Case with automatic opening
The invention in one embodiment relates to a case suitable for packaging a cosmetic product comprising: a lid optionally including a mirror, said lid being fitted with a first hinge element, a bottom optionally having an inner frame integral therewith, said lid and bottom forming a cavity intended to contain the cosmetic product or a trough containing the cosmetic product, the bottom being fitted with a second hinge element such that a hinge means is formed by engagement of the first and second hinge elements so as to allow rotation of the lid relative to the bottom along an axis of rotation, a fastening means for fastening and unfastening the lid relative to the bottom, wherein the case is capable of automatic opening in such a way that the lid opens automatically when force is exerted on the fastening means, and further wherein the hinge is formed by two half-hinges aligned along an axis of rotation, said half hinges including (i) a right-hand half-hinge D including two hinge half-portions D1 and D2 which engage, and (ii) a left-hand half-hinge G, including two hinge half-portions G1 and G2 which engage, the hinge half-portions D1 and G1 being integral with the lid and the hinge half-portions D2 and G2 being integral with the bottom. Other cases and processes of manufacturing are also disclosed herein.
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The present application claims priority to FR 04 00265 filed Jan. 13, 2004, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of cases intended to contain cosmetic products or beauty products, typically make-up powders and the like.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally speaking, cases typically include:
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- a concave lid fitted with an inner mirror,
- a concave bottom, typically fitted with an inner frame or intermediate support for at least one trough intended to receive the cosmetic product,
- a hinge, constituting the connecting component between the lid and the bottom, allowing the lid to rotate relative to the bottom and the case to open,
- a clasp or any means of fastening and unfastening the lid relative to the bottom, in such a way as to open and close the case, a clasp being typically of the push-button type.
A great many case embodiments are known, embodiments which can focus on one or more of the constituent parts of the case.
As examples, the following may be cited:
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- FR 2 661 080 which describes a make up case with a compact clasp,
- FR 2 701 365 which describes a convertible make-up case,
- FR 2 725 958 which relates to a case with combined assisted opening and closure,
- FR2 77 192 which describes a case with a swivel lid provided with an articulation with flexible lugs,
- FR2 755 352 which describes a case with assisted opening,
- FR2 755 353 which describes a case with an unfastening and pre-opening push-button,
- FR2 756 155 which describes a make-up case, typically including a bottom, an intermediate faceplate and a lid fitted with an inner mirror.
Also known is French patent 2 794 723 which describes a case fitted with a pre-opening means.
One problem posed by known cases relates to the automatic opening of the case. Opening is deemed to be “automatic” if, when pressing manually on a part of the case intended to ensure its opening (typically a push-button which unfastens a hook integral with the lid) the lid opens. The opening can also be by a swivel at a certain angle around the case hinge (generally an angle which exceeds about 10°). The purpose of the automatic opening is to facilitate access to the contents, typically a make-up powder.
With prior art cases, particularly with French patent No 2 794 723, there are known means to get very limited pre-opening. This is accomplished namely by automatically obtaining an opening angle typically below 10°.
But to get a wider opening, with an opening angle at least equal to 10° or a gap between a front edge of the lid and a front edge of the bottom of the case (typically in excess of 3 mm), it is necessary to introduce into the hinge of the case an additional element. The additional element is typically a spring integrated into the hinge which may be made of silicone rubber or of an equivalent flexible spring effect plastic material, or of an added metal. This additional element is intended to overcome the weight of the lid and the frictional forces of the cotter pin or pins in the hinge of the case. However, this type of device generally has some drawbacks, above all because it considerably complicates the assembly of the case, thereby increasing the cost of production, and also because it does not allow easy adjustment of the pre-opening force.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention aims to obtain a case which is relatively straightforward to manufacture and easy to assemble, and which also allows the pre-opening of the lid to be adjusted to a desired level. In particular, the present invention provides a case which has been optimized such that the case permits one to adjust and/or adapt the automatic opening of the case.
The invention in one embodiment relates to a case suitable for packaging a cosmetic product comprising:
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- (i) a lid optionally including a mirror, said lid being fitted with a first hinge element, (ii)a bottom optionally having an inner frame integral therewith, the lid and bottom forming a cavity intended to contain the cosmetic product or a trough containing the cosmetic product, the bottom being fitted with a second hinge element such that a hinge means is formed by engagement of the first and second hinge elements so as to allow rotation of the lid relative to the bottom along an axis of rotation, (iii) a fastening means for fastening and unfastening the lid relative to the bottom, wherein the case is capable of automatic opening in such a way that the lid opens automatically when force is exerted on the fastening means, and further wherein the hinge is formed by two half-hinges aligned along an axis of rotation, the half hinges including a right-hand half-hinge D including two hinge half-portions D1 and D2 which engage, and a left-hand half-hinge G, including two hinge half-portions G1 and G2 which engage, the hinge half-portions D1 and G1 being integral with the lid and the hinge half-portions D2 and G2 being integral with the bottom.
Other cases and processes of manufacturing are also disclosed herein.
Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects, features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combination particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
According to the present invention, a case intended for packaging cosmetic products is provided. A case of the present invention includes a lid typically fitted with a mirror and fitted with a first hinge element, and a bottom. The case optionally includes an inner frame integral with the bottom, forming a cavity intended to contain the cosmetic product or a trough containing the cosmetic product. The bottom or the inner frame is preferably fitted with a second hinge element, a hinge being formed by engagement of the first and second hinge elements so as to allow a rotation of the lid relative to the bottom along an axis of rotation. There is also provided a clasp or any means of fastening and unfastening the lid relative to the bottom or the inner frame, including an engagement typically of a fastening hook integral with the lid, and a nose integral with the bottom or the inner frame and typically activated by a push-button. Finally the case can also optionally include an applicator for the cosmetic product. A case of the present invention also includes a means for automatically opening the case in such a way that the lid opens automatically as soon as a manual force is exerted on the clasp at each opening of the case.
A case of the present invention (1) includes a lid (2) fitted with a first hinge element (20), and a bottom (3) forming a cavity intended to contain the cosmetic product. The bottom (3) is preferably fitted with a second hinge element (30), such that engagement of the first (20) and second (30) hinge elements form a hinge (4) having a specific axis of rotation (44). Finally, there is also provided a clasp (5).
In accordance with one advantageous embodiment of the invention, there is provided a case with the following components:
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- a) the hinge (4) is formed by two half-hinges (40, 43), one, a so-called “right-hand” or “D”) half-hinge including two hinge half-portions D1 (300) and D2 (200) which engage, and the other, a so-called “left-hand” or “G” half-hinge, including two hinge half-portions G1 (301) and G2 (201) which engage, the hinge half-portions D1 (200) and G1 (201) being integral with the lid (2), the hinge half-portions D2 (300) and G2 (301) being integral with the bottom (3) or with its inner frame,
- b) a first half-hinge (40) is formed by engagement of a male part (41) and a female part (42),
- c) a second half-hinge (43) includes a longitudinal connecting component (6), placed along the axis of rotation (44) and engaging by its ends with the hinge half-portions of the second half-hinge,
- d) the longitudinal component (6) includes an axial spring (60) ensuring engagement in rotation with the hinge half-portions opposite,
- e) the spring (60) has, between its ends, a pre-set angular torsion a when the case (1) is closed, in such a way that, when the lid is unfastened (2), the angular torsion a of the spring (60) transfers to the lid (2) a pre-set opening torque Co.
Advantages of the instant invention include the fact that assembly of the case is relatively simple and convenient and the case includes automatic opening means having a pre-set opening torque/force necessary to activate the clasp.
By using a longitudinal component including an axial spring, it is possible, as described clearly in the present description and figures, to obtain a case that is both easy to assemble, and has a pre-set opening torque, thereby making it possible to open the lid in a range typically from 50° to 135°.
According to the present invention, and as shown for example in
As shown particularly in
The first (610) and second (620) heads may engage with the first (430) and second (431) channels respectively, typically by a noncircular cross-section of the heads (610, 620) and the channels (430, 431), or by engagement of convex and concave elements (612, 622), so as to form the means of engagement in rotation. By way of example, an anchoring means has been shown in
Typically, the spring (60) may be in a permanent state of compression or axial tension along the axis of rotation (44), in such a way that the first (610) and second (620) heads are thus typically kept pinned in the first (430) and second (431) channels respectively.
The spring (60) may be able to be compressed axially, so as to be able to be compressed over a length L1 or L2 in the first (430) or the second (431) channel for the purpose of assembling the hinge (4), the lengths L1 and L2 corresponding to the depth of the first (430) and second (431) channels respectively. A slight compression, as shown in
According to a variant of the invention, and as shown in
The inner skirt (63), or the head integral with the inner skirt (63), may include a shoulder (630) forming a stop for the outer skirt (64) at its end (640), so as to limit the compression of the longitudinal component (6) or of the torsion damper to a pre-set length L.
According to one advantageous embodiment, the hinge (4) may have an axial play E along the axis of rotation (44), between the hinge half-portions D2 (300) and G2 (301) integral with the bottom (3) or with its inner frame and the hinge half portions D1 (200) and G1 (201) integral with the lid (2). The axial play E is typically in a range from 0.3 to 1.5 mm, so as particularly to facilitate the assembly of the hinge (4), as shown in
However, on the one hand, except when this play E is necessary for opening the case, this axial play can only be present over a part of the hinge, that which is necessary for mounting the hinge. In particular, it may be advantageous for this part of the hinge to be located underneath the case so as not to be visible when the case is placed on a support.
When this play is necessary to open the case, as will be shown below, this axial play may be limited to the overlap of the hook (51) and the nose (52) forming a lateral clasp (50).
According to one embodiment of the invention, the first half-hinge (40), typically the half-hinge G, may be formed by engagement of a male part (42) and a female part (42), the engagement typically being practiced over an axial distance greater than the axial play E, one of the male (41) or female (42) parts being carried by the bottom (3) or the inner frame, the other of the female (42) or male (41) parts being carried by the lid (2).
In
As shown in
As shown particularly in
According to another embodiment of the invention, and as shown in
According to another embodiment of the invention, the clasp (5), or means of fastening and unfastening the lid (2) relative to the bottom (3) or the inner frame, may be a lateral right-hand D or left-hand G clasp (50), its position on a right-hand D or left-hand G part or side of the case being typically selected according to whether the case is intended to be used by a left-handed or right-handed person.
As shown in
As shown in
In this case, the fastening hook (21, 51) integral with the lid (2) and the nose (31, 52) integral with the bottom (3) or the inner frame may engage over a length, taken along the direction of the axis of rotation, typically in a range from 0.5E to 0.9E, typically over a length in a range from 1 mm to 3 mm.
The lateral clasp (50) may be a left-hand G clasp, the second half-hinge (43) being the right-hand D half-hinge, as shown in
However, the lateral clasp (50) may be a right-hand D clasp, the second half-hinge (43) being the left-hand G half-hinge.
Typically, the bottom (3) and the lid (2) may include a rectilinear side forming the hinge (4), the cases (1) typically being square, rectangular, partly round or oval in shape.
The hinge (4) may be formed by the series of hinge half-portions denoted D1-D2 G2-G1 or by a series of hinge half-portions denoted D2-D1 G1-G2, according to whether the hinge (4) includes a central part formed by the first hinge element (20) including the contiguous half-portions D2 and G2 denoted D2 G2, or by the second hinge element (30) including the contiguous half-portions D1 and G1 denoted D1G1, the hinge including an outer part formed by the second hinge element (30) including the spaced out half-portions D1 and G1 or by the first hinge element (20) including the spaced out half-portions D2 and G2 respectively.
In the embodiment of the case (1) shown in
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for manufacturing a case as well as a process relating to the formation of the hinge (4). In this process, as shown in
In this case, and as shown in
According to a variant of the manufacturing process and as shown in
The longitudinal component (6) can be compressed with a plate (9) of thickness typically less than the axial play E, or possibly, as shown in
Cases (1) have been manufactured in accordance with
A first embodiment of the case (1) was manufactured in accordance with
The lid (2) and the bottom (3) were manufactured by thermoplastic moulding.
The longitudinal component (6) was supplied in accordance with
The hinge (4) of this case (1) is of the D2/D1G1/G2 type.
The first half-hinge G (40) is formed by engagement of a male part (41) carried or formed by the left-hand hinge half portion G1 (201) of the lid (2), with a female part (42) carried or formed by the left-hand hinge half-portion G2 (301) of the bottom (3).
These male and female parts include or form ring portions (410, 420) which may engage by displacement perpendicular to the axis of rotation (44), as shown in
The second half-hinge D (43) is formed by engagement of a longitudinal component (6) including a spring (60), and forming an axle the ends of which, the first end (600) and the second end (601), engage with two channels, one (430) formed in the hinge half-portion D1 (200) of the lid (2), the other formed in the hinge half-portion D2 (300) of the bottom (3).
In this case embodiment, the lid (2), the bottom (3) and the longitudinal component (6) are assembled as shown in diagram form in
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- the first half-hinge D (43) is formed first, the lid being orientated 180° relative to the bottom, as shown in
FIGS. 5 a and 5b, - then the second half-hinge G is formed by placing the male part (41) in the female part (42) opposite, and by closing the lid, so as to lock the male and female parts, the angular locking means (8) including the engagement of a stop tab (32) carried by the bottom (3) on the back of the bottom, with a catch (23) carried by the lid (2), at the back of the lid, so as to lock the rotation of the lid (2) at a maximum angle, for example 120°, in respect of which the male and female parts cannot be unfastened, as is shown clearly in
FIGS. 7 a and 7b.
- the first half-hinge D (43) is formed first, the lid being orientated 180° relative to the bottom, as shown in
In this case, the clasp (5) is a lateral clasp (50) placed on the left-hand side of the case.
This clasp does not include a push-button since the lid (2) may be displaced relative to the bottom along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (44) by means of the play E (see
A variant of this first embodiment has been manufactured with a hinge (4) in accordance with
In this case, the male (41) and female (42) parts are standard, the male part (41) forming a pin and the female part (42) a cavity, so that the assembly of the hinge (4) includes firstly the axial coupling of the male and female parts, the spring (60) being kept compressed.
It is possible to have possibly a male (41) part of length substantially close to the play E and typically slightly less than the play E, so as to be able to form the hinge (4) while keeping an alignment between lid (2) and bottom (3).
A second embodiment of the case (1) has been made with the hinge (4) formed in accordance with
According to a first variant of this embodiment, a longitudinal component (6) has been used as an auxiliary longitudinal component (7) with an angular torsion α′ giving a torque C2, so as to form the first half-hinge G (40).
This angular torsion α′ may be either positive and reinforce the effect of the angular torsion a of the other half-hinge D (43), the torque C2 of the half-hinge G (40) being added to the torque C1 of the half-hinge D (43), or negative and form a torque C2 antagonistic to the torque C1, with typically C1>C2, so as to obtain a particular feel when opening.
According to a second variant of this embodiment, the auxiliary longitudinal component (7) includes a spring and forms an axle, without a torque C2 forming, the ends of the component (7) being typically round.
A third embodiment of cases (1) has also been manufactured wherein the hinge (4) is of the same type as the one in the first case embodiment, in accordance with
In this case, the lateral clasp (5, 50) includes a push-button (53) typically integral with its inner frame (3′), and with displacement—see double arrow—parallel to the axis of rotation (44).
Additional advantages, features and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, and representative devices, shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
All documents referred to herein are specifically incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
As used herein and in the following claims, articles such as “the”, “a” and “an” can connote the singular or plural.
Claims
1. A case suitable for packaging a cosmetic product comprising
- a lid optionally including a mirror, said lid being fitted with a first hinge element,
- a bottom optionally having an inner frame integral therewith, said lid and bottom forming a cavity intended to contain the cosmetic product or a trough containing the cosmetic product, the bottom being fitted with a second hinge element such that a hinge means is formed by engagement of the first and second hinge elements so as to allow rotation of the lid relative to the bottom along an axis of rotation,
- a fastening means for fastening and unfastening the lid relative to the bottom,
- wherein the case is capable of automatic opening in such a way that the lid opens automatically when force is exerted on the fastening means, and further wherein
- the hinge is formed by two half-hinges aligned along an axis of rotation, said half hinges including (i) a right-hand half-hinge D including two hinge half-portions D1 and D2 which engage, and (ii) a left-hand half-hinge G, including two hinge half-portions G1 and G2 which engage, the hinge half-portions D1 and G1 being integral with the lid and the hinge half-portions D2 and G2 being integral with the bottom.
2. A case of claim 1, wherein the first half-hinge is formed by engagement of a male part and a female part, at least one of which is carried by the hinge half-portion G1, the other of the female or male parts being carried by the hinge half-portion G2, and wherein the second half-hinge D includes a longitudinal connecting component placed along the axis of rotation and thereby engaging with the hinge half-portions D1 and D2.
3. A case of claim 2, further comprising a longitudinal, component including an axial spring that ensures an engagement in rotation with the opposite hinge half-portions by a first and second anchoring means, and wherein the spring has, between ends thereof, a pre-set angular torsion α such that when the lid is unfastened from said lid, the angular torsion α of the spring transfers a pre-set opening torque Co to said lid, so as to facilitate automatic opening of the case.
4. A case according to claim 3 wherein each of the anchoring means includes a head such that a first head is anchored to a first end of the spring so as to engage with the hinge half-portion D1, and, at a second end thereof, there is provided a second head anchored to a second end of the spring engaging with the hinge half-portion D2, the first head and the second head having therebetween the pre-set angular torsion α when the case is closed.
5. A case according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal component forms an axle, a first end of the axle engaging with a first channel formed in one of the two hinge half-portions D1 and G1 integral with the lid, and the second end engaging with a second channel formed in one of the hinge half-portions D2 and G2 integral with the bottom.
6. A case according to claim 5 wherein the first and second heads engage with the first and second channels respectively by a noncircular cross-section of the heads and the channels, or by engagement of convex and concave elements so as to form a means of engagement in rotation.
7. A case according to claim 6 wherein the spring is in a permanent state of compression or axial tension along the axis of rotation, in such a way that the first and second heads are thus maintained in the first and second channels respectively.
8. A case according to claim 5 wherein the spring is capable of being compressed axially, so as to be able to be compressed over a length L1 or L2 in the first or the second channel for the purpose of assembling the hinge, the lengths L1 and L2 corresponding to the depth of the first and second channels respectively.
9. A case according to claim 3 wherein each of the anchoring means includes a skirt, a first skirt being integral with the first head, and a second skirt being integral with the second head, the first and second skirts being coaxial, wherein at least one of the skirts is an inner skirt, and another skirt being an outer skirt, such that the longitudinal component forms a torsion damper, and is simultaneously able to be compressed axially for the purpose of assembling the hinge, and to have a pre-set angular torsion of angle α for the purpose of forming the pre-set opening torque Co of the lid.
10. A case according to claim 9 wherein the inner skirt or a head integral therewith includes a shoulder forming a stop for the outer skirt at an end thereof, so as to limit compression of the longitudinal component or of the torsion damper to a pre-set length L.
11. A case according to claim 3 wherein the hinge has an axial play E along the axis of rotation between the hinge half-portions D2 and G2 integral with the bottom and the hinge half portions D1 and G1 integral with the lid, the axial play E being in a range from about 0.3 to about 1.5 mm, so as to facilitate the assembly of the hinge.
12. A case according to claim 3 wherein the first half-hinge is formed by engagement of a male part and a female part, the engagement being over an axial distance greater than the axial play E, and wherein one of the male or female parts is carried by the bottom and the other of the female or male parts is carried by the lid.
13. A case according to claim 12 wherein the female part is formed by a first ring of diameter D1 and the male part by a second ring of diameter D2<D1, the first and second rings being over an angle β in a range from 200° to 280°, so as to form the hinge without axial play E, and/or to facilitate assembly of the first half-hinge.
14. A case according to claim 13 wherein the female part includes at a center portion thereof a center pin of diameter D3<D2.
15. A case according to claim 3 wherein the first half-hinge includes an auxiliary longitudinal connecting component equipped with an auxiliary helical spring, so as to form an auxiliary axle, and/or to provide a pre-set angular torsion of angle α, either for bringing a contribution C′o to the opening torque of the lid, and/or for obtaining an antagonistic torque Ca, the actual opening torque being Co−Ca or Co+C′o−Ca, so as to impart a particular feel when handling the lid.
16. A case according to claim 3 wherein the fastening means comprises a clasp comprises a lateral right-hand D or left-hand G clasp, its position on a right-hand D or left-hand G part or side of the case being selected according to whether the case is intended to be used by a left-handed or right-handed person.
17. A case according to claim 16 wherein the lateral clasp includes a push-button forming a component cast in one piece with the bottom.
18. A case according to claim 16 wherein the clasp is formed by a lateral translation of the lid relative to the bottom along the axis of rotation over a length at least equal to the axial play E, such that a push-button is not included.
19. A case according to claim 18 wherein comprising a fastening hook integral with the lid, and a nose integral with the bottom, and wherein the hook and nose engage over a length, taken along the direction of the axis of rotation in a range from 0.5E to 0.9E.
20. A case according to claim 18 wherein the lateral clasp is a left-hand G clasp, the second half-hinge being a right-hand D half-hinge.
21. A case according to claim 18 wherein the lateral clasp is a right-hand D clasp, the second half-hinge being a left-hand G half-hinge.
22. A case according to claim 3 wherein the bottom and the lid include a rectilinear side forming the hinge, and wherein the case is square, rectangular, partly round or oval in shape.
23. A case according to claim 3 wherein the hinge is formed by a series of hinge half-portions denoted D1-D2G2-G1 or by a series of hinge half-portions denoted D2-D1G1-G2, according to whether the hinge includes a central part formed by the first hinge element including contiguous half-portions D2 and G2 denoted D2G2, or by the second hinge element including contiguous half-portions D1 and G1 denoted D1G1, the hinge including an outer part formed by the second hinge element including spaced out half-portions D1 and G1 or by the first hinge element including spaced out half-portions D2 and G2 respectively.
24. A process for manufacturing a case according to claim 12 comprising forming the second half-hinge, assembling the longitudinal component, forming the first half-hinge by angularly positioning the bottom relative to the lid optionally with an assembly angle of about 180°, wherein the angular positioning is chosen so as to facilitate free engagement of the male part with the female part.
25. A process according to claim 24 wherein the bottom and the lid include angular locking means so as to lock the rotation of the lid at an angle lower than the angle of assembly.
26. A process for manufacturing a case according to claim 5 comprising forming the first half-hinge, forming the second half-hinge by temporarily compressing the longitudinal component in the first or second channel.
27. A process according to claim 26 further comprising compressing the longitudinal component with at least one plate of thickness less than about the axial play E, wherein the first half-hinge includes an auxiliary longitudinal connecting component equipped with an auxiliary typically helical spring so as to form an auxiliary axle.
28. A case comprising:
- a lid said lid being fitted with a first hinge element,
- a bottom, the bottom being fitted with a second hinge element such that a hinge means is formed by engagement of the first and second hinge elements so as to allow rotation of the lid relative to the bottom along an axis of rotation,
- a fastening means for fastening and unfastening the lid relative to the bottom, wherein the case is capable of automatic opening in such a way that the lid opens automatically when force is exerted on the fastening means, and further wherein said opening is at an angle at least equal to 10° and/or is provided by a gap between a front edge of the lid and a front edge of the bottom of the case in excess of 3 mm, and further wherein said hinge does not include a spring.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 13, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2005
Applicant:
Inventor: Robert Petit (Cluny)
Application Number: 11/033,685