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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to display containers for cosmetic products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bottle to display and store contents, which are sensitive to environmental exposure. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a bottle to accurately display and safely store artificial gel nail compositions, which are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
Display containers are important for cosmetic products because visual appearance is usually a determining factor for a consumer, when deciding whether to purchase a particular cosmetic product. Packaging and containers show representations of the color, shine, and other visual effects for all types of cosmetic products, such as hair dye, eye shadow, lipstick, nail polish, and others. When color or another visual effect is a selection criteria for a product, the packaging and containers showing the color or visual effect should be as accurate as possible. For clear containers, such as bottles, the cosmetic product is directly visible through the container. The consumer can visually inspect the product itself.
The difficulty with some cosmetic products is that the chemical composition of the cosmetic product is sensitive to environmental exposure. A clear bottle allows a photo-sensitive cosmetic product to be oxidized or polymerized or bleached from ambient light. In another example, artificial gel nail compositions can be sensitive to ultraviolet light. Application of the gel nail composition requires curing by a certain range of ultraviolet light in the finishing process. Early exposure to broad ultraviolet radiation from the environment, while stored in a bottle, degrades the product before use by the consumer. The broad ultraviolet radiation from ambient light may include radiation within the range used to finally cure the composition.
Besides displaying the cosmetic product, a display container is also required to safely store the product in a useable condition. Compositions can settle or separate into layers of compounds. Fumes can be generated from the chemicals in the cosmetic products. The container may require shaking or stirring to prepare the product for use on the consumer. The proper seals and container shape can contribute to safely storing the product, properly maintaining the product in a useable condition, and extending the shelf life of the product.
Various patents have issued in the field of containers for cosmetics. United States Patent Publication No. 20110120907, published for Haile on May 26, 2011, describes transparent containers with a coating to reduce transmission of light through the container. The coating and the placement of the coating create a visual effect for the consumer, while protecting the contents from exposure. Design patents covering the ornamental features of these transparent containers were also issued as U.S. Pat. No. D656824 on Apr. 3, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. D651521 on Jan. 3, 2012, and U.S. Pat. No. D651515 on Jan. 3, 2012.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,083,427, issued to Maddy on Dec. 27, 2011, discloses a container with a colored insert. The color of the colored insert corresponds to the color of the actual cosmetic product. The type of cosmetic product is lipstick in this patent.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,083,092, issued to Hartstock on Dec. 27, 2011, describes another container for liquid cosmetics, such as mascara and lip gloss. The invention discloses a transparent container to allow the contents to be viewed directly.
It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a container to store and display a cosmetic product.
It is another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a container to store and display a cosmetic product, which is sensitive to environmental exposure.
It is still another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a container to store and display a cosmetic product, which is sensitive to ultraviolet radiation.
It is still another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a container to store and display an artificial gel nail composition, which is sensitive to ultraviolet light.
It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a container to display the contents of the container through the container directly.
It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a container to display a sample of contents of the container.
It is another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a container to display a sample of contents of the container, while protecting the actual contents from exposure.
It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a container to safely store a cosmetic product until use by the consumer.
It is another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a container, which resists settling the contents within the container.
It is another object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide a container for storing contents, which facilitates stirring of the contents.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.
Embodiments of the present invention include a container system for displaying contents of the container, while simultaneously protecting the contents from environmental exposure. In particular, the container system can be used to store and display artificial gel nail compositions, which are sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. The container system can include a bottle body having an inner cavity and a threaded rim. The bottle body is generally cylindrical and made of a transparent material such as glass. The inner cavity has a generally tubular shape with a closed end, such as a bullet shape or a short test tube. There is an inner housing or plunger cup removeably placed within the inner cavity. The inner housing has a shape compatible with the inner cavity, according to whatever shape of the inner cavity. The dimensions of the inner housing are smaller than dimensions of the inner cavity, so that the inner housing can fit inside the bottle body. In one embodiment, a layer of a sample of contents is placed between the inner housing and the inner cavity of the bottle body. Before placing the inner housing in the inner cavity, an amount of sample is loaded into the inner cavity. The pressure of the inner housing being fit into the inner cavity spreads the sample into a layer of the contents. The contents are visible through the bottle body to display aspects of the content to the end user.
There is also a receptacle or fill cup removeably placed within the inner housing. The receptacle fits inside the inner housing and forms a single cavity for storing contents. The receptacle is filled with the actual contents for the end user. In some embodiments, the receptacle includes a first portion and a second portion. The second can be larger in volume than the first portion and can have a different shape than the first portion. The difference in shapes and the connection of the portions creates the single cavity, which stores the contents and prevents settling of the contents. Viscous fluid, such as gel nail compositions, cannot be shaken for mixing. These fluids can only be stirred, and they should not settle. The shapes of the portions resist settling and facilitate stirring. In some embodiments, the first portion has a conical shape with a closed tip, and the second portion is generally cylindrical with a rounded trough ring on a first end.
The present invention can further include a lid means or cover and a brush. The lid means has internal threads for removeable attachment to a threaded rim of the bottle body. The lid means forms a seal with the bottle body, so that the contents in the receptacle are secured, when the lid means is attached to the threaded rim. The brush includes a stem with an anchor end attached to an underside of the lid means, and a plurality of bristles at a tip end of the stem. The stem extends down into the receptacle from the lid means, through the second portion, and into the first portion, when the bottle body and the lid means are in a closed configuration. The bristles can be used to dispense the contents from the container system for user application.
The method of storing and displaying contents with embodiments of the container system is also included as part of the present invention. The method includes placing the sample of contents in the inner cavity of the bottle body; inserting the inner housing into the inner cavity of the bottle body; forming the layer of the sample between the inner cavity of the bottle body and the inner housing; inserting the receptacle into the inner housing; filling the receptacle with the contents; and sealing the bottle body with the lid. The layer has a color corresponding to contents stored within the receptacle. The layer is a coating over the inner housing and within the inner cavity of the bottle body. The layer is visible through the bottle body so that the color of the layer is displayed. The color of the bottle body matches the color of the contents in the receptacle. The method can also include embodiments with a step of attaching a brush to the lid, so that the stem of the brush extends from the underside of the lid, through contents within the second portion of the receptacle and aligns with the first portion of the receptacle.
Referring to
In embodiments of the present invention, the inner housing 14 can be comprised of a material generally impermeable to ultraviolet radiation. The inner housing 14 can protect contents within the bottle body 12 by being a protective barrier from light and other exposure. The inner housing 14 may or may not be transparent. The inner housing 14 may or may not be colored. The inner housing 14 may be adjusted to more accurate portray a visual appearance corresponding to the contents in the container system 10. Other embodiments include the inner housing 14 with a lipped rim 34 at an opening 36 of the inner housing 14.
As seen in
The dual chamber of the single cavity 44 prevents settling of the contents during storage. Vertical walls hold a maximum amount of contents, but contents will slide down and settle, separating the contents into heavier and lighter components. In at least one embodiment of
For displaying contents, at least one embodiment of the container system 10 of the present invention includes a layer 64 of a sample 66 of contents. The layer 64 is placed between the inner cavity 24 of the bottle body 12 and the inner housing 14.
Some embodiments of the container system 10 further include a brush means 20 within the bottle body 12.
The present invention includes an embodiment of the method of storing and displaying contents, according to the container system 10. The method includes placing the sample 66 of contents in the inner cavity 24 of the bottle body 12, inserting the inner housing 14 into the inner cavity 24, forming the layer 64 of the sample 66 between the inner cavity 24 and the inner housing 14, inserting the receptacle 16 into the inner housing 14, filling the receptacle 16 with the contents, and sealing the bottle body 12 with the lid means 18. The sample 66 is a pre-determined amount of contents, based on the volume sufficient to fill space between the inner cavity 24 and the inner housing 14. The inner housing 14 is inserted into the inner cavity 24 until the lipped rim 36 engages the cavity rim 28 of the inner cavity 24, and the receptacle 16 is inserted into the inner housing 14 until the flanged rim 58 abuts the lipped rim 36.
Pressure of the inner housing 14 spreads the sample 66 over the inner housing 14 and within the inner cavity 24. The layer 64 coats the outer surface 68 of the inner housing 14, and the inner cavity 24 of the bottle body 12, as in
For the step of sealing, the internal threads 60 of the lid means 18 are screwed onto the threaded rim 26 of the bottle body 12. The contents are sealed within the single cavity 44 of the receptacle 16 and an underside 62 of the lid means 18.
From
For embodiments of the present invention, the container system stores and displays a cosmetic product. The visual appearance created by the contents in the container system presents an accurate and realistic display of the contents, including color. When the cosmetic products are sensitive to environmental exposure, such as ultraviolet radiation, the present invention includes a receptacle placed within an inner housing for protecting contents stored within the receptacle. The inner housing reduces exposure, such as ultraviolet radiation. For artificial gel nails, the viscous composition is no longer cured or partially cured before application on a nail of the user.
The embodiments of the present invention also display the contents. The contents of the container system are shown through the container directly. There is no color insert or printing ink paint with accuracy issues because an actual sample of the contents is used to color the container system. A different bottle for a particular color is no longer required because a clear bottle can be filled with the contents and displayed in a separate layer. The sensitive contents can even be more accurately shown as the layer of the sample is at least partially cured and hardened by ambient light. Furthermore, the inner housing simultaneously shields the receptacle and contents from ultraviolet radiation and displays a color of the actual contents. No advanced color printing, labels, or individually painted bottles are needed with the present invention.
Embodiments also provide a container to safely store a cosmetic product until use by the consumer. The single cavity has a shape for increasing storage space and resisting settlement of the contents within the container. The troughed ring of the second portion and the conical shape of the first portion contribute to the resistance to settling of contents within the container. The conical shape also assists the stirring of the contents, keeping the contents viable for use by the consumer.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the described method can be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention.