Patent Application
20230200517
The present invention relates to a hermetically sealed cosmetic container for containing cosmetic material in a portable fashion, and more particularly, to a hermetically sealed cosmetic container that provides the ability to refill the components therein either separately or by replacing the housing containing each cosmetic item. In this way, the cosmetic container is suitable for use for an extended period of time, and is not discarded after the cosmetics within are used up. A user is able to exchange or refill any of the particular cosmetic items within, as well as adding new cosmetics, better quality cosmetics, additional colors, etc. as they become available. Further, the cosmetic container is fully modular and may include any number of sealed, stackable cases. A user is able to choose any desired configuration, for example, only the first case, the first and second cases, and so on.
Cosmetic products are widely used and solutions exist for carrying these products. For example, cosmetic powder is widely available in many colors in addition to the various shades of foundation powder. Foundation powder may be used to create a base for applying skin cosmetics. Color powder may be used to provide a color-effect on the skin. Color powders are applied on the face or used as eye-shadow to beautify the eyes.
Many users of cosmetic powder carry their foundation powder and/or color powder with them while they travel. For this reason, various cosmetic powder cases are available in the market. The cases of cosmetic powders are generally required be lightweight, slim, and compact such that they can be easily fit and carried inside handbags and purses.
Conventional cosmetic cases may include a box with a container to store the powder as well as other types of cosmetics, such as mascara, lipstick, lip gloss, and eyeliner. The powder can be loose powder or in the solid-cake form. Some cosmetic cases comprise multiple containers for storing powders of different color. Boxes may be used for carrying cosmetics, and may also include an applicator. The various containers for carrying cosmetics may be covered with a lid to avoid any spilling of powder or liquids. Some cosmetic cases are provided with a mirror on the inside of the lid. The mirror aids the user in applying the cosmetic contents of the box.
There have been many different patent applications filed or obtained for cosmetic cases. These include at least the following: U.S. Publication No. 2008/0257376 to Pires et al. (“Pires”), U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,640 to Destanque et al. (“Destanque”), U.S. Pat. No. 2,426,883 to Kartyshai (“Kartyshai”), U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,089 to Yuhara (“Yuhara”), U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,839 to Montoli (“Montoli”), U.S. Pat. No. 7,314, 051 to Yuhara (“Yuhara II”), U.S. Pat. No. 2,017,852 to Chisholm (“Chisholm”), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,679 to Yuhara (“Yuhara III”), each of is incorporated by reference as if fully inserted herein.
Each of these patents and products have limitations as explained below. Pires is an application filed in October 2008 for a cosmetic case with multiple compartments. The case is compact and covered by a lid. Removable and refillable containers inside the case store the powder. Each container is covered by corresponding protrusions at the bottom portion of a tray. Shapes of the protrusions at the bottom of the tray match the shapes of the containers that hold the powder. Therefore, the protrusions plug the containers holding the powder when the case is closed. The tray is connected to the bottom of the lid. Therefore, as the lid is lifted to open the case, the tray also lifts and slides over a pair of rails at the sides of the case to unplug the containers and expose the powder.
This application was filed Apr. 22, 2007. The examiner rejected the application as being anticipated by three different patents, i.e., Berry (U.S. Pat. No. 2,675,290), Gast (U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,156), or Kneier (U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,409). These patents were cited as disclosing the way the lid opens by sliding. The applicant made amendments to the claims but the examiner was not convinced. The examiner maintained the anticipation rejection due to Berry and added a rejection of obviousness based on a combination of Berry (U.S. Pat. No. 2,675,290) and R. G. Woolworth (U.S. Pat. No. 3,410,018).
The applicant then filed a continuation application making more changes to the claims. The examiner was still not convinced and found more patents to cite against the way the lid opened. The examiner maintained the rejections based on Woolworth (U.S. Pat. No. 3,377,736) and Yarcho (U.S. Pat. No. 1,872,864). Yarcho was cited as disclosing a cosmetic case with multiple containers which are closed by a protrusion when the lid is closed and opened when the lid is open. The final rejections added Seward (475,617) and Weber (U.S. Pat. No. 3,278,007). The application was finally abandoned in October 2011.
Destanque is a patent issued in 2002 for a makeup compact having at least two products of different types. The application discloses a cosmetic case where a lipstick case (4) is mounted on the casing in such a way that it cannot be detached from the casing unless at least one of the lids (10a) is open. Advantageously, the first product (P1, P2, P3) is a compact powder and the second product (P4) is a stick of lipstick. This application was allowed fairly quickly because of the novel attachment of the lipstick case.
Kartyshai is a patent issued in 1944 for a compact case having multiple containers of different color powders. They are covered by a rotating cap.
Yuhara is a patent issued in 2000 for a cosmetic case with a hinged refill container part. This invention allows for a removable sealed refill container to be installed in the main case. This application was also allowed fairly quickly as it was originally filed Oct. 28, 1999. It took only a year because the actual mechanism as shown in the drawings was unique. The claim is fairly narrow as you can see on Column 9.
The four other listed patents, i.e., Montoli, Yuhara, Chisholm, and Yuhara all disclose other compact cases with multiple compartments which can be refilled. The claims of the three more recent patents are all fairly narrow.
The devices disclosed herein relate generally to storage devices for storing cosmetic products. A container for storing cosmetics is provided, which may include a first case have a first housing with a first inset region that is sized and shaped to accommodate a first cosmetic container, the first case further comprising a receiving portion and first and second cutout portions; a second case having a second housing with a second inset region that is sized and shaped to accommodate a second cosmetic container, the second case further comprising a first connection tab that fits within and removably connects to the first cutout portion of the first case such that the first and second cases are removably sealed together; and a lid having a hinge that fits within and removably connects to the second cutout portion of the first housing and a latch that fits within the receiving portion of the first case such that the lid is removably sealed to the top of the first case.
In some implementations, a third housing is included with a third inset region that is sized and shaped to accommodate a third cosmetic container, the third case further comprising a second connection tab that fits within and removably connects to a first cutout portion of the second case such that the second and third cases are removably sealed together. A fourth housing may also be included with a fourth inset region, the fourth case further comprising a third connection tab that fits within and removably connects to a first cutout portion of the third case such that the third and fourth cases are removably sealed together.
In some implementations, the first connection tab comprises a first magnet that is configured to attach to a second magnet in the first cutout portion of the first case. The first magnet may be disposed in a center portion of the first connection tab, wherein the second magnet is disposed in a center portion of the first cutout portion of the first case. The first magnet may be disposed on an end portion of the first connection tab, wherein the second magnet is disposed on an end portion of the first cutout portion of the first case. The first connection tab may include a third magnet that is configured to attach to a fourth magnet in the first cutout portion of the first case.
In some implementations, the third magnet is disposed on an opposing end portion of the first connection tab, wherein the fourth magnet is disposed on an opposing end portion of the first cutout portion of the first case. The first connection tab and the first cutout portion of the first case may be connected with a latching mechanism extending into the first case. The first and second cosmetic containers may be configured to contain one of eyeshadow, concealer, powder, powder bronzer, blush, lipstick, lip liner, mascara, and eyeliner. The first and second cosmetic containers may be refillable. The first case, second case, and the lid may be configured to be hermetically sealed together.
A storage device is also provided, which may include a plurality of cases that are configured to be removably connected together, the plurality of cases including: a first case sized and shaped to accommodate one or more refillable sealed cosmetic containers; and a second case sized and shaped to accommodate one or more refillable sealed cosmetic containers, the second casing comprising a first connection tab extending out from the second casing that is configured to connect to an underside of the first case; and a lid that is removably connectable to the first case and configured to seal the first case.
In some implementations, the first connection tab is magnetically connected to the underside of the first case. The first connection tab may be connected to the underside of the first case with a latching mechanism extending into the first case. The one or more sealed cosmetic containers may be configured to contain one of eyeshadow, concealer, powder, powder bronzer, blush, lipstick, lip liner, mascara, and eyeliner.
A method for assembling a container for storing cosmetics is also provided, which may include steps for providing a first case having a first housing with a first inset region that is sized and shaped to accommodate a first sealed cosmetic container, the first case further comprising a receiving portion and first and second cutout portions; providing a second case having a second housing with a second inset region that is sized and shaped to accommodate a second sealed cosmetic container; connecting the first and second cases together with a first connection tab extending out from the second case that fits within and removably connects to the first cutout portion of the first case such that the first and second cases are removably sealed together; and providing a lid having a hinge that fits within and removably connects to the second cutout portion of the first housing and a latch that fits within the receiving portion of the first case; and connecting the lid to the top of the first case such that the lid and first case are removably sealed together.
In some implementations, the method may include providing a third housing with a third inset region that is sized and shaped to accommodate a third sealed cosmetic container; and connecting a second connection tab extending out from the third housing with a first cutout portion of the second case such that the second and third cases are removably sealed together. The method may also include providing a fourth housing with a fourth inset region that is sized and shaped to accommodate a fourth sealed cosmetic container; and connecting a third connection tab extending out from the fourth housing with a first cutout portion of the third case such that the third and fourth cases are removably sealed together. The first and second sealed cosmetic containers may be configured to contain one of eyeshadow, concealer, powder, powder bronzer, blush, lipstick, lip liner, mascara, and eyeliner.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.
The accompanying drawings illustrate implementations of the devices and methods disclosed herein and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
The accompanying drawings may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings. Specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, systems, methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one implementation may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other implementations of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some instances the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The present disclosure relates generally to devices, systems, and methods relating to devices for holding, containing, and transporting cosmetics. The present disclosure may offer benefits over conventional cosmetic containers.
First, many conventional cosmetic containers do not tightly hold the cosmetics within because the large variety of sizes of various cosmetics cannot be accommodated by any one layout. Moving these containers around may cause the loose cosmetic containers to spill or leak.
Second, many conventional cosmetic containers have a set size that that cannot be changed. This lack of flexibility may require a user to carry various cosmetic containers or simply not be able to carry all the desired cosmetics with them.
Third, the containers used to hold cosmetics are generally disposable due to their small size and low cost. These disposable containers are generally low quality and create large amounts of waste over time.
Therefore, the present disclosure meets the existing needs for a refillable, modular cosmetic system that securely holds cosmetics. In particular, implementations of the present disclosure include a cosmetic storage system that can include a number of modular cases that are configured to securely hold refillable containers for cosmetics. The modular cases are easily attached together, allowing a user to put together a combination of cases that includes the desired cosmetics for a particular application.
In some implementations, the cases include sealing portions 112, 114, 116, 118 between them. In some implementations, the sealing portions 112, 114, 116, 118 include a different material than the body of the cases 120, 130, 140, 150 such as rubber, silicone, polymers, or other materials. In other implementations, the sealing portions 112, 114, 116, 118 comprise a raised portion of the cases 120, 130, 140, 150 that is configured to contact the bottom of the adjacent case 120, 130, 140, 150. The sealing portions 112, 114, 116, 118 may provide a hermetic seal, which may be advantageous in keeping moisture out of the system 100 as well as sealing cosmetics within.
In some implementations, the system 100 has a variable size based on the desired application by a user. For example, the user may only need a small cosmetic kit for an afternoon, and may remove the bottom three cases 130, 140, 150 leaving only the lid 110 and first case 120 to store the desired cosmetics. In other scenarios, a user may require two, three, four, or more cases 120, 130, 140, 150 for a particular application. The modular nature of the system 100 allows a user to quickly change the system 100 to fit his or her needs. The cases 120, 130, 140, 150 may be fully interchangeable and have different layouts for holding cosmetics, as shown in
The system 100 may be sized to fit conveniently in a purse or handbag. In some implementations, the system 100 has about the same length L1 and width W1 as a cell phone (such as an iPhone 13 Max). The thickness or height of the system 100 may be variable, but in some implementations, may be about 2.5 times the thickness of a cell phone (such as the aforementioned iPhone 13 Max). In one implementation, the height H1 of the first case 120 and lid 110 is about 1.5 cm, while the heights H2, H3, H4 of the other cases 130, 140, 150 are about 1.2 cm. In other implementations, heights H1, H2, H3, and H4 are between 0.5 and 3 cm or between 1 and 2 cm. In one implementation, width W1 is about 6.5 cm. In other implementations, width W1 is between 5 and 10 cm or between 6 and 7 cm. In one implementation, length L1 is about 11.5 cm. In other implementations, L1 is between 9 and 13 cm or between 11 and 12 cm.
In some implementations, a user is able to easily access the various cases 120, 130, 140, 150 of the system 100. For example, a user may open the cases 120, 130, 140, 150 from the top, from a side, or from the bottom of the system 100 in order to access the containers within them. In some implementations, a user may be able to eject longer items from the cases 120, 130, 140, 150 with a button or other mechanical device. In order to exchange or refill a refillable container, a user may be able to press the container to release it, pull on the container, slide the container, or use another motion to remove the container.
In some implementations, the connection tab 202 may include magnets 214. These magnets 214 may be placed at one or both ends of the tab 202 such they connect to corresponding magnets with the outer edges of the first inset region 206, as shown in
In other implementations, the connection tab 202 includes a non-magnetic connecting mechanism, such as a movable bar that can be extended into the body of the first case 120 via one or more openings in the first inset region 206. This may allow a user to latch and unlatch the cases 120, 130 from each other and access the cases 120, 130 from the sides, top, or bottom of the cases 120, 130. The connection tab 202 may also include other connecting mechanisms, such as a lock or latch.
At step 804, the method 800 may include attaching a lid to a first case, such as lid 110 and first case 120. As discussed above, the lid 110 may be attached to the first case 120 with a hinge 208 as well as a latching mechanism 340. In some implementations, after attachment, the lid 110 and first case 120 are sealed together with a hermetic seal. A user may further lock the lid 110 and first case 120 together with a lock or other securing device.
At step 806, the method 800 may include attaching a second case to the first case by inserting a connecting tab of the second case into the underside of the first case. As shown in
At step 808, the method 800 may include attaching a third case to the second case by inserting a connecting tab of the third case into the underside of the second case. This step may be accomplished using the examples shown in
At step 810, the method 800 may optionally include attaching a fourth case to the third case by inserting a connecting tab of the fourth case into the underside of the third case. This step may be accomplished using the examples shown in
The steps of method 800 may be carried out in any order, and as discussed above, the system 100 is configured to be modular such that any of the cases 120, 130, 140, 150 may be connected to any of the other cases 120, 130, 140, 150. Other layouts for cases 120, 130, 140, 150 are also possible, such that other combinations of refillable cosmetic containers are able to be held in the cases 120, 130, 140, 150. For example, a user may choose from a set of pre-formed internal layouts which may hold other combinations of cosmetic such that the internal layouts may be placed into the bodies 102, 202, 302, 402 of the cases 120, 130, 140, 150 for additional flexibility.
The cosmetic storage system 100 described herein offer advantages such as providing a secure, refillable, and convenient solution to carrying and using cosmetics. This system may be fully customizable by a user who can form any desired combination of cases 120, 130, 140, 150 which may be securely held together and easily accessed.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the implementations encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the particular exemplary implementations described above. In that regard, although illustrative implementations have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the present disclosure.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 63/293,574, filed on Dec. 23, 2021, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63293574 | Dec 2021 | US |
