DISPENSER COVER
FIELD OF THE TNVENTTON
The present invention relates to a dispenser cover and to a method for reversibly covering a dispenser. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Functions such as protection and display of dispensers positioned on containers holding products such as cosmetics, perfume, and skin care are ideally performed in a manner which is aesthetically pleasing and interesting as well as being functional. The protection and display of a dispenser is functional in the sense that the dispenser is protected from human tactile contact. One other function that a device protecting a dispenser should perform is protecting the dispenser from blows. A protection and display mechanism is ideally aesthetically pleasing to any prospective purchaser and to the user. Furthermore, the protection and display mechanism should be interesting to a user. An interesting mechanism is one in which it is not immediately evident as to how the mechanism works to expose or hide the dispenser.
The Quennessen patent, U.S. No. 5,499,747 ('747), discloses a retractable carrier for, and in combination with, a vial type fluid dispenser. The Quennessen carrier comprises a cylindrical base which slidably receives a sleeve which has spiral trackways formed therein. Pins projecting from the base, into the trackways, cause the sleeve to rise through the base and to project outwardly from the base, when an aperture cap, which is coupled to the base, and the base are rotated therebetween. The sleeve receives a vial of fluid, such as a perfume bottle, which has an atomizing cap. Without elevation of the sleeve through the base, the atomizing cap of the vial is exposed for operation. A reverse rotation causes the vial and sleeve to retract into the base and the atomizing cap sealingly closes off the exterior of the carrier.
A French Patent No. 2,606,298 ('298) discloses an atomizer spray and casing for a perfume bottle. This device incorporates a support in the casing
which enables the end of the spray to be extended from the casing when required for use and retracted again afterwards.
The Russo patent, U.S. No. 3,940,024 ('024) describes an aerosol container that has a carrier member which is rotatably mounted to a base instead of a cap. The carrier member includes a plurality of ribs and an absorbent material that is positioned within the ribs. The device also includes an interlocking mechanism that permits the carrier to interlock with the base while permitting a relative angular rotation between the carrier and the base.
A perfume, Le Feu D 'Issey, manufactured by Beaute Prestige, is sold in a rounded bottle that defines a bottom hollow portion and hollow passages that extend from the bottom of the bottle to the top of the bottle. Within the bottom hollow portion is a bottom deformable element that comprises a main body with pair of arms that extend upwards within the passages. A top protector mechanism is positioned at the top of the rounded bottle. The top protector mechanism may hide or expose a dispenser attached to the bottle. The top protector mechanism includes an annulus positioned around the dispenser. Attached to the annulus are a pair of arms that extend downward through the passages. The downwardly extending arms meet the upwardly extending arms and are attached to each other. The deformability of the arms and attachment of the arms permit the arms to interact so that when the bottom deformable element is pushed up, the top protector mechanism is moved up over a dispenser. When the bottom element falls, occurring when the bottle is picked up, the protector mechanism falls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention includes a dispenser cover.
The dispenser cover comprises an outer annulus that defines a spiral track and an inner annulus attached to a nub. The nub is positioned within the spiral track so that a clockwise movement of the outer annulus produces a counter-clockwise movement of the nub and a downward movement of the inner annulus. A clockwise movement of the outer annulus produces a counter-clockwise movement of the nub and an upward movement of the inner annulus.
One other embodiment of the present invention includes a dispenser cover that comprises a main body comprising an outer annulus that defines a
spiral track. The cover also includes an inner annulus that is substantially enclosed by the outer annulus. A nub is attached to the inner annulus. The nub is positioned within the spiral track of the outer annulus and counter-clockwise movement of the outer annulus produces clockwise movement of the nub and downward movement of the inner annulus.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for reversibly covering a dispenser. The method comprises providing a receptacle with a dispenser. A cover comprising an outer annulus that defines a spiral track and an inner annulus attached to a nub are provided. Moving the outer annulus in a clockwise direction produces downward movement of the inner annulus, exposing the dispenser. Moving the outer annulus in a counter-clockwise direction produces upward movement of the inner annulus, covering the dispenser.
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a kit that comprises a dispenser cover and a receptacle with a dispenser. The dispenser cover comprises a main body comprising an outer annulus that defines a spiral track and an inner annulus substantially enclosed by the outer annulus. A nub is attached to the inner annulus. The nub is positioned within the spiral track of the outer annulus. Rotational movement of the outer annulus produces movement, up or down, of the inner annulus.
One other embodiment of the present invention includes a method for making a dispenser cover. The method includes providing a receptacle with a neck and a dispenser positioned over the neck. A collar with a slot is attached to the neck of the receptacle. A nub is movably positioned within the slot. A cap portion is attached to the nub and is movable with the nub. A mechanism for raising and lowering the cap portion comprises an outer annulus with a spiral track. The nub is positioned within the spiral track concurrently with positioning in the slot. As the outer annulus is moved clockwise or counter-clockwise, the nub is moved along the spiral track and upward or downward within the slot. The cap portion is also moved upward or downward, exposing or covering the dispenser.
Another embodiment comprises a mechanism for retaining a dispenser cover on a receptacle. The mechanism is for use on a receptacle with a neck and
a dispenser positioned over the neck. The mechanism comprises a collar with a slot that is attached to the neck. The mechanism also comprises a cap portion for covering and exposing the dispenser. A nub is movably positioned within the slot of the collar. The dispenser cover is movably attached to the nub and is attached to the neck of the receptacle by the collar.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the dispenser cover of the present invention wherein the cover is in a position which covers an aerosol nozzle. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser cover of the present invention in a position wherein the aerosol spray nozzle is partially covered by the cover.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the dispenser cover of the present invention in a position wherein the cover is fully retracted, exposing the aerosol spray nozzle.
Figure 4 is a cut-away perspective view of the dispenser cover of the present invention in a position wherein the cover is in a position which covers an aerosol nozzle.
Figure 5 is a cut-away perspective view of the dispenser cover of the present invention in a position wherein the aerosol spray nozzle is partially covered by the cover.
Figure 6 is a cut-away perspective view of the dispenser cover of the present invention wherein the cover is fully retracted, exposing the aerosol spray nozzle. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser cover of the present invention in a retracted position.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser cover of the present invention in a position that covers the aerosol spray nozzle.
Figure 9 is a side view of a mechanism that elevates and lowers a cap portion of the dispenser cover.
Figure 10 is an exploded view of inner surfaces of the dispenser cover of the present invention.
Figure 11 is an exploded view of outer surfaces of the dispenser cover of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
One embodiment of the dispenser cap of the present invention, illustrated generally at 10 in Figures 4 and 10, includes a main body 12 that comprises three cap portions 11, 14, and 22 annularly disposed about a spray nozzle 16, the cap portions carrying a mechanism 18, shown in Figures 10 and 11, for elevating or lowering the main body 12 with respect to the spray nozzle 16. The dispenser cap of the present invention 10 is positioned about a neck 3, shown in Figure 10, of a bottle 7 that contains a material such as perfume. The material may also comprise skin care products such as creams, emulsions and lotions. The dispenser cap 10 is attached to the bottle 7 at an annulus cap portion 22 defining a spiral track 26, illustrated in Figure 10. The annulus 22 includes an outer annular wall 24 that defines a spiral track 26. The annulus 22 may define multiple spiral tracks 26. In one embodiment, the annulus 22 defines three spiral tracks. A nub 28 is captured within the spiral track 26. Corresponding nubs which are not shown are captured within other spiral tracks. In one embodiment, the annulus 22 is made of glass. While a bottle is described, it is understood that other containers or receptacles may be used with the dispenser cap 10 of the present invention. While a spray nozzle 16 is described, it is understood that other types of dispensers, such as a pump or a roll-on device may be used with the dispenser cap 10 of the present invention.
The mechanism 18 for retracting and raising the main body 12 with respect to the spray nozzle 16 includes the annulus 22 that is annularly positioned about the spray nozzle 16. A cap portion 14 includes an interior surface 29 that includes one or more nubs, one of which is shown at 28. The cap portion is in communication with the annulus 22 at each of the nubs, such as the nub 28. Specifically, within the spiral track 26 is the nub 28 which is positioned so that the nub 28 is engaged within the spiral track 26. For the three spiral tracks, a nub is engaged within each spiral track.
The cap portion 14 also includes an outer surface 29 with one or more outer nubs 31 , such as are shown in Figure 11. A collar 11 that defines a slot 21 is positioned adjacent to the annulus 22. The collar 11 is captured when the nub
31 is engaged within the slot 21 of the collar 11. For multiple nubs 31 , a nub is engaged in each of multiple slots. The collar 11 includes an exterior surface 33 that may be smooth or striped or may have another type of symmetry or texture.
The cap portion 14 is also in communication with the collar 11 so that when the nub 28 is moved clockwise or counter-clockwise within the spiral track 26, the cap portion 14 moves up or down with respect to the spray nozzle 16. Because the cap portion 14 and the outer annulus 22 are attached to the nub 28, and the nub 28 is captured within the slot 21 of the collar 11, the cap portion 14 and outer annulus 22 are secured to the collar 11. The collar 11 is secured to the main body 12 by capture of the nub 28 within the slot 21.
The dispenser cap of the present invention 10 has features of functionality, and is aesthetically pleasing and interesting. The device 10 of the present invention is functional because it reversibly repositions the cap portion 14 from an elevated position such as is shown in Figures 1 and 4 where the cap portion 14 covers the spray nozzle 16 and the retracted position such as is shown in Figures 3 and 6 wherein the cap portion 14 displays the spray nozzle 16.
The device is aesthetically pleasing because of its clean line. The device is interesting because it is not immediately apparent how the device works. Unlike previous devices which have raised and lowered an entire bottle with the spray nozzle, with the present invention, the spray nozzle and any bottle or other container to which the spray nozzle is attached are not moved. It is only the cap portion 14 and the nubs 28 and 31 which are raised or lowered with respect to the spray nozzle 16. Further, the cover 10 of the present invention does not require a specially designed receptacle. Rather, the cover can be installed on many receptacle designs.
The mechanism by which the cap portion 14 is raised and lowered with respect to spray nozzle 16 is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. The cap portion 14, is shown in Figures 3 and 6 in a fully retracted position so that the spray nozzle 16 is fully displayed. The cap portion 14 is annularly positioned between the mechanism 18 for moving the cap portion 14 and either the spray nozzle 16 or the neck of a bottle which is not shown to which the spray nozzle 16 is attached. In the fully retracted position, the nub 28 is at or near an end of the spiral track 26. The nub 31 is at or proximal to the bottom of the slot 21.
In order to elevate the cap portion 14, the annular mechanism 18 is moved in a counter-clockwise direction. This movement occurs by counterclockwise movement of the collar 11. Moving the mechanism 18 in a counter- clockwise direction moves the nub 28 along the spiral track 26 in a clockwise direction and moves the nub 31 , concurrently, upwardly along the vertical slot 21. Because the nub 28 and the nub 31 are attached to the cap portion 14, the clockwise movement of the nub 28 causes the cap portion 14 to move upwardly. As counter-clockwise movement of the collar 11 is continued, clockwise movement of the nub 28 within the spiral track 26 and upward movement of the nub 31 within the slot 21 produces further upward movement of the cap portion 14 until the cap portion 14 substantially covers the spray nozzle 16 as is shown in Figures 1 and 4. The cap portion 14 is retained in the fully expanded position such as is shown in Figures 1 and 4, the partially expanded positions such as is shown in Figures 2 and 5 and the fully retracted positions such as are shown in Figures 3 and 6 because once clockwise or counter-clockwise manual movement of the mechanism 18 is stopped, the nub 28 remains in its final position within the spiral track and the nub 31 remains in its final position in the slot 21. The nubs 28 and 31 have a symmetry that permits their concurrent capture within the spiral track 26 and the slot 21 and that permits movement within the spiral track 26 and the slot 21. The nub 28 is held in place at the top of the spiral track 26 by a protrusion 29 in the track 26. The protrusion 29 has sufficient elasticity so that the nub 28 can pass over it and sufficient rigidity so that the nub 28 is captured at the top of the spiral track 26. The nub 28 is captured by another protrusion 35 at the bottom of the spiral track 26. The protrusions 29 and 35 are positioned about one millimeter from an end of the spiral track 26.
While nub 28 is shown, it is understood that in one embodiment, three nubs are separated by 120 degrees. Each of the nubs moves in one of the three spiral tracks. While nub 28 is described, it is understood that the relation of the other two nubs to other components is substantially the same.
The dispenser cover 10 is retracted from a fully expanded position such as is shown in Figures 1 and 4 by turning the mechanism 18 in a clockwise
direction. Specifically, the collar 11 is turned in a clockwise direction. Turning the annular mechanism 18 in a clockwise direction causes the nub 28 to move counter-clockwise along the spiral track 26 and the nub 31 to move downward within the slot 21. The counter-clockwise movement of the nub 28 causes the cover portion 14 to move downwardly with respect to the spray nozzle 16. This downward motion is continued until the cover portion 14 is in a fully retracted position such as is shown in Figures 3 and 6.
The dispenser cover of the present invention 10 may be fabricated of virtually any lightweight metallic or polymeric material or a combination of materials. In one embodiment, the track, slot, and nub elements 26, 21, 28 and 31 respectively, are made of a material having a coefficient of friction that is sufficient to permit movement of the nubs 28 and 31 along the track 26 and the slot 21, respectively, while preventing the nubs 28 and 31 from changing position once clockwise or counter-clockwise movement of the annular mechanism 18 is stopped.
The annulus 22 may be attached to the neck of the bottle by an adhesive. In another embodiment, the annulus 22 is adhered by elastic properties of the annulus 22 itself.
In one embodiment, the dispenser cover 10 is made of a material such as polyethylene terphthalate or polyethylene or polypropylene. The mechanism may be overlaid with an enamel or maybe painted with a metallic coating in order to impart a metallic appearance to the device.
The device of the present invention is attached to a bottle by an application of vertical force. The bottle is fitted with a pump and pusher prior to attachment of the device.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the present invention have been described in particular detail with respect to preferred methods of making and structures. The present invention, however, is not intended to be limited to these preferred embodiments. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the embodiments may be adjusted to accommodate particular dispenser configurations.