US2896778A - Cosmetic container - Google Patents

Description

R; B; HOPGOODl -cosmsrilc CONTAINER July 28? 1959 2,896,778

Filed May 18, 1956 lNvENToR 06597' 5- HOPa ATTORN EY5 'mem nice Patented July 28, 1959 COSMETIC CONTAINER Application May 18, 1956, Serial No. '585,682

8 Claims. (Cl. 2136-56) My invention relates to a cosmetic container and is particularly concerned with structures adaptable to the dispensing of solid cosmetics with important volatile ingredients, as for example, stick colognes, stick deodorants, and the like. This application discloses certain improvements over the structure shownl and described in my co-pending application Serial No. 501,547, liled April l5, 1955, now Patent 2,797,803.

Itis an object of the invention to provide an improved structure of the character indicated.

It is another object to provide an improved cosmetic container whereby important volatile ingredients of the cosmetic may be substantially hermetically sealed-in, when the container is closed and not in use.

It is a specific object to provide an improved container featuring ready removability of the cosmetic and the carrier therefor, without need for touching or grasping either the cosmetic or its carrier.

It is a further specific object to meet the above objects with a container embodying cosmetic-propulsion mechanism and incorporating a safety stop, whereby expulsion of cosmetic and the carrier therefor may be avoided under all circumstances except when needed.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. ln said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the invention:

y Fig. 1 is a perspective View of an assembled closed cosmetic container of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the container of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the inner tubular member of Fig. 2, a portion being broken away to reveal certain details of construction; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary View in perspective illustrating a modilication of a part of Fig. 2.

Briefly stated, my invention contemplates an improved v cosmetic container featuring ready removability of a cosmetic substance and the carrier therefor, without requiring that the cosmetic substance or its carrier be engaged or grasped by the hands. This important object is achieved while at the same time providing positive safety mechanism whereby inadvertent manual propulsion of the carrier and cosmetic substance out the open end of the container is avoided, unless deliberately intended. 'Ihe invention is described in application to an improved cosmetic container particularly adaptable to the dispensing ofsolid cosmetics having important volatile ingredients, such as stick deodorants and stick colognes.

The container may incorporate swivel-action propulsion mechanism for dispensing cosmetic, and yet when the closure cap is in place, a hermetic sealing relationship is established whereby the volatile ingredients are not lost and may be preserved for extended life of the cosmetic. The safety mechanism is described as a part of the propulsion mechanism, and as long as the container is not inverted, that is, with the cosmetic substance facing downwardly, a positive stop action is encountered to prevent propulsion of the cosmetic substance 'and carrier through the open end of the container; however, if the container is inverted, relative rotation of the propulsion parts accomplishes complete expulsion of the cosmetic substance and carrier, without the need for touching any of the expelled parts. In the container to be described,

no two actuable parts of the propulsion mechanism pro.

ject externally If the casing when the closure cap is in place, and the seal is established solelyl between the closure cap and the casing.

Referring to Figs. l, 2 and 3 of the drawings, myY invention is shown in application to a cosmetic container comprising, in reality, a two-part casing involving two cup-shaped parts -11. For convenience and better l identiiication in the present description, the parts 10--11 will hereinafter be referred to as the casing' 10 and the closure cap 1.1. For stick-cologne applications, the casing 10 and cap 11 are preferably formed as a single molded pieces of suitable plastic, such as polyethylene, and for purposes of securing these parts together in hermetically sealed relation, I have disclosed at y12 a threaded interfit ofthe parts.

A preliminary seal of the contents of the container is established by providing relatively large ilat surfaces on the threads 12, extending for the full helical-development length of the threads` As a further andprincipal seal, the skirt 13 of the closure cap 11 is formed circumferentially continuously and, fora substantiall radial distance, skirt .13 overlaps and axially abuts a shoulder 14 near the top or open end of the casing 10. The precise formation of the inter-tting surfaces 13-14 is preferably such' that when the cap 1.1 is secured to the casing-,10, a circumferentially continuous sealis established against loss of volatile ingredients.

As indicated above, my container may include propulsion mechanism for a cosmetic to be dispensed. The

container may` thus include a carrier 16 ,within an inner tubular member 1 7, andv both the carrier and the tubular member may be and preferably are metallic, asof brass" with an inturned ange 21 having a centralopening 22 (Fig. 3) for axially locating engagement with means extending upwardly from the bottom of the casing 10.y In

the form shown, the upwardly extending means comprises a central stud 23 formed integrally with the casing 410, and a flanged bushing-24 axially engages the flange Z1 of the tubular member 17 and frictionally binds against the stud 23, as by way of a force lit or heat-developed locking.

engagement. For the retained relation of tubular mem,- ber 17 in the casing y10, the ange 21 -is preferably spaced from' the bottom wall 25 of the casing 10 so that, when the anged bushing 24 is set, it may not only axially retain but also slidably axially load the tubular member 17 against the casing 10 at the bearing surfaces 19-20. Coaxial alignment of the tubular member 17 and casing 10 is retained by means of close radial clearance for the-substantial length of these parts.

The propulsion mechanism'for the carrier 1-6 is shown to include cams 26-27 on both the tubular member 17 j and the casing 10. Since the casing 10 is shown as a solid one-piece plastic casting, the cam 27 is preferably a groove and the cam 26 is a slot. Nevertheless, each of cams 26-27 may be said to be defined by two generally parallel opposed walls or edges 28-29 for the case of cam 26,

v that is", for driving the carrier 16 from the lowered position' (shown in Fig. 2) toward the open end of the container, there will be but one `wall or edge ofaeachV cam utilized;4 such edge I identify as the propulsion edge of each such cam, and for the case of cam 27, the edge 31 is the propulsion edge, while for the case of cam'26, edge 29 is the propulsion edge. It will be further understood that only one cam onV each of the members A-147 is actually necessary, but that, for purposes of smoother action, i have shown diametiially opposed sets of camsfin the arrangements of Figs. 2 and'3. To avoid confusion, I have employed primed notation to designate corresponding parts of the duplicate or diametrically opposite cams in each case.V

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, I provide abutment means located near the open end' of the container and on one of the cams 26-27 in order to intercept the carrier follower 32 and thusprevent further propulsion of the carrier, for all situations in which'the' propulsion edges (29--31) of the cams 26--27 are being used for driving purposes'. As a practical matter, this means that unless the container is completely inverted or substantially completely inverted (i.el withthe'open end facing down),fthe abutment means of the invention will act as a positive stop against excessive propulsion of the carrier.

In the arrangement shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cam 26 isa straight slot in the inner tubular member 17, the cam 27 is a helical groove in the casing 10, and the abutment is provided in a recess 33, cutout ofthe propulsion edge 29 of the slot cam 26. For this arrangement, the abutnient itself is a' wall 34 Vforming part of the recess 33 and extending generally transversely "of the slot 26 at the end ofrecess 33 near the open end of the container. As the parts are relatively rotated to propel the carrier 16 towards the open end, the follower 32'rides continuously along the propulsion edge 29, so that near the open end of the container the follower 32 will ride into the recess 33 until stopped by direct positive limiting abutment with the wall 34. However, for the inverted position, Vwhich is assumed to be a non-useful orientation of the device (that 1s, not useful for application of cosmetic), the radial olearance between carrier 16 and the tubular member 17 provides a looseness of tit which permits the weight of the loaded carrier 16 to drive its follower 32 into engagement with those edges 28-30 (of cams 26-27) which are opposite the propulsion edges 29-31. This means that for deliberate propulsion in the inverted position (that is, relative rotation of the members 10-17 to propel the carrier 16 down through the inverted open end), the propulsion edges 29-31 will not be used; thus, the follower 3 2'will not fall into the recess 33 but will, on the other hand, align itself with the continuously open ends of the cams, so lthat the carrier 16 may be expelled without need for grasping with the hands. f

If desired, a small detent or lobe 35 may be formed in one wall of one of the cams, near the open end of the container; such detent 35 may be either at the location of theabutment 34 or in the space between the abutment 34 and the open end of the container. Preferably, the detent 35 1s located in a region Where both cams 26-27 simultaneously engage the Yfollower 32. The lobe or detent 35 thusprovides assurance against inadvertent loss of the carrier and its cosmetic; lobe 35 thus also provides'. means whereby positive deliberate relative rotation of the parts 1s reqtured for complete expulsion of the carrier. i

In the arrangement of Fig. 4, I show an alternative construction wherein the abutment which prevents expulsion of the carrier beyond the open end is formed as a part of the spiral or helical cam 40, corresponding to the cam 27 of Fig. 2. For the cam 40, the propulsion edge 41 is shown provided with a recess 42 near the open'end, and a positive abutment wall li-3 provides a stop preventing further propulsion of the cam follower. The wall 43 is preferably in general alignment with the cam on the inner tubular member, and since this is presumed to be straight and longitudinally aligned (as for the case of slot 26 in Figs. 2 and 3), the wall 43 is shown to be longitudinally aligned. When the modification of Fig; 4 is in- Verted, it wil-l be understood that the cam follower (such as follower 32) will rest against and ride on the cam edge 44 opposite the propulsion edge 4l, so that the abutment 43 will not be encountered, and free expulsion in the in verted position is permitted. If desired, a detent lobe, as at 35, may be provided in one wall'ofV the cam on the inner tubular member (not shown), and located as described for Fig. 3, namely, near the open end of the containerof Fig. 4 and near the outer end of abutment 43; spccically, any such detent 35 (for use with the casing of `Cllig. 4) should be at the longitudinal location of a small ejection cam surfaceV 41', representing a continuation of the cam edge 4l, as will be understood. v a

`It will be seen that I have described a relatively simple cosmetic container construction lending itself'particularly to reiillable applications where it is important to expel the cosmetic substance and its carrier without requiring anygrasping by the hands. Not only do I` achieve this important objective with this construction, but I also positively prevent inadvertent loss of the cosmetic and inadvertent driving of the cosmetic and'carrier out of the container, even when propelled for use.V These objects are achieved with an easily assembled organization, the only necessary assembly operation being the application of the retaining bushing 24 and the feeding of the loaded carrier past the detent 35. These objects are also achieved without sacrifice of sealing effectiveness, and when the container is closed, no relatively rotatable parts are exposed for inadvertent propulsion of the cosmetic'substance.

While I have described the invention in detail for the preferred forms shown, it will be understood that modiiications may be made within the scope of the invention as dened in the claims which follow.

I claim:

l. A cosmetic container, comprising inner and oute relatively rotatable tubular members having elongated cams formed therein, said cams extending to said open end, a carrier cup slidable within said inner member and including follower means simultaneously engaging the cams of both said members, each of said cams including a propulsion edge, whereby upon relative rotation of said members in one direction said propulsion edges cooperate with said follower means to propel said cup toward said yopen end, one of lsaid propulsion edges of one of said cams having a recess therein near but short of open end of said one cam, and a cam follower abutment in said recess, whereby said cup and follower means may be inserted in said open end but, once inserted past said recess, said cup may not be propelled past said abutment of said recess. Y

2. The container according to claim 1, in which one of said cams is straight and the other helical, in which said recess is formed in the propulsion edge of said straight cam, and in which said cam-follower abutment comprises a wall portion of said recess extending generally transversely of said straight cam. v

3. The container of claim 1, in which one of said cams is straight and the other helical, in which said recess is formed in the propulsion edge of said helical cam, and in which said cam-follower abutment comprises a wall portion'of said recess extending generally in alignment with said straight cam.

flume 4. A cosmetic container, comprising inner and outer relatively rotatable tubular members open at one end and having elongated cams formed therein, one of said cams being straight longitudinal and the other helical, both said cams extending to said open end, a carrier cup slidable within said inner member and including follower means 'simultaneously engaging both said cams, each of said cams including a propulsion edge, whereby upon relative rotation of said members in one direction said propulsion edges cooperate with said follower means to propel said cup toward said open end, the propulsion edge of said straight cam having a recess therein near said open end, and a cam-follower abutment in said recess.

5. A container according to claim 4, in which said cam-follower abutment comprises a wall portion of said recess extending generally transversely of said straight cam at the end of said recess near Asaid open end of said container.

6. A cosmetic container, comprising a solid-plastic onepiece outer cup-shaped casing having an opening at only one longitudinal end thereof and fully and integrally closed at the other longitudinal end thereof, an inner tubular member supported for rotation within said casing and including a manual-actuating portion projecting axially beyond the open end of said casing, a cosmetic carrier within said tubular member, cooperating cam means on said casing and on said tubular member for propelling said carrier upon relative rotation of said casing and of said tubular member, the cam means on said inner member being a slot and the cam means on said outer casing being a groove, both said cam means being open at said open end, a follower on said carrier projecting through said slot and into said groove, each of said cam means having a propulsion edge engaging said follower when said member and casing are relatively rotated in the direction to propel said carrier to said open end, the propulsion edge of one of said cam means having an abutment for said follower near but short of said open end, there being corresponding parts of the propulsion edges of both said cams outwardly of said abutment, one of said cam means includingV a followerengaging detent outwardly of said abutment, whereby once inserted past said abutment said carrier cannot be propelled out said open end via said propulsion edges,

unless said cosmetic container is inverted so that said follower will fail to ride into said recess.

7. A cosmetic container according to claim 6, in which said detent is a lobe formed in the cam means of said inner tubular member on the edge opposite said propulsion edge thereof.

8. A cosmetic container closed at one end open at the other end and comprising two relatively rotatable tubular members, a carrier cup longitudinally slidable within the inner of said members, an outwardly projecting follower carried by said carrier, a cam on each of said tubular members with said followery engaging both said cams, said cams being formed to propel and repel said carrier by the relative rotation of said members, each of said cams comprising two generally parallel walls open at the open end of said container, whereby said cup and follower may be inse/rtably removed by way of said open end, each of said cams having a propulsion edge engaging said follower when said members are relatively rotated in the direction to propel said cup to said open end, said propulsion edge of one of said cams being formed with a follower abutment near but short of the open end of said container, there being corresponding parts of the propulsion edges of both said cams outwardly of said abutment, one of said cams including detent means outwardly of said abutment, whereby when said container is held with the open end generally down, the weight of said carrier may force said follower to engage the cam edges opposite said propulsion edges, thus avoiding said abutment so that, on continued relative rotation of said members in said direction and in the inverted position, a carrier can be expelled past said detent and out said open end without need for finger engagement with said carrier.

References Cited in the file of this patent l UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,695,407 Anderson Dec. 18, 1928 2,209,147 Bezault -Iuly 23, 1940 2,458,063 Dulberg I an. 4, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 148,761 Australia Oct. 23, 1952 695,035 Great Britain Aug. 5, 1953 i

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