Systems, devices, and methods for dispensing and applying substances

Abstract

An apparatus for dispensing a substance (e.g., sunscreen) includes a body defining a receptacle. A cap is configured to be removably coupled to at least one axial end of the body. A container is removably disposable within the receptacle, the container defining an internal volume configured to contain a substance. A dispenser is coupled to the container and includes a dispenser cap coupled to a first axial end of the container. At least one dispensing opening is defined through the dispenser cap. The dispenser also includes a dispensing mechanism at least partially disposed within the container and configured to be selectively actuated to dispense the substance through the at least one dispensing opening. Methods of operation of various apparatuses for dispensing substances are also described.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a body defining a receptacle;   a cap configured to be removably coupled to an axial end of the body;   a container removably disposable within the receptacle, the container defining an internal volume configured to contain a substance; and   a dispenser coupled to the container, the dispenser including:   a dispenser cap coupled to an axial end of the container, at least one dispensing opening defined through the dispenser cap, and
 a dispensing mechanism at least partially disposed within the container and configured to be selectively actuated to dispense the substance through the at least one dispensing opening. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the dispenser cap includes:
 a first curved surface defining a first curvature; and   a second curved surface defining a second curvature that is different from the first curvature.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one dispensing opening is defined in a central location of the outer surface of the dispenser cap that is located between the first curved surface and the second curved surface. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the central location is substantially flat. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the central location defines a third curvature different from the first curvature and the second curvature. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the dispenser cap defines a dome-shaped portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one dispensing opening is disposed at an apex of the dome-shaped portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dispensing opening includes one or more slots. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one dispensing opening includes at least three openings. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the at least three openings are three slots that are arranged parallel to one another. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to be selectively actuated by being rotated about a longitudinal axis of the dispenser, and
 the at least one dispensing opening is configured to dispense a predetermined amount of the substance in response to a full rotation of the dispensing mechanism about the longitudinal axis of the dispenser.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the predetermined amount of the substance is between about 0.2 grams and about 2 grams. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser cap is formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser cap is snap-fit to the axial end of the container. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser cap further comprises:
 at least one ridge extending axially outward from an outer surface of the dispenser cap, the at least one ridge disposed radially outwards of the at least one dispensing opening.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is further configured to be coupled to the dispenser such that, when the cap is coupled to the dispenser, the cap can be rotated to selectively actuate the dispensing mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a plurality of slots such that the container, when disposed within the receptacle, can be visible through the plurality of slots. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a container defining an internal volume that is configured to contain a substance; and   a dispenser coupled to the container, the dispenser including:
 a dispenser cap coupled to a first axial end of the container, the dispenser cap including a plurality of dispensing openings defined therethrough; 
 a platform disposed within the container and configured to extrude the substance through the plurality of dispensing openings; 
 an advancement mechanism disposed within the container and configured to advance the platform; and 
 an actuator coupled to a second axial end of the container, the actuator configured to be actuated to cause the advancement mechanism to advance the platform. 
   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the actuator is configured to be rotated to cause the advancement mechanism to advance the platform. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the advancement mechanism is a lead screw. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the dispensing cap includes a dome-shaped surface and an edge surrounding the dome-shaped surface. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of dispensing openings is located at an apex of the dome-shaped surface. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the edge is configured to reduce leakage or escape of the substance outside of the dome-shaped surface. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the dome-shaped surface is configured to spread the substance on an external surface. 
     
     
         25 . A method for dispensing a substance through an apparatus that comprises a body defining a receptacle, a cap removably coupled to a first axial end of the body, a container removably disposable within the receptacle and defining an internal volume containing a substance, and a dispenser including (1) a dispenser cap coupled to a first axial end of the container proximate to the first axial end of the body and defining at least one dispensing opening therethrough, and (2) a dispensing mechanism configured to be selectively actuated to dispense the substance through the at least one dispensing opening, the method comprising:
 exposing the dispenser cap to an external environment responsive to removal of the cap from the first axial end of the body;   responsive to actuation of the dispensing mechanism, causing a predetermined amount of the substance to be dispensed through the at least one dispensing opening onto an outer surface of the dispenser cap;   responsive to the outer surface of the dispenser cap contacting an external surface, applying at least a portion of the predetermined amount of the substance on the external surface; and   isolating the dispenser cap from the external environment responsive to replacement of the cap on the first axial end.   
     
     
         26 . A method for dispensing a substance through an apparatus that comprises a body defining a receptacle, a cap removably coupled to a first axial end of the body, a container removably disposable within the receptacle and defining an internal volume containing a substance, and a dispenser including (1) a dispenser cap coupled to a first axial end of the container proximate to the first axial end of the body and defining at least one dispensing opening therethrough, and (2) a dispensing mechanism configured to be selectively actuated to dispense the substance through the at least one dispensing opening, the method comprising:
 exposing the dispenser cap to an external environment responsive to removal of the cap from the first axial end of the body;   responsive to the cap being coupled to the dispensing mechanism proximate to a second axial end of the body opposite the first axial end and being rotated by a predetermined amount, causing actuation of the actuating mechanism to cause a predetermined amount of the substance to be dispensed through the at least one dispensing opening onto an outer surface of the dispenser cap;   responsive to the outer surface of the dispenser cap contacting an external surface, applying at least a portion of the predetermined amount of the substance on the external surface; and   isolating the dispenser cap from the external environment responsive to replacement of the cap on the first axial end.