Cosmetic Dispenser with Dual Dispensing Mechanisms

Abstract

A cosmetic dispenser with dual dispensing mechanisms for independently extending and retracting first and second cosmetics. A bi-directional body structure has a central hub and first and second inner body members projecting in opposite directions. First and second spiral members have body portions matingly and rotatably engaged with body portions of the first and second inner body members. A first elevator member can be extended and retracted by a relative rotation between the first spiral member and the first inner body member, and a second elevator member can be extended and retracted by a relative rotation between the second spiral member and the second inner body member. The elevator members can be elevator cups for retaining cosmetic pomades and can have opposed lugs that project through longitudinal tracks in the inner body members.

I claim as deserving the protection of Letters Patent: 
     
         1 . A cosmetic dispenser with dual dispensing mechanisms for independently extending and retracting first and second cosmetics, the cosmetic dispenser comprising:
 a bi-directional body structure with a central hub, a first body member with a body portion that projects from the hub in a first direction, and a second body member with a body portion that projects from the hub in a second direction;   a first spiral member with a body portion matingly and rotatably engaged with the body portion of the first body member with a longitudinal axis of relative rotation wherein the first spiral member has at least one spiral formation along the body portion thereof;   a second spiral member with a body portion matingly and rotatably engaged with the body portion of the second body member with a longitudinal axis of relative rotation wherein the second spiral member has at least one spiral formation along the body portion thereof;   a first elevator member received within the first body member wherein the first elevator member has a body portion and at least one projection from the body portion, wherein the at least one projection engages the at least one spiral formation of the first spiral member, wherein the first elevator member is extendable by a relative rotation between the first spiral member and the first body member in a first rotational direction and wherein the first elevator member is retractable by a relative rotation between the first spiral member and the first body member in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction; and   a second elevator member received within the second body member wherein the second elevator member has a body portion and at least one projection from the body portion, wherein the at least one projection engages the at least one spiral formation of the second spiral member, wherein the second elevator member is extendable by a relative rotation between the second spiral member and the second body member in a first rotational direction and wherein the second elevator member is retractable by a relative rotation between the second spiral member and the second body member in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.   
     
     
         2 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the bi-directional body structure comprises a bi-directional inner body structure, wherein the first body member comprises a first inner body member, wherein the second body member comprises a second inner body member, wherein the first spiral member matingly receives the first inner body member, and wherein the second spiral member matingly receives the second inner body member. 
     
     
         3 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 2  wherein the first inner body member has at least one longitudinal track that communicates along a substantial length of the first inner body member for receiving the at least one projection from the body portion of the first elevator member and wherein the second inner body member has at least one longitudinal track that communicates along a substantial length of the second inner body member for receiving the at least one projection from the body portion of the second elevator member. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the central hub, the first body member, and the second body member of the bi-directional body structure are formed as a unitary component. 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first and second body members of the bi-directional body structure are disposed in longitudinal alignment. 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first and second body members have opposed longitudinal tracks, wherein the first and second spiral members have opposed spiral channels, and wherein the first and second elevator members have opposed lugs received through the longitudinal tracks and into the opposed spiral channels of the first and second body members and the first and second spiral members respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the bi-directional body structure comprises a bi-directional inner body structure, wherein the first body member comprises a first inner body member with a tubular body portion with a distally disposed peripheral annular ridge and a proximally disposed annular base portion, wherein the second body member comprises a second inner body member with a tubular body portion with a distally disposed peripheral annular ridge and a proximally disposed annular base portion, wherein the first spiral member matingly receives the first inner body member, and wherein the second spiral member matingly receives the second inner body member. 
     
     
         8 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a removable and replaceable first end cap for selectively enshrouding the first body member and the first spiral member and a removable and replaceable second end cap for selectively enshrouding the second body member and the second spiral member. 
     
     
         9 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first elevator member comprises a first elevator cup and wherein the second elevator member comprises a second elevator cup. 
     
     
         10 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 9  further comprising a first pomade of cosmetic retained by the first elevator cup and a second pomade of cosmetic retained by the second elevator cup. 
     
     
         11 . A cosmetic dispenser with dual dispensing mechanisms for independently extending and retracting first and second cosmetics, the cosmetic dispenser comprising:
 a bi-directional inner body structure with a central hub, a first inner body member with a body portion that projects from the hub in a first direction, and a second inner body member with a body portion that projects from the hub in a second direction;   a first outer body member with a body portion matingly and rotatably engaged with the body portion of the first inner body member with a longitudinal axis of relative rotation;   a second outer body member with a body portion matingly and rotatably engaged with the body portion of the second inner body member with a longitudinal axis of relative rotation;   a first elevator member received within the first inner body member wherein the first elevator member has a body portion;   a second elevator member received within the second inner body member wherein the second elevator member has a body portion;   a first rotary extension and retraction mechanism wherein the first elevator member can be manipulated between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration by a selective rotation of the first outer body member relative to the first inner body member to yield an axial movement of the first elevator member; and   a second rotary extension and retraction mechanism wherein the second elevator member can be manipulated between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration by a selective rotation of the second outer body member relative to the second inner body member to yield an axial movement of the second elevator member.   
     
     
         12 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the central hub, the first inner body member, and the second inner body member are formed as a unitary component. 
     
     
         13 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the first and second inner body members are disposed in longitudinal alignment. 
     
     
         14 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the first inner body member has at least one longitudinal track that communicates along a substantial length of the body portion, wherein the first elevator member has a body portion and at least one projection from the body portion, wherein the first outer body member comprises a first spiral member with at least one spiral formation along an inner surface of the body portion for engaging the at least one projection from the body portion of the first elevator member whereby the first inner body member, the first outer body member, and the first elevator member in cooperation act as the first rotary extension and retraction mechanism, wherein the second inner body member has at least one longitudinal track that communicates along a substantial length of the body portion, wherein the second elevator member has a body portion and at least one projection from the body portion, and wherein the second outer body member comprises a second spiral member with at least one spiral formation along an inner surface of the body portion for engaging the at least one projection from the body portion of the second elevator member whereby the second inner body member, the second outer body member, and the second elevator member in cooperation act as the second rotary extension and retraction mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 14  wherein the first and second inner body members have opposed longitudinal tracks, wherein the first and second spiral members have opposed spiral channels, and wherein the first and second elevator members have opposed lugs received through the longitudinal tracks and into the opposed spiral channels of the first and second inner body members and the first and second spiral members respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the first inner body member of the bi-directional inner body structure comprises a first inner body member with a tubular body portion with a distally disposed peripheral annular ridge and a proximally disposed annular base portion, wherein the second inner body member of the bi-directional inner body structure comprises a second inner body member with a tubular body portion with a distally disposed peripheral annular ridge and a proximally disposed annular base portion, wherein the first spiral member matingly receives the first inner body member, and wherein the second spiral member matingly receives the second inner body member. 
     
     
         17 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 11  further comprising a removable and replaceable first end cap for selectively enshrouding the first inner body member and the first outer body member and a removable and replaceable second end cap for selectively enshrouding the second inner body member and the second outer body member. 
     
     
         18 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 11  wherein the first elevator member comprises a first elevator cup and wherein the second elevator member comprises a second elevator cup. 
     
     
         19 . The cosmetic dispenser of  claim 18  further comprising a first pomade of cosmetic retained by the first elevator cup and a second pomade of cosmetic retained by the second elevator cup.