US3351074A

US3351074A - Applicator for cosmetics and the like

Info

Publication number: US3351074A
Application number: US380588A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bruno D Aston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-07-06
Filing date: 1964-07-06
Publication date: 1967-11-07
Anticipated expiration: 1984-11-07

Description

um N g D s.- ilmvilnimwilunlmf anni vvdvww W\ Q `INVENTOR. fa/V0 ,45m/V B- D. ASTON APPLICATOR FOR COSMETICS AND THE LIKE Filed July e, 1964 Nov. 7, 1967 United States Patent Oiitce 3.351,@74 Patented Nov. 7, 1967 3,351,074 APPLICATOR FOR COSMETICS AND THE LIKE Bruno D. Aston, 14421 Autumn Moon Drive, Hacienda Heights, Calif. 91745 Fiiezt .luiy 5, 1964, Ser. No. tl 11 Claims. (Cl. 132-79) The present invention relates to applicator devices and more particularly to a device useful to apply fluent cosmetic materials and the like.

Various refill cartridge-type cosmetic applicators have heretofore been provided whereby an outer case which is adapted to be carried in a womans purse has means for removably supporting and containing a cartridge having therein various cosmetic materials, such as mascara, lip rouge and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide such a device wherein the applicator means, namely, a brush, lining device or other typical applicator element carried by a portion of the case and wherein a replaceable cartridge is adapted to be disposed in the case and upon being engaged in a support for an end of the cartridge, `the cartridge is opened to allow the flow of cosmetic material therefrom into the applicator element.

Another object is to provide a cosmetic applicator wherein a replaceable cartridge is provided with a thin diaphragm or membrane sealing the cosmetic material within the cartridge and wherein the case or portion thereof adapted to receive the end of the cartridge is provided with means which will pierce the diaphragm and provide a tiow passage from the cartridge reservoir into the applicator element.

Another object is to provide a cartridge for use with a case wherein the cartridge contains a reservoir of fluent material and wherein the fluent material in the reservoir is maintained under pressure, the cartridge being provided with means for positively dispensing a quantity of the material and forcing the material into an applicator element when the cartridge is assembled in relation to a case or a part of a case.

. More specically, an object of the invention is to provide a cosmetic cartridge assembly wherein an elongated housing is provided with a main or supply reservoir containing a body of fluent material such as a cosmetic material, this body of material being maintained under pressure, and wherein a second or dispenser reservoir is provided, and there being means whereby upon the applica- `tion of pressure to a portion of the cartridge a quantity of the material is positively dispensed from the dispenser reservoir and at the same time the dispenser reservoir is refilled by the material flowing from the main reservoir.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter` described or will become apparent to those skilled in the art, landthe novel features of the invention will be dened in the appended claims.

In theaccompanyin g drawings:

FIG. lis a longitudinal sectional view through an applicator assembly including a replaceable cartridge made in accordance with this invention;

FIG- 2 is an exploded detail view with certain of the parts being shown in elevation and partially broken away, and illustrating the various components of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale as taken on line 3 3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal `section and on an enlarged scale, illustrating particularly the means for opening the inner end of the cartridge upon insertion of the latter into the nose of the case;

, FIG. 5 is a fragmentary detail View in longitudinal section illustrating the relative positions assumed by the by-pass valve means and dispenser means of the cartridge as material is forced into the applicator element; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail view in longitudinal section illustrating a modified form of applicator element.

Lilie reference characters in the several views of the drawing and in the following description designate corresponding parts.

The assembly generally comprises an outer elongate hollow case l, a nose section 2, a closure cap 3, the nose having an applicator element 4iand there being within the nose 2 one end of an elongate cartridge body 5, the other end of said body being disposed within the case 1.

The nose 2 has a body 6 threaded at one end as at 7 to receive a complementary threaded bushing 8. In addition, the body 6 is suitably roughened or knurled as at 9 so as to assist in the frictional holding thereon of the open end of the closure cap 3. Within the body 6 the nose is bored as at 1i) and counterbored at 11; while externally of the nose body it has a tapered extension 12 terminating in a generally conical end 13 having an opening 14 therethrough.

Mounted within the opening 14 and projecting outwardly therefrom is the applicator element d, which as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be in the form of a porous pointed body retained within a bushing 15 having an inner ange 16 abutting within the bore 16 against a shoulder 17 to prevent outward passage of the applicator element 4. Within the applicator element 4 is an elongated tubular member 13 constituting a conduit for the conduction of fluent material to the applicator element, this member 1S having an end 19 sharpened as by cutting the member at an angle, and this sharpened end constituting piercing means for opening a cartridge as will be hereinatter more fully described.

The cartridge body 5 has an elongated cylindrical section 20 merging with a reduced diameter cylindrical section 21 adapted to tit Within the counterbore 11 of the nose 2, there being at this end of the body 5 a further reduced diameter cylindrical section 22 adapted to tit within the bore -10 of the nose 2. At the other end of the cartridge body 5, the latter is provided with a plug 23 having a stem 2li disposed within the open end of the cartridge body and having an annular groove 25 into which the side wall of the body 5 is crimped to maintain the plug in assembled position in the end of the body 5.

Disposed within the cylindrical cartridge body section 21 is a barrier member 26 having a slip fit within the caltridge body section 21 and having a central passage 27 therethrough. This passage 27 leads to an enlarged bore 28 within the barrier member 26 and the bore 28 is in communication With the interior of the reduced diameter end portion 22 of the cartridge body 5. It will be noted that the end 22 of the cartridge body has an opening 29 in its end wall 30 and that this opening is closed as seen in FIG. 2 by a thin closure diaphragm or membrane 31, which in the illustrative embodiment is constituted by an end wall of a plastic tubular insert 32 which tits within the cartridge end section 22 and has a central opening or dispenser chamber 33 therein.

As hereinabove noted, the end 19 of the tubular member 18 carried by the applicator t constitutes means for opening the cartridge when inserted into the nose. More particularly, it will now be understood that this end 19' of the tubular member 18, by virtue of its being cut at an angle as shown inFIG. 4, is adapted to pierce the membrane 31 when the cartridge end 22 is inserted into the nose 2.

The internal chamber delined within the member 26 by the provision of the bore 28 and the space within the cartridge end 22 constitutes a dispensing `reservoir generally denoted at DR, while the space within the cartridge body lying between the member 26 and the plug 24 constitutes a main supply reservoir SR.

in accordance with certain of the features of the present invention, means are provided for maintaining iiuent material within the supply reservoir SR under pressure in order to force such fluent material into the dispensing reservoir when desired. In addition, means are provided for controlling the passage of fluent material from the supply reservoir to the dispensing reservoir and for dispensing from the latter a quantity of the iiuent material for forcing the latter into the applicator element 4.

As herein illustrated the means for maintaining the fluid in the supply reservoir under pressure comprises an annular follower piston 34 slidably disposed within the supply reservoir and having a pair of annular sealing lips 35 and 36 adapted to be maintained in sealing contact with the cylindrical walls of an actuator plunger 37 and the cartridge case 5, respectively. The piston 34 carries a skirt 37 which constitutes means for ecntering a pressure applying compression spring 3S which acts at one end against the piston 34 and which abuts at the other end With the inner face of the plug 2.3 so as to constantly bias the piston 34 inwardly in the supply reservoir and thereby maintain the fluent material therein under pressure tending to cause it to How into the dispensing reservoir.

Such ow is controlled by means of a Valve device comprising a cylindrical valve head 39 which is reciprocable within the passageway or opening 27 extended through the member 26 in the cartridge body section 21. A valve operator stem 40 having a reduced diameter section 41 and a longitudinally slotted portion 42 is suitably connected to or formed as a part of the plunger 37 so that the valve 39 will be caused to move longitudinally within the passageway 27 upon longitudinal movement of the plunger 37. In this connection, the valve operator stem 4t) is illustrated as having an end 43 disposed in a socket 44 in the inner end of the plunger 37.

Means are provided for normally biasing the plunger 37 outwardly with respect to the cartridge body 5 and for normally biasing the valve 39 into a closed position in the passageway 27. Such means is illustrated as being constituted by a coiled compression spring 45 disposed about a dispenser ram 46 which extends longitudinally from the valve 39, the spring 45 engaging at one end with the valve 39 and at the other end with the plastic insert 32.

The plunger 37 is suitably provided with means to limit outward movement thereof responsive to the pressure applied by the spring 45, and such means may typically comprise a suitable radial projection engageable with the plug 23. As herein shown, the plunger 37 has a pair of circumferentially spaced flange sections 47 separated by an air slot 48 so that the follower piston 34 will not be air locked, it being notable also in this connection that the plug 23 is provided with an oversized bore 49 therethrough for the passage of air into the cartridge body 5.

In the assembly of the subject device, it will be observed that the small end 22 of the cartridge body 5 is simply inserted into the nose 2 until the end wall 30 comes into abutment with the end flange 16 of the bushing 15. As a result of insertion of the end of the cartridge into the nose as noted above, the pointed end 19 of the tubular member 1S will pierce the diaphragm 31 so as to establish communication between the porous applicator element 4 and the dispenser reservoir DR through the dispenser chamber 33 in the insert 32. Thereafter, the case 1 may be slipped endwise over the plunger 37 so as to seat upon the bushing 8 of the nose body 6, and when desired, the cap 3 may be frictionally applied to the other end of the nose 2.

In the use of the applicator, when it is desired to dispense from the dispenser reservoir DR a quantity of the material contained therein, thumb pressure is applied to the outer extremity of the plunger 37 to cause inward movement of the same. This will result in axial movement of the dispenser ram 46 into the dispenser chamber 33, as

shown in FIG. 5, whereby a quantity of the cosmetic or other fluent material will be positively displaced through the tubular member 18 into the porous applicator element 4. At the same time, it will be noted that the valve 39 has been caused to move longitudinally out of the passageway 27 so that the latter is open at both ends and communicates with the dispenser reservoir and the supply reservo-ir by virtue of the slots 42 which extend longitudinally of the slotted portion 42 of the stem 40. Therefore, it will now be noted that the dispenser reservoir will be supplied with fluent cosmetic or other material from the supply reservoir under the pressure supplied by the follower piston 34 so as to refill the dispenser reservoir,

When thumb pressure is relieved from the plunger 37, the valve 39 will first move into the passage 27 to close ctic the communication between the supply and dispenser reservoirs and the dispenser ram 46 will then be withdrawn from the dispenser chamber 33. By virtue of the spacial relations between the valve 39 and the working end of the dispenser ram 46, the fluent material in the dispenser reservoir cannot be pressurized by the piston 34 while the dispenser chamber 33 is in open communication between the dispenser reservoir and the applicator element 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a modified form of applicator element in the nature of a brush 4 composed of a plurality of bristles confined within the bushing l5. Otherwise the structure is the same. It will be understood, however, that a brush such as that shown in FIG. 6 would be useful in certain applications, such as for example, the applying of lip rouge, whereas a rigid pointed applicator element as shown at 4 in the first described embodiment may be useful in the application of mascara and the like. However, various forms and types of applicator elements may be embodied with various types of fluent materials and the present invention is not limited in this respect.

While specific details of the invention have been herein shown and described, it lshould be understood that changes and alterations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cosmetic or like fluent material applicator comprising: an elongated assemblage of a nose and a case removably carried by said nose; applicator means projecting from said nose; a separate cartridge assembly having one end removably engaged in said nose and the other end projecting from said case; a body of fluent material in said cartridge; said one end of said cartridge having means openable upon engagement with said nose to permit the flow of said liuent material to said applicator means; and means in said cartridge operable from said other end thereof to control flow of said iiuent material from `said cartridge into said applicator means.

2. A cosmetic or like iiuent material applicator comprising: an elongated assemblage of a nose and a case removably carried by said nose; applicator means projecting from said nose; a cartridge having one end removably engaged in said nose and the other end projecting from said case; a body of iiuent material in said cartridge; said one end of said cartridge having openable means closing the same; means carried by said nose for opening said openable means upon engagement of said one end of said cartridge with said nose to permit the flow of said iiuent material to said applicator means; and means in said cartridge operable from said other end thereof to controllably force said fluent material into said applicator means.

3. A cosmetic or like fluent material applicator comprising: an elongated assemblage of a nose and a case removably carried by said nose; applicator means projecting from said nose; a replaceable cartridge assembly having one end removably engaged in said nose and the other end projecting from said case; a body of fluent material maintained under pressure lin said cartridge; said one end of said cartridge having a diaphragm normally closing the same; piercing means having a passage for conducting said iiuent material from said body to said applicator means; said piercing means piercing through said diaphragm upon engagement of said one end of said cartridge with said nose to permit the flow of said fluent material to said applicator means; and means in said cartridge including an actuating member operable from said other end of said cartridge to controllably force predetermined amounts of said iiuent material through said passage into said applicator means.

4. A dispenser device for cosmetic or like fluent material applicators, comprising: an elongated body; a plunger reeiprocable in said body and projecting therefrom at one end; barrier means in said body dividing the same into a dispenser reservoir and a supply reservoir; a uent material in said reservoirs; dispenser means including a ram operable by said plunger to forcibly dispense a quantity of said fluent material from said dispenser reservoir; and means for refilling said dispenser reservoir from said supply reservoir, including spring urged means in said supply reservoir for pressurizing the uent material therein.

5. A dispenser device for cosmetic or like fluent material applicators, comprising: an elongated body; a plunger reeiprocable in said body and projecting therefrom at one end; barrier means in said body dividing the same into a dispenser reservoir and a supply reservoir; a fluent material in said reservoirs; dispenser means including a ram operable by said plunger to forcibly dispense a quantity of said iluent material from said dispenser reservoir; means for refilling said dispenser reservoir from said supply reservoir including means in said supply reservoir for pressurizing the iiuent material therein; and valve means operable by said plunger to control the passage of said fluent material from said supply reservoir to said dispenser reservoir, said valve means being opened during operation of said dispenser means.

6. A dispenser device for cosmetic or like fluent material, including a tubular casing with an applicator at one end arranged to receive the fluent material through a tubular piercing member from a cartridge assembly replaceably positioned within the casing, said cartridge comprising: an elongate hollow body; a plunger reciprocable in said body and projecting therefrom at one end; barrier means in said body dividing the same into a dispenser reservoir and a supply reservoir; a fluent material in said reservoirs; said barrier means having an opening therethrough; a stem connected to said plunger and extending through said opening; a valve on said stem engageable in said opening to close the same; a dispenser ram projecting from said stem through said dispenser reservoir; a dispenser chamber at the other end of said body having closure means at one end adapted to be pierced by the piercing member, when the cartridge is operably positioned in the casing, said chamber having an opening at its other end adapted to receive the ram endwise into the chamber; means normally holding said stem in a position with said valve closing said opening through said barrier means and said dispenser ram withdrawn from said dispenser chamber; and means for pressurizing said fluent material in said supply reservoir.

7. A dispenser device according to claim 6, wherein the means for pressurizing the iluent material in the supply reservoir includes a power piston shiftably surrounding said plunger in said supply reservoir; and means for urging said power piston towards said dispenser reservoir.

8. As an article of manufacture, a replaceable cartridge assembly for dispensing applicator devices for cosmetics or like fluent materials, comprising: an elongate hollow body; a barrier member dividing said body into longitudinally spaced supply and dispenser reservoirs; a plunger reciprocably disposed in said body and projecting therefrom at one end; by-pass valve means in said barrier member for permitting the flow .of uent material from said supply reservoir to said dispenser reservoir upon inward movement of said plunger and for preventing such flow upon outward movement of said plunger; means for pressurizing the fluent material in said supply reservoir; dispenser means in said `dispenser reservoir operable concurrently with said by-pass valve means to dispense a quantity of fluent material from said dispenser reservoir at the other end of said body when said bypass valve means -is open; and openable means normally closing said other end of said body prior to placement of the cartridge into an operative position in an associated dispensing device.

9. An article of manufacture according to claim 8, wherein the uent pressurizing means comprises an annular follower piston surrounding said plunger in said supply reservoir and sealingly engaged with said body and with said plunger, said follower piston being normally biased towards said barrier member.

10. An article of manufacture accord-ing to claim 8, wherein the dispenser means includes a dispenser ram in said dispenser reservoir; a dispenser chamber at said other end of said body having an outlet end closed by said openable means, and an inlet opening at its other en-d in communication with the dispenser reservoir and adapted to receive the ram endwise into said chamber; a spring in said dispenser reservoir urging said ram away from said dispenser chamber inlet opening to a position spaced therefrom; and means limiting movement of said ram away from said dispenser opening to a position at which said valve is closed.

11. An article of manufacture according to claim 10, wherein the means for limiting said movement of said ram comprises co-engaged stops on said plunger and said body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 921,130 5/1909 Luckwood 128-218 1,578,922 3/ 1926 Sargery 132-84 1,790,914 2/1931 Gray.

1,970,198 8/ 1934 MolyneuX-Seel et al. 132-745 2,116,888 5/1938 Grodka 132-745 2,552,155 5 1951 Danielson 222-81 2,981,026 4/1961 Wedrall 12S-218 3,217,720 11/ 1965 Cyzer 222-81 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

G. E. MCNEILL, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A COSMETIC OR LIKE FLUENT MATERIAL APPLICATOR COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED ASSEMBLAGE OF A NOSE AND A CASE REMOVABLY CARRIED BY SAID NOSE; APPLICATOR MEANS PROJECTING FROM SAID NOSE; A SEPARATE CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY HAVING ONE END REMOVABLY ENGAGED IN SAID NOSE AND THE OTHER END PROJECTING FROM SAID CASE; A BODY OF FLUENT MATERIAL IN SAID CARTRIDGE; SAID ONE END OF SAID CARTRIDGE HAVING MEANS OPENABLE UPON ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID NOSE TO PERMIT THE FLOW OF SAID FLUENT MATERIAL TO SAID APPLICATOR MEANS; AND MEANS IN SAID CARTRIDGE OPERABLE FROM SAID OTHER END THEREOF TO CONTROL FLOW OF SAID FLUENT MATERIAL FROM SAID CARTRIDGE INTO SAID APPLICATOR MEANS.