COSMETIC COMPACT PACKAGE

Abstract

Cosmetic powder apparatus, comprising: (i) a first member configured to store cosmetic powder; (ii) a second member configured to affix relative to the first member and so that a powder pathway is provided between the first member and the second member; and (iii) apparatus for selectively opening and closing the powder pathway.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The preferred embodiments relate to cosmetic powder packages and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Cosmetic powder packages enclose various cosmetics, such as makeup, face powder, foundation, blusher, skincare and related cosmetics. Cosmetic powders are generally either a more compact powder such as in compacts, or for loose powders more typically the product is in a jar or the like. The jar often has a lower cavity in which the powder is positioned, and above the jarred powder is a distributing member, with several holes in it, with a lid above the distributing member. In use, a user can remove the lid and then substantially rotate one edge of the jar upward and the other end downward so that the jar is partially or fully inverted (turned upside down) so that at least some of the holes face downward, so as to dispense some of the powder through the distributing member holes, for example by pouring that powder into the removed lid from where the powder can be accessed by an applicator. In some of these packages, the distributing member also may include some type of device for limiting the powder passage through the holes, such as by rotating the member to some degree for either blocking or opening access through the holes.

The above-described package can have various drawbacks. As one example, the distribution of powder typically requires the jar to be inverted to a considerable level in an effort to distribute the powder. As such, the distributed powder may exceed the amount desired by the user. As another example, the movement required to distribute the powder requires rotation of the jar more than 90 degrees relative to a vertical aligned with its resting position, and possibly up to 180 degrees; such movement can cause the user to drop the package, risking even greater spillage, powder loss, or package damage. As still another example, while the powder is generally usable after it has passed through the holes of the distributing member, some of that powder may not be needed by the user so it remains above the top of the distributing member, after which the user re-attaches (typically by screwing on) the lid. Thus, in returning the lid to a closed position, there can be spillage, leakage, and waste of excess powder.

Accordingly, while the above approaches are known and have myriad applications, the present inventors have endeavored to improve the prior art, as further detailed below.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In one example embodiment, there is cosmetic powder apparatus, comprising: (i) a first member configured to store cosmetic powder; (ii) a second member configured to affix relative to the first member and so that a powder pathway is provided between the first member and the second member; and (iii) apparatus for selectively opening and closing the powder pathway.

Other aspects are described and claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are exploded top and perspective views, respectively, of a cosmetic powder package.

FIG. 2A is a top view of the cosmetic powder package.

FIG. 2B is a top cross-sectional view of the cosmetic powder package.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the cosmetic powder package.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the cosmetic powder package with its cap removed and permitting access to an area of its powder well.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the cosmetic powder package powder well.

FIG. 3B is a front view of the cosmetic powder package powder well.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cosmetic powder package seal tab.

FIG. 5A is a side view of the cosmetic powder package slider button.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the cosmetic powder package slider button.

FIG. 6A is a top view of the cosmetic powder package slider.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the cosmetic powder package slider.

FIG. 6C is a bottom view of the cosmetic powder package slider.

FIG. 6D is a front view of the cosmetic powder package slider.

FIG. 6E is a perspective view of the cosmetic powder package slider.

FIG. 7A is a front view of the cosmetic powder package seal plug.

FIG. 7B is a top view of the cosmetic powder package seal plug.

FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional side view of the cosmetic powder package seal plug.

FIG. 7D is a perspective view of the cosmetic powder package seal plug.

FIG. 8A is a top cross-sectional view of the cosmetic powder package with its powder passageway open.

FIG. 8B is a top cross-sectional view of the cosmetic powder package with its powder passageway closed.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are exploded top and perspective views, respectively, of a cosmetic powder package 100. In an example embodiment, package 100 includes the following items: a cap 102, a powder well 104, a seal tab 106 (which is optional), a slider button 108, a slider 110, a seal plug 112, and a powder jar 114. These items may be fabricated from various materials, into various shapes and dimensions, per the skill in the art and the present document teachings. For example, materials can include types of plastics, with powder jar 114 being transparent so that the powder (and its color and quantity) stored therein is viewable to a user, while the remaining items may be opaque. Known or developed molding techniques may be used to form each item, so as to have the desired shape and physical fitment, cooperation, and relationship described herein. The various items may fit together by snap or friction fit, with or without adhesive, and also permitting movable relationships for opening and closing a powder path between powder well 104 and powder jar 114, as detailed below.

By way of example, each of cap 102 and powder jar 114 has a semi-circular perimeter and either an entirely, or a sufficient, portion, that comprises a planar bottom surface, so that when all items are assembled, package 100 (in combination also with a planar bottom (or portion thereof) of a quadrilateral end 104QE of well 104), may rest steadily on a flat, and generally horizontal, surface. In this regard, all such items assembled with respect to one another are shown in the top view of FIG. 2A, the top cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B, and the perspective views of FIGS. 2C and 2D, where in FIG. 2C cap 102 is attached to remainder of package 100, while in FIG. 2D cap 102 is removed to show its slidable and mating relationship, such as by a friction fit or the like, to an end of powder well 104 and to abut with a linear edge 104LE of quadrilateral end 104QE of well 104. In FIG. 2A, by example, the width of package 100 (from side to side) may be approximately 2.35 inches and the length of package 100 (from end to end) may be approximately 4.0 inches.

The components of package 100, as introduced above, are also shown in additional views, as set forth in the following table:

	Item	FIG.	view
	powder well 104	3A	perspective
	powder well 104	3B	Frontal to quadrilateral end 104QE
	seal tab 106	4	Perspective view
	slider button 108	5A	Side view
	slider button 108	5B	perspective view
	slider 110	6A	Top view
	slider 110	6B	Side view
	slider 110	6C	Bottom view
	slider 110	6D	Front view
	slider 110	6E	Perspective view
	seal plug 112	7A	Front view
	seal plug 112	7B	Top view
	seal plug 112	7C	Cross-sectional view
	seal plug 112	7D	Perspective view

In general, a central passageway 100PW (FIGS. 8A and 8B) of package 100 is created by the alignment of various of the above components, so that cosmetic powder may pass from powder jar 114, through a preferably single centered aperture 112A of seal plug 112, through a movable preferably single centered aperture 110A of slider 110, and finally through a preferably single centered aperture 104A (e.g., with a length of 0.25 inches) of powder well 104, where the powder is then accessible by a user who can then access the powder in a well access area 104AA. In an alternative embodiment, any of the single apertures may instead be plural apertures. Further, while not shown, package 100 also may include a powder applicator, which can be sized appropriately to be stored in well access area 104AA. In the illustrated example where well access area 104AA has a circular outer perimeter, then likewise the powder applicator (not shown) also may have a comparable shape and be stored therein.

In greater detail, cosmetic powder may be initially stored in powder jar 114. Powder jar 114 mates with seal plug 112 to generally keep the powder sealed/stored in powder jar 114, for example at time of manufacturer, when shipping to a retailer, and otherwise when access to the powder is not desired, such as when a user wants to store package 100. Further, in a preferred embodiment and optionally, also at time of manufacture and as shown in FIG. 2B, seal tab 106 is inserted so that its end 106E (e.g., FIG. 4) fits in, and blocks powder passage through, centered aperture 104A (FIG. 3A) of powder well 104. Further, the end 106E of seal tab 106 also may extend through the movable centered aperture 110A (FIG. 6D) of slider 110, thereby inhibiting slider 110 from being able to move parallel to a linear edge 104LE of quadrilateral end 104QE. Accordingly, seal tab 106 can concurrently close the powder pathway and inhibit movement of the user-movable slider 110. With slider 110 in this temporarily fixed position, the central passageway 100PW of package 100 remains closed, so that powder is retained in powder jar 114 and kept from moving through the passageway into powder well 104.

When access is desired to powder stored in powder well 104 for a first time usage, cap 102 is removed (if not already removed). The removed cap 102 gives access to a pull portion 106P on seal tab 106. Then, a user may pull seal tab 106 in the direction indicated by an arrow that may be molded into portion 106P (e.g., FIG. 4), that is, in a direction opposite powder jar 114. With seal tab 106 removed, powder passageway 100PW is created as shown in the top cross-sectional view of FIG. 8A, where passageway 100PW is from powder jar 114, through seal plug aperture 112A, through slider aperture 110A, and through well aperture 104A, into well access area 104AA. Additionally, while cap 102 will initially have to be removed to remove seal plug 106, thereafter cap 102 can be put back in place to enclose well 104 during the subsequent steps of advancing powder from jar 114 to well 104. Also in this regard, therefore, note that seal plug 106 may provide an additional manner of blocking cosmetic powder from passing (or possibly preventing any leaking) along passageway 100PW, for example during the time that package 100 is manufactured and while it is shipped to a seller and purchased by a consumer. Further, while seal plug 106 is shown as a shaped hardened device for fitment and user access, alternative materials and shapes are contemplated. For example to reduce costs, seal plug 106 may be implemented as a plastic or rubber film with an adhesive to hold seal plug 106 in position, again so as to block passageway 100PW.

For a user to advance powder to well 104, package 100 provides various options. For example, with package 100 supported on a surface (e.g., a horizontal surface, such as a counter, table, or the like), the user may shake package 100 back and forth, so as to essentially advance some of the powder along passageway 100PW, that is, passing the powder from powder jar 114 to powder well 104. Notably, therefore, such powder movement can be achieved by keeping package 100 relatively horizontal (i.e., well 104 and jar 114 on a same horizontal plane) or, for example, at a vertical (from end-to-end) angle that is less than 90 degrees from horizontal. In other words, because each of well 104 and jar 114 include a respective planar surface, then powder can move along a path between them where that path is also parallel to both planar surfaces, facilitating orderly transfer of powder without needing to invert package 100. As another example, the user also can use gravity to advance the powder, by lifting jar 114 (or the entire package 100) off of a surface and orienting it so that powder jar 114 is higher than well 104, so that powder is gravity-fed through powder passageway 100PW and reaches powder well 104m but again without inverting the upper package surface and passing a 90 degree vertical adjustment during the powder transfer. Moreover, once a desired amount of powder is so transferred, package 100 may be rested upon a planar surface, thereby abutting the planar surfaces included in well 104 and jar 114, so as to maintain stability while keeping the desired amount of transferred powder in place and readily accessible. Also in this regard, in an illustrated embodiment and as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7C, and 7D, seal plug 112 includes structure adjacent its central aperture 112A for guiding the advancing powder toward central aperture 112A. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7D, aperture 112A is not located in a planar structure that is parallel to the outer edge 1120E of seal plug 112, but instead aperture 112 is adjacent four walls 112W that create a funnel-effect by each wall slanting from an outer edge attachment to an inner edge that is toward central aperture 112A, where in the example shown opposing walls are symmetrically shaped and mirror-image slanted toward central aperture 112A. Such slants further assist with the passage of powder from outer edge 1120E to central aperture 112A. Accordingly, with (or without such shape), and with the orientation described above, powder can advance from one end of package 100 to the other at an angle that does not invert the package upper surface and is 90 degrees or less from the package's resting (horizontal) position, whereas a prior art vertical configuration requires at least a 90 and possibly closer to 180 degree rotation so as to invert the upper surface of the prior art package. In addition, however, if a user so desires, additional containment of powder can be achieved by selectively closing the path through passageway 100PW. For example, first the remaining powder in well 104, other than some slight residue, can be returned to powder jar 114 through passageway 100PW. Again, this may be achieved by tilting or lifting package 100 from a horizontal surface, where in this instance package 100 is oriented it so that well 104 is higher than powder jar 114, so that powder is gravity-fed through powder passageway 100PW and returns to powder jar 114. Also in this regard, note that in this direction of powder travel, the inner wall 1041W (FIG. 2B0 of well 104, which is tangentially oriented to interface with aperture 104A, is also non-planar in that well 104 has a circular outer perimeter. Thus, the arcuate slant of the inner wall 1041W having a circular perimeter can also facilitate powder sliding efficiently toward a central location, where aperture 104A is located. In addition, after powder is returned from well 104 to jar 114, and with seal tab 106 having been earlier removed (or if it was excluded as is optionally provided), note that slider 110 is no longer temporarily fixed in position by end 106E (or, that slider 110 was never fixed that way, if seal tab 106 was not included). Accordingly, a user can linearly slide slider 110 in a direction along and parallel to linear edge 104LE, which is therefore generally perpendicular to the direction/axis of passageway 100PW. The sliding of slider 110 is accomplished by the user moving button 108, where the top of the button 108 fits through a guiding aperture 104GE of quadrilateral end 104QE of well 104, and the bottom of slider button 108 fits into a recess 110R within slider 110 and is retained in place by a tab 108T (FIGS. 5A, 5B) that has an outward facing angled surface to slide within the recess 110R and a wall 108W at one end of the angled surface, extending perpendicular from a stem 108S of the button 108, which abuts a surface of the recess 110R once the tab 108T is fully inserted therein. As shown in FIG. 8B (and by contrast to FIG. 8A), the movement of slider 110 in that example is from left to right, in which case aperture 110A is no longer aligned with passageway 100PW; instead, the left-to-right movement of slider 110 positions a blocking element 110BE (see also, FIGS. 6D, 6E), which in one preferred embodiment is convex and in another is flat (shown as an oval in the Figures, and understood to be a closed area through which powder cannot pass). Where blocking element 110BE is convex, it may be created, for example, by a raised surface or other sealing or pressure-applying (e.g., spring) device, along passageway 100PW, thereby closing off that passageway and preventing any additional movement of powder through it.

Given the above-described physical cooperative relationships, for subsequent uses of package 100, a user may again move button 108 in a desired direction to either re-establish a powder path along passageway 100PW or to close/block that powder path. Thus, with such movement, slider 110 in one position blocks passageway 100PW, thereby closing a path between aperture 112A in seal plug 112 (and powder jar 114) and a respective aperture 104A in powder well 104, so that powder cannot move between the two. However, as button 108/slider 110 are moved away from the blocked position, then the passageway can be either partially or largely opened, so that powder may freely move between seal plug 112 (and powder jar 114) and powder well 104.

From the above, one skilled in the art should understand and appreciate that embodiments provide a cosmetic powder package that may include various features. For example, in one embodiment, a package storage jar can retain powder so that only a portion of that powder at a time is exposed to a different well, for access to the powder. Additionally, the storage portion may be transparent, to allow a user to view the contents of the powder, including powder quantity and color. As another example, one or more apparatus may be included for separating the storage jar from the well, so that powder can be selectively communicated between the two when a passageway between them is open, or so that the passageway can be closed at other times. Such apparatus can include a user-removable seal, included for example at a time of original manufacture and shipping, where once removed to open the passageway the user can discard it or choose to retain and re-use it to once again close the passageway. Such apparatus also can include a user-adjustable device, such as one slid by manual movement of a member (e.g., button) coupled to the user-adjustable device. Either apparatus permits selective access to only a portion of the stored powder at a time, with the user dispensing that portion by shaking or tilting the package less than 90 degrees relative to its resting horizontal position, and also being able to return unused powder to the storage jar. Various materials, shapes, dimensions and the like may be used to accomplish one or more of these aspects, with only certain examples provided herein. For example, the number of parts used to achieve various aspects described herein may be altered, such as to reduce the overall functionality or to maintain the functionality while reducing fitment or other considerations. As another example, dimensions and angles of fitment may be altered. Hence, described embodiments improve the state of the art. Further, while the inventive scope has been demonstrated in various aspects of embodiments, still other variations are contemplated or will be ascertainable by one skilled in the art, with the hindsight of the inventive teachings herein. Accordingly, while features have been described to serve to illustrate the inventive scope as have been demonstrated by certain embodiments, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the scope is further subject to various modifications, substitutions, or alterations, without departing from that inventive scope. Still other examples will be ascertainable by one skilled in the art given the teachings herein and as further guided by the following exemplary but non-exhaustive claims.

Claims

1. A cosmetic powder apparatus, comprising: a first member configured to store cosmetic powder and having a first planar surface;a second member having a second planar surface and configured to affix relative to the first member and so that a powder pathway is provided between the first member and the second member and parallel to the first and second planar surfaces, wherein an interior of the second member provides a user access for dispensing powder from the cosmetic powder apparatus; andapparatus for selectively opening and closing the powder pathway; anda user-removable cap for: when in a first position relative to the cosmetic powder apparatus enclosing the interior of the second member while leaving an interior of the first member accessible; andwhen in a second position away from the first position, rendering access to the interior of the second member, but not the interior of the first member.

2. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus for selectively opening and closing comprises a user-movable member positioned to move across the powder pathway.

3. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 2 wherein the user-movable member comprises an aperture configured to align, when the user-movable member is in a first position, with at least a portion of the powder pathway so as to permit powder to pass through the powder pathway.

4. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 3 wherein the user-movable member comprises a sealing member configured to align, when the user-movable member is in a second position differing from the first position, so as to block the powder pathway.

5. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sealing member comprises a convex surface for abutting an adjacent structure so as to block the powder pathway.

6. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sealing member comprises a flat surface for abutting an adjacent structure so as to block the powder pathway.

7. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 4 and further comprising a removable sealing member for concurrently closing the powder pathway and inhibiting movement of the user-movable member.

8. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 3 wherein the user-movable member is positioned to move in a direction generally perpendicular to an axis of the powder pathway.

9. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 2 wherein the user-movable member comprises a sealing member configured to align, when the user-movable member is in a second position differing from the first position, so as to block the powder pathway.

10. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 9 wherein the sealing member comprises a convex surface for abutting an adjacent structure so as to block the powder pathway.

11. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 9 wherein the sealing member comprises a flat surface for abutting an adjacent structure so as to block the powder pathway.

12. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member comprises a first surface and the second member comprises a second surface, the first and second surfaces configured to concurrently position atop a generally planar surface.

13. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second member has a larger volume than the first member.

14. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second member provides a user access to powder that passes along the powder pathway from the first member to the second member.

15. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a third member coupled between the first member and the second member, wherein the third member comprises an aperture along the powder pathway.

16. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 15 wherein the third member comprises a funnel shape for directing cosmetic powder that passes from the first member to the second member.

17. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member comprises a transparent material.

18. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus for selectively opening and closing the powder pathway comprises a user-removable tab for blocking the powder pathway.

19. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user-removable cap is for enclosing the interior of the second member when attached to the cosmetic powder apparatus in the first position and for detaching from the cosmetic powder apparatus in the second position.

20. A cosmetic powder apparatus, comprising: a first member configured to store cosmetic powder;a second member configured to affix relative to the first member and so that a powder pathway is provided between the first member and the second member, wherein an interior of the second member provides a user access for dispensing powder from the cosmetic powder apparatus;a user-removable cap for enclosing an interior of the second member when attached in a first position relative to the cosmetic powder apparatus and while the first member remains sealed from user access and for providing access to an interior of the second member when in a second position, different than the first portion, relative to the cosmetic powder apparatus and while the first member remains sealed from user access; andapparatus for selectively opening and closing the powder pathway, comprising a user-movable member positioned to move across the powder pathway; andwherein the first member comprises a first surface and the second member comprises a second surface, the first and second surfaces configured to concurrently position atop a generally planar surface.

21. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member is inaccessible to a user.

22. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the user-removable cap comprises structure to slide into fitment with, and for enclosing, the interior of the second member.

23. The cosmetic powder apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wherein the second member comprises an arcuate inner wall, the arcuate inner wall having an aperture in powder communication with the powder pathway.

24. A method of using a cosmetic powder apparatus, comprising: moving the cosmetic powder apparatus so that a powder stored in a first member, configured to store cosmetic powder and having a first planar surface, advances through a powder pathway from the first member to a second member, having a second planar surface, and wherein an interior of the second member provides a user access for dispensing powder from the cosmetic powder apparatus; andmoving the cosmetic powder apparatus so that powder stored in the second member advances through the powder pathway from the second member to the first member.