The present application relates generally to a cosmetic container, and in particular, a cosmetic container having a conical sifter.
Cosmetic materials such as those used for cosmetic foundation or finishing are typically provided as compacted or a loose material. Loose materials, including loose powder, are becoming more common in part because loose material provides improved coverage of the material on a surface. The loose material may be provided in a container with a base, cover, and divider or sifter. The sifter is typically a flat surface containing perforations, so that the container may be opened and the powder may be shaken out of the perforations and applied to an applicator.
A typical means for applying a loose powder may include shaking the powder out through perforations and onto the cap, and dipping a cosmetic brush into the loose powder that has been shaken through the perforations in the sifter. Alternatively, the cap can remain on the container and the container can be shaken until some product passes through the perforations, and the cap is then opened and the brush is dipped onto the product on the sifter. In typical loose powder cosmetic containers, the perforations in the sifter may allow too much powder or too little powder to be passed therethrough. This may create a mess and/or make it difficult for a user to evenly apply a loose powder. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved cosmetic containers.
This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing methods, and use alternatives for cosmetic packaging.
In a first example, a cosmetic container may comprise a base having a bottom, the bottom may include a hemispherical projection therefrom, and a cylindrical sidewall, wherein the cylindrical sidewall may have inner threads and outer threads. The cosmetic container may further comprise an inner sifter which may have an inner sifter conical section with an inner sifter lower end. The inner sifter conical section may have a plurality of inner sifter apertures, and an inner sifter sidewall, wherein the inner sifter sidewall may include outer threads for cooperating with the inner threads of the base cylindrical sidewall, one or more ridges, and one or more stops. The cosmetic container may include an outer sifter which may have an outer sifter conical section with an outer sifter lower end, wherein the outer sifter conical section may include a plurality of outer sifter apertures, an upper rim and an outer sifter sidewall. The outer sifter sidewall may comprise one or more tabs and a slot, wherein the slot may be adapted to receive the one or more ridges of the inner sifter sidewall, and the one or more tabs may be configured to interact with the one or more stops to define at least first and second positions. The cosmetic container may include a lid having inner threads which may be configured to interact with the outer threads of the base cylindrical sidewall. In the example, the outer sifter may be at least partly rotatable relative to the inner sifter such that the first position is one in which the outer sifter apertures align with the inner sifter apertures, and the second position is one in which the outer sifter apertures do not align with the inner sifter apertures. Further, the inner sifter lower end and the outer sifter lower end may be sized and shaped to rest on the hemispherical projection.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the outer sifter lower end and the inner sifter lower end each may comprise an opening, and the outer sifter lower end and the inner sifter lower end may align.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the outer sifter may be positioned over the inner sifter, and the outer sifter lot may engage with the one or more ridges of the inner sifter with a snap fit.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the outer sifter lower end and the inner sifter lower end may engage with the hemispherical projection to form a seal. The seal may not be an “airtight seal”, but, rather, is sufficient to substantially prevent a loose powder product from passing between the sifters and the hemispherical projection.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, alignment of the outer sifter apertures and the inner sifter apertures may allow access to a product contained within the base.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, misalignment of the outer sifter apertures and the inner sifter apertures may block access to or escape of a product contained within the base.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the inner sifter sidewall may engage with the base with a snap fit.
The above summary of some example embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:
The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein the like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The description and drawings show several embodiments which are meant to be illustrative in nature.
For convenience, the present disclosure may be described using relative terms including, for example, left, right, top, bottom, front, back, upper, lower, up, and down, as well as others. It is to be understood that these terms are merely used for illustrative purposes and are not meant to be limiting in any manner.
The cosmetic container 10 may include the lid 12 having inner threads 13 (as shown in
The lid 12 and the base 14 assemblies may have a substantially round (e.g., cylindrical) shape in which the seal may be provided by a thread fastening mechanism, as shown in
In some embodiments, the base 14 may include a hemispherical projection 18 extending from the bottom 16 to a position within the cavity 15 of the cosmetic container 10, as shown in greater detail in
As shown in
The inner sifter 30 may further include outer threads 35 which are positioned on the inner sifter sidewall 38. The outer threads 35 of the inner sifter 30 are configured to engage with the inner threads 19 of the base 14. In this manner, the inner sifter 30 may be threaded (e.g., screwed) into the base 14 and may be held within the cavity 15 of the base 14. The inner sifter lower end 34 may comprise an opening, such that when the inner sifter 30 is held within the base 14, the inner sifter conical section 32 is positioned within the base 14 such that the inner sifter lower end 34 (e.g., opening) engages with the hemispherical projection 18 and forms a seal. Further, rotation of the inner sifter 30 in a counterclockwise direction raises the inner sifter 30 within the base 14, which disengages the inner sifter lower end 34 from the hemispherical projection 18 and breaks the seal forming an opening. In use, disengagement of the inner sifter lower end 34 from the hemispherical projection 18 allows excess product to return to the cavity 15. The inner sifter 30 may then be threaded back into the base 14 reforming the seal. The inner sifter 30 and outer sifter may also be removed entirely to allow refill of the container, if desired.
The inner sifter 30 may have a size and shape that corresponds with the size and shape of the base 14, thereby enclosing the product within the cavity 15. The inner sifter 30 and the base 14 may have a substantially round (e.g., circular or cylindrical) shape in which the seal may be provided by a thread fastening mechanism, as shown in
The cosmetic container 10 may further include an outer sifter 40. The outer sifter 40 may include an outer sifter conical section 42, an outer sifter lower end 44, an upper rim 45, and an outer sifter sidewall 48. The outer sifter conical section 42 may include a plurality of outer sifter apertures 46.
The inner sifter may include one or more ridges 37 and one or more stops 39 as shown in
The outer sifter 40 may have a size and shape that corresponds with the size and shape of the base 14 and the inner sifter 30. The outer sifter 40 may be configured to sit above the inner sifter 30 where the inner sifter conical section 32 and the outer sifter conical section 42 may be flush with one another, thereby enclosing the product within the cavity 15. When the inner sifter 30 and outer sifter 40 are positioned within the base 14 and the lid 12 applied, a gap (not shown) may be formed between the outer sifter 40 and the lid 12. The gap provided may allow for placement and/or retention of a cosmetic implement such as, but not limited to, a brush, a sponge, an applicator, etc. In another embodiment a gasket could be placed in the gap between the outer sifter 40 and the lid 12 (not shown.) In some embodiments, the lid 12 and/or the base 14 may comprise a slot to receive and/or hold a cosmetic instrument such as a brush, sponge, doe foot or the like.
The illustrative cosmetic container 10 may be useful for receiving cosmetic products such as, but not limited to, loose powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like).
As discussed above, the inner sifter conical section 32 and the outer sifter conical section 42 may include a plurality of apertures, 36 and 46, respectively (as shown in
In some embodiments, the inner sifter 30 and the outer sifter 40 may be permanently coupled to the base 14, in other embodiments, the inner sifter 30 may be removably coupled to the base 14 and the outer sifter is permanently coupled to the inner sifter 30, and in further embodiments, the inner sifter 30 may be permanently coupled to the base 14 and the outer sifter 40 may be removably coupled to the base 14 and/or inner sifter 30, or any combination thereof. When the inner sifter 30 is removably coupled to the base 14 with the outer sifter 40 permanently attached to the inner sifter 30 the cavity 15 may be refilled once the product has been depleted.
The lid 12, base 14, inner sifter 30 and the outer sifter 40 may be comprised of plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, stone, wood, carbon-fiber, composites thereof, combinations thereof, or any other type of material. It may be contemplated that further embodiments of the sifters 30, 40 may be a wire mesh, rigid cloth, or any other construction that can provide apertures 36, 46 while limiting the dispensing rate of the product. In some examples, the lid 12 and/or base 14 may include a decorative outer shell or shells made of any of plastic, rubber, metal, ceramic, glass, stone, wood, carbon fiber, composites thereof, and/or combinations thereof, or any other suitable material for a given aesthetic.
As can be seen in
The hemispherical projection 18 is shown in greater detail in
As discussed above, the base 14 may include the bottom 16 and the sidewall 20, which defines the cavity 15 within the base 14 for receiving a cosmetic product. The base 14 may further include inner threads 19 and outer threads 21. Alternatively, the base 14 may not include inner and/or outer threads. The base 14 may further include the hemispherical projection 18 extending from the bottom 16 to a position within the cavity 15 of the cosmetic container 10, as shown in greater detail in
In some embodiments, the cosmetic container 10 and/or the various components thereof may be made from a rigid material (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastics, thermosets, other polymers, glass, metal, alloy, wood, and the like). Other embodiments, however, may include cosmetic containers 10 made from a flexible or semi-rigid material, such as plastic. In some embodiments, the base 14 and/or the lid 12 may comprise a transparent or translucent material so that the cosmetic product may be externally viewed.
In an illustrative example, a cosmetic container comprises a base having a bottom, the bottom including a projection therefrom, and a sidewall. For example, as shown in
The illustrative example may further have an outer sifter having an outer sifter conical section with an outer sifter lower end, the outer sifter conical section having a plurality of outer sifter apertures, an upper rim and an outer sifter sidewall, the outer sifter sidewall sized and adapted to secure to the inner sifter sidewall. For example, as shown in
In the illustrative example, the outer sifter may be at least partly rotatable relative to the inner sifter to define at least a first position in which the outer sifter apertures align with the inner sifter apertures, and a second position in which the outer sifter apertures do not align with the inner sifter apertures. For example, as shown above, a combination of tabs and stops may be used to limit rotation to the identified first and second positions at the extreme of such rotation, where a snap fit is used to hold the outer and inner sifters together. The tabs and stops may be omitted entirely, or may be replaced for example, with detents and matching projections in the two sifters to define a plurality of positions, or the sifters may freely rotate relative to one another such that the user can define the first and second positions.
Finally in the illustrative example, the inner sifter lower end is sized and shaped to rest on the projection and the outer sifter lower end is sized and shaped to rest on the projection, such that a powder product contained beneath the inner and outer sifters within the base is prevented from passing between the projection and the inner and outer sifters. Such an example is highlighted above, relative to
Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims be construed to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/712,023, filed on Jul. 30, 2018, titled COSMETIC CONTAINER WITH CONICAL SIFTER, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62712023 | Jul 2018 | US |