Dispenser and method for dispensing fluids

• US 8,292,529 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lucas Packaging Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lucas Packaging Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Francavilla, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLIVER, BRADLEY S
• Application Number:
  US12/146,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20090003921A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,580 Days
• Field of Search: 401 99-116, 401/117, 401/175, 401/101, 401 59- 61, 401/91, 401 95- 96, 401/98, 401/121, 401243-247, 401/262, 401/269
• US Class Current: 401/101
• 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 and having a support rod;

a threaded sleeve mounted around said support rod;

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, said piston being threaded on said threaded sleeve.

2. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said rod is keyed to said threaded sleeve to prevent relative rotation but allow relative axial translation.

3. A fluid dispenser according to claim 2 wherein said rod terminates in an exposed wheel for manually turning said rod and said threaded sleeve relative to said case and said base.

4. A fluid dispenser according to claim 3 wherein said exposed wheel ratchets on said base to allow said threaded sleeve to unidirectionally drive said piston outwardly.

5. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1 wherein said fluid is a cosmetic.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. A fluid dispenser according to claim 7 wherein said piston has a flared annular projection for sealingly engaging the internal surface of said case.

9. A fluid dispenser according to claim 7 wherein said case, said base, and said piston have mating oval cross-sections.

10. A fluid dispenser comprising:

a base;

an applicator attached to said base and having a support rod;

a threaded sleeve mounted around said support rod, said sleeve having a 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;

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.

11. A fluid dispenser according to claim 10 wherein said intermediate taper includes an annular concavity acting as a female fitting, said distal taper acting as a male fitting.

12. A fluid dispenser comprising:

a base having a distal annular wall;

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, said case having a proximal double wall providing a space for receiving the distal annular wall of said base; and

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

13. A fluid dispenser comprising:

a base;

an applicator attached to said base, said applicator having a distal brush;

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, said case having an annular lip located distally for wiping said brush upon its passage by said lip;

a cap removably mounted on said case, said cap having a collar and a plunger reciprocatably mounted on said collar, said plunger having a flexible diaphragm that is pierced to allow passage of at least part of said brush upon inward thrusting of said plunger; and

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

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

15. A fluid dispenser comprising:

a base;

an applicator attached to said base and having a support rod;

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;

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

a threaded sleeve mounted around said support rod; and

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 comprising:

a base;

an applicator attached to said base and having a support rod;

a threaded sleeve mounted around said support rod;

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; and

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 comprising:

a base;

an applicator attached to said base and having a support rod;

a threaded sleeve mounted around said support rod;

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, said piston having 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.

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

reciprocating the plunger in the cap to wipe just the tip of said brush with a reciprocating motion;

removing the cap from the case;

telescopically collapsing the base and case to expose the applicator and wipe the brush over most of its length;

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

outwardly urging the piston to outwardly urge the fluid.

21. A fluid dispensing method according to claim 20 employing a threaded sleeve screwed into the piston and including the step of:

turning the threaded sleeve to move the piston.

22. A fluid dispensing method 20 employing a threaded sleeve screwed into the piston and wherein the step of telescopically collapsing the base and case includes the step of:

sealing the threaded sleeve from external air.

23. A fluid dispensing method 20 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.

24. A fluid dispensing method 23 including the step of:

applying the fluid to a human face with the applicator.