US2696337A - Combination compact and filler - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 7, 1954 M. J. DINHOFER 2,696,337

COMBINATION COMPACT AND FILLER Filed May 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 7, 1954 M. J. DINHOFER 2,696,337

COMBINATION COMPACT AND FILLER Filed May 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 may a? 5% spring 64. The upper terminus is maintained in a groove 62 by means of tabs 63 which are formed by bending inwardly portions cut from the material forming the inner annular surface 52. When the spring 64 is in an unstressed position, the gasket 58 contacts the edges of the opening 55, thereby preventing any powder disposed within the compact element from passing therethrough. Pressure exerted upon the central portion of the sealing member 56 at the gasket 58 will cause the sealing member to flex as shown on Figure 2, thereby permitting the entry of additional powder into the compact element.

The filler element 24 includes a deformable body 70 preferably formed from synthetic resins such as polyethylene or organic compositions having similar properties. It is provided with an injection nozzle 72 which may be inserted into the injection fitting 44. The body 70 includes a base portion 74 as well as a deformable side portion 76. At the nozzle end of the body there is provided an inner neck portion 78 (see Figures 2 and of relatively thicker cross section. This in turn connects with a resilient annular chamber 80. The outer edge of the chamber in turn connects with an outer neck portion 82, the outermost edge thereof forming a valve seat 84. When the chamber 80 is in an unstressed position, it normally assumes the shapes shown on Figure 3, whereas pressure exerted against the outer neck portion 82 will serve to distort the chamber to the shape shown on Figure 2. Both the inner and outer neck portions 78 and 82 are provided with central openings in which there is disposed a valve unit 86, including a stem member 88 and a poppet member 90. The stem member includes inner and outer pairs of projections 92 and 94 forming recesses 96 which permit the stem to be secured within the inner neck portion 78 in the position shown on Figures 2 and 3. The poppet member 90 is secured at the outer terminus of the stem member 88, in such a manner that the outer planar surface 99 is disposed perpendicularly With respect to the plane thereof. The conical surface 98 is thus ing formed by the outer neck portion 82, to provide a seal thereat when the chamber 80 is in an unstressed condition.

The operation of the device is simple. When it is desired to recharge the compact element 22 with a fresh amount of powder the outer neck portion 82 is positioned within the injection fitting 44, as shown on Figure 2. Pressing inwardly will result in the edge of the outer neck portion becoming firmly engaged with the converging surface 54. Further pressure allows the resilient chamber 80 to be distorted as shown, thereby shortening the distance between the inner and outer neck portions 78 and 82. Since the stem member 88 is inflexible, the distortion of the chamber 80 results in the poppet member 90 being projected against the gasket 58, whereby the sealing member 56 is moved inwardly to uncover the central opening 55. The side portion 76 is then gently squeezed between thumb and forefinger, which action results in the forcing of powder 100 into the recess 36. Pressure is then released, after which the filler element 24 is withdrawn from the injection fitting 44. Since the sealing member 56 is held open by the poppet member 96, both the compact element 22 and the filler element 24 will be simultaneously closed at the time of Withdrawal, thereby preventing any spilling of powder.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, in which to avoid needless repetition, certain of the parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix 1.

As may be seen on Figures 8 and 9, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment principally in the shape of the injection nozzle 72 of the filler element 24. The outer neck portion 174 is provided with threads 105 engageable with corresponding threads 103 on a protective screw type cap 101. When the filler element 24 is not in use, accidental discharge of powder is effectively prevented by threadedly engaging the cap, whereby the gasket 104 covers the poppet member 190. In the case of the second embodiment, should the filler element be accidentally dropped, the valve unit 186 can in no manner become dislodged to permit spillage of powder. In other respects, the use of the filler element corresponds to that employed in the first embodiment.

Turning now to the third embodiment of the invention, in which to avoid needless repetition, certain of the positioned within the openparts corresponding to those of the first embodiment have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix 2.

The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments both in the structure of the injection fitting as well as the injection nozzle. This embodiment is particularly suited where low cost of production is of primary importance.

Accordingly, in the third embodiment injection is made through an orifice 209 in the side rim 107 of the compact element 222. This orifice is normally closed by means of a sliding member 111 controlled by a finger engaging tab 213 which rides in a slot 215 in the top flange 217 of the rim. Detent means 219 prevents the member 211 from accidentally opening the orifice 209, and if desired additional detent means may be employed to maintain the orifice in an opened condition prior to loading. The injection nozzle 221 includes a tapered engagement portion 231 into which there is fitted a slotted disk 225. This disk is preferably formed from rubber or synthetic flexible plastic so that under internal pressure the slot 227 will expand to permit powder to pass therethrough. As may be seen on Figure 10, the annular chamber 80 present in the first embodiment is eliminated.

When using the third embodiment, the compact element is loaded by sliding the finger engaging portion 213 to the right as seen on Figure 12, after which the injection nozzle may be inserted into the opening 209. After the compact element has been filled, the injection nozzle is withdrawn, after which the finger engaging portion 213 is slid to the left permitting the detent means 219 to become engaged. Since the closing of the orifice 209 is manually accomplished, rather than by means of a spring, care should be taken to avoid any of the powder being spilled prior to the closing of the same.

On Figure 13, there may be seen an alternate form of the third embodiment in which the filler element employed is substantially the same. The sealing member 229, however, is resiliently mounted and is secured to the outer wall 242 by means of rivets 231. The member 229 is provided with a hemispherical portion which fills the opening, and which may be contacted by the injection nozzle whereby the same may be deflected for filling. Upon removal of the injection nozzle the member 229 returns to its initial position, automatically sealing the opening.

On Figure 14 there may be seen another alternate form of the third embodiment. In this case the sealing member 233 is pivotally mounted on the outer wall about an axis lying in the wall. A fingernail recess 235 is provided to allow for the opening of the member 233, the same permitting the member to lie fiush with the wall when the central opening is closed.

On Figure 15 there may be seen still another alternate form of the third embodiment wherein the sealing member is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the outer wall. Here the pivotally mounted sealing member 239 is mounted on a pin 241, the member 239 being held in closed position by detent means 243. A gasket 245 assists in maintaining a leak-proof seal.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in reloadable compacts and filler elements therefor. The refilling of a compact may be accomplished speedily and with practically no loss of powder. This structure permits the selling of powder in relatively greater quantities than heretofore possible with a resultant lower cost of marketing the same. Substantially all waste of powder in reloading the compact is eliminated, and the reloading may be accomplished with a convenience heretofore unobtainable.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the exact details shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

I claim:

1. For use in filling a cosmetic compact, filler element structure comprising: a deformable body member having an open end therein; an inner neck bordering said open end; a resilient annular chamber connected to said inner neck portion; an outer neck portion connected to said chamber, said outer neck portion forming a valve seat; a valve unit having a stem portion engaged by said inner neck and a surface engageable with said valve seat; whereby pressure exerted upon said resilientannular chamber to distort the same results in disengaging bordering said open end; a resilient annular chamber said surface from said valve seat to permit passage of connected to said inner neck portion; an outer neck powder therebetween. portion connected to said chamber, said outer neck por- 2. As a new article of manufacture, a powder filling tion forming a valve seat; a valve unit having a stem device comprising: a polyethylene body member, an inner portion engaged by said inner neck portion, and a surneck portion connected to said body member, a resilient face engageable With said valve seat; said compact having annular chamber connected to said inner neck portion, an injection fitting corresponding to said outer neck poran outer neck portion connected to said chamber, a tion, said injection fitting having a resiliently urged sealvalve unit connected to said inner neck portion and ing member which is adapted to be contacted by a porhaving a surface positioned to close the opening in said 10 tion of said valve unit upon engagement of said fitting ou-ter neck portion; said annular chamber being distortwith said outer neck portion of said filler element able under pressure exerted upon a pontion thereof to structure. result in the opening of said valve unit.

3. A combination cosmetic compact :and filler element References Cited in the file of this patent structure therefor comprising: a deformable body mem- UNITED STATES PATENTS her having an open end therein; an inner neck portion bordering said open end; a resilient annular chamber Number Name Date connected to said inner neck portion; an outer neck por- 634,036 Bates Oct. 8, 1901 tion connected to said chamber, said outer neck portion 1,628,106 Booty May 10, 1927 forming a valve seat; a valve unit having a stem portion 1,770,071 Davis July 8, 1930 engaged by said inner neck portion, and a surface engage- 1,810,366 Martin June 16, 1931 able with said valve seat; said compact having an injec- 1,934,197 Mackay et a1. Nov. 7, 1933 tion fitting corresponding to said outer neck portion, said 2,192,796 Moores et al. Mar. 5, 1940 injegtion fittinglaging a sealing membelr which is adapted 2,337,276 Sane-his Dec. 21, 1943 to e contacte y a portion of sai va ve unit upon engagement of said fitting with said outer neck portion FOREIGN PATENTS of said filler element structure. Number Country Date 4. A combination cosmetic compact and filler element 244,535 Great Britain July 1, 1926 structure therefor comprising: a deformable body mem- 461,720 Germany June 27, 1928 her having an open end therein; an inner neck portion

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