The present invention relates to a make-up case or a cosmetic compact. More particularly, the present invention relates to an air-tight or hermetically sealed cosmetic compact case.
Conventional compact cases hold makeup or cosmetics, such as, powders, eye shadow, eyeliner, lipstick, or other beauty aids. Compacts often provide a mirror for viewing the face, thereby facilitating the process of applying the makeup to the face.
A compact usually includes a lid or a cover section hingeably coupled to a base or a container section. Either the cover section or the base section can be pivoted about the hinge to obtain the closed configuration of the compact, thereby providing a convenient storage device. The mirror is typically disposed on the inside of the compact cover section. The base section of conventional compacts usually includes a metal pan for containing the makeup. Alternatively, the makeup can be directly stored in a cavity in the base section.
Compacts also allow for a pad, a brush, or other application device to be disposed between the makeup and the cover, when the compact is in the closed configuration. Makeup is usually applied by rubbing or dipping the application device (e.g., the pad or brush) in the pan or cavity holding the makeup. The application device is then used to transfer the makeup to the face.
A popular type of cosmetic currently available in most retail stores is a Color-Stay™ or color-fast makeup or cosmetic. The popularity of these cosmetics apparently stems from the ability of the makeup to remain applied to the skin surface for a prolonged period of time without rubbing off or fading. Color-fast cosmetics contain a somewhat volatile chemical component that requires air-tight or hermetic storage to prevent or inhibit drying, hardening, and cracking of the cosmetics. In particular, the color-fast cosmetic must be stored in a hermetically sealed container. Therefore, color-fast cosmetic containers often must undergo and pass a loss-in-weight test to establish that an air-tight seal has been effected.
Conventional compacts are usually arranged as a one-piece unit so that one hand opens and holds the compact, while the other hand applies the makeup to the skin surface of the face. In contrast, conventional color-fast cosmetic cases include a container with a screw-on cap that effects a hermetic seal when in the closed configuration. Thus, the user must contend with two separate pieces, which makes applying the makeup a more difficult task, i.e., it is more difficult for the user to unscrew the cap and apply the makeup at the same time.
To apply the color-fast cosmetic from its cosmetic case, the user must unscrew the cap and place it somewhere so that one hand can hold the container that stores the makeup, while the other hand is free to apply the makeup to the skin surface of the face with greater dexterity. In having to lay the screw-on cap somewhere during the process of applying the color-fast makeup, the potential exists for the cap to be misplaced or lost, especially in a crowded public restroom during a social function. Without the screw-on cap to hermetically seal the unused portion still remaining in the container, the color-fast makeup dries, hardens, and its quality deteriorates. As a result, the user must incur an additional expense by purchasing new makeup.
Another problem with current color-fast cosmetic cases occurs when the user is not aware that the screw-on cap is not properly closed, e.g., sealed, on the container. If the hermetic seal is not established as a result of incomplete or improper closure of the color-fast cosmetic case, the makeup dries, hardens, and cracks.
Other color-fast makeup cases utilize a complex method of opening and closing. These cases require that the user follows unconventional directions to appropriately open and close the makeup case. Thus, these cases often require additional steps to open and close the case which can annoy the user.
Thus, there is a need for an inexpensive and simple-to-use compact case capable of effecting an air-tight or hermetic seal. Further, there is a need for an air-tight, hermetically sealed compact case that passes the loss-in-weight test. Further still, there is a need for a hermetically sealed compact case that can be manufactured as a one-piece unit and can be simply opened and closed. Even further still, there is the need for an air-tight compact case that generates an audible indication whenever the hermetic seal is established.
The present invention relates to a makeup container. The makeup container includes a cover piece and a base piece for holding a cosmetic substance. The cover piece has a first interface having a first periphery, and the base piece has a second interface having a second periphery corresponding to the first periphery. The first interface and the second interface provide a hermetic seal when the cover piece is closed with respect to the base piece. The seal is comprised of a groove associated with the first interface or the second interface and a peripheral rim associated with the first interface or the second interface.
The present invention further relates to a compact for containing a cosmetic substance with an air-tight seal. The compact includes a first section and a second section. The first section engages the second section to form the air-tight seal. The air-tight seal maintains the first section in a closed position with respect to the second section.
The present invention still further relates to a makeup case for holding a cosmetic substance. The case includes a cover and a base for holding makeup. The cover is moveable to an upper, open position and to a lower, closed position. The improvement comprises a hermetic seal when the cover is in the lower, closed position. The seal maintains the cover in a closed position.
According to one exemplary aspect of the present invention, an air-tight or hermetic seal is provided by a plastic insert sized and shaped to fit or snap inside a conventional compact shell. In particular, the insert is an integral two-section (e.g., a cover and a base) component that utilizes a living hinge to connect a first section (e.g., the cover) to a second section (e.g., the base). The integral component advantageously lowers manufacturing costs since fewer separate pairs are required and less assembly is involved. Moreover, post-production costs are also minimized since there is only one part to inventory for the insert.
According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, the first section of the integral insert engages the second section to effect an air-tight or hermetic seal when the insert is in a closed configuration. In particular, the first section of the integral insert has a circular cavity with a groove, while the second section has a peripheral wall that slides in the groove to form the seal. As the integral insert obtains the closed configuration, e.g., when the first section engages the second section, the evacuated air makes a distinctive audible sound, indicating to the user that the air-tight seal has been established. Furthermore, the hermetic seal is maintained without a need for an auxiliary latch or fastener.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described wherein like numerals donate like elements, and:
With reference to
As an external downward force is applied, such as, by hand, to cover section 12 to effect pivotal motion in a direction toward base section 14, compact 10 achieves a closed configuration. As section 12 approaches section 14 and achieves the closed configuration, the traditional snapping sound associated with the closing of a conventional compact is emitted. Interface 16 can also be configured to perform a latching operation for compact 10. Although compact 10 is shown in a quadrangular shape, other geometries, such as, oval, circular, hexagonal, and so forth, can also be used.
With reference to
Cover piece 24 of insert 22 includes a circular cavity 30 having a periphery (see FIG. 4). In one preferred embodiment, a mirror can be disposed within circular cavity 30 for viewing the face when applying the makeup. Similarly, base piece 26 has a circular cavity 32 defined by a peripheral wall 34. A peripheral rim 36 is integral with (e.g., continuous) with peripheral wall 34, circumferentially extends above a surface 35 of base piece 26, and melds into a terminal, outwardly-protruding lip 38. Circular cavity 32 is preferably configured to hold the color-fast makeup. Alternatively, instead of circular cavity 32, base piece 26 can include an aperture configured such that a pan prefilled with makeup can be disposed therein.
As shown in the bottom perspective view of insert 22 (FIG. 5), the perimeter of cover piece 24 and base piece 26 is defined by a continuous peripheral rim 50 that overhangs in the direction toward external surfaces 23 and 25, respectively. Rim 50 can be utilized to secure or snap insert 22 within sections 12 and 14. Rim 50 is preferably configured to span a height of 0.16 inch.
In one preferred embodiment, when in the fully extended configuration, insert 22 spans a length of 6 inches, having a respective 3-inch length for both cover piece 24 and base piece 26. Alternatively, insert 22 can have other dimensions complementary to fit any sized compact 10.
With reference to
Both
As shown in
In one preferred embodiment, the nominal thickness of peripheral wall 34 (
Peripheral wall 44 (
Bulge 54 of peripheral edge 33 is curved with a radius of 0.025 inches. Groove 48 has a width of 0.040 inches and wall 62 has a height of 0.024 inches. Bulge 54 is at a distance of 0.060 inches from a surface 64 of groove 48 and terminates at a distance of 0.080 inches from surface 64. A wall 66 has a height of 0.036 inches and is provided at a 15° angle from the vertical axis.
Alternatively, other dimensions can be used. The given dimensions are exemplary only and do not limit the scope of the claims.
The closing and opening of insert 22 is discussed as follows. To close insert 22, an external downward force is supplied, such as, by hand, to cover piece 24 to effect a pivotal motion of cover piece 24 toward base piece 26. More specifically, as a result of the applied downward force on cover piece 24, hinge 28 folds to close cover piece 24 onto base piece 26.
In the process of closing insert 22, groove 48 receives peripheral rim 36 between first peripheral wall 44 and peripheral edge 33 (
To open insert 22, a pulling force is applied, such as, by hand, to cover piece 24 in a direction away from base piece 26. In the process of separating or disengaging cover piece 24 from base piece 26 from the closed configuration of insert 22, peripheral rim 36 is removed from within groove 48, thereby disrupting, e.g., breaking, the hermetic seal formed at the interface between peripheral wall 34 and peripheral wall 44. As cover piece 24 is disengaged from base piece 26, another audible sound is emitted, indicating the hermetic seal has been broken. As hinge 28 unfolds, cover piece 24 is further pivotally moved in a direction away from base piece 26. The terms air-tight and hermetic, as used in this application, refer to an essentially non-leaking seal formed at atmospheric pressure. The air-tight seal can preferably pass a loss-in-weight test when the case contains color-fast makeup.
It is understood that the above description is of preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The invention is not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. For example, the shape of the described compact is quadrangular. However, other geometries, such as, circular, oval, hexagonal, and so forth, can also be used. Although specific dimensions were given for aspects of the integral two-piece insert, other dimensions can be used complementary to fit any sized compact. Various modifications may be made of the details of the disclosure without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 08976847 | Nov 1997 | US |
Child | 09469494 | US |