Twist-open dispenser with applicator & method of applying skin care products & method of merchandising paint

• US 7,563,048 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2005
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Platinum Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Platinum Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Koptis, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak; David J
• Application Number:
  US11/155,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20060285913A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 401/202, 401/205, 401/207, 401/183, 401/184, 401/186, 401/269, 401/280, 401/281
• US Class Current: 401/202
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/26 Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/28 Appliances specially adapted for spreading already applied paint
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/0041 Flexible or deformable reservoirs, e.g. resilient bulbs, compressible tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1046 Brush used for applying cosmetics bristles arrangements for cosmetic brushes A46B9/021
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/306 Shoe cleaning or polishing brush
• CPC Class Codes: B43M 11/06 Hand-held devices
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 35/36 for applying contents to surfaces brushes combined or associated with tubular containers A46B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/242 moving helically

Abstract

A dispenser cap with an applicator is connected to a container and a detachable enclosure protects the applicator when the dispenser is not in use. When attached to the cap, the enclosure has a pin that blocks an opening in the cap. The container may hold any fluid material, for example, a skin care product, deodorant, paint, etc. The container may contain various means of identifying the color of paint contained therein, and only a small amount of paint is within the container. This enables a consumer to obtain a number of containers each holding a paint of a different color to apply to a test surface.

Claims

1. In combination, a cap for a dispenser of fluid material and an enclosure therefor, wherein

said cap includes

a base member adapted to be attached to an open end of a dispenser and having an outer edge and a centrally located plug element,

a cover member having a top surface with an opening centrally located therein, an outer edge, and a raised element on the top surface along a periphery of said top surface, said opening and plug element being aligned,

said cover member being mounted to rotate relative to the base member when said base member is attached to an open end of a dispenser, said cover member upon rotation in one direction moving between a closed position with the plug element inserted into the opening to prevent the flow of material from the cap and an open position with the plug element withdrawn from said opening to allow the flow of material from the cap, and upon rotation in a direction opposite to said one direction, moving between the open position and the closed position,

an applicator element seated on the top surface and having an inside surface attached to the top surface with said raised element substantially surrounding at least a lower portion of the applicator element, said applicator element having a passageway therethrough aligned with said opening in the cover member, and

said enclosure includes

a closed top end, an open bottom end, an inward projecting retainer element at the bottom end enabling the enclosure to be detachably connected to the outer edge of the cover member or the base member, and an internal pin element attached to the top end and projecting inward towards the open bottom,

said internal pin element having a predetermined length such that, with the enclosure attached to the cap and the retainer element engaging said outer edge of the cover member or the base member, the pin element extends through the passageway in the applicator element and blocks the opening in the cover member

where the internal pin element has at an inner terminal end a wall defining a cavity and the opening has a groove substantially surrounding the opening, said wall fitting snugly into said groove when the members are in the closed position.