WO2008130166A1

WO2008130166A1 - Direct jet type dispenser and makeup tool using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2008130166A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002234
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyn-Sun Jeong
Original assignee: Kyn-Sun Jeong
Priority date: 2007-04-24
Filing date: 2008-04-21
Publication date: 2008-10-30
Also published as: KR100775650B1

Abstract

A direct jet type dispenser and a makeup tool using the dispenser are disclosed. The makeup tool includes a dispenser and an application member. The dispenser includes a storage container storing the contents, a valve which has a cut part opened by external force, a discharge unit which is mounted to the storage container and guides the contents from the storage container, and a jet unit. The jet unit includes a button which is elastically supported to the upper portion of the storage container and pushed to generate compressed air pressure, a piston rod which is operated in conjunction with the button to forcibly open the cut part, and a jet passage which is formed in the piston rod to directly jet and supply the contents to the discharge unit using compressed air pressure. The application member is coupled to the discharge unit of the dispenser.

Description

DIRECT JET TYPE DISPENSER AND MAKEUP TOOL USING

THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a direct jet type dispenser, which is constructed to directly and rapidly supply various types of cosmetics, including powder-type cosmetics and liquid-type cosmetics, or various fluid materials, to a discharge unit, using compressed air pressure of a jet unit, and to a makeup tool using the dispenser. Background Art

[2] Generally, a dispenser for dispensing powder or liquid contents is known to those skilled in the art. However, since the conventional dispenser dispenses contents indirectly using compressed air pressure, some kinds of contents may not be rapidly and smoothly dispensed. Further, the conventional dispenser adopts an indirect jet method in which compressed air pressure is indirectly transmitted to the contents so as to jet the contents, and thus the jet structure is complex. The complex jet structure increases the cost of manufacturing the product, and considerably reduces workability and productivity. Further, since the conventional dispenser is limited to use for dispensing specific kinds of contents because of its structure, it is impossible to hold and dispense various types of contents using one dispenser. For example, it is difficult for a powder dispensing structure to hold and dispense liquid contents. Thus, conventionally, various dispensers are required according to the kinds of contents, which is very inefficient and uneconomical.

[3] The conventional dispenser is found in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No.

2002-79214, Korean U.M. Registration No. 319277, and Korean U.M. Registration No. 274588.

[4] Further, a conventional dispenser for dispensing liquid contents from a container adopts a structure for reversely pumping contents in the direction from the container to a pressure pump which is provided at a predetermined position in the container. This dispenser has a very complex pumping structure, and requires a piston or an outlet hose in order to push up or pressurize the contents. Therefore, as in the former conventional dispenser, the dispensing structure using the pumping structure is also very complex. As such, this dispenser does not overcome several problems. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a direct jet type dispenser and a makeup tool using the dispenser, in which the dispenser has a very simple jetting structure, a valve controlling the supply of contents is opened whenever a jet unit is pressed, regardless of whether contents are powder or liquid, so that the contents are jetted directly from a storage container to a discharge unit using compressed air pressure, thus allowing a constant amount of contents to be rapidly and precisely dispensed.

[6] Another object of the present invention is to provide a direct jet type dispenser and a makeup tool using the dispenser, in which a discharge unit of the dispenser can be designed or replaced to suit the intended purpose or use, so that the dispenser can be applied to various products having various purposes and functions, thus remarkably enhancing utilization efficiency. Technical Solution

[7] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a direct jet type dispenser for directly jetting and supplying contents using pressure of compressed air. The dispenser includes a storage container for storing the contents therein, a valve which is mounted to a lower portion of the storage container to prevent leakage of the contents and has a cut part which is opened only when external force is applied to the cut part, a discharge unit which is removably mounted to the storage container and guides the contents jetted from the storage container, and a jet unit. The jet unit includes a button which is elastically supported to an upper portion of the storage container and is pushed to generate compressed air pressure, a piston rod which is operated in conjunction with the button to forcibly open the cut part of the valve, and a jet passage which is formed in the piston rod to directly jet and supply the contents in the storage container to the discharge unit using the compressed air pressure.

[8] The storage container has a shape of a barrel, and further includes a bottom having an inclined inner surface, with a dispensing hole formed at a predetermined position in the bottom.

[9] The valve comprises a plate made of an elastic material.

[10] The cut part provided in the valve is cut to have a smaller size than an outer diameter of the piston rod.

[11] The cut part of the valve has various shapes, for example, a straight-line shape or a cross shape, or is cut variously in a radial direction of the valve such that the valve is divided into three, five, six, or eight equal portions. The cut part has any one of the shapes.

[12] The valve is further supported by an elastic plate having an elastic support rib to provide superior elastic support force for the cut part.

[13] The valve comprises one valve or a plurality of valves so as to provide good air- tightness. The plurality of valves is supported at regular intervals by support rings.

[14] The valve is made of a natural rubber material or a synthetic rubber material.

[15] According to the present invention, the discharge unit includes a holder which is removably fastened to the lower portion of the storage container, and an outlet port which is provided in the holder. The outlet port is provided separately from the holder in such a way as to be removed therefrom, or is integrated with the holder into a single structure. The outlet port is positioned directly under the cut part of the valve.

[16] According to the present invention, the holder of the discharge unit may have various shapes and constructions, according to the intended purpose or use of the contents which are to be dispensed. The outlet port may also have various shapes.

[17] The jet unit includes a compressed-air feeding pipe, the button, a piston, and the piston rod. The feeding pipe comprises a long pipe, and a sealing part of the pipe is removably seated on an upper open end of the storage container via a support cap, with a plurality of content inlet holes provided in a lower end of the pipe. The button is elastically supported on an upper portion of the compressed-air feeding pipe by an elastic member in such a way that the button is pressed down. The piston slides up and down in response to manipulation of the button, thus compressing air in the compressed-air feeding pipe. The piston rod passes through the compressed-air feeding pipe to define an air flow space, and the jet passage is provided in a lower end of the piston rod which forcibly opens the cut part of the valve when the button is pressed down, and draws the contents by the compressed air pressure to jet the contents to the discharge unit when the cut part is opened.

[18] The end of the piston rod of the jet unit is inclined such that an outer circumference of the end is tapered downwards. Since the piston rod has a tapered end, it is easily inserted into the cut part of the valve in order to open the cut part.

[19] The compressed-air feeding pipe of the jet unit includes a larger-diameter part and a smaller-diameter part for strongly transferring compressed air pressure generated by the piston, and an inclined part which couples the larger-diameter part to the smaller- diameter part and has the shape of a hopper.

[20] The piston for compressing air when the button of the jet unit is manipulated is constructed to slide up and down along an inner wall or an outer wall of the compressed- air feeding pipe. In particular, although the piston moves along the outer wall of the larger-diameter part of the compressed-air feeding pipe, the outer wall of the larger- diameter part is sealed by the piston, so that the flow of air is prevented. Thus, as in the case where the piston moves along the inner wall of the larger-diameter part, air present in the compressed-air feeding pipe can be compressed.

[21] According to the present invention, the jet unit includes a support part, a compressed- air feeding pipe, the button, a piston, and the piston rod. The support part is removably fastened at a sealing part thereof to a support cap such that the support part is seated on an upper open end of the storage container. The compressed-air feeding pipe comprises a short pipe which extends a predetermined height above the bottom of the storage container in such a way as to be coaxial with a center of the cut part of the valve, with a plurality of content inlet holes formed in a portion of the pipe which contacts the bottom of the storage container. The button is elastically supported on an upper portion of the support part by an elastic member in such a way that the button is pressed down. The piston compresses air in the compressed-air feeding pipe. The piston rod passes through the support part and the compressed-air feeding pipe in such a way as to move up and down when the button is manipulated. Here, the piston is slidably provided at a predetermined position in the compressed-air feeding pipe, and the jet passage is provided in a lower end of the piston rod which forcibly opens the cut part of the valve and draws the contents in the storage container to jet the contents to the discharge unit by the compressed air pressure, which is generated by the piston provided in the compressed-air feeding pipe, when the cut part is opened.

[22] The compressed-air feeding pipe extends integrally from the bottom of the storage container. Alternatively, the compressed-air feeding pipe further includes a flange such that the compressed-air feeding pipe is removably mounted to the dispensing hole which is formed in the bottom of the storage container.

[23] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a makeup tool using a direct jet type dispenser directly jetting contents using pressure of compressed air, which includes the dispenser and an application member. The dispenser includes a storage container for storing the contents therein, a valve which is mounted to a lower portion of the storage container to prevent leakage of the contents and has a cut part which is opened only when external force is applied to the cut part, a discharge unit which is removably mounted to the storage container and guides the contents jetted from the storage container, and a jet unit which includes a button elastically supported to an upper portion of the storage container and pushed to generate compressed air pressure, a piston rod operated in conjunction with the button to forcibly open the cut part of the valve, and a jet passage formed in the piston rod to directly jet and supply the contents in the storage container to the discharge unit using the compressed air pressure. The application member is coupled to the discharge unit of the dispenser.

[24] According to the present invention, the application member may have various shapes, for example, a makeup brush, a puff, and a sponge. Brief Description of the Drawings

[25] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the assembled state of a dispenser, according to the present invention;

[26] FIGS. 2a to 2f are plan views showing various cut parts of a valve, according to the present invention;

[27] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the valve, according to the present invention;

[28] FIGS. 4 and 5 are an exploded perspective view and a partial sectional view, respectively, showing another embodiment of the valve, according to the present invention;

[29] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a piston, according to the present invention;

[30] FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 1 ;

[31] FIGS. 8 to 10 are views sequentially showing the process of dispensing contents using the dispenser, according to the present invention;

[32] FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing an embodiment of a jet unit, according to the present invention;

[33] FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a modification of a compressed-air feeding pipe of the jet unit shown in FIG. 11 ;

[34] FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view showing another embodiment of the piston, according to the present invention; and

[35] FIGS. 14 to 16 are views showing embodiments of makeup tools having the dispenser according to the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[36] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[37] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the construction of a dispenser, according to the present invention. A direct jet type dispenser 1 includes a storage container 10, a valve 20, a discharge unit 30, and a jet unit 40. The storage container 10 holds contents therein. The valve 20 is coupled to the lower portion of the storage container 10 to prevent the leakage of the contents, and is provided with a cut part 21 which is opened by external force. The discharge unit 30 is removably mounted to the storage container 10, and guides the contents which are jetted from the storage container 10. When a button 46, elastically supported to the upper end of the storage container 10, is pressed, compressed air pressure is generated. A piston rod 49 is operated in conjunction with the button 46, thus forcibly opening the cut part 21 of the valve 20. At this time, the contents in the storage container 10 are directly jetted and supplied through jet passages 48 defined in the piston rod 49 to the discharge unit 30 by compressed air pressure. [38] The basic operation of the dispenser 1, constructed as described above, is as follows.

That is, the jet unit 40 is manipulated to generate compressed air pressure, by which the piston rod 20, operated in conjunction with the button 46, forcibly opens the cut part 21 of the valve 20. Thereby, the contents in the storage container 10 are rapidly and directly jetted through the jet passages 48 defined in the piston rod 49 to the discharge unit 30 by compressed air pressure. Therefore, according to the present invention, the contents in the storage container 10 can be rapidly supplied to the discharge unit 30 through a method of directly jetting contents by compressed air pressure. Further, the present invention allows a prescribed amount of cosmetics to be supplied. The storage container 10 has the shape of a barrel in which a space for holding the contents therein is defined. Preferably, the storage container 10 is further provided with a bottom 12 having an inclined inner surface 11. A dispensing hole 13 is formed in the bottom 12. This dispensing hole 13 is formed in the center of the bottom 12. Further, the dispensing hole 13 has a diameter which is slightly larger than that of the piston rod 49, which will be described below, thus allowing the piston rod 49 to move smoothly.

[39] The contents which are held in and jetted from the storage container 10 may have various phases. For example, the contents may be various powder materials, such as makeup powder, various liquid materials, such as liquid cosmetics, etc. Although the contents may have various phases, the dispenser 1, having a direct pressure jet structure, may dispense the contents regardless of the phase thereof.

[40] Preferably, the valve 20 comprises a plate which is made of an elastic material. The plate-shaped valve 20 is provided with the cut part 21, which is elastically opened only by the piston rod 49 and is normally maintained in a closed state. Preferably, the cut part 21 is cut to have a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the piston rod 49, so that the cut part 21 surrounds the outer circumference of the piston rod 49 in such a way as to be in close elastic contact with the piston rod 49. The reason is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

[41] Further, it is preferable for the cut part 21 of the valve 20 to have various shapes. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2a to 2f, the cut part 21 may have a straight-line shape or a cross shape, or may be cut variously in the radial direction of the valve such that the valve is divided into three, five, six, or eight equal portions. Preferably, the cut part 21 adopts any one of the above-mentioned shapes. As long as external force is not applied to the cut part 21, the cut part 21 is not widened and a gap is not formed in the cut part 21 due to the elastic force thereof, thus reliably holding the contents in the storage container 10. Therefore, at normal times, when the contents are not jetted and supplied, the leakage of the contents is prevented.

[42] According to the present invention, in order to prevent the contents from unex- pectedly leaking out and provide high elastic force to the cut part 21, the valve 20 is preferably made of natural or synthetic rubber. However, without being limited to rubber, the valve 20 may be made of different materials.

[43] Referring to FIG. 3, the valve 20 may be supported by a thin elastic plate 23 having elastic support ribs 23a so as to efficiently elastically support the cut part 21 which is formed in the valve 20. The elastic plate 23 may be made of a metal material having a high elastic force or a material substituting for the metal material. The elastic plate 23 increases the force supporting the cut part 21 of the valve 20, thus preventing the valve 20 from sagging regardless of the specific gravity of the contents, therefore stably supporting the valve 20 and more precisely preventing the leakage of the contents, in addition to allowing the valve 20 to be more smoothly and rapidly opened or closed by the piston rod 49.

[44] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve 20 may comprise a plurality of valves. In this case, although this is not shown in the drawings, the valves may overlap each other. Further, if necessary, support rings 24, each having a through hole 24a, may be provided between the valves 20 such that the valves 20 are arranged at regular intervals. As such, if the dispenser 1 includes the plurality of valves 20, air-tightness is increased and the inflow of external air is more efficiently prevented when the contents are dispensed, so that the deterioration of the contents is efficiently prevented.

[45] Turning back to FIG. 1, the discharge unit 30 includes a holder 31, which is removably coupled to the lower portion of the valve 20 of the storage container 10, and an outlet port 32, which is provided in the holder 31. The outlet port 32 may be de- tachably coupled to the holder 31, or may be integrally provided in the holder 31, although this is not shown in the drawings. Preferably, the outlet port 32 is positioned directly under the cut part 21 of the valve 20. The discharge unit 30 is coupled to the storage container 10 in such a way that the discharge unit 30 is removed from the storage container 10 and is replaced with another one. To this end, various assembling structures, for example, a screw-type fastening method or an undercut structure, may be adopted.

[46] According to the present invention, the holder 31 of the discharge unit 30 may have various shapes or structures according to the intended use or purpose of the contents which are jetted by the jet unit 40, which will be described below. The outlet port 32 may also have various shapes.

[47] Meanwhile, according to the kind of the contents, the outlet port 32 of the discharge unit 30 may be omitted. For example, in the case where the contents are directly jetted and supplied to the holder 31 without using the outlet port 32, the outlet port 32 may be omitted.

[48] The jet unit 40 includes a support part 41, a compressed-air feeding pipe 43, the button 46, a piston 47, and the piston rod 49. The support part 41 is removably fastened to a support cap 44 such that the support part 41 is seated on the upper open end of the storage container 10. The compressed-air feeding pipe 43 has the shape of a long pipe. A plurality of content inlet holes 42 is provided in the lower end of the compressed-air feeding pipe 43, which is adjacent to the cut part 21 of the valve 20. The button 46 is provided on the upper portion of the compressed-air feeding pipe 43, and is elastically supported by an elastic member 45 in such a way as to be pressed. The piston 47 is moved up and down by pushing the button 46, thus compressing the air in the compressed-air feeding pipe 43. The piston rod 49 passes through the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 to define an air moving space therein. The jet passages 48 are defined in the lower end of the piston rod 49 which forcibly opens the cut part 21 of the valve 20 when the button is pressed, and jets the contents to the discharge unit 30 by compressed air pressure when the cut part 21 is opened.

[49] Preferably, the piston rod 49 of the jet unit 40 is formed such that the outer circumference of the end having the jet passages 48 is tapered downwards. This tapered end allows the piston rod 49 to easily open the cut part 21 of the valve 20.

[50] Further, the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 of the jet unit 40 is formed such that its upper portion comprises a larger diameter part 43a and its lower portion comprises a smaller diameter part 43b, thus further increasing the air pressure generated by the piston 47. Preferably, a hopper-shaped inclined part 43c, which is tapered towards the smaller diameter part 43b, is provided between the larger diameter part 43a and the smaller diameter part 43b.

[51] When the button 46 of the jet unit 40 is manipulated, the piston 47 for compressing the air moves up and down along the inner wall of the larger diameter part 43a of the compressed-air feeding pipe 43. Further, the piston 47 may move up and down along the outer wall of the larger diameter part 43a, as shown in FIG. 13. Further, although this is not shown in the drawings, the piston 47 may move up and down along the inner wall of the smaller diameter part 43b. As the piston 47 moves up and down, the air in the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 is compressed. Even if the piston 47 is installed to move along the outer wall of the larger diameter part 43a of the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 and compresses the air present in the compressed-air feeding pipe 43, the outer wall of the larger diameter part 43a is hermetically supported by the piston 47, which moves while it is in contact with the outer wall of the larger diameter part 43a, so that the flow of air is prevented. Thus, although the piston 47 moves along the outer wall of the larger diameter part 43a, the air present in the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 can be compressed when the button 46 is manipulated, similar to the case where the piston 47 moves along the inner wall of the larger diameter part 43a and thus compresses the air. Compared to the case where the piston 47 moves along the inner wall of the larger diameter part 43a and thus compresses the air, a larger amount of air is present in the button 46 and the compressed-air feeding pipe 43. Consequently, when the piston 47 moves along the outer wall of the larger diameter part 43a, a larger amount of air is compressed.

[52] It is preferable that the piston 47 be provided on the piston rod 49. However, the piston may be provided on the lower end of the button 46 (see FIG. 13). Further, if necessary, the piston 47 may move up and down along the inner circumference of the support cap 44 to compress the air. That is, as long as the piston 47 can compress the air in the compressed-air feeding pipe 43, the piston 47 may be installed at any of various positions.

[53] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7, the content inlet holes 42 and the jet passages 48 are respectively provided in the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 and the piston rod 49 at regular angular intervals.

[54] Preferably, when the support part 41 of the jet unit 40 is coupled to the storage container 10, a packing 50 is provided between the support part 41 of the compressed- air feeding pipe 43 and the storage container 10. Further, preferably, the support part 41 is detachably fastened to the support cap 44 through a screw-type fastening method.

[55] The direct jet dispenser 1 according to the present invention, which is constructed as described above, normally maintains the state of FIG. 1. Subsequently, the direct jet dispenser 1 is sequentially manipulated as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, thus directly jetting and supplying the contents from the storage container 10 to the discharge unit 30. This will be described below in detail.

[56] FIGS. 8 to 10 show the operation which is repeatedly performed whenever the button

46 of the jet unit 40 is pressed.

[57] As shown in FIG. 8, when external force is applied to the button 46 so as to dispense the contents from the storage container 10 to the discharge unit 30, the button 46 is pressed to forcibly compress the elastic member 45, which is interposed between the button 46 and the support part 41. As the button 46 is pressed, air fed into the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 is compressed by the piston 47, which is moved up and down by the button 46. The compressed air flows through the space between the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 and the piston rod 49 passing therethrough to the content inlet holes 42 which are formed in the lower end of the compressed-air feeding pipe 43. Further, when the button 46 is pressed, the piston rod 49 is also guided in the compressed-air feeding pipe 43, and thus moves downwards (forwards).

[58] In this state, the button 46 is pressed further downwards. At this time, as shown in

FIG. 9, the end of the piston rod 49 passes through the dispensing hole 13 which is formed in the bottom 12 of the storage container 10 and is positioned directly under the piston rod 49, thus slowly forcibly opening the cut part 21 of the valve 20. At this time, the flow of the compressed air, flowing through the space between the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 and the piston rod 49, is blocked by a non-cut part of the valve 20, and thus flows through the open jet passages 48 of the piston rod 49. By the pressure of the compressed air, the contents in the storage container 10 are pushed through the content inlet holes 42 of the compressed-air feeding pipe 43. Simultaneously, the contents are forced into the jet passages 48 of the piston rod 49, and are directly jetted and supplied to the outlet port 32 of the discharge unit 30, which is provided on the lower portion of the valve 20.

[59] In a detailed description, when the piston rod 49 is further pressed by the button 46, as shown in FIG. 9, the cut part 21 of the valve 20 is forcibly opened, so that the contents in the storage container 10 are ready to be jetted. That is, the pressure of the compressed air, which flows through the compressed-air feeding pipe 43, may be transmitted through the open cut part 21 to a lower portion. Thus, the contents in the storage container 10 are fed directly through the content inlet holes 42 of the compressed-air feeding pipe 43, the dispensing hole 13, the jet passage 48 of the piston rod 49, and the open cut part 21 of the valve 20 to the discharge unit 30, which is provided on the lower portion of the dispenser 1, by the pressure of the compressed air.

[60] Meanwhile, while the contents are jetted, the contents in the storage container 10 are smoothly converged at the dispensing hole 13 by the bottom 12 of the inclined inner surface 11. Further, since the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 is constructed so that air compressed in the larger diameter part 43a is fed through the hopper-shaped inclined part 43c to the smaller diameter part 43c, the contents may be rapidly jetted due to the increase in the pressure of the compressed air.

[61] Further, when the button 46 is further pressed, so that the jet passages 48 provided in the end of the piston rod 49 are completely closed by the cut part 21 of the valve 20, as shown in FIG. 10, the supply of the contents to the discharge unit 30 is stopped. That is, since the jet passages 48 are forcibly closed by the cut part 21, the action of the compressed air through the jet passages 48 is not performed anymore. Thereby, the operation of drawing and jetting the contents is stopped.

[62] Therefore, the contents in the storage container 10 are jetted, by pushing the button

46, during a limited period from the time when the piston rod 49 opens the cut part 21 of the valve 20 to the time when the jet passages 48 are closed, thus dispensing a prescribed amount of contents.

[63] The content jetting operation is completed through the above-mentioned process.

When pushing force is released from the button 46, the button 46 returns to its original force by the restoring force of the elastic member 45, as shown in FIG. 1. Simultaneously, the piston 47 and the piston rod 49, which are operated in conjunction with the button 46, also return to their original positions. When the piston rod 49 returns to its original position, the open cut part 21 of the valve 20 is also elastically restored to its original state, thus stopping the supply of the contents in the storage container 10.

[64] In the dispenser 1 of this invention, which is constructed as described above, when a user holds the storage container 10 with one hand and repeatedly pushes the button 46 of the jet unit 40, the cut part 21 of the valve 20 is directly opened or closed by the piston rod 49. Simultaneously, the contents in the storage container 10 are directly jetted to the discharge unit 30 by the pressure of the compressed air, thus allowing the contents to be rapidly and precisely jetted and supplied, and allowing a prescribed amount of contents to be dispensed.

[65] Meanwhile, even if some air flows upwards along the piston rod 49 when the piston rod 49 slides up, the air is blocked by the piston 47 of the compressed-air feeding pipe 43, so that the leakage of the contents is prevented. Further, some air, fed through the content inlet holes 42 into the storage container 10, moves the contents in the storage container 10. Thus, in the case where the contents in the storage container 10 are cosmetic powder, the powder does not deposit and does not harden even if the powder is used for a lengthy period of time. Further, in the case where the contents are liquid, the air provides the effect of shaking the contents.

[66] Further, when a user desires to replenish the contents with the storage container 10, the support cap 44 and the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 are removed from the storage container 10, so that the end of the storage container 10 is opened. Thereby, it is possible to move contents through the open end. When the replenishing operation has been completed, the assembling operation is performed in the order opposite that of the disassembling operation. Hence, the contents are sealed and stored in the storage container 10.

[67] FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the construction of a jet unit 140 which is different from the jet unit 40 of the dispenser 1 shown in FIG. 1. In order to avoid duplicated description, parts common to the jet unit 40 of FIG. 1 and the jet unit 140 will carry the same reference numerals, and similar parts will carry similar reference numerals.

[68] Referring to FIG. 11, the jet unit 140 includes a support part 141, a compressed-air feeding pipe 143, a button 46, a piston 47, and a piston rod 49. A sealing part 41 of the support part 141 is removably fastened to a support cap 44 such that the support part 141 is seated on the upper open end of a storage container 10. The compressed-air feeding pipe 143 comprises a short pipe, which extends a predetermined height above the bottom 12 of the storage container 10 in such a way as to be coaxial with the center of a cut part 21 of a valve 20, with a plurality of content inlet holes 142 formed in the portion of the pipe that contacts the bottom 12 of the storage container 10. The button 46 is elastically supported on the upper portion of the support part 141 by an elastic member 45 in such a way that the button 46 is pressed down. The piston 47 compresses air in the compressed-air feeding pipe 143. The piston rod 49 passes through the support part 141 and the compressed-air feeding pipe 143 in such a way as to move up and down when the button is manipulated. Further, the piston 47 is slidably provided at a predetermined position in the compressed-air feeding pipe 143. Jet passages 48 are provided in the lower end of the piston rod 49, which forcibly opens the cut part 21 of the valve 20, and forcibly push the contents in the storage container 10 to jet the contents to the discharge unit 30 using the compressed air pressure, which is generated by the piston 47 provided in the compressed-air feeding pipe 143, when the cut part 21 is opened.

[69] Preferably, in the jet unit 140, the compressed-air feeding pipe 143 extends integrally from the bottom 12 of the storage container 10. Such a compressed-air feeding pipe 143 may be manufactured integrally with the storage container 10 when it is formed.

[70] This embodiment simplifies the construction of the jet unit 140, and uses the short compressed-air feeding pipe 143, thus ensuring a larger space for storing the contents in the storing container 10.

[71] The jet unit 140 constructed as described above is the same as the jet unit 40 of FIG.

1, except that the length of the compressed-air feeding pipe 143 is reduced and the air compressing operation is conducted by the piston 47 in the compressed-air feeding pipe 143. That is, in the same manner as the jet unit 40, when the button 46 is pushed, the cut part 21 of the valve 20 is opened by the piston rod 49, so that the contents in the storage container 10 are directly jetted to the discharge unit 30 via the compressed air pressure. The detailed description of the operation of the jet unit 140 will be omitted herein.

[72] The short compressed-air feeding pipe 143 allows the contents in the storage container 10 to be more rapidly moved due to the backflow of the air when the piston rod 49 moves up and down to jet and supply the contents. For example, when the piston rod 49 is moved backwards, some compressed air is also generated through the rear portion of the compressed-air feeding pipe 143 by the operation of the piston 47.

[73] FIG. 12 shows a compressed-air feeding pipe 143, according to a modification of the compressed-air feeding pipe 143 of the jet unit 140 which is shown in FIG. 11. The compressed-air feeding pipe 143 of FIG. 12 is the same as that of FIG. 11 except that a flange 143a extends from the lower end of the compressed-air feeding pipe 143, so that the compressed-air feeding pipe 143 is mounted to the bottom 12 of the storage container 10 in such a way as to be removed from the bottom 12 through the dispensing hole 13 which is formed in the bottom 12 of the storage container 10. As such, the compressed-air feeding pipe 143 is manufactured separately from the storage container 10, so that the replacement or maintenance of parts can be more easily performed. The compressed-air feeding pipe 143, which is constructed to be separated from the storage container 10, has the same operational effects as the compressed-air feeding pipe 143 of FIG. 11.

[74] Meanwhile, according to the present invention, the piston 47 for compressing air in the compressed-air feeding pipe 43 or 143 uses the same piston as the jet unit 40, as shown in the drawings. However, an air compression member having the shape of an oil ring, as shown in FIG. 6, may be applied to the jet unit 140 according to another embodiment of this invention. As in the piston, the air compression member having the shape of the oil ring may also be installed at any position, as long as the air compression operation can be performed at this position.

[75] FIGS. 14 to 16 are sectional views showing makeup tools 200, 300, and 400 using the dispenser according to the present invention, which is operated in a direct pressure jet method. In the drawings, the makeup tools 200, 300, and 400 are the same as each other except for the jet units 40 and 140, which are applied to the dispenser 1. The construction and operation of the dispenser 1 shown in the drawings remain the same as in the makeup tools of this invention. For the convenience of description and avoidance of duplicated description, the description of the dispenser 1 applied to the makeup tools of this invention will be omitted, and reference is to be made to the description of the construction and operational effects of the dispenser 1 with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.

[76] FIG. 14 shows the makeup tool 200 using the dispenser 1 to which the jet unit 40 is adopted. FIG. 15 shows the makeup tool 300 using the dispenser 1 to which the jet unit 140 is adopted. FIG. 16 shows the makeup tool 400 using the dispenser 1 having the jet unit 140 which is constructed so that the compressed-air feeding pipe 143 is removably mounted to the dispenser 1.

[77] Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, each of the makeup tools 200, 300, and 400 using the dispenser 1 which is operated in the direct jet method includes the dispenser 1 and an application member 210. The dispenser 1 includes a storage container 10 for storing contents therein, a valve 20, a discharge unit 30, and a jet unit 40. The valve 20 is mounted to the lower portion of the storage container 10 to prevent the leakage of contents, and is provided with a cut part 21 which is opened only when external force is applied to the cut part 21. The discharge unit 30 is removably mounted to the storage container 10, and guides the contents jetted from the storage container 10. The jet unit 40 includes a button 46, a piston rod 49, and jet passages 48. The button 46 is elastically supported to the upper portion of the storage container 10, and is pushed to generate compressed air pressure. When the button 46 is pressed, the piston rod 49, which is operated in conjunction with the button 46, forcibly opens the cut part 21 of the valve 20. Thereby, the contents in the storage container 10 are directly jetted and supplied through the jet passages 48, which are formed in the piston rod 49, to the discharge unit 30 using compressed air pressure. The application member 210 is coupled to the discharge unit 30 of the dispenser 1.

[78] Each of the makeup tools 200, 300, and 400 constructed as described above is operated as follows. That is, when the button 46 of the jet unit 40 or 140 of the dispenser 1 is pushed, compressed air is generated, and the piston rod 49 opens the cut part 21 of the valve 20. Thereby, the contents in the storage container 10 can be rapidly jetted and supplied through the discharge unit 30 to the application member 210, in addition to dispensing a prescribed fixed amount of cosmetics.

[79] According to the present invention, the application member 210 may be mounted to the discharge unit 30 in various assembly methods. For example, a support pipe 212 extends from the holder 31 of the discharge unit 30, so that the application member 210 may be mounted to the discharge unit 30 via the support pipe 212. According to the purpose of makeup, various application members may be used. For example, a makeup brush may be used as the application member 210, as shown in FIG. 14. Further, a puff, a sponge, etc. may be used as the application member 210. The application member 210 may have various shapes, according to the function.

[80] As such, each of the makeup tools 200, 300, and 400 according to the present invention allows a user to put on makeup with the application member 210 while the contents in the storage container 10 are directly jetted to the application member 210 using the compressed air pressure of the dispenser 1.

[81] In FIGS. 14 to 16, reference numeral 220 denotes a protective cap for protecting the brush-type application member 210, and reference numeral 222 denotes a slide pipe which is mounted to the outer circumference of the storage container 10. The slide pipe may not be mounted to the storage container 10, or may be designed to have various shapes, according to the construction of the application member 210.

[82] The button 46 of the dispenser 1 or the jet unit 40 or 140 of each of the makeup tools

200, 300, and 400 according to the present invention protrudes outwards. In order to prevent the button 46 from being unexpectedly pressed while applying makeup, an additional protective cap (not shown) may be provided to protect the button 46.

[83] Meanwhile, the embodiments in which the dispenser 1 of the present invention is applied to each of the makeup tools 200, 300, and 400 have been described herein. However, the dispenser 1 of the present invention may be applied to various fields, without being limited to the makeup tools. For example, the dispenser 1 may be widely used to dispense contents in the food industry, pharmaceutical fields, a stationery field, etc. Industrial Applicability

[84] As described above, the present invention provides a dispenser which has a very simple jetting structure, and a makeup tool using the dispenser. According to the present invention, when a button is pressed down, a valve, which controls the flow of contents in a storage container, is forcibly opened by a piston rod. Simultaneously, the contents are directly jetted to a discharge unit by the strong pressure of compressed air. Therefore, the present invention enables the rapid and precise supply of contents, in addition to dispensing a prescribed amount of contents.

[85] Further, according to the present invention, contents in a storage container are not dispensed until a valve is opened by a piston rod, thus being capable of air-tightly storing the contents and preventing the undesirable leakage of contents.

[86] Further, the amount of contents which are jetted when a button is manipulated once is fixed, thus preventing the waste of contents due to the excessive supply of contents.

[87] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A direct jet type dispenser for directly jetting and supplying contents using pressure of compressed air, the dispenser comprising: a storage container for storing the contents therein; a valve mounted to a lower portion of the storage container to prevent leakage of the contents, and having a cut part which is opened only when external force is applied to the cut part; a discharge unit removably mounted to the storage container, and guiding the contents jetted from the storage container; and a jet unit, comprising: a button elastically supported to an upper portion of the storage container, and pushed to generate compressed air pressure; a piston rod operated in conjunction with the button to forcibly open the cut part of the valve; and a jet passage formed in the piston rod to directly jet and supply the contents in the storage container to the discharge unit using the compressed air pressure.

[2] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the storage container has a shape of a barrel, and further comprises a bottom having an inclined inner surface, with a dispensing hole formed at a predetermined position in the bottom.

[3] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a plate made of an elastic material.

[4] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the cut part provided in the valve is cut to have a smaller size than an outer diameter of the piston rod.

[5] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the cut part of the valve comprises a straight- line shape or a cross shape, or is cut variously in a radial direction of the valve such that the valve is divided into three, five, six, or eight equal portions, the cut part having any one of the shapes.

[6] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the valve is further supported by an elastic plate having an elastic support rib to provide superior elastic support force for the cut part.

[7] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the valve comprises one valve or a plurality of valves.

[8] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of valves is supported at regular intervals by support rings, each of which is arranged between neighboring valves and has a through hole.

[9] The direct jet type dispenser according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 8, wherein the valve is made of a natural rubber material or a synthetic rubber material.

[10] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the discharge unit comprises: a holder removably fastened to the lower portion of the storage container; and an outlet port provided in the holder.

[11] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the outlet port is provided separately from the holder in such a way as to be removed therefrom, or is integrated with the holder into a single structure.

[12] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the outlet port is positioned directly under the cut part of the valve.

[13] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the jet unit comprises: a compressed-air feeding pipe comprising a long pipe, a sealing part of the pipe being removably seated on an upper open end of the storage container via a support cap, with a plurality of content inlet holes provided in a lower end of the pipe; the button elastically supported on an upper portion of the compressed-air feeding pipe by an elastic member in such a way that the button is pressed down; a piston sliding up and down in response to manipulation of the button, thus compressing air in the compressed-air feeding pipe; and the piston rod passing through the compressed-air feeding pipe to define an air flow space, the jet passage being provided in a lower end of the piston rod which forcibly opens the cut part of the valve when the button is pressed down, and drawing the contents by the compressed air pressure to jet the contents to the discharge unit when the cut part is opened.

[14] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the end of the piston rod of the jet unit is inclined such that an outer circumference of the end is tapered downwards.

[15] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the compressed-air feeding pipe of the jet unit comprises: a larger-diameter part and a smaller-diameter part for strongly transferring compressed air pressure generated by the piston; and an inclined part coupling the larger-diameter part to the smaller-diameter part, and having a shape of a hopper.

[16] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the piston for compressing air when the button of the jet unit is manipulated is constructed to slide up and down along an inner wall of the compressed-air feeding pipe.

[17] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the piston for compressing air when the button of the jet unit is manipulated is constructed to slide up and down along an outer wall of the compressed-air feeding pipe.

[18] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the jet unit comprises: a support part, removably fastened at a sealing part thereof, to a support cap such that the support part is seated on an upper open end of the storage container; a compressed-air feeding pipe comprising a short pipe which extends a predetermined height above the bottom of the storage container in such a way as to be coaxial with a center of the cut part of the valve, with a plurality of content inlet holes formed in a portion of the pipe which contacts the bottom of the storage container; the button elastically supported on an upper portion of the support part by an elastic member in such a way that the button is pressed down; a piston compressing air in the compressed-air feeding pipe; and the piston rod passing through the support part and the compressed-air feeding pipe in such a way as to move up and down when the button is manipulated, the piston being slidably provided at a predetermined position in the compressed-air feeding pipe, the jet passage being provided in a lower end of the piston rod which forcibly opens the cut part of the valve and drawing the contents in the storage container to jet the contents to the discharge unit by the compressed air pressure, which is generated by the piston provided in the compressed-air feeding pipe, when the cut part is opened.

[19] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 18, wherein the compressed-air feeding pipe extends integrally from the bottom of the storage container.

[20] The direct jet type dispenser according to claim 18, wherein the compressed-air feeding pipe is removably provided on the dispensing hole which is formed in the bottom of the storage container.

[21] A makeup tool using a direct jet type dispenser directly jetting contents using pressure of compressed air, comprising: the dispenser, comprising: a storage container for storing the contents therein; a valve mounted to a lower portion of the storage container to prevent leakage of the contents, and having a cut part which is opened only when external force is applied to the cut part; a discharge unit removably mounted to the storage container, and guiding the contents jetted from the storage container; and a jet unit including a button elastically supported to an upper portion of the storage container and pushed to generate compressed air pressure, a piston rod operated in conjunction with the button to forcibly open the cut part of the valve, and a jet passage formed in the piston rod to directly jet and supply the contents in the storage container to the discharge unit using the compressed air pressure; and an application member coupled to the discharge unit of the dispenser.

[22] The makeup tool according to claim 21, wherein the storage container has a shape of a barrel, and further comprises a bottom having an inclined inner surface, with a dispensing hole formed at a predetermined position in the bottom.

[23] The makeup tool according to claim 21, wherein the valve comprises a plate made of an elastic material.

[24] The makeup tool according to claim 21, wherein the cut part provided in the valve is cut to have a smaller size than an outer diameter of the piston rod.

[25] The makeup tool according to claim 21, wherein the cut part of the valve comprises a straight-line shape or a cross shape, or is cut variously in a radial direction of the valve such that the valve is divided into three, five, six, or eight equal portions, the cut part having any one of the shapes.

[26] The makeup tool according to claim 21, wherein the valve is further supported by an elastic plate having an elastic support rib to provide superior elastic support force for the cut part.

[27] The makeup tool according to claim 21, wherein the valve comprises one valve or a plurality of valves.

[28] The makeup tool according to claim 27, wherein the plurality of valves is supported at regular intervals by support rings, each of which is arranged between neighboring valves and has a through hole.

[29] The makeup tool according to any one of claims 21 and 23 to 28, wherein the valve is made of a natural rubber material or a synthetic rubber material.

[30] The makeup tool according to claim 21, wherein the discharge unit comprises: a holder removably fastened to the lower portion of the storage container; and an outlet port provided in the holder.

[31] The makeup tool according to claim 30, wherein the outlet port is provided separately from the holder in such a way as to be removed therefrom, or is integrated with the holder into a single structure.

[32] The makeup tool according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the outlet port is positioned directly under the cut part of the valve.

[33] The makeup tool according to claim 21, wherein the jet unit comprises: a compressed-air feeding pipe comprising a long pipe, a sealing part of the pipe being removably seated on an upper open end of the storage container via a support cap, with a plurality of content inlet holes provided in a lower end of the pipe; the button elastically supported on an upper portion of the compressed-air feeding pipe by an elastic member in such a way that the button is pressed down; a piston sliding up and down in response to manipulation of the button, thus compressing air in the compressed-air feeding pipe; and the piston rod passing through the compressed-air feeding pipe to define an air flow space, the jet passage being provided in a lower end of the piston rod which forcibly opens the cut part of the valve when the button is pressed down, and drawing the contents by the compressed air pressure to jet the contents to the discharge unit when the cut part is opened.

[34] The makeup tool according to claim 33, wherein the end of the piston rod of the jet unit is inclined such that an outer circumference of the end is tapered downwards.

[35] The makeup tool according to claim 33, wherein the compressed-air feeding pipe of the jet unit comprises: a larger-diameter part and a smaller-diameter part for strongly transferring compressed air pressure generated by the piston; and an inclined part coupling the larger-diameter part to the smaller-diameter part, and having a shape of a hopper.

[36] The makeup tool according to claim 33, wherein the piston for compressing air when the button of the jet unit is manipulated is constructed to slide up and down along an inner wall of the compressed-air feeding pipe.

[37] The makeup tool according to claim 33, wherein the piston for compressing air when the button of the jet unit is manipulated is constructed to slide up and down along an outer wall of the compressed-air feeding pipe.

[38] The makeup tool according to claim 21, wherein the jet unit comprises: a support part removably fastened, at a sealing part thereof, to a support cap such that the support part is seated on the upper open end of the storage container; a compressed-air feeding pipe comprising a short pipe which extends a predetermined height above the bottom of the storage container in such a way as to be coaxial with a center of the cut part of the valve, with a plurality of content inlet holes formed in a portion of the pipe which contacts the bottom of the storage container; the button elastically supported on an upper portion of the support part by an elastic member in such a way that the button is pressed down; a piston compressing air in the compressed-air feeding pipe; and the piston rod passing through the support part and the compressed-air feeding pipe in such a way as to move up and down when the button is manipulated, the piston being slidably provided at a predetermined position in the compressed-air feeding pipe, the jet passage being provided in a lower end of the piston rod which forcibly opens the cut part of the valve and drawing the contents in the storage container to jet the contents to the discharge unit by the compressed air pressure, generated by the piston provided in the compressed-air feeding pipe, when the cut part is opened.

[39] The makeup tool according to claim 38, wherein the compressed-air feeding pipe extends integrally from the bottom of the storage container.

[40] The makeup tool according to claim 38, wherein the compressed-air feeding pipe further comprises a flange, so that the compressed-air feeding pipe is mounted to the bottom of the storage container in such a way as to be removed from the bottom through the dispensing hole which is formed in the bottom of the storage container.

[41] The makeup tool according to claim 21, wherein the application member is selected from one of a makeup brush, a puff, and a sponge.