PORTABLE ROTATING COSMETIC DISPENSER

Abstract

A human-portable rotatable cosmetic dispenser (10, 30, 50). Dispensers (22, 32, 58) for a cosmetic product (26) are supported by a rotor (16, 34, 56) which can be spun about a base (14, 38, 52). The base and rotor combination may be formed as a fidget spinner (12).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of cosmetics, and more specifically to a personally portable cosmetic dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cosmetics are typically sold in relatively large containers for home use or in smaller containers that are more conveniently carried in a pocket or purse for away from home use. Individual containers of cosmetics are sometimes displayed on a countertop in a store in a large rack or set of drawers. The rack or drawers may be rotatably supported on a base which sits on the countertop, thereby increasing the number of product containers which can be displayed on a fixed length of countertop.

Cosmetic sales are influenced not only by the quality and price of the cosmetic product, but also by the convenience of the use of the dispenser containing the cosmetic. Thus, there is an ongoing need in the art for improved cosmetic dispensers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in the following description in view of the drawings that show:

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a fidget spinner embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A in its assembled condition.

FIG. 2 is a top view of another fidget spinner embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a bracelet or ring embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The year 2017 has witnessed an explosion in the popularity of fidget spinners. Fidget spinners are a type of toy having a center pad (or base or stator) which supports an outer revolving vehicle (or revolving member or rotor). The user of the toy holds the base in his/her hand and spins the revolving vehicle around the base. A bearing is generally disposed between the base and revolving vehicle to facilitate the spinning action. The name “fidget spinner” came about because it was thought that the use of such a spinning toy would calm people who tend to fidget, acting as a release mechanism for nervous energy.

Fidget spinners are made is a variety of shapes, colors and materials, adding an element of collectability to the current fidget spinner craze. To date, fidget spinners have been used only for entertainment, decorative and calming purposes.

The present invention extends the functionality of a fidget spinner or other personally portable spinning device to include the storing and dispensing of cosmetic products. The incorporation of a cosmetic container into a spinner design transforms the device from a simple toy or ornament to a multi-purpose appliance. Moreover, the entertainment, decorative and cosmetic functions are complimentary because the colors provided by the functional cosmetic products add to the beauty and collectability of a spinner.

One embodiment of a rotatable cosmetic dispenser 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1A as it may exist during assembly or refilling of the device, and in FIG. 1B in its fully assembled condition. The rotatable cosmetic dispenser 10 includes a fidget spinner 12 as may be known in the art and having a base (or stator or center pad) 14 and a revolving vehicle (or rotor) 16 rotatably supported about the base 14. A bearing assembly (not shown) may rotatably interconnect the base 14 and revolving vehicle 16. A cap or cover 18 hides the bearing assembly from view. The revolving vehicle 16 is formed to contain a plurality of openings 20, each configured to receive and support a cosmetic container 22. The spinner 12 may be formed of plastic, metal and/or other material known in the art. The cosmetic containers 22 may be glass, plastic or other material and may optionally have screw top lids 24, or to minimize the risk of choking by a child, hinged lids. One or more cosmetic products 26, for example lip gloss, lip balm, eye shadow, blush, moisturizer, cleanser, breath freshener, chewing gum, perfume, etc., is contained in each container 22, with different products or colors of the same product optionally contained in separate containers. If a lid 24 is transparent or translucent, the color of the product may be perceived while the lid 24 remains in place and will add to the decorative design of the dispenser 10. Alternatively, the lid 24 may contain other graphical elements and/or a written description of the cosmetic product 26 contained thereunder. In other embodiments the containers may be formed to be integral with the revolving vehicle rather than being separately formed elements.

The rotatable cosmetic dispenser 10 may be sold as a unit including prepackaged cosmetic products 26, or the spinner 12 and containers 22 may be sold separately so that the user can select exactly which cosmetic products 26 to include. Containers 22 can be refilled or replaced when the cosmetic product 26 is depleted or aged or at the user's discretion. It is expected that the combination of decorative, entertainment and cosmetic functions of the device will promote the purchase of the cosmetic products 26.

The dispenser 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B contains three round cosmetic containers 22, although other embodiments may contain other shapes and numbers of containers. In order to enhance the spinning effect, the design of such a device should be relatively balanced about its rotational axis. It is expected that uneven use of the cosmetic products 26 from various containers 22 will not create a detrimental degree of imbalance due to the overriding mass of the non-consumable structures of the device.

FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of a fidget spinner rotatable cosmetic dispenser 30. This dispenser 30 contains two cosmetic containers 32 mounted in the rotor portion 34 of the dispenser 30, and a single cosmetic container 36 formed as part of the stator portion 38 of the dispenser 30. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the dispenser 30 as viewed along section 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the container 36 and bearing assembly 40 rotatably supporting the rotor portion 34. A replaceable glass pot and/or lid (not shown) may optionally be inserted into the stator portion 38 to contain the cosmetic. Advantageously, the size of the stator dispenser 36 may be different than the size of the rotor dispensers 32, such as being large enough to contain a makeup removal towelette, or large enough to be divided into two compartments for containing left and right eye contact lenses.

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a rotatable cosmetic dispenser 50. In this embodiment, the stator 52 is a generally annular shaped structure defining an opening 54 which can be supported by a portion of a human body, such as a finger (ring design) or wrist/forearm (bracelet design). A rotor 56 is rotatably supported about the stator 52, such as by a bearing mechanism (not shown). A plurality of cosmetic dispensers 58 are supported on the rotor 56. Because this embodiment is intended to be worn on a human body, the materials of construction may include corrosion resistant and/or precious or semi-precious metals. Ornaments 60, such as precious or semi-precious stones or costume jewelry may be attached to the rotor 56 for decorative effect.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fidget spinner toy comprising:

a base configured to be hand held;

a revolving vehicle rotatably supported about the base, the base and revolving vehicle cooperatively configured to be operable as a spinning toy; and

a plurality of cosmetic containers formed in or supported by the revolving vehicle.

2. The fidget spinner of claim 1, further comprising a cosmetic product contained in each cosmetic container.

3. The fidget spinner of claim 1, further comprising a cosmetic product of a respective color contained in each respective cosmetic container.

4. The fidget spinner of claim 1, further comprising a lid associated with each cosmetic container.

5. The fidget spinner of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic containers contain respective cosmetic products selected from the group consisting of lip gloss, lip balm, eye shadow, blush, moisturizer, cleanser, breath freshener, chewing gum, and perfume.

6. The fidget spinner of claim 1, further comprising a container formed in or supported by the base.

7. The fidget spinner of claim 6, wherein a first type of product is contained in the base container and a second type of product, different than the first type of product, is contained in the revolving vehicle cosmetic containers.

8. The fidget spinner of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic containers are individually removable from the revolving vehicle.

9. A fidget spinner toy comprising a cosmetic container.

10. The fidget spinner of claim 9, further comprising a cosmetic product contained in the cosmetic container.

11. The fidget spinner of claim 9, wherein the cosmetic container is supported by a rotor of the fidget spinner.

12. The fidget spinner of claim 9, wherein the cosmetic container is formed integral with a rotor of the fidget spinner.

13. The fidget spinner of claim 9, wherein the cosmetic container is supported by a stator of the fidget spinner.

14. The fidget spinner of claim 9, wherein the cosmetic container is formed integral with a stator of the fidget spinner.

15. The fidget spinner of claim 9, wherein the cosmetic container comprises a removable pot.

16. The fidget spinner of claim 15, further comprising a screw top lid for selectively covering the pot.

17-20. (canceled)