Sunscreen dispensing brush and methods of using same

Abstract

Powder dispensing brushes configured to apply a powder to a skin surface of a user are provided. The dispensing brush system can provide an efficient and effective easy to dispense sunscreen to the face and body. The system can include a housing, a powder supply chamber having an interior space configured to hold a predetermined volume of the powder, a passageway in communication with the interior space of the powder supply chamber, a filter, a second chamber distal to the filter configured to collect a volume of powder after the powder has passed through the filter, a flow restrictor plate including orifices arranged in an annular pattern, the flow restrictor plate configured to receive powder from the volume of powder upon actuation by a user, and an outer brush including a plurality of bristles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A powder dispensing brush configured to apply a powder to a skin surface of a user, comprising:
 a housing;   a first chamber within the housing, the first chamber having an interior space configured to hold the powder;   a second chamber within the housing distal to the first chamber;   a filter separating the first chamber from the second chamber that provides fixed passageways for communication of powder between the first chamber and the second chamber;   a plurality of orifices that are in communication with an open interior space of the second chamber; and   a plurality of bristles extending in a distal direction from a distal end portion of the housing;   wherein:
 the powder dispensing brush is configured such that the powder within the first chamber can pass through the filter and enter the second chamber. 
   
     
     
         2 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of orifices are all in constant communication with an open interior space of the second chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein a length of each of the plurality of orifices is from 4 mm to 6 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of orifices are positioned adjacent to a distal end of the second chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of the plurality of bristles are arranged in an annular shape so as to form an interior cavity in an interior portion of the plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         6 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , further comprising a second plurality of bristles extending in the distal direction from a center portion of a wall comprising the plurality of orifices so as to be between the plurality of orifices. 
     
     
         7 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of orifices are generally aligned with the interior cavity in the interior portion of the plurality of bristles so that the powder that passes through the plurality of orifices enters the interior cavity in the interior portion of the plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         8 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the filter is configured to prevent a passage of masses of powder greater than a predetermined size through the filter and into the second chamber and to permit a passage of masses of powder smaller than or equal to the predetermined size to pass through the filter and into the second chamber upon activation by a user. 
     
     
         9 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of orifices in the plurality of orifices consists of from 5 to 7 orifices. 
     
     
         10 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of orifices each taper along a length of the orifices from 1.5 mm at the proximal end of each of the orifices to 2.0 mm at the distal end of each of the orifices. 
     
     
         11 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the powder supply chamber contains the powder and the powder is a skincare and/or a cosmetic powder. 
     
     
         12 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein an actuation of the powder dispensing brush comprises at least one of application of a force to the powder dispensing brush and shaking the powder dispensing brush back and forth in an axial direction of the powder dispensing brush. 
     
     
         13 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of orifices comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein each of the plurality of orifices is conical in shape along an entire length of each of the plurality of orifices such that the plurality of orifices increase in diameter along the entire length of the plurality of orifices extending between the proximal end and the distal end of each of the plurality of orifices. 
     
     
         14 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the second chamber is centered along an axial centerline of the housing. 
     
     
         15 . A powder dispensing brush configured to apply a powder to a skin surface of a user, comprising:
 a housing;   a first chamber within the housing, the first chamber having an interior space configured to hold the powder;   a second chamber within the housing distal to the first chamber;   a flow restrictor separating the first chamber from the second chamber and configured to permit the powder within the first chamber to pass through the flow restrictor and into the second chamber at least upon actuation of the powder dispensing brush by the user;   a plurality of orifices distal to the second chamber that are in communication with an open interior space of the second chamber; and   a plurality of bristles extending in a distal direction from a distal end portion of the housing;   wherein:
 the powder dispensing brush is configured such that the powder within the first chamber can pass through the flow restrictor and enter the second chamber at least upon actuation of the powder dispensing brush by the user; 
 the flow restrictor has a plurality of constantly open passageways therethrough; and 
 the powder in the second chamber can pass through the plurality of orifices and into a space within the plurality of bristles. 
   
     
     
         16 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of orifices comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein each of the plurality of orifices is conical in shape along an entire length of each of the plurality of orifices such that the plurality of orifices increase in diameter along the entire length of the plurality of orifices extending between the proximal end and the distal end of each of the plurality of orifices. 
     
     
         17 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 15 , wherein the flow restrictor is a filter. 
     
     
         18 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 17 , wherein the filter is made from polyurethane and has flow passageways through the filter that each define a tortuous flow path through the filter. 
     
     
         19 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 15 , wherein:
 a length of each of the plurality of orifices is from approximately 4 mm to approximately 6 mm;   and   a proximal end of the plurality of bristles are arranged in an annular shape so as to form an interior cavity in an interior portion of the plurality of bristles.   
     
     
         20 . The powder dispensing brush of  claim 15 , wherein the second chamber is centered along an axial centerline of the housing.