EP0238208B1 - Cosmetics dispenser - Google Patents
Cosmetics dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0238208B1 EP0238208B1 EP87301358A EP87301358A EP0238208B1 EP 0238208 B1 EP0238208 B1 EP 0238208B1 EP 87301358 A EP87301358 A EP 87301358A EP 87301358 A EP87301358 A EP 87301358A EP 0238208 B1 EP0238208 B1 EP 0238208B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- containers
- dispenser
- attached
- cosmetics
- applicator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000002537 cosmetic Substances 0.000 title claims description 37
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 description 10
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000004040 coloring Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000000720 eyelash Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 206010040829 Skin discolouration Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000006071 cream Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004709 eyebrow Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000000887 face Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000006210 lotion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011169 microbiological contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003491 skin Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D40/00—Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks
- A45D40/24—Casings for two or more cosmetics
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D40/00—Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks
- A45D40/18—Casings combined with other objects
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D40/00—Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks
- A45D40/22—Casings characterised by a hinged cover
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D40/00—Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks
- A45D40/26—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball
- A45D40/262—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball using a brush or the like
- A45D40/265—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball using a brush or the like connected to the cap of the container
- A45D40/267—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball using a brush or the like connected to the cap of the container comprising a wiper
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D40/00—Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks
- A45D40/26—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball
- A45D40/262—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball using a brush or the like
- A45D40/265—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball using a brush or the like connected to the cap of the container
- A45D40/267—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball using a brush or the like connected to the cap of the container comprising a wiper
- A45D40/268—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball using a brush or the like connected to the cap of the container comprising a wiper with adjustable wiping action
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A45D
- A45D2200/25—Kits
Definitions
- This invention relates to a dispenser for cosmetics materials, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an eye make-up kit.
- Cosmetic compositions for use around the eyes include treatment products and make-up products.
- the former of these groups includes, for example, lotions, creams etc., for skin treatment, and the latter group includes such colouring compositions as mascara, eyeliner etc., for eyelash, eyebrow and skin colouring, and products for removing such colouring compositions.
- a construction of a mascara dispenser comprising a tubular container containing a quantity of mascara, and a screw or snap-fit cap which closes the container and carries an elongate axially extending applicator which normally projects into the container, is well known. Although such dispensers are generally cheap to manufacture, they have certain drawbacks.
- the applicator may be removed from the container and used for the application of material several tens or even hundreds of times, and this can lead to chemical and microbiological contamination of the product within the container.
- each known dispenser contains only a single type of colouring material, a variety of different colouring materials can be made available only by the user carrying several separate dispensers.
- Several such dispensers will occupy a relatively large space in a handbag or the like, and generally can only be retained together if they are all kept in a make-up bag, thus further increasing the problem of bulk.
- US-A-2721561 discloses a nail polish kit comprising a holder, a series of containers of a size to fit into the holder, a series of closures for said containers, a series of applicators each of a different size carried by said closures, cooperating means perceptible to the touch on said holder and containers for locating said containers in a definite relation within said holder.
- a series of nail polishes of varying hues of the same colour family is to be put into the containers.
- FR-A-921196 (Piaubert) discloses means for releasably holding together two containers.
- a cosmetics dispenser comprising a plurality of containers or compartments (hereinafter referred to simply as “containers”) each for holding a quantity of cosmetics material, and each closed by a respective closure member to which is attached an applicator member which projects into the respective container and which can be withdrawn therefrom and used for the application of material retained thereon on withdrawal (such a dispenser is disclosed in GB-A-2 126 890), characterised by means for releasably holding the containers in an assembly so that the containers can be disassembled and reassembled together or assembled with further such containers, and by a handle which is adapted to be attached to any selected one of the closure members for withdrawal of the applicator from the respective container.
- the holding means may comprise a casing for the containers into which the containers are removably fitted, and/or means for releasably connecting adjacent pairs of the containers.
- the dispenser according to the invention offers considerable scope and versatility and can provide the basis for a variety of cosmetic requirements.
- the containers may all be filled with the same cosmetic product, it is also possible to fill some, or all of the containers or compartments with different materials, thereby to satisfy the user's various cosmetic requirements in a single cosmetic package.
- the different compartments or containers may hold such different make-up materials as mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss etc.
- the applicators attached to the closure members may then be of different form, particularly suited to the materials in the respective containers or compartments.
- a cosmetics dispenser comprising a plurality of containers, each for holding a quantity of a cosmetic composition, and each closed by a respective closure member to which is attached an applicator member which projects into the respective container, and which can be withdrawn therefrom and used for the application of material retained thereon on withdrawal, characterised by a casing within which the containers are removably disposed, and by a handle which is adapted to be attached to any selected one of the closure members for withdrawal of the applicator from the respective container.
- the casing may have parts which can move relative to one another between an open position in which the closure members of the containers are exposed and a closed position in which the containers are totally concealed.
- the containers may be detachably engaged in a modular arrangement, each module comprising one or more of the containers.
- the casing may have a plurality of recesses to receive snugly the modules.
- the containers may be formed as a single compartmentalized container unit.
- a cosmetics dispenser comprising a plurality of containers each for containing a quantity of cosmetics material and each being closed by a respective closure member and accommodating an applicator attached to or integrally formed with said closure member characterised in that the containers are arranged as a plurality of modules each having engagement means by which that module is detachably secured to at least one other of the modules, and in that a handle is provided which is adapted to be attached to any selected one of the closure members for withdrawal of the applicator from the respective container.
- the handle may be adapted to be attached for example by screw-threading or bayonet or snap-fitting connection.
- the casing preferably has means to accommodate the handle when not attached to any of the closure members.
- the forward edge face 4 of the base part 2 has an elongate rectangular opening 5 which leads into an internal flat cuboidal cavity in the base member 2 for accommodating a cosmetics container unit 6 as shown in Figure 3.
- the cosmetics container unit 6 (hereinafter referred to simply at the unit) comprises a row of containers or compartments, each closed by a respective closure member 7.
- the outer faces of the closure members 7 lie flush with the portions of the front face 4 surrounding the opening.
- the lid 3 comprises a rectangular flat major part 8 which in the closed position shown in Figure 2 lies flat against the upper face 2a of the case part 2, and a forward lip or flange 9 which projects substantially perpendicularly to the major part 8 and which, in the closed condition of the package covers the front face 4 and thus conceals the row of closure members 7.
- the lid also closes an elongate U-section recess 10 extending front-to-back of the base part 2 at one end thereof.
- This recess 10 accommodates a handle 11 adapted at one end to be engaged with any one of the closure members 7 exposed within the aperture 5 in the front face 4 of the base part 2.
- a mirror 12 is fixed to or formed on the undersurface of the major portion 8 of the lid.
- the lid 3 snap closes onto the base part 2 into the position as shown in Figure 2.
- the handle 11 may be slid forwardly out of the recess 10 and attached to any selected one of the closure members 7.
- the selected closure member 7 and an attached applicator head (not seen in Figure 1) within the respective container or compartment can then be withdrawn from such container or compartment and cosmetic material retained on the applicator head can be applied as required.
- the mirror 12 can be used to aid the application procedure.
- the unit 6 accommodated in the base 2 can be removed and replaced with a new unit or modified by replacement of one or more containers, and then reinserted into the base cavity.
- FIG 3 illustrates one particular form in which the unit may be embodied.
- the unit of this embodiment comprises a plurality of (in this case ten) individual containers 6a which are attached to one another in a row, the containers being preferably molded from plastics material and of square cross-section.
- each container comprises a square section receptacle 13 having four elongate side walls and a square base wall, and a generally square closure member 7.
- the closure member 7 fits as a plug into the open end of the receptacle 13 and has a peripheral lip 14 which engages over the edge of the open end of the receptacle.
- the closure member 7 is attached to, or formed integrally with an applicator head 15 which extends into the receptacle.
- the applicator head 15 will depend upon the nature of the cosmetics composition contained in the receptacle, but in the particular form illustrated in Figure 4 it comprises a central stem 16 carrying material-retaining formations comprising a number of axially extending and circumferentially distributed rows of radial teeth 17 integrally formed with the stem 16. This particular construction is well suited for the application of mascara compositions to the eyelashes.
- UK Patent No. 2071558 discloses a suitable method and apparatus for integrally moulding such an applicator from a plastics material.
- the receptacle 13 is preferably formed with an inwardly projecting flange 18 which defines a central circular wiper orifice 19 through which the material-retaining portion of the applicator passes as the closure member 7 and applicator head 15 are withdrawn from the receptacle. As this happens, excess product is wiped from the applicator head so as to limit suitably the quantity of product retained on the withdrawn applicator head.
- the outer faces of opposed side walls 13a, 13b of the receptacle are formed with complementary engagement formations so as to facilitate the assembly of the unit from the individual containers.
- one such sidewall 13a is formed with an elongate axially extending dovetail section projection 20, while the other surface 13b is formed with a complementary elongate dovetail recess 21.
- the dovetail recess 21 extends to one end (in this case the base) of the receptacle 13 to permit the individual containers to be assembled together by sliding the projection 20 of one such container into the recess 21 of another from the base end of the latter.
- Each closure member 7 is provided with a central, axially extending screw threaded bore 22 which opens onto the square outer surface of the closure member.
- the threaded end of the handle 11 can be screwed into this bore 22 so as to attach the handle to the applicator head and the closure member, and the applicator head can then be removed from the receptacle.
- the cassette is of modular construction and can be assembled from any ten selected pre-filled containers. Accordingly, a variety of cosmetics products may be included in the cosmetics pack.
- the cassette could be assembled from containers containing ten different shades of mascara, or several different shades of mascara and several different shades of eye shadow etc. It will be appreciated that if a predetermined non-selectable variety of cosmetic products is to be presented, the cassette could comprise a single container sub-divided into ten separate compartments, each with its own closure and applicator head.
- An intermediate level of choice could be provided by assembling the cassette from a plurality of sub-divided containers (eg from five two-compartment containers), the containers being adapted to interconnect by a similar dovetail projection and recess configuration as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 for the individual container arrangement.
- a plurality of sub-divided containers eg from five two-compartment containers
- the containers being adapted to interconnect by a similar dovetail projection and recess configuration as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 for the individual container arrangement.
- the receptacles are of square section and the closure members 7 push fit into the open ends of the receptacles in a plug-closure fashion. It will be appreciated that the receptacles could be made cylindrical, and the closure members could be modified for screw-closure in or over the ends of the receptacles.
- Figures 6A to 6E illustrate five different forms of handle which can be detachably secured to the closure members of the individual containers or compartments.
- Figure 6A shows a simple circular section rod with a screw thread 23 at one end.
- the handle of Figure 6B is a simple circular section rod formed at one end with a bayonet fitting 24.
- Figure 6C shows a handle having at one end a snap fitting comprising a pair of flexible legs 25 which can snap fit into an appropriately shaped recess in the closure member.
- the handle of Figure 6D is flat and has at its lower end a screw threaded shaft 23 and a widened portion 24 defining an annular shoulder 24a for engaging the top surface of the closure.
- the handle of Figure 6E has a screw threaded shaft 23 and a widened base portion 24, the major part of the length of the handle, however, comprising a simple circular section rod.
- Figures 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment.
- the unit 6 is accommodated in an elongate hollow carrier portion 26 which is pivoted at its opposite ends to respective end pieces 27a of a common base member.
- An elongate lid 28 is also hinged at its opposite ends to respective end pieces 27a, which project upwardly from opposite ends of a generally rectangular base piece 27.
- the hollow carrier portion 26 of the casing can pivot from the open position shown in Figure 7 downwardly onto the base piece 27 into the space between the upstanding end pieces 27a, whereafter the lid 28 can be pivoted downwardly to lie against the outer surface 29 of the hollow carrier portion 26.
- This outer surface 29 is profiled so as to accommodate the thickness of the lid 28 so that in the closed condition the outer surface 28a of the lid lies flush with the adjacent part 29a of the outer surface 29.
- the lid 28 carries a mirror 30 on its inner surface, and is also formed with an elongate recess 31 for accommodating a common handle 32 to be attached to any selected one of the closure members 7.
- an elongate base member 33 is formed with an internal cavity for accommodating a unit 6, the closure members 7 of which are, in the open condition of Figure 9, exposed in an opening 33a in a side face of the base member 33.
- the base member 33 is also formed with an elongate slot 34 for accommodating a mirror-carrying wall portion 35 of a hinged lid 36.
- This lid 36 also has an L-shaped edge wall 37 attached to two edges of the wall 35; one limb of the edge wall is hinged at its end 37a to a corner of the base member 33, and the other limb covers the side face which includes the unit-exposing aperture 33a in the closed portion of the lid.
- the two limbs of the L-shaped lid lie against the corresponding side faces of the base member 33 in the closed position.
- Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a further embodiment.
- the casing of the dispenser comprises an inner, hollow, unit-accommodating member 40 which is adapted to slide into and out of an enclosure cover 42 in a matchbox-like fashion.
- unit 6 is inserted into the member 40 through a rectangular aperture formed in one elongate side 41 surface thereof.
- One of two opposite flat faces of this member 40 is formed with an elongate recess 43 for accommodating a handle 44 (see Figure 11) while the other flat surface of this member 40 carries a rectangular mirror 45 (see Figure 12).
- each closure could be integrally formed with its own respective handle.
- the containers or compartments may be arranged otherwise than in a single row. For example, two units, each compartmentalised to provide five compartments, may be attached together side-by-side to form a two-by-five block accommodated in a suitably shaped cavity in the casing.
Landscapes
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
- Stackable Containers (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a dispenser for cosmetics materials, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an eye make-up kit.
- Cosmetic compositions for use around the eyes include treatment products and make-up products. The former of these groups includes, for example, lotions, creams etc., for skin treatment, and the latter group includes such colouring compositions as mascara, eyeliner etc., for eyelash, eyebrow and skin colouring, and products for removing such colouring compositions.
- A construction of a mascara dispenser comprising a tubular container containing a quantity of mascara, and a screw or snap-fit cap which closes the container and carries an elongate axially extending applicator which normally projects into the container, is well known. Although such dispensers are generally cheap to manufacture, they have certain drawbacks.
- Firstly, they hold a relatively large quantity of the mascara, or other cosmetic material and are therefore used over a relatively long period. Over this period, the applicator may be removed from the container and used for the application of material several tens or even hundreds of times, and this can lead to chemical and microbiological contamination of the product within the container.
- Secondly, since each known dispenser contains only a single type of colouring material, a variety of different colouring materials can be made available only by the user carrying several separate dispensers. Several such dispensers will occupy a relatively large space in a handbag or the like, and generally can only be retained together if they are all kept in a make-up bag, thus further increasing the problem of bulk.
- US-A-2721561 (Dyche) discloses a nail polish kit comprising a holder, a series of containers of a size to fit into the holder, a series of closures for said containers, a series of applicators each of a different size carried by said closures, cooperating means perceptible to the touch on said holder and containers for locating said containers in a definite relation within said holder. A series of nail polishes of varying hues of the same colour family is to be put into the containers.
- FR-A-921196 (Piaubert) discloses means for releasably holding together two containers.
- In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cosmetics dispenser comprising a plurality of containers or compartments (hereinafter referred to simply as "containers") each for holding a quantity of cosmetics material, and each closed by a respective closure member to which is attached an applicator member which projects into the respective container and which can be withdrawn therefrom and used for the application of material retained thereon on withdrawal (such a dispenser is disclosed in GB-A-2 126 890), characterised by means for releasably holding the containers in an assembly so that the containers can be disassembled and reassembled together or assembled with further such containers, and by a handle which is adapted to be attached to any selected one of the closure members for withdrawal of the applicator from the respective container.
- The holding means may comprise a casing for the containers into which the containers are removably fitted, and/or means for releasably connecting adjacent pairs of the containers.
- The dispenser according to the invention offers considerable scope and versatility and can provide the basis for a variety of cosmetic requirements. For example, although the containers may all be filled with the same cosmetic product, it is also possible to fill some, or all of the containers or compartments with different materials, thereby to satisfy the user's various cosmetic requirements in a single cosmetic package. For example, the different compartments or containers may hold such different make-up materials as mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss etc. The applicators attached to the closure members may then be of different form, particularly suited to the materials in the respective containers or compartments.
- In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cosmetics dispenser comprising a plurality of containers, each for holding a quantity of a cosmetic composition, and each closed by a respective closure member to which is attached an applicator member which projects into the respective container, and which can be withdrawn therefrom and used for the application of material retained thereon on withdrawal, characterised by a casing within which the containers are removably disposed, and by a handle which is adapted to be attached to any selected one of the closure members for withdrawal of the applicator from the respective container.
- The casing may have parts which can move relative to one another between an open position in which the closure members of the containers are exposed and a closed position in which the containers are totally concealed.
- The containers may be detachably engaged in a modular arrangement, each module comprising one or more of the containers. In this case the casing may have a plurality of recesses to receive snugly the modules. Alternatively, the containers may be formed as a single compartmentalized container unit.
- In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cosmetics dispenser comprising a plurality of containers each for containing a quantity of cosmetics material and each being closed by a respective closure member and accommodating an applicator attached to or integrally formed with said closure member characterised in that the containers are arranged as a plurality of modules each having engagement means by which that module is detachably secured to at least one other of the modules, and in that a handle is provided which is adapted to be attached to any selected one of the closure members for withdrawal of the applicator from the respective container.
- The handle may be adapted to be attached for example by screw-threading or bayonet or snap-fitting connection. In the case where the dispenser includes a casing, the casing preferably has means to accommodate the handle when not attached to any of the closure members.
- Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
- Figure 1 is a perspective view a cosmetics dispenser in accordance with the invention shown with its lid open;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 1, shown with the lid closed;
- Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cosmetics container unit which can be used in the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2;
- Figure 4 is a vertical section through a single container module, a number of which can be assembled to form the unit of Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is an enlarged base plan view of the module of Figure 4;
- Figures 6A to 6E illustrate five different forms of handle which can be used in a cosmetics dispenser of the present invention;
- Figure 7 is a perspective view of another cosmetics package in accordance with the present invention shown in its open condition ready for use;
- Figure 8 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 7, shown in its closed position;
- Figure 9 is a perspective view of another cosmetics dispenser in accordance with the present invention shown in its open condition;
- Figure 10 is a perspective view of the cosmetics dispenser of Figure 9 shown in its closed condition;
- Figure 11 is a perspective view of another cosmetics package according to the invention, shown partly opened; and
- Figure 12 is another perspective view, taken from another angle, of the cosmetics package shown in Figure 11.
- With reference first to Figures 1 and 2, a cosmetics dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a casing 1 having a generally
rectangular base part 2 and a lid 3 hinged along one edge to the rear edge of thebase part 2. Theforward edge face 4 of thebase part 2 has an elongate rectangular opening 5 which leads into an internal flat cuboidal cavity in thebase member 2 for accommodating a cosmetics container unit 6 as shown in Figure 3. - The cosmetics container unit 6 (hereinafter referred to simply at the unit) comprises a row of containers or compartments, each closed by a respective closure member 7. The outer faces of the closure members 7 lie flush with the portions of the
front face 4 surrounding the opening. - The lid 3 comprises a rectangular flat major part 8 which in the closed position shown in Figure 2 lies flat against the upper face 2a of the
case part 2, and a forward lip or flange 9 which projects substantially perpendicularly to the major part 8 and which, in the closed condition of the package covers thefront face 4 and thus conceals the row of closure members 7. In this closed condition, the lid also closes an elongate U-section recess 10 extending front-to-back of thebase part 2 at one end thereof. This recess 10 accommodates ahandle 11 adapted at one end to be engaged with any one of the closure members 7 exposed within the aperture 5 in thefront face 4 of thebase part 2. - A
mirror 12 is fixed to or formed on the undersurface of the major portion 8 of the lid. - The lid 3 snap closes onto the
base part 2 into the position as shown in Figure 2. When the lid is opened into the position shown in Figure 1, thehandle 11 may be slid forwardly out of the recess 10 and attached to any selected one of the closure members 7. The selected closure member 7 and an attached applicator head (not seen in Figure 1) within the respective container or compartment can then be withdrawn from such container or compartment and cosmetic material retained on the applicator head can be applied as required. Themirror 12 can be used to aid the application procedure. - The unit 6 accommodated in the
base 2 can be removed and replaced with a new unit or modified by replacement of one or more containers, and then reinserted into the base cavity. - Figure 3 illustrates one particular form in which the unit may be embodied. The unit of this embodiment comprises a plurality of (in this case ten) individual containers 6a which are attached to one another in a row, the containers being preferably molded from plastics material and of square cross-section. With reference to Figure 4, each container comprises a
square section receptacle 13 having four elongate side walls and a square base wall, and a generally square closure member 7. The closure member 7 fits as a plug into the open end of thereceptacle 13 and has aperipheral lip 14 which engages over the edge of the open end of the receptacle. The closure member 7 is attached to, or formed integrally with anapplicator head 15 which extends into the receptacle. The construction of theapplicator head 15 will depend upon the nature of the cosmetics composition contained in the receptacle, but in the particular form illustrated in Figure 4 it comprises acentral stem 16 carrying material-retaining formations comprising a number of axially extending and circumferentially distributed rows ofradial teeth 17 integrally formed with thestem 16. This particular construction is well suited for the application of mascara compositions to the eyelashes. UK Patent No. 2071558 discloses a suitable method and apparatus for integrally moulding such an applicator from a plastics material. - The
receptacle 13 is preferably formed with an inwardly projectingflange 18 which defines a centralcircular wiper orifice 19 through which the material-retaining portion of the applicator passes as the closure member 7 andapplicator head 15 are withdrawn from the receptacle. As this happens, excess product is wiped from the applicator head so as to limit suitably the quantity of product retained on the withdrawn applicator head. - The outer faces of
opposed side walls 13a, 13b of the receptacle are formed with complementary engagement formations so as to facilitate the assembly of the unit from the individual containers. In the illustrated form, onesuch sidewall 13a is formed with an elongate axially extendingdovetail section projection 20, while the other surface 13b is formed with a complementary elongate dovetail recess 21. The dovetail recess 21 extends to one end (in this case the base) of thereceptacle 13 to permit the individual containers to be assembled together by sliding theprojection 20 of one such container into the recess 21 of another from the base end of the latter. - Numerous other possible arrangements for interconnecting the individual containers will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
- Each closure member 7 is provided with a central, axially extending screw threaded bore 22 which opens onto the square outer surface of the closure member. The threaded end of the
handle 11 can be screwed into this bore 22 so as to attach the handle to the applicator head and the closure member, and the applicator head can then be removed from the receptacle. - Accordingly, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the cassette is of modular construction and can be assembled from any ten selected pre-filled containers. Accordingly, a variety of cosmetics products may be included in the cosmetics pack. For example, the cassette could be assembled from containers containing ten different shades of mascara, or several different shades of mascara and several different shades of eye shadow etc. It will be appreciated that if a predetermined non-selectable variety of cosmetic products is to be presented, the cassette could comprise a single container sub-divided into ten separate compartments, each with its own closure and applicator head. An intermediate level of choice could be provided by assembling the cassette from a plurality of sub-divided containers (eg from five two-compartment containers), the containers being adapted to interconnect by a similar dovetail projection and recess configuration as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 for the individual container arrangement.
- In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacles are of square section and the closure members 7 push fit into the open ends of the receptacles in a plug-closure fashion. It will be appreciated that the receptacles could be made cylindrical, and the closure members could be modified for screw-closure in or over the ends of the receptacles.
- Figures 6A to 6E illustrate five different forms of handle which can be detachably secured to the closure members of the individual containers or compartments. Figure 6A shows a simple circular section rod with a
screw thread 23 at one end. The handle of Figure 6B is a simple circular section rod formed at one end with abayonet fitting 24. Figure 6C shows a handle having at one end a snap fitting comprising a pair of flexible legs 25 which can snap fit into an appropriately shaped recess in the closure member. The handle of Figure 6D is flat and has at its lower end a screw threadedshaft 23 and a widenedportion 24 defining an annular shoulder 24a for engaging the top surface of the closure. Similarly, the handle of Figure 6E has a screw threadedshaft 23 and a widenedbase portion 24, the major part of the length of the handle, however, comprising a simple circular section rod. - Figures 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment. In this embodiment, the unit 6 is accommodated in an elongate hollow carrier portion 26 which is pivoted at its opposite ends to
respective end pieces 27a of a common base member. Anelongate lid 28 is also hinged at its opposite ends torespective end pieces 27a, which project upwardly from opposite ends of a generallyrectangular base piece 27. The hollow carrier portion 26 of the casing can pivot from the open position shown in Figure 7 downwardly onto thebase piece 27 into the space between theupstanding end pieces 27a, whereafter thelid 28 can be pivoted downwardly to lie against theouter surface 29 of the hollow carrier portion 26. Thisouter surface 29 is profiled so as to accommodate the thickness of thelid 28 so that in the closed condition the outer surface 28a of the lid lies flush with theadjacent part 29a of theouter surface 29. Thelid 28 carries amirror 30 on its inner surface, and is also formed with anelongate recess 31 for accommodating acommon handle 32 to be attached to any selected one of the closure members 7. - In another embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, an
elongate base member 33 is formed with an internal cavity for accommodating a unit 6, the closure members 7 of which are, in the open condition of Figure 9, exposed in anopening 33a in a side face of thebase member 33. Thebase member 33 is also formed with anelongate slot 34 for accommodating a mirror-carryingwall portion 35 of a hingedlid 36. Thislid 36 also has an L-shapededge wall 37 attached to two edges of thewall 35; one limb of the edge wall is hinged at itsend 37a to a corner of thebase member 33, and the other limb covers the side face which includes the unit-exposingaperture 33a in the closed portion of the lid. As can be seen from Figures 9 and 10, the two limbs of the L-shaped lid lie against the corresponding side faces of thebase member 33 in the closed position. - Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the casing of the dispenser comprises an inner, hollow, unit-accommodating
member 40 which is adapted to slide into and out of anenclosure cover 42 in a matchbox-like fashion. Again, unit 6 is inserted into themember 40 through a rectangular aperture formed in oneelongate side 41 surface thereof. One of two opposite flat faces of thismember 40 is formed with anelongate recess 43 for accommodating a handle 44 (see Figure 11) while the other flat surface of thismember 40 carries a rectangular mirror 45 (see Figure 12). - It will be appreciated that the above described cosmetics packages are only exemplary embodiments of the invention, and that numerous other constructions are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, although in each of the described embodiments a separate handle must be attached to a selected closure/applicator, each closure could be integrally formed with its own respective handle. Also, the containers or compartments may be arranged otherwise than in a single row. For example, two units, each compartmentalised to provide five compartments, may be attached together side-by-side to form a two-by-five block accommodated in a suitably shaped cavity in the casing.
Claims (10)
- A cosmetics dispenser comprising a plurality of containers (13), each for holding a quantity of cosmetics material, and each closed by a respective closure member (7) to which is attached an applicator member (15) which projects into the respective container and which can be withdrawn therefrom and used for the application of material retained thereon on withdrawal, characterised by means (2; 20, 21; 26; 33; 40) for releasably holding the containers in an assembly so that the containers can be disassembled and reassembled together or assembled with further such containers, and by a handle which is adapted to be attached to any selected one of the closure members for withdrawal of the applicator from the respective container.
- A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the holding means comprises a casing (2; 26; 33, 40) for the containers into which the containers are removably fitted.
- A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the releasable holding means comprises means (20, 21) for releasably connecting a pair of adjacent containers.
- A cosmetics dispenser comprising a plurality of containers (13), each for holding a quantity of a cosmetics material, and each closed by a respective closure member (7) to which is attached an applicator member (15) which projects into the respective container, and which can be withdrawn therefrom and used for the application of material retained thereon on withdrawal, characterised by a casing (2; 26; 33; 40) within which the containers are removably disposed, and by a handle which is adapted to be attached to any selected one of the closure members for withdrawal of the applicator from the respective container.
- A dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein the casing has parts (2, 3; 26, 27, 28; 33, 36; 40, 42) which can move relative to one another between an open position in which the closure members of the containers are exposed and a closed position in which the containers are totally concealed.
- A dispenser as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the containers are detachably engaged in a modular arrangement, each module comprising one or more of the containers.
- A dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein the casing has a plurality of recesses to receive snugly the modules.
- A dispenser as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the containers are formed as a single compartmentalized container unit.
- A cosmetics dispenser comprising a plurality of containers (13) each for containing a quantity of cosmetics material and each being closed by a respective closure member (7) and accommodating an applicator (15) attached to or integrally formed with said closure member, characterised in that the containers are arranged as a plurality of modules each having engagement means (20, 21) by which that module is detachably secured to at least one other of the modules, and in that a handle is provided which is adapted to be attached to any selected one of the closure members for withdrawal of the applicator from the respective container.
- A dispenser as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser has means (10; 31; 43) to accommodate the handle when not attached to any of the closure members.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB868603954A GB8603954D0 (en) | 1986-02-18 | 1986-02-18 | Cosmetic dispenser |
GB8603954 | 1986-02-18 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0238208A2 EP0238208A2 (en) | 1987-09-23 |
EP0238208A3 EP0238208A3 (en) | 1988-04-20 |
EP0238208B1 true EP0238208B1 (en) | 1991-12-18 |
Family
ID=10593235
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP87301358A Expired EP0238208B1 (en) | 1986-02-18 | 1987-02-17 | Cosmetics dispenser |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0238208B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS62281904A (en) |
DE (1) | DE3775241D1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB8603954D0 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7077591B2 (en) | 2002-07-02 | 2006-07-18 | L'oreal | Packaging and applicator device including a coupling member enabling two receptacles to be united |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH064826Y2 (en) * | 1987-06-29 | 1994-02-09 | 竹内工業株式会社 | Storage container for cosmetics |
FR2631928A2 (en) * | 1987-10-27 | 1989-12-01 | Cosmetic Production | BOXES FOR PACKAGING OR STORAGE OF VARIOUS OBJECTS |
US5466081A (en) * | 1994-05-10 | 1995-11-14 | Henlopen Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Material application with ejectable head |
FR2723825B1 (en) * | 1994-08-30 | 1997-01-10 | Oreal | SINGLE-DOSE ELEMENT FOR PACKAGING AND PRESENTING SOLID TO PASTY CONSISTENCY |
FR2759872B1 (en) * | 1997-02-21 | 1999-03-26 | Oreal | CONDITIONING AND APPLICATION SET FOR A KERATIN FIBER MAKEUP PRODUCT |
WO2001017390A1 (en) * | 1999-09-08 | 2001-03-15 | Weasy Pack International Ltd. | Holder for dissimilar cosmetics |
DE102015009734B4 (en) * | 2015-07-31 | 2017-12-28 | Rösler IP GmbH | Stackable single packaging |
US11230464B2 (en) * | 2019-10-17 | 2022-01-25 | Elc Management Llc | Cosmetic dosing system |
US11779096B2 (en) * | 2020-04-13 | 2023-10-10 | APR Beauty Group, Inc. | Cosmetic package |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2454718A (en) * | 1945-06-06 | 1948-11-23 | Russo Giuseppe | Lipstick holder |
FR921196A (en) * | 1945-11-07 | 1947-04-29 | Box device for packaging small items, powders, creams, etc. | |
US2553348A (en) * | 1947-07-03 | 1951-05-15 | Zurndorfer Esther E Morris | Cosmetic compact |
US2721561A (en) * | 1953-03-09 | 1955-10-25 | Flora K Dyche | Nail polish kit |
FR1088149A (en) * | 1953-11-27 | 1955-03-03 | Make-up box and the like | |
US3586010A (en) * | 1968-11-25 | 1971-06-22 | Eyelet Specialty Co | Compact construction |
IT8136103V0 (en) * | 1981-10-28 | 1981-10-28 | Oftalysine Srl | UNIDOSE MASCARA DISTRIBUTOR FOR ASEPTIC EYELASH MAKEUP |
DE3145203A1 (en) * | 1981-11-13 | 1983-05-26 | Walter 7292 Baiersbronn Braun | Cassette for receiving elongate articles |
GB2126890B (en) * | 1982-09-14 | 1985-12-04 | Oftalysine Srl | Cosmetic product dispenser |
DE3426312A1 (en) * | 1984-07-17 | 1986-01-30 | Pola Chemical Industries, Inc., Shizuoka | Portable container for cosmetics |
-
1986
- 1986-02-18 GB GB868603954A patent/GB8603954D0/en active Pending
-
1987
- 1987-02-17 EP EP87301358A patent/EP0238208B1/en not_active Expired
- 1987-02-17 DE DE87301358T patent/DE3775241D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-02-18 JP JP62033567A patent/JPS62281904A/en active Pending
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7077591B2 (en) | 2002-07-02 | 2006-07-18 | L'oreal | Packaging and applicator device including a coupling member enabling two receptacles to be united |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB8603954D0 (en) | 1986-03-26 |
EP0238208A3 (en) | 1988-04-20 |
EP0238208A2 (en) | 1987-09-23 |
DE3775241D1 (en) | 1992-01-30 |
JPS62281904A (en) | 1987-12-07 |
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