Patent Application
20250194776
In an embodiment, a cosmetic package comprises a container including a base surrounded by three or more walls extending upright from the base and an opening between two opposite walls; a leaf spring having a convex side and a concave side, wherein a first end of the leaf spring is attached to an interior side of a wall between the two opposite walls, and a second end of the leaf spring is connected to a sliding button, wherein the convex side of the leaf spring faces toward the opening; and a tray within the container, wherein a first wall of the tray is adjacent to the convex side of the leaf spring.
In an embodiment, the leaf spring provides tension only when engaged by actuated by a button.
In an embodiment, the sliding button is constrained to slide between a first position and a second position, the leaf spring is relaxed without spring compression with the button in the first position, and the leaf spring is compressed with the button in the second position.
In an embodiment, the tray extends outside of the opening with the button in the second position.
In an embodiment, the sliding button includes a first latch and the tray includes a second latch, the first latch and the second latch are engaged with the button in the first position.
In an embodiment, the tray extends outside the opening and the spring is relaxed without compression with the button in the first position.
In an embodiment, the sliding button includes a catch that limits the movement of the sliding button.
In an embodiment, the sliding button includes a lower rail engaged with a rail on the base of the container for guiding the button when sliding from the first position to the second position and back to the first position.
In an embodiment, the cosmetic package further comprises a cover enclosing the container, wherein the sliding button includes an upper rail engaged with a rail on the underside of the cover for guiding the button when sliding from the first position to the second position and back to the first position.
In an embodiment, the tray includes a horizontal flange attached to an upper edge of the first wall, wherein the flange includes a first latch that engages with a second latch on the button.
In an embodiment, the cosmetic package of claim further comprises a cover enclosing the container, wherein the tray includes a horizontal flange attached to an upper edge of the first wall, wherein a top surface of the flange includes a rail engaged with a rail on the underside of the cover for guiding the tray when sliding through the opening.
In an embodiment, convex side and the concave side of the leaf spring are perpendicular to the base and the leaf spring is configured to bend in a plane parallel to the base during compression and relaxing.
In an embodiment, the first end of the leaf spring includes a cylinder shape that catches with a hook on the interior side of the wall between the two opposite walls of the container.
In an embodiment, the cosmetic package comprises six sides, wherein the base is at a first side, a first and second wall are at two opposite second and third sides, a third wall and the opening are at two opposite fourth and fifth sides, and a cover opposite from the base is at a sixth side, the cosmetic package having an interior cavity containing the tray including one or more pans and the leaf spring.
In an embodiment, the interior of the two opposite walls include a rail that fits within a groove on sides of the tray.
In an embodiment, the cosmetic package further comprises a pan holder, wherein the pan holder includes a plurality of pans, each pan including a formulation.
In an embodiment, the cosmetic package further comprises a cover enclosing the container, wherein the cover includes a cutout on a corner thereof, and the button includes a catch accessible via the cutout on the cover.
In an embodiment, the base of the container includes a cutout on a corner thereof, and the button includes a catch accessible via the cutout on the base.
In an embodiment, a cosmetic package includes a leaf spring and latching mechanism, wherein the leaf spring provides tension only when engaged by actuated by a button.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
The disclosure provides a simple gesture to eject the tray 104. The tray 104 can contain a pan holder 110 including one or a plurality of different cosmetic formulations 114 in distinct pans 116. Alternatively, the tray 104 can contain a single formulation, or any combination of formulations.
The disclosure provides a leaf spring 106 made of plastic that is not under tension/load when at rest which can result in no fatigue and/or degradation on the plastic leaf spring 106 due to continuous load like a conventional spring.
The disclosure provides a spring 106 that takes up as little space as possible in the package 100. For example, the leaf spring 106 is a curved to slightly curved length of thin, narrow film/plastic when at rest, taking little space.
The disclosure incorporates a locking mechanism or latching hook 130 into the button 108 to lock and unlock the tray 104.
The button 108 is connected to one end of the leaf spring 106. The button 108 can be easily actuated from the outside of the package 100.
The leaf spring 106 is placed inside of the package 100 in a position to push the tray 104 out of the package 100. The leaf spring 106 is articulated by pressing the button 108 that is either a part/incorporated into the spring 106 or could be a separate component flexibly connected to the spring 106. The other end of the spring 106 is either connected to a fixed point, such as hook 176 in the package 100 (the spring pivots against this fixed position) or it is also possible that there are two buttons that are linearly configured with the spring connecting the two. Pushing either one of these buttons actuates the spring, with either the other non-moving button becoming the fixed position for pivoting, or pushing both buttons increases the flex/bend of the leaf spring for an increased ejection of the palette tray.
The leaf spring 106 is a thin strip of plastic. This strip typically has a rectangular cross section, designed to bend along one plane of motion.
The button 108 has a latching mechanism 130 that connects the button 108 to a corresponding latch hook 166 on the tray 104. Pushing the button 108 disengages the button 108 to the tray 104 and at the same time initiates the flex of the leaf spring 106, pushing the tray 104 out of the package 100. The act of pushing the tray 104 back into the package 100 slides the button 108 so that the latching mechanism 130 re-engages with the corresponding latch on the tray, resetting the lock so that the tray 104 does not fall out of the package 100. When the tray 104 is out of the package 100, a consumer can access the formulations on the pan holder 110.
The disclosure provides a convenient way to open the cosmetic palette package 100 and present the contents to the consumer, a visual way of confirming the locking and unlocking of the package 100, a way to incorporate a plastic spring into a package for: 1) a package 100 that is made of one plastic (sustainable) other than the removeable palette pans; 2) a spring that is un-tensioned at rest that avoids mechanical fatigue, especially on plastic springs.
To address a problem, the leaf spring hinge mechanism is comprised of flexible polypropylene (PP). Flexible PP typically can endure 100s to 1000s of cycles without failure due to the composition. PP is also a likely candidate for all plastic components in the package 100, and if created in this fashion, would comprise a mono-material package (one plastic) that makes recycling much easier.
The spring 106 could be composed of other flexible materials other than PP. TPEs (elastomeric plastics), TPUs (Urethane based flexible materials), silicones, TPVs (Thermoplastic Vulcanates) and other flexible plastics are possible. A combination of two plastics can also work (ex. a PP spring and a PET or PE button).
This disclosure provides a cosmetic package 100 that is sustainable compared to others that require a metal spring under tension that occupies more space in the overall pack. The plastic spring takes up little space in the package, is made of the same material as the package (PP for example), and is not under tension so strength is not degraded over time compared to a conventional spring. The spring can also be integrated into the locking mechanism.
The spring 106 is used to release a tray 104 or any “drawer” like component in a cosmetic package 100. It could also release an applicator, wand, brush, etc. It could be used as a tamper resistant or indication mechanism to show the user that an action has occurred or needs to be reset.
The package 100 includes a bottom container 102. A tray 104, a leaf spring 106, and a button 108 are enclosed within the container 102.
The tray 104 is a container including a base and four walls surrounding the base. However, the tray can take any shape. The tray 104 dimensions are generally the size of the container 102, so that the tray can occupy the space within the container 102. For example, the side to side length of the tray 104 extends from the side wall 156 to the opposite side wall 158 of the container 102, so that the tray 104 fills the opening 162. The front to back dimension of the tray 104 includes the portion for holding a pan holder 110, and a horizontal flange 164 connected along the top and back wall 174 of the tray 104. With the flange 164, the front to back direction almost reaches the back wall 160 of the container. The front to back dimension of the tray 104 is also similar to the length of side walls 156, 158. The flange 164 leaves a space at the back side of the container 102 that is occupied by the leaf spring 106 and the button 108.
The tray 104 can accept a pan holder 110. The pan holder 110 can include a plurality of pans 116, each pan 116 including a formulation 114. The pans 116 are removable so as to enable a consumer to switch pans to provide different choices of formulations or to replace formulations that have been depleted.
The flange 164 extends from the back wall 174 of the tray 104. The flange 164 is horizontal and extends from the top edge of the back wall 174 of the tray 104. The flange 164 extends from the right side to the left side of the tray 104. The flange 164 includes a cutout 138 to allow sliding the button 108. The cutout 138 also includes an angled edge that guides the button 108 to enable latching the tray 104 to the button 108. The top surface of the flange 164 includes a first rail 142 and a second rail 144. The first rail 142 and a second rail 144 are straight in the front to back direction. The rails 142 and 144 can guide the tray 104 to avoid binding when the tray 104 is pushed out through the opening 162 or when pushing in.
The leaf spring 106 includes a first end 122 that can be a cylinder shape. The cylinder shape end 122 catches into a corresponding shaped hook 176 placed on the interior side of the back wall 160.
The leaf spring 106 includes a curved section having a convex side 126 and a concave side 128. The convex side 126 faces toward the opening 162. The leaf spring 106 curve can be defined as a portion (circumference) of a circle or a symmetrical portion of an ellipse. The leaf spring 106 curve can be defined as an eccentric curve or spline. The leaf spring 106 curve can be defined as a portion of an involute circle or Archimede's spiral-like part of a curve. A leaf spring 106 including a portion of an involute of a circle has the characteristic that the resistance to bending increases as the leaf spring is pressed down which can be a desirable tactile sensation.
The leaf spring 106 includes a second end 124. The second end 124 is flat, without any curve. The second end 124 is connected to the button 108. For example, the second end 124 can fit inside of the button 108. The convex side 126 of the leaf spring 106 is adjacent to the exterior of the back wall of the tray 104. As can be appreciated, as the leaf spring 106 is flexed by pushing on the button 108, the leaf spring 106 flexes toward the opening 162 against the tray 104 pushing the tray 104 out through the opening 162. The leaf spring 106 flexes in the same horizontal plane in which the tray 104 moves which is also parallel to the base 154 of the container 102.
The button 108 is generally rectangular shaped. The button 108 includes an upper horizontal plate 172 and a lower horizontal plate 132 parallel to each other. The upper and lower plates 172, 132 are connected via a perpendicular back wall (not shown) attached to the back edges of the upper and lower plates 172, 132 so that the upper and lower plates 172, 132 are separated by a space. The upper plate 172 has an upper rail 140 above the front edge of the upper plate 172. The lower plate 132 has a lower rail 152 below the front edge of the lower plate 132.
When the button 108 is assembled in the package 100, the lower rail 152 is placed so as to be engaged in front of a corresponding rail 134 on the base 154 of the container 102, and the upper rail 140 is placed so as to be engaged in front of a corresponding rail 148 on the underside of the cover 146 shown in
The button 108 includes a catch 136 on the right side of the button 108. The catch 136 extends above the upper plate 172 of the button 108 and below the lower plate 132 of the button 108. In the front to back direction, the catch 136 does not extend as far forward as the upper and lower plates 172, 132. A small section of the edges on the right side of the upper and lower plates 172, 132 are exposed and hit against the inside of the wall 158 to prevent the button 108 from extending further to the right. The parts of the catch 136 that extend above the upper plate 172 and below the lower plate 132 hit against respective cutouts 168, 170 at the back and right corner of the container 102 and cover 146, respectively, making the button 108, particularly the catch 136 accessible via the cutouts 168, 170 from the outside. The cutouts 168, 170 also function to limit the button 108 movement to the left when the catch 136 abuts at the left-most edge of the cutouts 168, 170.
The button 108 includes a latching mechanism 130. The latching mechanism 130 includes a part that extends horizontally from the front side at the edge of the upper plate 172 and forms a hook 130. The flange 164 on the tray 104 includes a corresponding hook 166 that engages with the hook 130 on the button 108.
As seen in
As the button 108 is manually actuated to the left, the hook 130 on the button 108 disengages from the hook 166 on the tray 104 and begins compressing the leaf spring 106, thus allowing the tray 104 to be pushed out of the container 102 by flexing the leaf spring 106 as seen in
As the tray 104 is pushed out, the tray 104 is guided linearly by the two rails 142, 144 on the top surface of the flange 164. The two rails 142, 144 catch against two rails 148, 150 on the underside of the cover 146 (see
After the tray 104 is unlocked and pushed out from the package 100, the button 108 can be released. This allows the button 108 to return to the right, allowing the leaf spring 106 to fully relax releasing all compression on the leaf spring 106 when the tray 104 is out of the package 100 as seen in
When pushing the tray 104 back into the package 100, an angle around the button 108 and the curve of the cutout 138 on the flange 164 allows the latch 130 on the button 108 to re-engage with the latch 166 on the flange 164 when the tray 104 is pushed back, which produces a clicking noise when the button 108 re-engages the tray 104.
The sliding button 108 is constrained to slide between a first position (see
The sliding button 108 includes a first latch 130 and the tray 104 includes a second latch 166, the first latch and the second latch are engaged with the button 108 in the first position.
The tray 104 extends outside the opening 162 and the spring 106 is relaxed without compression with the button 108 in the first position (see
The sliding button 108 includes a catch 136 that limits the movement of the sliding button.
The sliding button 108 includes a lower rail 152 engaged with a rail 134 on the base 154 of the container 102 for guiding the button when sliding from the first position to the second position and back to the first position.
The cosmetic package further comprises a cover 146 enclosing the container 102, wherein the sliding button 108 includes an upper rail 140 engaged with a rail 148 on the underside of the cover for guiding the button when sliding from the first position to the second position and back to the first position.
The tray 104 includes a horizontal flange 164 attached to an upper edge of the first wall 174, wherein the flange includes a first latch 166 that engages with a second latch 130 on the button 108.
The cosmetic package further comprises a cover 146 enclosing the container 102, wherein the tray 104 includes a horizontal flange 164 attached to an upper edge of the first wall 174, wherein a top surface of the flange includes one or more rails 142, 144 engaged with one or more rails 148, 150 on the underside of the cover for guiding the tray when sliding through the opening.
The convex side 126 and the concave side 128 of the leaf spring 106 are perpendicular to the base 154 and the leaf spring 106 is configured to bend in a plane parallel to the base during compression and relaxing.
The first end 122 of the leaf spring 106 includes a cylinder shape that catches with a hook 176 on the interior side of the wall 160 between the two opposite walls 156, 158 of the container 102.
The cosmetic package comprising six sides, wherein the base 154 is at a first side, a first and second wall 156, 158 are at two opposite second and third sides, a third wall 160 and the opening 162 are at two opposite fourth and fifth sides, and a cover 146 opposite from the base is at a sixth side, the cosmetic package 100 having an interior cavity containing the tray 104 including one or more pans 116 and the leaf spring 106.
The interior of the two opposite walls 156, 158 include a rail 120 that fits within a groove 118 on sides of the tray 104.
The cosmetic package further comprises a pan holder 110, wherein the pan holder includes a plurality of pans 116, each pan including a formulation 114.
The cosmetic package further comprises a cover 146 enclosing the container 102, wherein the cover includes a cutout 170 on a corner thereof, and the button 108 includes a catch 136 accessible via the cutout on the cover.
The base 154 of the container 102 includes a cutout 168 on a corner thereof, and the button 108 includes a catch 136 accessible via the cutout on the base.
The present application may include references to directions, such as “right,” “left,” “front,” “back,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior”, “exterior,” “horizontal,” “parallel,” “perpendicular,” “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “under,” etc. These references, and other similar references in the present application, are only to assist in helping describe and understand the FIGURES and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these directions or locations unless expressly stated.
While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
