Patent Application
20240365953
The present disclosure is generally directed to makeup. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to custom makeup palettes with improved sealing structures, makeup volume dimensions, or both.
Makeup is one of the most widely used fashion accessories, used as everyday wear or professionally in the fashion and entertainment industries. Depending on their particular needs, consumers, whether layperson or professional, have a wide variety of makeup from which to choose. For example, a user can select from mineral-based makeup, plant-based makeup, or conventional makeup, such as silicone-based makeup, each type having particular qualities. Mineral-based makeup, for example, may be more appropriate for dry skin. Plant-based makeup, for sensitive skin prone to acne breakouts. And silicone-based makeup, to better lock in moisture, improve spreadability and absorption, and provide better protection from chemical exposure, among other advantages.
If stored properly, mineral- and plant-based makeup can remain usable for extended periods. Even after a compact storing mineral-based makeup has been opened, if the compact is closed with an air-tight seal and stored in a cool, dry place, the makeup can last years.
But because of its chemical properties, silicone-based makeup, even when stored properly, typically has a shorter usable life. Silicone compounds are volatile and emit a gas. Inside the compact, these gases expand, stretching seals on the compacts. When stretched too much, the seal may no longer seal properly, exposing the silicone-based makeup to air. When this happens, the makeup dries out, losing its texture, color, and consistency, sometimes resulting in a compound that can cause skin irritation and infection, or clog pores, to name a few consequences. This expansion is exacerbated and the makeup dries out even more quickly when the silicone-based makeup is stored in warmer environments. As a result, silicone-based makeup may become unusable within months. Consumers are then forced to replace their makeup before its expiration date, a wasteful process.
Some prior art solutions for preventing seals on silicone-based makeup compacts from expanding include storing the compacts in air-tight Ziploc® bags, storing the compacts in bags coupled to pumps to withdraw air, or wrapping the compacts in cellophane, to name only a few examples. None of these solutions is efficient, convenient, or economical.
Accordingly, there is a need for storing silicone-based and other types of makeup in a more efficient manner to increase their effective life.
The following represents a summary of some embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of various aspects of the present disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present disclosure. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the present disclosure or to delineate the scope of the present disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the present disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.
Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to makeup palettes for hermetically sealing silicone-based and other makeups that generate gases that stress seals on the palettes.
In a first aspect, a makeup palette includes a substantially concave base having a first connector element; a substantially concave cover hingedly coupled to the base, the cover having a second connector element to securely mate with the first connector element to place the palette in a locked position such that the base and the cover define a locked enclosure therebetween for storing makeup; and a hermetic gasket coupling the base to the cover to hermetically seal the enclosure when the palette is in the locked position. Preferably, the hermetic gasket includes an acrylic.
In some embodiments, the makeup palette further includes a tray. The tray includes a grid of one or more wells to store makeup within the enclosure when the palette is in the locked position. In some embodiments, the gasket seals a seam between the cover and the base when the palette is in the locked position.
In some embodiments, the base includes a recessed track seating the gasket between the cover and a sidewall of the tray. Preferably, the base and the cover both include a solid, ergonomic food-grade plastic. In some embodiments, the makeup palette also includes one or more pans each inserted into an associated one of the one or more wells. In some embodiments, the multiple pans of makeup contain at least one silicone-based makeup.
In some embodiments, one or more dimensions of the at least one silicone-based makeup are optimized to reduce gas emitted therewith when the palette is in the locked position. In one embodiment, a dimension of the one or more dimensions includes a height of the at least one silicon-based makeup within an associated pan between 6.5 mm and 8.5 mm. In one embodiment, a dimension of the one or more dimensions include a ratio of a depth of the associated pan to a width of the associated pan approximately 6.85:16.83
In one embodiment, the first and second connectors comprise a snap-fit connector. Preferably, the snap-fit connector is nail-safe.
In one embodiment, the makeup palette further includes a hinge coupling the base to the cover, the hinge substantially sealed along its length. Preferably, the hinge includes a snag-proof metal rod.
In a second aspect, a makeup palette includes a solid ergonomic food-grade eco plastic casing including a cover having a first latching element; a base having a second latching element for engaging with the first matching element to place the palette in a locked position, wherein in the locked position the cover and the base form a locked enclosure therebetween; and a gasket that hermetically seals a seam between the cover and the base when the palette is in the locked position. Preferably, the gasket includes an acrylic.
In one embodiment, the makeup palette further includes a divider tray supporting one or more pans of makeup inside the enclosure when the palette is in the locked position.
Preferably, dimensions of makeup within the pans are optimized to reduce gas discharge of the makeup within the enclosure when the palette is in the locked position.
In some embodiments, the gasket is sandwiched between walls of the tray and the cover. In some embodiments, the cover has a first curved lip terminating in a first edge and the base has a second curved lip terminating in a second edge, wherein in the locked position the first and second edges are opposed.
Further advantages of the disclosure will become apparent by reference to the detailed description of preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings, identical numbers refer to the same or a similar element.
The following detailed description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure. For purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the disclosure. Descriptions of specific applications are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
Various embodiments of the methods and systems are described in more detail with reference to
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to makeup palettes that provide improved sealing and structure that maintain the palette seal and reduces drying out of the makeup enclosed therein. Makeup stored in palettes in accordance with some embodiments maintain their effectiveness longer, resulting in less spoilage and corresponding increased cost savings.
In some embodiments, the tray 170 includes multiple wells 170A-J, each sized to receive, respectively, a corresponding pan 102A-J or, alternatively, a free-standing block of makeup. As explained in more detail below, in some embodiments the cover 101 includes an essentially flat portion 101A extending to a curved lip 101B along its periphery, which terminates in a substantially flat surface or edge 101B′. In some embodiments, the base 110 includes an essentially flat portion 110A extending to a curved lip 110B along its periphery, which terminates in a substantially flat surface or edge 110B′. In some embodiments, when the palette 100 is moved to the closed position, the flat edges 101B′ and 110B′ are swung towards each other to oppose each other. Preferably, the flat edges 101B′ and 110B′ are coupled to thus form the enclosure, as described below.
The base 110 includes a gasket seat (e.g., trough, groove, or track) 110C formed as a shoulder on the base 110, such as a recess or depression between an inner wall of the lip 110B and an outer wall of the tray 170. Preferably, the seat 110C traverses an entire length of an inner wall of the lip 110B, surrounding the perimeter of the tray 170. The seat 110C supports a gasket 160, such that when the gasket 160 sits on the seat 110C, and the palette 100 is in the locked position, the gasket 160 forms an air-tight seal between the cover 101 and the base 110, between the cover 101 and the tray 170, or both, thereby hermetically sealing the enclosure and thus the makeup contained within it, such as contained in the pans 120A-J supported in the wells 170A-J. In some embodiments, the gasket 160 seals a seam between the lips 101B and 110B, a seam between the cover 101 and the base 110, a seam between the cover and the tray, or another seam surrounding the enclosure.
Preferably, the cover 101 and the base 110 both comprise solid ergonomic food grade plastic, together forming a luxe casing. Also, preferably, the gasket 160 comprises an acrylic or other non-rubber material that is resistant to stretching in the presence of silicone-generated gases or other gases. Preferably, the gasket 160 comprises high density polyethylene (HDPE). After reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize other structures and materials for the cover 101, the base 110, and the gasket 160 in accordance with the principles of the disclosure.
In some embodiments of the disclosure, the first 111A and second 111B mating elements form a snap-fit closure, including annular, cantilever, and torsional closures, to name only a few examples. After reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize other configurations for the first 111A and second 111B mating elements.
In some embodiments of the disclosure, the tray 170 forms a substantially rectangular grid divider containing wells for holding pans of makeup, such as different colored mascara, eye shadow, creams, or the like. In this way, a user has readily at hand any combinations of types and colors of makeup at one sitting.
Preferably the cover 101 and the base 110 are coupled by a hinge assembly 180 on ends of the cover 101 and the base 110, at ends opposed to those having the first 111A and second 111B mating elements. In some embodiments, the hinge assembly 180 includes a snag-proof hinge with a metal rod enclosed, at least in part, by the cover 101, the base 110, or both. In some embodiments, the components of the hinge assembly 180 are formed integrally, and of the same material, as the cover 101, the base 110, or both. Among other advantages, this structure provides a continuous, essentially snag-proof surface. In some embodiments, only the ends of the hinge assembly 180 are exposed to atmosphere.
In some embodiments, the hinge assembly 180 includes a barrel comprising one or more knuckles (e.g., 180A-C,
In accordance with some embodiments, experimentation has shown that, when packaging, a depth of the makeup in the pans 120A-J, a distance between a surface of the makeup in a well and the cover 101, or both, influence the rate at which silicone gases expand and stress the gasket 160 and thus the seal. By selecting appropriate depths and distances, the stretching of the seal can be reduced, the rate of deterioration of the makeup decreased, and thus the usable life of the makeup extended.
In accordance with some embodiments, stretching of the seal can be optimally reduced with a makeup depth in a pan of between approximately 6.75 mm and 6.9 mm, a pan width of between approximately 18.5 mm and 19.0 mm, or both. Preferably one or both of these dimensions is obtained when the makeup is packaged in the palette 100 before use or refilled after use. Those skilled in the art, with the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation will be able to determine other dimensions of the makeup and pans to reduce gas emissions in accordance with this disclosure.
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In some embodiments, the palette 100 is assembled by inserting the tray 170 into the enclosure, seating the gasket 160 on the gasket seat 110C, inserting one or more of the makeup pans 120A-J into the corresponding wells of the tray 170, and moving the palette 100 into, first, the closed and then the locked position, so that the gasket 160 is cinched between the lip 101B of the cover 101 and the outer wall of the tray 170, thereby forming an airtight seal around the enclosure.
In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, a makeup palette efficiently reduces drying and other degradation of makeup by providing an efficient sealing structure and storage arrangement. Preferably, the palette comprises a clamshell-like casing including a top cover hingedly coupled to a base that when swung together form an enclosure. The enclosure contains a divider tray that supports one or more pans of silicone-based makeup. In some embodiments, the cover and base are formed of 3 mm solid ergonomic food grade eco plastic. The divider tray includes wells, each configured to receive a pan of makeup, preferably at a particular height that reduces gas produced by silicone-based makeup while still providing an economical amount of makeup per pan. The palette includes an acrylic seal such that when the palette is in a locked position, the seal seals the seam between the cover and the base, thereby hermetically sealing the enclosure. Preferably, the pans comprise Luxe Food Grade Eco Plastic. Preferably, the cover and palette together include a hinge assembly for moving the palette between open and closed positions, and the hinge assembly includes a snag-proof metal rod and sealed hinges. Preferably, the cover is locked to the base using a nail-safe snap-fit closure. Different embodiments are also disclosed in the Applicant's co-pending design patent application titled, “Customized Makeup Palette,” filed May 1, 2023, Attorney-Docket No. LBC-00601, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
After reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will recognize possible modifications in accordance with the principles of the disclosure. For example, while the embodiments describe cover and bases with curved lips to form an enclosure, other embodiments may include angled or otherwise sloping lips, such as those with right angles or oblique angles that meet to form the enclosure.
While the disclosure has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as disclosed herein.
