FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to cosmetic treatments for hair loss and, more specifically, relates to a dispenser for depositing a particulate product.

BACKGROUND

Most people are not happy with the change in their appearance occasioned by loss of hair and changes in hair quality and color. One has only to look at the number of products directed towards improving the characteristics of hair that one can find in a typical drug store. In the United States alone billions of dollars are spent each year on hair related products.

Although there are a range of options for treating hair loss ranging from drugs (relatively ineffective and prone to side effects) to surgical methods (expensive and often painful), many people have opted for a cosmetic approach that does not cure hair loss but merely masks it. The simplest cosmetic approach involves treating the areas of thinning hair with a masking composition that minimizes the appearance of a bald region by coloring the scalp to match the hair. Such a treatment will minimize the appearance of a thinning region, but it can be difficult to apply such a coloring agent along a thinning hairline with convincing results. Furthermore, this approach is less effective for white or gray hair as the coloration of the scalp does little to blend in the thinning spot. In addition, this cosmetic approach does little to increase the apparent thickness of the hair.

Therefore, a more satisfactory cosmetic approach is the application of a colored or uncolored particulate product comprising buildable or non-buildable fibers, powders, particles, pellets, and/or any other small piece of material to scalp areas in need of cosmetic treatment. As used herein, the particulate product includes all types of fibers, powder, particles, pellets and/or other small piece of material used to enhance the appearance of hair thickness and to disguise the appearance of hair thinness. Ideally, the particulate product is colored to match the natural hair color of the user and exhibit properties such that static electricity or other similar interactions allow them to adhere to the hair strands as well as the scalp. Treatment with a particulate product can result in a very convincing appearance of thickened hair as well as a reduction in the obviousness of balding regions.

The most apparent difficulty with the use of a particulate product is the application of the particulate product to the scalp. The usual means of application is to sprinkle the particulate product over the regions in need of treatment. For this reason, the particulate product is often packaged in salt shaker-like containers. However, it may be difficult for the user to evenly sprinkle the material in the proper areas. At least one inventor has attempted to solve this difficulty by developing a device to spray the material into position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,781 to Ukaji et al. shows a spraying device which uses a source of pressurized gas propellant to deliver a stream of a particulate product by directing the gas stream over the surface of a container filled with the material. The gas stream picks up the particulate product and propels it out a nozzle. U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,522 to Kress discloses a simple hand operated device for dispensing a particulate product. U.S. Pat. No. 8,172,115 to Mulhauser et al. shows a spraying device which uses a bulb that provides air for suspending the particulate product and can be used with one hand. However, none of these dispensers allow for both broader and targeted coverage of the particulate product in a manner that is ergonomic and intuitive.

It would therefore be beneficial to provide a dispenser for depositing a particulate product that fallows for a dual system for both broad and targeted dispensing of the particulate product with minimal clumping thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides, in one or more embodiments, a dispenser comprising a dispenser body comprising a body wall extending along a longitudinal axis from a closed end to an open end and defining an interior cavity for storage of a particulate product; a sifter assembly coupleable to the open end of the dispenser body, the sifter assembly comprising a first plate with a plurality of perforations extending therethrough, at least a portion of the plurality of perforations having a lobed shape, the particulate product being flowable through the plurality of perforations, and a cap assembly defining a closed end and being coupleable to one of the dispenser body and the sifter assembly such that the first plate of the sifter assembly is positioned between the open end of the dispenser body and the closed end of the cap assembly, the cap assembly comprising a closeable orifice formed in the closed end thereof and configured to align with one or more of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape when the cap assembly, the sifter assembly, and the dispenser body are in an assembled configuration, wherein the closeable orifice has an area that is less than an area of the closed end of the cap assembly such that, when the cap assembly, the sifter assembly, and the dispenser body are in the assembled configuration, the particulate product is flowable through the one or more of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape that are aligned with the closeable orifice.

The present disclosure includes, without limitation, the following example embodiments.

Example Embodiment 1: A dispenser comprising: a dispenser body comprising a body wall extending along a longitudinal axis from a closed end to an open end and defining an interior cavity for storage of a particulate product; a sifter assembly coupleable to the open end of the dispenser body, the sifter assembly comprising a first plate with a plurality of perforations extending therethrough, at least a portion of the plurality of perforations having a lobed shape, the particulate product being flowable through the plurality of perforations, and a cap assembly defining a closed end and being coupleable to one of the dispenser body and the sifter assembly such that the first plate of the sifter assembly is positioned between the open end of the dispenser body and the closed end of the cap assembly, the cap assembly comprising a closeable orifice formed in the closed end thereof and configured to align with one or more of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape when the cap assembly, the sifter assembly, and the dispenser body are in an assembled configuration, wherein the closeable orifice has an area that is less than an area of the closed end of the cap assembly such that, when the cap assembly, the sifter assembly, and the dispenser body are in the assembled configuration, the particulate product is flowable through the one or more of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape that are aligned with the closeable orifice.

Example Embodiment 2: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the dispenser body is non-rigid and depressible upon application of pressure thereto.

Example Embodiment 3: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the sifter assembly is permanently coupled to or removable from the dispenser body.

Example Embodiment 4: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the dispenser body comprises a bayonet-style lock arranged around a periphery of the open end of the dispenser body and the sifter assembly comprises a lug-style lock arranged around an inner periphery of the sifter assembly, and wherein upon alignment of the bayonet-style lock with the lug-sty le lock, the sifter assembly is coupled to the dispenser body.

Example Embodiment 5: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the sifter assembly comprises a second plate with a plurality of perforations, at least a portion of the plurality of perforations of the second plate having a lobed shape, and being arranged between the first plate and the open end of the dispenser body, the particulate product being flowable through the plurality of perforations of the second plate and the plurality of perforations of the first plate.

Example Embodiment 6: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the second plate is rotated about its central axis relative to the first plate by between about 30 degrees and about 35 degrees, such that the plurality of perforations of the second plate are offset from and at least partially overlap with the plurality of perforations of the first plate.

Example Embodiment 7: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape of at least one of the first plate and the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape of the second plate define a V-shape, a triad shape, a four-lobed shape, a five lobed-shape, or a lobed shape with any number of lobes.

Example Embodiment 8: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the at least one of the first plate and the second plate has the plurality of perforations in a first size and a second size.

Example Embodiment 9: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape in at least one of the first plate and the second plate each comprises a center and radially -extending arms, and wherein an area of the center of each of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape of the first size is the same as an area of the center of each of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape of the second size, and a length of the radially -extending arms of each of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape of the first size is longer than a length of the radially - extending arms of each of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape of the second size

Example Embodiment 10: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the plurality of perforations of at least one of the first plate and the second plate is arranged in different orientations in alternating rows such that the plurality of perforations are arranged in a first orientation in one row and a second, different orientation in an adjacent row.

Example Embodiment 11: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the plurality of perforations arranged in the first orientation in the one row is rotated about 60 degrees from the plurality of perforations arranged in the second, different orientation in the adjacent row.

Example Embodiment 12: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the cap assembly comprises a cap defining the closeable orifice in the closed end thereof, and a nozzle defining a passageway extending therethough.

Example Embodiment 13: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the nozzle is movable between a closed position, where the nozzle is proximate to the cap such that the passageway of the nozzle is not aligned with the closeable orifice, so as to substantially prevent the particulate product from flowing therethrough, and an open position, where the nozzle is angled relative to the cap such that the passageway of the nozzle is aligned with the closeable orifice in the cap, so as to allow the particulate product to flow through the closeable orifice in the cap and the passageway of the nozzle.

Example Embodiment 14: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the cap comprises shoulders converging toward a center of the cap so as to form a gripping portion of the cap, and wherein a depression is fonned between the shoulders such that when the nozzle is in the closed position, the nozzle is retained within the depression and when the nozzle is in the open position, the nozzle extends out of the depression at an angle of between about 92 degrees and about 98 degrees relative to the depression.

Example Embodiment 15: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the plurality of perforations is arranged about a central portion of the first plate, the central portion of the first plate having an area that is less than or substantially the same as the area of the closed end of the cap but greater than the area of the closeable orifice such that the closed end of the cap substantially covers the central portion of the first plate except for where the closeable orifice of the cap aligns with the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape of the first plate. Example Embodiment 16: In some example embodiments of the dispenser of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the particulate product is at least one of a fiber, a powder, a particle, a pellet, or another small piece of material.

Example Embodiment 17: A method for making a dispenser for depositing a particulate product to a target region, the method comprising: fdling an interior cavity of a dispenser body with the particulate product, the dispenser body comprising a body wall extending along a longitudinal axis from a closed end to an open end and defining the interior cavity therein; coupling a sifter assembly to the open end of the dispenser body, the sifter assembly comprising a first plate with a plurality of perforations extending therethrough, at least a portion of the plurality of perforations having a lobed shape, the particulate product being flowable through the plurality of perforations; and coupling a cap assembly defining a closed end to one of the dispenser body and the sifter assembly such that the first plate of the sifter assembly is positioned between the open end of the dispenser body and the closed end of the cap assembly, the cap assembly comprising a closeable orifice formed in the closed end thereof and configured to align with one or more of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape when the cap assembly, the sifter assembly, and the dispenser body are in an assembled configuration, wherein the closeable orifice has an area that is less than an area of the closed end of the cap assembly such that, when the cap assembly, the sifter assembly, and the dispenser body are in the assembled configuration, the particulate product is flowable through the one or more of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape that are aligned with the closeable orifice.

Example Embodiment 18: In some example embodiments of the method of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, coupling the sifter assembly comprises aligning a bayonet-style lock arranged around a periphery of the open end of the dispenser body with a lug-style lock arranged around a periphery of the sifter assembly so as to couple the sifter assembly to the dispenser body.

Example Embodiment 19: In some example embodiments of the method of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, the sifter assembly comprises a second plate with a plurality of perforations, at least a portion of the plurality of perforations of the second plate having a lobed shape, and the method further comprises arranging the second plate between the first plate and the open end of the dispenser body, the particulate product being flowable through the plurality of perforations of the second plate and the plurality of perforations of the first plate.

Example Embodiment 20: In some example embodiments of the method of any preceding example embodiment, or any combination of any preceding example embodiments, arranging the second plate further comprises rotating the second plate about its central axis relative to the first plate by between about 30 degrees and about 35 degrees, such that the plurality of perforations of the second plate are offset from and at least partially overlap with the plurality of perforations of the first plate.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure or recited in any one or more of the claims, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific embodiment description or claim herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and embodiments, should be viewed as intended to be combinable, unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A is a front perspective view of an example embodiment of a dispenser comprising a dispenser body, a sifter assembly, and a cap assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. IB is a side view of the example embodiment of the dispenser shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a front view of the example embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 1 A.

FIG. ID is a top view of the example embodiment of the dispenser of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a body portion of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 A is an exploded view of an example embodiment of a sifter assembly and an upper portion of a dispenser body illustrating an example of the alignment of the parts thereof according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is an assembled view of the sifter assembly and the full dispenser body, where the sifter assembly is shown as being transparent for purposes of illustrating how the sifter assembly is coupled with the dispenser body.

FIG. 4A is a top view of a sifter assembly of a dispenser according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the sifter assembly of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 A is an exploded bottom view of a sifter assembly of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional view of the sifter assembly of FIG. 5 A.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sifter assembly of a dispenser with particulate product flowing therethrough according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a cap assembly of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8A is an exploded view of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a cap assembly being aligned with an assembled dispenser body and sifter assembly of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10A is a partial cross-sectional view of a cap assembly of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure where a nozzle of the cap assembly is in an open position. FIG. 1 OB is a further, partial cross-sectional view of the cap assembly and a sifter assembly coupled to a dispenser body of the dispenser where the nozzle is in the open position.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cap assembly of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure where a nozzle of the cap assembly is in a closed position.

FIG. 12 is a photograph of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating particulate product flowing through a plurality of perforations of a sifter assembly for broad application of the particulate product to a target region.

FIG. 13 is a photograph of a dispenser according to embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating particulate product flowing through a nozzle of a cap assembly for targeted application of the particulate product to a target region.

FIG. 14 is a method flow diagram of a method for making a dispenser for depositing a particulate product to a target region.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used in this specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The present disclosure relates to dispensers, wherein the dispensers are adapted to or configured to dispense a particulate product. The particulate product, within the meaning of this disclosure, is any material provided as a plurality of small pieces, such as, for example, at least one of a fiber, a powder, a particle, a pellet, another small piece of material, or any combination of the above. In some embodiments, the particulate product is specifically shaped, including being in the form of elongate fibers. The elongate fibers may be buildable (often referred to as hair building solids) such that the dispensed elongate fibers may be layered on top of one another to mimic hair and provide scalp coverage. Otherwise, the elongate fibers may not be buildable, such that only a single layer of the fibers is needed in order to give the appearance of hair and provide scalp coverage. The elongate fibers may be of different lengths, thicknesses, shapes, consistencies, and/or shades so as to mimic the appearance of hair.

An example of such a dispenser is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, which provide exterior views of a dispenser 100 showing exterior features thereof. As seen therein, the dispenser 100 can include a dispenser body 102 comprising a body wall 104 extending along a longitudinal axis from a closed end 106 to an open end 108. The body wall 104 can be in any shape or size. A distance that the body wall 104 extends between the closed end 106 and the open end 108 defines a height or length of the dispenser body 102. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the body wall 104 is of a cylindrical shape; although the body wall 104 may be any type of shape such as, for example, quadrilateral, conical, spherical, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the body wall 104 may comprise a lower portion 110 and an upper portion 112. The upper portion 112 may have a smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the lower portion 110, may have a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the lower portion 110, or may be substantially the same in cross-sectional area as the cross-sectional area of the lower portion 110. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper portion 112 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the lower portion 110. Though described as different elements, the lower portion 110 and the upper portion 112 may be integrally joined together so as to form a monolithic body wall 104, or they may be separable components.

The body wall 104 may define an interior cavity 114 for storage of a particulate product 116. The interior cavity 114 may extend an entirety of the length of the dispenser body 102 or only a portion thereof. For example, the interior cavity 114 may extend from the lower portion 110 of the body wall 104, which defines the closed end 106, to the upper portion 112 of the body wall 104, which defines the open end 108. The body wall 104 of the dispenser body 102 may be non-rigid and depressible upon application of pressure thereto, as illustrated in FIG. 2. More particularly, the body wall 104 may be flexible, such that the body wall 104 may be laterally compressible by a user so as to push air and particulate product 116 out of the interior cavity 114. Laterally compressing the body wall 104 while the dispenser body 102 is inverted, utilizes gravity to urge the particulate product 116 to flow from the closed end 106 where it settles towards the open end 108. The body wall 104 may be comprised of a polymer, such as, for example, high density Polyethy lene (HDPE), Polypropylene, or low densit Polyethylene (LDPE), to enable compressibility thereof, or any other material that allows for deformation of the body wall 104. Notably, HDPE is recyclable and widely available such that it may be desirably used as the material for the body wall 104, although any recyclable and compressible material could be used. Thus, in light of the deformability of the dispenser body 102 due in part to its material, the dispenser 100 may not require any additional components to create pressure or suspend the particulate product 116 prior to use. However, the dispenser 100 may utilize a pressurized propellant, squeeze bulb, or other additional components to generate additional pressure.

The dispenser 100 may also comprise a sifter assembly 118 coupleable to the open end 108 of the dispenser body 102. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 A and 3B, the sifter assembly 118 may comprise at least a first plate 120 with a plurality of perforations 122 extending therethrough, as well as a sifter wall 124 extending around a periphery of the first plate 120. The sifter wall 124 may comprise a lower portion 126 and an upper portion 128. The lower portion 126 of the sifter wall 124 may be arranged to interface with and couple to the open end 108 of the dispenser body 102, such as the upper portion 112 of the body wall 104. The upper portion 128 of the sifter wall 124 may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the lower portion 126 of the sifter wall 124, may have a larger cross-sectional area than the lower portion 126 of the sifter w all 124, or may be substantially the same in cross-sectional area as the lower portion 126 of the sifter wall 124. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, for example, the upper portion 128 of the sifter wall 124 has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the lower portion 126 of the sifter wall 124. Though described as different elements, the lower portion 126 and the upper portion 128 may be integrally joined together so as to form a monolithic sifter wall 124. or they may be separable components.

The sifter assembly 118 may be permanently coupled (i.e., irremovably attached with or difficult to remove by a user) or removably coupled (i.e., able to be removed by a user) to the dispenser body 102.

Where the sifter assembly 118 is permanently coupled to the dispenser body 102, the dispenser 100 may be discarded after no particulate product 116 remains in the interior cavity 114. By comparison, where the sifter assembly 118 is removable from the dispenser body 102, the dispenser 100 may be refillable by removing the sifter assembly 118 from the dispenser body 102 and filling the interior cavity 114 with additional particulate product 116.

The lower portion 126 of the sifter wall 124 may comprise a locking mechanism that may permanently or removably interface with a corresponding locking mechanism on the body wall 104, such as the upper portion 112. Such locking mechanisms may include, for example, a threaded mechanism, a magnetic mechanism, a press-fit mechanism, an adhesive, and the like. One example locking mechanism is illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, where the dispenser body 102 comprises a bayonet-style lock 130 arranged around an exterior periphery of the open end 108 of the dispenser body 102, such as the upper portion 112 of the body wall 104. A bayonet-style lock 130 is characterized by a barbed protrusion 134 as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The barbed protrusion 134 may be oriented to the right or to the left. Correspondingly, the sifter assembly 118 may comprise a lug-style lock 132 arranged around an inner periphery of the sifter assembly 118, such as on an interior of the lower portion 126 of the sifter wall 124. A lug-style lock 132 is characterized by a rigid protrusion 136, as illustrated in FIG. 3A. Upon alignment of the bayonet-style lock 130 with the lug-style lock 132, a twist of the sifter assembly 118 either clockwise (for a right facing barbed protrusion 134, as in FIGS. 3A and 3B) or counter clockwise (for a left facing barbed protrusion) may securely engage the rigid protrusion 136 of the lug-style lock 132 behind the barbed protrusion 134 of the bayonet-style lock 130. In this manner, the sifter assembly 118 may be coupled to the dispenser body 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, one example of the first plate 120 is illustrated. The first plate 120 may comprise two opposing, substantially planar surfaces that define a disc as in FIGS. 4A and 4B, or may have one or more surface that is convex, concave, curved, angled, etc., with an oval shape, a triangular shape, a quadrilateral shape, and the like. The surfaces of the first plate 120 may be substantially continuous with the plurality of protrusions 122 extending therethrough so that the particulate product 116 is flowable through the protrusions 122, or may have one or more individual compartments or chambers housing individual portions of the particulate product 116. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the opposing surfaces of the first plate 120 are both substantially continuous such that the particulate product 116 has the ability to flow through all the protrusions 122.

As shown in FIGS. 4 A and 4B, at least a portion of the plurality of perforations 122 of the first plate 120 have a lobed shape. Of the plurality of perforations 122 provided on the first plate 120, all of the perforations may be lobed shape. However, not all of the perforations need have a lobed shape. For example, any percentage over 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, 80 percent, or 90 percent may have a lobed shape. In some example embodiments, the percentage of perforations having a lobed shape is between about 80 percent to about 90 percent. The lobed shape may be desirable to allow the particulate product 116 to be flowable (i.e., the ability to move from one region to another region) therethrough, while minimizing clumping of the product as it is dispensed. Clumping may be caused by many factors, such as air moisture, temperature, location, and fiber pigmentation. Overall, the lobes minimize clumping by having a multi directional opening pattern due to the arrangement of the lobes. Clumping may be further minimized by the pressure build during the compression of the dispenser body 102. A dehumidifying product arranged within / about the dispenser, such as a moisture sorbent (e.g., desiccant additives) to reduce or add moisture, vent openings, and the like may also be used to minimize clumping. Accordingly, by minimizing clumping, the particulate product 116 is more randomly distributed (i.e., without a particular pattern or orientation) to a target area (e g., a scalp) to provide natural looking scalp coverage that mimics hair.

As used herein, a lobed shape refers to a geometric shape comprising a center 138 and radially- extending arms 140 that extend outwardly from the center 138, such as, for example, a V-shape, a triad shape, a four-lobed shape, a five lobed-shape, or a lobed shape with any number of lobes extending from the center 138. If all of the perforations do not have a lobed shape, the non-lobed shape perforations may be any shape, such as, for example, circular, triangular, square, etc. The center 138 of the lobed shape perforations may be any shape, such as a circular, triangular, square, etc., with the arms 140 extending outwardly therefrom. The arms 140 may also be any shape or size. In some embodiments, the arms 140 are generally elongate and equally spaced apart from each other relative to the center 138. In some embodiments, however, the arms 140 may not be equally spaced apart from one another and/or may be different lengths. The distance between each radially -extending arm 140 may be dependent on the number of radially- extending arms 140 of each lobed shape perforation. For example, a v-shaped perforation may have two arms 140 spaced about 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, etc., from each other. In another example, a triad-shaped perforation, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, may have three arms 140 equally spaced about 120 degrees from each other.

The plurality of perforations 122 may be arranged about a central portion 142 (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 4A) of the first plate 120. The central portion 142 of the first plate 120 may be inset from a periphery of the first plate 120, so that there is an annular portion 144 of the first plate 120 between the periphery and the central portion 142 in which there are no perforations.

In this central portion 142, there may be any number of perforations, such as for example, between about 10, about 20, about 30, about 40, about 50, about 60, about 70, about 80, about 90, or about 100 perforations 122. There may also be more perforations or fewer perforations. In some example embodiments, there are about 40 perforations 122. The perforations 122 may be of different sizes or they may all be the same size depending on a desired number of perforations within the central portion 142 and/or a desired area of the central portion 142. For example, there may be a single size of perforations, two different sizes of perforations, three different sizes, etc. Where there are perforations of different sizes, an area of the center 138 of each of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape of the one size may be the same as an area of the center 138 of each of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape of another size, and a length of the radially -extending arms 140 of each of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape of the one size may be longer than a length of the radially -extending arms 140 of each of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape of the other size. However, the centers 138 of each of the perforations may be of differing sizes and the radially -extending arms 140 are of the same size. For example, there may be a single size of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape or there may be at least two sizes (a first size and a second size) of the plurality of perforations 122. Where there are at least two sizes of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape, the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape in at least one of the first plate 120 (and optionally the second plate 146) each comprises a center 138 and radially -extending arms 140, and wherein an area of the center 138 of each of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape of the first size is the same as an area of the center 138 of each of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape of the second size, and a length of the radially -extending arms 140 of each of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape of the first size is longer than a length of the radially -extending arms 140 of each of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape of the second size.

It may be desirable for the most optimized dispensing of the particulate product 116 to have a central portion 142 with about 40 perforations therein, all being substantially or exactly the same size. In another embodiment, there may be 50 perforations, where there are 44 large perforations, 2 medium perforations that are about 25% smaller than the large perforations, and 4 small perforations that are about 50% smaller than the large perforations. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, for example, all the perforations have a lobed shape and are the same size. There, an area of the center 138 of each of the plurality of perforations 122 are all the same as are a length of the radially -extending arms 140 of each of the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape.

In some embodiments, the plurality of perforations 122 of the first plate 120 is arranged in different orientations in alternating rows (i.e., adjacent rows). However, the plurality of perforations 122 may be arranged in a same orientation. As used herein, “orientation” refers to a direction of the lobes. Perforations whose corresponding lobes face in the same direction are in a same orientation, whereas perforations whose corresponding lobes face in a different direction are in a different orientation. For example, and as illustrated in FIG. 4A, there are seven evenly spaced rows (A-G), where a row is defined as a horizontal sequence of perforations that have centers 138 aligned with one another through a horizontal parallel line. So that all of the perforations remain within the central portion 142 of the first plate 120, there may be a differing number and/or size and/or shape of perforations 122 in each row. For example, and in FIG. 4A, in rows A, B, F, and G there are five perforations 122 of the same size. In rows C and E there are seven perforations 122 of the same size, and in row D there are six perforations 122 of the same size. Each of the perforations 122 in rows A-G are substantially or exactly the same size in FIGS. 4A and 4B, but they may be of differing sizes, as well. Notably, due to manufacturing methods, a center of the first plate 120 may remain without any perforation whatsoever.

In some embodiments, the pattern of the perforations 122 may differ between rows or may be substantially similar. For example, the plurality of perforations 122 may be arranged in a first orientation in one row and a second, different orientation in an adjacent row, such that alternating rows have perforations 122 in different orientations. For example, the plurality of perforations 122 arranged in the first orientation in the one row (i.e., rows A, C, E, and G) is rotated about 60 degrees from the plurality of perforations 122 arranged in the second, different orientation in the adjacent row (i.e., rows B, D and F). As such, the perforations 122 in rows A, C, E, and G all have the same orientation, which differs from the orientation of the perforations 122 in rows B, D, and F, which all have the same orientation.

In some embodiments, and as illustrated in FIGS. 5 A and 5B, the sifter assembly 118 may comprise a second plate 146 with a plurality of perforations 148. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, at least a portion of the plurality of perforations 148 of the second plate 146 have a lobed shape. The second plate 146 may be substantially similar to the first plate 120, and the shape, size, orientation, and arrangement of the plurality of perforations 148 of the second plate 146 may be substantially similar to the plurality of perforations 122 of the first plate 120; though, one or more of the shape, size, orientation, and arrangement of the perforations 148 and/or other defining features of the second plate 146 may differ from those of the first plate 120. The second plate 146 may be arranged between the first plate 120 and the open end 108 of the dispenser body 102, so that the particulate product 116 is flowable through the plurality of perforations 148 of the second plate 146 and the plurality of perforations 122 of the first plate 120.

The second plate 146 may be permanently or removably coupled to the sifter assembly 118. For example, the second plate 146 is aligned with the sifter assembly 118 and retained in place using a snap fitting or any known method. In other examples, the second plate 146 is integrally formed with the first plate 120 or otherwise joined thereto using radio-frequency (RF) welding, heat welding, an adhesive, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the two plates 120, 146 may not be in direct contact, such that there is a small air gap 150 of between about 0.0005 and 0.010 millimeters (mm) between the two plates. In some example embodiments, where snap fitting is used, the air gap 150 may be between about 0.001 mm to about 0.005 mm. The air gap 150 may allow air flow between the first plate 120 and the second plate 146 so as to aid in breaking down clumps between the first and second plates 120, 146. When the second plate 146 is aligned with the first plate 120, the second plate 146 may be rotated about its central axis relative to the first plate 120 by between about 25 degrees and about 40 degrees, such that the plurality of perforations 148 of the second plate 146 are offset from and at least partially overlap with the plurality of perforations 122 of the first plate 120. In some example embodiments, the rotation of the second plate 146 relative to the first plate 120 may be between about 30 degrees and about 35 degrees. A notch 152 in the second plate 146 may be strategically placed to align with a corresponding protrusion 154 beneath the first plate 120 (FIG. 5A) so that when the two are aligned, the second plate 146 is rotated relative to the first plate 120. Thus, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, the first plate 120 may act as a sifter to distribute particulate product 116 flowing through the perforations 122 and the second plate 146 may act like a filter so as to filter out particulate product 116 of a larger size through the perforations 148. The first plate 120 and the second plate 146 may cooperate to minimize clumping by forcing the individual particulates of the particulate product 116 through two different perforations 122, 148 that are not aligned with one another. In particular, and where the particulate product 116 comprises fiber particulates, the first and second plates 120 and 146 may be aligned so that the perforations 122, 148 overlap to de-clump and randomize distribution of the fiber particulates.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A-1D, the dispenser 100 may also comprise a cap assembly 156. The cap assembly 156 may comprise a cap 158 and a nozzle 160, where the cap 158 comprises at least a cap wall 162. The cap assembly 156 may define a closed end 164 (see, FIG. 7), which may be formed on a surface substantially surrounded by the cap wall 162. The cap wall 162 may be arranged to interface with and couple to one of the dispenser body 102 and the sifter assembly 118, such that the cap assembly 156 is coupleable to one of the dispenser body 102 and the sifter assembly 118. In this way, and as illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first plate 120 (and optionally the second plate 146) of the sifter assembly 118 is positioned between the open end 108 of the dispenser body 102 and the closed end 164 of the cap assembly 156.

The cap assembly 156 may be permanently coupled or removably coupled to one of the dispenser body 102 and the sifter assembly 118. The cap wall 162 may comprise a locking mechanism that may permanently or removably interface with a corresponding locking mechanism on the body wall 104 (e.g., the upper portion 112) or the sifter wall 124 (e.g., the upper portion 128). Such locking mechanisms may include, for example, a threaded mechanism, a magnetic mechanism, a press-fit mechanism, an adhesive, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, for example, the sifter assembly 118 (FIG. 8A) comprises threads 166 arranged around an outer periphery on the upper portion 128 of the sifter wall 124, while the cap assembly 156 (FIG. 7) comprises threads 168 arranged around an inner periphery of the cap wall 162. Upon alignment of the threads 168 on the cap assembly 156 with the threads 166 on the sifter assembly 118, a twist of the cap assembly 156 either clockwise (as in FIG. 9) or counter clockwise may removably couple the cap assembly 156 to the sifter assembly 118. In this manner, the cap assembly 156 is coupleable to the sifter assembly 118. Alternatively, threads may be arranged around a periphery of the upper portion 112 of the body wall 104 such that the threads 168 of the cap wall 162 may interface and couple to the dispenser body 102

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the cap assembly 156 may also comprise a closeable orifice 170 formed in the closed end 164 thereof. The closeable orifice 170 may be an opening having any shape (e.g., circular, square, polygonal, etc.) that extends through the closed end 164 of the cap 158, and which may be opened or closed upon manipulation of the nozzle 160 or another mechanism (e.g., a slideable or pivotable window that closes over the orifice, a retractable spout, a cover, and the like). The closeable orifice 170 may be configured to align with one or more of the plurality of perforations 122, 148 having the lobed shape of one or both of the first plate 120 and the second plate 146 when the cap assembly 156, the sifter assembly 118, and the dispenser body 102 are in an assembled configuration. As used herein, the closeable orifice 170 aligns with the one or more plurality of perforations 122, 148 having the lobed shape when any portion of the perforations 122, 148 having the lobed shape overlaps with the opening of the orifice. This is shown, in one example, in FIG. 10B.

The closeable orifice 170 may have an area that is less than an area of the closed end 164 of the cap assembly 156. For example, each of the closeable orifice 170 and the closed end 164 of the cap 158 may have a substantially circular shape, such that a diameter of the closeable orifice 170 is less than a diameter of the closed end 164 of the cap 158. The size of the closeable orifice 170 may be dictated by an amount necessary to have particulate product dispensed in a desired pattern and quantity. The area of the closeable orifice 170 may be defined by a number of lobes of the perforations having the lobed shape overlap with the closeable orifice. For example, the area of the closeable orifice 170 may overlap with one lobe of the perforations having the lobed shape, two lobes of the perforations having the lobed shape, three lobes of the perforations having the lobed shape, four lobes of the perforations having the lobed shape, etc. The more lobes of the perforations having the lobed shape that overlap with the closeable orifice the faster the flow of particulate product out of the closeable orifice 170, while the fewer lobes of the perforations having the lobed shape that overlap with the closeable orifice the slower the flow of particulate product out of the closeable orifice 170. In some example embodiments, the area of the closeable orifice 170 overlaps with three lobes of the perforations having the lobed shape. Thus, the combination of the area of the closeable orifice opening with the number of lobes of the perforations having the lobed shape 122, 148 of the first plate 120 and/or the second plate 146 that overlap with the closeable orifice 170 results in the desired dispensing. As such, when the cap assembly 156, the sifter assembly 118, and the dispenser body 102 are in the assembled configuration, the particulate product 116 is flowable through the one or more of the plurality of perforations 122, 148 having the lobed shape that are aligned with the closeable orifice 170.

The closed end 164 of the cap 158 may define a substantially planar surface. The substantially planar surface of the closed end 164 of the cap 158 may define an area that may be the same as, greater than, or less than an area of the central portion 142 of the first plate 120 and/or an area of a central portion 172 (indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 5 A) of the second plate 146. In order to seal the particulate product 116 within the interior cavity 114 when the cap assembly 156 is coupled to the sifter assembly 118 / dispenser body 102, it may be beneficial for the central portions 142, 172 of the first plate 120 and/or the second plate 146 to have an area that is less than or substantially the same as the area of the closed end 164 of the cap 158 but greater than the area of the closeable orifice 170. In this manner, the closed end 164 of the cap 158 substantially covers the central portion 142 of the first plate 120 (and/or the central portion 172 of the second plate 146) except for where the closeable orifice 170 of the cap 158 aligns with the plurality of perforations 122 having the lobed shape of the first plate 120 and/or the second plate 146. Accordingly, the particulate product 116 is flowable only through the plurality of perforations 122, 148 having the lobed shape of the first plate 120 and/or the second plate 146 that align with the closeable orifice 170. Turning now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the nozzle 160 may define a passageway 174 extending therethrough from a first end 176 to a second end 178. The passageway 174 may be an opening that is substantially constant in cross-section or may decrease or increase in width along the length of the nozzle 160 from the first end 176 to the second end 178. As illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the nozzle 160 decreases in cross-section along its length, so that the first end 176 is smaller in cross-section than the second end 178. The second end 178 may be movably attached to the cap 158, such as, for example, by a hinge, a pivot, a spring, and the like, so that the nozzle 160 is movable between a closed position and an open position. As shown in FIG. 10A, for example, the nozzle 160 includes a pivot axis 180 on which there is a protrusion 182 that interfaces with a corresponding notch 184 on the cap 158 when the nozzle 160 is in an open position and then moves out of notch 184 when the nozzle 160 is moved into a closed position.

Other mechanisms for moving the nozzle 160 and/or temporarily retaining the nozzle 160 in a certain position are also contemplated herein.

In the open position, the nozzle 160 may be angled relative to the cap 158 such that the passageway 174 of the nozzle 160 is aligned with the closeable orifice 170 in the cap 158, i.e., at least one of the plurality of perforations 122, 148 overlaps with the opening of the orifice 170. As illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the nozzle 160 may be substantially perpendicular to the cap 158 or may be at a slightly oblique angle relative to the cap 158, such as at between about 92 degrees and about 98 degrees relative to the cap 158. The protrusion 182 on the pivot axis 180 of the nozzle 160 is aligned and interfaces with the notch 184 on the cap 158, so as to temporarily retain the nozzle 160 in the open position at the desired angle (e.g., 95 degrees), which then allows the particulate product 116 to flow through the closeable orifice 170 in the cap 158 and the passageway 174 of the nozzle 160. A possible variation of + / - 1 degree in either direction of the desired angle is contemplated as a result of tolerances when manufacturing. In some example embodiments, the desired angle is about 95 degrees.

In the closed position, the nozzle 160 may be proximate to the cap 158 such that the passageway 174 of the nozzle 160 is not aligned with the closeable orifice 170, i.e., none of the plurality of perforations 122, 148 overlap with the opening in the orifice 170. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the nozzle 160 is proximate to the cap 158 when the nozzle 160 is at a substantially zero angle relative to the cap 158 in the closed position.

The protrusion 182 on the pivot axis 180 of the nozzle 160 is not aligned and does not interface with the notch 184 on the cap 158, so as to substantially prevent the particulate product 116 from flowing therethrough. Although the nozzle 160 being in the closed position prevents a large majority of the particulate product 116 from exiting the interior cavity 114 through the plurality of perforations 122, 148, a de minimis amount of particulate product 116 may remain in the nozzle 160 as residue.

In some example embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 9, the cap 158 comprises shoulders 186 converging toward a center of the cap 158 so as to form a gripping portion of the cap 158. The shoulders 186 may comprise two opposing, positively sloping surfaces that angle upward from the cap wall 162 toward a central axis of the cap 158 so as to form a grip. The gripping portion may be an ergonomic region of the cap 158 that may allow a user to firmly grasp and manipulate the cap 158 so as to remove the cap assembly 156 from the sifter assembly 118 and/or dispenser body 102. For example, the user may grasp the shoulders 186 with one hand and rotate the cap 158 counterclockwise so as to remove the cap 158 from the sifter assembly 118.

In some further example embodiments, a depression 188 may be formed between the shoulders 186. For example, the slope of the opposing surfaces may change as they near the central axis of the cap 158, such that they have a negative slope until they meet. As such, when the nozzle 160 is in the closed position, as in FIG. 9, the nozzle 160 is retained within the depression 188 so formed, and when the nozzle 160 is in the open position, as in FIG. 10 A, the nozzle 160 extends out of the depression 188 at an angle of between about 92 degrees and about 98 degrees relative to the depression 188 in the cap 158. In some example embodiments, the nozzle 160 extends out of the depression 180 at an angle of about 95 degrees.

Thus, it is apparent that when the cap assembly 156 is disassembled from the dispenser body 102and sifter assembly 118 (FIG. 12), the area of the central portion 142 of the first plate 120 and/or the second plate 146 is greater than an area of the closeable orifice 170. This allows the dispenser 100 to more broadly dispense the particulate product 116 from the plurality of perforations 122, 148 to a target region 190 (e.g., a scalp) than when the cap assembly 156 is assembled with the dispenser body 102 and the sifter assembly 118 (FIG. 13) and the closeable orifice 170 is open. When the cap assembly 156 is assembled with the dispenser body 102and the sifter assembly 118, and the closeable orifice 170 is open, a more targeted dispensing of the particulate product 116 to the target region 190 is provided. The ability to switch between two different systems of dispensing the particulate product 116 by merely uncoupling the cap assembly 156 from the sifter assembly 118 allows for quicker application of the particulate product 116 than as previously known.

The present method 200 is particularly beneficial in that is allows for providing a dispenser that allows for both broad and targeted dispensing of the particulate product, while preventing clumping thereof. The method 200 comprises a first step, 202, which includes filling an interior cavity of a dispenser body with the particulate product, the dispenser body comprising a body wall extending along a longitudinal axis from a closed end to an open end and defining the interior cavity therein. The method 200 comprises a second step, 204, which includes coupling a sifter assembly to the open end of the dispenser body, the sifter assembly comprising a first plate with a plurality of perforations extending therethrough, at least a portion of the plurality of perforations having a lobed shape, the particulate product being flowable through the plurality of perforations. The method 200 comprises a third step, 206, which includes coupling a cap assembly defining a closed end to one of the dispenser body and the sifter assembly such that the first plate of the sifter assembly is positioned between the open end of the dispenser body and the closed end of the cap assembly, the cap assembly comprising a closeable orifice formed in the closed end thereof and configured to align with one or more of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape when the cap assembly, the sifter assembly, and the dispenser body are in an assembled configuration, wherein the closeable orifice has an area that is less than an area of the closed end of the cap assembly such that, when the cap assembly, the sifter assembly, and the dispenser body are in the assembled configuration, the particulate product is flowable through the one or more of the plurality of perforations having the lobed shape that are aligned with the closeable orifice.

The words “about” or “substantially” as used herein can indicate that certain recited values or conditions are intended to be read as encompassing the expressly recited value or condition and also values or conditions that are relatively close thereto such as to vary by only a minor amount that may be accounted for as manufacturing variances or the like. For example, a value of “about” or “substantially” a certain number can indicate the specific number as well as values that vary therefrom (+ or -) by 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less. In some embodiments, the values may be defined as being express and, as such, the term “about” (and thus the noted variances) may be excluded from the express value. Similarly, a statement that a condition “substantially” exists can indicate the exact condition or a variance from the exact condition of, for example, (+ or -) by 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description; and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications of the present disclosure can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.