Coating implements with material supply – Solid material for rubbing contact or support therefor – Including means to advance material
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-12
2001-06-12
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Solid material for rubbing contact or support therefor
Including means to advance material
C401S077000, C401S075000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244770
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of lipstick and cosmetic dispensers having a propelling and retracting mechanism for a cosmetic pomade contained within the dispenser, and more particularly, to the elevator cups within such dispensers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditionally, a lipstick pomade is positioned and secured within a dispenser by an elevator cup. The elevator cup provides a stable mounting surface for the pomade and permits the pomade to be raised and lowered within the dispenser for use and storage by the user. Generally, a friction fit between the pomade and an inner wall of the elevator cup is sufficient to hold the pomade securely within the elevator cup.
However, some pomades, particularly silicone-filled pomades with significant quantities of volatile components, do not seat securely in the elevator cup after extended periods of use. The trend in the cosmetics product market is towards “non-transferable” lipstick products. The new products are heavy, silicone filled lipsticks that do not transfer from the wearers lips, or leave residue, such as on coffee cups or clothing. These lipstick formulations have a significant quantity of volatile components in their formulations. As such, they must be kept enclosed in an airtight container when not in use or else they quickly dry out and shrink. Even when properly stored, a significant level of shrinkage may occur due to the volatile nature of the silicone compositions. Thus, the traditional friction fit used to secure the pomades within the elevator cup is inadequate for use with pomades containing the new compositions because when the pomades shrink over time, the friction fit is diminished and the pomade can become dislodged, potentially rendering the lipstick product useless.
Many current designs of elevator cups include ribs and spikes extending from locations within the elevator cup to increase the surface area in contact with the pomade, to better secure the pomade in the elevator cup. While each have differing degrees of effectiveness, most designs generally include ribs or spikes that extend into the pomade to maintain contact as the pomade shrinks away from the inner walls of the elevator cup. However, the present designs do not provide the necessary amount of friction to ensure the pomade stays in place in the elevator cup as it shrinks.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,727 to Vaupel attempts to address the problem by providing spring elements that are pressed into the pomade to create rear-engaging lugs through a cam action between cams located on the spring elements and a slotted tube located within the dispenser. A similar design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,550 to Bouix wherein a tab is pressed into the pomade through a similar cam action between a cam surface located on the tab and a cam surface located on an inner sleeve. In Bouix, the tab mechanically locks into place upon penetration of the pomade through an interaction between the tab and the cup wall. Both of the above tabs require specialized designs and interactions between various components of the dispensers for proper penetration and engagement of the of the tabs into pomade, though, which complicates manufacturing and assembly of the dispensers.
What is desired, therefore, is an elevator cup with a means for securely holding pomades within the elevator cup upon shrinkage of the pomade, desirably, the means for securing the pomade is simple in design and operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, It is an object of the invention to provide a cosmetic dispenser with an elevator cup that includes a means for securing a pomade within the elevator cup upon shrinkage of the pomade.
Another object of the invention is to provide an elevator cup with tabs for securing a pomade that is simple in design and assembly.
These objects, and other objects which shall become apparent hereafter, are accomplished by a elevator cup for use in a cosmetic dispenser in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, comprising a hollow tubular body having a side wall, a closed bottom end, an open top end for receiving a pomade, and a plurality of flexible tabs extending from an inner surface of the side wall to engage the pomade. The flexible tabs are deflectable between a first position, extending radially inward from the sidewall and a second position substantially flush with the sidewall. The tabs are deflectable from the first position to the second position by the receipt of a pomade into the elevator cup. The deflection of the tabs creates a spring force within the tabs causing the tabs to penetrate and engage the pomade as the tabs return to the first position. The invention further relates to a cosmetic dispenser incorporating such an elevator cup.
Other objects, aspects and features of the invention in addition to those mentioned above will be pointed out in or will be understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2797803 (1957-07-01), Hopgood
patent: 3539266 (1970-11-01), Hultgren
patent: 5871295 (1999-02-01), Bouix
Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens LLC
Walczak David J.
LandOfFree
Dispenser with pomade holding flexible tab does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Dispenser with pomade holding flexible tab, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dispenser with pomade holding flexible tab will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2544453