Abstract: A finger operable container is provided for use with cream, paste or cake-like products, such as cosmetics. The container comprises an assembly including a housing and at least one cooperating slide member received by the housing. At least one receptacle is provided in the assembly for receiving the product, and a pair of finger openings is formed in the assembly through which two fingers of the same hand can be inserted. The finger openings are configured and arranged to allow the finger movements of a single hand to move the assembly between a closed storage position in which the receptacle is covered and an open position in which the receptacle is exposed to permit application of the product.

Abstract: A cosmetic package is provided for a stick cosmetic, such as lipstick, which allows the color of the lipstick to be visible without opening the package. The package includes a base, a protective sleeve and a collar. The base includes inner and outer cylindrical walls joined at the bottom to form a cylindrical space therebetween. The protective sleeve is adapted to fit into this annular space. The collar is rotatably mounted on the base and has a helical track adapted to engage a corresponding lug on the sleeve. When the collar is rotated, the sleeve is propelled upwardly to surround and protect the cosmetic. When rotated in the other direction, the collar causes the sleeve to be retracted to allow for application of the cosmetic. The protective sleeve may be transparent so that the color shade of the lipstick is evident when the sleeve is in the upwardly extended position surrounding the lipstick.

Abstract: A cosmetic container is provided which has a smoothly operating mechanism with low swivel torque, and which avoids unwanted push-back. The container comprises an inner first tubular sleeve, a cosmetic carrier positioned for movement longitudinally within the first tubular sleeve between an extended upper position and a retracted lower position, and a second tubular sleeve surrounding the first sleeve and rotatable with respect to the first sleeve. The second sleeve has a helical channel extending along an inner periphery of the sleeve for extending and retracting the cosmetic carrier upon rotation of the first sleeve within the second sleeve. A cylindrical skirt on a lower end of the second sleeve extends below the helical channel surrounding a portion of the inner first tubular sleeve. One or more protrusions project outwardly from the cylindrical sidewall of the first sleeve.

Abstract: A cosmetic container having concentrically arranged tubular members which frictionally cooperate to achieve the desired torque. The cosmetic container includes a cosmetic carrier and an inner sleeve. The cosmetic carrier includes a pair of outwardly extending radial protrusions and a pair of carrier lugs. The inner sleeve includes a pair of longitudinal channels for receiving the carrier lugs and a pair of longitudinal slots for cooperating with the radial protrusions. The radial protrusions are wider than the corresponding longitudinal slot and only a portion thereof is received within the longitudinal slot. Other portions frictionally engage resilient borders of the inner sleeve defining the longitudinal slot.

Abstract: A protective shell for a cosmetic container including a tubular topshell and a tubular baseshell for maintaining the moisture level of a cosmetic housed therein. The tubular topshell and tubular baseshell each include a mating portion and a mating member. The mating portion of the topshell is defined by an outwardly tapered sidewall portion. The mating portion of the baseshell is defined by an inwardly tapered sidewall portion. The topshell is placed on the baseshell and a seal is formed between the mating portions. The topshell mating member according to one embodiment is defined by a circumferential rib and the baseshell mating member is defined by a circumferential channel which receives the topshell rib. According to a second embodiment, the topshell mating member is defined by a circumferential band of depending projections and the baseshell mating member is defined by a circumferential band of upending projections for mating with the topshell depending projections.

Abstract: A cosmetic carrier and a cosmetic container including the cosmetic carrier, the cosmetic carrier having a reinforcing flange which limits and/or prevents the cosmetic carrier from collapsing inwardly so as to dislocate the lugs from the helical channel of the outer sleeve. The cosmetic carrier includes a tubular sidewall defining a cosmetic receiving receptacle. The reinforcing flange is positioned within the cosmetic receiving receptacle of the cosmetic carrier. The cosmetic carrier also includes a pair of radially extending lugs extending outwardly from diametrically opposing surfaces of the sidewall. The reinforcing flange extends radially inwardly from the carrier sidewall so as to oppose the outwardly extending carrier lugs. Thus, the reinforcing flange is positioned within the cosmetic receiving receptacle.

Abstract: A cosmetic container, such as a lipstick container, having a tubular inner sleeve rotatable within a tubular outer sleeve and a cosmetic carrier positioned therein. The cosmetic container may be extended and retracted for the application and storage of the cosmetic. The inner sleeve includes a shank defining a longitudinal slot for receiving lugs extending radially outward from the cosmetic carrier and a manually rotatable base. The shank includes at least one radially outwardly facing rib extending circumferentially along at least a portion of the shank. Preferably a plurality of ribs extend from the inner sleeve and are positioned in a flexible region thereof. The outer diameter of the ribs is at least equal to the inner diameter of the outer sleeve to create torque therebetween.

Abstract: A cosmetic container having an inner sleeve and cosmetic carrier which cooperate to provide requisite torque and prevent angular movement therebetween. The cosmetic carrier includes a plurality of radially outwardly extending, vertical ribs and the inner sleeve includes a plurality of radially inwardly extending, vertical ribs. The cosmetic carrier is positioned within the inner sleeve wherein the ribs of one member cooperate with the ribs of the other. When the inner sleeve is rotated so as to extend or retract the cosmetic carrier, the inwardly extending ribs of the inner sleeve engage the outwardly extending ribs of the cosmetic carrier. When the cosmetic carrier is fully extended or fully retracted, the inwardly extending ribs of the inner sleeve and the outwardly extending ribs of the carrier are disengaged.

Abstract: A sealed lipstick dispenser assembly has a base, a sleeve mounted within the base containing a lipstick pomade, and a cover mounted over the base and receiving a portion of the sleeve and pomade within a hollow interior. A bellows-like sealing member defines a sealing surface on one end, and a plurality of infolded or pleated portions to permit axial extension and retraction of the sealing surface. The sealing member is mounted on the base of the cover within the hollow interior, with the sealing surface on its free end. Upon closure of the cover on the base, the sealing surface is pressed into engagement with a lip of the sleeve due to the resilient nature of the infolded portions of the sealing member to form a fluid-tight seal, and thereby seal the lipstick pomade within the sleeve.

Abstract: An improved cosmetic applicator is described in which an inner tubular member has cam slots to guide lugs on a carrier. The carrier supports a cosmetic substance such as lipstick and is moved between retracted and exposed positions by the action of helical grooves in an outer tubular member. A cam slot in the inner tubular member is provided with elongate resilient and flexible elements located to restrict the passage of the carrier lugs into and out of off-sets that provide axial carrier locking positions. The lugs can be moved past the elements which flex in a manner that retains an even swivel torque. A rib is mounted on the inner tubular member so as to contact the carrier and impart an even drag thereto.