US3511575A - Lipstick case - Google Patents

Description

M ay l2, 1970 M. I .Bl-:RINS 3,511,575

LIPSTICK CASE Filed July 27, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 z 2a y MA1-.inf

M. L. BERINS LIPSTICK CASE May 12, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. (f3.

Filed July 27, 1967 INVENTOR. Mex/AEL L. esp/Ms arronfvsxs United States Patent C) 3,511,575 LIPSTICK CASE Michael L. Berins, Scarsdale, N.Y., assignor to Guild Molders, Inc., Elmsford, NX., a corporation of New York Filed July 27, 1967, Ser. No. 656,443 Int. Cl. A45d 40/04 U.S. Cl. 401-78 2 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A three-piece lipstick case having a base and a cup holder which are connected for relative rotation and are effective to displace a combined cup and coordinating member received within and engaged by the base of the cup holder to extend and retract a lipstick in relation to the case. Locking arrangements are provided for securing the cup of the combined cup and coordinating member in a loading position to facilitate the loading into the case of a lipstick and/or to locking the cup in a retracted position for storage and/or shipment.

The present invention relates generally to containers for holding, projecting, retracting and applying bodies or stciks of medicinal, hygienic, cosmetic, marking or other dispensable substances, and more particularly to a three-piece cases for cosmetic preparations, such as lipsticks.

There have been enumerable constructions proposed throughout the years for use in dispensing lipstick. Although many of these have gained widesperad commercial acceptance, there is a never ending need for simplifying usch cases, improving the functionality thereof, and reducing the costs incident to the construction of such cases and to the loading of the manufactured cases with a dispensable product, such as a lipstick.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved dispenser for cosmetic sticks and like preparations which realizes one or more of the aforesaid objectives. Specically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a lipstick case which is constructed of three basic components which may be molded without any untoward difficulty, are easily assembled and may be readily loaded with a lipstick or similar product.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, there is provided a three-piece lipstick case which comprises a base, a cup holder arranged coaxially of the base and a combined cup and coordinating member received with and engaging both the base and the cup holder. The base has an internal bore terminating in an open end, while the cup holder has both ends open and includes a cylindrical wall having an internal spiral cam formed therein. The combined cup and coordinating member includes a cup which opens in the direction of one open end of the cup holder and is adapted to receive a lipstick which projects from the common open ends of the cup holder and cup. A cam follower engages the internal spiral cam of the cup holder and includes an integral coordinating extension which projects through the other open end of the cup holder and into the internal bore ofthe base. Cooperating splines are integrally formed on the internal bore and on the coordinating extension and coact with each other to preclude relative rotation between the base and the member, but permitting longitudinal movement therebetween. Interengaging means on the base and cup holder rotatably interconnect the assembly of the base and cup holder such that relative rotation of the base and cup holder is eifective to displace Patented May l2, 1970 ICC the combined cup and coordinating member longitudinally relative to the base to extend and retract the lipstick in relation to the case.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is an exploded sectional view of a three-piece lipstick case embodying features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of FIG. l and looking in the direction of the arrows showing the cross section of the combined cup and coordinating member;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FIG. l and looking in the direction of the arrows showing the cross section of the base;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through the lipstick case showing the three pieces thereof in assembled relation and with the combined cup and coordinating member in an intermediate position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 5 of FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational View, with parts in section and broken away, showing the lipstick case with the cup thereof locked in a loading position for receiving a lipstick or similar dispensable substance;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, showing the pieces during the assembly of cup holder and base; and,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 7, but with the cup holder and base rotatably interconnected.

Referring now specifically to the drawing, the three pieces of a typical lipstick case 10 embodying features of the present invention are shown in FIG. l and are seen to include a base 12, a cup holder 14 arranged coaxially of the base 12 and a combined cup and coordinating member 16 received within and engaging both the base 12 and the cup holder 14.

The base 12 is illustrated as being a simple cylindrical part, with an easily moldable undercut, that may be shaped to impart any desired external ornamentation to the case or dispenser 10. Specifically, the base 12 includes an upstanding cylindrical wall 18 closed at one end by a Ibottom wall 20` and formed with an internal bore 22 terminating in an open end 22a. The bounding wall of the internal bore 22 contiguous to the open end 22a is smooth for a substantial portion of its length and is formed at a location spaced from the open end 22a with a locking groove or seat 26 which extends circumferentially of the base 12. Projecting radially inwardly from the lbounding wall of the internal bore 22 intermediate the bottom wall 20` and the locking seat 26 are a plurality of longitudinally extending radial splines 28, seen best in FIG. 3. The splines 28 serve in conjunction with corresponding splines on the combined cup and coordinating member 16 to preclude relative rotation between the base 12 and the member 16, yet permit longitudinal movement therebetween for a purpose to be subsequently described.

The cup holder 14 includes a cylindrical wall or body 30 having a through bore 32 terminating in opposite open ends 32a, 32b. On the interior of the cylindrical wall 30, there are formed internal spiral cam tracks 34, 341 which are of a longitudinal extent and pitch to achieve the desired longitudinal displacement of the combined cup and coordinating member 16 relative to the cup holder 14 in response to relative rotation between the base 12 and the cup holder 14. The cam track 34 has an entry end 36 which receives a cam follower on the member 16 and a terminal end 38 which serves as a stop for the cam. The second cam track 341 provided on the interior of the cylindrical wall 30 is of identical construction vto the cam track 34, but has its entry end at a point removed 180 circumferentially from the entry end 36.

The combined cup and coordinating member 16 is formed with a substantially cylindrical cup 42 which has an open end 42a opening in the same direction as the open end 32a of the cup holder 14. The cup 42 is adapted to receive a lipstick L, as seen best -in FIG. 6. Projecting from exterior of the member 16- contiguous to the base end of the cup 42 are diametrically opposed cam followers 44, 441 which are received within the identical cam tracks 34, 341. In response to relative rotation between the base 12 andthe cup holder 14, the cup 42 is longitudinally displaced relative to the assembly as a result of the cooperation between the cams 44, 441 and their corresponding cam tracks 34, 341. Depending from the cup 42 of the member 16 is an integral coordinating extension 46 which is adapted to project through the open end 32b of the cup holder 14 into the internal bore 22 of the base 12. 'Ille coordinating extension 46 is formed, as seen best in FIG. 2, with a plurality of longitudinally extending radial splines 48 which coact with the splines 28 on the base 12 to preclude relative rotation between the base 12 and the extension, yet permit longitudinal movement therebetween.

The assembly of the three pieces 412, 14 and 16 of the lipstick case is achieved simply and directly, as illustrated in the progressive showings of FIGS. 7 and 8, by inserting the member 16 within the cup holder 14 and thereupon rotably interconnecting the base 12 and the cup holder 14. Specifically, the rotatable interconnection between the base 12 and the cup holder 14 includes an outwardly projecting locking shoulder 50 formed on the cup holder 14 contiguous to the open end 32h which is received within the locking seat or groove 26 in the base 12. As seen best in FIGS. 7 and 8, the member 16 is lirst assembled with the cup holder and this sub-assembly is then united with the base 12. As seen in FIG. 7, incident to the insertion of the lower end of the cup holder 14 into the internal bore 22 of the base v12, the leading end 32b of the cup holder is somewhat radially compressed. This compression is facilitated by the chamfer 50a provided on the locking shoulder 50. The iinal assembled position of the lipstick case 10 is shown in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that the annular locking groove 26 and the shoulder lS0 cooperate to interconnect the assembly, with the followers 44, 441 at the lower end of their respective cam slots or tracks 34, 341.

When the followers 44, 441 are in the circumferentially extending locking seats 40 of the respective cam tracks at the lower end of the cup holder 14, there is a minimum tendency of the cup 42 to move relative to the cup holder 14. This precludes the inadvertent extension of the lipstick, as for example due to vibration in shipping. However, this does not interfere with the desired operation of the case since a slight Iinitial relative rotation of the base 12 and cup holder 14 will remove the followers from the respective locking slots bringing the same into the rise portion of the cam tracks 34, 341 for longitudinal translation of the cup and lipstick into extended position, such as the intermediate extended position illustrated in FIG. 4 or the final extended position illustrated in FIG. 6.

Additionally, provision is made on the base 12 and on the combined coordinating and cup member 16 for releasably securing the cup 42 against longitudinal movement relative-to the cup holder 14 and the base 12 when the cup 42 isA in a loading position remote from the base 12, as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this loading position, the cup 42 is held in a relatively fixed position against longitudinal displacement such that the lipstick L may be forced into supported relation with the cup, as illustrated by the directional arrow in that figure. This temporary locking position includes interengaging locking elements formed on the splines 28 of the base 12 and on the splines 48 of the intermediate member 16. Specifically, the upper ends of the splines 28, such as the end 28a in FIG. 6, serve as locking shoulders while the corresponding lower ends of the splines 48, such as the lower end 48a, are cut away to provide seats for the corresponding locking shoulders.v When the cup 42 is in the retracted position, the seats 48a on the lower ends of the splines 48 are out of engagement with the splines 28 of the base 12, for example as shown in the intermediate position as shown in FIG. 4. As the base and the cup holder are rotated to each other, the cup is driven upwardly until such time as the seats 48u slip over and engage the locking shoulders 28a afforded by the upper ends of the splines 28 on the base, as shown in FIG. 6. This of course prevents the cup 42 from being pushed down during loading and any axially force applied incident to such loading, is indicated by the directional arrow in FIG. 6, merely tends to increase or enhance the locking action. Upon the slight initial relative rotation of the base 12 and the cup holder 14 in the opposite direction, the locking elements 28a, 48a disengage from each other thereby permitting the cup to Ibe longitudinally and downwardly displaced for the normal and intended operation of the lipstick case (see the dotted line position of spline 48 in FIG. 6). This contiguration can be revised with equal efficacy, with seats being provided on the base and the locking shoulders onl the intermediate member.

From the foregoing it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the construction of the present invention facilitates-the use of conventional molds with no side actions. Further, the assembly of the cornponents or parts of the lipstick case in such that it may be achieved with relativelysimpele manipulative steps including the initial assembly of the member 16 and the cup holder 14 and the iinal assembly of the three pieces, as progressively illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Such assembly involves the use of relatively simple jigs or iX- ctures. Still further, the construction is such that it facilitates the easy loading of the lipstick onto its supporting cup. In particular, there is no need for special provisions external to the case 10 to facilitating loading with a dispensable cosmetic, medication or the like. The relatively long coniiguration of the combined cup land coordinating member and its cooperation with the base minimizes the tendency of the cup to wobble in the cup holder. This renders the lipstick case much more stable and desirable, 'both at the level of the manufacturer and the consumer.

Finally, the device is operable in the usual manner forceases or dispensers of this type. Although it has not been specifically illustrated, it will be appreciated that the case may include a cover which slips over the cup holder and forms a continuation of the base, both ornamentally and functionally. In this connection, the exterior surfaces of the base 12 and such cover may be provided with what ever ornamentation is required, as is generally understood by those skilled in the art.

A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in the manner consistentl with the spirit and Scope of the invetnion herein. Although the claims may make reference to a lipstick case, it is intended that this term be broadly construed as to embrace holders -and dispensers for various types of products, including without limitation, cosmetic, medicinal preparations, brushes,

applications and the like which are to be extended relafirst and second open ends with an internal spiral cam formed therein, said spiral cam extending from said first open end to a point intermediate said rst and second open ends and a combined cup and coordinating member received within and engaging both said Ibase andsaid cup holder, said combined cup and coordinating member including a cup opening at one end thereof adapted to receive a lipstick for extension through the second open end of said cup holder, a cam follower for engaging said internal spiral cam of said cup holder and an" integral coordinating extension projecting through the iirst open end of said cup holder and into said internal bore, said coordinating extension and said internal bore kincluding cooperating splines extending radially and inwardly of said internal bore and radially and outwardly of said coordinating extension and coacting with each other to prevent relative rotation between said base land said combined cup and coordinating mem-ber and to permit longitudinal movement therebetween and interengaging means on said base and said cup holder for rotably interconnecting said base and said cup holder, the:v pitch of said spiral cam being su'icient to enable less than one rotation of said base relative to said cup holder to displace said cup and coordinating member longitudinally to its full extent.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,839,029 6/ 1958 Melnikol 401-75 X 3,153,479 19/1964 Hultgren 401 78 3,289,636 172/ 1966 Tessier 401-75 3,289,637 12/1966 Tessier 401-75 2,337,979 1,2/ 1943 Dorner 401- X 3,232,276 2/ 1966 Kupersmith et al. 401-75 X FOREIGN PATENTS 956,651 4/ 1964 Great Britain.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner

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