Container Protection Apparatus

Abstract

A container protection apparatus comprises a protector and one or more flanges disposed along a circumference of the lower end of the protector. The flanges extend inwardly toward a central axis of the protector and flex about the lower end of the protector. An expandable longitudinal slot runs down the length of the protector from its upper end to its lower end. When the protector is coaxially positioned, force fitted, and moved down the length of the container having a wheel at its lower end, till the lower end of the protector projects beyond a lower edge of the wheel, the width of the longitudinal slot narrows, the inner surface of the protector snap-fits around the outer surface of the container, and the flanges engage with a cylindrical surface and a lower surface of the wheel, thereby preventing the wheel from being inadvertently turned.

Description

BACKGROUND

A conventional cosmetic container, for example, a lip balm container, a lipstick container, etc., comprises a cosmetic stick positioned within the cosmetic container. The cosmetic container typically has a removable cap at its upper end and a rotatable wheel located at its lower end, operable for moving the cosmetic stick up or down the cosmetic container. Manual rotation of the wheel, for example, in a clockwise direction moves the cosmetic stick up and out of the cosmetic container. After the user has applied the cosmetic, rotation of the wheel in an opposite direction, for example, in a counterclockwise direction, moves the cosmetic stick down and back into the cosmetic container. When the cosmetic container is carried, for example, in the user's pocket, handbag, etc., and when the user inserts his/her hand in the user's pocket or handbag, the wheel of the cosmetic container may be inadvertently turned, resulting in the cosmetic stick being moved up and pressed against an inner surface of the cap of the cosmetic container resulting in deformation or damage of the upper end of the cosmetic stick. The damaged upper end of the cosmetic stick then needs to be discarded or reshaped prior to application of the cosmetic by the user, for example, prior to application of lipstick on the user's lips.

Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a container protection apparatus that prevents the inadvertent turning of the wheel of the cosmetic container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The container protection apparatus disclosed herein addresses the above mentioned need for preventing inadvertent turning of a wheel of a cosmetic container, for example, a lip balm container, a lipstick container, etc., which would result in a cosmetic stick being pushed up and out of the cosmetic container and against an inner surface of a cap of the cosmetic container. The cosmetic container having an upper end and a lower end, comprises a cosmetic stick, for example, a lip balm stick, a lipstick, etc., positioned in the cosmetic container, a removable cap located at the upper end of the cosmetic container, and a wheel located at the lower end of the cosmetic container that when manually rotated moves the cosmetic stick towards the upper end of the cosmetic container and out of the cosmetic container, and moves the cosmetic stick down towards the lower end of the cosmetic container and back into the cosmetic container after the cosmetic has been used by the user. In an embodiment, the wheel of the cosmetic container is provided with serrations to allow the user to better grip the wheel with his/her fingers to rotate the wheel.

The container protection apparatus disclosed herein comprises a protector with one or more flanges extending from the lower end of the protector. The protector is configured, for example, as a generally cylindrical, flexible, plastic tube having an upper end and a lower end with a longitudinal slot, the width of which is expandable, running down the length of the protector from the upper end of the protector to the lower end of the protector. The protector is made of a flexible material, for example, a plastic. The protector is positioned coaxially and in a snap-fit orientation around the cosmetic container. The edges at the upper end of the protector curvedly converge to the upper end of the longitudinal slot of the protector. The edges at the lower end of the protector extend horizontally to the lower end of the longitudinal slot of the protector. To prevent the wheel of the cosmetic container from being inadvertently turned by a user, the protector is coaxially positioned around the cosmetic container with the flanges at the lower end of the protector positioned in contact with the cylindrical surface of the wheel and the lower circular surface of the wheel. The diameter of the protector is approximately the same as the diameter of the cosmetic container. In an embodiment, the diameter of the protector is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cosmetic container, for example, about 1/16 inch or about ⅛ inch smaller than the diameter of the cosmetic container.

The lower end of the protector is crimped along the circumference of the lower end of the protector to form one or more flanges. The flanges extend inwardly from the circumference of the lower end of the protector toward a central axis of the protector. In an embodiment, the flanges are substantially perpendicular to the vertical sides of the cosmetic container and lie in the same horizontal plane defined by a substantially circular opening at the lower end of the protector. That is, the flanges extend substantially parallel to the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening at the lower end of the protector. In an embodiment, the flanges are inclined in an upward direction at an angle of, for example, about 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc., from the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening at the lower end of the protector. The flanges are contiguous with the lower circumference of the protector and are crimped to define the generally inward and horizontal or inclined orientation disclosed above. In an embodiment, the flanges are extruded contiguous with the protector. The flanges flex upward or downward along the flange-protector circumference on application of an upward or downward force to the flanges.

To prevent the wheel of the cosmetic container from being inadvertently turned, the lower end of the protector is coaxially positioned around the upper end of the cosmetic container and moved towards the lower end of the container. The downward motion of the protector over the container causes the longitudinal slot to expand and positions the inner surface of the protector and the inwardly folded flanges substantially in force fit contact with the outer surface of the cosmetic container. When the lower end of the protector first projects beyond a lower edge of the wheel of the container, the flanges flex in an upward direction and toward the central axis of the protector, contact and engage the cylindrical surface of the wheel and the lower surface of the wheel, and the longitudinal slot narrows to urge the inner surface of the protector to snap-fit around the outer surface of the cosmetic container, thereby preventing the wheel from being inadvertently turned, for example, when a user inserts his/her hand in a pocket containing the cosmetic container. The flanges are therefore engaged with the cylindrical surface of the wheel and the lower surface of the wheel, and the inner surface of the protector is in contact with the outer surface of the cosmetic container, when the protector is force fitted over the cosmetic container. In an embodiment, the cylindrical surface of the wheel and the circular lower surface of the wheel are serrated.

In an embodiment, the lower end of the protector is configured to provide a single flange on the lower circumference of the protector. In another embodiment, the lower end of the protector is configured to provide more than one flange spaced along the circumference, for example, two front flanges proximal and equidistantly spaced with respect to the longitudinal slot. The flange if only a single flange is used, or the front flanges proximal to the longitudinal slot are configured to fold inwardly and engage the lower surface of the wheel of the cosmetic container for engaging the wheel, and to retract and disengage from the wheel to allow the upward movement of the protector along the length of the cosmetic container when an upward twisting force is applied along the longitudinal slot, thereby allowing a user to access and rotate the wheel of the cosmetic container to move the cosmetic stick up or down the cosmetic container.

The container protection apparatus further comprises a generally elliptical protrusion disposed along the circumference of the lower end of the protector and approximately diametrically opposite to the flanges. The protrusion extends inwardly from the circumference of the lower end of the protector. In an embodiment, the protrusion is configured to abut the cylindrical surface of the wheel of the cosmetic container to urge the wheel towards the flanges adjacent to the longitudinal slot when the protector is coaxially positioned around the cosmetic container. The protrusion firmly holds the cosmetic container against the flanges. The protrusion is spaced, for example, about 180 degrees opposite to the longitudinal slot. When the protector is force fitted over the cosmetic container, the protrusion contacts the cylindrical surface of the cosmetic container and pushes the wheel of the cosmetic container towards the flanges. In another embodiment, the protrusion disposed along the circumference of the lower end of the protector and approximately diametrically opposite to the flanges is configured to contact the lower surface of the wheel of the cosmetic container when the protector is coaxially positioned around the cosmetic container.

An application of an upward twisting force along the longitudinal slot of the protector causes the longitudinal slot to expand and one or more of the flanges to flex outwardly and disengage from below the lower surface of the wheel of the cosmetic container, allowing the protector to be moved in an upward direction with respect to the cosmetic container to expose the wheel and allow the user access to the wheel. The wheel can then be turned by the user to move the cosmetic stick up and out of the cosmetic container, or down and back into the cosmetic container. The outward flex of one of the flanges causes the protrusion at the lower end of the protector to disengage from the wheel of the cosmetic container, while the upward twisting force causes another one of the flanges to flex outwardly and disengage from below the lower surface of the wheel of the cosmetic container, allowing movement of the protector in the upward direction along the length of the cosmetic container thereby providing access to the wheel of the cosmetic container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and components disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1A-1B exemplarily illustrate front perspective views of a container protection apparatus.

FIG. 1C exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus comprising a flexible, generally cylindrical protector with a flange disposed along a circumference of the lower end of the protector.

FIG. 1D exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus comprising a flexible, generally cylindrical protector with a longitudinal slot running down the length of the protector.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the container protection apparatus, showing a longitudinal slot running down the length of the protector of the container protection apparatus.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a side orthographic view of the container protection apparatus.

FIG. 4A exemplarily illustrates a top orthographic view of the container protection apparatus.

FIG. 4B exemplarily illustrates a bottom orthographic view of the container protection apparatus.

FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a side cutaway sectional view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus, showing a flange extending substantially parallel to a horizontal plane defined by a substantially circular opening at the lower end of the protector.

FIG. 6A exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus, showing flanges inclined in an upward direction.

FIG. 6B exemplarily illustrates a front orthographic view of the embodiment of the container protection apparatus, showing the flanges inclined in an upward direction.

FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a side sectional view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus, showing a flange inclined in an upward direction at an angle from the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening at the lower end of the protector.

FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates a side cutaway sectional view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus, showing two opposing flanges extending substantially parallel to the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening at the lower end of the protector.

FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates a side cutaway sectional view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus, showing two opposing flanges inclined in an upward direction at an angle from the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening at the lower end of the protector.

FIGS. 10A-10B exemplarily illustrate front perspective views of the cosmetic container disengaged from the container protection apparatus, showing the wheel of the cosmetic container operable for moving a cosmetic stick towards the upper end and out of the cosmetic container.

FIG. 11 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the container protection apparatus, showing the protector coaxially positioned around the cosmetic container.

FIG. 12A exemplarily illustrates a bottom orthographic view of the container protection apparatus, showing the flanges engaging the cylindrical surface of the wheel of the cosmetic container and the lower surface of the wheel, and a protrusion abutting the cylindrical surface of the wheel.

FIG. 12B exemplarily illustrates a bottom orthographic view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus, showing a protrusion contacting a lower surface of the wheel of the cosmetic container.

FIGS. 13A-13B exemplarily illustrate a front perspective view and a top orthographic view respectively, showing the protector of the container protection apparatus moved in an upward direction with respect to the cosmetic container to expose the wheel of the cosmetic container.

FIG. 14 exemplarily illustrates a method for preventing a wheel of a cosmetic container from being inadvertently turned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A-1B exemplarily illustrate front perspective views of a container protection apparatus 100. The container protection apparatus 100 prevents a wheel 108 of a cosmetic container 106 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10B, from being inadvertently turned by a user. For purposes of illustration, the detailed description refers to a cosmetic container 106 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10B, for example, a lip balm container, a lipstick container, etc.; however, the scope of the container protection apparatus 100 disclosed herein is not limited to preventing inadvertent turning of a wheel 108 of only a cosmetic container 106, but may be extended to include preventing inadvertent turning of a wheel 108 on any type of container. The container protection apparatus 100 comprises an open-ended generally cylindrical protector 101 that is coaxially positioned around the cosmetic container 106 having a wheel 108 at a lower end 106b of the cosmetic container 106, about a central axis 101g as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10B and FIG. 11. The protector 101 is configured, for example, as a generally cylindrical, flexible, plastic tube having an upper end 101a and a lower end 101b. The protector 101 is made of a flexible material, for example, plastic having different sizes, color shades, and surface textures. The protector 101 is positioned coaxially and in a snap-fit orientation around the cosmetic container 106 when a user is not using the cosmetic container 106 to apply a cosmetic. The diameter of the protector 101 is approximately the same as the diameter of the cosmetic container 106. In an embodiment, the diameter of the protector 101 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cosmetic container 106, for example, about 1/16 inch or about ⅛ inch smaller than the diameter of the cosmetic container 106.

The protector 101 further comprises a longitudinal slot 102 running down the length of the protector 101 from the upper end 101a of the protector 101 to the lower end 101b of the protector 101. The vertical edges 101e and 101f of the protector 101 are substantially in contact with each other with no substantial space between them, when the protector 101 is not positioned coaxially around the cosmetic container 106 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1A. When an outward pressure is applied to the protector 101 from within its annular space 101h, for example, when the protector 101 is force fitted and moved down the length of the cosmetic container 106 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10B and FIG. 11, the vertical edges 101e and 101f of the protector 101 are drawn apart to create the generally longitudinal slot 102 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1B. The width of the longitudinal slot 102 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1B is expandable, that is, the opening in the longitudinal slot 102 can be increased when an outward pressure in opposing directions as shown by horizontal arrows in FIGS. 1A-1B is applied to the vertical edges 101e and 101f of the protector 101. The edges 101c at the upper end 101a of the protector 101 curvedly converge to the upper end 102a of the longitudinal slot 102 of the protector 101. The configuration of the edges 101c at the upper end 101a of the protector 101 allows the protector 101 to contact the cosmetic container 106 and to slide in an upward direction and/or a downward direction along the length of the cosmetic container 106 when a twisting upward force or a downward force is applied to the protector 101. The edges 101d at the lower end 101b of the protector 101 extend horizontally to the lower end 102b of the longitudinal slot 102 of the protector 101. To improve the appearance of the protector 101, glitter flakes or other decorative elements (not shown) can be added to the protector 101.

FIG. 1C exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the container protection apparatus 100 comprising a flexible, generally cylindrical protector 101 with a flange 103 disposed along a circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101. The flange 103 extends inwardly towards the central axis 101g of the protector 101. The longitudinal slot 102 runs down the length of the protector 101 from the upper end 101a of the protector 101 to the lower end 101b of the protector 101. The flange 103 extends substantially parallel to a horizontal plane defined by a substantially circular opening 101j at the lower end 101b of the protector 101. In an embodiment, the flange 103 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening 101j at the lower end 101b of the protector 101. When the protector 101 is moved down the length of the cosmetic container 106 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10B, to a point where the lower end 101b of the protector 101 first projects below the lower edge 108a of the wheel 108, the flange 103 removably engages the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 and the inner surface 101k of the protector 101 is positioned in a snap-fit orientation around the outer surface 106c of the cosmetic container 106, thereby preventing the wheel 108 from being inadvertently turned.

FIG. 1D exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus 100 comprising a flexible, generally cylindrical protector 101 with a longitudinal slot 102 running down the length of the protector 101. In this embodiment, a flange is not disposed along a circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101. When the protector 101 is moved down the length of the cosmetic container 106 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10B, to a point where the lower end 101b of the protector 101 meets the lower edge 108a of the wheel 108, the inner surface 101k of the protector 101 is positioned in a snap-fit orientation around the outer surface 106c of the cosmetic container 106, thereby preventing the wheel 108 from being inadvertently turned.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a side perspective view of the container protection apparatus 100, showing a longitudinal slot 102 running down the length of the protector 101 of the container protection apparatus 100, with its width expanded when the protector 101 is positioned coaxially around the cosmetic container 106, exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 11. The width of the longitudinal slot 102 expands or increases when the protector 101 is coaxially positioned over the cosmetic container 106 and moved down the length of the cosmetic container 106. FIG. 2 also exemplarily illustrates a flange 104a extending inwardly from the edge 101d along a circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4B.

When the protector 101 is positioned coaxially over the cosmetic container 106 and pushed downward along the length of the cosmetic container 106 in a force fit configuration, the width of the longitudinal slot 102 increases as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 11, to allow the protector 101 and the inwardly folded flanges 104a and 104b, exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, to be moved down the length of the cosmetic container 106 with the inner surface 101k of the protector 101 substantially in contact with the outer surface 106c of the cosmetic container 106.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a side orthographic view of the container protection apparatus 100. The protector 101 of the container protection apparatus 100 comprises an upper end 101a, a lower end 101b, and a longitudinal slot 102 running down the length of the protector 101 from the upper end 101a of the protector 101 to the lower end 101b of the protector 101 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1A-1B.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B exemplarily illustrate a top orthographic view and a bottom orthographic view respectively, of the container protection apparatus 100, showing the inwardly folded flanges 104a and 104b disposed along the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101 of the container protection apparatus 100. As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, the container protection apparatus 100 further comprises, for example, two flanges 104a and 104b disposed along the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101. The flanges 104a and 104b extend inwardly from the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101 toward a central axis 101g of the protector 101. The flanges 104a and 104b flex about the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101.

The container protection apparatus 100 further comprises a protrusion 105 disposed along the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101 and approximately diametrically opposite to the flanges 104a and 104b. The protrusion 105 is configured to abut an outer cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 to urge the wheel 108 towards the flanges 104a and 104b adjacent to the longitudinal slot 102 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 12A, when the protector 101 is coaxially positioned around the cosmetic container 106. The protrusion 105 extends inwardly from the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101. The protrusion 105 is, for example, a generally elliptically shaped protrusion. The protrusion 105 is spaced, for example, about 180 degrees opposite to the longitudinal slot 102. When the protector 101 is force fitted over the cosmetic container 106, the protrusion 105 contacts the cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 and urges the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 towards the flanges 104a and 104b as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 12A.

The lower end 101b of the protector 101 is crimped along the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101 to form the flanges 104a and 104b and the protrusion 105. The flanges 104a and 104b and the protrusion 105 are contiguous with the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101 and may be crimped or extruded with the protector 101 to define the generally inward and horizontal or inclined orientation of the flanges 104a and 104b and the protrusion 105. The flanges 104a and 104b flex upward or downward along the flange-protector circumference 101i on application of an upward or downward force to the flanges 104a and 104b. In an embodiment, a single flange 103 is provided on the lower circumference 101i of the protector 101 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 1C.

The flanges 104a and 104b are proximal to the longitudinal slot 102 and are configured to fold inwardly and engage, for example, with the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIGS. 12A-12B, for engaging the wheel 108 and to retract for disengaging from the wheel 108 to allow movement of the protector 101, for example, in an upward direction along the length of the cosmetic container 106 when an upward twisting force is applied along the longitudinal slot 102, thereby providing the user access to the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, two front flanges 104a and 104b proximal to the longitudinal slot 102 and the protrusion 105 opposite to the longitudinal slot 102 extend from the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101. The flanges 104a and 104b and the protrusion 105 may be coextruded with the protector 101 as a contiguous component, or the flanges 104a and 104b and the protrusion 105 may be crimped as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, after the protector 101 is extruded. The front flanges 104a and 104b are positioned such that they point toward the central axis 101g of the cosmetic container 106. The front inwardly folded flanges 104a and 104b are configured to flex outwardly for disengaging the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B, when an upward, twisting force is applied on the longitudinal slot 102.

FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a side cutaway sectional view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus 100, showing a flange 104a extending substantially parallel to a horizontal plane defined by a substantially circular opening 101j at the lower end 101b of the protector 101. In an embodiment, the flanges 104a and 104b, exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, extend substantially parallel to the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening 101j at the lower end 101b of the protector 101. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5, the flanges 104a and 104b lie in a substantially horizontal plane parallel to the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 and removably engage the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 12A-12B, when the protector 101 is moved down the length of the cosmetic container 106 to a point where the lower end 101b of the protector 101 first projects below the lower edge 108a of the wheel 108.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B exemplarily illustrate a front perspective view and a front orthographic view respectively, of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus 100, showing the flanges 104a and 104b inclined in an upward direction. In this embodiment, the flanges 104a and 104b are inclined in an upward direction at an angle of, for example, about 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc., with respect to a horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening 101j at the lower end 101b of the protector 101 for removably engaging the cylindrical surface 108b and the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 when the protector 101 is moved down the length of the cosmetic container 106 to a point where the lower end 101b of the protector 101 first projects below the lower edge 108a of the wheel 108 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIGS. 12A-12B.

FIG. 7 exemplarily illustrates a side sectional view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus 100, showing a flange 104a inclined in an upward direction at an angle from the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening 101j at the lower end 101b of the protector 101 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 6A-6B.

FIG. 8 exemplarily illustrates a side cutaway sectional view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus 100, showing two opposing flanges 104a and 105 extending substantially parallel to the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening 101j at the lower end 101b of the protector 101. In this embodiment, the protrusion 105 that extends inwardly from the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101 and opposite to the longitudinal slot 102, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, is configured as a flange as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the two front flanges 104a and 104b proximal to the longitudinal slot 102 and the flange 105 opposite to the longitudinal slot 102 extend substantially parallel to a horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening 101j at the lower end 101b of the protector 101. These flanges 104a, 104b, and 105 removably engage the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 when the protector 101 is moved down the length of the cosmetic container 106 to a point where the lower end 101b of the protector 101 first projects below the lower edge 108a of the wheel 108 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIGS. 12A-12B.

FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates a side cutaway sectional view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus 100, showing two opposing flanges 104a and 105 inclined in an upward direction at an angle from the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening 101j at the lower end 101b of the protector 101. In this embodiment, the protrusion 105 that extends inwardly from the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101 and opposite to the longitudinal slot 102, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, is configured as a flange as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the two front flanges 104a and 104b proximal to the longitudinal slot 102 and the rear flange 105 opposite to the longitudinal slot 102 are inclined in an upward direction at an angle of, for example, about 30 degrees, 45 degrees, etc., with respect to the horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular opening 101j at the lower end 101b of the protector 101 for removably engaging the cylindrical surface 108b and the lower circular surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 when the protector 101 is moved down the length of the cosmetic container 106 to a point where the lower end 101b of the protector 101 first projects below the lower edge 108a of the wheel 108 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIGS. 12A-12B.

FIGS. 10A-10B exemplarily illustrate front perspective views of the cosmetic container 106 disengaged from the container protection apparatus 100, showing the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 operable for moving a cosmetic stick 109, exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10B, towards the upper end 106a of the cosmetic container 106 and out of the cosmetic container 106. The cosmetic container 106 having an upper end 106a and a lower end 106b, comprises a cosmetic stick 109, for example, a lip balm stick, a lipstick, etc., positioned in the cosmetic container 106, a removable cap 107 located at the upper end 106a of the cosmetic container 106, and a wheel 108 located at the lower end 106b of the cosmetic container 106 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10A. In an embodiment, the wheel 108 extends beyond the lower end 106b of the cosmetic container 106. In another embodiment, the cylindrical surface 108b and the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 are provided with serrations 108d to allow a user to better grip the wheel 108 with his/her fingers to rotate the wheel 108.

The wheel 108 at the lower end 106b of the cosmetic container 106 can be manually turned for moving the cosmetic stick 109 towards the upper end 106a and out of the cosmetic container 106 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10B, and for moving the cosmetic stick 109 down and back into the cosmetic container 106 towards the lower end 106b of the cosmetic container 106 after the cosmetic has been used by the user. The cosmetic container 106 is coaxially positioned within the protector 101. The width of the longitudinal slot 102 of the protector 101 is increased when the protector 101 is coaxially positioned around the cosmetic container 106 and a downward pressure is applied to move the protector 101 down the length of the cosmetic container 106.

In an embodiment, a user may coaxially position the protector 101 around the cosmetic container 106 by holding the lower end 101b of the protector 101 and then holding the cosmetic container 106, for example, at about a 60 degree angle between the edges 101c at the upper end 102a of the longitudinal slot 102 of the protector 101 and pushing the cosmetic container 106 in a downward direction into the space 101h defined within the protector 101.

When the protector 101 is moved down the cosmetic container 106 to a point where the flanges 104a and 104b project beyond the lower edge 108a of the wheel 108, the width of the longitudinal slot 102 narrows, the protector 101 snap-fits over the outer surface 106c of the cosmetic container 106, and the flanges 104a and 104b engage the outer cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 and the lower circular surface 108c of the wheel 108. The material of the protector 101 is made of a sufficient thickness to exert sufficient pressure on the cosmetic container 106 to ensure a snap-fit around the cosmetic container 106 such that the cosmetic container 106 remains in a substantially immovable position within the container protection apparatus 100. In an embodiment, the outer cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 and the lower circular surface 108c of the wheel 108 are serrated.

FIG. 11 exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the container protection apparatus 100, showing the protector 101 coaxially positioned around the cosmetic container 106. To prevent the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 from being inadvertently turned by a user, the lower end 101b of the protector 101 is coaxially positioned around the upper end 106a of the cosmetic container 106 and moved towards the lower end 106b of the cosmetic container 106. The downward motion of the protector 101 over the cosmetic container 106 causes the longitudinal slot 102 to expand and positions the inner surface 101k of the protector 101 and the inwardly folded flanges 104a and 104b, exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B, substantially in force fit contact with the outer surface 106c of the cosmetic container 106. When the lower end 101b of the protector 101 first projects below the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106, the flanges 104a and 104b flex in an upward direction and toward the central axis 101g of the protector 101 and engage the outer cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 and the lower circular surface 108c of the wheel 108 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 12A, the longitudinal slot 102 narrows to urge the inner surface 101k of the protector 101 to snap-fit around the outer surface 106c of the cosmetic container 106, and the protrusion 105 abuts the outer cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 to urge the wheel 108 towards the flanges 104a and 104b, thereby preventing the wheel 108 from being inadvertently turned, for example, when a user inserts his/her hand in his/her pocket containing the cosmetic container 106.

Preventing the wheel 108 from being inadvertently turned precludes the cosmetic stick 109 from being inadvertently moved up and out of the cosmetic container 106 which would result in the cosmetic stick 109 being damaged when the cosmetic stick 109 is pushed up against an inner surface of the cap 107 of the cosmetic container 106.

FIG. 12A exemplarily illustrates a bottom orthographic view of the container protection apparatus 100, showing the flanges 104a and 104b engaging the cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 and the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108, and a protrusion 105 abutting the cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108. In an embodiment, the outer cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 and the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 are serrated.

The flanges 104a and 104b fold under and engage the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 when the protector 101 is positioned coaxially around the inner cosmetic container 106, thereby enclosing the wheel 108 and ensuring that the wheel 108 cannot be inadvertently turned, for example, when a user inserts his/her hand in a pocket containing the cosmetic container 106. The protrusion 105 firmly holds the cosmetic container 106 against the front inwardly folded flanges 104a and 104b, and prevents the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 from being pushed through the front inwardly folded flanges 104a and 104b and inadvertently turned when the cosmetic container 106 protected by the container protection apparatus 100 is, for example, in a user's pocket, purse, etc.

FIG. 12B exemplarily illustrates a bottom orthographic view of an embodiment of the container protection apparatus 100, showing a protrusion 105 contacting a lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106. In an embodiment, the protrusion 105 disposed along the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101 and approximately diametrically opposite to the flanges 104a and 104b is configured as a flange as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 12B. The flanges 104a and 104b and the protrusion 105 extending inwardly from the circumference 101i of the lower end 101b of the protector 101 fold under and engage the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 and contact the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 when the protector 101 is positioned coaxially around the inner cosmetic container 106, thereby enclosing the wheel 108 and ensuring that the wheel 108 cannot be inadvertently turned, for example, when a user inserts his/her hand in a pocket containing the cosmetic container 106.

FIGS. 13A-3B exemplarily illustrate a front perspective view and a top orthographic view respectively, showing the protector 101 of the container protection apparatus 100 moved in an upward direction with respect to the cosmetic container 106 to expose the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106. An application of an upward twisting force on the longitudinal slot 102 of the protector 101 causes the longitudinal slot 102 to expand and one or more of the flanges 104a and 104b to flex outwardly and disengage from below the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 to allow the protector 101 to be moved in an upward direction with respect to the cosmetic container 106 to expose the wheel 108 and allow the wheel 108 to be turned by a user which in turn moves the cosmetic stick 109 up and out of the cosmetic container 106 or down and back into the cosmetic container 106. The outward flex of one of the flanges 104a and 104b causes the protrusion 105 at the lower end 101b of the protector 101 to disengage from the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106, while the upward twisting force causes another one of the flanges 104a and 104b to flex outwardly and disengage from below the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106, allowing movement of the protector 101 in the upward direction along the length of the cosmetic container 106 and providing access to the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106.

The application of the twisting force in the upward direction on the longitudinal slot 102 of the protector 101 causes the front inwardly folded flange 104a to flex outwardly and disengage from the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106, and causes the protrusion 105 to disengage from the cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 at the same time. This twisting force in the upward direction flexes the inwardly folded flange 104b in an outward direction and disengages the flange 104b from the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106, thereby allowing movement of the protector 101 in the upward direction along the length of the cosmetic container 106 and providing access to the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106. The wheel 108 can then be turned to move the cosmetic stick 109 up and out of the cosmetic container 106.

The cosmetic container 106 may be removed from the protector 101 by placing the user's thumbs at the upper end 102a of the longitudinal slot 102 and then drawing the vertical edges 101e and 101f of the protector 101 apart in opposing directions as shown by horizontal arrows in FIGS. 1A-1B outward from the central axis 101g of the protector 101.

FIG. 14 exemplarily illustrates a method for preventing a wheel 108 of a cosmetic container 106 from being inadvertently turned. This method for preventing inadvertent turning of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 protects a cosmetic stick 109 contained in the cosmetic container 106 from being pushed up and against the inner surface of the cap 107 of the cosmetic container 106, thereby preventing the upper surface 109a of the cosmetic stick 109, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B, from being damaged when the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 is inadvertently turned by a user. The container protection apparatus 100 comprising a flexible generally cylindrical protector 101, one or more flanges 104a and 104b, and a protrusion 105 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 1-13B, is provided 1401. The protector 101 is force fitted 1402 over the cosmetic container 106 and moved down the length of the cosmetic container 106. When the lower end 101b of the protector 101 first projects beyond the lower edge 108a of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106, the flanges 104a and 104b flex in an upward direction and toward the central axis 101g of the protector 101 and engage the outer cylindrical surface 108b and the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIGS. 12A-12B, the width of the longitudinal slot 102 narrows to urge the inner surface 101k of the protector 101 to snap-fit around the outer surface 106c of the cosmetic container 106, and the protrusion 105 abuts the outer cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 to urge the wheel 108 towards the flanges 104a and 104b adjacent to the longitudinal slot 102, thereby preventing the wheel 108 from being inadvertently turned by a user, for example, when the user inserts his/her hand in his/her pocket containing the cosmetic container 106.

To expose and turn the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 for moving the cosmetic stick 109 up and out of the cosmetic container 106, a user places his/her thumb on the longitudinal slot 102 of the protector 101 and applies 1403 an upward twisting force on the longitudinal slot 102 of the protector 101 to cause the longitudinal slot 102 to expand and one or more of the front inwardly folded flanges 104a and 104b to flex outwardly and disengage from the outer cylindrical surface 108b and the lower surface 108c of the wheel 108, and the protrusion 105 to disengage from the wheel 108, allowing upward movement of the protector 101 along the length of the cosmetic container 106 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 13A-13B, which exposes the wheel 108 and allows the wheel 108 to be turned to move the cosmetic stick 109 up and out of the cosmetic container 106.

After the cosmetic from the cosmetic stick 109 has been applied by a user, the user positions the protector 101 over the cosmetic container 106 and applies a downward force to the protector 101 along the longitudinal slot 102 which moves the protector 101 towards the lower end 106b of the cosmetic container 106 till the flanges 104a and 104b project beyond the lower edge 108a of the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106 and flex back inwardly to position themselves in contact with the outer cylindrical surface 108b of the wheel 108 and the circular lower surface 108c below the wheel 108 of the cosmetic container 106, thereby collapsing the widened longitudinal slot 102 of the protector 101 and immobilizing the wheel 108 from being inadvertently turned by the user. In an embodiment, the wheel 108 is serrated on the cylindrical surface 108b and the circular lower surface 108c.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention disclosed herein. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.

Claims

1. A container protection apparatus for preventing a wheel of a container from being inadvertently turned, said container having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end of said container provided with said wheel operable for one of moving a contained item towards and out of said upper end of said container and moving said contained item down and towards said lower end of said container, said container protection apparatus comprising:

a flexible generally cylindrical protector, said protector having an upper end and a lower end, said protector coaxially positioned around said container;

one or more flanges disposed along a circumference of said lower end of said protector, said one or more flanges extending inwardly toward a central axis of said protector, wherein said one or more flanges flex about said circumference of said lower end of said protector;

a longitudinal slot running down a length of said protector from said upper end of said protector to said lower end of said protector, wherein width of said longitudinal slot is expandable when a pressure is applied to said longitudinal slot; and

said one or more flanges engaged with a surface of said wheel of said container, and an inner surface of said protector in contact with an outer surface of said container, when said protector is force fitted and moved down a length of said container till said lower end of said protector projects beyond a lower edge of said wheel, resulting in said width of said longitudinal slot narrowing and said inner surface of said protector positioned in a snap-fit orientation around said outer surface of said container, thereby preventing said wheel from being inadvertently turned.

2. The container protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said surface of said wheel comprises a cylindrical surface on said wheel and a lower surface on said wheel.

3. The container protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more flanges are formed by crimping said lower end of said protector along said circumference of said lower end of said protector.

4. The container protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more flanges extend substantially parallel to a horizontal plane defined by a substantially circular opening at said lower end of said protector.

5. The container protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more flanges are inclined in an upward direction at an angle from a horizontal plane defined by a substantially circular opening at said lower end of said protector.

6. The container protection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a protrusion disposed along said circumference of said lower end of said protector and approximately diametrically opposite to said one or more flanges, wherein said protrusion extends inwardly from said circumference of said lower end of said protector, and wherein said protrusion is configured to abut a cylindrical surface of said wheel of said container to urge said wheel towards said one or more flanges adjacent to said longitudinal slot when said protector is coaxially positioned around said container.

7. The container protection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a protrusion disposed along said circumference of said lower end of said protector and approximately diametrically opposite to said one or more flanges, said protrusion configured to contact a lower surface of said wheel of said container when said protector is coaxially positioned around said container.

8. The container protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein an application of an upward twisting force on said longitudinal slot of said protector causes said longitudinal slot to expand and said one or more flanges to flex outwardly and disengage from said surface of said wheel of said container, allowing movement of said protector in an upward direction along said length of said container and providing access to said wheel of said container.

9. The container protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein edges at said upper end of said protector curvedly converge to an upper end of said longitudinal slot of said protector.

10. The container protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein edges at said lower end of said protector extend horizontally to a lower end of said longitudinal slot of said protector.

11. The container protection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said one or more flanges proximal to said longitudinal slot are configured to fold inwardly and engage a lower surface of said wheel of said container.

12. A method for preventing a wheel of a container from being inadvertently turned, said container having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end of said container provided with said wheel operable for one of moving a contained item towards and out of said upper end of said container and moving said contained item down and towards said lower end of said container, said method comprising:

providing a container protection apparatus, comprising: a flexible generally cylindrical protector, said protector having an upper end and a lower end, said protector coaxially positioned around said container; one or more flanges disposed along a circumference of said lower end of said protector, said one or more flanges extending inwardly toward a central axis of said protector, wherein said one or more flanges flex about said circumference of said lower end of said protector; and a longitudinal slot running down a length of said protector from said upper end of said protector to said lower end of said protector, wherein width of said longitudinal slot is expandable when a pressure is applied to said longitudinal slot; and

force fitting said protector over said container and moving said protector down a length of said container till said lower end of said protector projects beyond a lower edge of said wheel of said container and said one or more flanges engage a surface of said wheel, resulting in said width of said longitudinal slot narrowing and an inner surface of said protector positioned in a snap-fit orientation around an outer surface of said container, thereby preventing said wheel from being inadvertently turned.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said one or more flanges extend substantially parallel to a horizontal plane defined by a substantially circular opening at said lower end of said protector.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said one or more flanges are inclined in an upward direction at an angle from a horizontal plane defined by a substantially circular opening at said lower end of said protector.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said inner surface of said protector is in contact with said outer surface of said container when said protector is force fitted and moved down said length of said container.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein edges at said upper end of said protector curvedly converge to an upper end of said longitudinal slot of said protector, and wherein edges at said lower end of said protector extend horizontally to a lower end of said longitudinal slot of said protector.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said container protection apparatus further comprises a protrusion disposed along said circumference of said lower end of said protector and approximately diametrically opposite to said one or more flanges, wherein said protrusion extends inwardly from said circumference of said lower end of said protector, and wherein said protrusion is configured to abut a cylindrical surface of said wheel to urge said wheel towards said one or more flanges adjacent to said longitudinal slot when said protector is coaxially positioned around said container.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising applying an upward twisting force on said longitudinal slot of said protector to cause said longitudinal slot to expand and said one or more flanges to flex outwardly and disengage from said surface of said wheel of said container, allowing movement of said protector in an upward direction along said length of said container and providing access to said wheel of said container.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said outward flex of one of said flanges causes a protrusion that extends inwardly from said circumference of said lower end of said protector and approximately diametrically opposite to said one or more flanges to disengage from said wheel of said container, while said upward twisting force causes another one of said flanges to flex outwardly and disengage from said surface of said wheel of said container, allowing said movement of said protector in said upward direction along said length of said container and providing said access to said wheel of said container.

20. A container protection apparatus for preventing a wheel of a container from being inadvertently turned, said container having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end of said container provided with said wheel operable for one of moving a contained item towards and out of said upper end of said container and moving said contained item down and towards said lower end of said container, said container protection apparatus comprising:

a flexible generally cylindrical protector, said protector having an upper end and a lower end, said protector coaxially positioned around said container;

a longitudinal slot running down a length of said protector from said upper end of said protector to said lower end of said protector, wherein width of said longitudinal slot is expandable when a pressure is applied to said longitudinal slot; and

an inner surface of said protector in contact with an outer surface of said container and a surface of said wheel, when said protector is force fitted and moved down a length of said container till said lower end of said protector projects beyond a lower edge of said wheel, resulting in said width of said longitudinal slot narrowing and said inner surface of said protector positioned in a snap-fit orientation around said outer surface of said container, thereby preventing said wheel from being inadvertently turned.