Refillable Cosmetic Product

Abstract

A cosmetic product is provided that includes a container defining a cavity and including a container coupling member, a removable drawer, and a frame. The removable drawer includes a drawer cavity that retains a cosmetic substance. The frame is adapted to be at least partially disposed within the cavity of the container and includes a first opening, a second opening, and a frame coupling member that is adapted to rotatably couple with the container coupling member. The first opening is adapted to expose the cosmetic substance such that it may be collected and removed from the drawer cavity. The second opening is adapted to slidably receive the removable drawer.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to cosmetic products and, more particularly, to cosmetic products having refillable features.

BACKGROUND

Containers and storage receptacles for cosmetic products and/or substances are provided in a number of different arrangements and configurations. For example, containers may be used to retain a cosmetic substance in the form of a blush powder and/or foundation product. These containers may include a removable and/or a rotatable (e.g., a flip-up) top to allow a user to access and use the cosmetic substance contained therein. Oftentimes, such existing containers are manufactured by disposing the cosmetic substance within a pan which is permanently adhered to a frame of the container to provide for stability during manufacturing as well as during shipment. However, such arrangements may not be reusable, as separating the pan from the frame may permanently damage one or both of these components. Some existing containers may incorporate the use of magnets to releasably couple the pan with the frame. However, while the use of magnets and/or magnetic materials may provide assurance that the pan will remain coupled with the frame, such materials may not be disposed of in a sustainable manner, and in turn may lead to environmental waste. Further, magnets require significant processing and energy to produce, which may run counter to stainability goals due to the creation of environmental waste.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved products having improved functionalities.

SUMMARY

Examples within the scope of the present disclosure are directed to the use of a cosmetic product having ergonomic and replaceable features. A cosmetic product is provided that includes a container defining a cavity and including a container coupling member, a removable drawer, and a frame. The removable drawer includes a drawer cavity that retains a cosmetic substance. The frame is adapted to be at least partially disposed within the cavity of the container and includes a first opening, a second opening, and a frame coupling member that is adapted to rotatably couple with the container coupling member. The first opening is adapted to expose the cosmetic substance such that it may be collected and removed from the drawer cavity. The second opening is adapted to slidably receive the removable drawer.

In some examples, the removable drawer may be slidably inserted into the second opening of the frame in a direction generally parallel to a floor member of the frame. In these and other examples, the removable drawer may be prevented from being removed from or inserted into the second opening of the frame until the frame is rotatably moved to a raised position relative to the container.

In some forms, the cosmetic product may further include a cover having a cover coupling member that may rotatably couple with the container coupling member. In some of these forms, the cover coupling member, the frame coupling member, and the container coupling member may be rotatably coupled with each other via a common hinge. In yet others of these forms, an engagement member may be formed on at least one of the cover or the frame. The engagement member may urge the frame to a raised position upon rotating the cover to a raised position relative to the container.

In some approaches, the removable drawer may include a liner disposed within the drawer cavity to retain the cosmetic substance. Further, in some approaches, the removable drawer may include a detent that generates tactile feedback upon insertion and/or removal of the removable drawer from the second opening of the frame. In some examples, the cosmetic product may further include a gripping member formed on the removable drawer. In still other examples, the cosmetic product may include an applicator that is disposed within the cavity of the container.

In accordance with a second aspect, a cosmetic product is provided that includes a container defining a cavity and including a container coupling member, a removable drawer including a drawer cavity that retains a cosmetic substance, and a frame that is at least partially disposed within the cavity of the container. The frame includes a floor member generally extending along a plane, a sidewall defining a frame cavity, a slot formed on the sidewall, and a frame coupling member adapted to rotatably couple with the container coupling member. The slot is adapted to slidably receive the removable drawer in a direction parallel to the base such that the removable drawer is positionable within the frame cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above needs are at least partially met through provision of one, more than one, or any combination of the refillable cosmetic products described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top, right, front perspective view of a first example cosmetic product in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom, left rear perspective view of the example cosmetic product of FIG. 1 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevation view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top plan view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-3 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 5 illustrates a left side elevation view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-4 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 6 illustrates a right side elevation view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-5 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top plan view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-6 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom plan view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-7 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 9 illustrates a left side cross-sectional elevation view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-8 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-9 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an example frame member for use with the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-10 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an example removable drawer or tray for use with the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-11 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 13 illustrates a lower perspective view of the example removable tray of FIG. 12 in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-13 in a partially opened arrangement in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-14 in a substantially opened arrangement in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-15 where the example frame member is in a raised position in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-16 where the example removable tray is in a partially inserted position in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-17 where the example removable tray is in a partially inserted position in accordance with various examples; and

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of the example cosmetic product of FIGS. 1-18 where the example removable tray is removed from the example frame in accordance with various examples.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various examples. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible examples are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various examples. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, pursuant to these various approaches, cosmetic product containers are provided having removable drawers or trays for accommodating cosmetic substances. These removable drawers allow a user to quickly and easily replace a first cosmetic substance with a different cosmetic substance such as, for example, when the first cosmetic substance is used or fully depleted. In other examples, the removable drawer may allow a user to substitute different cosmetic substances having varying characteristics (e.g., hues, longevity properties, and/or any other features) as desired. Notably, the cosmetic product containers described herein provide for a quick, smooth removal and insertion process of desired removable drawers.

Turning to the Figures, a cosmetic product 100 is provided in the form of a palette. Generally, the palette 100 includes a container 102, a cover 106, a removable drawer (or tray) 110, a frame 120, and an applicator 130. The container 102 includes a cavity 102a for selectively retaining the drawer 110, the frame 120, and/or the applicator 130, and further includes a container coupling member 104. The container 102 may be constructed from any number of suitable materials and/or combinations of materials such as, for example, metals, polymers, and the like. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-18, in some examples, the container 102 has a generally cylindrical body, but other examples of suitable shapes and/or configurations are possible. The container may have a generally curved or chamfered transition to enhance comfort when handled by a user.

As will be discussed in further detail below, in some examples, the container coupling member 104 may be in the form of an opening or other cutout to cooperate with portions of the cover 106 and/or the frame 120.

The cover 106 may be in the form of a lid or a cap and includes a cover coupling member 107 in the form of a hinge that engages with the container coupling member 104 via a common hinge or pin 108 to hingedly couple the cover 106 with the container 102. In the illustrated example, the cover coupling member 107 is in the form of an extension that extends downwardly from the cover 106 and includes any number of protrusions 107a that are insertable within or otherwise engage the corresponding container coupling member 104. In other examples, however, the components of the container coupling member 104 and the cover coupling member 107 may be reversed. The engagement between the container 102 and the cover 106 allows the cover 106 to swivel between a closed configuration (as illustrated in FIGS. 1-10) and an open configuration (as illustrated in FIGS. 14-19).

When in the closed configuration, the cover 106 may be secured with the container 102 via any number of suitable approaches such as, for example, a release mechanism 103 coupled with a latching member 103a (FIG. 9), frictional engagement between the cover 106 and the container 102, a magnetic attraction between these components, and the like. Other examples may be used.

While not illustrated, in some examples, the cover 106 may additionally include an opening that may receive any number of varying cover inserts 110 in the form of disks (not illustrated). For example, these disks may be transparent and/or translucent to allow a user to visually identify the contents within the cavity 102a when the cover 106 is closed. In other examples, the disk may be reflective or mirrored to assist a user with viewing their face when applying the cosmetic product. Other examples are possible.

The removable drawer 110 includes a base 112 and a sidewall 113 that define a drawer cavity 113a to retain a cosmetic product or substance 101. For example, the removable drawer 110 may retain an eyeshadow product, other compressed powdered products such as, for example, highlighter products, contour products, and/or concealer products. In other examples, the removable drawer 110 may retain any number of hot pour items such as, for example, lip products, eye products, concealer products, and/or brow products and the like. Other examples are possible. The removable drawer 110 is dimensioned to be selectively disposable within the cavity 102a of the container 102.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13, 17, and 19, in some examples, the removable drawer 110 may include a gripping member 114 to assist a user with inserting and/or removing the removable drawer 110 from the container 102. More specifically, the gripping member 114 may be in the form of a ledge or ridge that a user may engage with their finger or other device. In the illustrated example, the gripping member 114 is provided in the form of an oval or ovoid shape such that two distinct ridges are formed that are separated by a generally depressed region. Other examples and/or arrangements are possible.

The removable drawer 110 may be constructed from any number of suitable materials such as, for example metals, metal alloys, polymers, and the like. In examples where the removable drawer 110 retains cosmetic substances 101 that are pressed into the drawer cavity 113a, metallic materials may be desired due to their ability to withstand greater pressing forces. In yet other examples, a liner (not illustrated) may be disposed within the drawer cavity 113a. Such a liner may be provided to cushion the removable drawer 110 and/or to reduce or otherwise eliminate vibration during transit or handling of the cosmetic product 100.

The frame 120 includes a base or floor member 121 and a sidewall 122 that cooperate to define a cavity 122a. In the illustrated example, the floor member 121 generally extends along a plane. Further, in some examples, the frame 120 may include a cutout 125 formed on the floor member 121. A ledge 123 defining a first opening 123a is coupled with the sidewall 122. In the illustrated examples, the ledge 123 generally extends along a plane parallel to the floor member 121. Further, in some examples, the ledge 123 may be dimensioned to abut, rest on, or be nestled within a sidewall of the container 102 when the frame 120 is in a lowered position. The sidewall 122 further includes a slot or second opening 124. In the illustrated example, the slot or second opening 124 extends around approximately half or more of periphery of the sidewall 122.

The frame 120 further includes a frame coupling member 126. The frame coupling member 126 may be in the form of an opening or other cutout to cooperate with portions of the cover 106 and/or the container 102. More specifically, in the illustrated examples, like the cover coupling member 107, the frame coupling member 126 is in the form of a hinge that engages with the container coupling member 104 via the pin 108. The frame coupling member 126 is in the form of an extension that extends downwardly from the frame 120 and includes any number of protrusions 126a (FIG. 4) that are insertable within or otherwise engage the corresponding container coupling region 104. Further, in the illustrated example, the protrusion 107a formed by the cover coupling member 107 are generally disposed within a region defined by the protrusions 126a. Other arrangements are possible.

As a result of the common hinge arrangement, the cover 106 and the frame 120 are both rotatable relative to the container 102. In some examples, the cover 106 and the frame 120 are separately rotatable with respect to each other (i.e., the cover 106 may be raised and lowered while the frame 120 remains within the cavity 102a of the container 102 (FIGS. 14 & 15). In other examples, however, the components of the container coupling member 104, the cover coupling member 107, and the frame coupling member 126 may be reversed. In other approaches (not illustrated), the cover 106 and/or the frame 120 may include an engagement member in the form of a finger, a catch, or other member that causes the frame 120 to swivel or rotate upwards and out of the cavity 102a upon opening the cover 106 beyond a specific point (e.g., when the cover 106 forms an angle of approximately 145° relative to the base of the container 102). In other examples, the engagement member may cause the frame 120 to swivel or rotate upwards upon opening the cover 106 to an angle greater than approximately 90°. Other examples are possible.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, 16, and 18, in some examples, the container 102 is dimensioned such that the cavity 102a extends below the floor member 121 of the frame 120 when the frame 120 is in the lowered position. The applicator 130 may be disposed in this region of the cavity 102a. The applicator may be constructed from any number of suitable material such as, for example, open-cell foam materials, fabric materials, polymers, and like to assist with collecting an applying the cosmetic substance 101. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the frame 120 may be rotated upwards to allow a user to remove or place the applicator 130 in the cavity 102a. Other arrangements are possible.

As previously noted, the removable drawer 110 (and thus the cosmetic substance 101) is disposable within, and removable from, the frame 120. More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 16-19, upon raising the frame 120 relative to the container 102, the slot 124 becomes unobstructed to allow the removable drawer 110 to be inserted into or removed from the frame 120. When inserting or removing the removable drawer 110, the ledge and base cooperate to guide the removable drawer 110 into or out of the cavity 122a in a generally parallel direction to the floor member 121. As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 19, in some arrangements, the shape of the gripping member 114 of the removable drawer 110 corresponds to the shape of the cutout 125 to properly align and/or position the removable drawer 110 relative to the frame 120. In the illustrated arrangement, a user may grasp either ridge of the gripping member 114 to assist with removing the removable drawer 110 from the frame 120, as the gripping member 114 may protrude a distance below the floor member 121 of the frame 120.

Upon removing the removable tray 110 from the cavity 102a, a different removable tray 110 (e.g., a replacement tray including a refill, a cosmetic substance 101 having a different color/hue, and/or a different type of cosmetic substance 101) may be coupled with the frame 120 and thus the container 102. Accordingly, a user may use a single container 102 for varying uses as desired, thereby reducing waste by not disposing of the entire container 102.

In some examples, a detent, protrusion, or other mechanism (not illustrated) may be formed on or otherwise coupled with the removable drawer 110 and/or the frame 120. Such a detent may provide a user with a tactile feedback response to alert the user that the removable drawer 110 is secured with and/or removed from the frame 120.

Notably, the container 102 prevents the removable drawer 110 from being removed from the slot 124 when the frame 120 is in the lowered position. Further, in some examples, the sidewall 113 of the removable drawer 110 may have a dimension (e.g., a diameter) that is larger than a corresponding dimension (e.g., a diameter) of the first opening 123a formed by the ledge 123. As a result, the ledge 123 may prevent the removable drawer 110 from being removed from the drawer cavity 113a via the first opening 123a. Such an arrangement ensures the removable drawer 110 does not inadvertently become decoupled from the container 102 if the container 102 is inverted. Other arrangements are possible. In these and other examples, the frame 120 and/or the container 102 may include a locking mechanism (not illustrated) that prevents the frame 120 from rotating upwardly from the cavity 102 without overcoming a retention force and/or actively releasing the locking mechanism. Such a locking mechanism may be in the form of a frictional engagement between components, a tab configured to engage a catch, and the like. Other examples are possible.

So configured, the containers described herein allow a user to selectively retain any number of desired removable drawers 110 in any number of varying configurations and/or arrangements. The removable drawers 110 may quickly be coupled with and decoupled from the container 102 to allow a user to travel with their desired cosmetic substance. The removable drawers 110 are securely retained within the container, and as such, will not be damaged during use or transport.

It is to be appreciated that in some examples (not illustrated), the container may have a different shape and/or configuration. For example, the container may be provided in a generally rectangular shape, a generally oval shape, a generally triangular shape, or any other desired shape. Further, in some examples, the container may be dimensioned to accommodate any number of frames that may selectively and/or collectively rotate relative to the container. Such an arrangement would result in a removable palette of varying cosmetic substances to be retained within a single container. Further, in other examples (not illustrated), the container needn't include a rotatable frame member. Rather, the container itself may include a slot that allows a user to insert and/or remove a removable tray into or from the container. It is to be appreciated that in such examples, any number of retention mechanisms may be provided to ensure the removable tray does not inadvertently decouple from the container.

In yet other examples (not illustrated), a similar arrangement of a “frame” may be provided in a retail setting. In such examples, a retail shelving system or display may be provided in the form of a multi-slot frame whereby a user may quickly and easily remove a desired removable tray therefrom for purchase. The user may then insert the newly-purchased removable tray into their container in a similar sliding manner. Other examples are possible.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. Additionally, the described embodiments/examples/implementations should not be interpreted as mutually exclusive, and should instead be understood as potentially combinable if such combinations are permissive in any way. In other words, any feature disclosed in any of the aforementioned embodiments/examples/implementations may be included in any of the other aforementioned embodiments/examples/implementations.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The claimed invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s).

Claims

1. A cosmetic product comprising:

a container defining a cavity and including a container coupling member;

a removable drawer including a drawer cavity adapted to retain a cosmetic substance; and

a frame adapted to be at least partially disposed within the cavity of the container, the frame having a first opening, a second opening, and a frame coupling member adapted to rotatably couple with the container coupling member;

wherein the first opening is adapted to expose the cosmetic substance such that it may be collected and removed from the drawer cavity and the second opening is adapted to slidably receive the removable drawer.

2. The cosmetic product of claim 1, wherein the removable drawer is slidably inserted into the second opening of the frame in a direction generally parallel to a floor member of the frame.

3. The cosmetic product of claim 1, wherein the removable drawer is prevented from being removed from or inserted into the second opening of the frame until the frame is rotatably moved to a raised position relative to the container.

4. The cosmetic product of claim 1, further comprising a cover including a cover coupling member adapted to rotatably couple with the container coupling member.

5. The cosmetic product of claim 4, wherein the cover coupling member, the frame coupling member, and the container coupling member are rotatably coupled with each other via a common hinge.

6. The cosmetic product of claim 5, further comprising an engagement member formed on at least one of the cover or the frame, the engagement member adapted to urge the frame to a raised position upon rotating the cover to a raised position relative to the container.

7. The cosmetic product of claim 1, wherein the removable drawer includes a liner disposed within the drawer cavity to retain the cosmetic substance.

8. The cosmetic product of claim 1, wherein the removable drawer includes a detent adapted to generate tactile feedback upon inserting and/or removing the removable drawer from the second opening of the frame.

9. The cosmetic product of claim 1, further comprising a gripping member formed on the removable drawer.

10. The cosmetic product of claim 1, further comprising an applicator adapted to be disposed within the cavity of the container.

11. A cosmetic product comprising:

a container defining a cavity and including a container coupling member;

a removable drawer including a drawer cavity adapted to retain a cosmetic substance; and

a frame adapted to be at least partially disposed within the cavity of the container, the frame including a floor member generally extending along a plane, a sidewall defining a frame cavity, a slot formed on the sidewall, and a frame coupling member adapted to rotatably couple with the container coupling member;

wherein the slot is adapted to slidably receive the removable drawer in a direction parallel to the base such that the removable drawer is positionable within the frame cavity.

12. The cosmetic product of claim 11, wherein the removable drawer is prevented from being removed from or inserted into the slot until the frame is rotatably moved to a raised position relative to the container.

13. The cosmetic product of claim 11, further comprising a cover including a cover coupling member adapted to rotatably couple with the container coupling member.

14. The cosmetic product of claim 13, wherein the cover coupling member, the frame coupling member, and the container coupling member are rotatably coupled with each other via a common hinge.

15. The cosmetic product of claim 14, further comprising an engagement member formed on at least one of the cover or the frame, the engagement member adapted to urge the frame to a raised position upon rotating the cover to a raised position relative to the container.

16. The cosmetic product of claim 11, wherein the removable drawer includes a liner disposed within the drawer cavity to retain the cosmetic substance.

17. The cosmetic product of claim 11, wherein the removable drawer includes a detent adapted to generate tactile feedback upon inserting and/or removing the removable drawer from the second opening of the frame.

18. The cosmetic product of claim 11, further comprising a gripping member formed on the removable drawer.

19. The cosmetic product of claim 11, further comprising an applicator adapted to be disposed within the cavity of the container.