Patent Application
20200121099
Cosmetics may include substances or products that can be applied to a wearer's body for a variety of different functions, for example, to alter appearance or add a fragrance. Cosmetics are often stored in packaging, such as a housing or container. Suitable packaging may include bottles or tubes for holding the cosmetic. Consumers often possess a number of different cosmetics that may be stored in a variety of different packages of various designs and materials of construction. The various packages can often clutter the consumer's storage area for these cosmetics, thus providing a less than desirable aesthetic appearance. In addition, the cosmetics are also often provided in packaging that is disposable, adding to the already considerable problems with respect to waste disposal.
In an exemplary embodiment, a cosmetic product packaging system comprises a counter and a cosmetic product packaging. The cosmetic product packaging comprises a housing. The housing includes an upper surface, a bottom surface, and lateral sides connecting the upper surface and the bottom surface. Bores are formed in the upper surface. The cosmetic product packaging system also includes receptacles that are disposable in the bores, and a base assembly that supports the housing. The base assembly comprises a compartment including a light source. The cosmetic product packaging may be positioned on the counter.
In another exemplary embodiment, a cosmetic product packaging system comprises a counter; a cabinet; and a cosmetic product packaging. The cosmetic product packaging comprises a housing that includes an upper surface, a bottom surface, and lateral sides connecting the upper surface and the bottom surface, wherein bores are formed in the upper surface. The cosmetic product packaging system also includes receptacles that are disposable in the bores, and a base assembly that supports the housing. The base assembly comprises a compartment including a light source. The cosmetic product packaging may be positioned on the counter. The cosmetic product packaging system also includes a cartridge comprising a cosmetic.
In another exemplary embodiment, a method for refilling a receptacle comprises retrieving a cartridge containing a cosmetic; removing a cap from the cartridge; and transferring the cosmetic from the cartridge to the receptacle. The receptacle may be positioned within a cosmetic product packaging that includes a housing comprising an upper surface, a bottom surface, and lateral sides connecting the upper surface and the bottom surface. Bores are formed in the upper surface. The receptacle is disposable in a bore. The cosmetic product packaging also includes a base assembly that supports the housing, wherein the base assembly comprises a compartment including a light source.
These drawings illustrate certain aspects of some of the embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be used to limit or define the disclosure.
The present disclosure may generally relate to an eco-friendly retail space for dispensing cosmetics. Some embodiments include structures such as cabinets and counters to facilitate purchasing of cosmetics.
Customers can buy cosmetics that are packaged in reusable and refillable receptacles that are stored and displayed in cosmetic product packaging. The cosmetic product packaging can store multiple receptacles for cosmetics. Customers can refill their receptacles or may purchase refill cartridges that are paper packaged, biodegradable. The contents of the refill cartridge can be squeezed into the receptacles through a syringe like tip or nozzle.
Embodiments of the cosmetic product packaging transform the single bottle packaging that is the old standard to an innovative concept that is a practical, single unit. Advantageously, replacement or refills can be purchased, reducing waste and potentially even increasing consumer loyalty. Embodiments of the cosmetic product packaging may include a housing that is transparent and retains a plurality of receptacles for a cosmetic. In some embodiments, the cosmetic product packaging may further include a light source that can be used to illuminate the individual receptacles disposed in the housing. Embodiments may further include threaded engagement between the receptacles and the housing to retain the receptacles therein.
The term “cosmetic” as used here is intended to encompass, without limitation, any of a variety of products for beautifying, enhancing, cleansing, covering and/or medicinal compounds which may be applied to a wearer's body, or portion thereof, such as the face. Suitable products may include, but are not limited to, perfumes, colognes, make-up, skin cleansers, and body lotions, among others. Combinations of different cosmetic products may also be stored in the cosmetic product packaging. For example, each receptacle may include a different cosmetic. In addition, while this application is directed to cosmetic product packaging, it should be understood that the product packaging disclosed herein can have applicability in other industries, for example, medical, pharmaceutical, laboratory, and medical spas, among others. For example, the product packaging could be used to hold substances provided in these different industries.
Referring now to
Housing 102 may include an upper surface 108 and lateral sides 110. As illustrated, upper surface 108 may include cut outs 112 around lateral edges 114 so that lateral edges 114 of upper surface 108 are not flush with lateral sides 110. While not shown, alternative embodiments may omit cut outs 112 so that lateral edges 114 may be flush with lateral sides 110. Housing 102 may further include a plurality of bores 116, which may be drilled, molded, or otherwise formed in housing 102. As illustrated, bores 116 may extend from upper surface 108 into an interior portion of the housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, each of bores 116 includes threading 118, which is shown disposed at an end of each respective bore 116. However, it should be understood that the threading 118 is not required to be at the end, but rather can be positioned anywhere along the bores 116 for engagement with the receptacle 106. In some embodiments, the housing 102 may be transparent so that light rays may be transmitted through the housing 102, for example, so that a light source (e.g., light source 400 on
Housing 102 may have any suitable dimensions and/or shape. Without limitation, a suitable shape may include, but is not limited to, cross-sectional shapes that are circular, elliptical, triangular, rectangular, square, hexagonal, and/or combinations thereof. In examples, housing 102 may have a rectangular cross-section, such as the rectangular prism as illustrated. Housing 102 may be sized for holding receptacles 106. By way of example, housing 106 may have a height (H1) of about 4 inches to about 24 inches, or about 6 inches to about 12 inches with similar ranges for width (W1) and length (L1). However, it should be understood that dimensions outside these ranges may also be suitable depending, for example, on the particular application.
In the illustrated embodiment, housing 102 is disposed on base assembly 104. Base assembly 104 may be configured to support housing 102. For example, base assembly 104 may include height (H2), width (W2), length (L2), and/or shape(s) that may be similar to the dimensions and shape(s) of the housing 102.
In certain embodiments, the housing 102 may form a seal (e.g., a fluid seal) with the base assembly 104. In some embodiments the housing is removable from the base assembly 104 to allow for cleaning or access to various components of the cosmetic product packaging 100. An electrical cable 120 may be coupled to base assembly 104. Electrical cable 120 may couple the base assembly 104 (and light source (e.g., light source 400 on
Embodiments of cosmetic product packaging 100 may further comprise receptacles 106. Receptacles 106 may be disposed in bores 118 of housing 102. In the illustrated embodiment, receptacles 106 may include vial portion 122 and cap 124. Cap 124 may function as protective cover for retaining the cosmetic in vial portion 122. Vial portion 122 may extend into bores 118. Vial portion 122 may include an enlarged portion 126. Vial portion 122 may include threading 128, which is shown disposed at an end of each respective vial portion 122. However, it should be understood that the threading 128 is not required to be at the end, but rather can be positioned anywhere along the vial portions 122 for engagement with the corresponding threading 118 within bores 116. For insertion of receptacles 106 into housing 110, the receptacles 106 may be inserted into the bores 116 and then twisted, for example, in the direction shown by arrow 130, upon engagement with threading 118 of bores 116, to secure the receptacles 106. For removal, the receptacles 106 may be rotated in the opposite direction, shown by arrow 132 to disengage the threading 118.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In some embodiments, a cover 300 may be removably disposed over the sides 302, as shown. The cover 300 may include a wall 308 extending above and along a perimeter of a surface 301 of the cover 300, as shown. The wall 308 may extend (e.g., upward) from the surface 301 to assist in retaining housing 102 (e.g., shown on
In the illustrated embodiment, cover 300, sides 302, and bottom 304 may be solid (or non-transparent) so that light may be not emitted there through. The height (Hw) of the wall 308 may range from 10% to 100% of the height of a side 302. The length (Lw) and width (Ww) may be similar to L1, L2, W1, and W2, respectively. In certain embodiments, the cover 300 may be removable from the sides 302. The cover 300 may form a seal with the sides 302 to prevent contaminants such as dust from contacting components (e.g., light sources 400 as shown on
However, cover 300 may include an opening 306, which may be in the form of a slot, for example. Opening 306 may allow light emitted from inside base assembly 104 to be emitted there from. For example, light emitted from inside base assembly 104 may travel through opening 306 in cover 300 and then through housing 102 to illuminate receptacles 106 (with additional reference to
Referring now to
In certain embodiments, the compartment 406 may be bound by the cover 300 (e.g., inner side (not shown) of the cover 300), the sides 302, and the bottom 304. The base assembly 104 may be an open top container. As shown, a pair of light sources 400 are disposed in the compartment 406 of the base assembly 104. As illustrated, the light sources 400 may be disposed below the cover 300. In the illustrated embodiment, cover 300 may be transparent for allowing light to pass there through. Light sources 400 may include any suitable source of light, such as a source of visible light with wavelengths ranging from 390 nanometers to 700 nanometers. In some embodiments, light sources 400 may each include a bulb 402 and a socket 404. Suitable bulbs 404 may include incandescent bulbs as well as light emitting diodes (LED) bulbs. Electrical cable 120 may be coupled to light sources 400, for example, thorough sides 302 to provide power to light sources 400. In operation, light emitted from light sources 400 may travel through cover 300 of base assembly 104 and then through housing 102 to illuminate receptacles (with additional reference to
As shown, the system 600 may includes structures to support at least one cosmetic product packaging 100. Without limitation, these structures may include a cabinet 602 and/or a counter 605 (or a table, a countertop, and similar structures). In certain embodiments, the counter 605 may be separate from the cabinet 602.
The cabinet 602 may include a shelf 604 for storing receptacles 106. It should be noted that more than one shelf 604 and cabinet 602 may be provided, as shown. The cabinet 602 may also include at least one drawer 606. Each shelf 604 and/or drawer 606 may contain at least one cartridge 608 as best shown on
The present disclosure is illustrated herein by example, and various modifications may be made by a person of ordinary skill in the art. It is believed that the operation and construction of the present disclosure will be apparent from the foregoing description. While the apparatus and methods shown or described above have been characterized as being preferred, various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62748881 | Oct 2018 | US |
