GB2513578A

GB2513578A - Compact housing for a cosmetic container

Info

Publication number: GB2513578A
Application number: GB201307722A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Adams; James Attard Kingswell
Original assignee: Toly Management Ltd
Current assignee: Toly Management Ltd
Priority date: 2013-04-30
Filing date: 2013-04-30
Publication date: 2014-11-05
Also published as: GB201307722D0

Abstract

A one-handed opening compact cosmetic container 10 comprises a base portion 20 and a lid portion 18, the lid portion 18 being rotatable relative to the base portion 20 about a hinge 26. The base portion 20 comprises deformable portions 32, deformable by application of a pressing or squeezing force F applied to opposing sides of the base portion 20 by one hand of a user. The subsequent movement of the deformable portions 32 causes part (28, fig. 2) of the base portion 20 to press against the lid portion 18 at the hinge 26, (see fig. 3). This movement, indicated by the arrow G in figure 3, applies a rotational force to the lid portion 18 so as to rotate the lid portion 18 from the closed configuration to the open configuration. An interlock arrangement 40 may also be provided, comprising upstanding hooks 42 which cooperate with the lid 18 to prevent the lid from being opened. Squeezing parts 34 disengages the hooks 42 from the lid 18 and allows the lid 18 to be opened.

Description

I

COMPACT HOUSING FOR A COSMETIC CONTAINER

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of cosmetic containers, and more particularly to a compact cosmetic container.

Background to the Invention

Conventional compact cosmetic containers typically comprise one or more cosmetic products (such as lipstick, lip-gloss, foundation, eye shadow, mascara concealer or blusher for example) and a housing which encloses and protects the cosmetic product(s) when the user does not wish to use the cosmetic product(s).

Various structures have been proposed for compact cosmetic containers of the above kind, some of which employ slide-type mechanisms for opening and closing the housing. Other cosmetic containers employ rotatable clam-type mechanisms for opening and closing the housing.

Such mechanisms are typically expensive. Also, spring-based mechanisms and/or pneumatically-damped opening arrangements require complex and/or expensive assembly processes.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a compact cosmetic container according to claim 1.

Embodiments provide a simple and reliable compact cosmetic container that can be held and opened with one hand. Such embodiments may be simple and quick to operate, thereby providing easy access to the cosmetic product(s) housed in the container. The cosmetic product(s) may be solid, liquid, paste or powder cosmetic product and may be provided on a god et.

With embodiments not requiring a complex spring-based opening mechanism and/or a pneumatically-damped opening arrangement, simple and cheap assembly processes can be employed. Embodiments may therefore make it economically viable for a manufacturer to create a more prestigious, substantial and/or and elegant container.

Unlike conventional compact cosmetic containers, embodiments can be held in one hand and also opened using the same hand. This helps to avoid the drawback with a conventional two-handed container wherein a user's first hand holding the container inadvertently frustrates an opening operation undertaken by the user's second hand. Embodiments enable the hand of the user which is holding the container to simply squeeze opposite sides of the container to automatically release and open the container. One hand of a user may therefore simultaneously support and open an embodiment, leaving the user's other hand free for another purpose.

The base portion of the container may comprise a substantially circular, oval or ring-like deformable portion. The deformable portion may comprise first and second button portions at diametrically opposing positions, the first and second button portions defining the points at which one hand of a user applies a pressing force. In other words, first and second buttons may be provided at antipodal points of a generally circular or ring-like deformable portion. In mathematics, the antipodal point of a point on the circumference of a circle is the point which is diametrically opposite to it, so situated that a line drawn from the one to the other passes through the centre of the centre and forms a true diameter of the circle.

The base portion may comprise an interlock arrangement adapted to releasably engage the lid portion, the interlock arrangement being adapted to move from a locked configuration to a release configuration when the base portion is deformed by application of the pressing force applied to opposing sides of the base portion. Embodiments may thus reduce the risk of unintentional opening, Further, embodiments provide a compact cosmetic container which may offer greater satisfaction and pleasure to a consumer, thereby enhancing the appeal and marketability of the cosmetic product it contains.

Embodiments may provide a compact cosmetic container which includes a compress-to-open' or squeeze-to-open' arrangement for enabling the container to be both held and opened with one hand.

The cosmetic product may be any facial or bodily cosmetic or beauty treatment product including lipstick, lip-gloss, eye-brow, eye-shadow, concealer, blusher, foundation, skin-treatment, compressed powder and the like.

Further developments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which: Fig. 1 shows a compact cosmetic container according to an embodiment of the invention in an open configuration, wherein a section of the base portion has been removed to show the deformable portion; Fig. 2 depicts the deformable portion of the container of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the hinge area of the container of Fig. 1.

Detailed description

Referring to Figures 1-3, there is shown a compact cosmetic container according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 shows the container in an open configuration, and Figures 2 and 3 depict details of the container 10 Figure 1.

The container 10 comprises a housing 12 formed with an aperture or recess 14 for receiving a godet supporting a cosmetic product. A godet is typically otherwise referred to in the field of cosmetic packaging as a godet tray, a tray or a platform that is adapted to support or hold a cosmetic product such as a pressed powder.

The housing 12 is formed from a lid portion 18 and a base portion 20, and recess 14 is formed in the center of the base portion 20.

A godet can be inserted or removed into/from the recess. When inserted, the top surface of the cosmetic product may be slightly recessed from the upper surface 22 of the base portion 20. In other words, the assembled container 10 has a housing 12 with a pocket 14 in which the cosmetic product is supported.

The lid 18 and base 20 portions are rotatably connected to each other by a hinge 26. Rotation of the lid portion 18 relative to the base portion 20 moves the compact case between an open and closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the lid 18 covers the cosmetic product and the upper surface 22 of the base portion 20. In the open configuration (shown in Figure 1), the lid portion 18 is spaced apart from the recess 14 and the upper surface 22 of the base portion 20 so as to enable a user to access a cosmetic product supported in the recess 14.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, the lid portion 18 is provided with a mirror (not visible) on its surface that faces the recess 14 and the upper surface 22 when in the closed configuration. Thus, when in the open configuration, the mirror is exposed to the user.

Further, the base portion 20 comprises a substantially circular or ring-like deformable portion 32 which is deformable by application of a pressing force (indicated by arrows labeled "F") applied to opposing sides of the deformable portion 32. Here, the deformable portion 32 comprises first 34 and second 36 button portions at diametrically opposing positions. The first 34 and second 36 button portions define the opposing locations at which one hand of a user applies the pressing force F. Deformation of the deformable portion 32 causes an outwardly projecting rigid flange 38 of the deformable portion 32 to be moved (as indicated by the arrow labeled "G") and press against the lid portion 18 and thereby apply a rotational force to the lid portion 18. Application of the rotational force to the lid portion 18 tend to rotate the lid portion relative to the base portion 20 (as indicated by the arrow labeled "H" in Figure 3) so as to move the container from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

The deformable portion 32 is fixedly attached to the base portion 22 at a section 33 diametrically opposite the rigid flange 32. Thus, the fixed section 33 is prevented from moving relative to the base portion 22 when the pressing force (indicated by arrows labeled "F") is applied to opposing sides of the deformable portion 32. This may increase or amplify the lateral movement (indicated by the arrow labeled "G") of the rigid flange 32 when the deformable portion 32 is deformed by application of the pressing force (indicated by arrows labeled "F") to opposing sides of the deformable portion 32.

Thus, the embodiment of Figures 1-3 comprises what may be referred to as a squeezable lever drive arrangement which is squeezed so as to move a lever (in a direction substantially perpendicular to the squeezing force F) and cause the lever to push against the lid portion 18 which, in turn, causes the lid portion 18 to rotate. Accordingly, if a user wishes to access a cosmetic product held in the container, the user simultaneously presses the first 34 and second 36 button portions using thumb and finger of the hand holding the container so as to cause the rigid flange 38 to push (and rotate) the lid portion 18 away from the upper surface 22 of the base portion 20 and thereby open the container.

The embodiment of Figures 1-3 also comprises an interlock arrangement 40 adapted to releasably engage the lid portion 18. The interlock arrangement 40 is adapted to move from a locked configuration to a release configuration when the deformable portion 32 is deformed by application of the pressing force applied to opposing sides of the deformable portion 32.

Here, the interlock arrangement 40 comprises first 42 and second 44 upstanding hooks projecting upwardly from the first 34 and second 36 button portions, respectively. The first 42 and second 44 upstanding hooks are adapted to engage the lid portion 18 when the container is in the closed configuration so as to prevent rotation of the lid portion 18 relative to the base portion 20.

With the container 10 in the closed configuration, when the first 42 and second 42 upstanding hooks of interlock arrangement 40 are in the locked configuration, the first 42 and second 44 upstanding hooks cooperate with the lid portion 18 to prevent rotation of the lid portion 18, and thus prevent the housing 10 being moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

When the first 42 and second 44 upstanding hooks of the interlock arrangement 40 are in a release configuration, the first 42 and second 44 upstanding hooks are disengaged from the lid portion 18 so as to permit rotation of the lid portion 18 relative to the base portion 20, and thus permit movement of the housing 10 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

Here, the first 42 and second 44 upstanding hooks are moved from the locked configuration to the release configuration by lateral movement caused by deformation of the deformable portion 32 (when the pressing force is applied to opposing sides of the deformable portion 32). The pressing force causes the first 34 and second 36 button portions to move towards each other and, since the first 42 and second 44 upstanding hooks project upwardly from the first 34 and second 36 button portions, respectively, the first 42 and second 44 upstanding hooks also move towards each other. This lateral movement of the first 42 and second 44 upstanding hooks causes the first 42 and second 42 upstanding hooks to move out of cooperation with a surface of the lid portion 18 and thus disengages the first 42 and second 44 upstanding hooks from the lid portion 18 to permit rotation of the lid portion 18 relative to the base portion 20.

The embodiment described above therefore comprises what may be referred to as an automatic opening arrangement which simultaneously unlocks the lid from the base and operates an opening lever which rotates the lid portion to an open configuration. This automatic opening arrangement is operated using the thumb and a finger of the hand that is holding the container. Accordingly, a user may use one hand to both hold and open the container, leaving the other hand available for another purpose.

The embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1-3 includes an opening arrangement which can be described as squeeze-to-open or pinch-to-operate mechanisms for enabling a user to hold and open the container with one hand.

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, it will be appreciated that other embodiments may be used to contain or hold a godet tray supporting any suitable type of cosmetic products (such as lip-gloss, foundation, eye shadow, mascara or blusher for

example).

Also, although the embodiments have been described as having a generally circular deformable portion, other embodiments may comprise deformable portion having a different shape (such a regular or irregular polygonal shape).

Claims

Claims 1. A one-handed opening compact cosmetic container, the container comprising: a base portion and a lid portion, the lid portion being rotatable relative to the base portion to move the housing between an open and closed configuration, and wherein the base portion comprises a deformable portion that is deformable by application of a pressing force applied to opposing sides of the base portion by one hand of a user, and wherein deformation of the deformable portion causes a portion of the base portion to press against the lid portion and thereby apply aforce to the lid portion so as to rotate the lid portion from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
2. The compact cosmetic container of claim 1, wherein the base portion is adapted to support a cosmetic product, and wherein, when the housing is in the closed configuration, the cosmetic product supported by the base portion is covered by the lid portion, and, when the housing is in the open configuration, the cosmetic product supported by the base portion is uncovered to allow the user to access the cosmetic product.
3. The compact cosmetic container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the base portion comprises a flange projecting in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pressing forced applied to opposing sides of the base portion.
4. The compact cosmetic container of any preceding claim, wherein the base portion comprises a substantially circular or oval deformable portion, and wherein the deformable portion comprises first and second button portions at diametrically opposing positions, the first and second button portions defining the points at which one hand of a user applies the pressing force to opposing sides of the base portion.
5. The compact cosmetic container of any preceding claim, wherein the base portion comprises an interlock arrangement adapted to releasably engage the lid portion, the interlock arrangement being adapted to move from a locked configuration to a release configuration when the base portion is deformed by application of the pressing force applied to opposing sides of the base portion by one hand of a user, and wherein, when the interlock arrangement is in the locked configuration, the interlock arrangement is adapted to cooperate with the lid portion to prevent the housing being moved from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and, when the interlock arrangement is in a release configuration, the interlock arrangement permits movement of the housing from the closed configuration to the open configuration,
6. The compact housing of any preceding claim, wherein the cosmetic product comprises at least one of: lipstick; lip-gloss; eye-brow; eye-shadow; concealer; blusher; foundation; compressed powder and skin-treatment.
7. A compact housing for assembly with a godet containing a cosmetic product substantially as herein described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3.