Method and device for dispensing cosmetics

Abstract

An apparatus for preventing clogging in cosmetic dispensing devices. The apparatus includes a capping assembly configured to immerse the nozzle tip in the cosmetic product in both parked and purging states. An expandable receptacle, affixed to the capping assembly, collects cosmetics during the purging state. A syringe is configured to displace cosmetics from supply units, isolated to prevent fluid interactions. An inflow check valve enables the prevention of backflow, while an outflow check valve below the nozzle tip simultaneously enhances the flow of cosmetics. The capping assembly features a purge reservoir and a purge reservoir cap. Further, interconnected fittings bind the capping assembly and the expandable receptacle. The apparatus ensures continuous, unclogged dispensing of cosmetics, providing enhanced reliability and performance.

Description

Method and Device for Dispensing Cosmetics

[0001] Background of the Invention.

[0002] Field of the invention. The embodiments herein generally relate to a method for dispensing a cosmetic and more particularly, relate to the method of preventing clogging and drying of the cosmetic.

[0003] Description of the related art. Currently, the majority of cosmetics products are produced in bulk quantities in a factory environment. These factories use industrial machinery dispensing cylinders to make large batches of cosmetic products. However, the complexity and cost of these machines prohibit small businesses. When accurately dispensing a liquid, it is well-known to use a positivedisplacement piston or syringe to draw in a prescribed volume of liquid from a supply reservoir and then eject it through a nozzle. Dispensing dryable liquids through a nozzle may leave a portion of liquid at the tip of the nozzle after a dispense cycle. This portion of liquid may clog the nozzle's opening when it is left to dry.

[0004] Storing static, non-moving dryable liquid within a dispense system leaves the system vulnerable to liquid drying and / or settling which can cause clogs within the system. Periodic purges of the liquid and introduction of fresh liquid may prevent drying and settling. Typically, an external container is introduced through a user or automated system to receive the purged liquid. Storing purged liquid in a rigid, fixed-volume container may be bulky and space-intensive in a compact environment. When unsealed, a rigid purge container may allow the liquid to dry out and become difficult to clean / empty while also allowing potentially harmful solvents to escape. When sealed, a rigid purge container does not allow pressure relief as the waste liquid is injected. This may create liquid splatter at the injectionnozzle site as the pressure is forced to equalize at that location. The ability for the parked undried liquid reservoir to overflow into an expandable receptacle during purging is an advantage as it can fit in a small irregular space and can expand in volume as the purged liquid amount increases. A further advantage is gained when the undried liquid reservoir chamber is sealed around the nozzle in the parked position, resisting purged liquid drying due to solvent loss.

[0005] A need exists for a system for dispensing cosmetic products that includes an arrangement of check valves to prevent backflow during drawing and injecting. An out-flowing check valve between the syringe and the dosing nozzle prevents air from drawing into the system from the nozzle during the liquid draw action of the syringe. An in-flowing check valve between the syringe and the supply reservoir prevents liquid from back flowing into the supply reservoir during the liquid dispense action of the syringe. The ability to place the tip of the nozzle into an undried reservoir of the liquid after a dispense cycle is an advantage as this can help prevent the nozzle from clogging due to drying and allow subsequent dispense cycles to continue without manual intervention.

[0006] Brief Summary of the invention, in view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides an apparatus for preventing clogging and drying at the nozzle tip of a cosmetic dispensing device. The inventive subject matter includes: a cosmetic dispensing device made of a supply unit, an inflow check valve .outflow check valve positioned below the inflow check valve, a syringe and a nozzle having a nozzle tip; and a capping assembly configured to seal the nozzle tip of the cosmetic dispensing device, wherein, the capping assembly is configured to immerse the nozzle tip in a liquid during a parking state.

[0007] The inventive subject matter includes an apparatus made of a capping assembly and a displacing assembly e.g., a syringe. The displacing assembly is configured to physically displace at least one cosmetic product from one or more supply units e.g., stationary cartridges. A reservoir cap is sealed around the nozzle tip while in a parked and a purging state. The nozzle tip is immersed in cosmetic product to prevent clogging and drying, and the purged cosmetic product is contained and directed into an expandable receptacle. In some embodiments, wherein the displacing assembly is not in fluid communication with one or more supply units.

[0008] The inventive subject matter further includes a method to dispense a dryable liquid through a nozzle. The steps of this invention include: receiving the dryable liquid from an at least one supply unit; controlling the flow of the dryable liquid with an inflow check valve and an outflow check valve positioned below the inflow check valve; directing the dryable liquid to a syringe with a nozzle having a nozzle tip; immersing the nozzle tip in a capping assembly configured to seal the nozzle tip of the cosmetic dispensing device, wherein, the capping assembly is configured to immerse the nozzle tip in a liquid during a parking state; and receiving the dryable liquid from the capping assembly when the dispensing device coupled to the capping assembly is in a purging state.

[0009] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not oflimitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

[0010] Brief Description of the Drawings The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a cosmetic dispensing device in a first dispensing state according to an embodiment herein;

[0012] FIG. 1 B illustrates a perspective view of cosmetic product drawn in through the supply unit with no air drawn in from the nozzle of a cosmetic dispensing device according to an embodiment herein;

[0013] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a cosmetic dispensing device in a second parking state according to an embodiment herein; and

[0014] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the reservoir cap sealed around the nozzle of a cosmetic dispensing device during parking and purging according to an embodiment herein.

[0015] Detailed Description of the Invention. The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodimentsherein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0016] FIG. 1 A illustrates a perspective view of dispensing cosmetic product through a nozzle 102 of a cosmetic dispensing device with no backflow of the cosmetic product into a supply unit 104 according to an embodiment herein. The cosmetic product may include nail polish, foundation, lipstick or lip gloss. In particular, this cosmetic dispensing device 100 is applicable to dispensing a viscous liquid such as nail polish. The cosmetic dispensing device 100 is made of a supply unit 104, an inflow check valve 106, an outflow check valve 108, a syringe 110, and a nozzle 102. The cosmetic product is supplied through at least one supply unit 104 into the cosmetic dispensing device 100. The inflow check valve 106 controls the flow of the cosmetic product within the cosmetic dispensing device 100 and ensures that the product flows in a desired direction and prevents backflow. The inflow check valve 106 is positioned downstream of the supply unit 104 and allows the cosmetic product to flow from the supply container to the dispensing mechanism using the syringe 110 and prevents the cosmetic product from flowing back into the supply container. The outflow check valve 108 is positioned upstream of the nozzle 102 that controls the flow ofthe cosmetic product from the device's reservoir or container to the user's receptacle. The pressure required to open the outflow check valve 108 prevents the cosmetic product from leaking or dripping when the cosmetic dispensing device 100 is not dispensing. The nozzle 102 is the endpoint of the cosmetic dispensing device 100 where the product is dispensed. The nozzle 102 control the flow, and direction, of the cosmetic product.

[0017] In some embodiments, cosmetic products may be sensitive to contamination, and when exposed to air may degrade their quality. The outflow check valve 108 helps to maintain the hygiene and integrity of the product by preventing external elements from entering the system . The inflow check valve 106 allows the cosmetic dispensing device 100 to provide controlled and precise dispensing when the syringe is expelled. When the syringe is expelled, the product flows out smoothly due to the low flow resistance offered by the cracking pressure of the outflow check valve 108. The inflow check valve 106 allows accurate volumetric dispensing according to the movement of the syringe and helps to minimize the wastage of the product by preventing backflow into the supply unit. The users may dispense the desired amount of the product without excess product going back into the container. In some embodiments, the cosmetic product has a liquid or semi-liquid consistency and could inadvertently leak if not properly controlled using an outflow check valve 108.

[0018] When the syringe 110 is expelled, the outflow check valve 108 allows the product to flow out in a controlled manner and prevents over-dispensing or wasting the product. The outflow check valve 108 maintains the product's quality by limiting its exposure to air, light, or contaminants during refill of the syringe. In some embodiments, the outflow check valve 108 protects the cosmetic dispensing device 100 from leaks, drips, and messes during the dispensing process. The nozzle's size is selected based on the desired rate of dispensing flow of the cosmetic product. A narrower nozzle 102 may typically result in a slower, more controlled flow, allowing users to apply the product precisely without wasting. The nozzle 102 helps to minimize product waste by controlling the amount of cosmetic products dispensed.

[0019] FIG. 1 B illustrates another perspective view of cosmetic product drawn into the syringe 110 through the supply unit 104 with no air drawn in from the nozzle 102 of the cosmetic dispensing device 100 according to an embodiment herein. The cosmetic product is drawn from a container through the supply unit 104 into a dispensing unit 100. This method draws no air into the dispensing unit 100 from the nozzle 102. The inflow check valve 106 system may be employed to allow the cosmetic product to flow in one direction from the supply unit 104 to the nozzle 102 while preventing reverse flow. The inflow check valve 106 allows the cosmetic product to enter and does not allow it to exit, and the outflow check valve 108 allows the cosmetic product to flow out through the nozzle 102 and prevents air from entering. The cosmetic dispensing device 100 ensures a smooth and uninterrupted flow of the cosmetic product by preventing air from entering through the nozzle 102 during refilling of the syringe.

[0020] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the nozzle tip 202 of a cosmetic dispensing device 100 parked in liquid to prevent clogging according to an embodiment herein. The capping assembly is made of a purge reservoir cap 206, a purge reservoir 208, a plurality of fittings 210a, 210b, tubing 212, and an expandable receptacle 214. When the nozzle tip 202 is parked in the cosmetic product, the product surrounds the nozzle tip 202 preventing it from drying out and reducing the risk of clogs. In some embodiments, the cosmetic products that have specific consistencies include creams, serums, or certain liquids, and exposure to air may alter their texture over time. Parking the nozzle tip 202 in a liquid helps maintain the consistency of the cosmetic product, ensuring that it dispenses as intended. When the nozzle tip 202 is already immersed in the cosmetic product, the user may start dispensing immediately without having to wait for the product toflow through the nozzle 204 and clear any potential clogs. The purge reservoir cap 206 provides smooth and efficient dispensing while minimizing air bubbles or other disruptions in the dispensing process. The purge reservoir cap 206 minimizes the presence of air bubbles in the dispensing device. The purge reservoir cap 206 is configured with an additional chamber or space that acts as a reservoir for air. When the purge reservoir cap 206 is closed or the device is not in use, the purge reservoir 208 space contains air. The plurality of fittings (210a, 210b) connects the purge reservoir 208 and expandable receptacle 214. In one exemplary embodiment, the expandable receptacle 214 is a plastic bag.

[0021] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the reservoir cap 206 sealed around the nozzle of cosmetic dispensing device 100 during parking and purging according to an embodiment herein. The purge reservoir cap 206 is sealed around the nozzle tip 202 during parking and purging. The purged cosmetic product is contained and directed into the expandable receptacle 214. In some embodiments, by directing the purged cosmetic product into an expandable receptacle 214, the excess product that is purged doesn't go to waste. In some embodiments, the purged cosmetic product is collected and stored for future use. Parking state means the nozzle is not actively dispensing cosmetic.

[0022] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred and example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications, additions, and deletions are within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

\Ne Claim:

1. A dispensing device for a dryable liquid comprising: at least one supply unit; an inflow check valve; an outflow check valve positioned below the inflow check valve; a syringe and a nozzle having a nozzle tip; a capping assembly configured to seal the nozzle tip of the dispensing device, wherein, the capping assembly is configured to immerse the nozzle tip in a liquid during a parking state; and an expandable receptacle affixed to the capping assembly, wherein, the expandable receptacle is configured to receive the dryable liquid from the capping assembly when the dispensing device coupled to the capping assembly is in a purging state.

2. The dispensing device of claim 1 , wherein the dryable liquid is a cosmetic selected from the group consisting of: nail polish, foundation, lipstick and lip gloss.

3. An apparatus to prevent drying of a syringe tip of a dispensing device comprising: a capping assembly configured to seal a nozzle tip, of the dispensing device said capping assembly comprised of a purge reservoir cap, a purge reservoir and an expandable receptacle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a syringe configured to physically displace a dryable liquid from an at least one supply unit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the capping assembly and the expandable receptacle are connected to each other via a plurality of fittings.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the dryable liquid is a cosmetic selected from the group consisting of: nail polish, foundation, lipstick and lip gloss.

7. A method to dispense a dryable liquid through a nozzle comprising: receiving the dryable liquid from an at least one supply unit; controlling the flow of the dryable liquid with an inflow check valve and an outflow check valve positioned below the inflow check valve; directing the dryable liquid to a syringe with a nozzle having a nozzle tip; immersing the nozzle tip in a capping assembly configured to seal the nozzle tip of the cosmetic dispensing device, wherein, the capping assembly is configured to immerse the nozzle tip in a liquid during a parking state; and receiving the dryable liquid from the capping assembly when the dispensing device coupled to the capping assembly is in a purging state.

8. The method of claims 7, wherein the dryable liquid is a cosmetic selected from the group consisting of: nail polish, foundation, lipstick and lip gloss.

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