GB2512412A

GB2512412A - A cosmetics container

Info

Publication number: GB2512412A
Application number: GB1312622.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Glen Davies
Original assignee: SWALLOWFIELD PLC
Current assignee: SWALLOWFIELD PLC
Priority date: 2013-07-15
Filing date: 2013-07-15
Publication date: 2014-10-01
Also published as: GB201312622D0

Abstract

A cosmetics container suitable for receiving a cosmetic product such as lip balm is accessible from both ends. The container 50 comprises a body 65, a lid 60 and a base 55. The body 65 preferably comprises a side wall 66 and a plurality of spokes (71, fig.9). When filling the container 50, the lid 60 is attached to the body 65 and liquefied product is passed into the lid and around the spokes (71, fig.9). The base is then applied. The lid 60 and the base 55 are preferably releasably connected to the body by means of screw threads, retaining beads, or the like. The lid 60 is preferably dome-shaped.

Description

A COSMETICS CONTAINER

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to containers and particularly to containers for cosmetic products, such as blusher, lip balm and concealer.

Background

It is known to provide a variety of containers for receiving cosmetics. One such known container (10) is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The container (10) includes a domed cap (15) which is removably attached to a cup-like base (20). The base (20) consists of a cylindrical side wall (22) closed at one end by a closure disc (24) and holds a quantity of solid cosmetic product, in this case lip balm (26).

The container is produced by assembling the cap (15) onto the side wall (22), which at this point is open at both ends. Then the product (26) is filled (in a liquefied form) though the side wall (22) sc that it fills the cap (15) and the side wall and begins to solidify. Thereafter the end of the side wall opposite the cap is permanently closed by the disc (24).

One problem with this type of container is that it is not possible for consumers to access all of the product: there will usually be some product that remains in the base. This is wasteful and can create problems when specifying how much product is being supplied, particularly in some countries where there is a requirement to specify how much product can be removed by a consumer (rather than just the total amount of product).

The present invention seeks to address problems with known cosmetics containers.

Summary of the Present Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cosmetics container comprising a body for receiving cosmetic product, the body comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being closed by a first removable closure member, in which the second end is closed by a second removable closure member such that product can be accessed from both ends of the body.

By providing a container which holds the product and yet allows it to be accessed from both ends this means that considerably more product can be removed. This has significant benefits, including the ability to reduce pack size to accommodate the same amount of usable product.

The container may be formed as a three part structure, comprising a lid, a base and an intermediate body. The lid and base are formed as removable closures.

The first and second closure members may be releasably connectable to the body by respective first and second connection means. The connection means may comprise, for example, screw thread formations, snap beads, clips and the like.

In some embodiments the first the second connection means are of the same type (e.g. both screw threads). In other embodiments the first and second connections means are different to each other e.g. a screw threaded engagement for one end and a snap fit for the other end; this can make it easier to ensure only one end is opened when the consumer manipulates that end. In one embodiment anti-rotation means are provided for either or both of the closure members. For example. co-operating surface formations may be provided on the body and a closure member to prevent rotation therebetween; this could be useful where the other end is screw threaded so that the rotation movement is restricted to one end.

In embodiments where o product in liquefied form is to be introduced, the body may comprise a feature for holding the product upon solidification. For example the body may comprise one or more spokes to provide a surface for the product to key to. In one embodiment the body comprises a ceniral hub and a plurality of spokes extending therefrom.

The first closure member may generally dome-shape and may, for example be formed from a transparent plastics material. In some embodiments the dome-shape closure includes one or more steps.

The first and/or second closure member may include embossing and/or impressing wherein marking or other indicia can be applied to the product.

In some embodiments product may filed through the second end, for example whilst the first closure is in place over the first end.

Whilst in some embodiments a single product is present, in other embodiments two or more different products may be received by the body.

According to a further aspect there is provided a cosmetic pack comprising a container filled with cosmetic product, the container comprising a body having a first end and a second end, the firs! end being closed by a first removable closure member and the second end being closed by a second removable closure member, such that product can be accessed from both ends of the body.

The container may be filled with two different products, the first of which can be accessed from!he first end and!he second of which can be accessed from the second end. For example a lip balm and a blusher may be provided in the same container or pod".

The products (which may, for example, be wax-based) may be filled sequentially i.e. fill a first product, allow it to solidify, and then fill a second product.

In some embodiments the products will contact each other at the interface. In some cases, however, it may be preferable for the two products not to be in contact with each other. In some embodiments, therefore, the body may comprise a divider for separating the products.

A further aspect provides a method of forming a cosmetics pack comprising the steps of: providing a body for receiving cosmetic product, the body comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being closable by a first removable closure member and the second end is closable by a second removable closure member; releasably fitting the first closure member onto the body; filling the body through the second end; releasably fitting the second closure onto the body; whereby product can subsequently be accessed from either end of the body.

Different aspects of the invention may be used separately or together.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container formed according to the present invention: Figure 4 shows separately a lid, base and body component of the container of Figure 3: Figure 5 shows the components of Figure 4 in an alternative orientation: Figure 6 is a perspective view of the lid of Figures 4 and 5: Figure 7 is a further perspective view of the lid of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the base of Figures 4 and 5: Figure 9 is a plan view of the body of Figures 4 and 5: Figure 10 is a perspective view of the body of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a further perspective view of the body of Figure 10: Figure 12 is a perspective view of the filled cosmetic pod formed according to the present invention: Figure 13 is a base perspective view of the pod of Figure 12; Figure 14 shows the pod of Figure 12 with a lid removed: Figure 15 shows the pod of Figure 12 with a base removed; Figure 16 is a top perspective view of a lid component formed according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 17 is a bottom perspective view of the lid of Figure 16; Figure 18 is plan view of a lid formed according to an alternative embodiment; Figure 19 shows the lid of Figure 18 ond on ossocioted body and bose filled with product; and Figure 20 is a plan view of the cosmetic product shown with the lid removed.

Referring first to Figure 3 there is shown a cosmetics container generally indicated 50.

The container comprises a base 55, a lid or cover 60 and a body 65.

Referring now also to Figures 4 to 11 the components of the container 50 are described in more detail.

The lid 60 comprises a cylindrical skirt 61 at its open end from which extends a dome-shape cover 62. The interior surface of the skirt 61 includes o plurality of axial rib 63 and four retention lugs 64.

The base 55 comprises o cylindrical skirt 56 closed at one end by o disc-shape top plate 57. The interior of the skirt 56 has a single star! screw thread 58.

The body 65 comprises a main sidewall 66 provided towards one end with a single start screw thread 67 on its outer surface. Approximo!ely in the middle of the sidewall the outer surface has a circumferential rib 68. Above the rib 68 is a circumferential re!ention bead 69 and a plurali!y of axially extending anti-rotation ribs 70.

A plurality (in this embodiment eight) spokes 71 extend from the interior of the sidewall (just above the position of the retention bead 69) to a central ring 72. The width of the spokes 71 decreases away from the sidewall and they have a step 73 towards their end closest to the ring 72.

To assemble the container 50 the lid 60 is push fitted onto the upper half 74 of the body sidewall. The lugs 64 engage over the retention bead 69 to hold the lid securely in position. In addition, the ribs 63 on the lid and the ribs 70 on the sidewall cooperate to prevent relative rotation. The base 55 is screwed onto the lower half 75 of the sidewall using the cooperating screw thread formations 58, 67.

In practice the lid 60 is assembled on to the body 65 and then liquefied product is introduce into the open end of the sidewall 66 so that it flows through and into the lid, as well as filling the sidewall and flowing around the spokes 71 and ring 72. When the product solidifies the spokes and ring help to keep the product in the body, as the product is bound to them. The base can now be applied to the sidewall.

A pack 180 formed in this way is shown in Figures 12 and 13, with product 185 filled into o container 150 of the some general type as that described in Figures 3 to 11.

Figure 14 shows the pack 180 having been opened at the lid end, by pulling the lid off to cause the lugs 164 to pass over the retention bead 169. The product 185 can be accessed through this end.

In Figure 15 the lid 160 is replaced, and the base is unscrewed. It will be noted that this is achieved by holding the id and rotating the base. This is possible because the lid cannot rotate with respect to the body. With the base removed product 185 can be accessed through the base end of the body. Of course there may be circumstances in which a user removes both the lid and the base and in this embodiment there is nothing to prevent this.

Referring now to Figure 16 and 17 a lid 260 formed according to an alternative embodiment is shown. The lid 260 is similar to the lid 60, having a cylindrical skirt 261 ond a generally dome-shape cover 262. In this embodiment the cover includes two steps 290, 292 and the centre 294 of the cover includes on impression 296 (which could, for example, be a company logo or other marking).

In Figures 18 and 19 a lid 360 of the same type as the lid 260 is shown together (in Figure 19) with a base/body filled with product and formed in accordance with the present invention, It will be seen that the impression 396 and steps 390, 394 result in a corresponding shape to the product 385.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cosmetics container comprising a body for receiving cosmetic product, the body comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being closed by a first removable closure member, in which the second end is closed by a second removable closure member such Ihat product can be accessed from both ends of the body.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the container comprises a lid, a base and an intermediate body.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the first and second closure members are releasably connectable to the body by respective first and second connection means.
4. A container as claimed in claim 3, in which the first and second connections means are different to each other.
5. A container as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which either or both of the connections means comprise a screw thread formation.
6. A container as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which either or both of the connection means comprise a retaining bead, clip or the like.
7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which anti-rotation means are provided for either or both of the closure members.
8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body comprises one or more spokes.
9. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body comprises a central hub and a plurality of spokes extending therefrom.
10. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first closure member is generally dome-shape.
11. A container as claimed in claim 10, in which the dome includes one or more steps.
12. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which first and/or second closure member includes embossing and/or impressing wherein marking or other indicia can be applied to the product.
13. A container as claimed in any preceding caim, in which the product is filed through the second end.
14. A cosmetics container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which two or more different products are received by the body.
15. A cosmetic pack comprising a container filled with cosmetic product, the container comprising a body having a first end and a second end, the first end being closed by a first removable closure member, in which the second end is closed by a second removable closure member such that product can be accessed from both ends of the body.
16. A pack as claimed in claim 15, in which the container is filled with two different products, the first of which can be accessed from the first end and the second of which can be accessed from the second end.
17. A pack as claimed in claim 16, in which the products are completely separated by an internal body divider.
18. A method of forming a cosmetics pack comprising the steps of: -providing a body for receiving cosmetic product, the body comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being closable by a first removable closure member and the secand end is closable by a second removable closure member; -releasably fitting the first closure member onto the body; -filling the body through the second end; -releasably fitting the second closure onto the body: whereby product can subsequently be accessed from eilher end of the body.
19. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
20. A cosmetics pack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.