Wet/Dry Compact with Multi-Stage Opening
A wet/dry compact that contains a volatile product until a time of use. The wet/dry compact includes an automatically opening hinge assembly that pivotably couples a base at least partially encasing a translucent pot, a rotatable lid assembly, and a pot lid in-line with each other. The automatically opening hinge assembly having interference tabs configured to automatically open and/or close the pot lid assembly when the rotatable lid assembly is opened and/or closed relative to the base. The wet/dry compact includes a solid liner that completely covers an opening of the translucent pot and seals the pot lid assembly to a rim of the translucent pot.
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This application is related to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/772,109 (Attorney Docket No. HC1-0034US) entitled “Airtight Compact,” which is incorporated herein by reference
BACKGROUNDVessels exist that are portable, convenient to use, and designed to contain volatile and/or aggressive products for use. These types of portable vessels usually consist of a jar and lid assembly, that when assembled together provide an effective barrier for containing the volatile product. The vessels may be designed to contain the volatile product with minimal weight loss. Moreover, the vessels are designed to contain the volatile product with minimal environmental communication. The jar and/or lid are typically made of a glass, a plastic, a metal, combinations of the foregoing, or the like, that when closed together create a seal. Such vessels are used in the cosmetics and personal care industries for containing a product to be applied to a body, where, as described above, the product to be applied to the body is volatile and/or aggressive. As such, without the vessel's effective barrier the product may degrade and/or expire. While, existing portable vessels may provide an effective barrier for containing a volatile product, they may be cumbersome to open, and may have loose parts, which make them susceptible to damage and difficult to manage.
SUMMARYThis summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of wet/dry compacts having an automatic opening feature and a liner covering an orifice of the pot. The compacts are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Wet/dry compacts according to one implementation comprise a hinge assembly configured to automatically open a pot of the wet/dry compact as a lid is progressively opened. In one example, the hinge assembly comprises a pin section of a base, a cylinder section of a rotatable lid assembly, and a loop section of a pot lid assembly arranged in-line with each other. The cylinder section of the rotatable lid assembly has an interference tab protruding from the external cylindrical surface of the cylinder section to engage another interference tab of the loop section of the pot lid assembly when the rotatable lid assembly is opened and/or closed. In some implementations, the wet/dry compact comprises a base at least partially encasing a pot and a pot lid assembly having a solid liner over-molded to a bottom surface of the pot lid assembly to seal an opening of the pot when the wet/dry compact is in a closed condition. The rotatable lid assembly is pivotably coupled to the base and the pot lid assembly is pivotably coupled in-line with the rotatable lid assembly and the base. The rotatable lid assembly and the pot lid assembly may open in stages relative to the base assembly. For example, the rotatable lid assembly may open and/or close to a first predetermined angle, open and/or close to a second predetermined angle, and may then open and/or close to a third predetermined angle. For example, the rotatable lid assembly may open to a first predetermined angle and engage with the pot lid assembly. The rotatable lid assembly and the pot lid assembly may then be opened together another predetermined angle and into an open position. Further, once in the open position, the pot lid assembly may be opened (i.e., displaced towards the rotatable lid assembly) and/or closed (i.e., displaced towards the base assembly). The solid liner over-molded to the bottom surface of the pot lid assembly is configured to completely cover the opening of the pot and seal the pot lid.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
This disclosure is directed to wet/dry compacts having an automatic opening feature. The wet/dry compacts may include a liner covering an entire orifice of the pot. The pot may be made of materials such as a translucent glass or a translucent terpolymer, which provide the necessary barrier properties for containing the volatile product, as well as provide visibility to the volatile product contained therein. However, because these materials can be brittle and fragile the pot may be at least partially encased by a base. The base may protect the pot while providing structural strength for pivotably attaching a rotatable lid thereto. The rotatable lid assembly pivotably attached to the base may be configured to selectively lock to the base and automatically open the pot lid assembly interposed between the rotatable lid assembly and the base when the rotatable lid assembly is opened and/or closed about a predetermined amount relative to the base. With the rotatable lid assembly automatically opening the pot lid assembly, the wet/dry volatile contents contained in the pot may be accessed by simply opening the rotatable lid assembly. For example, the user may simply loosen the rotatable lid assembly from the base and open the rotatable lid assembly a predetermined angle (e.g., 120 degrees) relative to the base to gain access to the product contained in the pot without separately opening the pot lid assembly. Further, the user may simply loosen the rotatable lid assembly from the base and open the rotatable lid assembly between about90 degrees and 180 degrees relative to the base to gain access to the product contained in the pot without separately opening the pot lid assembly. To seal and isolate the volatile product from the environment until a time of use, the user may simply close the rotatable lid assembly, interposing the pot lid assembly between the rotatable lid assembly and the base. The user may then twist the rotatable lid assembly relative to the base to clamp the pot lid assembly over the opening of the pot to seal the pot.
The base may be disposed about an outer wall of the pot. The base may comprise a pin section arranged integral in an outer wall of the base forming a portion of the automatically opening hinge assembly. The base may comprise an opening for providing visibility to the pot at least partially encased by the base.
The rotatable lid assembly pivotably attached to the base may comprise a lid ring pivotably coupled to the base of the base. The lid ring may comprise a hollow section to pivotably couple to the pin section. The hollow section having an interference tab protruding from the external surface of the hollow section for interfering with another interference tab protruding from pot lid assembly. A mirror may be fixed to a bottom surface of the rotatable lid assembly.
The pot lid assembly interposed between the rotatable lid assembly and the base may comprise pot lid having a loop section protruding from an outer wall of the pot lid to be arranged in-line with the pin section and the hollow section of the base and the rotating lid assembly, respectively. The loop section having the other interference tab for interfering with the interference tab protruding from pot lid assembly. The pot lid assembly may comprise a solid liner attached to a bottom of the pot lid. The solid liner may be fixed to the bottom surface of the pot lid by a fastening mechanism (e.g., clips or a captive groove), an adhesive, or any other suitable fastening mechanism. Further, the pot lid and the solid liner may be formed of an integral layered unit. For example, the solid liner may be over-molded to the bottom surface of the pot lid. Further, the solid liner may comprise silica gel, rubber, TPE, silicone, or neoprene and the pot lid may comprise PP.
Illustrative Wet/Dry CompactAs illustrated in
While
The loop section 306 is shown comprising a first loop 318(A) opposite a second loop 318(B) to pivotably couple in-line with the pin section 308 and the hollow section (illustrated in
The interference tab 406 may comprise a planar interference surface 410(A) intersecting substantially perpendicular to another planar interference surface 410(B). The planar interference surfaces 410(A) and 410(B) may be formed as one unit integral with the hollow section 402.
Although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. For example, while embodiments are described having certain shapes, sizes, and configurations, these shapes, sizes, and configurations are merely illustrative. Also for example, while one example of a method of manufacturing is described, containers according to this disclosure may be made using any other suitable manufacturing methods.
Claims
1. A vessel comprising:
- a pot for holding a product;
- a base at least partially encasing the pot and having a pin section arranged integral in an outer wall of the base;
- a rotatable lid assembly pivotably coupled to the base and configured to selectively lock to the base, the rotatable lid assembly comprising: a lid ring having a hollow section to pivotably couple to the pin section of the base, the hollow section having an interference tab protruding from the external surface of the hollow section; a lid rotatably coupled to the lid ring;
- a pot lid assembly, interposed between the rotatable lid assembly and the base, pivotably coupled in-line with the rotatable lid assembly and the base and configured to automatically open and/or close when the rotatable lid assembly is opened and/or closed, the pot lid assembly comprising: a loop section to pivotably couple in-line with the hollow section and the pin section, the loop section having another interference tab protruding from an outer wall of the pot lid assembly to engage with the interference tab protruding from the external surface of the hollow section when the rotatable lid assembly is opened and/or closed.
2. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the interference tab and the other interference tab engage with one another to automatically open the pot lid assembly when the rotatable lid assembly is opened about a predetermined angle relative to the base.
3. The vessel of claim 2, wherein the interference tab protruding from the external surface of the hollow section comprises a planar interference surface intersecting substantially perpendicular to another planar interference surface, and wherein the planar interference surfaces are formed as one unit integral with the hollow section.
4. The vessel of claim 3, wherein the hollow section comprises a cylinder section and the interference tab protrudes from the external cylindrical surface of the cylinder section, and wherein at least one of the planar interference surfaces intersecting substantially perpendicular to one another is formed substantially parallel with a bottom surface of the lid ring.
5. The vessel of claim 4, wherein the at least one planar interference surface formed substantially parallel with a bottom surface of the lid ring is oriented substantially perpendicular to a center axis of the lid ring to interfere with the other interference tab of the pot lid assembly at about the predetermined angle.
6. The vessel of claim 2, wherein the other interference tab protruding from the outer wall of the pot lid assembly generally comprises a planar slip surface opposite another planar slip surface distal to the outer wall of the pot lid assembly and intersecting a planar stop surface at oblique angles for allowing the interference tab to be displaced along the other interference tab, and wherein the planar slip surface opposite another planar slip surface intersecting the planar stop surface are formed as one unit integral with the top lid assembly.
7. The vessel of claim 6, wherein the loop section comprises a first loop opposite a second loop to pivotably couple in-line with the hollow section and the pin section, and wherein the planar stop surface is interposed by the first and the second loops and oriented away from a center axis of the pot lid assembly to interfere with the interference tab of the lid ring at about the predetermined angle.
8. The vessel of claim 2, wherein the predetermined angle is between about 90 degrees and 180 degrees.
9. The vessel of claim 2, wherein the predetermined angle is about a 120 degrees.
10. A cosmetic compact comprising:
- a base;
- a pot to contain a product, the pot at least partially encased by the base disposed about an outer wall of the pot; and
- a rotatable lid assembly pivotably coupled to the base and configured to selectively lock to the base, the rotatable lid assembly comprising: a lid ring; a lid rotatably coupled to the lid ring;
- a pot lid, interposed between the rotatable lid assembly and the base, pivotably coupled in-line with the rotatable lid assembly pivotably coupled to the base and configured to automatically open and/or close when the rotatable lid assembly is opened and/or closed; and
- a solid liner fixed to a bottom surface of the pot lid configured to be impervious to the product.
11. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the pot comprises a rim arranged around an opening, and the solid liner completely covers the opening of the pot and seals the pot lid to the rim of the pot.
12. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the solid liner is over-molded to the bottom surface of the pot lid.
13. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the solid liner comprises silica gel, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicone, or neoprene, and wherein the pot lid comprises polypropylene (PP).
14. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the base, the lid ring, and the lid comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), and/or metal.
15. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the pot comprises glass or a terpolymer.
16. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein:
- the base comprises a pin section arranged integral in an outer wall of the base;
- the lid ring comprises a cylinder section to pivotably couple to the pin section,; and
- the pot lid comprising: a first loop section opposite a second loop section to pivotably couple in-line with the cylinder section and the pin section;.
17. The cosmetic compact of claim 16, wherein:
- the cylinder section comprises an interference tab protruding from the external cylindrical surface of the cylinder section; and
- the first loop section opposite the second loop section pivotably coupled in-line with the cylinder section and the pin section comprising another interference tab interposed by the first and the second loop sections, wherein the interference tab is oriented away from a center axis of the pot lid to engage with the interference tab of the lid ring when the rotatable lid assembly is opened a predetermined amount.
18. A wet/dry compact comprising:
- a base assembly at least partially encasing a pot and having a pin section arranged integral in an outer wall of the base assembly;
- a rotatable lid assembly having a cylinder section to pivotably couple to the pin section of the base assembly;
- a pot lid assembly interposed between the rotatable lid assembly and the base assembly, the pot lid assembly comprising a loop section protruding from an outer wall of the pot lid assembly and arranged in-line with the pin section and the cylinder section.
19. The wet/dry compact of claim 18, wherein the cylinder section comprises an interference tab protruding from the external cylindrical surface of the cylinder section, and the loop section comprises another interference tab to interfere with the interference tab of the rotatable lid assembly when the rotatable lid assembly is opened a predetermined angle relative to the base assembly.
20. The wet/dry compact of claim 18, further comprising a solid liner fixed to a bottom surface of the pot lid assembly configured to be impervious to a product contained in the pot.
21. The wet/dry compact of claim 20, wherein the solid liner is over-molded to the bottom surface of the pot lid.
22. The wet/dry compact of claim 20, wherein the pot comprises a rim arranged around an opening, and the solid liner completely covers the opening of the pot and seals the pot lid to the rim of the pot.
23. The wet/dry compact of claim 20, wherein the solid liner comprises silica gel, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicone, or neoprene, and wherein the pot lid comprises polypropylene (PP).
24. The wet/dry compact of claim 18, wherein the pot at least partially encased by the base assembly comprises a glass or a terpolymer.
25. The wet/dry compact of claim 24, wherein the pot comprises a translucent glass or a translucent terpolymer, the product contained in the pot being visible via an aperture in the base assembly opposite the rotatable lid assembly.
26. The wet/dry compact of claim 18, wherein the predetermined angle is between about 90 degrees and 180 degrees.
27. The wet/dry compact of claim 18, wherein the predetermined angle is about a 120 degrees.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 2, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 6, 2012
Applicant: HCT Asia Ltd (Hong Kong)
Inventors: Adrian C. Apodaca (Santa Monica, CA), Timothy Thorpe (Santa Monica, CA)
Application Number: 13/152,128
International Classification: A45D 33/00 (20060101); B65D 53/00 (20060101); B65D 43/24 (20060101);