WO2021002879A1

WO2021002879A1 - Cosmetics dispenser with duckbill valve

Info

Publication number: WO2021002879A1
Application number: PCT/US2019/044839
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert L. Murphy; Charles A. Curtiss
Original assignee: RLM Group Ltd.
Priority date: 2019-07-03
Filing date: 2019-08-02
Publication date: 2021-01-07

Abstract

A liquid cosmetic dispenser includes a housing, a flexible polybag, a cover, a duckbill valve, and means for letting air into an inner volume of the housing. The housing defines the inner volume and also has an opening. The flexible polybag is for holding a liquid cosmetic. The flexible polybag is positioned in the inner volume defined by the housing. The cover is for covering the opening of the housing. The cover comprises a dispensing opening. The duckbill valve is located in the dispensing opening of the cover. The duckbill valve is configured to dispense the liquid cosmetic when a force is applied to the polybag.

Description

PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) APPLICATION FOR

COSMETICS DISPENSER WITH DUCKBILL VALVE

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/870,485, filed July 3, 2019, having the same title and inventor as the present application, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Cosmetics or liquid dermatological agents generally, such as cosmetic or

pharmaceutical creams, oils or serums, can be applied with many different types of delivery means, such as aerosol sprays, roll-ons, and pumps (which are also sometimes referred to as feeder systems). Some delivery means, such as when a user simply puts their finger into the container containing the cosmetic agent, result in variable doses of cosmeti c agent. Some cosmetics dispensers contain a larger number of parts. Some cosmetics dispensers are prone to inconsistent or even a reverse flow as the cosmetics are dispensed. Also, some cosmetic dispensers are prone to extended air exposure.

SUMMARY

[0003] In one general aspect, the present invention is directed to a liquid cosmetic dispenser that comprises a duckbill valve for dispensing the liquid cosmetic. In particular, the liquid cosmetic dispenser may comprise a housing, a flexible polybag and a cover. The housing defines an inner volume and also has an opening. The flexible polybag holds the liquid cosmetic and is positioned in the inner volume defined by the housing. The cover covers the opening of the housing and comprises a dispensing opening in which the duckbill valve is located. The duckbill valve is configured to dispense the liquid cosmetic when a force is applied to the polybag. The housing also comprises means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing to increase the air pressure in the inner volume. The air can be let in simultaneously, substantially simultaneously, or after the liquid cosmetic is dispensed via the duckbill valve. [0004] The duckbill valve is essentially a one-way valve that allows the liquid cosmetic to be dispensed, but substantially no other fluids (including air) to flow back into the inner volume. In various embodiments, the liquid cosmetic dispenser also comprises a mirror. Still further, the liquid cosmetic dispenser may comprise a reservoir holding a cosmetic powder. The dispenser may be configured, as described below, so that the liquid cosmetic drops emitted by the duckbill valve fall onto the cosmetic powder. The use of liquid cosmetic drops and cosmetic powder enables the cosmetic dispenser to act as a dual use cosmetic dispenser. In some embodiments, the liquid cosmetic can be a booster such as an oil or serum.

[0005] A liquid cosmetic dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention has many fewer parts than conventional cosmetic dispensers that offer similar cosmetic products and features. Consequently, this can lead to easier manufacturing, reductions in cost of manufacturing, and lesser environmental and sustainability impacts relative to dispensers of various embodiments of the present invention . These and other benefits and features of the present invention will be apparent from the description below.

FIGURES

[0006] Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein by way of example in connection with the following figures.

[0007] Figures 1 A-1C illustrate an example cosmetics dispenser that includes a duckbill value according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0008] Figures 2A-2B are exploded views of the cosmetics dispenser with a depressible tray according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0009] Figures 3A-3B il lustrate a dispensing cycle of the cosmetics dispenser of Figures 2A- 2B according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 is a sectional view of the cosmetics dispenser including a flexible actuator according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0011] Figures 5A-5B illustrate a dispensing cycle of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 4 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] Figures 6A-6B are exploded views of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 4 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] Figures 7A-7B show top and bottom views of the housing of a cosmetics dispenser with a flexible actuator according to various embodiments of the present inventi on. [0014] Figure 8 is an exploded view of a mirror-based actuator according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 9A-9C show the cosmetics dispenser with the mirror-based actuator of Figure 8 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 10 is an exploded view of the cosmetics dispenser with a button-based actuator according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] Figures 1 1 A - 1 1 C illustrate the operation of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 10 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Figures 12A-12C show a cosmetics dispenser with a cartridge according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] Figures 13A-13B show the operation of the cosmetics dispenser of Figures 12A-C according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 14 is a sectional view of the cosmetics dispenser with a flapper valve according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] Figures 15A-15C are exploded views of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 14 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] Figures 16A-16B show' the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 14 with a mirror-based actuator and with the mirror-based actuator removed from a lid portion, respectively, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 17 show a cosmetics dispenser with a cartridge and button-based actuator according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] Figures 18A-18C are exploded views of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 17 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figures 19A-19B show the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 17 with a cover and the cover removed from a lid portion, respectively, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] Figures 20A-20D show various view's of the cartridge used with the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 17 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 21 is a sectional view of the cosmetics dispenser with two polybags and a mirror-based actuator according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 22 A is a perspecti ve view of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 21 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] Figures 22B-22C are exploded view's of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 21 according to various embodiments of the present invention. [0030] Figure 23 A is a view of the bottom portion of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 21 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] Figures 23B-23C are exploded views of the lid portion of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 21 according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] Figures 24A-24B show the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 21 in an open position and in the open position with the mirror, platform, and pan removed, respectively, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

[0033] In one general aspect, the present invention is directed to a cosmetics dispenser that dispenses liquid cosmetic or other dermatological fluids via a duckbill applicator. The liquid cosmetic can be held in a flexible plastic bag (e.g., polybag) in the dispenser. The polybag and duckbill applicator operate in conjunction to provide a vacuum effect that minimizes residual liquid cosmetic. The duckbill applicator, which can be embodied as a duckbill valve, dispenses some of the liquid cosmetic in the polybag per application/activation, when activated by a force applied to the polybag, for example. The amount of liquid cosmetic dispensed per activation/application depends on the viscosity of the liquid cosmetic, the size of the duckbill valve, and the force applied to the polybag. In some embodiments, a user can press down on a flexible actuator of the dispenser to increase air pressure on the polybag to force liquid cosmetic out of the polybag through the duckbill applicator. In other

embodiments, the user may apply pressure to depress a depressible region of a tray or deck of the cosmetics dispenser, which forces liquid cosmetic out of the polybag and through the duckbill applicator. A depressible mirror or pump could also be used to activate the duckbill applicator. Other suitable methods of actuating the duckbill applicator are also possible. The cosmetics dispenser may advantageously dispense a uniform dose of liquid cosmetic through the duckbill applicator without backflow when it is activated.

[0034] Figures 1 A-1C and 2A-2B illustrate an example cosmetics dispenser 100 that includes a duckbill valve 208 according to various embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 A depicts a perspective view of the cosmetics dispenser 100 in a closed position. The cosmetics dispenser 100 comprises a housing 101 and a cover 108 (Figure IB) for the housing 101, for example. The cosmetics dispenser 100 may also comprise a polybag 206, the duckbill valve 208 and an air inlet valve 210 for letting air into the chamber where the polybag 206 is positioned (Figures 2A-2B). In Figure 1A, the housing 101 comprises a base portion 102 of the dispenser 100. Thus, the housing 101 can be connected to a lid portion 104 via a hinge (not shown), for example. A user may open the dispenser 100 by pushing the lid portion 104 upward so that the lid portion 104 rotates about the axis of the hinge to an open position relative to the base portion 102. Specifically, the user may push the lid portion 104 upward at a portion thereof accessible by a recessed clasping portion 106 of the base portion 102. In general, the recessed clasping portion 106 can be used to open the cosmetics dispenser 100, such as when the user places a finger into the recessed portion 106 and causes a snap fit or friction fit between the base portion 102 and the lid 104 portion to release, for example. To close the dispenser, the user may move the lid 104 about the hinge toward the base portion 102 until the dispenser 100 is fully shut, which may be reflected by a snapping sound indicating the lid 104 is engaged with the base portion 102 in a snap fit.

[0035] Figure IB depicts a perspective view of the cosmetics dispenser 100 in an open position. The housing 101 can have an opening (see Figure 2 A) in which the polybag 206 is located, and the opening is covered by the cover 108, as illustrated in Figure IB. In Figure IB, the cover comprises a tray 108 that is configured to snugly fit over and cover the opening of the housing 101. The tray 108 comprises a dispensing opening 1 10 for dispensing the cosmetic product housed within the dispenser 100. In Figure IB, the dispensing opening 110 is in the cen ter of the tray 108; in other embodiments, the dispensing opening 1 10 can be located on a different part of the cover 108, for example. Also, Figure IB depicts that the underside of the lid portion 104 comprises a mirror 1 12 that is revealed with the lip portion 104 is opened. The mirror 1 12 can assist the user in applying the cosmetic liquid to the user’s face or other body part. Figure 1C is a perspective view of the cosmetics dispenser 100 in an open position with a standard bead of cosmetic product (e.g, cosmetic foundation) dispensed through the dispensing opening 110 of the tray 108. In various embodiments, depending on the viscosity of the liquid cosmetic, the size of the duckbill valve, and the force applied to the polybag, a substantially uniform bead of cosmetic liquid is dispensed by the duckbill valve 208 through the dispensing opening 110 and onto the tray 108, as shown in Figure 1C. In this way, the user may easily brush his/her finger (or other part of their body, external brush, etc.) across the dispensing opening 110 to apply the cosmetic liquid to their face or some other desired location, for example. The uniform dosage of cosmetic liquid can be helpful to the user in terms of applying the cosmetic liquid evenly and at an appropriate amount per usage.

[0036] The tray 108 may be depressible to force the liquid cosmetic output of the polybag

206. As shown in the upright exploded view of Figure 2A, the base portion 102 of the housing 101 may have a wail 204 (e.g., an inner, annular wall) that acts as an outer perimeter for an inner volume 202 defined by the housing 101 to house the polybag 206. That is, the inner wall 204 defines an inner volume or chamber 202 of the housing so that a polybag 206 may be placed therein. The perimeter of the inner recessed chamber 202 may have a circular cross-section as shown in Figure 2A, but other shapes could be used as suitable. The polybag 206 contains the cosmetics product to be dispensed by the cosmetics dispenser 100. The polybag 206 may be manufactured or constructed from any suitable plastic, such as polypropelene, polyethylene (e.g., high density) or some other suitable plastic. Cosmetic product (e.g , liquid makeup, cream, etc.) or some other fluid product as appropriate for dispensing is placed in the polybag 206 before the cosmetic dispenser 100 is ready for use.

As described below' in connection with Figures 3A-3B, the tray 108 may be depressed downward to apply pressure to the poiyhag to expel a dose of liquid cosmetic in the polybag 206 through the duckbill valve 208, through the dispensing opening 110, and onto the top surface of the tray, as shown in Figure 1C. As the user dispenses fluid from the dispenser 100, the polybag 206 may correspondingly shrink as cosmetic product is forced out of the polybag 206. The polybag 206 preferably is flexible such that it gradually shrivels or shrinks in size over time so that its volume decreases as more liquid cosmetic is dispensed.

[0037] As illustrated in Figures 2A-2B, the tray 108 is disposed on top of the polybag 206.

As shown in the inverted view_' of Figure 2B, the tray 108 may have a recessed inner edge on its bottom portion in order to receive the side edges of the inner wall 204 in a snap or friction fit. In this way, the bottom portion of the tray 108 and the inner wall 204 seal the polybag 206 within the inner volume/chamber 202 of the housing 101 of the dispenser 100. Also, the tray 108 is positioned on top of the polybag 206 so that cosmetic liquid may dispense upward through the opening 110 and onto the top surface of the tray 108. As shown in Figure 2B, the recessed inner edge of the tray can be an inner ring 212 that has a wall with a greater height (extending upwards in the inverted view_' of Figure 2B) than the height of the outer circumference of the tray 108. The outer circumferences of the tray 108 and base portion 102 can engage in a friction or snap fit.

[0038] Figures 2A-2B show that a one-directional duckbill valve 208 may be inserted through a neck 214 in the tray 108 that leads to the dispensing opening 110. The neck 214 protrudes downwards (depicted upwards in the inverted view' of Figure 2B) from the bottom surface 216 of the tray 108. Upon activating the depressible tray 108 of the cosmetics dispenser 100, a portion of the polybag 206 is drawn towards the duckbill valve 208, which has been inserted into the neck 214. In this way, a uniform dose of the liquid cosmetic held within the polybag 206 is drawn out of polybag 206 through the neck 214 and opening 110 via the duckbill valve 208.

[0039] The air inlet valve 210 in the base portion 102 may let ambient air into the inner volume 202 of the housing 101. The air inlet valve 210 can be, for example, an umbrella valve to control air flow. The umbrella valve 210 may be a one-way valve so that air primarily enters into the dispenser 100 through the valve 210, but little or no air leaves the dispenser 100 through the valve 210 The umbrella valve 210 can be inserted into an opening disposed on a surface of the base portion 102 within the inner volume 202, for example.

When inserted, the umbrella valve 210 allows outside, ambient air to flow into the cosmetics dispenser 100, so that the incoming air replaces the previously occupied volume of the polybag 206. That is, as the dispenser 100 dispenses cosmetic liquid from the polybag 206, the polybag 206 may gradually shrink and withdraw relative to the inner volume 202, and air entering via the umbrella valve 210 replaces the volume previously occupied by the now- reduced-in-size polybag 206 (and cosmetic product contained therein). This can assist in controlling the actuation of the dispenser 100, as discussed in further detail herein. The umbrella valve 210 may have a short and slim profile, which advantageously may allow the dispenser 100 to have a more compact profile. In various embodiments, however, other suitable one-way valves or means to let air into the chamber 202 could be used instead of the umbrella valve 210.

[0040] The duckbill valve 208 may be inserted into the neck 214 so that the top/exit surface of the duckbill valve 208 is flush with the surface of the tray 208 at the dispensing opening

110. The duckbill valve 208 beneficially only enables flow of product in one direction (e.g , out of the polybag 206). Thus, the duckbill valve 208 protects against cosmetic liquid inadvertently flowing backward through the dispensing opening 110, which, if not blocked by the duckbill valve 208, could result in undesirable effects such as clumping or other interference with proper dispensing flow of cosmetic liquid. Moreover, the duckbill valve

208 advantageously dispenses a uniform amount of cosmetic liquid per application, such as a metered bead or dose of cosmetic product per activation of the duckbill valve 208. The precise dimensions of the duckbill valve 208 and the opening 110 can be fabricated during manufacture to ensure a desired uniform and consistent dose of liquid cosmetic. Preferably, the respective shapes of the opening 1 10 and exit portion of the duckbill valve 208 are the same or similar to obtain smooth flow of the cosmetic. The cosmetics dispenser 100 may function with multiple types of viscous fluids. In general, the higher the viscosity of a particular fluid, the larger the duckbill valve 208 should be. The cosmetic liquid may be contained within a polybag and forced upwards through the duckbill valve 208 when the user actuates the cosmetics dispenser 100, as discussed in further detail below. In some embodiments, the tray 108 holds a second cosmetic product different from the first cosmetic product in the polybag. For example, the second cosmetic product may be a cosmetic powder while the first cosmetic product is a serum that can be mixed with the powder for a desired cosmetic effect.

[0041] Upon dispensing a uniform dosage of cosmetic liquid through the one-directional duckbill valve 208 from the polybag 206, the duckbill valve 208 may close immediately or shortly after dispensing the cosmetic liquid through the opening 110. The polybag 206 can be flexible and work in conjunction with the duckbill valve 208 in order to smoothly and cleanly dispense consistent doses of cosmetic product. As discussed above, the liquid cosmetic advantageously can travel through the duckbill valve 208 and the dispensing opening 1 10 to present the user with a uniform bead of liquid cosmetic. To return the depressibie tray 108 to an unactuated/undepressed state, the air inlet valve 210 (which can be an umbrella valve) in the housing 101 can let air into the chamber 202 holding the polybag 206. In this way, the duckbill valve 208 and the air inlet valve 210 may operate in conjunction to smoothly transition the depressibie tray 108 of the cosmetic dispenser 100 between its actuated and unactuated states. In particular, as shown in Figures 2A-2B, the umbrella valve 208 enables air to flow into the inner chamber 202 holding the polybag 206. This in-rushing ambient air entering the inner volume 202 can compensate for the decreased volume of the polybag 206. As discussed above, the decreased volume may be due to the liquid cosmetic that was dispensed out of the polybag 206 when the tray 108 was actuated. When the depressibie tray 108 is actuated, an external pressure is applied to the polybag 206 and cosmetic is dispensed, thereby causing the polybag 206 to reduce in volume. The reduction in volume corresponds to the amount of cosmetic dispensed. The air entering through the umbrella valve 208 occupies the space previously occupied by the polybag 206 before its reduction in size. In this way, the cosmetic dispenser 100 beneficially may continue to consistently dispense uniform doses of cosmetic product without backflow until the polybag 206 empties.

[0042] Figures 3A-3B illustrate a dispensing cycle of the cosmetics dispenser 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3 A, the tray 108 may comprise a depressibie region to activate the dispensing. Alternatively, the entire surface area of the tray 108 could be depressibie for this purpose. When the user applies force to the tray

108, such as by pushing the tray 108 downwards as represented by the downward arrows in Figure 3 A, the surface of the tray 108 flexes downward. To this end, the tray 108, which may be made of flexible plastic, may comprise a thin surface and have a flexible profile. When the tray 108 is depressed, pressure is applied to the polybag 206. This partially collapses or depresses the polybag 206 such that the liquid cosmetic is dispensed through the duckbill valve 208.

[0043] In various embodiments, one press down on the depressible tray 108 by the user is sufficient for the dispenser 100 to dispense the uniform dosage (assuming the polybag 206 is not empty). Moreover, the amount of force that the user applies to the tray 108 may not substantially affect the amount of cosmetic liquid dispensed by the dispenser 100. In various embodiments, regardless of how hard the user presses on the tray 108, the tray 108 advantageously may depress to a consistent degree, which corresponds to a uniform dosage of cosmetic product dispensed through the duckbill valve 208. When the user releases the applied pressure on the depressible tray 108, the duckbill valve 208 may ceases to release or dispense cosmetic product out of the dispensing opening 110 as the depressible tray 108 returns to its non-depressed state.

[0044] Figure 3B illustrates a recharge portion of the dispensing cycle. The recharge portion may refer to the depressible tray 108 returning to its undepressed state, as represented by the upward pointing arrows in Figure 3B. When the tray 108 returns to its undepressed state (e.g., the user releases the pressure applied on tray 108), the duckbill valve 208 stops releasing cosmetic product. That is, the release of pressure on the tray 108 allows the tray 108 to return or spring hack to the undepressed state, in which a vacuum is created that stops the dispensing of product through the duckbill valve 208. Concurrently or substantially concurrently, air entering through the umbrella valve 210 replaces the volume ceded by the polybag 206 (based on the amount of cosmetic liquid dispensed out of the polybag 206). When the umbrella valve 210 opens, it acts as the only aperture in the housing 101 and allows air into (but not out of) the inner volume 202. In particular, the difference in internal pressure within the inner volume 202 and the exterior of the housing 101 results in sufficient force to lift the sealing disk 302 (umbrella portion) of the umbrella valve 210 from its seat, which enables forward flow' of air in one direction at a certain pressure. Simultaneously, the design of the umbrella valve 210 prevents back flow of air, which helps provide back flow protection for the cosmetics dispenser 100. In addition, the snap fit between the tray 108 and the base portion 102 may create an air-tight seal for holding the polybag 206, as signified by the arrow S in Figure 3B. [0045] Figure 4 is a sectional view of the cosmetics dispenser 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 includes a fl exible actuator 402 on the backside of the housing 101 to actuate the duckbill value 208 and a non- depressible tray 108. In one embodiment, the flexible actuator 402 acts as a bellows. That is, upon actuation of the flexible actuator 402, the air pressure in the inner chamber 202 increases, and hence, pressure increases on the polybag 206 to cause the duckbill valve 208 to dispense the liquid cosmetic from the cosmetics dispenser 100 In particular, the actuator 402 can be flexible and depressible such that when the actuator 402 is depressed, internal air pressure within the dispenser 100 increases and forces the liquid cosmetic within the polybag 206 out and through the duckbill valve 208. In this way, the cosmetics dispenser 100 may provide a uniform and consistent dose of cosmetic product onto the tray 108. In such an embodiment, the housing 101 may comprise an air inlet valve 404, which could he a second duckbill valve, for example, to let air into the chamber 202 after actuation of the actuator 402 The air inlet valve 404 may be positioned proximate to the bottom surface of the housing 101 and protruding into the inner volume 202 to guide air into the inner volume 202 previously occupied by the gradually shrinking polybag 206. Moreover, the air entering through the air inlet valve 404 may eliminate the pressure differential between the inner volume 202 and the exterior of the dispenser 100 that resulted from actuating the actuator 402. As such, the entering air may help return the actuated flexible actuator 402 to its unactuated state.

Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 4, there can be an air-tight seal between the inner wall 204 and the inner ring 212 of the tray 108 based on their snap fit, as represented by the arrow labeled S. The outer annular volume 209, which is outside of the volume 202 contained within the inner wail 204, may be useful for the hinge connecting the base portion/housing 101 and lid portion 104.

[0046] Figures 5A-5B illustrate a dispensing cycle of the cosmetics dispenser 100 of Figure 4 according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5 A, when the flexible actuator 402 is actuated, a portion of the actuator 402 such as the center, rises or flaps upwards into the inner volume 202. This increases the air pressure in the inner volume

202, which causes the liquid cosmetic to exit the polybag 206 through the duckbill valve 208, as outlined by the arrows in Figure 5A. In this connection, Figure 5A depicts a recessed portion in the center of the polybag 206 beneath the duckbill valve 208. The flexible actuator

402 could be actuated based on the user pressing on the flexible actuator 402. As discussed above, regardless of the amount of force applied to the actuator 402, the dosage of liquid cosmetic dispensed by the dispenser 100 may be uniform, which may be due in part to the duckbill valve 208. The dosage may also be independent of the number of times the user presses on the actuator, at least until the actuator 402 returns to an unactuated state from one instance of actuation. In other words, the user might not need to press on the actuator 402 multiple times for the dispensing portion of the dispensing cycle to commence.

[0047] Figure 5B shows a recharge portion of the dispensing cycle. As shown in Figure 5B, when the user releases the applied pressure on the flexible actuator 402, the duckbill valve 208 stops dispensing cosmetic product. The recharge portion may refer to the flexible actuator 402 returning to its unactuated or non-actuated state, as represented by the upward pointing arrows in Figure 5B. As the actuator 402 returns to its unactuated state such as by flapping or springing downwards, away from the inner volume 202, air enters through the valve 404. In Figure 5B, the one-way air inlet valve 404 allows air to enter the inner volume 202, but not leave. The air inlet valve 404 could be, for example, a duckbill valve, an umbrella valve, an air channel, or other mechanism to direct air into the inner volume 202. In one embodiment, the flapping or sprmgmg-back action of the actuator 402 results from the intrinsic mechanical properties of the flexible actuator 402, such that the actuator 402 flexes back to its unactuated position when the applied pressure is removed (e.g , the user stops pressing on the actuator 402). This flexing-back motion can cause air to enter through the air inlet valve 404, with the incoming air consuming the volume previously occupied by the now partially-shrunken polybag 206.

[0048] Figures 6A-6B are exploded views of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 4 according to various embodiments of the present invention. Figure 6A show's the dispenser 100 in an upright position while Figure 6B show's the dispenser in an inverted position. As shown in Figures 6A-6B, the duckbill valve 208 is inserted into the dispensing opening 110 of the tray 108, which enables the liquid cosmetic in the polybag 206 to exit through the duckbill valve 208. The inner ring 212 may interact with the polybag 206 and the inner wall 204 of the base portion 102 to seal the polybag 206 within the housing 101. The air inlet valve 404 may be inserted into the air valve opening 406 of the base portion 102 of the housing 101.

[0049] Figures 7A-7B show top and bottom view's of the housing 101 according to another embodimen t of the present invention. The embodiment of Figure 7A-7B uses a flexible, back side actuator 402 as depicted in Figures 4, 5 A-B and 6A-B, except that instead of the air inlet valve 404 of those figures, the example embodiment of Figures 7 A-B comprises an air inlet channel 408 on the backside of the housing 101 that enables air to enter the chamber 202 during the recharge portion of the dispensing cycle. Otherwise, the cosmetics dispenser of

Figure 7A-B may operate similarly to the embodiments of Figures 4, 5 A-B and 6 A-B. [0050] As shown in the embodiments previously described, the housing 101 for the polybag 206 could be the lower or base portion of a hinged cosmetic compact. In yet other embodiments, the housing 101 for the polybag 206 could be in the upper or lid portion of a hinged cosmetic compact. In such embodiments, the polybag 206 may be positioned behind a mirror 1 12 and the lower/base portion of the compact 101 may comprise cosmetic powder 508.

[0051] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 8 and 9A-C, the mirror 112 is depressible to dispense the liquid cosmetic from the polybag 206. Figure 8 is an exploded view of such a mirror-based actuator according to various embodiments of the present invention. When the mirror 112 is depressed, pressure is applied to the polybag 206 to force liquid cosmetic out of the polybag 206 via the duckbill valve 208. Additionally, the depressible mirror 112 may cover, at least in part, the chamber 202 that houses the polybag 206. As shown in Figures 8 and 9 A, the perimeter of the chamber 202 may be lined with a resilient (e.g. corrugated) biasing frame 502 that collapses (in the direction of movement of the mirror 1 12) when the mirror 112 is depressed and resiliently biases back to its original, uncollapsed state to bias the mirror 112 back to its original position when the depressing force is removed (by the user) from mirror 112. In this connection, when the user depresses the depressible mirror 112, the biasing frame 502 collapses and the mirror 1 12 impinges on the polybag 206 to cause the polybag 206 to expel liquid cosmetic via the duckbill valve 20, preferably in a uniform dosage amount. When the depressing force is removed from the mirror, the biasing frame 502 performs a return stroke to cause the depressible mirror 112 to return to its non-depressed or undepressed position.

[0052] To replace the volume of the polybag 206 after it partially shrinks to dispense the liquid cosmetic, the housing 101 may comprise an air channel to direct air into the inner volume 202 The air inlet channel may be an input port 512 on the exterior of the housing 101 and an exit port (connected to the input port 512) at the inner chamber 202.

[0053] In various embodiments, as shown in Figure 8 and 9A, the duckbill valve 208 is spaced from the polybag 206 by a conduit 504, such as a tube, that carries the dispensed liquid cosmetic from the polybag 206 to the duckbill valve 208 As shown in Figures 9A-9C, the housing/lid portion 101 are hingeably connected to the base or bottom portion 102 via a hinge. As can be seen in Figures 9 A, the polybag 206, the biasing frame 502, and depressible mirror 112 are each positioned in the housing 101, which acts as the lid for this embodiment of the cosmetics dispenser 100 In this way, as described above, the user may selectively apply pressure to the depressible mirror 112 in the lid portion 104 of the housing 101 to force liquid cosmetic out of the polybag 206 via the conduit 504 and duckbill valve 208. In the mirror actuator confi guration, the depressible mirror 1 12 functions as the cover for the inner chamber 202 of the housing 101 that houses the polybag 206.

[0054] In Figures 9A-9C, the dispensing opening 110 is located at a non-mirror portion 510 of the housing 101. That is, the duckbill valve 208 may extend up to or through the dispensing opening 110, with the conduit 504 earning the liquid cosmetic from the polybag 206 to the duckbill valve 208. This can prevent the mirror 112 from having the dispensing opening, although in other embodiments the depressible mirror 112 itself can have the dispensing opening 110 As shown in Figures 9A-C, the bottom portion 102 may comprise a reservoir that holds cosmetic powder 508. In such a configuration, when the depressible mirror 112 is depressed, the liquid cosmetic is forced out of the polybag 206 through the conduit 504, the duckbill valve 208 and the dispensing opening 110. Once forced out, the liquid cosmetic falls or flies onto the cosmetic powder 508 held in a reservoir of the bottom portion 102. In this connection, the depressible mirror 112 should generally be opened relative to the hinge and the bottom portion 102 so that the user can easily access the depressible mirror 1 12. Also, the mirror 112 can be optional. Thus, the cover itself could be a depressible component without being a mirror. The liquid cosmetic can be a second cosmetic product functioning as a booster such as an oil or serum relative to the cosmetic powder 508. Additionally, a third cosmetic product dispensing means or actuator could be disposed within the bottom portion 102 so that the third actuator is actuated to cause the third cosmetic product to dispense over the top surface of the cosmetic powder 508. This way, the user may mix cosmetic powder 508, the cosmetic liquid dispensed through the dispensing opening 1 10, and the third cosmetic product together for a desired cosmetic effect.

[0055] When the lid portion 104 of the housing 101 is opened, the liquid cosmetic (e.g., serum) may squirt out or fall onto the cosmetic powder 508 at a certain location

corresponding to the extent that the lid portion 104 is opened. In one embodiment, the hinge comprises a detent to limit rotation of the housing 101 relative to the bottom portion 102

The detent could be configured to limit this rotation so that the duckbill valve 208 is positioned directly above the cosmetic powder 508 in the reservoir of the bottom portion 102. This way, when the mirror 112 is depressed, the liquid cosmetic falls directly onto the cosmetic powder. The travel path for the cosmetic liquid can vary, as shown in Figures 9B- 9C, depending on the force at which the dose of liquid cosmetic is expelled and the extent to which the lid portion 104 is opened. The cosmetics dispenser 100 may expel the dose of liquid cosmetic at the same force to ensure a consistent travel path, for example. The landing spot of the liquid cosmetic onto the cosmetic powder 508 is represented by the arrows labeled L in Figures 9B-9C. The hinge’s detent can be configured to limit rotation of the housing 101 relative to the bottom portion 102 to some desirable extent, such as no greater than 60° degrees, for example. Other suitable rotation limits are also possible as desired.

Furthermore, the detent could be releaseably or selectively activated so that the user could open the housing 101 as far as possible

[0056] Figures 10 and 11A-C illustrate another embodiment where the polybag 206 is in the lid portion of the dispenser 101, behind a mirror 112. In the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11 A-C, the mirror 1 12 is not depressible, and instead the polybag 206 is actuated by a button 610 on the exterior of the housing 101 The button 610 may function as a depressible actuator that when depressed, causes air pressure in the inner volume 202 of the lid porti on 104 of the housing 101 to increase. This increased pressure essentially squeezes the polybag 206, which causes liquid cosmetic to be emitted or dispensed by the polybag 206 through the duckbill valve 208. The depressible button 610 may be fabricated and configured so that it snugly fits into an aperture 606 on the exterior of the housing 101. In particular, the housing 101 may comprise a top disk 602 which includes the aperture 606. The button 610 thus can be located on the top surface of the cosmetic dispenser 100 for easy access by the user. The top disk 602 with the depressible button 610 can be press or snap fit into the lid portion 104 to seal the polybag 206 therein.

[0057] In the embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 11A-C, the inner volume 202 is circular and is completely covered by the mirror 112. Also as shown in Figure 10, the polybag 206 may comprise a removable cap 608. A user or manufacturer could remove the cap 608 to fill or refill the polybag 206 with a desired liquid cosmetic. As such, the manufacturer of the cosmetic dispenser may screw on the cap 608 to seal the polybag 206 after the liquid cosmetic is placed into the polybag 206 In some embodiments, the polybag 206 could be a reusuable component such that the user could unscrew the cap 608 to refill the polybag 206 for repetitive usage with the cosmetic dispenser 100. Also as shown in Figure 10, the duckbill valve 208 could be integrated into the polybag 206; that is, the duckbill valve 208 can extend from the polybag 206. In such an embodiment, the button 610 functions as an actuator of the cosmetics dispenser 100 to commence a dispensing cycle. A detent can be configured to limit rotation of the housing 101 relative to the bottom portion 102, such as a 60° limit.

[0058] Accordingly, as shown in Figure 1 1 A, a drop or dose of liquid cosmetic is dispensed to fall onto the cosmetic powrier 508 of the bottom portion 102. The drop of liquid cosmetic may drop in a vertical or substantially vertical line when the detent holds or secure the hinge to maintain or otherwise limit the rotation of the housing 101 to a desired angle that is less than ninety degrees, for example. To cause the dose of liquid cosmetic to drop directly onto the cosmetic powder, the user may press the depressible button 610, which causes the button to extend into the inner volume 202, thereby decreasing the size of the inner volume 202 and correspondingly causing the air pressure in the inner volume 210 to increase, which causes liquid cosmetic to be emitted by the polybag 206 through the duckbill valve 208. An air inlet channel may let air into the inner volume 202 of the housing 101, helping the button 610 returns to its unactuated state and filling the volume left by the now partially-shrunken polybag 206. By virtue of the air channel directing air into the inner volume 202 and removal of the pressure which originally depressed the depressible one-handed button 610, the button 610 may transition back to its undepressed state.

[0059] Figures 12A-12C shows the cosmetics dispenser 100 in a cartridge configuration, according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figure 12A, a cartridge 704 is inserted into an aperture 702 of the lid portion 104 of the housing 101 to snap fit into the housing 101 , for example. The cartridge 704, as shown in Figure 12B, may have a flexible profile. As shown in FIGS. 12B-12C, at one end (i.e., distal) of the cartridge 704 is a plug seal 706 covering an opening at this distal end of the cartridge 704. The other end (i.e, proximal) of the cartridge 704 comprises a button 610. This button 610 may be a depressible button 610 and may be connected to a pump-like housing 708 of the cartridge 704. The button 610 could be actuated by one hand of the user, for example. When the cartridge 704 is inserted into the inner volume 202 of the lid portion 104 of the housing 101 via the aperture 702, the plug seal 706 is removed so that the polybag 206 inserted into the cartridge 704 may dispense the liquid cosmetic contained within the reservoir of the polybag 206. Similarly to actuators of the cosmetic dispenser 100 described above, the depressible button 610 may be depressed by the user to dispense liquid cosmetic from the polybag 206 through the duckbill valve 208.

[0060] In particular, when the button 610 is depressed, the pump housing 708 is compressed longitudinally and biases the polybag 206 inside the cartridge 704 to apply pressure to squeeze the polybag 206. As shown in Figure 12, the polybag 206 is placed into the interior of the cartridge 704. Accordingly, the liquid cosmetic contained within the reservoir of the polybag 206 is emitted out through the duckbill valve. To guide the emitted liquid cosmetic out of the dispensing opening 110 of the mirror 112 (of the cover of the housing 101), a conduit may be employed to connect the liquid cosmetic to the duckbill valve 208. Specifically, the conduit may connect the opening at the distal end of the cartridge 704 to the duckbill valve 208. The conduit could be an angular shaped tube, for example, which guides the liquid cosmetic to a different direction (e.g., along an axis going out of the dispensing opening 1 10) from its original direction (e.g, going across the width of the lid portion 104, which is a direction transverse to the axis). In this way, the liquid cosmetic can be dispensed onto the cosmetic powder in the reservoir 508 of the bottom portion 102 and the detent can limit the rotation of the housing 101 relative to the bottom portion 102, as described above.

[0061] Furthermore, the cartridge 704 can be replaceable and/or reusable. The manufacturer or the user of the cosmetic dispenser 100 could replace all or some components of the cartridge 704 after dispensing all of the cosmetic product in the cartridge 704. Specifically, a used cartridge 704 could be removed from the housing 101 through the aperture 702 and subsequently a new, full cartridge 704 could be inserted into the aperture 702 for additional usage of the cosmetics dispenser. Once the full cartridge 704 is inserted into the inner volume 202, the depressible button 610 again may be depressed to force liquid cosmetic out of the new polybag 206. As discussed above, a means for letting air into the inner volume 202 of the housing 101 facilitates the return of the depressed button 610 to its non-depressed state. The means for letting air in could be, for example, a pin hole on the exterior surface of the housing 101 or an air channel to direct air into the inner volume 202, for example.

Alternatively, only the polybag 206 might be removed from the cartridge 704. In this connection, the depressible button 610— which covers the opening at the proximate end of the cartridge 704— could be removed from the cartridge 704 to allow access to the polybag 206.

[0062] In this way, the remainder of the cartridge 704 could be reused while a new, full polybag 206 would replace a fully dispensed polybag 206. When the components of the cartridge 704 are reconnected together, the removed depressible button 610 is reattached and again covers the opening at the proximate end of the cartridge 704. Prior to use of the full cartridge 704, the plug seal 706 may seal the distal opening of the cartridge 704 so that the polybag 206 does not leak. Before the cartridge 704 is placed in the inner volume 202 of the lid portion 104 of the housing 101 , the seal of the plug seal 706 should be removed so that the liquid cosmetic in the polybag 206 can be dispensed in an unimpeded manner. In some embodiments, multiple cartridges 704 could be used in the same housing 101. To this end, multiple apertures 702 could he provided within the housing 101 for access by the cartridges

704 to the inner volume 202. When multiple cartridges 704 are used, multiple cosmetic products could be used in conjunction. For example, two cartridge 704 might be inserted into the inner volume 202 so that two separate liquid cosmetic serums could be simultaneously or substantially simultaneously used with the cosmetic powder in the reservoir 508 of the bottom portion 102.

[0063] Figures 13A-13B show the operation of the cosmetics dispenser 100 depicted in Figure 12, according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown in Figures 13A-13B, the depressible button 610 can be depressed to cause liquid cosmetic in the reservoir of the polybag 206 to dispense through the duckbill valve 208. The duckbill valve 208 may protrude slightly from the center of the cover comprising the mirror 112, although the duckbill valve 208 (and dispensing opening 1 10 that the duckbill valve 208 protrudes from) could protrude from other portions of the cover if the opening 110 and duckbill valve 208 are fabricated in different portions of the cover during manufacture. The duckbill valve 208 may protrude slightly from the dispensing opening 110, which may help reduce or eliminate the possibility of dripping of liquid cosmetic in the cosmetic dispenser 100. Also, the slight protrusion of the duckbill valve 208 may beneficially be too small of a protrusion to block reflection from the mirror 112, so that the mirror 112 can operate properly.

[0064] In some embodiments, the mirror 1 12 could be a depressible mirror 112 for actuating the cosmetic dispenser 100. This depressible mirror 112 dispensing actuation function could be an alternative or addition to the actuation function of the depressi ble button 610. Having multiple, parallel ways of actuating the dispensing of the cosmetics dispenser 100 could be desirable to some users. In Figures 13A-13B, the one-handed depressible button 610 is used to activate the dispensing of the cosmetics dispenser 100 during a dispensing cycle, similarly to the dispensing cycles described above. After the depressed buton 610 causes pressure to be applied to the inner volume 202 and the polybag 206 in the cartridge 704, air entering through the means to let air into the inner volume 202 can help facilitate the recharge portion of the dispensing cycle. That is, the entering air may help return the depressed button 610 to its non-depressed state. Also, as previously described, the detent can be used to stop or limit rotation of the housing 101 relative to the bottom portion 102, such as at 60° When the hinge detent maintains the rotation orientation of the housing 101 relative to the bottom portion 104 at 60°, for example, a uniform dose or drop of the liquid cosmetic can be smoothly dispensed onto the cosmetic powder in the reservoir 508 of the bottom portion 102.

[0065] Figure 14 shows the cosmetics dispenser 100 with a flapper valve 802 to provide a watertight seal. In particular, the flapper valve 802 is a releasable plug in the lid portion 104 that selectively enables air to flow into the lid portion 104 during a recharge portion of a dispensing cycle as described herein, for example. That is, similarly to the air inlet valve 404, the flapper valve 802 may let air into the inner volume or chamber 202 defined by the housing 101 that houses the polybag 206. Particularly, the flapper valve 802 may allow air to enter in one direction (i.e., into the inner chamber 202 of the lid portion 104), while fully or substantially preventing air from leaving the inner chamber 202 As such, the flapper valve 802 prevents air from reentering the inner chamber 202 when the depressible actuator of the cosmetics dispenser 100 is actuated. The mirror 112 may be a flexible actuator located at the lid portion 104 to dispense the cosmetic product from the polybag 206 In other words, the mirror 112 is actuatable or depressible to dispense the liquid cosmetic from the polybag 206 Alternatively, the flexible actuator may be a cover of the lid portion 104 that is not a mirror. To commence a dispensing cycle, the user presses on the mirror 112 which increases the air pressure in the inner volume 202. The increased pressure squeezes the polybag 206 and causes cosmetic liquid to dispense via the one way duckbill valve 208. The duckbill valve 208 can be flush with the bottom surface of the lid portion 104 at the dispensing opening 110 for the duckbill valve 208. As discussed above, the dosage of cosmetic liquid dispensed through the one way duckbill valve 208 may be a consistent dosage that is independent of the number of times that the user presses on the mirror 112. Specifically, each time the depressible mirror 112 transitions from the undepressed to depressed position, the cosmetics dispenser 100 may dispense only one dose of cosmetic liquid.

[0066] The perimeter of the chamber 202 may be lined with a resilient (e.g. corrugated) biasing frame 502 that collapses (in the direction of movement of the mirror 112) when the mirror 112 is depressed and resiliently biases back to its original, uncollapsed state to bias the mirror 1 12 back to its original position when the depressing force is removed (by the user) from mirror 112. The biasing action of the biasing frame 502 transitions the cosmetics dispenser 100 between the discharge portion and the recharge portion of the dispensing cycle. Accordingly, during the discharge portion, the mirror 112 can be actuated so that cosmetic liquid is dispensed out of the duckbill valve 208 when the user presses the mirror 112 to actuate the biasing frame 502 to squeeze the polybag 206. When the user stops pressing the mirror 112, the recharge portion begins and the biasing frame 502 performs a return stroke to cause the depressible mirror 112 to return to its non-depressed or undepressed position. Also during the recharge portion, the flapper valve 802 may transition from a sealed to an unsealed position to let air into the inner chamber 202 of the lid portion 104, which replaces the volume in the inner chamber 202 ceded by the polybag 206 as it shrinks or collapses during dispensing of the cosmetic liquid. The shrinking of the polybag 206 causes a change in air pressure between the inner chamber 202 and exterior of the cosmetics dispenser 100 which causes the flapper valve 802 to release from its seat. When the flapper valve 802 is lifted from the flapper seat 805, for example, an air seal is released so that air may enter into the inner chamber 202. By transitioning between the sealed and an unsealed position according to the discharge and recharge portions of the dispensing cycle, the flapper valve 802 may control air flow within the cosmetics dispenser 100.

[0067] In addition to facilitating the transition between the discharge and recharge portions of the discharging cycle, the flapper valve 802 may seal the top surface of the lid portion 104 to prevent any residual cosmetic liquid from leaking out of the cosmetics dispenser 100 when the mirror 1 12 is depressed. To this end, the flapper valve 802 may be inserted into an opening on the top surface of the lid portion 104. In one embodiment, the initial pressing motion by the user is in the opposite direction to the direction that cosmetic product is dispensed from the polybag 206. In particular, squeezing the mirror 112 collapses the biasing frame 502 which compresses the polybag 205 in a lateral direction and causes the polybag 206 to dispense cosmetic liquid out of the duckbill valve 208 in the opposite direction to the direction to the user’s initial depressing motion. As depicted in Figure 14, the bottom portion 102 of the housing 101 comprises a pan 803 for holding cosmetic powder. The pan 803 has a reservoir that is similar to the reservoir of the bottom portion 102 shown in Figures 9A-9C, which holds the cosmetic powder 508. In some embodiments, a third cosmetic product may be provided in addition to the cosmetic powder in the pan 803 and the cosmetic liquid in the polybag 206. The third cosmetic product may be dispensed from the bottom of the pan 803 to the surface of the reservoir of the pan 803 via a suitable applicator, such as a porous applicator. Porous applicators are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 10,1 17,497, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated in its entirety.

[0068] Figures 15A-15C show exploded view's of the cosmetics dispenser 100 of Figure 14. Figure 15A shows the bottom portion 102 of the housing 101 and the pan 803. The pan 803 is configured to snugly fit within a central recessed part of the bottom portion 102 to define the reservoir of the pan 803. Figures 15B-15C, respectively, are inverted and upright views of the lid portion 104 of the housing and components disposed within the lid portion 104. Figure 15B depicts the mirror 112 as the actuator of the cosmetics dispenser 100, the polybag 206, and biasing frame 502. The mirror 112, duckbill valve 208, polybag 206, and biasing frame 502 are all designed to fit within the lid portion 104 in the cosmetics dispenser 100 of Figure 14. The dispensing opening 110 is also visible and facing outwards from the lid portion 104 to the bottom portion 102 of the housing 101. The duckbill valve 208 is connected to and extends from the volume of the polybag 206 to guide cosmetic liquid out of the polybag 206 via the one-directional duckbill valve 208 when the user depresses the mirror 1 12, as described above. The cosmetic liquid may squirt out or fall onto the reservoir of the bottom portion 102, which can contain one or more cosmetic products for the user to use. As can be seen in Figure 15 A, the flapper valve 802 is designed to be positioned on top of its flapper seat 805, which is etched into or disposed on the opposite (i.e., underneath) side of the top surface of the lid portion 104. When the flapper valve 802 is lifted above the flapper seat 805, the flapper valve 802 transitions from its sealed position to its unsealed position. Figure 15C illustrates that the duckbill valve 208 is inserted into the dispensing opening 110 so that when the user depresses the mirror 1 12 actuator, the cosmetic liquid in the polybag 206 is dispensed through the one directional duckbill valve 208. Also shown in Figures 15B-15C is a hinge 807 of the housing 101 to hingeably connect the housing 101 to the bottom portion 102

[0069] Figures 16A-16B show the cosmetic dispenser 100 of Figure 14 in an open configuration. In the view of Figure 16 A, the mirror 112 covering the lid portion 104 of the housing 101 is shown. Conversely, the mirror 112 is removed in the view of Figure 16B. Since the mirror 1 12 is not present in Figure 16B, the flapper valve 802 and its flapper seat 805 are both visible. The pan 803 of the bottom portion 102 is depicted in Figure 16A but is removed in Figure 16B. One or more cosmetic powders or other cosmetic products can be housed in the reservoir defined by the pan 803, as described above, although no cosmetic product is shown in Figures 16A-16B. Figure 16A depicts the duckbill protruding from the outward facing surface (i.e., facing the bottom portion 102) to dispense the cosmetic liquid onto reservoir of the pan 803. Thus, the user can access the reservoir of the pan 803 to apply a mix of cosmetic products. For example, the cosmetic liquid dispensed via the duckbill valve 208 may fall onto the top surface of the reservoir of the pan 803, where the cosmetic liquid mixes with a first cosmetic product contained within the reservoir and a second cosmetic product that wicks onto the top surface. Thus, in this example, three different cosmetic products beneficially can be mixed and applied together by the user when desired. Only the mirror based actuator 112 and duckbill valve 208 are visible in Figure 16A. The mirror based actuator 1 12 is removed in Figure 16B so that the dispensing opening and the flapper valve 602 are shown. Moreover, a detent could be provided, as discussed above, to limit rotation of the housing 101 relative to the bottom portion 102. The travel path for the cosmetic liquid onto the cosmetic powder in the pan 803 can vary depending on the force at which the dose of liquid cosmetic is expelled and the extent to which the lid portion 104 is opened.

[0070] Figure 17 is a sectional view showing the cosmetics dispenser 100 with a cartridge 704 and button-based actuator 610. As shown in Figure 17, the cartridge 704 is inserted into a recessed receiving portion 904 provided in the inner volume 202 of the lid portion 104. The cartridge 704 comprises a cap portion 905 including a domed portion 907 and a cylindrical portion 909 (Figures 20B-20D). A cartridge cover 902 covers and seals the cartridge 704 into the recessed receiving portion 904 of the lid portion 104. A first duckbill valve 208a extend s from the cap portion 905 This permits cosmetic liquid contained within the polybag 206 in the cartridge 704 to be dispensed via the first duckbill valve 208a onto the bottom portion 102. For example, the cosmetic liquid, when dispensed, can pass through the first duckbill valve 208a and fall onto cosmetic powder or some other second cosmetic product held within the pan 803 Also, as discussed above, a third cosmetic product could be wicked or otherwise dispensed from the bottom of the bottom portion 102 to the top surface of the pan 803 so that all three cosmetic products may advantageously be mixed and used by the user for a desired cosmetic effect. The cartridge 704 also comprises a pump-like housing 708. When the depressible button 610 is depressed, the pump housing 708 is compressed longitudinally and biases the polybag 206 inside the cartridge 704 to apply pressure to squeeze the polybag 206 As the polybag 206 is squeezed, liquid cosmetic inside the polybag 206 is forced out and dispensed through the first duckbill valve 208a onto the base portion 102, As shown in Figure 17, the depressible button 610 is located at an external end (extending away from the center of the cosmetics dispenser 100) of the cartridge 704 In the embodiment of Figure 17, the depressible button 610 can be pressed by the user to actuate the cosmetics dispenser 100 rather than the mirror 1 12, which instead forms a housing cover for the housing 101 When the user depresses the depressible button 610, ambient air outside of the cosmetics dispenser 100 enters through the second duckbill valve 208b to replace the volume ceded by the collapsing polybag 206, which collapses as the user dispenses the cosmetic liquid from the polybag 206. Thus, the second duckbill valve 208b can be an air inlet valet to compensate for the collapsing polybag 206 (based on the change in air pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the cartridge 704 as the liquid cosmetic is dispensed).

[0071] Figures 18A-18C are exploded vie 's of the cosmetics dispenser 100 and lid portion 104, respectively, of Figure 17. As discussed above, the pan 603 depicted in Figure 18A may hold a second product such as cosmetic powder (relative to the first liquid cosmetic dispensed by the duckbill valve 208 in the lid portion 104). Moreover, a third product can also be dispensed by the cosmetics dispenser 100 such as a third product under the cosmetic powder in the pan 803, for example. All three products may be mixed by the user for a desired cosmetic effect. Figure 18A depicts how the bottom portion 102 and the lid portion 104 of the housing 101 are combined to form the cosmetics dispenser 100. The hinge 807 shown in the inverted view of Figure 18B hingeably connects the housing 101 to the bottom portion 102. Figure 18A illustrates that the pan 803 fits snugly into the bottom portion 102 and the depressible button 610 is positioned on a portion of the exterior surface of the lid portion 104 for convenient access by the user. In addition, the cartridge cover 902 secures the cartridge 704 and associated button 610 in place. The cartridge cover 902 may be contoured to accept the cartridge 704. Similarly, the recessed receiving portion 904 may be shaped to accept the body and cap portion 905 of the cartridge 704. The cartridge cover 902 may be colored or designed for a desired aesthetic effect. In Figure 18B, the mirror 112 is shown detached from the lid portion 104. In its finished manufactured form, the cosmetic dispenser 100 includes the mirror 1 12 to cover the lid portion 104. Alternatively, the cosmetic dispenser 100 includes a cover of the lid portion 104 that does not have a mirror. The mirror 112 has a dispensing opening 1 10 at its center portion, although the dispensing opening 1 10 could be disposed at other portions of the mirror 112. Figure 18C illustrates the particular shape of the recessed receiving portion 904, which is configured to accept the cartridge 704

[0072] Figures 19A-19B show the cosmetic dispenser 100 of Figure 17 in an open configuration. In the view of Figure 19A, the mirror 1 12 covering the lid portion 104 of the housing 101 is shown. Conversely, the mirror 112 is removed in the view of Figure 19B.

The depressible button 610 is shown in Figures 19A-19B and can be used to dispense the liquid cosmetic from the cosmetic dispenser 100, as described above. A conduit (not shown), such as a tube, may carries the dispensed liquid cosmetic from the polybag 206 in the cartridge 704 to the first duckbill valve 208a. This way, the liquid cosmetic flow's from the polybag 206 out through the first duckbill valve 208a in the cap portion 905 of the cartridge 704. The first duckbill valve 208a depicted in Figure 19A may protrude through the dispensing opening 110. The pan 803 of the bottom portion 102 is depicted in Figure 19A but is removed in Figure 19B. One or more cosmetic powders or other cosmetic products can be housed in the reservoir defined by the pan 803, as described above, although no cosmetic product is shown in Figures 19A-19B Moreover, a detent could be provided, as discussed above, to limit rotation of the housing 101 relative to the bottom portion 102. The travel path for the cosmetic liquid onto the cosmetic powder in the pan 803 can vary' depending on the force at which the dose of liquid cosmetic is expelled and the extent to which the lid portion 104 is opened

[0073] Figures 20A-20D show the cartridge 704 inserted in the recessed receiving portion of the lid portion 104 of the cosmetic dispenser 100. Figures 20A-20B are side views of the cartridge 704, in which the cap portion 905 is attached in Figure 20A and the cap portion 905 is detached in Figure 20B. Figures 20C-20D are sectional views of the cartridge 704, in which the cap portion 905 is attached in Figure 2QC and the cap portion 905 is detached in Figure 20D. The cap portion 905 may be screwed onto or otherwise placed on the body of the cartridge 704 so that the cap portion 905 engages the polybag 206 and the cartridge 704 in a snug fit. As shown in Figure 20B, the cylindrical portion 909 may contain an inner cylindrical piece that fits into the polybag 206. In some embodiments, the cap portion 905 may be removed by the user after the cosmetic liquid in the polybag 206 is completely or substantially completely dispensed. Upon removal of the cap portion 905 and dispensed polybag 206, a new and unused polybag 206 may be put into the cartridge to replace the empty polybag 206. Figures 20C-20D also illustrates that when the cap portion 905 is connected to the cartridge 704, the cylindrical portion 909 compresses the polybag 206 against the second duckbill valve 208b, which is inserted or assembled into the cartridge 704 at the bottom end of the cartridge 704 The cartridge 704 further comprises a pump housing 708. Compared to the depressible button 610, the pump housing 708 is positioned further inwards relative to the center of the lid portion 104. As such, when the user presses the depressible button 610, this increases pressure applied to the polybag 206 to force the cosmetic liquid out of the polybag 206 via the first duckbill valve 208a The duckbill valve 208b is located substantially coextensively with the depressible button 610 so that ambient air may enter the cartridge 704 as via the duckbill valve 208b as the cosmetic liquid is dispensed from the first duckbill valve 208a The first duckbill valve 208a is connected to the dispensing opening 110 of the lid portion 104 of the cosmetic dispenser 100.

[0074] Figure 21 is a sectional view showing the cosmetic dispenser 100 with a flexible actuator 402 to dispense cosmetic product from a first polybag the bottom portion 102 and mirror 112 to dispense cosmetic product from a second polybag the lid portion 104. The bottom portion 102 may contain another cosmetic product so that the cosmetics dispenser in this embodiment dispenses three different cosmetic products to the user, for example. The bottom portion 102 of the housing 101 may contain two cosmetic products. For example, as shown in Figure 21, the polybag 206a contains a cosmetic product such as a first liquid cosmetic while the pan 803 holds another cosmetic product such as a hard pressed cosmetic powder layer 917. To dispense the first liquid cosmetic from the polybag 206a, the cosmetics dispenser 1 10 of Figure 21 comprises a flexible actuator 402 located on the backside of the bottom portion 102. The user may use the flexible actuator 402 as a flexible button. That is, upon actuation of the flexible actuator 402, the air pressure in the base inner chamber 919a of the bottom portion 102 increases, and hence, pressure increases on the first polybag 206a to cause the first duckbill valve 208a to dispense the first liquid cosmetic from the cosmetics dispenser 100. In particular, the actuator 402 can be flexible and depressible such that when the actuator 402 is depressed, internal air pressure within the base inner chamber 919a increases and forces the first liquid cosmetic within the polybag 206a out and through the first duckbill valve 208a. In this way, the cosmetics dispenser 100 may provide a uniform and consistent dose of the first liquid cosmetic that is dispensed upward through the first dispensing opening 110a via the first duckbill valve 208a onto cosmetic porvder layer 917. Because the first liquid cosmetic is squeezed onto the top surface of the cosmetic powder layer 917 from the first polybag 206a (located below the pan 803), the user may

advantageously use the cosmetic powder layer 917 and first liquid cosmetic in combination.

[0075] As can be seen in Figure 21, the flexible actuator 402, the first polybag 206a, a platform 915, the pan 803, and the cosmetic powder layer 917 are all positioned within the interior of the bottom portion 102 The platform 915 is manufactured to secure and hold the pan 803. In turn, the pan 803 secures and holds the cosmetic powder layer 917. The first duckbill valve 208a may be located at the center of the base portion 102, although the first duckbill valve 208a could also located at other parts of the base portion 102. To provide an area for the first liquid cosmetic to dispense onto the cosmetic powder layer 917, a first dispensing opening 110a defines a hollow space that is otherwise unoccupied except for the first duckbill valve 208a. Thus, the first liquid cosmetic flows through the center of the platform 915, the pan 803, and the cosmetic powder layer 917 and through the first dispensing opening 110a. Figure 21 also illustrates the lid portion 104 of the housing 101. The lid portion 104 according to the embodiment of Figure 21 may be similar to the lid portion 104 of the embodiment of Figure 14. As shown in Figure 21, the lid portion 104 comprises a second polybag 206b containing a second liquid cosmetic, for example. The mirror 112 actuator is depressible by the user to dispense the second liquid cosmetic from the second polybag 20b through the second dispensing opening 1 10b via the second duckbill valve 208b onto the top surface of the cosmetic powder layer 917. Accordingly, the cosmetic dispenser 100 advantageously dispenses three cosmetic products that can be mixed by the user for a desired cosmetic effect. As discussed above, when the depressible mirror 112 is depressed, the discharge portion of a dispensing cycle is commenced to dispense a dose of the second liquid cosmetic. The resilient (e.g. corrugated) biasing frame 502 lines the perimeter of the base inner chamber 919b so that the biasing frame 502 collapses (in the direction of movement of the mirror 112) when the mirror 112 is depressed and resiliently biases back to its original, uncollapsed state to bias the mirror 112 back to its original position when the depressing force is removed (by the user) from mirror 112. The collapsing biasing frame 502 increases the pressure on the second polybag 208b in the base inner chamber 919b, which forces the second liquid cosmetic to dispense via the second duckbill valve 208b. In the recharge portion of the dispensing cycle, the return stroke of the biasing frame 502 returns the mirror 112 to its non-depressed position. Also, the flapper valve 802 is lifted from its flapper seat 805 to release the seal preventing air from entering the base inner chamber 919b. Thus, the flapper valve 802, when in its unsealed configuration, lets air enter the base inner chamber 919b to replace the volume lost by the collapsing second polybag 208b during dispensing.

[0076] Figure 22A shows a perspective view' of the cosmetic dispenser 100 according to the embodiment of Figure 21. The cosmetic dispenser 100 illustrated in Figure 22A is in its open configuration so that the cosmetic powder layer 917 is accessible to the user. Depending on the user’s desired cosmetic application, the user may press on either or both of the flexible actuator 402 (Figures 22B-22C) and the mirror 112 to dispense the first liquid cosmetic and/or the second liquid cosmetic from the first and/or second polybag 208a, 208b, respectively, onto the cosmetic pow'der layer 917. Accordingly, the user may use the same cosmetic dispenser 100 to mix up to three cosmetic products. The first liquid cosmetic is dispensed through the first duckbill valve 208a at the second dispensing opening 110a. The second liquid cosmetic is dispensed through the second duckbill valve 208b at the second dispensing opening 1 10b. Furthermore, as depicted in Figure 22A, the pan 803 holds the cosmetic powder layer 917 and the pan 803 is secured in place within the bottom portion 102 by the platform 915.

[0077] Figures 22B-22C are upright and inverted exploded view's, respectively, of the base portion 102 of the embodiment of cosmetics dispenser 100 in Figure 21. The base portion

102 has an actuator receiving portion 921 to receive the flexible actuator 402. The flexible actuator 402 is snugly inserted into the actuator receiving portion 921 so that the flexible actuator 402 is securely positioned in the base portion 102, except that the flexible actuator

402 is depressible to dispense the first liquid cosmetic from the first polybag 208a, as discussed above. The base portion 102 also comprises an inner wall 204 which defines a reservoir to house the components contained within the base portion 102. Specifically, the inner wall 204 seals the first polybag 206a, the pan 803, and the cosmetic powder layer 917 within the base inner chamber 919b of the housing 101 of the dispenser 100. The platform 915 includes its own platform inner wall 923 that fi ts within the reservoir of the inner wail 204 so that the platform 915 is flush with the inner wall 204, as can be seen in Figures 22B- 22C. The outer wall of the platform 915 may fit snugly within the space between the inner wall 204 and the outer wall of the base portion 102, The sides of the first polybag 206a also fit snugly within the space between the platform inner wall 923 and the outer wall of the platform 915, which is represented by the inverted view of Figure 22C. This fit between the first polybag 206a and the platform 915 also locks the first duckbill valve 208a into place. In particular, the first duckbill valve 208a protrudes through the platform bulb 916, the pan bulb 918 and through the opening of the cosmetic powder layer 917. In this way, the platform bulb 916, the pan bulb 918, and cosmetic powder layer 917 together define the first dispensing opening 110a. Figure 22B depicts that the platform bulb 916, the pan bulb 918, and cosmetic powder layer 917 each have an opening that the first duckbill valve 208a extends through so that the first duckbill valve 208a is substantially flush with or protrudes slightly through the first dispensing opening 110a. As illustrated in Figure 22B (and in an inverted fashion in Figure 22C), from a top to bottom direction, the cosmetic powder layer 917 is housed within the pan 803, which is positioned on top of the platform 915, polybag 206a, and flexible actuator 402, successively.

[0078] Figure 23 A shows the base portion 102 in isolation. The base portion 102 may be hingeably connected to the lid portion 104 via the hinge 807 as depicted in Figure 23B.

Figures 23B-23C are exploded views of the lid portion 104 of the cosmetics dispenser 100 according to the embodiment of Figure 21. The components of the lid portion 104 depicted in Figures 23B-23C are substantially similar to those depicted in Figures 15B-15C. Figures

23B-23C, respectively, are inverted and upright views of the lid portion 104 of the housing and components disposed within the lid portion 104. Figures 23B-23C show the lid portion comprising the flapper valve 802 positioned on top of its flapper seat 805 as well as the hinge

807. The flapper valve 802 is inserted into its flapper seat 805, which is etched into or disposed on the opposite (i.e., underneath) side of the top surface of the lid portion 104. The biasing frame 502, the second polybag 206b, and the mirror 112 are also shown in Figures

23B-23C. The second dispensing opening 110b is also visible and facing outwards from the lid portion 104 to the bottom portion 102 of the housing 101. The second duckbill valve

208b is connected to and extends from the volume of the polybag 206b to guide the second liquid cosmetic out of the polybag 206 via the one-directional duckbill valve 208 onto the cosmetic powder layer 917 in the bottom portion 102 when the user depresses the mirror 1 12, as described above. The second duckbill valve 208b may be substantially flush with or slightly protrude out of the second dispensing opening 1 10b.

[0079] Figures 24A-24B show the cosmetics dispenser 100 according to the embodiment of Figure 21 in an open configuration. A detent could be provided, as discussed above, to limit rotation of the housing 101 relative to the bottom portion 102. The travel path for the second liquid cosmetic onto the cosmetic powder layer 917 in the pan 803 can vary depending on the force at which the dose of liquid cosmetic is expelled through the second duckbill valve 208b and the extent to which the lid portion 104 is opened. In contrast to the travel path for the second liquid cosmetic, the first liquid cosmetic may be dispensed through the first dispensing opening 110a via the first duckbill valve 208a and flow onto the cosmetic powder layer 917 in a volcano-like manner. The user may selectively dispense from the first and second polybags 206a, 206b so that the desired individual amounts of first liquid cosmetic, second liquid cosmetic, and cosmetic powder layer 917 are properly combined according to the desire of the user. In Figure 24A, the mirror 1 12 used to actuate the dispensing from the second polybag 206b as well as the cosmetic powder layer 917 are visible. The flexible actuator 402 to dispense from the first polybag 206a is shown in Figure 24B. In Figure 24B, the mirror 112, platform 915, and pan 803 are removed so that the inner wall 204 and the flexible actuator 402 are visible in the bottom portion 102. Additionally, in Figure 24B, the flapper valve 802 and its flapper seat 805 are visible in the lid portion 104.

[0080] Accordingly, in various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a cosmetics dispenser that dispenses cosmetic or other dermatological fluids from a polybag via a duckbill valve. In other aspects, the cosmetics dispenser has a housing having an opening and has a cover covering the opening of the house. In some embodiments, the cover includes a depressible mirror and the dispensing opening. The depressible mirror can be depressed such that pressure is applied to the polybag to force the liquid cosmetic out of the dispensing opening. In other embodiments, the cosmetics dispenser includes a depressible button that the user could depress with a finger, for example, to actuate the dispensing. The user may depress the button to cause air pressure in the inner volume of the housing to cause liquid cosmetic in the polybag to be emitted through the duckbill valve. In still other embodiments, the polybag can be positioned in a cartridge that is inserted into the inner volume of the housing. In this connection, the depressible button can be actuated to force liquid cosmetic out of the polybag through a distal opening of the cartridge, through a conduit of the housing, and through the duckbill valve. Ambient air can be let into the inner volume of the housing, such as by use of an air inlet valve, umbrella valve, or air channel in the housing, for example.

[0081] Therefore, in various implementations, a liquid cosmetic dispenser comprises a housing defining an inner volume and having an opening, a flexible polybag for holding a liquid cosmetic, a cover covering the opening of the housing; a duckbill valve in the dispensing opening of the cover, and means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing. The polybag is positioned in the inner volume defined by the housing. The cover comprises a dispensing opening. The duckbill valve is configured to dispense the liquid cosmetic when a force is applied to the polybag. The means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing may comprise an air inlet valve. Furthermore, the air inlet valve may comprise an umbrella valve. The means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing could also comprise an air channel located in the housing that directs air into the inner volume. The cover may comprise a tray. The tray may comprise a depressible tray that, when depressed, increases air pressure in the inner volume of the housing to force the liquid cosmetic out of the polybag through the duckbill valve. The means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing may comprise an air inlet valve. This air inlet valve may comprise an umbrella valve

[0082] In other general aspects, the housing further comprises a flexible actuator that, when actuated, increases air pressure in the inner volume of the housing to force the liquid cosmetic out of the polybag through the duckbill valve. The polybag can be positioned between the flexible actuator and the cover. In such flexible actuator implementations, the means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing may comprise an air inlet valve. This air inlet valve may comprise an umbrella valve. After actuation, the flexible actuator may transition to an unactuated state that enables air to enter the inner volume of the housing through the air-inlet valve. In various such implementations described above, the liquid cosmetics dispenser comprises a lid portion and a hinge that hingeably connects the lid portion to the housing. The lid portion may comprise a mirror.

[0083] In still other general aspects, the liquid cosmetics dispenser comprises a bottom portion and a hinge that hingeably connects the botom portion to the housing. The housing may comprise a mirror. The housing can comprise a depressible button. In such aspects, the bottom portion may comprise a reservoir for holding powder. Cosmetic powder may be in the reservoir. The hinge could comprise a detent that limits rotation of the housing relative to the bottom portion. This detent may limit rotation of the housing relative to the bottom portion such that when the detent limits rotation of the housing, the duckbill value is directly above the cosmetic powder such that a drop of liquid cosmetic dispensed by the duckbill valve fails onto the cosmetic powder. This detent may limit rotation of the housing relative to the bottom portion to a degree that does not exceed sixty degrees. The cover may comprise a mirror. The mirror may be a depressible mirror such that, when the depressible mirror is depressed, pressure is applied to the polybag to force the liquid cosmetic out of the polybag through the duckbill valve. The cover may also comprise a non-mirror portion. The dispensing opening can be located at the non-mirror portion. In these general aspects, the means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing comprises an air channel located in the housing to direct air into the inner volume.

[0084] In yet other general aspects, a depressible button is located on an exterior surface of the housing. The cover may comprise a mirror. In these aspects, the means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing is an air channel l ocated in the housing to direct air into the inner volume. The depressible button may be flexible such that actuation of the depressible button increases air pressure in the inner volume to cause the liquid cosmetic to be emitted by the polybag through the duckbill valve.

[0085] In still yet other aspects, the polybag is positioned in a cartridge that is inserted into the inner volume of the housing. The means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing may comprise an air channel located in the housing to direct air into the inner volume. The cartridge can be replaceable. The cartridge may be reusable. The cartridge may: comprises an opening at a distal end through which liquid cosmetic in the polybag is emitted to the duckbill valve, be flexible; and comprise a button at a proximate end of the cartridge. The housing can comprise a conduit connecting the opening at the distal end of the cartridge to the duckbill valve, such that, when a depressible button at the proximate end of the cartridge is actuated, air pressure inside the cartridge increases to force the liquid cosmetic out of the polybag and through the duckbill valve. In these aspects, the cosmetics dispenser may comprise the depressible button. This depressible button at the proximate end of the cartridge could be removable and, when connected to the proximate end of the cartridge, covers an opening at the proximate end to an inner volume of the cartridge. The inner volume of the cartridge may receive the polybag

[0086] Although various embodiments have been described herein, many modifications, variations, substitutions, changes, and equivalents to those embodiments may be

implemented and will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, where example materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. It is therefore to be understood that the foregoing description and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations as falling within the scope of the disclosed embodiments. The following claims are intended to cover all such modification and variations.

[0087] In summary, numerous benefits have been described which result from employing the inventions described herein. The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The one or more embodiments were chosen and described in order to illustrate principles and practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the claims submitted herewith define the overall scope.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A liquid cosmetic dispenser comprising:

a housing defining an inner volume and having an opening;

a flexible polybag for holding a liquid cosmetic, wherein the polybag is positioned in the inner volume defined by the housing,

a cover covering the opening of the housing, wherein the cover comprises a dispensing opening;

a duckbill valve in the dispensing opening of the cover, wherein the duckbill valve is

configured to dispense the liquid cosmetic when a force is applied to the polybag; and means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing.

2. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 1, wherein the means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing comprises an air inlet valve.

3. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 2, wherein the air inlet valve comprises an umbrella valve

4. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing comprises an air channel located in the housing that directs air into the inner volume.

5. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a tray.

6. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 5, wherein the tray comprises a depressible tray that, when depressed, increases air pressure in the inner volume of the housing to force the liquid cosmetic out of the polybag through the duckbill valve.

7. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 6, wherein the means for letting air into the inner volum e of the housing comprises an air inlet valve.

8. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 7, wherein the air inlet valve comprises an umbrella valve.

9. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 5, wherein the housing further comprises a flexible actuator that, when actuated, increases air pressure in the inner volume of the housing to force the liquid cosmetic out of the polybag through the duckbill valve.

10. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 9, wherein the polybag is positioned between the flexible actuator and the cover.

11. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 9, wherein the means for leting air into the inner volume of the housing comprises an air inlet valve.

12. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 11, wherein the air inlet valve comprises an umbrella valve.

13. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 11, wherein the flexible actuator, after actuation, transitions to an unactuated state that enables air to enter the inner volume of the housing through the air-inlet valve.

14. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of any of claims 1 to 13, further comprising:

a lid portion; and

a hinge that hingeably connects the lid portion to the housing.

15. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 14, wherein the lid portion comprises a mirror.

16. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 1 , further comprising:

a bottom portion; and

a hinge that hingeably connects the bottom portion to the housing.

17. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 16, wherein the housing comprises a mirror.

18. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 17, wherein the housing comprises a depressible button.

19. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of either claim 17 or 18, wherein the bottom portion comprises a reservoir for holding powder.

20. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 20, comprising cosmetic powder in the reservoir

21. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 20, wherein the hinge comprises a detent that limits rotation of the housing relative to the bottom portion.

22. The cosmetic dispenser of claim 21, wherein the detent limits rotation of the housing relative to the bottom portion such that when the detent limits rotation of the housing, the duckbill value is directly above the cosmetic powder such that a drop of liquid cosmetic dispensed by the duckbill valve falls onto the cosmetic powder.

23. The cosmetic dispenser of claim 22, wherein the detent limits rotation of the housing relative to the bottom portion to a degree that does not exceed sixty degrees.

24. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a mirror.

25. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 24, wherein the mirror is a depressible mirror such that, when the depressible mirror is depressed, pressure is applied to the polybag to force the liquid cosmetic out of the polybag through the duckbill valve.

26. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 25, wherein the cover further comprises a non- mirror portion.

27. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 26, wherein the dispensing opening is located at the non-mirror portion.

28. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of any of claims 23 to 27, wherein the means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing comprises an air channel located in the housing to direct air into the inner volume.

29. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 1, comprising a depressible button located on an exterior surface of the housing.

30. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 29, wherein the cover comprises a mirror.

31. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of either claim 29 or claim 30, wherein the means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing is an air channel located in the housing to direct air into the inner volume.

32. The cosmetic dispenser of claim 29, wherein the depressible button is flexible such that actuation of the depressible button increases air pressure in the inner volume to cause the liquid cosmetic to be emitted by the polybag through the duckbill valve.

33. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 1, wherein the polybag is positioned in a cartridge that is inserted into the inner volume of the housing.

34. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 33, wherein the means for letting air into the inner volume of the housing comprises an air channel located in the housing to direct air into the inner volume.

35. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 33, wherein the cartridge is replaceable.

36. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 33 wherein the cartridge is reusable.

37. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 33, wherein the cartridge:

comprises an opening at a distal end through which liquid cosmetic in the polybag is emitted to the duckbill valve;

is flexible; and

compri ses a button at a proximate end of the cartri dge, and

the housing comprises a conduit connecting the opening at the distal end of the cartridge to the duckbill valve, such that, when a depressible button at the proximate end of the cartridge is actuated, air pressure inside the cartridge increases to force the liquid cosmetic out of the polybag and through the duckbill valve.

38. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 37, comprising the depressible button.

39. The liquid cosmetic dispenser of claim 38, wherein the depressible button at the proximate end of the cartridge is removable and, when connected to the proximate end of the cartridge, covers an opening at the proximate end to an inner volume of the cartridge and wherein the inner volume of the cartridge receives the polybag.