DISPENSER AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS

• US 20090003921A1
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucas Packaging Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lucas Packaging Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Francavilla, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,292,529 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/116
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/055 Piston or plunger for supplying the liquid to the applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/043 movable within the container

Abstract

A fluid dispenser includes an applicator attached to a base, as well as a case that is at least partially filled with a fluid. The base and case are telescopically mounted together and can be relatively reciprocated to retract and extend the applicator relative to the case. A piston is mounted in the case for outwardly urging the fluid.

Claims

1. A fluid dispenser comprising:

a base;

an applicator attached to said base;

a case at least partially filled with a fluid, said base and case being telescopically mounted together and being relatively reciprocatable to retract and extend said applicator relative to said case; and

a piston mounted in said case for outwardly urging said fluid.

2. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said applicator has a support rod, said dispenser including:

a threaded sleeve mounted around said support rod.

3. A fluid dispenser according to claim 2 wherein said piston is threaded on said threaded sleeve.

4. A fluid dispenser according to claim 3 wherein said rod is keyed to said threaded sleeve to prevent relative rotation but allow relative axial translation.

5. A fluid dispenser according to claim 3 wherein said fluid is a cosmetic.

6. A fluid dispenser according to claim 4 wherein said rod terminates in an exposed wheel for manually turning said rod and said threaded sleeve relative to said case and said base.

7. A fluid dispenser according to claim 6 wherein said exposed wheel ratchets on said base to allow said threaded sleeve to unidirectionally drive said piston outwardly.

8. A fluid dispenser according to claim 2 wherein said sleeve has an distal end with a distal taper, said rod having an intermediate section with an intermediate taper, said rod being slidable within said threaded sleeve from a position where said intermediate and said distal taper are sealingly engaged to another position where said intermediate and said distal taper are disengaged.

9. A fluid dispenser according to claim 8 wherein said intermediate taper includes an annular concavity acting as a female fitting, said distal taper acting as a male fitting.

10. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said base has a distal annular wall, said case having a proximal double wall providing a space for receiving the distal annular wall of said base

11. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said applicator has a distal brush, said case having an annular lip located distally for wiping said brush upon its passage by said lip.

12. A fluid dispenser according to claim 11 comprising:

a cap removably mounted on said case, said cap having a collar and a plunger reciprocatably mounted on said collar.

13. A fluid dispenser according to claim 12 wherein said plunger has a flexible diaphragm that is pierced to allow passage of at least part of said brush upon inward thrusting of said plunger.

14. A fluid dispenser according to claim 13 wherein said diaphragm has a cruciform slot.

15. A fluid dispenser according to claim 2 comprising:

a retainer having an annular ridge for sealing said retainer to said case, said threaded sleeve being rotatably mounted in said retainer.

16. A fluid dispenser according to claim 2 comprising:

a retainer mounted at said case for rotatably holding said threaded sleeve without permitting axial translation.

17. A fluid dispenser according to claim 16 comprising:

a locking clip mounted at said base for preventing axial translation of said threaded sleeve relative to said base.

18. A fluid dispenser according to claim 16 wherein said base has a locking slot, said dispenser comprising:

a U-shaped locking clip mounted though said locking slot to straddle a portion of said threaded sleeve.

19. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said case has an internal surface shaped to mate with said piston, said piston having an axially asymmetric periphery to prevent rotation relative to said case.

20. A fluid dispenser according to claim 19 wherein said piston has a flared annular projection for sealingly engaging the internal surface of said case.

21. A fluid dispenser according to claim 19 wherein said piston has on each of opposite ends a flared annular projection for sealingly engaging the internal surface of said case, said piston having a central tube threaded on said threaded sleeve.

22. A fluid dispenser according to claim 19 wherein said case, said base, and said piston have mating oval cross-sections.

23. A fluid dispensing method employing an applicator on a base that is telescopically mounted relative to a case that contains a fluid and a piston, the method including the steps, in any order, of:

telescopically collapsing the base and case to expose the applicator;

telescopically extending the base and case to sheath the applicator; and

outwardly urging the piston to outwardly urge the fluid.

24. A fluid dispensing method according to claim 23 employing a threaded sleeve screwed into the piston and including the step of:

turning the threaded sleeve to move the piston.

25. A fluid dispensing method 23 wherein the step of telescopically collapsing the base and case includes the step of:

sealing the threaded sleeve from external air.

26. A fluid dispensing method 23 wherein the applicator includes a brush, the step of telescopically extending the base and case including the step of:

wiping the brush over most of its length.

27. A fluid dispensing method 26 including the step of:

applying the fluid to a human face with the applicator.

28. A fluid dispensing method 27 including the step of:

wiping just the tip of said brush with a reciprocating motion.