Cosmetic loose powder dispenser

Abstract

A cosmetic loose powder dispenser for loading loose facial powder onto a retractable cosmetic brush. The dispenser includes three compartments: the first compartment houses the retractable cosmetic brush; the second compartment is the cap for the cosmetic brush and contains small holes in the closed end of the cap for dispensing loose powder; and the third compartment, also cap-like, serves as a reservoir for storage of loose powder. When all three compartments are joined together, the small holes in the closed end of the brush cap, in conjunction with the natural agitation encountered by the dispenser, such as when transported in a pocket or purse, allow an appropriate amount of loose powder to be loaded on the brush tips for a quick touch up by the user in a less messy and more convenient manner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to cosmetic dispensers. More specifically, this invention relates to take-along cosmetic dispensers used for loose facial powder, including a brush for application.

2. Prior Art

For years and years, women who wear make-up have generally taken along in their purses or pockets two essential cosmetic products, a lipstick and a compact, for re-application during their time away from home. However, most make-up wearers of today avoid the caked-on look caused by compressed powder in compacts and prefer a lighter, more natural appearance that loose facial powder provides. But being unable to take-along loose facial powder in a pocket or purse for quick touch-ups has been a great inconvenience for users of loose facial powder. Unfortunately, the majority of loose powder containers on the market today are round and bulky cylinders that have been designed particularly for use in the bathroom or vanity area of homes. The idea for the present device originated when this inventor, desiring a loose powder dispenser to put in a small evening bag, was unable to find such a product on the market. Thus, this inventor fabricated a prototype of the present invention. A portable dispenser for non-compressed powder is needed, and there are several prior-art patents relating to this invention, such as: U.S. Pat. No. Des. 307,646; 4,832,060; 4,974,981; 3,694,096; U.S. D450,888S; and U.S. D453,589S.

U.S. Pat. No. Des. 307646 to Kingsford is a cosmetic powder dispenser consisting of two parts: an hour-glass shaped container which holds the loose powder and the separate cosmetic brush, which fits into the container. As stated in the claim, the primary goal of this invention is ornamental; whereas, the present invention is designed primarily for function. In addition, this prior-art design is not portable or take-along, does not have a retractable brush, and no means is provided to limit the amount of powder dispensed on the brush.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,060 to Kingsford shows a powder dispenser with cosmetic brush similar to prior art noted above. As previously stated, this dispenser is not portable or take-along and consists of a non-retractable brush. Also, there is no means provided to control the amount of powder loaded on the brush, and the application of powder is restricted by having to first invert the container and then righting it. The present invention is functional and take-along. It has a retractable brush and a built-in mechanism which allows an appropriate amount of powder to be dispensed automatically on the brush, thus eliminating the need to first upright the tube and then righting it.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,981 to Bennett is a complex device. It consists of a deformable powder container which requires squeezing the container in order to spray the powder through a metering collar to the applicator brush. In addition to this complex metering collar, this prior-art device contains upstanding posts to ensure sufficient agitation and break-up of powder. The second part of this device is a cosmetic brush which fits into the powder dispenser in a unitary fashion. The complex design of this invention would be difficult and expensive to fabricate. Also, the applicator brush is not retractable for ease and portability, and there is no indication that the powder dispenser portion of the container is refillable. The present invention is not of a complex design and would be easy and inexpensive to fabricate. The present invention consists of three compartments; the first one contains a retractable cosmetic brush; the second compartment is the cap for the brush, and the closed end of said cap contains multiple small holes not unlike those in a salt shaker; and the third compartment, also cap-like, is a reservoir for storage of loose powder that fits onto the aforementioned brush cap so that when all three compartments are joined together, the tips of the brush bristles are in close proximity to the holes in said brush cap. This close proximity of the brush tips to the small holes in the brush cap, together with the natural agitation encountered by the dispenser, such as in a pocket or purse, permit an appropriate amount of loose facial powder to be deposited on the brush tips. The present invention is of simple design and does not require any type of complex mechanism such as a metering collar or upstanding posts to agitate, break-up or distribute cosmetic powder. Also, the reservoir portion of the cap containing loose powder can be fixed or it can be removable, thus allowing the cap to be refilled.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,096 to Seidler, is a complex device for dispensing powder or cream. Unlike the present invention, this dispenser is not of simple design as it includes a complicated spring-loaded plunger which must be manually triggered by the user in order for the powder or other material to come in contact with the applicator. The present invention requires no special mechanical system for loading the brush. In addition, this prior art, because of its complexity, would be difficult and expensive to fabricate.

U.S. D450,888S to Breidenbach, et.al, is an ornamental design for a dual cosmetic dispenser. This prior art is strictly a container to hold and dispense cosmetics of a general nature.

U.S. D453,589S to Breidenbach, et.al, is another ornamental design for a dual cosmetic dispenser. This prior art is strictly a container to hold and dispense cosmetics of a general nature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a pocket or purse-size dispenser for loose facial powder. The non-deformable container, resembling the size and shape of a tube of lipstick, consists of three compartments: the first compartment contains a retractable application brush; the second compartment is the cap for the brush and the closed end of the brush cap contains small holes which allow for dispensing of loose facial powder; and a third compartment, also cap-like, serves as a reservoir for storage of loose powder and fits onto the closed end of the brush cap containing multiple holes in said second compartment This cap-like reservoir in said third compartment, made of either plastic or metal, fits onto the brush cap by friction grip or threading which allows the reservoir to be refilled; or it can be fixed permanently to the brush cap, if desired. When all three compartments are joined together in a unitary structure, the brush tips are in close proximity to the small holes in the end of the brush cap. These small holes, along with the natural agitation encountered by the take-along dispenser in a pocket or purse, allow an appropriate amount of loose powder to be loaded on the brush tips. For a quick touch-up, the user pulls apart the brush compartment from the unitary structure, similar to opening a tube of lipstick, and an appropriate amount of loose powder is already on the brush. The user then releases the retracted brush to its full extension and applies the loose powder to the face in a fast and efficient manner. The brush is then fully retracted by the user and put back into the powder/brush cap compartment for storage and future use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cosmetic loose powder dispenser in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the dispenser with the powder reservoir separated from the retractable brush compartment and the brush cap compartment which are joined together.

FIG. 3 shows the three separate compartments of the dispenser, which include a side view of the retractable brush compartment depicting the retracted brush tips, a top perspective of the brush cap containing small holes, and a bottom perspective of the powder reservoir.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the brush cap with small holes and the powder reservoir joined together.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective of the inside of the brush cap, showing small holes, joined to the powder reservoir.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in the drawings, the cosmetic loose powder dispenser in accordance with the present invention includes a first compartment containing a retractable cosmetic brush 1. A second compartment is the cap 2 for the first compartment, and the closed end of said cap 2 contains small holes 6 allowing for dispensing of loose powder. The third compartment is a cap-like reservoir 3 for storage of loose powder. This cap-like reservoir 3 fits onto the closed end of the brush cap 2, and the means for attaching the powder reservoir 3 can be fixed, friction-gripped, or threaded onto the brush cap 2. When the loose powder reservoir 3 is attached to the brush cap 2 in a threaded or friction-gripped manner, the powder reservoir 3 is refillable.

The cosmetic loose powder dispenser, which can be made of metal or plastic or a combination of both, is formed when the three compartments are joined together in a unitary structure. When the three compartments are joined together, the brush tips 5 in the first compartment are in close proximity to the small holes 6 in the closed end of the brush cap 2. The small holes 6 working together with the natural agitation encountered by the loose powder dispenser, such as in a pocket or purse, permit an appropriate amount of loose powder, stored in the powder reservoir 3, to be loaded on the retracted brush tips 5. In this Detailed Description, the second compartment which is the brush cap 2 and the third compartment which is the loose powder reservoir 3 from this point on are joined together. When the user manually pulls apart the retracted cosmetic brush 1 from the now joined second and third compartments and rotates the retracted brush 1 to full extension, similar to opening and accessing a tube of lipstick, the user can quickly and easily apply the powder which is now on the brush tips 5.

The retractable cosmetic brush bristles can be natural or synthetic and shaped in a manner corresponding with the shape of the closed end of brush cap 2, for example, in a slightly contoured form.

This invention, of simple design, could be of a tube-like shape and will be conducive to portability in both size and shape. Also, it does not require a complicated mechanism for dispensing loose powder onto the brush tips. Furthermore, this cosmetic loose powder dispenser will be inexpensive and easy to fabricate and will provide a means for quick touch ups by users of loose powder in a less messy and more convenient manner.

Claims

1. A cosmetic loose powder dispenser comprising:

a first compartment containing a cosmetic brush, having natural or synthetic bristles, and said cosmetic brush is retractable; and a second compartment which is the cap for said first compartment and the closed end of said cap contains small holes allowing for dispensing of loose powder; and a third compartment, a cap-like reservoir for storage of loose powder, which fits onto the aforementioned closed end of the brush cap of said second compartment, and means for attaching said powder reservoir can be fixed, friction-gripped, or threaded onto the brush cap, and when said powder reservoir is attached to the brush cap by being threaded or friction-gripped, said powder reservoir is refillable; and when the three compartments are joined together in a unitary structure, such that the brush tips in said first compartment are in close proximity to the small holes in the closed end of the brush cap in said second compartment, so that the holes working together with the natural agitation encountered by said dispenser, such as in a pocket or purse, permit an appropriate amount of loose powder, stored in said third compartment, to be loaded on the brush tips, whereby user by manually pulling apart the brush compartment from the now combined second and third compartments and by releasing the retracted brush to full extension, similar to opening and accessing a tube of lipstick, can quickly and easily apply the powder loaded on the brush tips.

2. The cosmetic dispenser of simple design will require no complex mechanism for dispensing loose powder onto the brush tips, will be inexpensive and easy to fabricate, and will provide a means for quick touch ups by users of loose powder in a less messy and more convenient manner.

3. The cosmetic dispenser could be tube-shaped and made of metal, plastic, or a combination of metal and plastic.