COSMETIC CONTAINER WITH MOVING SIFTER

Abstract

A cosmetic container may include a base defining a well and having a bottom. The cosmetic container may include a sifter having a sifter conical section fixedly attached to a collar. The collar may be coupled to the base, thereby coupling the sifter to the base. The cosmetic container may include a cap for coupling to the sifter. The cap, sifter, and collar may be rotatable relative to the base to provide an open or a closed configuration.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/727,223, filed on Sep. 5, 2018, titled COSMETIC CONTAINER WITH MOVING SIFTER, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The present application relates generally to a cosmetic container, and in particular, a cosmetic container for loose material.

BACKGROUND

Cosmetic materials such as those used for cosmetic foundation or finishing are typically provided as compacted or a loose material. Loose materials, including loose powder, are becoming more common in part because loose material provides improved coverage of the material on a surface. The loose material may be provided in a container with a base, cover, and divider or sifter. The sifter is typically a flat surface containing perforations, so that the container may be opened and the powder may be shaken out of the perforations and applied to an applicator.

A typical method for applying a loose powder may include shaking the powder out through perforations and onto the cap, and dipping a cosmetic brush into the loose powder that has been shaken through the perforations in the sifter. Alternatively, the cap can remain on the container and the container can be shaken until some product passes through the perforations, and the cap is then opened and the brush is dipped onto the product on the sifter. In typical loose powder cosmetic containers, the perforations in the sifter may allow too much powder or too little powder to be passed therethrough. This may create a mess and/or make it difficult for a user to evenly apply a loose powder. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved cosmetic containers.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing methods, and use alternatives for cosmetic packaging.

In a first example, a cosmetic container may comprise a base defining a well and having a bottom, a lower perimeter, and an upper opening. The upper opening may be defined by at least one upper sidewall having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the outer side may include one or more outer slots each having a lower end and an upper end. The bottom may comprise a bump projecting into a well. The cosmetic container may include a sifter which may have a sifter conical section with a sifter lower end. The sifter lower end may be open and shaped to engage the bump. The bump may be optional, and the sifter may instead simply engage a bottom surface of the base.

The sifter may further comprise an upper portion having an inner wall and an outer wall separated by a gap and joined by an upper rim. The outer wall may comprise outer threads and at least one inner slot. The upper rim may comprise one or more top slots. The gap may be sized to receive a portion of the upper sidewall of the base. The cosmetic container may further include a collar which may be adapted for placement between the sifter outer wall and the upper sidewall of the base. The collar may comprise one or more inner protrusions which may be sized to be received in the one or more outer slots of the base upper sidewall, and further may comprise a tab which may be sized to be received by the inner slot of the outer wall of the sifter. The cosmetic container may include a cap which may have inner threads configured to interact with the outer threads of the sifter. The cap may include one or more projections which may be configured to interact with the one or more top slots of the sifter. The cosmetic container may define a first, closed configuration and a second, open configuration. The first, closed configuration may comprise wherein the sifter lower end abuts the bump, which may seal the well. The inner protrusion of the collar may be engaged with the lower end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall. The second, open configuration may comprise wherein the sifter lower end is spaced from the bump to allow product to escape the well. The inner protrusion of the collar may be engaged in the upper end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the cosmetic container may be configured such that a user may transition from the first, closed configuration to the second, open configuration by twisting the cap to turn the collar and sifter relative to the base to move the collar inner protrusion from the first end to the second end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall while the cap projections may engage the one or more top slots of the upper rim of the sifter.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the cosmetic container may be configured such that a user may transition from the second, open configuration to the first, closed configuration by twisting the cap onto the sifter until the cap inner threads engage the outer threads of the sifter outer wall until the cap protrusions engage the one or more top slots of the upper rim of the sifter. A user may continue to twist the cap relative to the base which may cause the sifter and collar to twist and move the collar inner protrusion from the second end to the first end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall, which may move the sifter lower end into sealing abutment with the bump.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the cosmetic container may include a base assembly which may comprise a base housing having the upper opening, which may be defined by the at least one upper sidewall. The base assembly may further include a base insert which may include the bump. The base insert may be removable from the base housing to allow filling of the base from below. In this case, a gasket may be used (though not shown in the Figures) to ensure a proper seal between the insert and the base.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the cosmetic container may include a fill in the form of a loose powder cosmetic product, which may be contained within the well of the base.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the inner threads of the cap and the outer threads of the sifter may be configured to interact fully at a lower limit. The inner threads and the outer threads may further be configured such that once the lower limit is reached, further twisting of the cap may move the collar inner protrusion within the outer slot of the base upper sidewall to the closed configuration.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the cap may comprise an outer decorative cap and an inner cap. The inner cap may be sized and shaped to interact with the conical portion of the sifter when the cap is threaded onto the sifter.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the cosmetic container may include a sifter assembly. The sifter assembly may comprise a collar and a sifter funnel. The sifter funnel may include the sifter conical section and the upper section that may be adapted to engage the collar and the cap.

The above summary of some example embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an illustrative cosmetic container in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an illustrative cosmetic container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the illustrative cosmetic container as in FIG. 6A, taken at lines 5-5, in a closed configuration.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the illustrative cosmetic container as in FIG. 6A, taken at lines 5-5, in an open configuration.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the illustrative cosmetic container as in FIG. 6A, taken at lines 5-5, in an open configuration with the cap removed.

FIG. 6A is a top view of the illustrative cosmetic container as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B is a cross-section view of the illustrative cosmetic container as in FIG. 6A, taken at lines 3-3.

FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of an illustrative base.

FIG. 7B is a side view of the illustrative base as in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of an illustrative base cover.

FIG. 8B is a cross-section view of the illustrative base cover as in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of an illustrative sifter.

FIG. 9B is a side view of the illustrative sifter as in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a top view of the illustrative sifter as in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9D is a bottom view of the illustrative sifter as in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a top perspective view of an illustrative collar.

FIG. 10B is a second top perspective view of the illustrative collar as in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of an illustrative cap.

FIG. 11B is a bottom-top perspective view of the illustrative cap as in FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a top-bottom perspective view of an illustrative inner cap.

FIG. 12B is a bottom-top perspective view of the illustrative inner cap as in FIG. 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein the like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The description and drawings show several embodiments which are meant to be illustrative in nature.

For convenience, the present disclosure may be described using relative terms including, for example, left, right, top, bottom, front, back, upper, lower, up, and down, as well as others. It is to be understood that these terms are merely used for illustrative purposes and are not meant to be limiting in any manner.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an illustrative cosmetic container 10 in a closed configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the cosmetic container 10 may include a container, receptacle, or jar having a base housing or a base 20, and a cap 12. The cosmetic container 10 may include the base 20 having a square shape, and the cap 12 having a circular shape, as shown in FIGS. 1-6B. Alternatively, the cosmetic container 10 may have a shape that is circular, square, rectangular, triangular, oval, or any other desired shape.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the illustrative cosmetic container 10 from a top to bottom perspective. As shown in FIG. 2, the cosmetic container 10 may include the base 20 having a lower perimeter 22, and an upper opening 23 which may be defined by at least one upper sidewall 24, and the upper sidewall 24 may include an inner side 25 and an outer side 26 (elements 22-26 shown further below in FIGS. 7A and 7B). The outer side 26 of the upper sidewall 24 may include one or more outer slots 27, each of which may include an upper end 29 and a lower end 28 for coupling to a collar 32 (again further detailed in FIGS. 7A-7B). The base 20 may further define a well 19 within the base 20 for receiving a cosmetic product.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cosmetic container 10 may include a base insert 30 which may form a bottom of the cosmetic container 10. The base insert 30 may include a depression 33 in the center region of the base insert 30, and further include a bump 31 which may project upwards from the center of the depression 33 of the base insert 30 to a position within the well 19 of the base 20, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. While the bump 31 is depicted as having a rounded or hemispherical shape, bump 31 may have any other suitable shape (i.e., conical, frustoconical, cylindrical, pyramidal, oval, or the like). In an example, the bump may be omitted and the base insert may simply have a bottom surface. In this example, the base 20 and insert 30 may be snap fit together and removable from one another to facilitate refill. In other examples, the base insert 30 and base 20 may be a single piece, either molded or cast, for example, as a single piece, or integrally formed so that the base is non-removable.

In some embodiments, the cosmetic container 10 may include a fill 50 which may be in the form of a loose cosmetic product contained within the well 19 of the base 20. The shape shown is not necessarily one that would be retained by, for example a loose powder. The fill 50 is shown for illustrative purposes.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, the illustrative example further comprises a sifter 40 which may include a sifter conical section 41 and a sifter lower end 42. The sifter conical section 41 and the sifter lower end 42 may be positioned within the well 19 of the base 20. The sifter lower end 42 may comprise an opening which may have a size and a shape such that the sifter lower end 42 (opening) engages with the bump 31 and forms a seal. Rotation of the sifter 40 in a counterclockwise direction raises the sifter 40 within the base 20, which disengages the sifter lower end 42 from the bump 31 and unseals the lower end, allowing access to the cosmetic product contained therein, and also allows excess product to return to well 19. The sifter 40 may then be rotated clockwise back into the base 20 reforming the seal. The sifter 40 may also be removed entirely to allow refill of the container, if desired. The mechanism for such motion includes, in some examples, the use of a collar 32, and is further detailed below. Optionally the bump may be omitted.

The sifter 40 may further include an upper portion 43 which may be comprised of an inner wall 44 and an outer wall 45. The inner wall 44 and the outer wall 45 may be joined together by an upper rim 47, which may form a gap 53 between the inner wall 44 and the outer wall 45, as shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3-6 and 9D. The sifter 40 may include outer threads 49 which are positioned on the outer wall 45. The outer threads 49 are configured to engage with inner threads 16 of the cap 12.

The cosmetic container 10 may include the collar 32, as shown in FIGS. 2-6 and 10A-10B. The collar 32 may be adapted for placement between the outer wall 45 of the sifter 40 and the upper sidewall 24 of the base 20. The collar 32 may include one or more inner protrusions 34 which may be positioned on an inside of the collar 32, and may be sized to be received in the one or more outer slots 27 of the base 20 such that the collar 32 is coupled to the base 20. The collar 32 may further include a tab 36 and a ridge 38, which may be positioned on an outside of the collar 32 and may be configured to engage with an inner slot 46 and an inner rail 55 of the sifter 40 (as shown in further detail in FIGS. 9D and 10A-10B). In one example, the ridge 38 of the collar 32 is placed and sized to be received in snap fit fashion in the inner rail 55 of the sifter 40. Once snap fit together, the sifter 40 is fixed to the collar 32, which is coupled to the base 20 to prevent ready removal, but will still allow rotation of the sifter 40 relative to the base 20. The upper end 29 and the lower end 28 of the one or more outer slots 27 limit rotation between the sifter 40 and the base 20 within a predetermined angle. Such operation is further explained below relative to FIGS. 7A and 7B. The configuration of slots, rails and protrusions may be reversed in still further embodiments, as for example by providing replacing protrusion 34 on the collar 32 with a protrusion on the upper sidewall of the base 20, and moving the slot 27 from the upper sidewall of the base 20 onto the interior wall of the collar 32. Alternatively, the sifter 40 may be configured to engage with the base 20, and the collar 32 may be omitted in some embodiments. The separate use of a collar 32 may allow for selection of different materials in different pieces, such as by allowing the sifter to be of a first material, the base to be of another material (or the same as the sifter), and the collar, which has to allow rotational movement, to be of a still different material such that, for example, the collar can facilitate smooth motion without worrying about its appearance as it would be hidden from the user.

The cosmetic container 10 may include the cap 12 having inner threads 16 (as shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 11B) used for coupling to the outer threads 49 of the sifter 40. The cap 12 may further include one or more projections 18 which are configured to interact with the one or more top slots 48 of the sifter 40. As such, the cap 12 may be coupled to the sifter 40 which is coupled to the base 20 via the collar 32 such that when assembled together, the cap 12 and base 20 provide an effective barrier for containing the product.

In some embodiments, the cap 12 may further include an inner cap 14. The inner cap 14 may include one or more cap ring posts 15 and a cap ring slot 13 which are configured to engage in snap fit fashion with a cap ring 17 and a cap ring ridge 11 of the cap 12 (as shown in FIGS. 11B and 12A). The inner cap 14 may be sized and shaped to interact with the sifter conical section 41 when the cap 12 is threaded onto the sifter 40. For example, the inner cap 14 may include an inner cap lower end 54 which serves to form a barrier to seal the cosmetic product within the cosmetic container 10. The inner cap 14 is optional, and may be omitted in some embodiments.

In one example, when the inner cap 14 is omitted, when the sifter 40 is positioned within the base 20 and the cap 12 applied, a gap (not shown) may be formed between the sifter 40 and the cap 12. The gap provided may allow for placement and/or retention of a cosmetic implement such as, but not limited to, a brush, a sponge, an applicator, etc. In another embodiment, a gasket could be placed between the sifter 40 and the cap 12 (not shown), such as by placement on the underside of the cap or top of the upper rim 47 of the sifter, to facilitate airtightness. In some embodiments, the cap 12 and/or the base 20 may comprise a slot to receive and/or hold a cosmetic instrument such as a brush, sponge, doe foot or the like.

The cap 12 and base 20 assemblies (e.g., upper opening 23, sifter 40, and collar 32) may have a substantially round (e.g., cylindrical) shape in which the seal may be provided by a thread fastening mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 2-6. However, it is contemplated that the cap 12 and the base 20 may have an alternative shape (e.g., square, rectangular, oval, triangular, or any other shape desired) and may be sealed by a magnetic fastening mechanism, a snap fastening mechanism (e.g., a snap fit) or a clamp fastening system. Some assemblies, when fastened together, can compress an O-ring or a gasket interposed by the base 20 and the cap 12 to achieve an airtight seal. Other examples may not be airtight and may simply serve to effectively contain and prevent spillage of the cosmetic product therein.

The illustrative cosmetic container 10 may be useful for receiving cosmetic products such as, but not limited to, loose powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like) and pressed powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like). However, the illustrative cosmetic container 10 may also be useful for alternative cosmetic products such as, creams or lotions (e.g., skincare, eye, foundation, and the like), sunscreens, hot pour products (e.g., lipsticks, glosses, and the like), touchup, spot cover, baked powders, moisturizers, hair creams, gels, serums, solid perfume and the like.

In some embodiments, the collar 32 may be permanently coupled to the base 20, in other embodiments, the collar 32 may be removably coupled to the base 20 and the sifter 40 may be permanently coupled to the collar 32, and in further embodiments, the collar 32 may be permanently coupled to the base 20 and the sifter 40 may be removably coupled to the base 20 and/or collar 32, or any combination thereof. When the collar 32 is removably coupled to the base 20 with the sifter 40 permanently attached to the collar 32, the well 19 may be refilled once the product has been depleted.

The cap 12, the base 20, and the sifter 40 may be comprised of plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, stone, wood, carbon-fiber, composites thereof, combinations thereof, or any other type of material. In some examples, the cap 12 and/or the base 20 may include a decorative outer shell or shells made of any of plastic, rubber, metal, ceramic, glass, stone, wood, carbon fiber, composites thereof, and/or combinations thereof, or any other suitable material for a given aesthetic.

The cosmetic container 10 may define a first, closed configuration 60 and a second, open configuration 62. FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the cosmetic container 10 as in FIG. 6A, shown in the closed configuration 60. The cross-section view of FIG. 3 more clearly illustrates the positioning of the various components of the cosmetic container 10, when in the closed configuration 60. As discussed above, the cap 12 may include the inner threads 16 which are configured to engage with the outer threads 49 of the sifter 40. The cap 12 may further include the one or more projections 18 which are configured to engage with the one or more top slots 48 of the sifter 40. When the cosmetic container 10 is in the closed configuration 60, the one or more inner protrusions 34 of the collar 32 may engage with the lower end 28 of the one or more outer slots 27 of the upper sidewall 24 of the base 20, such that the sifter lower end 42 abuts the bump 31 thereby preventing access to the product within in the well 19 of the base 20. Optionally the bump may be omitted and the sifter lower end 42 abuts a bottom surface inside the base 20, which may be described as a base container.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the gap 53 formed between the inner wall 44 and the outer wall 45 of the sifter 40 is sized such that the upper sidewall 24 of the base 20 and the collar 32 are received within the gap 53. In the example, the collar 32 may include the tab 36 (as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B) and the ridge 38, which may be positioned on the outside of the collar 32. The tab 36 and the ridge 38 may be configured to engage with the inner slot 46 and the inner rail 55 of the sifter 40 in a snap fit fashion. In this manner, the sifter 40 and the collar 32 are fixedly attached and are able to rotate in tandem relative to the base 20.

The cap 12 includes the one or more projections 18 which may be configured to interact with the one or more top slots 48 of the sifter 40. Further the inner threads 16 of the cap 12 engage with the outer threads 49 of the sifter 40. The cosmetic container 10 is configured such that when a user transitions the cosmetic container 10 to the closed configuration 60, the inner threads 16 align with the outer threads 49, and the cap 12 can be rotated and threaded onto the sifter 40. Further rotation of the cap 12 in a clockwise direction engages the one or more projections 18 with the one or more top slots 48, which allows the cap 12 to grip the sifter 40, causing the sifter 40 and collar 32 to rotate relative to the base 20. The one or more inner protrusions 34 of the collar 32 then move from the upper end 29 of the one or more outer slots 27 to the lower end 28, thereby reaching a lower limit and closing the cosmetic container 10. Further, the inner cap lower end 54 is sized to fit within an upper end of the sifter conical section 41 providing an effective barrier for containing the product, as shown in FIG. 3.

In some examples, the base insert 30 may be provided to form the bottom of the cosmetic container 10, as shown in FIG. 3. The base insert 30 may include the depression 33 in the center region of the base insert 30, and further include the bump 31 which may project upwards from the center of the depression 33 of the base insert 30 to a position within the well 19 of the base 20. When assembled, the well 19 is provided within the base 20 between the base insert 30 and the sifter 40, for receiving a cosmetic product such as, for example and without limitation, a loose powder. In alternative embodiments, the base insert 30 may be omitted, and the base 20 of the cosmetic container 10 may be one unitary structure which may include the bump 31 formed in a bottom of the base 20.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate cross-section views of the cosmetic container 10 as in FIG. 6A, shown in the open configuration 62. The cross-section view of FIG. 4 more clearly illustrates the positioning of the various components of the cosmetic container 10, when in the open configuration 62. FIG. 5 depicts the cross-section view as in FIG. 4 with the cap 12 and the inner cap 14 removed. When the cosmetic container 10 is in the open configuration 62, the one or more inner protrusions 34 of the collar 32 may engage with the upper end 29 of the one or more outer slots 27 of the upper sidewall 24 of the base 20, such that the sifter lower end 42 is disengaged from the bump 31 thereby allowing access to the product within in the well 19 of the base 20.

As discussed above with reference to FIG. 3, the cap 12 includes the one or more projections 18 which may be configured to interact with the one or more top slots 48 of the sifter 40. Further the inner threads 16 of the cap 12 engage with the outer threads 49 of the sifter 40. The cosmetic container 10 is configured such that when a user transitions the cosmetic container 10 from the closed configuration 60 (as shown in FIG. 3) to the open configuration 62, the cap 12 may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction which causes the one or more projections 18 to move within the one or more top slots 48 thereby gripping the sifter 40 and rotating the sifter 40 and the collar 32 with the cap 12 relative to the base 20. In this manner, the collar 32, the sifter 40 and the cap 12 move together as one unit relative to the base 20. Rotation of the sifter 40 and collar 32 in a counterclockwise direction moves the one or more inner protrusions 34 of the collar 32 from the lower end 28 of the one or more outer slots 27 to the upper end 29 thereby reaching an upper limit, and the sifter lower end 42 disengages from the bump 31, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Once the upper limit is reached, the cap 12 can further be rotated counterclockwise relative to the sifter 40, and the one or more projections 18 of the cap 12 may disengage from the one or more top slots 48, and the cap 12 may be fully removed from the cosmetic container 10, as shown in FIG. 5, thereby allowing access to the cosmetic product contained within the well 19 of the base 20 through the open sifter lower end 42. The ability to open and/or close the sifter 40 relative to the bump 31 provides a cleaner and more effective structure for containing and more evenly distributing a cosmetic product.

FIG. 6A is a top view perspective of the cosmetic container 10. FIG. 6B is a cross-section view of the cosmetic container 10 as in FIG. 6A taken at lines 3-3. FIG. 6B illustrates the interaction of the one or more inner protrusions 34 with the one or more outer slots 27 of the base 20. As shown in FIG. 6B, the cosmetic container 10 is in the closed configuration 60. As discussed above, when the cosmetic container 10 is in the closed configuration 60, the one or more inner protrusions 34 may engage with the lower end 28 of the one or more outer slots 27. Because the cosmetic container 10 is in the closed configuration 60, the one or more inner protrusions 34 may not be engaged with the upper end 29 of the one or more outer slots 27.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the exemplary base 20 of the cosmetic container 10. As discussed above, base 20 may include the lower perimeter 22, and the upper opening 23 which may be defined by at least one upper sidewall 24. The upper sidewall 24 may include the inner side 25 and the outer side 26. The outer side 26 may include one or more outer slots 27, each of which may include the upper end 29 and the lower end 28 for coupling to the collar 32. The base 20 may further define the well 19 within the base 20 for receiving the cosmetic product. The base 20 may include a notch 35 which may be provided for assembly purposes. Upon assembly, the one or more inner protrusions 34 of the collar 32 may align with the notch 35 and slide down into position within the one or more outer slots 27. Alternatively, the collar 32 and the sifter 40, which may be fixedly attached to one another, may be removed from the base 20 by aligning the one or more inner protrusions 34 with the notch 35 and pulling the collar 32 and sifter 40 in an upward direction. When the collar 32 and the sifter 40 are removed from the base 20, the well 19 may be refilled once the product has been depleted.

FIG. 8A illustrates the exemplary base insert 30 of the cosmetic container 10. FIG. 8B is a cross-section view of the base insert 30 as in FIG. 8A. As discussed above, the base insert 30 may form the bottom of the cosmetic container 10. The base insert 30 may include the depression 33 in the center region of the base insert 30, and further include the bump 31 which may project upwards from the center of the depression 33 of the base insert 30 to a position within the well 19 of the base 20. While the bump 31 is depicted as having a round shape, it may be contemplated that the bump 31 may have any other suitable shape (i.e., conical, frustoconical, cylindrical, pyramidal, oval, or the like). Alternatively, the base insert 30 may be omitted and the base 20 may be one unitary structure which may include the bump 31 formed in a bottom of the base 20.

FIGS. 9A through 9D illustrate the exemplary sifter 40 of the cosmetic container 10. FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of the exemplary sifter 40. FIG. 9B is a side view of the exemplary sifter 40. FIG. 9C is a top view of the exemplary sifter 40, and FIG. 9D is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary sifter 40. As discussed above, the sifter 40 may include the sifter conical section 41 and the sifter lower end 42. The sifter conical section 41 and the sifter lower end 42 may be positioned within the well 19 of the base 20 where it fits above the product contained within the well 19. The sifter lower end 42 may comprise an opening which may have a size and a shape such that the sifter lower end 42 (opening) engages with the bump 31 and forms a seal.

The sifter 40 may further include the upper portion 43 which may be comprised of the inner wall 44 and the outer wall 45. The inner wall 44 and the outer wall 45 may be joined together by the upper rim 47, which may form the gap 53 between the inner wall 44 and the outer wall 45, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 9D. The sifter 40 may include outer threads 49 which are positioned on the outer wall 45. The outer threads 49 are configured to engage with inner threads 16 of the cap 12. Further, the gap 53 formed between the inner wall 44 and the outer wall 45 of the sifter 40 is sized such that the upper sidewall 24 of the base 20 and the collar 32 are received within the gap 53. In the example, the collar 32 may include the tab 36 (as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B) and the ridge 38, which may be positioned on the outside of the collar 32. As discussed above, the tab 36 and the ridge 38 may be configured to engage with the inner slot 46 and the inner rail 55 of the sifter 40 in a snap fit fashion. In this manner, the sifter 40 and the collar 32 are fixedly attached and are able to rotate in tandem relative to one another.

In some embodiments, the sifter 40 may be a sifter assembly, which may comprise the collar 32 and a sifter funnel 64. The sifter funnel 64, as shown in FIG. 9B, may include the sifter conical section 41 and the upper portion 43 which may be adapted to engage the collar 32 and the cap 12.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the exemplary collar 32 of the cosmetic container 10. As discussed above, the collar 32 may be adapted for placement between the outer wall 45 of the sifter 40 and the upper sidewall 24 of the base 20. The collar 32 may include one or more inner protrusions 34 which may be positioned on the inside of the collar 32, and may be sized to be received in the one or more outer slots 27 of the base 20 such that the collar 32 is coupled to the base 20. The collar 32 may further include the tab 36 and the ridge 38, which may be positioned on the outside of the collar 32 and may be configured to engage with the inner slot 46 and the inner rail 55 of the sifter 40. The tab 36 aligns with the inner slot 46 and the ridge 38 aligns with the inner rail 55 and connects in a snap fit fashion. In this manner, the collar 32, which is coupled to the base 20, is fixedly attached to the sifter 40, and rotation of the sifter 40 relative to the base 20 is permitted. The upper end 29 and the lower end 28 of the one or more outer slots 27 limit rotation between the sifter 40 and the base 20 within a predetermined angle.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate the exemplary cap 12 of the cosmetic container 10. 11A is a top perspective view of the exemplary cap 12, and 11B is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary cap 12. As seen in FIG. 11B, the cap 12 may have inner threads 16 for coupling to the outer threads 49 of the sifter 40. The cap 12 may further include one or more projections 18 which are configured to interact with the one or more top slots 48 of the sifter 40. As such, the cap 12 may be coupled to the sifter 40 which is coupled to the base 20 via the collar 32 such that when assembled together, the cap 12 and base 20 provide an effective barrier for containing the product.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate the exemplary inner cap 14 of the cosmetic container 10. FIG. 12A is a top perspective view of the exemplary inner cap 14, and FIG. 12B is a bottom perspective view of the exemplary inner cap 14. The inner cap 14 may include one or more cap ring posts 15 and the cap ring slot 13 which are configured to engage in snap fit fashion with the cap ring 17 and the cap ring ridge 11 of the cap 12 (as shown in FIGS. 11B and 12A). The inner cap 14 may be sized and shaped to interact with the sifter conical section 41 when the cap 12 is threaded onto the sifter 40. For example, the inner cap 14 may include the inner cap lower end 54 which serves to form a barrier to seal the cosmetic product within the cosmetic container 10. The inner cap 14 is optional, and may be omitted in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the cosmetic container 10 and/or the various components thereof may be made from a rigid material (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastics, thermosets, other polymers, glass, metal, alloy, wood, and the like). Other embodiments, however, may include cosmetic containers 10 made from a flexible or semi-rigid material, such as plastic. In some embodiments, the base 20 and/or the cap 12 may comprise a transparent or translucent material so that the cosmetic product may be externally viewed.

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims be construed to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cosmetic container comprising:

a base defining a well and having a bottom, lower perimeter, and an upper opening, the upper opening defined by at least one upper sidewall having an inner side and an outer side, the outer side including one or more outer slots each having a lower end and an upper end, the bottom comprising a bump projecting into the well;

a sifter having a sifter conical section with a sifter lower end, the sifter lower end being open and shaped to engage the bump, the sifter further comprising an upper portion having an inner wall and an outer wall separated by a gap and joined by an upper rim, the outer wall comprising outer threads and at least one inner slot, the upper rim comprising one or more top slots, the gap sized to receive a portion of the upper sidewall of the base;

a collar adapted for placement between the sifter outer wall and the upper sidewall of the base, the collar comprising one or more inner protrusions sized to be received in the one or more outer slots of the base upper sidewall, and a tab sized to be received by the inner slot on the outer wall of the sifter; and

a cap having inner threads configured to interact with the outer threads of the sifter, and one or more projections configured to interact with the one or more top slots of the sifter;

wherein the cosmetic container defines a first, closed configuration, and a second, open configuration in which:

in the first, closed configuration, the sifter lower end abuts the bump thereby sealing the well, with the inner protrusion of the collar engaged in the lower end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall; and

in the second, open configuration, the sifter lower end is spaced from the bump to allow product to escape the well, with the inner protrusion of the collar engaged in the upper end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall.

2. The cosmetic container of claim 1, configured such that a user can transition from the first, closed configuration to the second, open configuration by twisting the cap to turn the collar and sifter relative to the base to move the collar inner protrusion from the first end to the second end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall while the cap projections engage the one or more top slots of the upper rim of the sifter.

3. The cosmetic container of claim 1, configured such that a user can transition from the second, open configuration to the first, closed configuration by twisting the cap onto the sifter until the cap inner threads engage the outer threads of the sifter outer wall until the cap protrusions engage the one or more top slots of the upper rim of the sifter and, thereafter, continuing to twist the cap relative to the base to cause the sifter and the collar to twist and move the collar inner protrusion from the second end to the first end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall, thereby moving the sifter lower end into sealing abutment with the bump.

4. The cosmetic container of claim 1, wherein the base is a base assembly comprising a base housing having the upper opening defined by the at least one upper sidewall, and a base insert including the bump, the base insert being removable to allow filling of the base from below.

5. The cosmetic container of claim 1 further comprising a fill in the form of a loose powder cosmetic product contained within the well of the base.

6. The cosmetic container of claim 1, wherein inner threads of the cap and the outer threads of the sifter are configured to interact fully at a lower limit, and further configured such that once the lower limit is reached, further twisting of the cap moves the collar inner protrusion within the outer slot of the base upper sidewall to the closed configuration.

7. The cosmetic container of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises an outer decorative cap and an inner cap, the inner cap sized and shaped to interact with the conical portion of the sifter when the cap is threaded onto the sifter.

8. A cosmetic container comprising:

a sifter having a lower end and an upper end comprising a first means for engaging a cap in a twisting manner, and a second means for engaging the cap in a non-twisting manner, the sifter comprising an inner protrusion;

a cap having a third means for engaging the first means and a fourth means for engaging the second means; and

a base having an upper opening portion for receiving the sifter and including a slanted slot for receiving the inner protrusion of the sifter, the base defining a well for receiving a cosmetic product and having an abutment means for abutting with the lower end of the sifter to effect a sealed configuration;

wherein the container has a sealed configuration and an unsealed configuration, and further wherein the sifter moves rotationally and vertically relative to the base in response to engagement of the second means by the fourth means.

9. The cosmetic container of claim 8, wherein the sifter is a sifter assembly comprising a collar and a sifter funnel, the sifter funnel having a sifter conical section and an upper section that is adapted to engage the collar and the cap.

10. The cosmetic container of claim 8, wherein the base is a base assembly comprising a base housing and a base insert, the base insert being removable to allow filling of the base from below.

11. The cosmetic container of claim 8, wherein the third means comprises inner threads and the first means comprises outer threads, and the inner threads are configured to interact with the outer threads.

12. The cosmetic container of claim 8, wherein the fourth means comprises one or more projections and the second means comprises one or more top slots and the one or more projections are adapted to engage with the one or more top slots.

13. The cosmetic container of claim 8, wherein the abutment means comprises a bump projecting into the well.

14. The cosmetic container of claim 8, configured such that a user can transition from the sealed configuration to the unsealed configuration by twisting the cap to turn the sifter relative to the base to move the sifter inner protrusion from a first end to a second end of the slanted slot of the base while the cap fourth means engages the second means of the sifter.

15. The cosmetic container of claim 14, configured such that a user can transition from the unsealed configuration to the sealed configuration by twisting the cap onto the sifter until the cap third means engages the first means of the sifter until the cap fourth means engage the second means of the sifter and, thereafter, continuing to twist the cap relative to the base to cause the sifter to twist and move the inner protrusion from the second end to the first end of the slanted slot of the base, thereby moving the sifter lower end into sealing abutment with the abutment means.

16. A cosmetic container comprising:

a base container having a bottom surface and an upper opening, the upper opening defined by at least one upper sidewall having an inner side and an outer side, the outer side including one or more outer slots each having a lower end and an upper end;

a sifter having a sifter conical section with a sifter lower end and an upper portion having outer threads, an inner protrusion, and one or more top slots;

a cap having inner threads configured to interact with the outer threads of the sifter upper portion, and one or more projections configured to interact with the one or more top slots of the sifter; and

wherein the cosmetic container defines a first, closed configuration, and a second, open configuration in which:

in the first, closed configuration, the sifter lower end abuts the bottom surface thereby sealing the well, with the inner protrusion engaged in the lower end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall;

in the second, open configuration, the sifter lower end is spaced from the bottom surface to allow product to escape the well, with the inner protrusion engaged in the upper end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall.

17. The cosmetic container of claim 16, further comprising a collar adapted for placement between the sifter upper portion and the upper sidewall of the base, the collar comprising one or more inner protrusions sized to be received in the one or more outer slots of the base upper sidewall, and a tab sized to be received by an inner slot of the sifter.

18. The cosmetic container of claim 17, configured such that a user can transition from the first, closed configuration to the second, open configuration by twisting the cap to turn the collar and the sifter relative to the base container to move the collar inner protrusion from the first end to the second end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall while the cap projections engage the one or more top slots of the upper rim of the sifter.

19. The cosmetic container of claim 17, configured such that a user can transition from the second, open configuration to the first, closed configuration by twisting the cap onto the sifter until the cap inner threads engage the outer threads of the sifter until the cap protrusions engage the one or more top slots of the sifter and, thereafter, continuing to twist the cap relative to the base container to cause the sifter and collar to twist and move the collar inner protrusion from the second end to the first end of the outer slot of the base upper sidewall, thereby moving the sifter lower end into sealing abutment with the bottom surface.

20. The cosmetic container of claim 16, wherein the base container comprises an upper portion and a base insert, the base insert forming the bottom surface and being removable to allow filling of the base container from below.