BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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The present application is a divisional application
of European Patent Application No. 98300585.1.
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This invention relates to dispensers for fluid
material, such as liquid cosmetic products. In an
important specific sense it is directed to mascara
dispensers, particularly dispensers of the pen type in
which an applicator is retractably carried by a pen-shaped
body having a reservoir of mascara.
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An illustrative pen-type dispenser for mascara is
described in U.S. Patent No. 4,687,364.
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As used herein, the term "fluid material" refers to
materials which are themselves liquid or incorporate a
liquid vehicle, e.g. liquid and pasty cosmetic
substances. The term "dispenser" refers to a body
defining a reservoir containing a quantity of fluid
material such as cosmetic material typically sufficient
for a number of repeated applications by a user, and
provided with an applicator such as a small brush, comb
or the like for transferring and applying to an end-use
location (for example, a user's face) fluid material from
the reservoir. Such a dispenser is ordinarily
dimensioned to be held in the hand and is designed for
retail sale to the end user.
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A typical present-day mascara dispenser includes a
container that holds the mascara, a wiper, a rod to which
is attached an applicator (commonly a twisted-in-wire
brush), and a closure or cap. The combined length of the
rod and applicator is determined by the internal depth of
the container. In use, the applicator is moved from the
container interior, where it picks up mascara, through a
mouth or opening of the container to the exterior, where
it is manipulated to apply the mascara, and is thereafter
returned to the container interior through the opening.
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The wiper mounted in the container opening for
engaging the moving applicator, serves the purpose of
controlling the amount of mascara carried on the
applicator from the container for use. Its aperture is
less than the cross section of the applicator, thus
removing (wiping) excess mascara. The cross section of
the attached rod, however, is usually smaller than the
wiper orifice so as to ease its removal from the
container; therefore, the rod usually carries a coating
of mascara over its length and periphery.
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Because of the nature and density of a typical
twisted-in-wire brush, the user seldom applies all of the
mascara carried on or within the confines of the brush.
Therefore, with every removal and reentry of the brush
through the wiper, there is a buildup of residue on the
outer side of the wiper; i.e., a reverse wiping action
occurs during the return movement of the brush and
transfers residual mascara from the brush to the wiper.
With usage, an undesirable quantity of mascara collects
at the entrance area of the wiper and then transfers onto
the rod with each application. This condition is messy
and unsightly and may cause smearing on the hands, face
or hair of the user; it is prevalent in all mascara
dispensers on the market today and it is called
"backwipe".
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An additional difficulty is presented by
conventional mascara dispensers wherein the applicator is
carried by the cap and is thus fully immersed in the
mascara when inserted in the container reservoir. As the
applicator is withdrawn from the reservoir, there
follows, at the applicator tip, a tail or dollop of
mascara. This tail is a problem and a nuisance to the
user, in that it is messy (and a hazard to the mascara
application) as well as being wasteful. Typically, the
user removes the tail with a tissue or brushes it off
into the container mouth; in any event, it has to be
removed with each repetition of use.
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GB-A-2132883A discloses a cosmetic device comprising
a squeezable and flexible outer container 2 for holding a
cosmetic product therein, a rigid inner housing 5 being
arranged in the container and having a common opening
therewith, a rigid section 17 held between the outer and
container and the inner housing, a cosmetic applicator 8
arranged in the inner housing, and a spring 6 for forcing
the cosmetic applicator out of the inner housing 5. A
shoulder 12 is arranged on the cosmetic applicator 8 for
pushing excess cosmetic product out through slots 15
arranged in the inner housing. A wiper 13 is arranged at
the common opening for removing excess cosmetic product
from a head of the applicator and for sealing tightly the
common opening when the shoulder 12 abuts thereagainst.
After being removed from the container, a closure cap 3
allows the head of the applicator 8 to come out of the
housing. The closure cap 3 is also used to force the
head 8 back into housing 5, when the cap is being
reapplied thereon. Preferably, the cosmetic product is
mascara and the head of the applicator is a foam brush.
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EP-A-0677456 A1 discloses a coating container which
receives a coating member having a coating portion
thereof disposed in a liquid storage chamber of a
container body such that the coating portion can go in
and out of the liquid storage chamber so as to enable
protruding therefrom. The liquid storage chamber is
formed from an easily deformable soft bag body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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An object of the present invention is to provide a
mascara dispenser with a unique wiping system that opens
and closes as necessary and eliminates the condition
known as backwipe.
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Another object is to provide a mascara dispenser
which avoids the formation of a tail of mascara at the
applicator tip.
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According to the present invention there is provided
a dispenser for fluid material comprising a body defining
an interior reservoir for holding a quantity of the fluid
material, the reservoir having an opening; an applicator
for conveying fluid material from the reservoir through
the opening to a locality, external to the body, at which
it is desired to deliver and apply the fluid material,
the applicator having an axis and a free tip and being
retractably carried by the body so as to be movable along
its axis from the reservoir outwardly through the opening
to an extended location external to the body, and
inwardly to and through the opening to a retracted
location within the reservoir, the applicator tip being
disposed adjacent the opening when the applicator is in
the retracted location; and a wiper disposed in the
reservoir in a position for engaging the applicator to
wipe excess fluid material therefrom as the applicator
moves outwardly through the opening, the wiper being in
contact with the applicator adjacent the tip when the
applicator is in its retracted location to maintain the
tip clean and free of the fluid material, and thereby to
avoid formation of a tail of material on the tip. Both
of the foregoing aspects of the invention are desirably
combined in the same dispenser, so as to prevent both
tail formation and backwipe.
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Further features and advantages of the invention
will be apparent from the detailed description
hereinafter set forth, together with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
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- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pen-type mascara
dispenser embodying the present invention in a particular
form;
- FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a
dispenser generally similar of that of FIG. 1 but having
an external actuator of modified design;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another pen-type
mascara dispenser embodying the invention;
- FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a
dispenser generally similar to that of FIG. 3 but having
an external actuator of modified design;
- FIG. 5 is an exploded and somewhat schematic
perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with portions
of the body wall omitted to show features of internal
mechanism;
- FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are enlarged diagrammatic
sectional views illustrating the position of the wiper in
relation to the applicator comb of the dispenser of FIG.
5 at successive stages in a cycle of mascara application;
- FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are diagrammatic sectional views
generally similar to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, illustrating
the operation of the wiper mounting assembly at
successive stages in a cycle of mascara application;
- FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG.
7B;
- FIG. 9 is a somewhat schematic and further enlarged
perspective view of the wiper and comb of the dispenser
of FIG. 5, from the front;
- FIG. 10 is a similar perspective view of the same
elements from the rear;
- FIG. 11 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the
wiper assembly prior to placement in the reservoir of the
dispenser of FIG. 5;
- FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and 12E are fragmentary perspective
views showing different types of applicators that may be
used in dispensers embodying the invention;
- FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D are views similar to FIGS. 6A,
6B and 6C illustrating the position of the wiper in relation to
an applicator of the type shown in FIG. 12C at successive
stages in a cycle of mascara application, in a dispenser
embodying the invention;
- FIG. 14 is a view taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13A;
- FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D and 15E are simplified and
somewhat schematic perspective views of the wiper and applicator
brush, separately and in operative relation to each other,
at various stages in a cycle of mascara application, in the
embodiment of FIGS. 13A-13D;
- FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of another
mascara dispenser embodying the invention, with the body
indicated schematically;
- FIG. 17 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a
portion of the embodiment of FIG. 16, with the body broken
away;
- FIGS. 18 and 19 are fragmentary top sectional views of the
forward portion of the embodiment of FIG. 16 illustrating
successive stages in the operation of the dispenser;
- FIGS. 20 and 21 are fragmentary side elevational views of
the forward portion of the embodiment of FIG. 16 illustrating
successive stages in the operation of the dispenser;
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the wiper of the embodiment
of FIG. 16;
- FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the element for spreading
apart the wiper jaws in the embodiment of FIG. 16;
- FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 16 of a modified
embodiment of the invention;
- FIGS. 25 and 26 are side and front elevational views,
respectively, of the element for spreading apart the wiper jaws
in the embodiment of FIG. 24;
- FIG. 27 is a simplified schematic view of a device for
controlling the volume occupied by fluid material in a dispenser
embodying the invention;
- FIGS. 28A, 28B and 28C are simplified perspective views
illustrating three different operative positions of the device
of FIG. 27 relative to other elements of the dispenser;
- FIGS. 29A and 29B are diagrammatic sectional views in
explanation of the operation of the device of FIG. 27;
- FIG. 30 is a simplified, fragmentary side elevational
sectional view of the forward end of a dispenser embodying the
invention, showing a cap mounted on the dispenser forward end
to sealingly close the opening thereof;
- FIG. 31 is a similar view of the cap of FIG. 30; and
- FIG. 32 is a similar view of the forward end of the
dispenser body of FIG. 30.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1 - 11
-
For purposes of specific illustration, the invention will
be described herein as embodied in a pen-type mascara dispenser,
an example of which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, with design
variations shown in FIGS. 2-4. This dispenser includes an
elongated and axially rectilinear housing or body 10, generally
comparable in shape and dimensions to a writing pen so as to be
capable of being carried in a purse or pocket and held in and
manipulated by the user's hand for application of mascara. In
the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, the body 10 is a hollow,
rigid, tubular molded plastic structure, generally square or
rectangular in cross-section with rounded corners and constituted
of two or more tandem sections 10a, 10b held together by
a joint member 11. At its forward end or nose, the body has a
front opening 12 through which a contained applicator (FIG. 5)
can be extended from the interior of the body. The rear end of
the body is provided with a cylindrical knob 14 (FIG. 1) or a
ball-shaped knob 14a (FIG. 2) that is rotatable (arrow 15) by
the user to operate a helical track mechanism (FIG. 5) to
extend or retract the applicator. In place of the helical
track mechanism, the applicator may be moved by a slide
mechanism having a finger or thumb actuator (14b, FIG. 3; 14c,
FIG. 4) mounted on a side of the rearward portion of the body
10 for movement in the direction indicated by arrow 15a.
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As shown in FIG. 5, the forward portion of the body 10
defines an internal reservoir 16 for holding a quantity of
mascara, e.g. a conventional commercial mascara formulation.
The capacity of the reservoir is sufficient for multiple
applications to the eyelashes of a user. At its forward end,
the reservoir communicates with the front opening 12; the side
walls 16a and 16b of the reservoir converge markedly toward the
opening while the top and bottom walls have only a slight
forward convergence. At its rearward end (some distance
forwardly of the rear end of the body 10), the reservoir
terminates in a sealed transverse wall 18 behind which is a
separate chamber 20 within the rear portion of the body 10,
housing the mechanism for extending and retracting the applicator.
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The applicator in this embodiment is a straight, flat comb
22 of molded plastic, mounted at the forward end of a rigid and
axially rectilinear rod 24 that extends through substantially
the entire length of the interior of the body 10, coaxially
therewith. The comb is oriented to pass longitudinally through
the opening 12, in the direction of the rod axis, between an
extended location at which the comb is substantially fully
exposed forwardly of the opening 12 (FIGS. 7B and 8) and a
retracted location at which the comb is substantially fully
enclosed within the reservoir 16 but with its forward tip 22a
located adjacent the opening 12 (FIGS. 6A and 7A). The rod 24,
secured to the rearward end 22b of the comb, is supported
within the body 10 by the joint member 11 and the transverse
wall 18 for axially directed reciprocating movement relative to
the body, so as to extend and retract the comb between these
two locations; a sealing O ring 19 surrounds the rod at the
point where it passes through the wall 18.
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Within the chamber 20 a helical track 26 is mounted for
rotation about the axis of the rod 24, and a pin 28 connected
to the rod rides in the track 26, which is connected to the
external knob 14. When a user turns the knob, the track
rotates, causing the pin (and the rod 24 and comb 22 with it)
to move forwardly or rearwardly depending on the direction in
which the knob is turned; the rod itself does not rotate. If a
slide mechanism (FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided in place of the
track 26, manual movement of the external actuator 14b or 14c
(which may be fixedly connected to the rod 24 through a fore-and-aft
slot, not shown, in the portion of body 10 underlying
the actuator) directly moves the rod and comb forwardly or
rearwardly.
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A wiper 30 with a wiping portion constituted of two resiliently
flexible rectangular jaws 30a, 30b (e.g. made of an
elastomer such as Buna rubber or a Buna-like compound) having
their rearward ends connected to each other in spaced-apart
relation by a plastic or metal retainer 32 is disposed in the
reservoir 16 with the two jaws 30a, 30b respectively extending
along the forwardly converging side walls 16a, 16b of the
reservoir. The wiper is slidable forwardly and rearwardly
within the reservoir; at its forward limit of travel, the free
forward ends of its two jaws (guided inwardly toward each other
by the reservoir side walls) are in a position in which they
respectively bear against the opposite sides of the comb 22
immediately adjacent the front opening 12 in such manner as to
seal the opening 12 in cooperation with the comb and, if the
comb is moving forwardly toward its extended location, to wipe
the comb for removing excess mascara therefrom.
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In this embodiment, the retainer 32 serves as a movable
member for causing the jaws to move into and out of the
position just described. As best seen in FIGS. 9-11, the
retainer 32 may, for example, be formed by cutting and bending
a sheet metal blank into a shallow U-shape with a web 32a and
upright arms 32b from which top tab portions 32c and rear tab
portions 32d project. The tab portions 32c and 32d of the two
arms 32b are folded to cooperate with the arms and web to
provide sockets that clamp and hold the rearward ends of the
two wiper jaws, while the web 32a maintains the jaws in spaced
apart relation so as respectively to engage the inner surfaces
of the two side walls of the reservoir. From the inner edge of
each of the rear tab portions 32d, free-ended sheet metal pawls
33 formed integrally with the tab portions 32d extend diagonally
forward above and/or below the rod 24, the pawls on opposite
sides of the retainer 32 converging forwardly toward each
other; each pawl is resiliently flexible and terminates at its
free forward end in a reverse bend. The dimensions and
unstressed angular orientations of the pawls are such that the
spacing between the free ends of the converging opposed pawls
is less than the thickness of the comb 22, as can be seen in
FIGS. 7B and 10.
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A helical spring 34 is also disposed in the reservoir 16,
under compression between the joint member 11 and the rear tab
portions 32d of the wiper retainer 32 so as to urge the wiper
forwardly within the reservoir, i.e., toward the forward limit
of wiper travel. The spring and retainer together constitute a
structure for movably supporting the wiper in the reservoir, as
hereinafter further described.
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When the comb 22 and rod 24 are in the fully retracted
location of FIGS. 6A and 7A (such that the comb 22 is within
the reservoir 16, immersed in the contained mascara), the
helical spring 34 is extended, holding the wiper 30 at its
forward limiting position at which the forward ends of the
wiper jaws engage and (under the force of the spring) bear
against the comb adjacent the forward end 22a of the comb.
Thereby the wiper and comb cooperatively sealingly close the
opening 12 to prevent leakage of mascara or volatile components
thereof from the reservoir. In this fully retracted location
of the comb, the pawls 33 on the two sides of the retainer 32
respectively bear against opposite side surfaces of the comb,
as FIG. 7A shows, being held apart by the thickness of the comb
and hence under stress, since they are spaced more widely than
they would be in their unstressed position.
-
As the comb is advanced to the fully extended location of
FIGS. 7B and 8 by manual rotation of knob 14, operating the
helical track mechanism, it carries mascara with it from the
reservoir. The helical spring 34 still holds the wiper 30 at
its forward limiting position; thus the wiper jaws remain
stationary and engage the sides of the forwardly moving comb,
removing excess mascara from the comb as the comb emerges
outwardly past the wiper, while cooperating with the comb to
prevent leakage from the reservoir through opening 12. Since
the free tip 22a of the comb is never immersed in the mascara
in the reservoir, but is isolated therefrom by the wiper jaws
(FIGS. 6A and 7A) when the comb is fully retracted, it cannot
carry any "tail" of mascara from the reservoir when the comb
moves to the extended position.
-
The continuing engagement of the wiper jaws with the comb
throughout the movement of the comb to its extended location,
and while the comb is fully extended, maintains sealing closure
of the opening 12 so that mascara cannot leak from the reservoir
16.
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As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the rear edge 22b of the comb
22 extends above and below the rod 24. The dimensions and
disposition of the pawls 33, the wiper 30 in its forward
limiting position (where it is halted by convergence of walls
16a, 16b), and the comb 22 at its fully extended location, are
such that when the comb reaches the latter location, its rear
edge passes forwardly beyond the pawls. At this its the
pawls (released from being held apart by the thickness of the
comb) spring back to their unstressed positions in which the
free forward ends of opposing pawls are spaced by a distance
smaller than the thickness of the comb.
-
Consequently, as soon as the user begins to retract the
comb (by reverse rotation of the knob 14) from its fully
extended location, the rear edge 22 of the comb bears against
the free ends of the pawls 33 in the manner illustrated in FIG.
7B. Owing to this engagement, progressive retracting movement
of the comb (FIG. 6C, arrow 35) pushes the pawls, retainer and
attached wiper 30 rearwardly within the reservoir 16 against
the force of the spring 34. Since the reservoir side walls are
forwardly convergent, the rearward displacement of the wiper
causes the forward ends of the resilient elastomeric wiper jaws
(which are parallel to each other in their unstressed condition,
FIG. 11) to diverge away from contact with the retracting
comb, as FIG. 6C shows. The wiper is therefore held away from
engagement with the comb throughout the return of the comb to
the reservoir, with the result that the undesirable phenomenon
of backwipe (transfer of residual mascara to the wiper from an
applicator returning to the reservoir) cannot occur.
-
The joint 11 is formed with a forwardly-projecting sleeve
36 through which rod 24 extends. As will be understood from
the foregoing description, during the return or retracting
movement of the comb, the pawls remain in engagement with the
rear end of the comb; hence the wiper is pushed progressively
further backward into the reservoir and the spring 34 is
progressively further compressed. The transverse dimension and
extent of forward projection of sleeve 36 within the reservoir
16 are such that as the comb reaches a retracted location at or
near its rearward limit of retracting travel, sleeve 36
functions as a pawl release, engaging the inner surfaces of
pawls 33 and spreading them apart (FIG. 7C) until they are
released from engagement with the rear end of the comb.
Immediately, the force of compressed spring 34 moves the wiper
and retainer forward, and the pawls again bear against the
sides of the comb. This release frees the wiper to be driven
forward, by continuing expansion of spring 34, back to the
forward limiting position of FIG. 7A, where the wiper engages
the forward end of the comb and seals the opening 12.
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The operation and use of the dispenser of FIGS. 1-11 may
now be readily explained. With a mascara-filled reservoir and
the comb in the retracted location of FIGS. 6A and 7A, the
dispenser can be stored or carried until an application of
mascara is desired. The sealing contact of the wiper jaws with
the comb prevents product leakage through the opening 12.
Usually the dispenser is provided with a cap, e.g. as shown in
FIGS. 30-32 and described below, for covering its forward end.
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To apply mascara, the knob 14 is rotated to advance the
comb to the fully extended location of FIG. 7B at which the
teeth of the comb are fully exposed forwardly of the body 10,
as shown in FIG. 8. These teeth bear mascara from the reservoir
16, excess mascara being wiped from the comb by the wiper
jaws adjacent opening 12 throughout the forward movement of the
comb. The tip of the comb carries no tail of mascara, because
it is never immersed in the reservoir but is shielded therefrom
by the wiper jaws when the comb is in its retracted location.
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The fully extended and mascara-loaded comb is manipulated
to apply mascara to the user's lashes, with the body 10
employed as a handle. After such application, the comb is
retracted within the reservoir. Throughout its return movement
to the reservoir, the comb pushes the wiper jaws rearwardly
owing to the engagement of the comb rear end with pawls 33, so
that the jaws are maintained out of contact with the comb and
the phenomenon of backwipe is avoided. As the comb reaches its
fully retracted location, pawl release 36 engages the pawls and
spreads them apart, enabling spring 34 to drive the wiper
forward into sealing engagement with the front end of the comb
adjacent the opening 12, rendering the dispenser ready for
storage or reuse.
FIGS. 12A - 15E
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Although the applicator of the above-described embodiment
is a plastic comb, a variety of different types of applicators
may be incorporated in the dispensers of the invention.
Several examples of alternative applicators are illustrated in
FIGS. 12A-E, which are views generally similar to FIG. 1 but
with the applicator in extended position.
-
FIG. 12A, for purposes of comparison, shows a dispenser
including body 10 with rectangular opening 12 and, as the
applicator, the one-sided plastic comb 22 already described.
In FIG. 12B, the applicator is a two-sided plastic comb 40
rather than the one-sided comb of FIG. 12A. In FIG. 12C, the
comb is replaced with a conventional twisted-in-wire mascara
brush 42 of circular or other (e.g. square or triangular)
cross-sectional shape; the opening 12a in the body 10 is
modified in shape to conform to the cross-sectional profile of
the brush. A straight bristle brush 44 (which may be one or
two-sided) is shown in FIG. 12D, again with a rectangular
opening 12 provided in the body 10; and a threaded or serrated
plastic rod 46 is shown in FIG. 12E, wherein the body 10 has a
circular opening 12a to conform to the rod cross-section. As
will readily be apparent to persons skilled in the art, where
necessary in these modified embodiments, suitable elements can
be mounted at or adjacent the rear end of the applicator to
perform the functions of cooperating with the pawls of the
wiper structure in the same manner as the comb 22.
-
Additional details of arrangement and operation of an
embodiment of the invention employing a cylindrical twisted-in-wire
mascara brush are illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13D, 14 and
15A-15E. As there shown, the brush 42 (which in itself may be
entirely conventional, as heretofore employed in mascara
dispensers) carries a round plastic button 48 on its forward
end and is secured at its rear end to a rod 24a corresponding
to rod 24 of FIGS. 1-11. The wiper 30c of the device is
generally similar to the wiper 30 of FIGS. 1-11 except that
each of the resiliently flexible jaws 30d and 30e has a
semicircular cut 30f formed in its leading edge, the two cuts
30f together providing a circular aperture 30g that conforms to
the circular button 48 but is smaller in diameter than the
brush 42 so as to provide effective wiping action. By way of
example of suitable dimensions, the aperture 30g, button 48 and
rod 24a may all have a diameter of 0.125 inch; the diameter of
brush 42 may be 0.1875 inch, with a brush length of one inch;
and the diameter of the body opening 12a may be 0.3125 inch.
-
When the brush is fully retracted within the reservoir 16
of the dispenser (FIGS. 13A, 14 and 15C), the wiper jaws are at
their forward limiting position. The button 48 is seated in
aperture 30g and cooperates with the wiper jaws to provide
sealing closure of the opening 12a.
-
As the brush is advanced (arrow 50, FIG. 13B) to its
extended location outside the body 10 through the wiper
aperture 30g, the wiper jaws remain in fully forward position,
so that excess mascara from the reservoir is effectively wiped
off the brush. At the fully extended location of the brush
(FIGS. 13C, 15D), the entire brush is forward of the wiper 30c,
but the wiper jaws, remaining in fully forward position, engage
the rod 24a rearwardly of the brush to seal the opening 12a.
It will be noted that since the brush in this embodiment is of
circular cross-section, the brush and rod 24a may rotate (as
indicated by arrows 52, FIG. 15D) about their common axis
incident to extension and retraction of the brush.
-
Retraction of the brush after an application of mascara
(FIGS. 13D, 15E) forces the wiper assembly forced away from its
forward limiting position, by operation of a movable wiper
mounting structure (not shown) corresponding to that of FIGS.
1-11, causing the leading edges of the wiper jaws to move apart
away from contact with the returning brush. At or adjacent the
rearward limit of brush movement (i.e., the retracted location
of the brush), the movable wiper assembly releases the wiper
for movement to its forward limiting position where it engages
the button of the retracted brush to seal the opening 12a.
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The embodiment of FIGS. 13-15 avoids tail formation and
backwipe in the same manner as that of FIGS. 1-11, viz. by
keeping the applicator tip isolated from immersion in the
mascara reservoir with the aid of the sealing action of the
wiper, and by transmitting retracting motion of the applicator
to the wiper so as to move the wiper jaws away from contact
with the applicator throughout virtually the entire applicator-retracting
step.
FIGS. 16 - 26
-
The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 16-23,
like those previously described, is a pen-type mascara
dispenser. In common with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, it
includes an axially rectilinear housing body 50 having a front
end opening 52 and defining a reservoir 54 for mascara in its
forward portion; and an applicator in the form of a straight,
flat comb 56 mounted to be extended forwardly through the
opening 52 to deliver mascara to the exterior of the body and
to be retracted rearwardly within the reservoir 54 for replenishment
and storage. The construction and operation of the
housing body and applicator (comb), together with such associated
structures as the supporting rod and drive (not shown in
FIGS. 16-23) for the comb, may be essentially as described
above with reference to FIGS. 1-11.
-
Fixedly anchored within the reservoir 54 of the dispenser
of FIGS. 16-23 is a unitary, integral and resiliently flexible
wiper component 58, e.g. molded of a suitable plastic or formed
of stainless steel. The component 58 has, as a wiping portion,
two forwardly projecting resilient jaws 60a, 60b which converge
toward each other on opposite sides of the comb 56 so that in
unstressed condition their free forward ends press clamp-like
against the opposed major surfaces of the comb at a position
(FIGS. 16, 18) adjacent the front end opening 52 of the
reservoir, engaging the comb to wipe excess mascara therefrom.
A broad U-shaped bridge portion 62 of the component 58 formed
integrally with and supporting the jaws is suitably secured
within the reservoir to the body 50. From the center of the
base of portion 62, a resilient pawl arm 64 (also formed
integrally therewith) projects forwardly and slightly upwardly
above the floor of the reservoir as seen in FIG. 17, terminating
in a reverse bend 64a at its free forward end.
-
The dispenser of FIGS. 16-23 also includes, as a movable
member (or "wiper activator") for causing the jaws to move in
and out of their comb-wiping position, an inverted-U-shaped
element 66 disposed within the reservoir 54 in straddling
relation to the comb for movement back and forth along the long
axis of the reservoir. The wiper activator 66, which may be an
integral rigid molded plastic element, has two depending legs
66a, 66b (one on each side of the comb) each bearing, at its
midsection, an outwardly projecting wing 68; the legs are
interconnected at the top by an integral crosspiece 66c
extending transversely across the comb. The lateral dimension
of the activator 66 including wings 68 is such that the
activator can slide freely back and forth along the axis of the
reservoir, and the wings are entirely clear of the wiper 58
(for example, with the activator in the position shown in FIG.
16) except when the activator reaches the forward limit of its
travel within the reservoir. At the latter point, the wings 68
respectively engage the inner surfaces of the wiper jaws 60a,
60b, and force the jaws laterally outwardly (as shown in FIG.
19), away from their comb-engaging position. As will be
apparent especially from FIG. 19, although the side walls of
the reservoir may taper forwardly, in the embodiment of FIGS.
16-23 the reservoir side walls remain far enough apart adjacent
the opening 52 so that the jaws 60a, 60b have room to move
outwardly away from wiping engagement with the comb.
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The comb, which as stated is straddled by the activator
66, is freely slidable relative thereto over most of its
length. However, the top edge of the comb is formed with a
long notch 70 having a forward vertical edge 72 and a rearward
vertical edge 74. The activator is so dimensioned that its
transverse crosspiece 66c is received within the notch 70.
Consequently, when the comb moves sufficiently far rearwardly
(i.e., to its retracted location) relative to the activator 66,
the forward vertical edge 72 of the notch interferingly engages
the activator crosspiece 66c and forces the activator to move
rearwardly with further rearward movement of the comb, as shown
in FIG. 21. In like manner, when the comb is extended sufficiently
far forwardly the rearward edge 74 of the notch engages
the activator crosspiece 66c and forces the activator to move
forwardly in correspondence with further forward movement of
the comb to its fully extended location, as shown in FIG. 22.
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The lower ends of the legs 66a and 66b of the activator 66
are bevelled, as indicated at 76, with a forward and downward
slope so that when the comb forces the activator to its forward
limit of travel (i.e., to the position represented in FIGS. 19
and 22, at which the wings 68 hold the wiper jaws 60a, 60b out
of engagement with the comb), the reverse bend 64a of the pawl
arm 64 of the wiper component seats against the bevelled
bottoms of the activator legs to arrest the activator in the
latter position. It will be appreciated that as the activator
is dragged forwardly by the comb, the bottoms of the legs 66a,
66b depress and thus pass over the resilient pawl arm 64, which
then springs back behind the legs to engage and hold them.
Also, when the comb forces the activator to move rearwardly
from this position, the sloping engagement of the legs and pawl
arm permits the legs to pass over the pawl arm in a rearward
direction, again depressing the pawl arm, so that the activator
is released and can be carried by the comb rearwardly out of
engagement with the wiper jaws.
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In operation of the dispenser of FIGS. 16-23, as the user
operates the drive (not shown) to extend the comb 56 forwardly
(arrow 78, FIG. 16) out of the reservoir 54 through the opening
52 for application of mascara to the user's eyelashes, the
wiper jaws 60a and 60b in the forward portion of the reservoir
are clamped in wiping engagement with the comb and act to wipe
excess mascara from the entire tooth area of the comb during
travel of the comb to its extended location. At this time, the
activator 66 is at a rearward position within the reservoir (as
represented in FIG. 16) so that its wings 68 are not in
engagement with the resilient wiper jaws; hence, the jaws are
free to assume their unstressed, comb-wiping position. The
raised "ramp" of the pawl arm 64 deters premature forward
movement of the activator, resisting it until the comb is fully
extended; and the viscosity of the contained liquid material in
the reservoir will, to a minor degree, offer some resistance to
activator forward movement as well.
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Continuing forward movement of the comb causes the rear
edge 74 of the comb notch 70 to engage the crosspiece 66c of
the activator, thereby moving the activator forwardly with the
comb. As the comb reaches its extended location, at which it
has been fully wiped along its length by the wiper jaws, the
activator arrives at its forward position at which its wings 68
engage and force open the wiper jaws 60a, 60b, moving them
outwardly out of engagement with the comb, while the pawl arm
64 snaps into place against the bevelled bottoms of the
activator legs to lock the activator into this forward position.
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As the user again manipulates the drive of the dispenser
to retract the comb rearwardly into the reservoir for replenishment
with more mascara, or storage, the applicator remains
locked in the latter position, holding the jaws away from
wiping engagement with the comb. In this manner, throughout
the retraction of the comb, the undesired occurrence of
backwipe is avoided. As the comb finally approaches its fully
retracted position, the forward edge 72 of its notch engages
the activator and forces it rearwardly, overcoming the retaining
force of the pawl arm 64 and thereby releasing the resil-ient
wiper jaws to move again inwardly to their unstressed,
comb-clamping or wiping position so that when the comb is next
extended out of the reservoir it will again be fully wiped by
the jaws.
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An advantage of this embodiment, as compared to that of
FIGS. 1-11, is that the wiper jaws need be moved (laterally,
i.e. outwardly and inwardly) only thousandths of an inch
between their wiping and non-wiping positions, whereas in the
dispenser of FIGS. 1-11 the whole wiper structure including the
jaws typically travels (axially, i.e. rearwardly and forwardly)
about 1-1/8 inch between those two positions.
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FIGS. 24-26 show a modification of the dispenser of FIGS.
16-23 in which the comb 86 is provided with a longitudinal slot
88 in its upper portion rather than with a notch 70 in its top
edge. The activator 90 may be generally similar in structure
to the activator 66 of FIGS. 16-23, including legs 90a, 90b and
a top crosspiece 90c, but it also has inward projections or
beads 92 formed on the inner surfaces of its legs so as to be
received within the slot 88. In this structure the crosspiece
90c could pass without obstruction over the entire length of
the top edge of the comb, but the slot 88 has rearward and
forward vertical edges 94, 96 that interfere with the beads 92
to cause the activator to be forced forwardly and rearwardly,
respectively, in correspondence with movement of the comb to
its extended and retracted locations. That is to say, in the
dispenser of FIGS. 24-26, the slot edges 94, 96 and beads 92
perform the same cooperative functions, with respect to
positioning and moving the activator in response to movement
and location of the comb, as do the notch edges 72, 74 and
crosspiece 66c in the device of FIGS. 16-23. In all other
respects, the dispenser of FIGS. 24-26 may be identical to that
of FIGS. 16-23.
FIGS. 27 - 29B
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As shown in FIGS. 27-29B, a pen-type fluid material
dispenser embodying the present invention, such as a mascara
dispenser, may (as a further particular feature of the invention)
be provided with a device for controlling the position of
the fluid material within the reservoir of the dispenser. For
convenience, this device will be exemplified as incorporated in
the dispenser of FIGS. 1-11, but it will be appreciated that
such a device can be used in the other dispensers herein
described, and indeed in other pen-type fluid material dispensers
as well.
-
In this regard, it may be explained that a pen-type
dispenser will commonly lie on its side when not in use, as it
has no bottom to stand on, although it is in vertical position
when filled with fluid material such as mascara. Typically, in
filling procedures, a space (void) 98 (FIG. 29A) of about 10-20%
is required. Depending on how the pen-type dispenser lies
in or on a drawer or counter, and in what time frame (e.g.
overnight, 9 hours more or less), the contained mascara or
other fluid material may settle or flow into this 10-20% void.
As a result, the comb or other applicator may be denied full
exposure to (immersion in) the fluid material. Further,
through usage, the void becomes greater and greater. Obviously,
this lack of immersion can create a problem for the user;
and unlike common present-day types of mascara dispensers, the
pen-type dispenser does not enable the user to pump, stir,
swivel, etc. the applicator to get mascara on it.
-
Assuming that in production, the pen-type dispenser will
be filled "point" down and, therefore, the comb applicator will
be fully immersed, it is desirable that this state remain
constant. Accordingly, in the arrangement of FIGS. 27-29B, a
spring device 100 is provided to always keep the fluid material
(mascara) mass in place and not allow it to flow or move into
the 15-20% void space. This device stays constantly in touch
with the contained fluid material mass in the reservoir,
regardless of its horizontal or vertical attitude. As the
mascara (or other fluid material) is removed through usage, the
spring device follows it until it is stopped at the rear end of
the comb 22 -- where it is most useful. This spring action is
independent of the comb's movement in and out in the reservoir
for application of mascara and replenishment or storage; it is
an action related only to the position of the contained fluid
material mass.
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Specifically, the device 100 is used in conjunction with a
reservoir 16 having substantially uniform cross-sectional shape
and dimensions along at least a substantial part of its length.
The device includes a movable pusher or wall element 102
through which the applicator rod 24 extends, the wall element
102 beingdisposed within the reservoir 16 so as to be positioned
between the rearward transverse fixed wall 18 of the
reservoir and the fluid material 103 in the reservoir and being
dimensioned to substantially occlude the reservoir transversely.
Also included in the device 100 is a spring 104 under
compression between the rearward wall 18 and the wall element
102, for urging the wall element away from the rearward wall 18
with sufficient force to control the reservoir volume available
for occupation by the fluid material in correspondence with the
amount of fluid material present in the reservoir, but insufficient
to expel fluid material through the front opening 12 of
the reservoir.
-
That is to say, the device 100 operates to contain, but
not to push, the fluid volume in the reservoir, preventing the
mascara or other fluid material from flowing back into the
headspace (void), which enlarges as the dispenser empties. In
a 3-inch long mascara chamber, for example, the travel of the
spring would typically be about 1-1/2 inches.
FIGS. 30 - 32
-
Usually, for each of the above-described embodiments of
the pen-type dispenser of the invention, a cap is provided to
enclose and shield the nose end of the dispenser at times when
the dispenser is not being used to apply mascara. Thus, as
shown in FIGS. 30-32, which relate to the embodiment of FIGS.
16-23 for purposes of exemplification, a cap 108, e.g. a
unitary molded plastic cap, is provided for seating on the
forward end of the body 50, the cap having a hollow interior
with a terminal interior projection 110 dimensioned to seat in
and close the front-end opening 52 of the dispenser.
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It is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to the features and embodiments hereinabove specifically set
forth, but may be carried out in other ways without departure
from its spirit.
