EP2850964A1

EP2850964A1 - Improved container for cosmetics such as foundation, shader, blush or powder compacts for make-up

Info

Publication number: EP2850964A1
Application number: EP13185837.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adriano Muletti
Original assignee: Ancorotti Renato
Current assignee: Ancorotti Renato
Priority date: 2013-09-24
Filing date: 2013-09-24
Publication date: 2015-03-25

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with an improved container (1) for cosmetics in powder or compact cream form, such foundation, shader, blush or powder compacts for make-up, of the type comprising a bottom pan (2) with a bottom surface (3) and lateral walls (4) that define a seat (5) to accommodate the cosmetics powder. Advantageously the container (1) according to the invention comprises a support (7) for the powder inserted into the bottom pan (2) and constrained by said lateral walls (4); the support (7) being a plate-like element having throughslots (9) with raised peripheral edges (10).

The powder can be injected in paste form into the bottom pan and through the throughslots (9) of the support (7) to fill the space around them and be consolidated into a tablet that is resistant to shocks, strain and shear stress that would in other products cause the compacted powder to crack or separate.

Description

The present invention refers to a container with an improved structure for containing cosmetic products in powder, paste or compact cream form, such as foundation, shader, blush or powder compacts for make-up.
More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with a container with a flattened form, for example of the type commercially known as a mirror jar, but the following description refers to this specific example only with the aim of simplifying its exposition.

Prior art

As is well known in the specific industrial field of over-the-counter cosmetics there are innumerable kinds of containers designed for the containment and protection of cosmetic products of the type described above. These containers distinguish themselves by the material of which they are made, generally a thermoplastic, silicon or metal material and for their varied shapes and sizes.
Among these there are also the flattened containers of the mirror jar type, which substantially present themselves as two halves hinged together, with a first half called bottom pan containing the powder, paste, or compact cream in tablet form, and the other half functioning as the lid, with a small mirror on the inside.
Variants exist wherein the two parts of bottom pan and lid are screwed onto each other by means of a threaded peripheral coupling.
There are also various methods or techniques for refilling the powder or paste material in the bottom pan, which range from injection to coating and from spraying to hot or cold pouring.
In any case all these containers present the same necessity of making the product in powder or paste form adhere firmly to the bottom of the pan. Generally and historically, with the aim of meeting the above-mentioned necessity, the known method for manufacturing the bottom of containers for cosmetic products was to use a pottery or ceramic terracotta, because the rough, irregular or partially porous surface of the pottery or ceramic terracotta facilitated the adherence of the powder or paste product.
However subsequent developments in technology after research into large-scale, low-cost production methods, have led to the use of containers made entirely of synthetic plastic materials.
For this type of container the bottom surface of the bottom pan is roughened to make it as similar as possible to a bottom surface in pottery or ceramic terracotta.
However, to improve the adhesion, recourse needed to be made also to the use of vegetal adhesives between the bottom of the pan and the tablet of the cosmetic product contained therein, which leads to the inconvenience of additional production costs and loads.
Other solutions known from the prior art propose the use of an intermediate element snap-locked into the bottom pan of the container and having a large central hole that gives access to an undercut with an underlying compartment with dimensions larger than those of the hole. The injected powder or paste also enters the underlying compartment and forms a single whole during the consolidation step, which facilitates the adhesion to bottom of the container. However this solution presents the inconvenience of a considerable amount of wasted cosmetic material, because it is impossible to consume a large part of the product sold.
More recently it was proposed to make a tablet of cosmetic powder or paste by means of coating onto a mesh made of a plastic material and gluing the tablet thereby obtained to the bottom of the pan. However, also here there is the inconvenience of a significant amount of wasted material, as the consumer will be unable to use and consume a large part of the product.
The technical solutions illustrated above are not basic alternatives for industrial production but rather representations of actual alternative methods in the search to meet some of the strict requirements that must be adhered to in this technical sector to safeguard the quality of these cosmetic products over time. In fact, containers for cosmetic products are subjected to three empirical tests, used internationally for approval and quality control, namely the Drop Test, the Crash Test and the Transit Test.
The Drop Test consists of dropping the container from a height of 30 centimeters onto an impact surface. With this test it is possible to verify the consistency of the bond between the material and the bottom surface; moreover it makes it possible to verify the compactness of the material and the relative breaking point. According to regulations the test must be performed twice and the tablet may not show any cracks or fissures.
The Crash Test consists of sliding the container for half a meter along a plane inclined at 45° until it impacts a solid wall. This test subjects the tablet to shear stress. The container is considered to have passed the test if after three times the tablet does not show any cracks, separations or fractures.
The simplest test is the Transit test, which consists of sending the packaged product by courier and leaving it with a recipient user for a predetermined time. Also in this case the integrity of the product is verified afterwards.
Almost all the methods for the manufacture of bottom pans for cosmetics containers described above with reference to the prior art, have a hard time passing the above tests, to the point where many manufacturers continue to use containers with pottery or ceramic terracotta bottoms that surprisingly enough present the best results in passing quality control even today.
The technical problem underlying the present invention is that of creating an improved container for cosmetic products such as foundation, shader, blush or powder compacts for make-up that has structural and functional characteristics that meet the above-mentioned necessities and allow it to overcome all known inconveniences discussed in relation to the prior art. Another aim of the invention is to make it possible to produce a container for cosmetic products that is of tested quality and reliability, particularly low-cost and fit to be mass-produced.
Another aim of the invention is to allow the whole of the container to be made entirely of the same material, for example a synthetic plastic material, while still being able to pass all the quality tests previously listed.
A final aim of the invention is to make available a container for cosmetic products that allows the user to use and consume the product for the largest part.

Summary of the invention

The idea of the solution that is at the basis of the present invention is the adoption of a plate-like support snap-locked into the bottom pan of the container and having throughslots with raised edges, intended to be filled with powder or compact paste.
Based on this idea for a solution, the technical problem is solved by a container for cosmetic products in powder or compact paste form, such as foundation, shader, blush or powder compacts for make-up, of the type comprising a bottom pan with a bottom surface and lateral walls that define a seat to accommodate the cosmetics powder, characterized in that it comprises a support for said powder inserted into the bottom pan and constrained by said lateral walls; said support being a plate-like element having throughslots with raised peripheral edges.
Advantageously the plate-like support is snap-locked into a perimeter groove in said lateral walls of the bottom pan, and it extends at a predetermined distance parallel to the bottom surface of the bottom pan.
Preferably the bottom pan and the relative plate-like support have a circular form, but obviously any other form may be used.
Moreover the throughslots are in the shape of circle arcs, elongated slots or kidney-shaped, or any combination of these shapes.
These throughslots are equidistantly and regularly spaced along concentric circumferential lines of the support.
In a preferred embodiment there are at least two groups of throughslots located on respective circumferential lines of the support, but offset against each other.
The outermost group comprises at least five slots whereas the innermost group comprises at least four slots.
It should be noted that the plate-like support moreover comprises a central through-hole also with a raised peripheral edge.
From the bottom surface of the bottom pan distancing support ribs extend for the support element.
The plate-like support is made as a monolithic element in synthetic plastic material and the raised peripheral edges of said throughslots are slanted towards the opening of the slot.
Preferably the plate-like support is reversible, having opposite surfaces of the same conformation.
The characteristics and advantages of the container for cosmetic products according to the invention will become clearer from the following description of an embodiment given by way of indicative and non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed figures.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a vertical cross section of a detail of the container for cosmetic products made according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a top view of a detail of the support-insert incorporated in the container of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the same support-insert of Figure 2;
Figures 4 and 4A respectively show a vertical cross section of the support-insert of Figure 2 taken along the line IV-IV and a magnification of the same cross section;
Figure 5 shows a vertical cross section with detached parts of the bottom pan of the container and the support-insert of the present invention;
Figure 6 shows a variant of an embodiment of the bottom pan of the container according to the present invention;
Figure 7 shows a vertical cross section of the bottom pan of the container and of the support-insert of the present invention in the conformation illustrated by the variant of Figure 6.

Detailed description

With reference to these figures, and in particular to the example of figure 1, the number 1 generally and schematically indicates a container for cosmetic products having an improved structure made according to the present invention.
The container 1 is of the type commercially known as a mirror jar and it is intended to contain cosmetic products in powder form 21, paste or compact cream, such as foundation, shader, blush or powder compacts per make-up.
Of course, nothing would prevent the container according to the invention form having a conformation and structure different from the one indicated previously, without implying any limitation of the applicant's rights; what counts, in terms of the present invention, is that the container comprises a bottom pan 2 with a bottom surface 3 and lateral walls 4 that define a seat 5 to accommodate cosmetic powder.
In the embodiment described here by way of indicative and non-limiting example, the container and the related bottom pan have a circular form; in any case nothing would forbid them from having a square, polygonal or oval form without this leading to any limitation of the applicant's rights.
Furthermore, the container 1 and the related bottom pan 2 can be made of a thermoplastic, thermosetting material or of a metallic material, for example thin and curved pre-painted or zinc-plated metal sheets, without this having any effect in terms of the present invention.
The bottom pan 2 may be hinged to a lid 6 having a small mirror on the inside, not represented here as this is conventional; bottom pan 2 and lid 6 are reclosable in the conventional way by clicking one onto the other, similar to the two halves of a shell.
Alternatively the bottom pan 2 and the lid 6 can be coupled by screwing, by means of a threaded peripheral coupling.
Advantageously, in accordance with the present invention the container 1 comprises an insert or plate-like support 7 that is snap-locked into a perimeter groove 8 in the lateral walls 4 of the bottom pan 2. A perimeter notch 22 projects from the external edge 20 of the support 7 for the snap-lock insertion into the groove 8.
This perimeter groove 8 is applied at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface 3 of the bottom pan 2 in order to create an interstice 19 of predetermined size between the support 7 and the bottom surface 3.
In other words the plate-like support 7 extends parallel to and at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface 3 of the bottom pan 2.
Advantageously the plate-like support 7 comprises a plurality of throughslots 9 having raised peripheral edges 10. The raised peripheral edges 10 of said throughslots 9 are slanted towards the opening of the slot.
More particularly, the slots 9 are in the shape of a circle arc, of a curved slot or kidney-shaped. Moreover, nothing forbids the slots 9 from having a different conformation, but it has proved to be convenient that they present an elongated and rounded form.
It is also possible for the plate-like support 7 to present a combination of these forms.
Optionally it is possible to corrugate the surface of the support 7 where there are no throughslots 9, or even the surface of the edges 10 of the slots, or a combination of these solutions.
Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment the raised peripheral edges 10 of the throughslots 9 have a thickness that substantially coincides with the interstice 19 of a predetermined size between the support 7 and the bottom surface 3 of the bottom pan 2. In this manner the raised peripheral edges 10 can touch or rub against the bottom surface 3 of the bottom pan 2.
However, this particularity should not be considered a limiting characteristic, as there is no reason why the interstice 19 of a predetermined size could not be slightly larger than the thickness of the peripheral edges 10 of the throughslots 9.
It should further be noted that the peripheral edges 10 are slanted towards the interior of the passage represented by each of the throughslots 9.
The throughslots 9 are equidistantly and regularly spaced along concentric circumferential lines 11, 12 of the plate-like support.
In a preferred embodiment there are at least two groups of throughslots 9 located on respective circumferential lines of the plate-like support 7, but offset against each other.
There is no reason why there could not be a greater number of groups of throughslots, depending on the dimensions of the bottom pan 2.
In the example embodiment described here by way of indication only, the outermost group comprises at least five throughslots 9, whereas the innermost group comprises at least four throughslots 9.
Furthermore there is a central hole 13, also a through-hole, with raised peripheral edge 14.
The groups of throughslots in the shape of a circle arc or curved slot are substantially positioned in an orderly manner around the central hole 13 along said circumferential lines 11, 12.
It should be noted that in a variant embodiment shown in figures 6 and 7, from the bottom surface 3 of the bottom pan distancing support ribs 15 extend for the support element 7. These ribs 15 do not interfere with the slots 9 because in this variant there are no raised peripheral edges for the slots 9 on at least one of the two opposite surfaces of the support.
The different conformation of the bottom pan and the related support insert is the reason why the numerals 2' and 7' are used to refer to them in figures 6 and 7.
Advantageously the plate-like support 7 or 7' is made as a monolithic element in a synthetic plastic material, which preferably coincides with the synthetic plastic material of which the bottom pan 2 or 2' is made.
Furthermore the plate-like support 7 is reversible, having opposite surfaces of the same configuration. In any case this should not be considered a limitation as there is no reason why the support 7', for example, could not be made with the throughslots 9 with raised peripheral edges 10 on only one of its two opposite surfaces.
The thickness of the plate-like support 7 is comprised between two and four millimeters, and is preferably 3 mm.
If one considers that the bottom pan 2 and the plate-like support 7 extend parallel to a plane X, one could moreover consider the throughslots 9 as being formed inside tubular elements 16 that are formed in the plate-like support 7 and that pass through the latter in the perpendicular direction Z.
These tubular elements 16 are distributed on the plate-like support 7 starting from a central cylindrical element 17 around which they are distributed regularly at intervals along an intermediate circumference. Other tubular elements 18 are distributed regularly at intervals along a more external circumference located near the external edge 20 of the circular plate-like support 7.
The more external tubular elements 18 have at least a greater size than the more interior tubular elements 16, more particularly they extend for a greater portion of a circle arc.
The above-mentioned tubular elements 16 or 18 have respective heights in the sense of the direction Z; these heights are identical in the example described here, but they could also be different.
In the example described here by way of indication the height of the tubular elements 16 or 18 is 3 mm, whereas the thickness of the plate-like support 7 in which they are applied is only one millimeter. In essence the plate-like support 7 is a disc positioned at half the height of the tubular elements 16, 18, thus becoming a part that is symmetrical with respect to its median plane X.
This is the basis for the hitherto unprecedented ease of manufacturing by means of moulding machinery for the plate-like support and the great facility of assembly by means of automated machinery.
The plate-like support of the container according to the present invention furthermore lends itself to being shaped according to necessity to create partitions with more or less complex shapes, with higher or lower raised edges to contain the various tablets created therein.
One will also note the great ease with which it is possible to fill the container according to the invention with cosmetic powder, in that it lends itself to being filled by all of the conventional methods of injection from below, from above or from the side, or by spray coating or hot or cold pouring methods.
The cosmetic powder will be firmly held in place in the bottom pan of the container according to the invention thanks to its penetration into the slots and the fact that the powder also manages to penetrate and be packed into the interstice of predefined size between the bottom surface 3 of the bottom pan 2 and the plate-like support 7 situated at a predetermined distance from said surface.
The waste of cosmetic powder substantially used to hold the tablet in place is really minimal with respect to the quantity of powder that is available to the user.
The container according to the present invention has the great advantage of not requiring glue or any other means to firmly hold the cosmetic powder in the bottom pan 2; this also allows the costs and operational loads of production to be reduced.
The powder can be injected in paste form into the bottom pan and through the throughslots of the support to fill the space around them and be consolidated into a tablet that is resistant to shocks, strain and shear stress that would in other products cause the compacted powder to crack or separate.
It is observed that tests performed by the Applicant have been able to show that the container of the present invention is able to fully pass the empirical tests illustrated previously, so that it is entirely competitive with the bottom pans in pottery or ceramic terracottas from the prior art.

Claims

Improved container (1) for cosmetics in powder or compact paste form, such foundation, shader, blush or powder compacts for make-up, of the type comprising a bottom pan (2) with a bottom surface (3) and lateral walls (5) that define a seat (5) to accommodate cosmetics powder, characterized in that it comprises a support (7) for said powder inserted into the bottom pan (2) and constrained by said lateral walls (4); said support (7) being a plate-like element having throughslots (9) with raised peripheral edges (10).
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate-like support (7) is snap-locked into a perimeter groove (8) in said lateral walls (4) of the bottom pan (2).
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate-like support (7) extends at a predetermined distance or interstice (19) parallel to the bottom surface (3) of the bottom pan (2).
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said throughslots (9) are in the shape of circle arcs.
Container according to claim 4, characterized in that said throughslots (9) are equidistantly and regularly spaced along concentric circumferential lines (11, 12) of the support (7).
Container according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises at least two groups of throughslots (9), located on respective circumferential lines (11, 12) of the support but offset against each other.
Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the outermost group comprises at least five slots (9) whereas the innermost group comprises at least four slots (9).
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate-like support (7) moreover comprises a central through-hole (13) with a raised peripheral edge (14).
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said throughslots (9) are curved or kidney-shaped slots.
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that from the bottom surface (3) of the bottom pan (2) distancing support ribs (17) extend for said support element (7).
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said bottom pan (2) and said plate-like support (7) are circular in shape.
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate-like support (7) is made as a monolithic element in synthetic plastic material.
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the raised peripheral edges (10) of said throughslots (9) are slanted towards the opening of the slot.
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate-like support (7) is reversible, having opposite surfaces of identical conformation.
Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate-like support (7) has a thickness that is between 2 to 4 millimeters.