Abstract
A cartridge for cosmetic product, a dispenser and a system including the former two, the cartridge including: a connection element, a capsule including a container and a dispensing mechanism attached to the container and configured to be actuated dispensing the product; a main chamber to contain inside it and attached to it the capsule, and to permit dispensing the product when the dispensing mechanism is actuated, where the container is displaceable with respect to the main chamber and the dispensing mechanism, and is configured to actuate the dispensing mechanism when being displaced with respect to the latter, and the connection element includes a connection orifice on the main chamber, the connection orifice allowing applying on the capsule an external force aimed at displacing the container with respect to the main chamber and the dispensing mechanism for actuating the dispensing mechanism, the external force originating from outside the main chamber.
Claims
1-25. (canceled)
26. A cartridge for containing a cosmetic product, comprising: a capsule comprising a dispensing mechanism and a container configured to contain the cosmetic product, the dispensing mechanism attaches to said container and configured to be actuated and dispense the cosmetic product; a main chamber configured to contain inside it and attached to the same the capsule, and to facilitate dispensing towards outside the main chamber the cosmetic product when the dispensing mechanism is actuated, wherein the container is displaceable with respect to both the main chamber and the dispensing mechanism; the cartridge has a connection means that comprise a connection orifice formed and located on the main chamber and adjacent to the container, the main chamber configured to inhibit direct contact between the hands of the user and said capsule and dispensing mechanism; the connection orifice configured for applying on the capsule an external mechanical force, the external mechanical force originating from outside the main chamber and the cartridge and having a direction that passes from and through the connection orifice towards the capsule, the external mechanical force provided by a dispenser, the cartridge configured to be coupled to the dispenser and receive the external mechanical force from the dispenser, wherein, the container is configured to actuate the dispensing mechanism when displaced with respect to both the main chamber and the dispensing mechanism and towards the latter; and the connection orifice configured for applying on the capsule and on the container the external mechanical force pushing the container towards the dispensing mechanism and aimed at displacing the container with respect to both the main chamber and the dispensing mechanism for actuating the dispensing mechanism.
27. The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the main chamber has an injection orifice that is located in front of the dispensing mechanism and is configured to allow the cosmetic product to exit the main chamber and the dispensing mechanism when the latter is actuated.
28. The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the connection means comprise a first magnet attached to the container and/or to the main chamber, the first magnet preferably adjacent to the connection orifice.
29. The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the main chamber comprises two chamber parts that are configured to be removably attached to each other forming the main chamber when attached, and allowing access to the capsule when separated.
30. The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the main chamber comprises a top platform located at the main chamber’s interior that contains the capsule, said top platform configured to contact a top surface of the dispensing mechanism when the latter is fixed within the main chamber, and wherein preferably said top platform and the dispensing mechanism are on an opposite sides of the main chamber with respect to the main chamber’s connection orifice.
31. The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the main chamber comprises snap-fits in between which the dispensing mechanism fits in.
32. The cartridge according to claim 26, wherein the container comprises a bottom protrusion that is on an opposite side of the capsule compared to the dispensing mechanism, said bottom protrusion configured to fit in a bottom recess of the main chamber.
33. The cartridge according to claim 32, wherein within said bottom recess there is a bottom slot within which there is fitted and/or fixed a metallic part that is configured to be magnetically attracted to a magnet, said metallic part adjacent to the container’s bottom protrusion and to the connection orifice, the metallic part having an insertion orifice one side of which is adjacent to the connection orifice, and the opposite side of said insertion orifice is adjacent to the bottom protrusion.
34. A dispenser for dispensing a cosmetic product, comprising: a main body configured to be held by a user; at least one cartridge receiving part that comprises an actuating part and an actuation mechanism; wherein, the main body contains the actuating part; and, the actuating part is located at a main opening, wherein, the actuation mechanism comprises a main chamber receiving part; the dispenser further comprises suspension means attached to the actuation mechanism; the main body contains the suspension means and the main chamber receiving part, the latter comprising a main opening and displaceable between a first position and a second position with respect to both the main body and the actuating part; the suspension means are configured to push the main chamber receiving part to move from the second position to the first position when the main chamber receiving part is at the second position; and, the actuating part protrudes from the main chamber receiving part and is configured for moving relative to the main chamber receiving part for executing a relative motion with respect to the main chamber receiving part when the latter is displaced between the first position and the second position, wherein, said actuating part is configured to apply an external mechanical force on any solid surface that is not a part of the dispenser and contacts the actuating part during said relative motion opposing the latter, said external mechanical force aimed at displacing said solid surface with respect to the main chamber receiving part and at forcing the solid surface to follow said relative motion.
35. The dispenser according to claim 34, wherein the dispenser comprises a second magnet attached to or incorporated in the actuating part.
36. The dispenser according to claim 34, wherein the dispenser comprises selection means configured to adjust between blocking and unblocking the displacement of the main chamber receiving part between the first position and the second position.
37. The dispenser according to claim 36, wherein: the actuation mechanism comprises a support structure firmly attached to the main chamber receiving part; the support structure and the actuation mechanism configured to be displaceable and move together with the main chamber receiving part when the latter is displaced between the first position and the second position with respect to both the main body and the actuating part; the selection means comprise an unblocking protrusion attached on the support structure and configured to move together with the actuation mechanism when the main chamber receiving part is displaced between the first position and the second position, and the selection means also comprise a movable solid selector configured to move between a blocking position and an unblocking position, wherein the solid selector comprises an unblocking cavity configured so that when the solid selector is at its unblocking position the unblocking protrusion can slide in and move through the unblocking cavity allowing the movement of the actuation mechanism from the first position to the second position, and when the solid selector is at its blocking position, the unblocking protrusion may not slide in and move through the unblocking cavity inhibiting and/or blocking the movement of the actuation mechanism from the first position to the second position.
38. The dispenser according to claim 34, wherein the dispenser comprises two or more cartridge receiving parts, and the suspension means are attached to the actuation mechanism of each cartridge receiving part.
39. The dispenser according to claim 34, wherein the suspensions means comprises a spring, and the main chamber receiving part resides on an actuation support structure which is fixed within the dispenser’s main body and comprises a hollow cylindrically shaped structure, and in said cylindrically shaped structure there is an end of said spring, and wherein said spring extends through a channel that is on a central structure of the dispenser, and from said central structure extends the actuating part.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] The previous and other advantages and features will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of embodiments, with reference to the attached figures, which must be considered in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, in which:
[0050] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross section of a preferred embodiment of a cartridge according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0051] FIG. 1a illustrates a perspective of a cross section of a preferred embodiment of a cartridge according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0052] FIG. 2. illustrates a front view of a preferred embodiment of a cartridge according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0053] FIG. 3. illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of a cartridge according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of a preferred embodiment of a cartridge according to the first aspect of the invention.
[0055] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser that is according to the second aspect of the invention, and of two cartridges which are according to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention and are properly attached to the dispenser.
[0056] FIG. 6. illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser that is according to the second aspect of the invention, and of two cartridges which are according to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention and are properly attached to the dispenser.
[0057] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross section of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser that is according to the second aspect of the invention, and of two cartridges which are according to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention and are properly attached to the dispenser.
[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross section of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser that is according to the second aspect of the invention, and of two cartridges which are according to a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention and are properly attached to the dispenser.
[0059] FIG. 9a illustrates a front view of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser that is according to the second aspect of the invention, and of an embodiment of a cartridge that is according to the first aspect of the invention and is properly attached to the dispenser.
[0060] FIG. 9b illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser that is according to the second aspect of the invention, and of an embodiment of a cartridge that is according to the first aspect of the invention and is properly attached to the dispenser.
[0061] FIG. 9c. illustrates a cross section of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser that is according to the second aspect of the invention, and of an embodiment of a cartridge that is according to the first aspect of the invention and is properly attached to the dispenser.
[0062] FIG. 9d illustrates a cross section of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser that is according to the second aspect of the invention, and of an embodiment of a cartridge that is according to the first aspect of the invention and is properly attached to the dispenser.
[0063] FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a preferred embodiment of a dispenser that is according to the second aspect of the invention.
[0064] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross section of a preferred embodiment of the dispenser shown in FIG. 10.
[0065] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a system comprising a corresponding capsule and a dispenser.
[0066] FIG. 13 shows a cross section of an assembled system that is similar to that of FIG. 12.
[0067] FIG. 14 is a cross section of the capsule shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0068] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a cartridge for containing a cosmetic product, the cartridge having connection means 6 and comprising: [0069] a capsule 2 comprising a container 3 able to contain a cosmetic product, and a dispensing mechanism 4 attached to said container 3 and configured to be actuated and dispense the cosmetic product; [0070] a main chamber 5 configured to contain attached to within it the capsule 2 and to permit dispensing towards outside the main chamber 5 the cosmetic product when the dispensing mechanism is actuated, wherein the cartridge is configured to be removably attached via the connection means 6 to a main chamber receiving part (not shown in FIG. 1) of a dispenser (not shown in FIG. 1), the dispenser being configured to be activated by a user thus actuating the dispensing mechanism 4.
[0071] Likewise, it can be said that FIG. 1 shows a cartridge having connection means 6 and comprising: [0072] a capsule 2 comprising a dispensing mechanism 4 and a container 3 that is able to contain the cosmetic product, the dispensing mechanism 4 being attached to said container 3 and configured to be actuated and thusly dispense the cosmetic product; [0073] a main chamber 5 configured to contain inside it and attached to the same the capsule 2, and to permit dispensing towards outside the main chamber 5 the cosmetic product when the dispensing mechanism 4 is actuated, wherein the container is displaceable with respect to both the main chamber 5 and the dispensing mechanism 4, and is also configured to actuate the dispensing mechanism 4 when being displaced with respect to the latter, and the connection means 6 comprise a connection orifice 32 located on the main chamber 5 and adjacent to the container 3, the connection orifice 32 allowing applying on the capsule, and preferably on the container 3, an external mechanical force aimed at displacing the container 3 with respect to both the main chamber 5 and the dispensing mechanism 4 for thusly actuating the dispensing mechanism 4, the external mechanical force originating from outside the main chamber 5 and the cartridge and having a direction that passes from and through the connection orifice 32 towards the capsule 2.
[0074] It is noted that in the cartridge in FIG. 1 the main chamber 5 comprises first positioning means 8 configured to hold removably fixed to them an external surface 9 of the dispensing mechanism 4. More specifically, in FIG. 1 the first positioning means 8 comprise protrusions in the interior of the main chamber 5, and to and by said protrusions the dispensing mechanism 4 is respectively attached and locked in place.
[0075] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1 the main chamber 5 comprises second positioning means 10 configured to hold removably attached onto them an outer surface 11 of the container. In this particular case shown, said outer surface 11 of the container is an external flat surface located at the bottom of the container, and the second positioning means 10 comprise a flat surface that is similarly sized to said external flat surface of the container, and is normal to the longitudinal axis (not indicated) of the container that passes through the center of the container and that is parallel to the plane of FIG. 1.
[0076] Moreover, FIG. 1 illustrates that in the cartridge shown therein, the connection means 6 comprise a connection orifice 32 formed on the main chamber 5, the connection orifice being configured to allow an actuating part of the dispenser to be inserted into the cartridge and/or to push the container 3 towards the dispensing mechanism 4 when the dispenser is actuated. It is noted that in the cartridge shown in FIG. 1 the dispensing mechanism 4 comprises a spray nozzle 7. Moreover, as indicated in FIG. 1 the connection means 6 comprise an outer surface 34 of the main chamber shaped as to fit onto, and preferably as to contour on a corresponding surface of the main chamber receiving part (not shown in FIG. 1) of the dispenser. In FIG. 1 the connection orifice is a hole through a wall of the main chamber.
[0077] In the perspective of the cross section shown in in FIG. 1a, the cartridge is similar to the cartridge shown in FIG. 1, and comprises: [0078] -connection means 16; [0079] -a capsule 12 comprising a dispensing mechanism 14 and a container 13 that is able to contain the cosmetic product, the dispensing mechanism 14 being attached to said container 13 and configured to be actuated and thusly dispense the cosmetic product; [0080] -a main chamber configured to contain inside it and attached to the same the capsule 12, and to permit dispensing towards outside the main chamber 5 the cosmetic product when the dispensing mechanism 14 is actuated, wherein the container is displaceable with respect to both the main chamber and the dispensing mechanism 14, and is also configured to actuate the dispensing mechanism 14 when being displaced with respect to the latter, and the connection means 16 comprise a connection orifice located on the main chamber and preferably adjacent to the container 13, the connection orifice allowing applying on the capsule, and preferably on the container 13, an external mechanical force F (the direction of which is indicated by a thick black arrow in FIG. 1a) aimed at displacing the container 13 with respect to both the main chamber and the dispensing mechanism 14 for thusly actuating the dispensing mechanism 14, the external mechanical force originating from outside the main chamber and the cartridge and having a direction that passes from and through the connection orifice towards the capsule 12; [0081] first positioning means 18 configured to hold removably fixed to them an external surface 19 of the dispensing mechanism 14, [0082] second positioning means 20 configured to hold removably attached to them an outer surface 21 of the container. [0083] In the cartridge shown in FIG. 1a [0084] the main chamber comprises the first positioning means 18 and the second positioning means 20, [0085] the connection means 16 comprise an outer surface 35 of the main chamber shaped as to fit onto the main chamber receiving part of the dispenser.
[0086] In FIG. 1a the first positioning means 19 comprise a first cylindrical protuberance that projects from the rest of the internal surface of the main chamber and has a hollow cylindrical shape which is open on one end towards the interior of the main chamber, and the dispensing mechanism 14 has a similar cylindrical shape which is configured, e.g. it is sized, to be able to be inserted and thusly to can be removably fastened with said cylindrical protuberance. Moreover, as indicated FIG. 1a illustrates that the second positioning means 20 indicated therein comprise a second cylindrical protuberance which is substantially parallel and similar, albeit located in the interior of the main chamber on an opposite side, compared to the aforementioned first cylindrical protuberance. The bottom end of the main chamber of the capsule indicated in FIG. 1a, is configured to be -at least partially- inserted in, i.e. to be removably fastened (in)to (fastened at), said second cylindrical protuberance.
[0087] FIG. 1a also illustrates that the main chamber of the cartridge shown therein is separable into an upper part 5a and a lower part 5b which are configured to be removably attached to each other forming the main chamber when being (thusly) attached, and allowing access to the capsule 12 when being separated (from each other). The joint 5c between the upper part 5a and the lower part 5b when the latter two are attached together, e.g. when the upper part fits as a snap-on attachment to the lower part, is also indicated in FIG. 1a. Moreover, FIG. 1a also illustrates that the connection means 16 of the cartridge shown therein comprise a first magnet 33 attached to the container 13 and to the chamber and configured to attract a magnetic part (not shown in FIG. 1a) of the dispenser.
[0088] The cartridge shown in FIG. 2 is the cartridge shown in FIG. 1a. The plane of FIG. 1 and cross section therein is normal to the plane of FIG. 2, and is parallel to the geometrical axis which is indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 2 and is passing through the therein indicated points D and D′. In this case said geometrical axis is a geometrical axis of symmetry of the cartridge, and is also an axis of symmetry of each of the main chamber (not shown), the container (not shown), and the dispensing mechanism (not shown), and wherein said axis of symmetry passes through the center of the connection orifice (not indicated). Also, as indicated in FIG. 2, the main chamber 5 has an injection orifice 31 that is located in front of the dispensing mechanism and is configured to allow the cosmetic product to exit the main chamber 5 and the dispensing mechanism when the latter is actuated. The dispensing mechanism in this particular case has a spray nozzle 7 which is located behind the injection orifice 31, and therefore the cosmetic product can exit through both the injection orifice 31 and spray nozzle 7 when the dispensing mechanism is actuated.
[0089] In an embodiment of the cartridge according to the first aspect of the invention, the main chamber has a viewing window configured to allow a user of the cartridge to view the capsule within the main chamber. The aforementioned viewing window is an optional feature that solves the technical problem of how to know: whether a cartridge is filled with a cosmetic product and/or whether the amount of the cosmetic product within the cartridge is sufficiently high for the needs of the user, and/or what is the color of the cosmetic product, even when the main chamber excluding the viewing window is made of an opaque or non-transparent material that does not allow seeing through it. This is often the case when the cartridge needs to be very durable and the main chamber therefore comprises a material that is non-transparent albeit durable. The cartridge and any part thereof can be made of one or more materials, and a non-limiting list of examples of such materials includes: a metal, a plastic, a polymer, a silicone (e.g. a polysiloxane), a glass, a crystal, an amorphous solid material, a polycrystalline solid material, and combinations thereof. Optionally and preferably, the container is made of a transparent material which comprises a transparent plastic or polymer and/or a transparent glass. Similarly, optionally the viewing window when present in the cartridge comprises a transparent plastic or polymer and/or a transparent glass.
[0090] The cartridge shown in FIG. 3 is the cartridge shown in FIG. 2. The plane of FIG. 3 is normal to the plane of FIG. 2, and similarly to the indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3 geometrical axis passing through the points C, it is parallel to the geometrical axis which is indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 2 and passes through the therein indicated points D. As indicated in FIG. 3, the main chamber 5 has a viewing window 70 configured to allow a user of the cartridge to view the capsule within the main chamber.
[0091] The cartridge shown in FIG. 4 is the cartridge shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows the cross section C-C, and the plane of FIG. 4 is normal to the plane of either FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. The cartridge shown in FIG. 4 as indicated therein has a dispensing mechanism that comprises a spray nozzle 7, and also the cartridge has capsule that has a container 3 and a viewing window 70 configured to allow a user of the cartridge to view the capsule, and for example view the container 3 within the main chamber 5.
[0092] FIG. 5 illustrates a dispenser 50 loaded with two cartridges 1 properly attached thereto in a manner that permits using the dispenser for dispensing the cosmetic products contained in the cartridges. Therefore, the dispenser 50 comprises two main chamber receiving parts, each configured to attach to a corresponding cartridge, the two main chamber receiving parts being positioned in opposite sides of the dispenser. The dispenser 50 comprises a main body 51. The truncated line shown in FIG. 5 passing through the therein indicated points A, indicates a plane A-A that is normal to the plane of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 illustrates the same dispenser and cartridges that are shown in FIG. 5, but the geometrical plane of FIG. 6 is normal to the geometrical plane of FIG. 5. The truncated line shown in FIG. 6 passing through the therein indicated points B, indicates a plane B-B that is normal to the plane of FIG. 6.
[0093] FIG. 7. and FIG. 8 illustrate cross sections of the cartridge-dispenser set shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 7 shows the cross section A-A across the aforementioned plain A-A indicated in FIG. 5. Likewise, FIG. 8 shows the cross section B-B across the aforementioned plain B-B indicated in FIG. 6. The cartridge 1 indicated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 is identical to the cartridge shown in FIG. 1.
[0094] FIG. 9a, FIG. 9b, FIG. 9c and FIG. 9d illustrate the same dispenser and cartridge shown in FIG. 5-FIG. 8, with the only difference between the two sets of figures being that in FIG. 9a- FIG. 9d the dispenser has only one cartridge attached to it.
[0095] As indicated by FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9d when considered together, the dispenser 50 shown therein, which actually is an exemplary embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, has a cartridge receiving part that is configured to be removably attached to the main chamber of a cartridge via connection means of the latter, the cartridge being according to any of the aforementioned embodiments of the first aspect of the invention and having the main chamber, a container, connection means and an activation mechanism, the dispenser being configured to be activated by a user thus actuating the dispensing mechanism of the cartridge and dispensing the cosmetic product. Moreover, as indicated by FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9d considered together, the dispenser shown therein comprises [0096] a main body 51 that is configured to be hold by a user; [0097] at least one cartridge receiving part that comprises an actuating part 56 and an actuation mechanism 52 that comprises a main chamber receiving part 53; [0098] suspension means attached to the actuation mechanism 52, wherein [0099] the main body 51 contains the actuating part 56, the suspension means 55 and the main chamber receiving part 53, the latter comprising a main opening and being displaceable between a first position FP and a second position SP with respect to both the main body and the actuating part 56; [0100] the suspension means 55 are configured to push the main chamber receiving part 53 to move from the second position SP to the first position FP when the main chamber receiving part 53 is at the second position SP; and, [0101] the actuating part 56 is located at the main opening and protrudes from the main chamber receiving part 53 and is configured for moving relatively to the main chamber receiving part 53 for thusly executing a relative motion with respect to the main chamber receiving part 53 when the latter is being displaced between the first position FP and the second position SP, in which case, said actuating part 56 is configured to apply an external mechanical force on any solid surface that is not a part of the dispenser and contacts the actuating part 56 during said relative motion opposing the latter, said external mechanical force aimed at displacing said solid surface with respect to the main chamber receiving part 53 and at forcing the solid surface to follow said relative motion.
[0102] Optionally and preferably the actuating part protrudes from an exterior side of the main chamber receiving part and of the main opening, said exterior side facing away from the center of the main body e.g. the actuating part protrudes towards a direction that is opposite or substantially opposite to the direction towards which the center of the main body is located with respect to the main chamber receiving part and/or with respect to the main opening. Preferably the actuating part 56 is fixed on the main body 51 and does not move with respect to the main body. Therefore, when main chamber receiving part moves with respect to the main body, it also moves with respect to the actuating part (i.e. the actuating part moves relatively to and with respect to the main body actuating part), thusly generating the aforementioned relative motion of the actuating part 56 with respect to the main chamber receiving part 53.
[0103] As shown in FIG. 8 the suspension means 55 of the therein shown embodiment comprise two springs which are located within two corresponding cavities within the main body, and the cavities are configured, e.g. are sized, so that the springs can be compressed when the actuation mechanism moves from the first position to the second position. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the longitudinal axis of the spring is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge-body system, and is parallel to the geometrical axis along the dispensing mechanism and the container of the cartridge. The dispenser shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9d is configured to be activated when the user pushes the cartridge towards the main chamber receiving part 53. Moreover, the dispenser comprises an actuating part 56 which is indicated in FIG. 7 and is configured to be at least partially inserted, as shown in FIG. 9d, via the connection means of the cartridge, into the cartridge and push the container of the cartridge towards the latter’s dispensing mechanism when the dispenser is actuated. It is noted that the axis shown in each of FIG. 6, FIG. 9a., FIG. 9b is an axis of symmetry of the dispenser shown in each figure, that is also an axis of symmetry of the main body 51, of the actuating part, of the main chamber receiving part, and, in case that the dispenses comprises two cartridge receiving parts as in FIG. 6, of the two main chamber receiving parts of said two cartridge receiving parts.
[0104] As indicated in FIG. 7 the dispenser shown therein comprises selection means (57) configured to be adjustable between blocking and unblocking the displacement of the main chamber receiving part 53 between the first position FP and the second position SP. Also, the selection means are configured to select the cartridge receiving part and corresponding actuation mechanism therein to be actuated (in this case the dispenser has two cartridge receiving parts and corresponding mechanisms). The selection means 57 of the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are also shown in greater detail in FIG. 9c, and the three figures show that: [0105] the actuation mechanism 52 comprises a support structure 54 firmly attached to the main chamber receiving part 53; [0106] the support structure 54 and the actuation mechanism as a whole are configured to be displaceable and moving together with the main chamber receiving part (53) when the latter is being displaced between the first position FP (indicated in FIG. 8) and the second position SP (indicated in FIG. 9d) with respect to both the main body 51 and the actuating part 56; [0107] the selection means 57 comprise an unblocking protrusion 90 that is attached on the support structure 54 and is configured to move together with the actuation mechanism 52 when the main chamber receiving part 53 is displaced between the first position FP and the second position SP, and the selection means 57 also comprise a movable solid selector 89 configured to move between a blocking position and an unblocking position, wherein the solid selector 89 comprises an unblocking cavity 91 that is configured so that when the solid selector 89 is at its unblocking position the unblocking protrusion 90 can slide in and move through the unblocking cavity 91 thus allowing the movement of the actuation mechanism 52 from the first position to the second position, and when the solid selector 89 is at its blocking position, the unblocking protrusion 90 may not slide in and move through the unblocking cavity 91 thusly inhibiting and/or blocking the movement of the actuation mechanism from the first position FP to the second position SP.
[0108] FIG. 10 shows a perspective of a dispenser according to the second aspect of the dispenser. The exterior of the dispenser’s body is shown, and said body contains protrusion for aiding the firm grasp of the body by the user, so that a user can firmly grab, hold and handle the dispenser using only one hand.
[0109] A cross section of the dispenser shown in FIG. 10, is also shown in FIG. 11 from which it is evident that the dispenser is very similar to the dispenser shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9d. Furthermore, in FIG. 11 a thin arrow indicates the direction towards which the main chamber receiving part 53 is to be pushed by the user and displaced and moved from the first position to the second position. The direction of the thin arrow in FIG. 11 is essentially the same as the direction of the thick arrows denoted as Fu and shown in FIGS. 9c and 9d indicating the force applied by the user on the main chamber of the cartridge receiving part loaded on the dispenser for pushing the cartridge towards the main chamber receiving part and the actuation mechanism for forcing the latter two for executing the aforementioned displacement and motion. Moreover, the actuating part 56 that is also shown in FIG. 11 is configured to apply an external mechanical force, that is denoted as F and has a the direction that is indicated by the thick arrow in FIG. 11, on any solid surface, such as on the bottom surface of the container of the cartridge (not shown/included in FIG. 11) that is not a part of the dispenser and contacts the actuating part 56 during said relative motion opposing the latter, said external mechanical force aimed at displacing said solid surface with respect to the main chamber receiving part 53 and at forcing the solid surface to follow said relative motion. In this case, the direction of said relative motion is the direction of the thick arrow shown in FIG. 11.
[0110] Other preferred embodiments of a cartridge and a dispenser that may be combined together to form a corresponding system according to the present invention, are shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, and are described in more detail below. With reference to FIGS. 12-14, the cartridge shown comprises a main chamber 5 and a capsule that comprises a container 13 and a dispensing mechanism 14. The main chamber 5 shown in FIGS. 12-14 comprises two chamber parts 15a, 15b that are configured to be removably attached to each other forming the main chamber 5 when being attached, and allowing access to the capsule 12 when being separated. The main chamber has a connection orifice 32. The main chamber in FIGS. 12-14 has an injection orifice 31 that is in front of the dispensing mechanism 14. Likewise, the main chamber in FIGS. 12-14 further has positioning means for securing and/or fixing the position of the dispensing mechanism and/or of the capsule within the main chamber. It can be considered that said positioning means comprise the aforementioned first positioning means and/or second positioning means. As shown in FIGS. 12-14 the positioning means comprise a top platform 18a located and preferably formed on the main chamber, specifically on the main chamber’s interior that contains the capsule. Said top platform 18a is configured to attach to a top surface of the dispensing mechanism 14 when the latter is fixed within the main chamber 5. In the shown case the top platform 18a and the dispensing mechanism 14 are on an opposite side of the main chamber with respect to the main chamber’s connection orifice 32. Likewise, as shown in FIGS. 12-14 the main chamber 5 comprises a curved slot 18b that has a semicircular edge in which fits a peripheral surface of the dispensing mechanism which in this case has a cylindrical profile. Likewise, as shown in FIGS. 12-14 the main chamber 5 comprises snap-fits 18c, specifically two cantilever snap fits 18c in between which the dispensing mechanism 14 fits in. The snap fits 18c are designed to retain fixed in place the dispensing mechanism close to the latter’s connection with the capsule’s container 13. In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14 the snap-fits 18c, the top platform 18a and the curved slot are formed, being protrusions, on the main chamber and can be considered as parts of the first positioning means. As shown in FIGS. 12-14 the main chamber further has two lateral bars 20a. Said bars are attached on and protruding from the main chamber’s interior surface that contains/encloses (surrounds) the capsule. Said bars have the form of elongated edges and fit in a corresponding lateral recession, i.e. a lateral channel 13a, formed on an exterior surface of the container 13. Said lateral channel 13a and lateral bars 20a are configured to fit/engage to each other so that the container moves and slides along the bars 20a and at/along a fixed path that is parallel to a length axis L that in this case is the length (longitudinal) axis of the bars 20a, of the capsule, of the dispensing mechanism and of the dispenser. In FIG. 13 the length axis L is indicated by the dashed line. Likewise, as shown in FIGS. 12-14 the container comprises a bottom protrusion 13b that is on an opposite side of the capsule compared to the dispensing mechanism and the latter’s aforementioned top surface. The bottom protrusion 13 is configured, i.e. shaped and sized, to fit or snap in a bottom recess 20b of the main chamber 5. The bottom recess 20b is defined by a step on a part of the main chamber' interior that is in an opposite side compared to the side where the aforementioned top platform 18a is. The main chamber’s connection orifice 32 is adjacent to said bottom recess 20b and bottom protrusion 13b. Moreover, in the main chamber and within said bottom recess 20b there is a bottom slot 70a within which fits a part 70 that is magnetic, or metallic or is attractable by a magnet. In the case shown in FIGS. 12-14, the cartridge comprises a metallic part 70, that is configured to be magnetically attracted by a magnet (not indicated) of the dispenser. Said metallic part 70 fits in main chamber, specifically in said bottom slot. The metallic part 70 is adjacent to the container, the container’s bottom protrusion, and the connection orifice 32. The metallic part 70 in the case shown has an insertion orifice 71 that on one of its sides/ends is adjacent and located over the connection orifice, and on its other side/end is overlaid by the bottom protrusion. Therefore, when the system is operated the dispenser’s actuating part 53 that extends through the connection orifice, through the bottom recess 20b and through the insertion orifice 71, presses against the bottom protrusion 13b pushing the container to move towards the dispensing mechanism. Advantageously, when the cartridge has been assembled the bottom slot 70a can keep the metallic part 70 fixed and substantially immobile with respect to the main chamber, thusly allowing having an easy to assemble cartridge that can be reliably and easily coupled to a dispenser that has a magnet. Advantageously, said cartridge is correctly positioned on the dispenser during the use of the system for correctly and reliably applying the cosmetic product. Also, the exterior surface of the main chamber 5 of the cartridge shown in FIGS. 12-14 has a substantially flat surface part 75, and on the latter there is the connection orifice 32. Accordingly, the cartridge shown in FIGS. 12-14 has a main chamber that has a cross section profile that comprises an arc-shaped part and a straight-line part. Said straight line part corresponds to said flat surface part 75.
[0111] Moreover, in the systems shown in FIGS. 12-13 the dispenser comprises a main body 51, two actuating parts 56 and two main chamber receiving parts 53. The dispenser shown in FIGS. 12-13 can be coupled to two cartridges positioned in opposite sides of the dispenser. In the dispenser in FIG. 12, each main chamber receiving part 53 has a side (a part, a portion) that has the form of a receptacle for inserting in it at least a portion of the cartridge’s main chamber; said side of the main chamber receiving part has a flat surface on which it is placed said exterior flat surface part 75 of the corresponding cartridge’s main chamber 5. On the main chamber receiving part 53 there is a main opening 61 through/from which the actuating part 56 passes or protrudes. When the system has been assembled, the main opening 61 is adjacent to the cartridge’s connection orifice 32. Each of the main chamber receiving parts 53 shown in FIGS. 12-13 resides on a support structure 54 which in this case comprises two hollow cylindrically shaped structures each of which is formed by two snap-fit protrusions. Attached to each of said cylindrically shaped structures there is a corresponding cap 74, and in the case shown in FIG. 12 there is a total of two caps 74 for each cartridge receiving part, and in each of said two caps 2 there is an end of a corresponding spring 55. Therefore, the two springs 55 shown are the dispenser’s suspensions means 55 which provide suspension for both cartridge receiving parts 53 of the dispenser. Each spring 55 extends through a corresponding opening or channel that is on a central support structure 62 of the dispenser. The central support structure 62 is fixed/attached within the dispenser’s main body. On either side of the central support structure extends or protrudes a corresponding actuating part 56. Preferably the actuating part extends across a direction that is parallel to the aforementioned length axis L shown in FIG. 13. More preferably, the length axis L is also the length (longitudinal) axis of the dispenser and its main body. Most preferably, said length axis L is parallel to the mentioned further above symmetry axis (axis of symmetry) of the dispenser and/or cartridge and/or any parts therein.
[0112] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.
[0113] The scope of the present invention is defined in the following set of claims.
