Packaging System for a Cosmetic System

Abstract

A packaging system for a cosmetic system includes a reduced-space packaging unit having a first container and a second container. The first container stores and dispenses a first cosmetic component and the second container (stores and dispenses a second cosmetic component. The first container includes a closure to which the second container mounts.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to International Application Serial No. PCT/US09/64131 filed Nov. 12, 2009, which claims priority U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/116,359 filed on Nov. 20, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to packaging systems, in particular, to packaging systems for a cosmetic system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Typically, packaging for a cosmetic or cosmetic systems comprises components that are individually packaged. Each of these components then may be boxed together to represent a cosmetic system that includes at least two components that create a cosmetic effect. However, boxed cosmetic systems have a drawback insofar they have unnecessary packaging and occupy significant volume,

Moreover, cosmetic systems known in the art provide cosmetic components separately, which may be misplaced.

Thus, what is needed is a packaging system having a reduced space with less packaging material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other needs are filled by the present invention. Therein, a packaging system for a cosmetic system comprises a first container and a second container, the second container removably mounted onto the first container. Each container comprises different cosmetic components, which together provide a cosmetic effect.

The second cosmetic container may be mounted to a closure, such as a toggle cap provided on the first container. The second container may comprise a lid, e.g., a snap-on cap, which has a spout for easy dispensing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a packaging system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the packaging system of FIG. 1a wherein a first container and a second container are being separated.

FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the packaging system of FIG. 1a wherein the first container and the second container are separated.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a first container of a packaging system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second container of a packaging system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention and wherein the second container comprises a translucent material.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second container of the packaging system of FIGS. 1a-1c wherein a spout is in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of exploded second container of the packaging system of FIGS. 1a-1c in relation to a closure of the first container.

FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view of the second container of the packaging system of FIGS. 1a-1c taken through FIG. 4.

FIG. 6b is a perspective view of a body of the second container of the packaging system of FIGS. 1a-1c.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a closure of the second container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further portion of a closure of the second container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a packaging system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the packaging system of FIG. 1a wherein a first container and a second container are being separated. FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the packaging system of FIG. 1a wherein the first container and the second container are separated.

A multi-component cosmetic system 100 comprises a plurality of cosmetic components that are stored and transported in a reduced-space packaging system. Packaging system 10 comprises a first container 20 and a second container 40, which removably mounts onto the first container, and can be separated as illustrated, for example, by FIGS. 1b-1c, along an axis through a closure.

In a mounted state, for example, in FIG. 1a, the first container and the second container join to form a reduced-space packaging unit 60. Reduced-space packaging unit 60 comprises a peripheral shape 60a that is substantially unbroken and continuous between a base of the first container and the closure of the second container. The peripheral shape may comprise any suitable shape and size. Thus, as illustrated herein, peripheral shape 60a may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape that is constant in cross-section and that is interrupted only at the interface 60b formed between first container 20 and second container 40.

Advantageously, packaging unit 60 comprises less packaging material and may be shipped easily and occupy less space than both containers would individually. Thus, packaging system 10 is more cost effective and environmentally friendly. Moreover, once packaging unit 60 has reached the hands of a user, the combination of two components presents an impact on the end user, is easier to handle and store, and keeps two separate components together for easy use.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a first container of a packaging system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. First container 20 stores and dispenses a first cosmetic component and second container 40 stores and dispenses a second cosmetic component, which is usable with the first cosmetic component to produce a cosmetic effect. For example, the first cosmetic component may be facial wash and the second cosmetic component may be a bead-like material that provides exfoliation of the user's skin when utilized with the facial wash.

First container 20 comprises any convenient shape and material. First container 20 comprises a body 20a, a base 20b, a shoulder 20c, and a closure 20d. Therein, body 20a comprises a peripheral shape 20e that may be, but need not be, substantially constant in cross-section from base 20b to shoulder 20c. Shoulder 20c may have any convenient shape, but preferably, includes a downward slope from a central portion to the peripheral edge.

The first cosmetic component, such as, in the example give above, a facial wash, may be in a liquid or gel state, including solutions, dispersions, emulsions, lotions, and creams. Thus, first container 20 may comprise a substantially cylindrical body 20a made of a pliable material, such as plastic. Therein, the first container may be made by injection molding.

Base 20b may be reinforced, while the body is soft-sided to permit a user to squeeze first container 20. Shoulder 20c may connect to a centrally located neck portion 20e to which closure 20d is fitted. Closure 20d may be a removable toggle cap that is screwed onto neck portion 20f. The toggle cap permits the first cosmetic component to exit in a convenient manner via downwardly operable user-push portion 20g that toggles an outflow (not shown) free from a wall portion of the cap.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second container 40 of a packaging system 60 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention and wherein the second container comprises a translucent material. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second container 40 of the packaging system 60 of FIGS. 1a-1c wherein a spout is in an open position. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of exploded second container 40 of the packaging system 60 of FIGS. 1a-1c in relation to a closure 20d of the first container.

Second container 40 comprises a first body 40a, which includes a receiving space 40b and base 40c, and a closure 40d. Body 40a may be made of any suitable shape and any suitable material and comprise any suitable shape. However, body 40a preferably comprises a peripheral shape 40e that continues peripheral shape 20e. Therein, peripheral shape 40e at the base 40c in cross-section matches a cross-section of peripheral shape 20e at shoulder 20c.

Base 40c comprises a shape that matches the shape of shoulder 20c by including a matching downward slope from a central portion to a peripheral edge of the base. Moreover, receiving space 40b comprises a shape that fits, preferably snugly, onto closure 20d to permit the second container to be removably mounted onto the first container. Thus, receiving space 40b comprises a peripheral wall 40f and a raised base 40g that seals the space from the interior of the second container.

FIG. 6a is a cross-sectional view of the second container of the packaging system of FIGS. 1a-1c taken through FIG. 4. FIG. 6b is a perspective view of a body of the second container of the packaging system of FIGS. 1a-1c.

To ensure, a snug fit, receiving space 40b may comprise one or more staves 40h provided on peripheral wall 40f and that protrude slightly into the receiving space to bear against a closure that is received in the receiving space.

The second cosmetic component, such as, in the example give above, a bead material, may comprise a substantially solid granular state. Thus, second container 40 may comprise a substantially cylindrical body 40a with a peripheral edge 40i to form a large opening for easily filling the second container with a granular material.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a closure of the second container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further portion of a closure of the second container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. A closure 40d may be in the form a lid (a snap-on-cap) that snaps securely over a lip 40j provide in edge 40i. One or more detents 40k may be provided proximate to edge 40i and one or more matching indents 40l may be provide on an inner portion of the lid, i.e., closure 40d, to prevent the lid from unintended rotation relative to the body.

Closure 40d may comprise a spout 42 disposed in an aperture 40m in the closure. Spout 42 comprises central wall 42a that ends in a finger portion 42b for lifting the spout. In an unopened state, the spout rests in aperture 40m and the finger grip rests in a recess 40n.

A pair of pins 42c is disposed on a pair of guide walls 42d that are disposed perpendicular to the central wall to form a chute. Pins 42c comprise an axle about which the spout is rotatably opened relative to the closure using the finger grip. A stop 42e is provided to prevent over-rotation and to limit the size of the opening of the spout relative to the lid.

In use, a manufacturer would fill each container with the respective cosmetic component. Therein, second container 40 is mounted onto first container 20 to form reduced-packaging system 60. Packaging system 60 would then be placed in further shipping container such as box, which would be smaller than if each container was shipped individually, or shrink-wrapped together using less material than if each container was shrink-wrapped individually.

An end user would receive an attractive combined packaging unit. The packaging unit would take up less space than the combined space of the individual components. The user would remove the second container from the first container. Each container comprises a closure that is adapted to the cosmetic component provided therein.

Thus, in the example given herein, a user could dispense the face wash from first container 20 by toggling the toggle cap open and wash their face. The user could then add bead material to exfoliate by opening the spout of the second container and dispensing the bead material. The amount of bead material is within the control of consumers, and can be adjusted based upon their own experience. The containers are provided with instructions for use, which may include guidance for the amount of each product to be used alone or in concert. Once finished, the user can then mount the second container onto the first container and store the packaging unit.

Advantageously, the first container and the second container comprise differently formed bodies that accommodate the cosmetic components each is designed to store and dispense. For example, first container 20 may be a 200 ml bottle having soft-sides and second container 40 may be a hard-sided 1 oz. (28 grams) jar.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, cosmetic system 100 may be user configurable. Therein, a user could choose from a plurality of cosmetic components for either the first or the second container or for both. For example, a user may select from different facial washes for the first container and/or from a different exfoliating materials for the second container as desired by the user.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, the first and second containers are typically sized such that each has substantially equivalent number of usage portions in each. Therein, both containers would become empty at the same time permitting a user to avoid having leftovers. In another embodiment the cosmetic compositions in the first and second containers may be sold to the consumer separately for subsequent assembly by the consumer. One or both of the separately sold products may include indicia directing the purchaser to purchaser the other product and may further include instructions for use including assembly. By separate purchase the consumer would be able to select a particular cosmetic composition in the first or second from among a variety of offerings, for example, a cleanser for oily skin or for dry skin, or an exfoliating beads product for delicate or normal skin. Separate sale also permits the consumer to replace one of the first or second containers when the cosmetic compositions in the packaging system are not used up at the same time.

A typical cosmetic composition for use in the first container of the packaging system is an aqueous based cleanser, typically a cleanser adapted for facial cleansing. The cleanser thus would contain one or more surfactants, typically including an anionic surfactant and also generally including a nonionic surfactant. Among the anionic surfactants mention may be made of sodium laureth to laureth-12 sulfate and disodium laureth to laureth-12 sulfosuccinate. Among the nonionic surfactants mention may be made of laureth-16 to laureth-40, PEG-20 to PEG-80 sorbitan laurate, PEG-120 methyl glucose dioleate, and ceteareth-1 to ceteareth-45. An illustrative listing of surfactant cleansers appears in International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, v. 4, Section 4, p. 2955-62 (Ninth Ed. 2002) (hereinafter “INCI”). The cleanser may further include pH adjusting agents; viscosity enhancing agents, amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants such as cocoamidopropyl betaine; humectants; emollients; botanicals to provide skin improvements benefits, for example, oat protein, banana extract, vanilla planifolia extract, willow extract, etc.; preservatives; fragrances; chelating agents, and colorants.

The exfoliating beads contain one or more granular materials of a size and shape adapted to abrade the skin to gently remove dead skin cells. Suitable granular materials have an average particle size of from about 50 to 500 microns, preferably about 75 to about 250 microns, and most preferably from about 75 to 200 microns. The shape is usually irregular, but without sharp features, but may also be more uniformly ovate, including spherical. Suitable materials include seeds of plants in powder form, e.g., apricot seed powder, adzuki seed powder; shells of nuts in powder form, such as walnut shell powder; synthetic materials such as polyethylene powder; silica; pumice. Illustrative abrasive materials suitable for use to exfoliate skin are identified in INCI, v. 4, Section 4, p. 2878.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A packaging system for a cosmetic system, the packaging system comprising:

a reduced-space packaging unit comprising a first container and a second container, the first container for storing and dispensing a first cosmetic component and the second container for storing and dispensing a second cosmetic component;

the first container comprising a closure;

the second container comprising a receiving space for mounting to the first container.

2. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the first container comprises a first peripheral shape and the second container comprises a second peripheral shape, the peripheral shapes having matching cross-sections to form a continuous peripheral shape of the reduced-space packaging unit.

3. The packaging system of claim 2, wherein the peripheral shape of the reduced-space packaging unit is cylindrical.

4. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the first container comprises a pliable body material and the second container comprises a rigid body material.

5. The packaging system of claim 4, wherein the first cosmetic component comprises a liquid cosmetic and the second component comprises a granular cosmetic.

6. The packaging system of claim 5, wherein the first cosmetic component comprises a face wash and the second component comprises an exfoliating agent.

7. The packaging system of claim 4, wherein the closure is a toggle cap, and second container comprises a closure having a spout, wherein the closures are selected for ease of dispensing the respective cosmetic component.

8. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the first container comprises a shoulder having a downward slope from a central portion to the peripheral edge and the second container comprises a base having a shape matching the shoulder to provide a substantially uninterrupted peripheral shape of the reduced-space packaging unit.

9. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the second container comprises a plurality of staves on an inner peripheral wall to bear against the closure of the first container.

10. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the reduced packaging unit comprises a peripheral shape that is constant in cross-section.

11. The packaging system of claim 10, wherein the peripheral shape consists of a single interruption at an interface formed between the first container and the second container.

12. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic system consists of the first and second cosmetic components.

13. The packaging system of claim 12, wherein the first and second cosmetic components work cooperatively.

14. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the first container and the second container are sized to provide substantially identical number of uses of the respective first and second cosmetic component.

15. A packaging system comprising:

a first container and a second container, second container removably mountable to the first container to form a reduced-space package for ease of use by a user;

a cosmetic system comprising a first and a second cosmetic component selectable by the user;

the first cosmetic component stored in the first container and dispensable therefrom; and

the second cosmetic component stored in the second container and dispensable therefrom.

16. The packaging system of claim 15, wherein the first and second cosmetic components a work cooperatively.

17. The packaging system of claim 16, wherein the first cosmetic component comprises an aqueous based cleanser or a gel cleanser and the first container comprising a pliable body toggle cap to dispense the aqueous based cleanser easily.

18. The packaging system of claim 17, wherein the second cosmetic component comprises an exfoliating granular agent and the second container comprising a rigid body and a spout to dispense the exfoliating granular agent easily.

19. The packaging system (10) of claim 18, wherein the first container (20) and the second container (40) are sized to provide substantially identical number of uses of the respective first and second cosmetic component.

20. The packaging system (10) of claim 15, wherein the reduced packaging unit (60) comprises a peripheral shape (60a) that is constant in cross-section.