Nestable cosmetic package assembly

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6568529
  • Patent Number
    6,568,529
  • Date Filed
    Friday, June 29, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 27, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Fidei; David T.
    Agents
    • Hitt Gaines & Boisbrun PC
Abstract
To address the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a nestable cosmetic package assembly. The nestable package assembly includes at least two cosmetic-containing portions that may be interconnected to provide a convenient, portable, and economical package for cosmetics.
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed, in general to cosmetic packaging assemblies and carrying cases. More specifically, the present invention is directed to cosmetic carrying cases having a plurality of nestable cosmetic-containing portions.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates to the cosmetics industry in general and facial make up applicators in particular. It is well known that women carry makeup for use while traveling or attending social occasions, often as a refresher to an earlier makeup application. Women sometimes try to save time by applying makeup while driving or commuting. Conventional makeup packages are often too large, cumbersome and impractical for short trips and may not get fully used before being discarded or replaced by a new brand or color, ultimately wasting product and money. While some current cosmetic packages address size or convenience, they do not achieve interchangeable, disposable and customizable convenience, choice and size in one design component.




Nested cosmetic applicators are known in the prior art such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,742.




Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a convenient cosmetic package having interlocking and interchangeable applicators in an array of color or product choices. The packages which can be customized to fit the owner's needs and desires. These dispensers are preferably manufactured to be cost efficient and disposable. Although primarily intended for cosmetics, the packages have other applications, such as, tools, pens, markers, toiletries, oral hygiene products, etc.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




To address the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a cosmetic package assembly including a plurality of interlocking cosmetic-containing portions.




The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIGS. 1A through 1C

illustrate top, side and bottom views, respectively, of one embodiment of the cosmetic package assembly of the present invention;





FIG. 1D

illustrates a side sectional view of the nestable cosmetic packaging assembly


100


of

FIGS. 1A-1C

;





FIGS. 2A through 2C

illustrate top, side and bottom views, respectively, of one embodiment of the present invention configured to receive a base portion


130


;





FIG. 2D

illustrates a side sectional view of the present invention of

FIGS. 2A-2C

with the base portion


130


installed;





FIGS. 3A-3C

illustrate top, side and bottom views, respectively, of one embodiment of nestable portions of the present invention;





FIG. 3D

illustrates a side sectional view of two nestable portions of the present invention of

FIGS. 3A-3C

; and





FIG. 4

schematically illustrates an embodiment of the nestable cosmetic package assembly of the present invention having a pencil-like cosmetic applicator portion.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




Turning now to

FIGS. 1A-1D

.

FIGS. 1A through 1C

illustrate top, side and bottom views, respectively, of one embodiment of a nestable cosmetic packaging assembly


100


constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 1D

illustrates a side sectional view of the nestable cosmetic packaging assembly


100


of

FIGS. 1A-1C

. The assembly or wand is comprised of interlocking make-up applicators


120


assembled according to the individual consumer's taste. For instance, the package may contain a lipstick, lip liner, lip primer, eye liner, eye shadow and cover-up to create a six unit assembly


100


. Each of the nested make-up applicators or ‘bullets’


120


can be changed or replaced as needed/as desired. Therefore, some may opt for all lipsticks, while others choose to have all eye colors, or a mixture. Of course the present invention envisions embodiments with more than six units. Each assembly


100


may also be comprised of a base portion


130


, a plurality of makeup portions


140


and a covered top


150


.




Turn now to

FIGS. 2A-2D

and


3


A-


3


D, with continuing reference to

FIGS. 1A-1D

.

FIGS. 2A through 2C

illustrate top, side and bottom views, respectively, of one embodiment of the present invention configured to receive a base portion


130


.

FIG. 2D

illustrates a side sectional view of the present invention of

FIGS. 2A-2C

with the base portion


130


installed.

FIGS. 3A-3C

illustrate top, side and bottom views, respectively, of one embodiment of nestable portions of the present invention.

FIG. 3D

illustrates a side sectional view of two nestable portions of the present invention of

FIGS. 3A-3C

. Because of the nesting, it is preferred that each bullet be interchangeable as the base portion


130


or the top


150


. The base portion of each bullet is shaped and sized to accommodate the makeup portion of the next lower portion making up the assembly


100


. Each nested applicator


120


in the assembly


100


is interlocked to make it rigid enough to be used as a handle while using the exposed applicator, but will separate efficiently and effectively to make for convenient interchange among and between the portions.




As noted, the applicators are preferably joined by interlocking means


160


to secure portions. There are a number of approaches to achieve the interlock—ranging from a “j” hook design to a screw or snap in mechanism. Each make up portion will be housed in an individual cover that will protect the makeup while it is being reinserted or removed. Preferably, this cover will have a retracting capability to allow for optimum exposure of the product at the time of use. It may be desirable to have a brush type of applicator housed in a section for use with mascara or eye shadow.




In order to maintain a portable yet functional device, the desired assembly


100


size and shape should be about six to seven inches in length (which translates approximately to 5 or 6 one-inch ‘bullet’ components) and have a diameter no larger than a quarter. Materials should be lightweight and inexpensive enough to be disposable.




Turning now to

FIG. 4

, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the nestable cosmetic package assembly


400


constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The assembly includes at least two cosmetic-containing portions


410


having a male end


420


and a female end


430


. The male end


420


has a holder configured to retain a cosmetic pencil


440


. The cosmetic pencil


440


includes a cosmetic applicator portion


450


that may be aligned along a central axis


460


of the assembly


400


. The cosmetic pencil


440


may further include a rigidifying portion


470


disposed about the cosmetic applicator portion


450


. The rigidifying portion


470


comprises wood, plastic or other material that may be formed about and provide rigidity to the cosmetic applicator portion


450


. The cosmetic applicator portion


450


includes a cosmetic that may be any composition suitable for cosmetic purposes such as, but not limited to, eyeliner, mascara, lip liner, lipstick, lip gloss.




The female end


430


of the cosmetic-containing portion


410


is configured to receive a male end


420


. The female end


430


also includes a fastening mechanism


475


that is configured to engage and retain a male end


420


of a second cosmetic-containing portion


410


. The fastening mechanism


475


may comprise a snap, screw or detent mechanism. One skilled in the art may be aware of other fastening means. Such means are within the broad scope of the invention.




In another embodiment the nestable cosmetic package assembly


400


may further include a protective cap


480


that also has attachment mechanism


485


configured to secure the protective cap


480


to the male end


410


. The attachment mechanism


485


may be a snap, screw or detent mechanism. In yet another embodiment the testable cosmetic package assembly


400


may further include a sharpener


490


configured to shape the cosmetic pencil


440


in a manner that facilitates the application of the cosmetic from the cosmetic applicating portion


450


. In certain embodiments the sharpener


490


may be a rotary sharpener such as a conventional pencil sharpener. The sharpener


490


will also be configured to interlock, or nest, a cosmetic-containing portion


410


. Another embodiment includes a base


495


configured to engage a cosmetic-containing portion


410


of the assembly


400


.




Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.



Claims
  • 1. A multi-use cosmetic package assembly, comprising:a first nesting portion having a male end and a female end; a second nesting portion that is a shaping device configured to: shape at least a portion of said male end of said first nesting portion; and removably couple to said female end of said first nesting portion; and a third nesting portion having a male end and a female end, said female end of said third besting portion configured to removably couple to said male end of said first nesting portion or said second nesting portion.
  • 2. The cosmetic package assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said male end of said first nesting portion is a cosmetic pencil.
  • 3. The cosmetic package assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said cosmetic pencil comprises a central cosmetic applicator portion formed along a central axis of said cosmetic pencil and a rigidifying portion disposed about said cosmetic applicator portion.
  • 4. The cosmetic package assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said cosmetic pencil comprises a cosmetic selected from the group consisting of:lipstick; lip gloss; lip liner; lip primer; eye liner; eye shadow; mascara, and cover-up.
  • 5. The cosmetic package assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said shaping device is a sharpener.
  • 6. The cosmetic package assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said shaping device is a rotary sharpener.
  • 7. The cosmetic package assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said male end of said third nesting portion is configured to removably couple to said female end of said first nesting portion, and said female end of said third nesting portion is configured to removably couple to said male end of said second nesting portion.
  • 8. The cosmetic package assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising a protective cover configured to removably couple to a one of said male end of the group consisting of:said first nesting portion; said second nesting portion; and said third nesting portion.
  • 9. The cosmetic package assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said female end of said first nesting portion further comprises a fastening mechanism configured to removably couple to a one of said male end of the group consisting of:said second nesting portion; and said third nesting portion.
  • 10. A method of packaging cosmetics, comprising:forming a first nesting portion having a male end and a female end; forming a second nesting portion having a male end that is a shaping device configured to: shape at least a portion of said male end of said first nesting portion; and removably couple to said female end of said first nesting portion; and forming a third nesting portion having a male end and a female end, said female end of said third nesting portion configured to removably couple to said male end of said first nesting portion or said second nesting portion.
  • 11. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein forming a first nesting portion includes forming a cosmetic pencil.
  • 12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein forming a cosmetic pencil comprises:forming a central cosmetic applicator portion along a central axis of said cosmetic pencil; and forming a rigidifying portion about said cosmetic applicator portion.
  • 13. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein forming a central cosmetic applicator portion comprises a cosmetic selected from the group consisting of:lipstick; lip gloss; lip liner; lip primer; eye liner; eye shadow; mascara, and cover-up.
  • 14. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein forming a second nesting portion includes forming a sharpener.
  • 15. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein forming a second nesting portion includes forming a rotary sharpener.
  • 16. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said male end of said third nesting portion is configured to removably couple to said female end of said first nesting portion, and said female end of said third nesting portion is configured to removably couple to said male end of said second nesting portion.
  • 17. The method as recited in claim 10 further comprising forming a protective cover configured to removably couple to a one of said male end of the group consisting of:said first nesting portion; said second nesting portion; and said third nesting portion.
  • 18. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein forming a first nesting portion includes forming a first nesting portion further comprising forming a fastening mechanism on said female end of said first nesting portion configured to removably couple to a one of said male end of the group consisting of:said second nesting portion; and said third nesting portion.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

This Application claims priority from provisional application No. 60/215,233 entitled “Nesting Cosmetic Assembly,” to Coy, et. al., filed on Jun. 30, 2000, which is commonly assigned with the present invention and incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced herein in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (13)
Number Name Date Kind
2131077 Snyder Sep 1938 A
2134570 Meilner Oct 1938 A
2414245 Rudd Jan 1947 A
3171416 Pimentel Mar 1965 A
3232275 Ziegler et al. Feb 1966 A
3592202 Jones Jul 1971 A
4915234 Boeller Apr 1990 A
5056179 Capponi Oct 1991 A
5069232 Staar Dec 1991 A
5373940 Hillelson Dec 1994 A
5620270 Gueret Apr 1997 A
5655554 Goldberg Aug 1997 A
5881742 Hunsberger Mar 1999 A
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60/215233 Jun 2000 US