US2636598A - Cosmetic container - Google Patents

Description

Apk-13 Z8, 1953 R. B. HoPGooD oosME'rIc CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 2, 1950 FIG. 2.

I INVENTR Rfl HOPGOUD ..7454444415!!!lllllllllllll s l am,

ATTORNEYS Apnl 28, 1953 R. B. HoPGooD 2,636,598 x COSMETIC CONTAINER Filed March 2, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN EYS April 28, 1953 R. B. HoPGooD COSMETIC CONTAINER 3 Shee's-Sheet 5 Filed March 2 1950 FIG. l2

lNvENToR ROBE/Pr B. 11a/600D A oRNEYs Patented Apr. 28, 1953 COSMETIC CONTAINER- Robert B. Hopgood, Cheshire, Conn., assignor to The Eyelet Specialty Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application March 2, 1950, Serial No. 147,294

(Cl. 20G-56) 21 Claims.

My invention relates to lconstructions for double-ended cosmetic or the like containers.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved constructions of the character indicated.

It is another object to provide an improved double-ended cosmetic -container with a common carrier and with common propulsion means for the carrier so that the same propulsion means may serve whichever end of the container is Kto be utilized.

It is also an object to provide a double-ended cosmetic container with means to prevent lipstick propulsion against a lclosed end of the container and to permit lipstick propulsion only out of an open end of the container.

1t is a further object to provide an open-ended cosmetic container with a common carrier for two oppositely facing lipsticks or the like and with means whereby the parts to be grasped for propulsion of one lipstick out of one end are manually actuated for propulsion and retraction of said one lipstick in the same respective relative directions as are the exposed manually actuable parts to be grasped and actuated for propulsion of the other lipstick out the other end of said container.

It is a specic object of the invention to provide a double-ended lipstick construction analogous to the conventional single-ended arrangement that is widely known as the four-piece container construction.

It is another specific object of the invention to provide a double-ended lipstick construction analogous to the conventional single-ended arrangement that is widely known as the threepiece container construction.

It is a general object to meet the above objects with a construction that is simple to make and to use and which involves a minimum of additional parts over conventional single-ended lipstick constructions.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specication in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a double-ended lipstick container according to the invention,

shown with one of two closure :caps removed and with a lipstick or the like in a propelled position, projecting out the open end of the container;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lcarrier in the construction of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inner tubular member of the construction of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of two further parts of the construction of Figs. 1 and 2, showing their relation to each other when assembled;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a modified arrangement of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the same parts as are shown in Fig. 5 but for utilization in the modication of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a further modification;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective detail of a part of the modication of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a very much enlarged sectional View more for less in the plane lil-I0 of Fig. 9, certain arcuate parts being shown at for purposes of simplification;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a construction representing an alternative of the construction oi Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged double-sectional view of the alternative `construction of Fig. 11, the section being taken substantially in the planes represented by the line I2--l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of parts which may be utilized in the construction of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the alternative construction of Fig. 11, with one closure cap removed as in Fig. 1.

Briefly stated, my invention contemplates an open-ended lipstick or the like container construction in which a single propelling mechanism may selectively propel one lipstick out one end of the container and another lipstick out the other end of the container; by open-ended, I mean a generally-tubular construction open or openable at both ends thereof. Closure means may be provided for selectively closing the open ends of the container. Various means may cooperate with the closure means so as to assure that the lipstick which may be projected out the closed end will not be driven against the closure means of the closed end, and to assure that lipstick propulsion will be possible only out of an open end of the container. Such means may be arranged to assure that when both ends of the container are closed the propulsive mechanism will be ineective, or, stated in other Words, no externally accessible parts may be effective to propel either lipstick when both ends of the container are closed.

My constructions may utilize a single propulsive mechanism employing but two relatively diverging cam means, each continuously formed with a single direction or slope. Thus, for one true relative rotation of the members supporting the cam means, there will be only one true axial direction of resulting carrier propulsion; similar- 1y, for any true relative rotation in the opposite l direction, there will be only one true direction of resulting carrier propulsion, and, of course, the latter propulsion will be in the direction opposite to the former. In spite of this characteristic of the propulsive mechanism, I have arranged the container elements in such a way that, regardless of the container end from which the closure means is removed, propulsion and retraction of a lipstick or the like out the thenopen end may be achieved with consistent natural relative twists of the hands.

Two alternative general forms of the invention are shown and specically described. One of these constructions may be viewed as an analogy of the conventional so-called four-piece container construction for single lipsticks or singleended containers; the other form may be viewed as an vanalogy of the so-called three-piece construction for such containers. In the first form of the four-piece construction to be described, the closure means for the respective ends of the container are free-swiveling, and lipstick propul-v sion is only possible after removal of the closure means for one end, to expose the manually actue ated propulsion means. In the other four-piece constructions the closure caps are both utilized as manually accessible driving elements for the propulsion mechanism, and dogging means actuated by placement of the respective closure caps serves to prevent driving a lipstick against a closed end of the container While permitting propulsion out an open end. In the three-piece construction shown, a closure cap is also utilized as a manually operated means for propelling a lipstick out an open end.

Referring to Figs. l to 5 of the drawings, my invention is shown in application to a doubleended lipstick or the like container which may be said to be analogous to a conventional socalled four-piece construction for singleended lipsticks. As such, the container may include a carrier l5 longitudinally slidable Within an inner tubular member I6, and the inner tubular member I6 may be rotatable within and relatively to a sleeve member Il'. The carrier I 5 may -be open at both ends and pierced axially centrally, preferably from opposite sides, so that two radially inwardly facing lugs 18-1 9 may be formed to determine bottom-limiting positions for two separate inserted lipsticks 2li-2i; for conservation of axial space the lugs lil-I9 may be formed in the same radial plane.

I8-I9 are preferably made from oppositeaxial directions so that, no matter which end of the carrier l5 first receives one of the lipsticks 23-2 l, there may be an air vent (viaone of the piercing openings l8'-l9) to permit ready'insertionoi` The piercings for lugs the other of lipsticks Ztl-2|, thus completing the lipstick-inserted carrier assembly. As is conventional, cam-follower means in the form of an eyelet 22 may be drifted out of an axially central part of the main tube of carrier l5; but for a purpose Which will later be clear, I prefer that the eyelet 22 shall be formed after partial assembly, as, for example, after the carrier l5 has been inserted into the inner tubular member i6.

As is conventional, the eyelet or cam-follower means 22 may project sufficiently radially for cooperating engagement with relatively diverging, relatively longitudinally extending cam means in each of the tubular members lG-II so that, upon relative rotation of the tubular members It-i l, the carrier I5 will be longitudinally propelled. In the form shown, the inner tubular member l5 is formed with a straight cam slot 23 to receive the eyelet 22, and the slot 23 may extend substantially the length of the container. In order to prevent inadvertent retraction or a projected lipstick during application to the lips, each end of the straight slot 23 may be formed with an angular oiset or extension, as at 2-l for retention of the upper lipstick 2U, and as at 23 for retention of the lower lipstick 2l; it will be noted that the angular `offsets 24-25 extend in opposite directions, at opposite ends of the carrier-propulsion course.

I'he longitudinal ends of the inner tubular member may be formed to cooperate with the lon*- gitudinal ends of the sleeve member Il so vas to provide axial retention of these two parts, and in the form shown the longitudinal ends of the inner tubular member i6 each include enlarged rims or bases 25-2'd defining radial ledges 23-29 in radial overlapping relation with the ends of the sleeve Il. For a purpose which will later be clear, I prefer that both ends 26-2l of the inner tubular member I6 shall be circumferentially continuously formed so that these ends may not be radially deformed and so that close radial tolerances may be maintained for relatively rotating parts. It is for this reason that prefer that the carrier l5 be rst inserted into the inner tubularmember land that, after such insertion, the eyelet 2l be drifted out of the carrier I5 and through the straight slot 23.

The sleeve Il may be of more'or less conventional conilguration and may be formed from hat sheet material rolled up to an extent that theend edges 39 (Fig. 5) may denne opposite sides of a generally longitudinally extending slot. If these end edges 3U were cut parallel and on a bias, then they might serve as opposite walls of a spiral cam slot to cooperate with the carnfollower eyelet 22 for propulsion purposes; however, in the form shown, I have separately pierced the material of sleeve i with a diagonal slot Which when rolled up provides the desired spiral cam slot 3l.

For actuating purposes, a member may be struck from and bent out of the sleeve l1 to project radially externally of the main body of the container assembly, but, I have shown a separate piece in the form of a ring member 32 for this purpose. The ring'32 may be formed of sheet material as are the other parts, but I prefer to employ a solid construction for the ring 32 so that the ring 32 may be of molded plastic or a screw-machine metal part. To establish an angularly locked relation with the main body of sleeve II, the ring 32 jmay include an inwardly -facing key or lug 33 to^slide between the opposed rolled-up edges 30 of the sleeve I1. If desired, the outer surface of the actuating ring 32 may be knurled or otherwise roughened, as shown, for improved finger grip.

To complete the container assembly, I provide externally accessible means for covering the exposed parts of the sleeve I1 and for establishing a driving relation with the inner tubular member I5. Such external means may involve an outer tubular casing 34 for one end of the container and an outer tubular casing 35 for the other end of the container. When assembled to the container, the casings 34-35 preferably closely t the enlarged ends 26-21 of the inner tubular member I6 for primary support thereon, and to assure the desired driving engagement with the inner tubular member I6, spring nibs 36 may be punched out of the casing members 34-35 for a snap-lock engagement with suitable slots 3l punched in the enlarged ends 26-21 of the inner tubular member.

The construction thus far described may be assembled in the following order. First, a straight tubular carrier piece I5 (i. e. without eyelet 22) is inserted in the inner tubular member I E. Second, the eyelet 22 is drifted out of the carrier I5 and through the straight slot 23. Third, the rolled-up sleeve is sprung open and slipped over one of the enlarged ends 23-21 of the inner tubular member I3, care being taken that the eyelet 22 is passed into the spiral slot 3| before the sleeve becomes retained against both ledges 28-23 of the inner tubular member I6. Fourth, the sleeve Il is rotated on the inner tubular member I6 for alignment of the straight slot between walls 3B with an inwardly depressed entrance groove 33 formed in a part of the periphery of one (21) of the enlarged ends 23-2'1 of the inner tubular member. Fifth, the actuating ring 32 is slipped over the enlarged end 21, the key 33 pass-l ing through the entrance groove 38 and into the straight slot between walls 30. Sixth, the outer tubular casing members 34-35 are slipped over opposite ends of the inner tubular members I6 and locked thereto, at 36-3L It will be appreciated that when the outer tubular casing members 34--35 have been inserted and locked in the described manner, the actuating ring 32 may be sufficiently retained axially.

As indicated generally above, I provide closure means for selectively closing the two ends of the container. In the form shown, two tubular closure members or caps may perform this function, and I have shown one of these caps 40 over the end of the container through which the lipstick 2| is to be projectable. I desire, however, that means shall be provided whereby the lipstick 2| shall not be inadvertently driven against the inside or end 4| of the closure cap 40, and at the same time, of course, such means cannot interfere with desired propulsion of the lipstick 2l out the open end of the container. For the case shown, the closure cap 43 is free-swiveling as far as any engagement with other parts of the described mechanism may be concerned, and propulsion of lipstick 2l) may be accomplished upon grasping the actuating ring 32, say, with the right hand, and upon grasping the outer tubular casing member 34, say, with the left hand, propulsion of the open end of the container being eifected upon a right-handed twist of the hands, and retraction being effected upon a lefthanded twist of the hands.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, means may be provided in cooperation with a placed closure cap 40 for not only assuring against downward propulsion of the lipstick 2| against the end 4| of the closure cap, but for .also lightly frictionally holding the closure cap in place. Such means may be provided in duplicate at the respective ends of the container so that duplicate parts may be employed and so that the same safety action may be Aavailable when another closure cap (not shown) is applied over the open end vof the container. In the form shown, the means for preventing downward displacement of the carrier limits carrier movement essentially only to that half of the propulsive stroke which faces the open end of the container. Such means may include a deformable member carried by each outer tubular casing member; in the form shown, a deformable member 42 is struck out of the body of the outer cas-ing member 35, and a deformable member 43 is struck out of the outer casing member 34. Each such deformable member 42-43 may be normally outwardly bent for a gentle, yet rm, resilient, holding engagement with a closure cap 40, upon capping an open end of the container. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the deformable member 42 is thus engaged and therefore inwardly displaced, while suiciently firmly holding the closure cap 40 in place; also, it will be noted that the deformable member 43 is no-t thus engaged in Fig. 2 and that it is, therefore, in what may be termed a normal radially outwardly displaced position.

Each of the deformable members 42-43 may be formed with means to be used in the selective control of the propulsion mechanism, so as to assure propulsion only through the open end of the container and so as to prevent inadvertent ramming of a lipstick 2| against a closed end 4|. Such means may include a radially inwardly bent dog or lug 44 at the tip or movable end of each of the deformable members 42-43; the radial extent of the dogs 44 is preferably such that in the normally-out position (as in the case of the deformable member 43) the lug 44 clears the outside dimension of the sleeve member and such that for the inwardly depressed -position (as in the case of the deformable member 42) the dog lug 44 extends within the maximum outside dimension of the sleeve member I1.

To cooperate with the dog members 44, arcuate slots i5-46 may be punched out of the sleeve member I9. In the case of the lug 44 for deformable member 42, the slot 45 extends preferably for an amount suicient to permit free propulsion of the carrier l5 from a central p0- sition, as shown, to a position representing full projection of the upper lipstick 20. In retracting lipstick 2D from the projected position, the lug 44 on the deformable member 42 will at all times ride freely in the sleeve slot 45, until, at the central or retracted carrier position, the end of slot 45 will intercept the lug 44 of member 42 to prevent further retraction (i. e. propulsion toward the closed end 4|) Similarly, in the case of the other slot 4G, for the lug 44 of deformable member 43, the angular extent is preferably such as to permit limited free propulsion of the carrier I5, as from the central position shown in Fig. 2 to a position representing full projection of the lower lipstick 2| out the lower end of the container (when the cap 40 is removed from said lower end).

It will thus be appreciated that the slots 45-46 effectively overlap substantially only for that relative angular position of the relatively rotatable tubular-members f, 6-1 'l which; determines: `the central or 'retractedcarrier positiongthat f is,.1the positionsV incwhich the carrieris` retracted :from n both ends of thescontainer; Removal of a.clo sure cap: fromone. end while leaving a closurecap y on theotherendonly permits enoughrelative ro- Y tation. to. propel a lipstickoutr thexopenend of the container; whereas, removal of .the closure capirom the. other=..end.while the:.onegend is closed permits Vpropulsion only'out thethen-open'.

other` end of thecontainer.

t will beznoted ythat-.unless the carrierhas been centrally` placed, asdeterminedby .retracting .propulsion oft the4 carrier until one cf. the'lugs 44 .strikes anfendof one ofthe dog slots145-=45, closurecap .placement willnot be possible xoverf-:the

openend of .they container; the cap` will attempt permit any drivingpropulsion of the carrier away from itscentral'position. -Both closure capsiare I free-swiveling, 'and .any relative rotation thereof or any relative rotation of a cap withrespect to thrusts on the propulsion'mechanism. .The dogging means 44 may further assure against.inad' vertentpropulsionof `a lipstick 'Within a fully closed container.. as will be understood.

In Figs. 6 and '7, I- shoW a modiedarrangement of the four-piece vconstruction which has thus `far been described.- ItY `will be recalled'that', in the arrangements of Figs. 1 and propulsion of aflipstickY through an'open end ofthe container Was possible only'by-grasping the actuating knob -or ring 32 by thefngers of one hand (e. g.V the right hand), bygrasping the exposed outer-tubul lar casing 34 with the fingers of the-'other hand (e. g. thev lefty hand), and by producing righthandedrelativetwist of the hands; thisfrighthanded twist forpropulsion of a lipstick-held true whichever-end ofthe container wasfopened.

In the arrangement of Figs. 6 and '7, I haveassumed that itmaybe more convenient to utilize the closure cap 50 (for-the closed end of the container) as one ofthe vdriving members'for-the propulsion mechanism, and that' the actuating member 32shall be the other driving member. The internal arrangementof the container may in all respects `resemble the structures shownand described in detail in connection with Figs. 1 to 5, except that, if 4propulsion is to be associated with the same relative manual twist ofthe hands (e. g. right-handed, the direction of relative divergence of the cam means on the relatively rotatable tubular members of the propulsion mechanism should be reversed, the angular-dis.- position ofthe dog slots in the sleeve, as well as the directions ofthe angular offsets ofthe inner tubularmember, alsobeing revers'edfas will be clear.

The desired transposition of -slots in the sleeve may be effected merely-by a reverse roll-up ofthe same nat sleeve blank as was utilized 'for the sleeve I1 of Figs-2 and 5. i -zSuch a sleeve has been labeled |'|"v `iti-Fig. 7, andit will be notedthat/the spiral slot 3|ftherein has a'progression opposite` 4to,:thatfshovvn in'Figs. 2 and 5, while the effective angular-coverage of the dog slots 45'-46 has also been reversed. Deformable, dogging members, as at on the exposed outer tubular casing 5L 52,. may in` all respects Vresemble those described in' conjunction with Fig. 2.

@Meansv may 'be1provided for establishing a .adrivingcrelationshipbetween a closurecap 50 aand the outer tubular casing which it covers. In

the .form shown, such driving relation is estab- ..lishedf;with no yimpairment of appearance by formingfiutes, as at 53, circumferentially around the base or open end of theclosure caps 58, and .udimples or a similar progression of iiutes, as at l.5;..54;1.may: be provided at'the base of each outer .1; tubular casing 52 for-circumferential driving en- ;gagement with a closure cap.

n' It will be appreciatedthat with the structure :described inconnectionwith Figs. 6 and 7, the

20,-y same-relativemanual twistimay be involved in a propulsion of a lipstick regardless of the end from uwhichthe; lipstick is to be projected. Further- =..:more, in view of the dogged nature of the pro- .pulsion mechanism when both closure caps are yin place, noqcarrier propulsion will be possible as long as the container is closed, even though exz Aternally exposed parts of a closed container may, except fon-the i simultaneous dogging of slots '+46,- bel in driving relation with the propul- :70 sion mechanism.

s In certain four-piece constructions, it may be desirable, for appearances sake, that thecircumference of the closure cap shall not be smooth over any part of its length, as, for example, when .longitudinal iiutes vextend the full length of the closure cap, as in the Icase ofthe closure cap 55 of Fig. 8.: It may be desired, again for apwpearances sake, that, when a closure cap has been removed, the exposed outer tubular casing 1W-shall. be. as continuously smooth as possible, as

u inthecase ofthe outer tubular casing 56 of Fig; 8. There may be the further requirement (asin theV case of Fig. 6) that the closure cap 55 shall'be loneof `therneans for manual actua- .:.tion ofthe'propulsionmechanism. According to a. feature of the invention, Imay meet all these requirements in asingleiconstruction by provid- 'z ing adeformablelug-member which, in addition to establishing the desired resilient frictional .hold on aplaced closure cap 55 and in addition toperforming the desired selective dogging func- ;:wtion bymeans of `a ,radially inwardly deformed lug,may.also proyide'themeans whereby rotary drivingengagement between the placed closure l-zcap55 and one of the relatively'rotatable members ofthe propulsion mechanism is achieved.

`-1vIfirdesired,-the'basic structure of Fig, 6 may bezmade to accommodate a iiuted cap 55, the v.drive .being effected vviaengagement of the lug Gofmember 5| with. one of the spaces between adjacentlflutes of cap 55.l In suchcase, theflutes 5t` on the base of theouter casingv members 52 ywill .not be needed and; the casing members 52 ,may beA smooth, and continuous in appearance, as

kin the case of. casing 56i (Fig. 8) If the Adeformable .lugzmember 5| (Fig. 6) is to be utilized as a .driving member, then the lug 44 thereof should vloefof sumcient radial extent; that, when inwardly Ydeformedaby placement of cap 55, it (lug 44') will 'idirectly. abut the .inner tubular member I6 before the. cap utes. slip, over, the still outwardly deformed member 5|. Of course, when cap 55 is not in place over such a-construction, the de- 1 -formablewlugmember 5| would have to be even 7'5 furtheroutward1y:.extended `morder to ride out of slot 46' upon carrier propulsion out the open end of the container. It will be understood that the individual angular dispositions of slots 45'46 with respect to the cam slot 23 are not critical, and that for purposes of the direct'abutment, just described, between lug lill and the surface of the inner tubular member I5, the slots IW-45 and the lugs M cooperating therewith may be struck. at angularly displaced positions relatively to slot 23, without impairing the selective clogging functions that have been already described.

In the form shown in Figs. 8-10 a deformable member 51 is utilized which need not project or extend radially out of the casing 55 to the eX- tent necessary with the above described use of lug member I (Fig. 6). The deformable member 51 may, however, also be struck out of the material of the outer tubular casing 55, as from a generally L-shaped blank, with the upper end of the main stem of the L remaining integral with the body of the outer tubular member 58. The main stem of the L may then be merely bumped or crimped, as at 58, to form a projection to ride in one of the pockets or recesses 59 (Fig. 10) between adjacent flutes of a closure cap 55. On the hump 5S, the side or edge 65 which faces the open end of the container is preferably lower (that is, less raised out of the body of casing 56) that the side or edge 5l which faces the center of the container. The hump 53 is thus longitudinally sloped, and the sloping may be achieved by a bend of the free end of the L, in a longitudinal direction, toward the longitudinal center of the container, after initial formation of the hump 58. When the L-shaped member 51 has been thus displaced, the heel 52 thereof preferably overstands a footing, which may be part of the main body of the outer tubular casing 55.

The dogging lug LM" may be formed simultaneously with one of Jrhe above-described bending operations, by merely inwardly bending the toe of the L, as shown in detail in Fig. 9. The length of the do-g lug 44" in the radially inward direction is preferably such that, in the normal outwardly displaced position shown in Fig. 9, the lug 44 clears the outer surface of the sleeve I1', while, at the same time, the heel 62 is spaced slightly radially outwardly of the surface of the outer tubular casing 5S. The extent of this spacing is preferably such that when a closure cap 55 is placed over the open end of the container, the hump 58 will engage a recess 59 between adjacent flutes and will serve to cam the member 51 radially inwardly, substantially into abutment with the outer surface of the outer tubular casing 56, as at the heel 52. When thus inwardly driven, the lug lill" is preferably in engagement with one of the dog slots i6 in the sleeve l1.

It will be clear that the described deformable member 51 may not only perform the dogging functions and the cap-holding functions described in connection with the other deformable members I3-5l (Figs. 1 and 6), but that rotary driving engagement may be effective between flutes of the closure cap 55 and the hump 58. This driving engagement may be positive due to the limiting (at 52) of radially inward displacement of the member 51 and, since such displacement is limited before any part of member 51 can strike the'outer surface of the sleeve I1', there will be no binding of relatively rotating parts so as to impair operation of the propulsion mechanism. It will be noted that, if the leading edge 60 of the deformable member 51 is formedV with 4a suiciently negligible radial elevation out of the surface of the outer casing 56 and if such edge 60 is slightly rounded (as will naturally occur in a stamping or piercing operation), the entrance of a cap over the member 51 may be non-fouling and therefore not destructive of the member 51.

If desired, structural stability of the member 51 may be enhanced by so forming the lug 44 that, when the hump 58 has been raised and longitudinally twisted as shown, the lug 44" will be substantially immediately adjacent the back Wall 53 of the piercing opening for the member 51. For purposes of clarity in Fig. 9 this relationship may not be immediately apparent, but it will be understood that axial movement of the lug 44" upon placement of the closure cap may be limited by abutment of lug 44 against the back edge 53 of the piercing opening.

As indicated generally above, features of my invention are also applicable to double-ended analogies of so-called three-piece container constructions; such an arrangement is shown in Figs. 1l to 14. In this arrangement, the doubleended carrier l5 of the previously described arrangements may be utilized. The carrier l5 may be longitudinally slidable within the .bore of an open-ended inner tubular member 10 extending substantially the full length of the container. The other tubular member may be an outer casing 1I, also extending for substantially the full length of the container and rotatable relatively to the inner tubular member 10.

Suitable cooperating means between the two tubular members 1li- 1I may be provided for mutual retention against relative axial movement, and in the form shown enlargements or bases 12-13 carried at the ends ofthe inner tubular member 10 radially outwardly overlap parts of the ends of the outer tubular member or casing 1l. The enlarged end 12 carried by the inner tubular member 15 may be integrally formed therewith, as shown in detail in Fig. 13, and I have formed a set of uniform peripheral flutings on the end 12, for a purpose to be explained; nevertheless, it will be understood that a smooth axially retaining ledge may be defined at 15 for rotary sliding engagement with a rim including inwardly directed parts, as at 15, at the upper end of the outer casing 1|. At the lower end of the inner tubular member 10, I prefer that the enlargement 13 be defined by a separate member to be assembled to the smooth tubular end 15 of member 10 after assembly of the outer tubular member 1l thereon. As in the case of the end 12, the end 13 may be formed with iiutings and with a radial ledge or shoulder 11 to provide a smooth bearing for the lower end or rim 18 of the outer tubular member 1l. Inwardly depressed nibs 19 on the end member 13 may lock into slots 85 upon assembly of the end member 13 to the inner tubular member 10, as will be clear.

As in the case of the conventional singleended three-piece container constructions the inner tubular member 10 and the outer tubular member 1l may each include means to cooperate with a cam follower or eyelet 22 of the carrier I5 for longitudinal propulsion of the carrier upon relative rotation of the tubular members 10-1. Such means may include relatively diverging slots as in the case of the described four-piece constructions, but in the form shown the cam means on the outer tubular member 1| is an inwardly facing groove which, for appearances sake may be one of a plurality of similar grooves or channels ill-82 angularly spaced about the periphery of the outer tubular member ll. These outer grooves 81-32 may be spirally formed to cooperate with a straight slot in the inner tubular member l; but in the form shown the spiral cam means is a spiral slot 83 on the inner tubular member l0, while the grooves (including the ornamental grooves 8| and the cam groove 82) are straight. As in the case of one of the cam slots of the described four-piece constructions, one of the cam means of the a1'- rangement of Fig. l1 may include opposed angular offsets at each end, as at 84 for the ends of spiral slot 83, in order to hold the carrier l5 in a projected position with a lipstick 85 extending out the open end of the container.

It will be appreciated that, with the described construction, carrier propulsion may be achieved upon grasping and upon relatively rotating the outer tubular member ll and one of the endmembers 'l2-i3 for the inner tubular member l0. In accordance with a feature of the invention one `of the end members 'i2-i3 is effectively grasped by an engagement with a placed closure cap S5, and the closure cap may include means such as an angular discontinuity or, for appearances sake, a plurality of flutes 81 at the closed end, for angular locating engagement with one of the ends l2- 13. Thus, to operate the lipstick of Fig. l1 when only one closure cap 86 is in place, the closure cap itself may be grasped with one hand (e. g. with the right hand), and the exposed end of the outer tubular member 'H may be grasped with the other hand. When thus grasped, a relative right-handed twist of the hands will propel the lipstick 85 out the open end of the container, and a relative left-handed twist will retract the lipstick 85. It will be understood that if the closure means 8B had been placed on the upper end of the container with the lower end open so as to expose the lipstick V88 for proiection, then also by grasping the closure cap 88 with the righthand and by grasping the exposed part of the outer tubular member 'll with the left hand, the same respective relative rotations or twists of the hands may achieve propulsion and retraction of the lipstick 88 at the then-open lower end of the container.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, externally projecting means may be provided to assist in removing a particular closure cap from the closed container so as to expose or open a desired single end of the container. For this purpose, a ring member 89 may be centrally located around the container and radially exposed outside the closure cap, as for a finger or ngernail engagement. The ring 89 need form no part of the grasping or actuating means'for the propulsion mechanism, but it may present a pleasing appearance and may be anchored axially and angularly to the outer tubular member ll. As in the case 0f the ring 32 for the previously described construction, the ring 89 may be a cast plastic or a screw-machine metal part. The internal contour of the ring VB9 preferably closely conforms to the undulating or channelled periphery of the outer tubular member 1l, so as to permit ready sliding insertion thereover. Suitable aXial-locating nibs 9B may be formed out of the main tubular body of the outer tubular memn ber 'H for the purpose of axially locating the ring 89.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, selective clogging means may be built into the three-piece construction of Fig. l1 to achieve substantially the results of the abovedescribed four-piece constructions. Such means may, for each end of the container, comprise a lug 9l--92 struck out of the material of the outer tubular member 'H and normally outwardly bent for easy sliding resilient interception of a placed closure cap 85. If the lugs 9 l--92 are formed near the center of the container and in the cam groove 82, then the lugs 9|-92 may (when inwardly actuated) directly dog a movement of the carrier l5 as by interception of the eyelet 22. For the case depicted in Fig. 11, the lug 92 is inwardly displaced to perform this function of intercepting the carrier for all carrier positions lower than the center of the container, and, since the lug 9| has been left free to assume its normal outwardly displaced position, the carrier I5 will not be prevented from being propelled out the open end of the container. After the lipstick has been fully retracted from such a propelled position, the lug 92 will serve to limit or to determine a bottom position of retraction, and an upper closure cap (similar to the closure cap 86) may be placed over the open end of the container, thereby deforming the lug 9i inwardly and effectively locking the carrier against projection of the lipstick 85. Thus, it will be clear that with both closure caps in place the carrier-propulsion mechanism may be effectively dogged or neutralized.

Assembly rof the described container construction may involve the following order of operations. First, the carrier tube I5 (without the eyelet 22) may be inserted in the tubular member l0. Second, the eyelet 22 may be formed by drifting the same through the spiral slot 83 in the inner tubular member l0. Third, the outer tubular member 'H may be inserted over the small end of the inner tubular member 10, taking care that the open end 94 of the straight groove 82 which is to be used for cam purposes is aligned with the eyelet 22. Fourth, the ring 89 may be slid over the outer tubular member ll via the small end of the inner tubular member 'l0 and snapped into place by Vmeans of nibs 90. Fifth, the end member 13 may be locked in place over the small end of the inner tubular member 10. Sixth, the carrier l5 may be propelled by relative rotation of the tubular members 'll-12 for extension to one end of the container. Seventh, a closure cap 86 may be placed over the other end of the container. Eighth, the closure cap 85 and the exposed par-t of the outer tubular membel` 'H may be relatively rotated to retract the carrier against the central stop determined by one of the lugs Ell-92. Ninth, the other closure cap may be placed over the remaining open end of the container.

It will be appreciated that I have described improved and relatively simple swivel-type cosmetic or the like containers characterized by a selective double-ended operation and by employment of a common propulsion mechanism for both ends. My constructions feature a minimum of additional parts over those required for more or less conventional single-ended containers, and forms analogous to present three-piece and four-piece constructions may readily be made. All of my constructions incorporate safety features to assure propulsion of a lipstick only out of a free or open end of the container, and it is notv possible to drive. a lipstick against a closed end of the container. Also, as a feature of my construction, therelative twist or thehandsimayI be the same for lipstick propulsion no: matter which endof the container is tobe used; even though cam-divergence isv continuous and inthe same .direction inA a propulsion mechanism common to both ends of the container.

While I have described my invention in detail. for the preferred forms shown, it will be -understood that modiiications may be made within the scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

I claim:

1,'In a container of the character indicated; two relatively rotatable open-smiledv generally tubular members, a carrier longitudinally movable Within said members. a single propulsion system forvpropelling said carrier from oneend to the other of said members upon relative ro tation oi said members, closure means for selectively closing eachk open end oi said container, means relatively rotating said members to propel said carrier only `out one end of said container externally accessible for manual ac tuation when only one end of said container is closed by said closure means, and the other means for relatively rotating said members to propel said carrier only out ci said otherend of said container and externally accessible for manual actuation when only said onel end oi said container is closedv by said closure mea-ns.

2. In a container of the character indicated, tWo relatively rotatablel open-endedv generally tubular members, a carrier, longitudinally movable within said members, a single propulsion system for propelling said carrier from" one end of said members to the other upon: relative rotation of said members, rst and second closure means for selectively closing each open end of said container, means cooperating with said first closure means upon closure oi one openend of said container for preventing such relative rotation of said tubular members as will propel a carrier-supported lipstick orthe like against said first closure means while atthe same time relatively freely permitting such relative rotation oi said tubular members .as Will propel a1 carrier-supported lipstick away v from' said nrst closure means, and means cooperating with said second closure means When'theother open end is closed for preventing such relative rotation of said tubular members as will propel a lipstick on said carrier against said second closure. means While at the Sametime relatively freely permitting such relative rotation or saidtubular members as will propel a carrier-supported lipstick away from said second closure means;

3. In a container oi the character indica-ted; two relatively rotatable open-'endedv generally tubular nfiernbers,V propulsion means on said members and common to both ends oi saidcontainer, carrier longitudinally movable by propulsion means and within-said members: upon relative rotation o said-'members said-car rier being retractedA from both said endsv when in .'a longitudinally central position, separate closure means for selectively closing each of the open ends oi said container, and means separately cooperating with each said closure meamwhen both said endshave been closedior e-iec` tively holding said carrier in retractedtposition intermediate said ends.A

4. in a container of thecharacterindicated; two relatively rotatable open-ended generally tubular` members, continuous; propulsion-cam means runningv effectively from end. to; enduof samlfsfmembersy` a: carrier'flonfgitudinally movable within" said members and including means' engagingV saidcams means for-propulsion of said carrier uponl relativerotation of Vsaidv members,- a longitudinally centrally located externally eX- posedfring non-,rotatively Vrelated to one of said` tubular members,- Whereby said ring may be a means for manual actuation ofthe ,tubular-'membertowhich said vringvis non-'rotatively related; a removable closure cap slidably4` receivable' over one open end of said containerfor limiting abutment'vvith saidring, and radially movablemeans carried; by one of said tubular members' and movably engageablewvith saidaclosure cap uponplacement of the same, said last-dened'means preventingcarrier propulsion toward said cap after placement thereof While permitting carrier propulsion away fromv said' cap,

5; lnl al container'of the character` indicated, relatively rotatable openendedV tubularY members, a carrier longitudinally movable Within said` members uponV relativev rotation ofsaidmexnbers, means formed out of an outer memberandengageable with aclosurev cap upon placement of the cap over one open end of said' container, said mea-ns; being-.effective while said one-endisclosed by thecaptoeprevent carrier propulsion in the direction of the cap, said means being ineffective While Athe other end is open to prevent carrier-propulsion in the di'- rectionv of the Vu-ncapned end:

6. In a container of the character indicated,` relatively rotatable open-ended :tubular members,

carrier longitudinally;movablevvithin saidmember-s upon relativel rotation thereof, 'the-available pathoi movement of said' carrierextending from substantially one end toxsubstantially the other end or said container, a movable dog carried by one-oi said members and'projecting for intern ception bya ciosure cap upon placement of the samel over an open end oi vsaid;container-,said dog' being movable when so intercepted effectively to limit-the extent-o1" relativerotation of saidV membersI to an extent determiningy substantially one half the said available pathof movement of said carrier; and' a secondmovable dog carried' by one of said members and vpir-meeting for interception bya-closure can uponplacementoi the same over the-=opposite open endorsaid'contaner, said' second-mentioned dogbeing movable' when so intercepted effectively to iirnit the `extent of relative rotation of said members to'v an extent determining' substantially the other half or said available path of movement.

7'. A container accord-ing towclaim 6, in which said carrier-includes: a radially extending foilower4 member",l With f propulsion means on'each Aor" said tubular .'members,` and inxvhich said: dog vis vmeved into: the"r pathof saidfol'l'ower member; upon interception by said cap.

8'.' In a container ofthe charactery indicated', relatively rotatab-le'open-ended tubular members, aancarrier longitudinally movable within and for substantially the full length: of saidl members upontrel l've rotation .thereofvover given range oi' relative-q angular' displacement;` first means including abutment movabiy responsive -to placement ci" a closure canv ever one openend of said container andectuable-toi determine a iirst permissibie^relativegangnlar. displacement of said members Withini said given range, further means-1 inciudingan abutment moyably responsive'ftoplaceinent Yof cl'osiurezcap overl the other ondate` said container: and actuable; to determine an second: relative', angela-1s` displacement of said members within said given range, said first angular displacement and said second angular displacement being eiectively angularly oset from one another and within said given range.

9. A container according to claim 8, in which said rst and said second permissible angular displacements effectively overlap for a relative angular position of said members wherein said carrier is longitudinally retracted from lboth ends of said container.

10. In a container of the character indicated, a carrier including a cam follower, an openended inner tubular member, a sleeve member outside said inner tubular member, said members having relatively diverging generally longitudinally extending slots to cooperate with said carrier cam follower for longitudinal propulsion of the carrier within said inner tubular member, actuating means non-rotatably related to said sleeve member and generally longitudinally centrally located for external manual access, and outer-casing means non-rotatably related to said inner tubular member and substantially encasing the otherwise exposed portions of said Sleeve member, and separate dog means carried at both ends by said outer casing means and cooperating with closure cap means placed over the respective ends to limit carrier propulsion toward za closed end of said container, whereby lipstick or the like on said carrier may be propelled upon relative rotation of said manually accessible means and of said outer-casing means only out an open end of said container.

11. In a container of the character indicated, two relatively rotatable open-ended generally tubular members, :a carrier member longitudinally movable within said members upon relative rotation thereof, a dog angularly retained by one of said tubular members and including a part projecting for interception by a closure cap upon 'Y placement of the closure cap over one end of said container, abutment means on another of said members for interception by said dog and serving when so engaged to limit the longitudinal propulsion of said carrier to a fraction of the otherwise available total longitudinal propulsion of said carrier, said dog including means projecting for angular interlocking engagement with a discontinuity on the closure cap, whereby propulsion of said carrier to the extent represented by said fraction may be achieved upon manually operated relative rotation of the closure cap and of the other of said tubular members.

12. In a container of the character indicated, a carrier, an open-ended inner tubular member and an open-ended outer tubular member having cooperating cam means to propel said carrier within said members to either open end thereof, means at each end of said inner tubular member for relatively non-rotatable engagement with a closure cap placed over each end of said container, whereby when a closure cap is placed over one end of said container said carrier may be propelled toward the other end upon a manual grasping of the closure cap and of the exposed part of the outer tubular member, and separate rotationlimiting means at each end of said container and including separate actuating elements separately engageable with closure caps placed over the respective ends of said container.

13. In a container of the character indicated, two relatively rotatable open-ended generally tubular members, a carrier longitudinally movable within said' members, carrier-propulsion means carried with said tubular members and common to both ends of said container, externally exposed manually operable means for relative rotation of said members, a closure cap for each open end of said container, deformable means carried at one end of said container and actuable upon placement of a closure cap over said one end to resist carrier` displacement to- Iward said one end, and further deformable means carried at the other end ci said container and actuable upon placement of a closure cap over said other end to resist carrier displacement toward said other end.

le. A container according to claim 13, and including key means non-rotatably related to the inner of said tubular members and keyingly engageable with a closure cap, whereby a selected one of said closure caps may be utilized through said inner tubular member to drive said carrier toward an uncovered end of said container.

15. A container according to claim 13, and including key means non-rotatably related to the outer of said tubular members and keyingly engageable with a closure cap, whereby a selected one of said closure caps may be utilized through said outer tubular member to drive said carrier toward an uncovered end of said container.

16. In a container of the character indicated, two relatively rotatable open-ended generally tubular members, a carrier member longitudinally movable within said members, propulsion means on said members for said carrier member and common to both ends of said container, generally tubular closure caps fitting over the open ends of said container, iirst dog means coacting,T between one of said caps and one of said members for limiting carrier propulsion in the direction toward the end closed by said one cap, and second dog means coacting between the other of said caps and one of said members for limiting carrier propulsion toward the end closed by said other cap.

17. A container according to claim 16, in which said dog means are separately and integrally formed out of the tubular member adjacent each cap, and in which said caps are free-swiveling on said container.

18. A container according to claim 16, in which said dog means are separately and integrally formed out of the tubular member adjacent each cap, and in which said caps non-rotatably engage said dog means.

19. In a container of the character indicated. two relatively rotatable sleeves open at both ends and including means retaining the same against axial separation, a carrier within the inner sleeve. carrier-propulsion means common to both ends of said container and including an externally projecting elongated rib on the outer sleeve, said rib dening an inwardly open cam slot, camfollower means in said slot, and two outwardly deformed inwardly movable lugs carried by said rib, each lug being in inwardly deformed intercepting relation with said cam-follower means when a closure cap is placed over an end of said container.

20. A container according to claim 19, in which said lugs are centrally located along said container and are axially spaced substantially the axial thickness of said cam-follower means, whereby said carrier may be centrally retained when both ends of the container are closed by closure caps.

21. A container according to claim 4, in which said outer member includes key means for non- 17 rotating engagement with said closure cap when placed over said outer member, whereby With said closure cap over said outer member at one end of said container and with the other end of said container open said carrier may be propelled upon manually actuated relative rotation of said closure cap and of said ring.

ROBERT B. HOPGOOD.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,054,229 Methven Feb. 25, 1913 1,732,875 Anderson Oct. 22, 1929 1,909,988 Vogel May 23, 1933 Number Number

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