CN211893743U

CN211893743U - Refillable dispensing device

Info

Publication number: CN211893743U
Application number: CN201921774274.0U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 艾曼纽·苏菲·德拉赫; 史蒂芬尼·布勒; 郑炜基
Original assignee: Liyan Ltd
Current assignee: Liyan Ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-14
Filing date: 2019-10-21
Publication date: 2020-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-21
Also published as: CN112722358A

Abstract

Example embodiments include a refillable dispensing device in which cosmetic formulations may be replaced. The refillable dispensing device comprises an interchangeable unit and a reusable unit that are magnetically connected. The interchangeable unit includes a holder for a cosmetic formulation and a magnetic member having a body and a plurality of legs extending therefrom. The reusable unit includes a base shaped to receive the body of the magnetic member and a magnet disposed at the base to couple with the magnetic member. Other example embodiments are also described.

Description

Refillable dispensing device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a dispensing device that can reload. In particular, the present invention relates to a refillable dispensing device for cosmetic formulations.

Background

Cosmetic cases having refillable dispensing devices are favored because they not only save money, but are also more environmentally friendly. In addition, this system allows for extended use of highly decorated or custom boxes.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In view of the foregoing background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved refillable dispensing device.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention is a refillable dispensing device for a cosmetic formulation. The refillable dispensing device comprises (1) an interchangeable unit having a holder for holding a cosmetic formulation comprising an open end and an opposite closed end; wherein a magnetic member is irreversibly attached to the closed end of the holder, and wherein the magnetic member has a periphery smaller than a periphery of the holder; and (2) a reusable unit having a base shaped to receive the body of the magnetic member, and a magnet disposed at the base to couple with the magnetic member.

In a second aspect, the magnetic member has a body and a plurality of legs extending therefrom.

The reusable unit is adapted to engage with the interchangeable unit such that the reusable unit is coupled to the interchangeable unit by a pulling force from the magnet to form a working device, and the interchangeable unit is removable from the reusable unit if a force is applied to separate the reusable unit and the interchangeable unit, the force being greater than the pulling force. Due to its simplified design, this magnetic element can be applied to other existing dispensing systems with minimal impact.

Other example embodiments are discussed herein.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a refillable dispensing device according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 2A, 2B, and 2C are different views of the same example embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a close-up cross-sectional view of the base of the refillable dispensing device when the interchangeable unit is engaged with the reusable unit, according to one illustrated embodiment.

Fig. 2B shows a refillable dispensing device, according to an example embodiment, viewed from the closed end of the holder.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a refillable dispensing device with a cartridge, across axis A-A as shown in FIG. 2B, according to one exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 3A shows a refillable dispensing device, according to an example embodiment, viewed from the closed end of the holder.

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the refillable dispensing device with a cartridge across axis A-A as shown in FIG. 3A, according to one exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 4A shows a top view of 9 different exemplary embodiments of the magnetic element of the refillable dispensing device.

Fig. 4B shows a perspective view of the same example embodiment as fig. 4A.

Detailed Description

As used herein and in the claims, "comprising" means including the following elements, but not excluding others.

As used herein and in the claims, "coupled" means physically joined or connected, directly or indirectly, to other elements.

As used herein and in the claims, "body" is intended to be used in a broad, general sense and does not denote any particular type or shape of structure.

As used herein and in the claims, "crook" is intended to encompass any element with a curved or angled portion at its end.

As used herein and in the claims, "flat" means substantially planar, but may also include small protrusions or bumps, for example for cosmetic purposes.

Embodiments of the present invention include refillable dispensing devices wherein a cosmetic formulation, such as, but not limited to, a lipstick formulation, may be replaced. The refillable dispensing device includes an interchangeable unit and a reusable unit that are magnetically coupled. In some embodiments, the interchangeable unit comprises a holder for a cosmetic formulation having one open end and one opposing closed end, wherein the closed end comprises a plurality of slots. The interchangeable unit further includes a magnetic member having a body and a plurality of legs extending therefrom, wherein each of the legs is inserted into each of the slots to secure the magnetic member to the slot. The reusable unit includes a base shaped to receive the body of the magnetic member and a magnet disposed at the base to couple with the magnetic member. In some embodiments, the reusable unit is adapted to engage with the interchangeable unit such that the reusable unit is coupled to the interchangeable unit by a pulling force from the magnet to form a working device, and the interchangeable unit is removable from the reusable unit if a force is applied to separate the reusable unit and the interchangeable unit, the force being greater than the pulling force.

In some embodiments, the interchangeable unit comprises a holder for a cosmetic formulation having an open end and an opposing closed end, wherein the closed end comprises a plurality of slots, and a magnetic member having a body and at least two legs extending therefrom. Each of the legs is inserted into each of the grooves to thereby securely fix the magnetic member to the holder. In some embodiments, the closed end may be a knob that is rotatable in a circumferential direction relative to the retainer such that when the knob is rotated in one direction, the cosmetic formulation is extendable and when the knob is rotated in an opposite direction, the cosmetic formulation is retractable. In some embodiments, the cosmetic formulation is a lipstick formulation. In some embodiments, the refillable dispensing device is a lipstick.

In one example embodiment, the reusable unit includes a base on which the magnets are disposed. The base is shaped to receive the body of the magnetic member. In some embodiments, the base is formed as a well such that the magnet may be disposed at the bottom of the well. In some embodiments, the base is formed as a well, with the protrusion located in the middle of the well. In some embodiments, the well is formed to cover an exterior of the retainer portion proximate the magnetic member. In other words, the well covers and hides the magnetic member from a plan view. In other embodiments of the present invention, the base includes a housing, which may be made of a single material or a combination of materials. Such materials include, but are not limited to, plastic, leather, or metal.

Fig. 1 shows a refillable dispensing device 100 according to an example embodiment. For convenience of description, lipstick will be used as an example of the refillable dispensing device. The lipstick includes an interchangeable unit, which further includes a holder 110 and a magnetic member 120. The holder comprises a cylindrical container having an open end 110A and a closed end 112. The closed end 112 is formed as a knob 115 with a gear on the outside. The magnetic member 120 is ring-shaped and includes an inner periphery and an outer periphery. The inner periphery defines an aperture 126. Legs 122 extend slightly perpendicularly from the inner periphery. The legs 122 are formed from a metal strip, extend from the inner periphery towards the centre of the aperture and are bent at an angle towards one edge of the ring. In this example, the distal ends of the legs are formed as hooks. The magnetic member 120 is adapted to be attached to the knob by the legs 122. The reusable unit includes a magnet 130 and a base 140. The base 140 has a well containing a protrusion (not shown) that mates with the holder 110.

For convenience of description, all subsequent drawings having the same reference numerals refer to the same parts, and the description of each drawing will not be repeated.

Referring now to fig. 2A, the closed end of the retainer 110 is inserted into the base 140. The closed end 112 of the retainer has an annular thick wall 206, the annular thick wall 206 defining a cavity 202 to form an opening at the closed end of the retainer 110. A slot 204 is cut through the annular thick wall 206. The slot cuts through the thick wall in a slightly inclined manner to face inwardly and upwardly toward the interior of the holder. It can be seen that the legs 122 are inserted into the slot (not clearly shown in this figure, but can be deduced from the position of the legs 122). From the position of the legs 122, it can be shown that the slot is inclined inwardly and upwardly as described above. The distal ends 201 of the legs are formed in a hook shape so that they can be inserted into the gaps 208 in the annular thick wall 206. The closed end of the retainer 110 including the annular thick wall 206 may then be inserted into the well of the base, and a protrusion 210 will be inserted into the cavity 202 so that the base and retainer are securely mated together. The base 140 is shaped as an annular well with the annular magnets 130 located at the bottom of the well. Thus, the body of the magnetic member will be juxtaposed directly with the ring-shaped magnet 130 and attracted thereto, further securing the holder 110 to the base 140.

Fig. 2B and 2C show a refillable dispensing device 200 with a magnetic member 120, the magnetic member 120 having an aperture 126 intermediate the closed end 112 of the holder. Legs 122 extend from periphery 220 and grip retainer 110.

Turning now to fig. 3A and 3B, it is described as an example how different magnetic elements with different shapes (to be described in more detail in fig. 4A and 4B) and configurations with different legs interact with a holder with a slightly different configuration. For convenience of description, all parts that are the same as in fig. 2A, 2B, and 2C use the same reference numerals, and will not be repeated here. The main difference in this embodiment is that the slot slopes upwardly and outwardly towards the exterior of the holder, which can be deduced from the shape of the leg 122A. The proximal ends of the legs 122A are bent slightly outward as the slot is angled upward and outward. In this example, the position of the gap is opposite relative to the slot in the annular thick wall 206A of the holder, and the gap is disposed near the outside of the holder, such that in this example, when each of the legs 122A is secured to the slot and the gap, each of the legs 122A extends away from the center of the holder, i.e., away from the thick-walled cavity of the holder 110. The other difference in this example is that the legs of the magnetic member extend from the inner periphery 221 of the magnetic member.

Using the examples shown above, a lipstick formulation may be dispensed into the holder. A gear external to the knob allows the lipstick formulation to be actuated through the open end of the holder for use by the user. When the lipstick formulation is used up or the user wishes to change the formulation, the user can simply pull the holder away from the base. A pulling force greater than the magnetic force attracting the magnetic member to the magnet will allow the user to pull the interchangeable part out and simply switch to a different color or formula in the new interchangeable part, replacing it with a new lipstick.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate various shapes of the magnetic member 400. Each leg 401 of the magnetic member is bent from the body 402 to be inserted into the holder. The magnetic member may have a hole 403 in the middle of the body (e.g., to reduce weight). In this case, one or more of the legs may extend from the inner periphery 404 of the body. In some embodiments, the magnetic member has no hole in the middle and one or more of the legs extend from the periphery 405 of the body. The distal end of one or more of the legs may be further bent into a hook 406. The magnetic members 400(a) to 400(i) have various numbers of the legs 401(a) to 401 (i). They have 5, 3, 2, 4, 2 numbers of the legs 401(a) to 401(i), respectively, which are bent from the bodies 402(a) to (i) to insert the holder. The bodies 402(a) to (i) have different shapes. The shape is circular in 402(a) to (d) and (f), hexagonal in 402(e), square in 402 (g), circular in 402(h) with wavy edges, and octagonal in 402 (i). In these examples, the legs are evenly spaced and equidistant from each other.

As mentioned above, the magnetic member may be manufactured by cutting out a metal plate and shaping the plate so that the metal strips extend like legs from the main body of the plate. In some embodiments, the magnetic member is manufactured in one piece, for example by cutting the magnetic member out of a metal sheet. The metal strip may then be bent perpendicular to the plane of the plate to form said legs; the legs are shaped to maintain a specific angle to fit the groove. The angle of the bend is dependent on the angle of the slot in the holder and can be easily adjusted to the preferences of the user. This manufacturing method is efficient and requires low tool investment. The method enables an automated assembly process for manufacturing the magnetic element. The magnetic member may have any thickness depending on the cosmetic formulation and the size of the device. In some embodiments, the magnetic member has a thickness of less than 1 mm, such as 0.5 to 0.6 mm. In some embodiments, the magnetic member has a diameter equal to or less than the diameter of the knob, which in some embodiments results in minimal impact on the overall device design. In some embodiments, the magnetic member is made of a magnetic material. In one embodiment, the magnetic member is made of steel. In some embodiments of the invention, the magnetic member is located inside the holder and is hidden.

In other embodiments of the present invention, each leg of the magnetic element includes a proximal end attached to the magnetic element and an opposite distal end bent into a hook such that the hook grips the inside of the closed end to further secure the magnetic element to the retainer. In an alternative embodiment, the hook grips the slot to tightly secure the magnetic member to the holder. In some embodiments, the legs of the magnetic member are bonded to the slot to fixedly retain the magnetic member.

Obviously, the body of the magnetic element may have any shape, and the shape given in fig. 4A is only an example. Example shapes include circular, square, and hexagonal. In some embodiments, a plurality of legs having the same or different distances therebetween may be fabricated in the magnetic member.

In some embodiments, the body of the magnetic member has an aperture and further comprises an outer periphery and an inner periphery, wherein the legs extend from the outer periphery or the inner periphery. This makes the material lighter in weight. In such an embodiment, the base may be connected to the holder through the aperture of the magnetic member.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the body of the magnetic member has no aperture and the legs of the magnetic member extend from the periphery. This shape will protect the holder from dust when the interchangeable unit is detached from the reusable unit. In such embodiments, the body of the magnetic member may display information, such as a cosmetic formulation, brand name, identification number, or any other information.

In other embodiments of the invention, the slot in the retainer may have a different shape. Such a slot shape can be made on existing mechanisms by modifying the core die of the retainer without affecting its function. The same slot shape can also be made on non-refillable devices. In some embodiments, the slot may be designed to be inserted into the holder at various angles to facilitate engagement with the legs of the magnetic member.

Obviously, the angle of the legs with respect to the magnetic body bending should not be limited to 90 degrees. For example, the angle may be 30 to 150 degrees, 45 to 135 degrees, 75 to 105 degrees, or 85 to 95 degrees, and the legs may be bent inward or outward, as shown in the examples above. The legs may also have a plurality of bends to ensure a good contact bond with the holder and may be designed in different shapes.

Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been fully described. Although the description refers to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with modification of these specific details. Accordingly, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the claims set forth below or the embodiments set forth herein.

Claims

1. A refillable dispensing device for a cosmetic formulation comprising:

the interchangeable unit includes:

a holder for holding a cosmetic formulation therein, the holder including an open end and an opposite closed end; the closed end includes a plurality of slots; and

a magnetic member irreversibly attached to the closed end of the holder, wherein the magnetic member has a periphery smaller than a periphery of the holder;

the reusable unit includes:

a base shaped to receive the body of the magnetic member; and

a magnet disposed at the base to couple with the magnetic member;

wherein the reusable unit is adapted to engage with the interchangeable unit such that the reusable unit is coupled to the interchangeable unit by a pulling force from the magnet to form a working device, and wherein the interchangeable unit is removable from the reusable unit if a force is applied to separate the reusable unit and the interchangeable unit, the force being greater than the pulling force.

2. The refillable dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic member has a thickness of less than 1 millimeter.

3. The refillable dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic member is manufactured in one piece.

4. The refillable dispensing device of claim 1 wherein said magnetic member includes a body and a plurality of legs extending therefrom, wherein each of said legs is inserted into each of said slots to secure said magnetic member to said slot.

5. The refillable dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the body of the magnetic member has an aperture.

6. The refillable dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the body of the magnetic member is devoid of apertures.

7. The refillable dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the device is a lipstick.

8. A refillable dispensing device for a cosmetic formulation comprising:

the interchangeable unit includes:

a magnetic member including a body and a plurality of legs extending therefrom, wherein each of said legs is inserted into each of said slots to secure said magnetic member to said slot;

the reusable unit includes:

a base shaped to receive the body of the magnetic member; and

a magnet disposed at the base to couple with the magnetic member;

9. The refillable dispensing device of claim 8 wherein the magnetic member is a metal plate having a flat surface and the legs are bent at an angle to fit the slot.

10. The refillable dispensing device of claim 8 wherein each leg includes a proximal end attached to the magnetic member and an opposite distal end bent into a hook such that the hook grips the inside of the closed end to further secure the magnetic member to the holder.

11. The refillable dispensing device of claim 8 wherein each of the legs of the magnetic member is bonded to the slot to securely retain the magnetic member.

12. The refillable dispensing device of claim 8, wherein the body of the magnetic member has an aperture and further comprises an outer periphery and an inner periphery; wherein the legs extend from the outer periphery or the inner periphery.

13. The refillable dispensing device of claim 8 wherein the body of the magnetic member is devoid of apertures and the legs extend from the periphery.

14. The refillable dispensing device of claim 9, wherein the magnetic member has a thickness of less than 1 millimeter.

15. The refillable dispensing device of claim 8, wherein the device is a lipstick.