Double-ended cosmetic dispenser

• US 9,332,818 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2014
• Issued: 05/10/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HCP Packaging USA Inc. (HCP Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: HCP Packaging USA Inc. (HCP Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Holloway, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): WALCZAK, DAVID J
• Application Number:
  US14/466,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20150055997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/04 effected by a screw
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/24 Casings for two or more cosmetics

Abstract

A double-ended cosmetic dispenser with an adaptor sleeve, a first cosmetic sleeve rotatably retained relative to a first end of the adaptor sleeve, and a second cosmetic sleeve rotatably retained relative to a second end of the adaptor sleeve. First and second cosmetic elevators, each with an elevator stem and a cosmetic retaining portion, are extendably and retractably received by the respective cosmetic sleeves and into the adaptor sleeve. The cosmetic elevators are fixed against rotation relative to the cosmetic sleeves. The elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator has an open inner volume, and the proximal end of the elevator stem of the second cosmetic elevator is received into that open inner volume. Through thread structures, the cosmetic elevators are independently and selectively extendable and retractable relative to the first and second cosmetic sleeves by a rotation of the respective cosmetic sleeve in relation to the adaptor sleeve.

Claims

1. A double-ended cosmetic dispenser comprising:

an adaptor sleeve with a first end portion and a second end portion;

a first cosmetic sleeve rotatably retained relative to the first end portion of the adaptor sleeve;

a second cosmetic sleeve rotatably retained relative to the second end portion of the adaptor sleeve;

a first cosmetic elevator with an elevator stem with a proximal end and a distal end and a cosmetic retaining portion retained at the distal end of the elevator stem wherein the elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator is extendably and retractably received by the first cosmetic sleeve and into the first end portion of the adaptor sleeve and wherein the first cosmetic elevator is fixed against rotation relative to the first cosmetic sleeve;

a second cosmetic elevator with an elevator stem with a proximal end and a distal end and a cosmetic retaining portion retained at the distal end of the elevator stem wherein the elevator stem of the second cosmetic elevator is extendably and retractably received by the second cosmetic sleeve and into the second end portion of the adaptor sleeve and wherein the second cosmetic elevator is fixed against rotation relative to the second cosmetic sleeve;

wherein the elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator has an open inner volume and wherein the proximal end of the elevator stem of the second cosmetic elevator is received into the open inner volume of the elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator;

wherein the first cosmetic elevator is extendable and retractable relative to the first cosmetic sleeve by a rotation of the first cosmetic sleeve in relation to the adaptor sleeve; and

wherein the second cosmetic elevator is extendable and retractable relative to the second cosmetic sleeve by a rotation of the second cosmetic sleeve in relation to the adaptor sleeve; and

wherein the first cosmetic elevator is extendable and retractable relative to the first cosmetic sleeve by a thread structure disposed on the elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator in combination with a thread structure disposed on the elevator stem of the second cosmetic elevator.

2. The double-ended cosmetic dispenser of claim 1 wherein the thread structure disposed on the elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator comprises an internal thread structure and wherein the thread structure disposed on the elevator stem of the second cosmetic elevator comprises an external thread structure that cooperates with the internal thread structure disposed on the elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator to convert relative rotation of the first cosmetic sleeve relative to the adaptor sleeve into longitudinal, linear movement of the first cosmetic elevator.

3. The double-ended cosmetic dispenser of claim 2 wherein the internal thread structure disposed on the elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator comprises a helical thread structure.

4. The double-ended cosmetic dispenser of claim 3 wherein the external thread structure disposed on the elevator stem of the second cosmetic elevator comprises at least one lug disposed on the elevator stem of the second cosmetic elevator.

5. The double-ended cosmetic dispenser of claim 4 wherein the helical thread structure disposed on the elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator is disposed at a helical angle and wherein the at least one lug disposed on the elevator stem of the second cosmetic elevator has opposed upper and lower surfaces that are disposed at an angle of attack approximately matching the helical angle of the helical thread structure disposed on the elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator.

6. The double-ended cosmetic dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first cosmetic elevator is fixed against rotation relative to the first cosmetic sleeve by an alignment feature retained by the first cosmetic sleeve in combination with an alignment feature incorporated into the elevator stem of the first cosmetic elevator and wherein the second cosmetic elevator is fixed against rotation relative to the second cosmetic sleeve by an alignment feature retained by the second cosmetic sleeve in combination with an alignment feature incorporated into the elevator stem of the second cosmetic elevator.

7. The double-ended cosmetic dispenser of claim 6 wherein the alignment feature retained by the first cosmetic sleeve comprises a non-circular adaptor aperture and wherein the alignment feature incorporated into the elevator stem of the first cosmetic sleeve comprises a non-circular cross section of the elevator stem corresponding to the non-circular adaptor aperture of the first cosmetic sleeve in cross-sectional shape and size and wherein the alignment feature retained by the second cosmetic sleeve comprises a non-circular adaptor aperture and wherein the alignment feature incorporated into the elevator stem of the second cosmetic sleeve comprises a non-circular cross section of the elevator stem corresponding to the non-circular adaptor aperture of the second cosmetic sleeve in cross-sectional shape and size.

8. The double-ended cosmetic dispenser of claim 7 wherein the adaptor apertures and the elevator stems have opposed flat sides and interposed annular segments.