AU2018100050A4 - Cosmetic display assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a cosmetic display unit, comprising, at least one chamber for holding a cosmetic applicator therein, the cosmetic applicator containing a quantity of cosmetic, and at least one display panel adjacent said chamber, the 5 display panel configured for application of said cosmetic thereon, wherein said cosmetic from said cosmetic applicator is applied to said display panel to indicate a colour of said cosmetic contained with the cosmetic applicator that is placed within the adjacent chamber. 18,1 Figure 4

Description

COSMETIC DISPLAY ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display unit for a cosmetic and in particular to a display unit for lipstick applicators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous types of applicators used for the storage and application of cosmetics. These include lip markers, squeezable tube applicators, crayon-like applicators, wand shaped liquid applicators and pencils. A popular form of applicator currently in the market is the conventional extendible lipstick applicator, having a case that includes a rotatable base, which upon rotation in one direction will cause the lipstick to protrude from the case and, upon rotation in the opposite direction will cause the lipstick to descend again into the case.

As with many cosmetics, lipstick can come in a range of colours and shades, and each company will have their own assortment of unique palettes for their specific brand or brands. A customer may purchase various colours and shades of the same type of cosmetic to be used in different settings or to complement their wardrobe. Accordingly, a person may have multiple applicators containing different unique colours or shades of the same type of cosmetic, such as lipsticks.

Some companies display the colour of the cosmetic contained within an applicator on the outside of the casing of the applicator. However, at times this does not provide an accurate representation of the cosmetic contained therein or may be of such a small size or have a contrasting background such that it is difficult to assess the colour.

Furthermore, some of the more expensive brands do not include a colour swatch on the outside of their applicators, since it is seen to detract from the aesthetics of the applicator.

There are systems suggested in the prior art wherein a user applies a swatch of lipstick to a sheet of paper and then writes the brand name and colour details next to the swatch. In this way, they can use the sheet as a reference to find the required lipstick colour. However, the user may still need to sort through multiple applicators to locate the one containing the desired cosmetic.

It should be appreciated that any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention and should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art was widely known or formed part of the common general knowledge in the field as it existed before the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, but not necessarily the broadest or only aspect, there is proposed a display unit for cosmetic applicators, comprising, at least one chamber for holding a cosmetic applicator therein, the cosmetic applicator containing a quantity of cosmetic, and at least one display panel adjacent said chamber, the display panel configured for application of said cosmetic thereon, wherein said cosmetic from said cosmetic applicator is applied to said display panel to indicate a colour of said cosmetic contained with the cosmetic applicator that is placed within the adjacent chamber.

Preferably, the display unit includes a number of chambers, each having a respective adjacent display panel, wherein each chamber is configured to hold a respective cosmetic applicator containing a quantity of cosmetic therein.

The cosmetic may be of a different colour or shade to each of the other cosmetics within respective cosmetic applicators held within different chambers of the display unit.

Preferably, each chamber is sidewardly open and includes an aperture through which the respective cosmetic applicator is able to pass.

In one form, each chamber is generally horizontally extending and includes a floor that slopes down away from the aperture. In this way, the cosmetic applicator has a tendency to slide towards a rear of the chamber to inhibit it from become displaced from within the chamber.

Preferably, all of the chambers of said display unit are uniform and the respective longitudinal axis of the chambers are parallel.

In another form, the display unit may include chambers of different sizes to hold different types of cosmetic applicators and/or the longitudinal axis of at least some of the chambers are oblique.

Each chamber may share a wall, floor and/or roof with an adjacent chamber or chambers.

In one form the display unit includes a plurality of columns of chambers, wherein each column includes at least two chambers, with display panels located intermediate or adjacent the columns of chambers. A display panel is positioned adjacent each of the respective chambers to be used to indicate the cosmetic contained within a cosmetic applicator held within each of the respective chambers.

In one form, a transparent removable cover is configured to overlay or protect each of the display panels. Each of the display panels may including a separate transparent removable cover that extends thereover, or the transparent removable cover may extend over a number of display panels. The cover may be clipped over the display panel/s or may be hingedly connected to the display unit wherein it can be pivoted to cover or reveal the display panel/s.

In one form, a transparent removable cover may extend over a column of display panels, wherein the display unit comprises a plurality of transparent removable covers.

The display panel may be constructed from acrylic, which has been surface abraded or modified. The display panel may be ivory in colour or another suitable colour.

In another aspect of the invention there is proposed a method of displaying cosmetics, including the steps of: providing a display unit, comprising, a plurality of generally horizontal chambers for holding a respective cosmetic applicator therein, each cosmetic applicator containing a quantity of a cosmetic, and a display panel adjacent each of said chambers, each display panel configured for displaying a respective cosmetic thereon; applying a first cosmetic from a first cosmetic applicator to a first display panel; placing the first cosmetic applicator within a chamber adjacent said first display panel, wherein the first display panel indicates the colour or shade of the first cosmetic; applying a second cosmetic from a second cosmetic applicator to a second display panel; and placing the second cosmetic applicator within a chamber adjacent said second display panel, wherein the second display panel indicates the colour or shade of the second cosmetic.

The above method including the further steps of applying a cosmetic to a respective display panel from each of the cosmetic applicators to be stored within the display unit and placing each of the cosmetic applicators within a respective chamber that is positioned adjacent the display panel onto which the cosmetic was applied.

The above method further including the steps of attaching a cover over the display panel or panels to protect the cosmetic applied thereto.

The above method further including the steps of: removing said cover to thereby expose at least one of the display panels; cleaning a cosmetic from the at least one of the display panels; applying a different cosmetic from a respective applicator to the at least one of the display panels; and placing or replacing a cosmetic applicator within a chamber adjacent said at least one of the display panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cosmetic display unit of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cosmetic display unit or Figure 1 illustrating cosmetic applicators located within respective chambers;

Figure 3 is a side cross sectional view of the display unit of Figure 1 through A-A, illustrating the sloping floor;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the display unit of Figure 1, with one of the covers removed, illustrating the display of different colours or shades of cosmetics;

Figure 5 is a front view of the display unit of Figure 1 with cover removed, illustrating the application of a cosmetic from a first applicator onto a first display panel;

Figure 6 is a front view of the display unit of Figure 5, illustrating the attachment of the cover over the display panels;

Figure 7 is a front view of the display unit of Figure 6, illustrating the placement of the first applicator within a chamber adjacent the first display panel; and

Figure 8 is a side view of the display unit of Figure 7, illustrating the position of the first applicator within the chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description, there is illustrated a cosmetic display unit 10, demonstrating by way of an example, an arrangement in which the principles of the present invention may be employed. The cosmetic display unit 10 is configured to display the colour or shade of different cosmetics 12 contained within respective cosmetic applicators 14.

Figure 1 illustrates the cosmetic display unit 10, which includes a number of chambers 16, for holding a respective cosmetic applicator 14 therein, and display panels 18 adjacent each of the chambers 16.

In the present embodiment, the display unit 10 includes five columns, 20a-20e, wherein each column includes nine chambers 16 in a stacked configuration.

The display panels 18 are positioned intermediate or on a side of the columns and are protected by respective covers 22. In the present embodiment, there are five columns 24a-24e, of display panels 18 each of which is protected by an individual cover 22. The reader should however appreciate that the number of chambers may be varied and the display unit 10 may be of a modular design to allow the expansion of the system.

The display unit 10 further includes side panels 26, 28, a top panel 30, floor panel 32 and rear panel 34. Portions of the side panels 26, 28 extend downwardly from the floor panel 32 to thereby form legs 36, 38.

The chambers 16 are generally horizontal and each includes a sidewardly open aperture 40 for accessing the chamber to insert or withdraw a cosmetic applicator 14.

Each of the chambers 16 is configured to hold a respective cosmetic applicator 14, as illustrated in Figure 2. An individual display panel 18 is marked with the cosmetic 12 from the cosmetic applicator 14 that is to be stored within the adjacent chamber 16. In this way, the display unit 10 provides a representation of the colour or shade of the cosmetic 12 stored within the adjacent chamber 16.

The reader will appreciate that although in the present embodiment all the chambers 16 are of the same dimensions and used to store the same type of cosmetic applicators 14, in another possible embodiment the chambers 16 may be of different sizes and be used to store different types of cosmetic applicators 14.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the floor panel 32 and intermediate floor panels 42 sloped downwardly away from a respective opening 40 towards the rear panel 34. This configuration means that the cosmetic applicators 14 will have a tendency to slide rearwardly into a respective chamber 16.

Figure 4 illustrates the far-left cover 22 removed illustrating the position of the left-hand column 24a of display panels 18. The removal of the cover exposes the display panels 18, which can then be marked with a cosmetic 12.

By way of example Figure 5 illustrates a cosmetic applicator 14a, in the form of a lipstick applicator, containing cosmetic 12a. A user is able to apply a layer of cosmetic 12a to the display panel 18a to thereby provide a visual indication as to the colour or shade of the lipstick. Once the cosmetic 12a has been applied the cover 22a is clipped over the column 24a of display panels 18, as indicated in Figure 6, to thereby protect the layer of cosmetic 12a on the display panel 18a.

The cosmetic applicator 14a can then be closed or a cap place thereon and it can then be inserted into chamber 16a as shown in Figure 7. The floor 42a of chamber 16a is sloped downwardly, as discussed above, to ensure the cosmetic applicator 14a is correctly positioned within the chamber 16a, as shown in Figure 8.

When a user wants to replace a cosmetic or when an applicator has been emptied the user can simply remove the cover 22a to thereby expose the relevant display panel 18a, clean the cosmetic 12a from the display panel 18a, apply a different cosmetic (12x) from a new applicator (14x) to the relevant display panel 18a and then stow the new applicator (14x) within the adjacent chamber 16a. In this way, the display unit 10 can be used multiple times to display different cosmetics.

The skilled addressee will now appreciate the advantages of the illustrated invention over the prior art. In one form the cosmetic display unit 10 provides a display means that can be used to indicate the colour or shade of a plurality of cosmetics contained within respective applicators. The cosmetic display unit provides a storage means for different cosmetic applicators, while providing a visual indication as to the colour or shade of the cosmetic contained within a stored applicator.

Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate the invention and it is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the invention can include various modifications, which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A cosmetic display unit, comprising, at least one chamber for holding a cosmetic applicator therein, the cosmetic applicator containing a quantity of cosmetic, and at least one display panel adjacent said chamber, the display panel configured for application of said cosmetic thereon, wherein said cosmetic from said cosmetic applicator is applied to said display panel to indicate a colour of said cosmetic contained with the cosmetic applicator that is placed within the adjacent chamber.

2. The cosmetic display unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the display unit includes a number of chambers, each having a respective adjacent display panel, wherein each chamber is configured to hold a respective cosmetic applicator containing a quantity of cosmetic therein.

3. The cosmetic display unit in accordance with claim 2, wherein each of the chambers is generally horizontally extending and is sidewardly open, each chamber includes an aperture through which a respective cosmetic applicator is able to pass and includes a floor that slopes down away from the aperture.

4. The cosmetic display unit in accordance with claim 3, wherein the display panel is constructed substantially from an ivory coloured material.

5. A method of displaying cosmetics, including the steps of: providing a display unit, comprising, a plurality of generally horizontal chambers for holding a respective cosmetic applicator therein, each cosmetic applicator containing a quantity of a cosmetic, and a display panel adjacent each of said chambers, each display panel configured for displaying a respective cosmetic thereon; applying a first cosmetic from a first cosmetic applicator to a first display panel; placing the first cosmetic applicator within a chamber adjacent said first display panel, wherein the first display panel indicates the colour or shade of the first cosmetic; applying a second cosmetic from a second cosmetic applicator to a second display panel; and placing the second cosmetic applicator within a chamber adjacent said second display panel, wherein the second display panel indicates the colour or shade of the second cosmetic.