump so that the consumer can pump out either type of product.
The bottom of the exterior of the case may be hinged. In one embodiment, the bottom remains securely in place during normal use but can easily be opened by the consumer in order to replace the cartridges. The two cartridges inside the case are independent, so the consumer can replace one while leaving the other. The consumer may remove a used cartridge through the bottom and then insert a new one to replace it. The cartridges may also be retained by other mechanisms including a push-push retention mechanism employing a tracked cam, an internal ledge operated by a release, or by a spring-operated piston ejector.
Each type of cartridge may have a different pattern so that it is easier for consumers to make sure that they are replacing a used cartridge with the correct type of new cartridge. The cartridges may also have the product type printed on the cartridge.
In a first embodiment the present invention provides a dispenser adapted to removably receive a replaceable cartridge and dispense a fluid cosmetic product contained in an installed cartridge, the dispenser comprising: a depressible pump head having an opening for dispensing cosmetic product; a pump housing adapted to support the depressible pump head and having a first connector portion configured to connect the pump housing with an air-less cartridge; a pump engine supported by the pump housing, operable by the depressible pump head, and having defined therein a fluid path adapted to be at least partially disposed within a connected air-less cartridge, the fluid path allowing flow of cosmetic product contained in the air-less cartridge to the depressible pump head opening; a retaining cover comprising a body having a pump opening and a first fixation portion; an air-less cartridge defining a cosmetic product reservoir, having a second connector portion adapted to matingly connect the air-less cartridge to the pump housing at the first connector portion, and having an opening through which the pump engine is at least partially received into the reservoir; a body having an opening at one end and defining an interior configured to receive the air-less cartridge, the body having a second fixation portion adapted to connect the body with the retaining cover at the first fixation portion to enclose the body interior with the air-less cartridge contained therein; whereby depressing the depressible pump head causes cosmetic fluid contained in the air-less cartridge reservoir to flow through the fluid path of the pump engine and through and out the opening in the pump head.
The first embodiment may be further characterized in one or more of the following manners: wherein the retaining cover first connector is threaded and the air-less cartridge second connector is a threaded neck, and the retaining cover and the air-less cartridge are secured together by threading and screwing the first and second connectors together; wherein the body first fixation portion is threaded and the retaining cover second fixation portion is threaded and the body and retaining cover are secured together by threading and screwing the first and second fixation portions together and whereby the first and second fixation portions may be unscrewed to disconnect the body from the retaining cover to permit removal of the air-less cartridge and insertion of a replacement air-less cartridge and re-connecting of the body with the retaining cover; wherein a pump sub-assembly comprises the depressible pump head, the pump housing, and the pump engine, and wherein the pump housing is formed integral to the retaining cover; wherein the air-less cartridge includes a piston and the body is cylindrical in shape with the piston disposed at an end of the reservoir opposite the pump engine; wherein the air-less cartridge piston is disposed opposite the air-less cartridge opening and includes a first surface in contact with the cosmetic fluid product contained in the reservoir and a second surface adjacent a void area formed in the air-less cartridge opposite the pump engine, whereby the piston moves toward the pump engine as the depressible pump head is depressed and cosmetic product is pumped out of the reservoir and the void grows as a function of the pump-action; wherein prior to installing the air-less cartridge in the dispenser body, the cartridge further comprises a cover portion adapted to fit over the opening in the cartridge to prevent spillage of the cosmetic product contained therein; wherein the uninstalled cartridge comprises a cap detachably affixed to the cartridge over the opening to protect the cover portion from damage; wherein the dispenser body is a cylindrical glass sleeve; further comprising a bottom cover attached to the dispenser body opposite the depressible pump head and made of a material other than glass for protecting the glass sleeve from accidental breakage; wherein the bottom cover comprises a shape corresponding to a curved bottom portion of the sleeve and is friction-fit over the curved bottom portion of the sleeve; wherein the air-less cartridge further comprises a piston disposed at least partially in the reservoir, a fluid cosmetic product disposed in the reservoir, and wherein upon operation of the depressible pump head the product in the reservoir is moved through the pump engine and out of the pump head, and the piston moves by an amount corresponding to a volume of the product dispensed; further comprising one or both of the following: a first mechanical feedback component disposed on the air-less cartridge and the retaining cover and configured to provide user feedback during cartridge installation to indicate proper installation of the air-less cartridge in the dispenser; a second mechanical feedback component disposed on the dispenser body and the retaining cover and configured to provide user feedback during connection of the retaining cover and the body.
In a second embodiment the present invention provides an air-less cartridge for use in a dispenser, the dispenser having a housing adapted to removably receive a cartridge and a pump adapted to dispense a fluid cosmetic product contained in an installed cartridge, the air-less cartridge comprising: a body having a top and a bottom and generally defining a cosmetic product reservoir therebetween and configured to be received within a dispenser shell, the top including an opening through which a portion of a dispenser pump is received into the reservoir and is in fluid contact with a fluid cosmetic product contained in the reservoir; a connector portion disposed at the top and adapted to matingly connect the air-less cartridge to the dispenser pump; a cover disposed over the opening and adapted to prevent spillage of fluid cosmetic product contained in the reservoir prior to installation of the cartridge in a dispenser, the cover being displaceable to permit a portion of the dispenser pump to be disposed within the reservoir upon installation of the cartridge in a dispenser; a piston disposed at the bottom and at least partially in the reservoir opposite the dispenser pump when the cartridge is installed in a dispenser; and a fluid cosmetic product disposed in the reservoir; wherein with the cartridge installed in a dispenser and upon operation of the dispenser pump, the fluid cosmetic product in the reservoir moves through the dispenser pump and out a dispenser opening and the piston moves by an amount corresponding to a volume of the product dispensed.
The second embodiment may be further characterized in one or more of the following manners: wherein the air-less cartridge connector portion is a threaded neck and the dispenser includes a retaining cover having an oppositely threaded connector, whereby the retaining cover and the air-less cartridge are secured together by threading and screwing the threaded neck and the oppositely threaded connector together; wherein the air-less cartridge piston is disposed opposite the air-less cartridge opening and includes a first surface in contact with the cosmetic fluid product contained in the reservoir and a second surface adjacent a void area formed at the bottom of the air-less cartridge opposite the dispenser pump, whereby upon operation of the pump the piston moves toward the top of the body as cosmetic product is pumped out of the reservoir and the void grows as a function of the pump-action; further comprising a cap detachably affixed to the cartridge over the opening to protect the cover from damage; and wherein the cover is adapted to allow piercing penetration of the dispenser pump portion installed into the reservoir and to provide a close-fit around the dispenser pump portion so that when the dispenser pump portion is removed from the reservoir the cover acts as a wiper to remove residual cosmetic product from the dispenser pump portion to provide a cleaner cartridge removal process.
In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a product from a cartridge, the dispenser comprising: a pump assembly; an upper retaining cover comprising a neck and a set of locking tracks; a lower retaining cover; a sleeve secured at a top end to the upper retaining cover, the sleeve comprising a locking tab and an alignment tab at a bottom of the sleeve; a cartridge carrier comprising: an upper collar comprising a set of locking pins and a set of alignment tabs; a body comprising a cartridge opening, a set of alignment edges, and a locking notch; and a bottom plate; wherein the cartridge carrier is adapted to be inserted into the sleeve such that the locking tab and the alignment tab of the sleeve align and guide the set of alignment edges of the body of the carrier as the carrier is moved upwards into the sleeve; wherein the locking tab of the sleeve moves correspondingly to the locking notch of the body of the carrier to guide the set of locking pins of the carrier into a locking engagement with the set of locking tracks of the upper retaining cover.
The dispenser of the above embodiment may further comprise, wherein the cartridge carrier is adapted to receive, secure, and position a cartridge in the cartridge opening. The cartridge carrier may be adapted to move the cartridge into an engaged position with the pump assembly such that a product in the cartridge may be dispensed by operation of the pump. The sleeve may be a glass sleeve. The sleeve may further comprise a cutout at the bottom to permit a cartridge to be fully inserted into the sleeve. The dispenser may further comprise, wherein: the sleeve further comprises an upper alignment notch; and the upper retaining cover further comprises an alignment tab corresponding to the upper alignment notch of the sleeve to permit proper alignment between the sleeve and the upper retaining cover. The neck of the upper retaining cover may be a threaded neck and corresponds to a threaded collar of the pump assembly such that the threaded collar of the pump assembly may be threaded onto the threaded neck.
In a fourth embodiment, the present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a product from a cartridge, the dispenser comprising: a pump assembly; an upper retaining cover; a lower retaining cover; an inner sleeve comprising a neck, a set of locking tracks, a locking tab, and an alignment tab at a bottom of the inner sleeve, the inner sleeve secured at a top to the upper retaining cover; an outer sleeve corresponding to and disposed about the inner sleeve; a cartridge carrier comprising: an upper collar comprising a set of locking pins and a set of locking lugs; a body comprising a cartridge opening, a set of alignment edges, and a locking notch; and a bottom plate; wherein the cartridge carrier is adapted to be inserted into the inner sleeve such that the locking tab and the alignment tab of the inner sleeve align and guide the set of alignment edges of the body of the carrier as the carrier is moved upwards into the inner sleeve; wherein the locking tab of the inner sleeve moves correspondingly to the locking notch of the body of the carrier to guide the set of locking pins of the carrier into a locking engagement with the set of locking tracks of the inner sleeve.
The dispenser of the above embodiment may further comprise, wherein the cartridge carrier is adapted to receive, secure, and position a cartridge in the cartridge opening. The cartridge carrier may be adapted to move the cartridge into an engaged position with the pump assembly such that a product in the cartridge may be dispensed by operation of the pump. The inner sleeve may be a plastic sleeve and the outer sleeve may be a glass sleeve. The dispenser of the above embodiment may further comprise, wherein: the inner sleeve further comprises an upper alignment tab; and the upper retaining cover further comprises an alignment notch corresponding to the upper alignment tab of the inner sleeve to permit proper alignment between the inner sleeve and the upper retaining cover. The neck of the inner sleeve may be a threaded neck which corresponds to a threaded collar of the pump assembly such that the threaded collar of the pump assembly may be threaded onto the threaded neck. The neck of the inner sleeve may further comprise a locking collar adapted to secure the inner sleeve in a corresponding opening of the upper retaining cover. The set of locking lugs of the cartridge carrier may correspond to a set of recesses in the inner sleeve, and the set of locking lugs may be adapted to secure the cartridge carrier in a fully engaged or locked position to prevent undesired disengagement.
The present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a product from a cartridge, the dispenser comprising: a pump assembly comprising a pump head, a pump housing having a threaded interior, and a pump engine; an upper retaining cover comprising a body having a pump opening and a threaded interior portion; an air-less cartridge comprising a threaded neck, wherein the threaded neck is correspondingly threaded to the threaded interior of the pump housing; a sleeve comprising an interior, a threaded upper portion, and a curved bottom portion, wherein the threaded upper portion of the sleeve is correspondingly threaded to the threaded interior portion of the body of the upper retaining cover; wherein when the threaded neck of the air-less cartridge is disposed within the pump opening of the upper retaining cover and fully threaded into the threaded interior of the pump assembly, each of the pump assembly, the upper retaining cover, and the air-less cartridge are secured together; wherein when the threaded upper portion of the sleeve is fully threaded into the threaded interior portion of the upper retaining cover, the air-less cartridge is positioned within the interior of the sleeve and is further secured and protected by the sleeve.
The sleeve of the dispenser of the above embodiment may be a glass sleeve. When the air-less cartridge is fully threaded onto the pump assembly, the pump engine is matingly engaged with the air-less cartridge and a product in the air-less cartridge is dispensable by user operation of the pump head. The dispenser may comprise a lower cover. The lower cover may further comprise a shape corresponding to the curved bottom portion of the sleeve and is friction-fit over the curved bottom portion of the sleeve. The air-less cartridge may further comprise an interior volume, a product disposed in the interior volume, and a piston. The pump assembly may be operated by a user the product in the interior volume is moved through the pump engine and out of the pump head, and the piston moved by an amount corresponding to a volume of the product dispensed.
To facilitate a full understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals. These drawings should not be construed as limiting the present invention but are intended to be exemplary and for reference.
The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings. While the present invention is described herein with reference to the exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. Those possessing ordinary skill in the art and having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional implementations, modifications, and embodiments, as well as other applications for use of the invention, which are fully contemplated herein as within the scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed herein, and with respect to which the present invention could be of significant utility.
With reference now to
The operation of the cam-retention mechanism 170 is shown in detail in the cross-section B-B of
In the raised or locked position, the cam arm 176 is in a horizontal orientation and the cam pin 172 is in a vertical orientation, positioning the cam sub-assembly 140 closer to the supports 158 and engaging the cartridge 190 with the pump 120. In the lowered or unlocked position, the cam arm 176 is in a vertical orientation and the cam pin 172 is in a horizontal orientation, positioning the cam sub-assembly 140 further from the supports 158 and disengaging the cartridge 190 from the pump 120. When in the raised or locked position, the dispenser 110 may be used to operate the pump 120 to dispense product from the cartridge 190 until the product in the cartridge 190 is depleted. When the cartridge 190 is empty, it may be disengaged from the pump 120 and cam sub-assembly 140 by pressing the cartridge 190 inwards or up into the case 150. Once disengaged from the pump 120, the cartridge 190 may be removed from the case 150.
Typically, a user will insert the cartridge 190 until the user hears a small “click” sound from the cam pin 172 locking within the cam pin opening 146 of the cam sub-assembly 140. At that point the cartridge 190 is locked inside the case 150. To replace the cartridge 190, the user pushes the cartridge 190 and then the cartridge 190 is released from its lock and is able to be replaced. With the dispensing system 100, the pump 120 and cam sub-assembly 140 will be noticeable in the open position when no cartridge is inserted. Additionally, between replacement and when empty the air-less pump 120 may be noticeable by the user within the cartridge 190. The size of the case body 152 and case frame 160 may be adjusted to fully hide the pump 120 and cam sub-assembly 140 when no cartridge 190 is installed therein. A “puncher” may be used as part of the pump 120 or cam sub-assembly 140 to open a sealed cartridge 190 such that it may be engaged with the pump 120. A user may receive a sealed cartridge 190 and insert it into the case 150 while still sealed. The puncher then punctures the cartridge 190 to open it once it is inside of the case 150. This eliminates any mess and makes the process very easy for consumers.
With reference now to
As shown in the cross-section B-B of
With this release button locking and integral spring retention mechanism 270 a user inserts the cartridge 290 until a snap is heard from the engagement of the locking ledge 272 or 282 that locks the cartridge 290 inside the case 250. In order to replace the cartridge 290 or remove the cartridge 290, the user pushes the release button 274 or 275 disposed at the bottom 254 part of the case 250 which releases the locking ledge 272 or 282 and corresponding cartridge 290.
With reference now to
The hinged bottom cover 371 of the hinged bottom mechanism 370 pivots about posts 382 and 383, but may also be held in place and pivot about other suitable means such as a set of one or more pins or screws. The hinged bottom cover 371 may operate or slide from left to right and is held in and returned to a central or neutral position by springs 374 and 375. In a central position, the hinge 373 blocks the pistons 376 and 377, which are disposed in corresponding openings 386 and 387 in the case 350. When operated or moved by a user to a fully left (as shown in
The user inserts the cartridge 390 which is automatically locked when it reaches the top of the case 350 and engages with the pump 320. In order to release the cartridge 390 the user first opens the bottom cover 371 and cartridges stay at place. Upon pushing the cover 371 to its right or to its left the corresponding cartridge is released. When rotated open past a certain angle the bottom cover 371 can move to the left or right to eject a cartridge. When moving the cover 371 to the left side it extracts the left cartridge and when moving the cover 371 to the right side it extracts the right cartridge. The bottom cover 371 is normally operated to the center neutral position by the springs 374 and 375.
In another embodiment, as shown in
With reference now to
With reference now to
Returning to
The cartridge carrier 1400, shown in
With reference now to
With reference now to
In contrast to the single sleeve dispensing system 1000, the dispensing system 2000 shown in
Returning to
With reference to
The cartridge carrier 2400, shown in
With reference now to
With reference now to
With reference now to
With reference now to
With reference now to
With reference now to
In assembly of the air-less cartridge dispensing system 4000, or for installation of an air-less cartridge 5000, the neck 5006 of the air-less cartridge 5000 is positioned within the pump opening 4220 of the upper retaining cover 4200 and the threaded neck portion 5008 is threaded into the corresponding threads of the interior threaded portion 4530 of the pump assembly 4500 until the air-less cartridge 5000 is fully engaged with the pump assembly 4500. When fully engaged or mated with the housing 4520 of the pump assembly 4500, a fluid or product transfer channel is formed such that a fluid or product in the interior 5004 of the air-less cartridge 5000 may be dispensed by the pump assembly 4500 by user operation of the pump head 4510 such as by depressing the pump head 4510. This operation of the pump head 4510 by a user causes the product to be drawn by the pump engine 4540 through to an opening on the pump head 4510. As product is dispensed from the air-less cartridge 5000, the piston 5050 operates or moves upwards by an amount or distance corresponding to the volume of product dispensed. The size of the void volume 5030 increases by an amount corresponding to the volume of the product dispensed.
The housing 4400 is secured to the upper retaining cover 4200 by engaging or mating the housing 4400 with the upper retaining cover by threading the upper threaded portion 4410 onto the corresponding threads of the threaded interior portion 4210 and rotating the housing 4400, such as by 90 degrees, until fully engaged. The threading on the housing 4400 and upper retaining cover 4200 provides for simple removal or installation of the housing on the cover to improve the overall user experience. In one example, a total rotation of 90 degrees is required to install or remove the housing 4400 which provides the user with a premium and repeatable experience. Similarly, the threading on the air-less cartridge 5000 and pump assembly 4500 provides for a simplified installation and removal process of the air-less cartridge 5000 that does not require specific alignment or configuration by a user. In one embodiment, the threading on the pump assembly 4500 and air-less cartridge may be timed such that a logo or label on the air-less cartridge is consistently oriented towards the front of the air-less cartridge dispensing system 4000 when the air-less cartridge is installed.
The configuration of the air-less cartridge dispensing system 4000 improves over cumbersome and complicated existing systems and devices and provides an improved and simplified user experience. Additionally, a cover may be provided for the air-less cartridge 5000 to be placed over the neck 5006 and threaded neck portion 5008 when the air-less cartridge 5000 is not installed in the air-less cartridge dispensing system 4000.
With reference now to
With reference to
With reference to
Next, the combined or assembled cartridge 5000/upper retaining cover 4200/pump assembly 4500 is placed into the cavity 4412 with the lower portion 5032 of the cartridge disposed proximate to the lower portion 4408 of housing 4400. The oppositely threaded portion
within the pump opening 4220 of the upper retaining cover 4200 and the threaded neck portion 5008 is threaded into the corresponding threads of the interior threaded portion 4530 of the pump assembly 4500 until the air-less cartridge 5000 is fully engaged with the pump assembly 4500. When fully engaged or mated with the housing 4520 of the pump assembly 4500, a fluid or product transfer channel is formed such that a fluid or product in the interior 5004 of the air-less cartridge 5000 may be dispensed by the pump assembly 4500 by user operation of the pump head 4510 such as by depressing the pump head 4510. This operation of the pump head 4510 by a user causes the product to be drawn by the pump engine 4540 through to an opening on the pump head 4510. As product is dispensed from the air-less cartridge 5000, the piston 5050 operates or moves upwards by an amount or distance corresponding to the volume of product dispensed. The size of the void volume 5030 increases by an amount corresponding to the volume of the product dispensed.
The housing 4400 is secured to the upper retaining cover 4200 by engaging or mating the housing 4400 with the upper retaining cover by threading the upper threaded portion 4410 onto the corresponding threads of the threaded interior portion 4210 and rotating the housing 4400, such as by 90 degrees, until fully engaged. The threading on the housing 4400 and upper retaining cover 4200 provides for simple removal or installation of the housing on the cover to improve the overall user experience. In one example, a total rotation of 90 degrees is required to install or remove the housing 4400 which provides the user with a premium and repeatable experience. Similarly, the threading on the air-less cartridge 5000 and pump assembly 4500 provides for a simplified installation and removal process of the air-less cartridge 5000 that does not require specific alignment or configuration by a user. In one embodiment, the threading on the pump assembly 4500 and air-less cartridge may be timed such that a logo or label on the air-less cartridge is consistently oriented towards the front of the air-less cartridge dispensing system 4000 when the air-less cartridge is installed.
The cover may be adapted to allow piercing penetration of the dispenser pump portion or pump engine installed into the reservoir and to provide a close-fit around the dispenser pump portion or pump engine so that when the dispenser pump portion is removed from the reservoir the cover acts as a wiper to remove residual cosmetic product from the dispenser pump portion to provide a cleaner cartridge removal process.
In addition, and optionally, a first mechanical feedback component, such as complimentary debossed lines, may be included and disposed on the air-less cartridge and the retaining cover at the point of connection. The mechanical feedback may be configured to provide user feedback, such as a clicking sound and/or a physical indication during a screwing connection, during cartridge installation to indicate proper installation of the air-less cartridge in the dispenser.
In addition, and optionally, a second mechanical feedback component, such as complimentary debossed lines, may be disposed on the dispenser body and the retaining cover at the point of connection. The mechanical feedback may be configured to provide user feedback during connection of the retaining cover and the body, such as a clicking sound and/or a physical indication during a screwing connection.
While the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept described. Also, the present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. It is fully contemplated that other various embodiments of and modifications to the present invention, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the following appended claims. Further, although the present invention has been described herein in the context of particular embodiments and implementations and applications and in particular environments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention can be beneficially applied in any number of ways and environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present invention as disclosed herein.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/947,933, entitled SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR A CARTRIDGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND RETENTION MECHANISM, filed 24 Aug. 2020, by Holtzman, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 62/890,565, entitled SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR A CARTRIDGE DISPENSING SYSTEM AND RETENTION MECHANISM, filed 22 Aug. 2019, by Holtzman, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in the entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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| 5104009 | Battegazzore | Apr 1992 | A |
| 6047862 | Davies | Apr 2000 | A |
| 8631975 | Lim | Jan 2014 | B2 |
| 9370790 | Kim | Jun 2016 | B2 |
| 10342313 | Kang | Jul 2019 | B2 |
| 11084646 | Hwang | Aug 2021 | B1 |
| 20140231464 | Cho | Aug 2014 | A1 |
| 20200178671 | Edwards | Jun 2020 | A1 |
| 20200376510 | Erlhöfer | Dec 2020 | A1 |
| 20230022130 | Lee | Jan 2023 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2000-255636 | Sep 2000 | JP |
| WO 2018114301 | Jun 2018 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210212437 A1 | Jul 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62890565 | Aug 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16947933 | Aug 2020 | US |
| Child | 17248139 | US |
