GB2570531A

GB2570531A - A beauty product container

Info

Publication number: GB2570531A
Application number: GB1812018.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samantha Leahy Joanne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-07-24
Filing date: 2018-07-24
Publication date: 2019-07-31
Also published as: GB201711830D0; GB2564857A; GB201812018D0

Abstract

A beauty product container 10 comprising a flexible body portion 12 defining an internal cavity for receiving the beauty product; and an applicator 14 for dispensing the beauty product from the internal cavity, the applicator being attached or attachable to the body portion; wherein the container has at least one pocket pouch or card pocket on the exterior of the flexible body portion. The body may have a square cross-section. Preferably, the body is formed of plastics such as PVC, or laminated plastic and foil. Preferably, at least a portion of the body is transparent. The applicator may comprise an elongate shaft or a channel for dispensing fluid from the internal cavity to the skin of a user. The applicator may comprise or define a lid 30 for closing an aperture into the cavity of the flexible body.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a container for a beauty product, and in particular to a flexible container for a lipstick or lip gloss.

Background

Beauty products, such as for example lipstick and lip gloss, are normally carried around in a user’s handbag, purse or pocket. Conventional lipsticks and lip glosses are normally contained within a solid, rigid, sometimes bulky container. The lipstick or lip gloss may therefore take up a significant amount of available space in handbag, purse or pocket.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for a beauty product, such as for example lipstick or lip gloss, which addresses this problem.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container for a beauty product which requires significantly less storage space within a user’s handbag, purse or pocket than conventional beauty product containers.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a beauty product container comprising: a flexible body portion defining an internal cavity for receiving the beauty product; and an applicator for dispensing the beauty product from the internal cavity, the applicator being attached or attachable to the body portion, wherein the flexible body has at least one pocket pouch or card pocket on the exterior of the flexible body portion.

The flexible body portion preferably has a first end and a second opposed end. The applicator may be located and/or may be attached or attachable at or adjacent the first end of the body portion. An opening may be provided through, in, at or adjacent the first end of the body portion. The opening may be in communication with the applicator and/or the applicator may be attached or attachable to the opening. The first end of the body portion may provide an opening in communication with the applicator, for example the first end of the body portion may be an open or uncovered face of the body portion. The second end is preferably a sealed end. A longitudinal axis ideally extends between the first and second ends of the body portion.

The opening through, in, at or adjacent the first end is preferably closable so as to seal the container, for example the container may comprise a lid or other closure mechanism. All or part of the lid or closure mechanism may be comprised by the applicator.

The flexible body portion comprises one or more pockets, pouches, and/or card pockets. The one or more pockets, pouches, and/or card pockets may be formed or provided on the exterior of the flexible body portion, such as on a face (such as a front and/or a rear face) thereof.

The one or more pockets, pouches and/or card pockets may be formed from the same material as the flexible body portion, may be generally or substantially the same size as a face of the flexible body portion on which they are formed and/or may generally or substantially cover and/or conform to the shape of a face of the flexible body portion on which they are formed. In preferred embodiments the one or more pockets, pouches, and/or card pockets are generally or substantially flat and may be substantially parallel to the surface or face of the flexible body portion on which they are formed. In such embodiments, the beauty container may provide easy access to one or more additional items stored within the pockets, pouches and/or card pockets, such as coins, banknotes, jewellery, business cards, credit or debit cards or other items. This may facilitate removing specific items from a bag.

In some embodiments one or more of the one or more pockets, pouches and/or card pockets may be Radio-frequency identification (RFID) blocking or shielded card pockets. In this way a bank card such as a debit or credit card is protected from being read by a remote device.

The flexible body portion may comprise a front face, an opposed rear face, and a pair of side faces, edges, or seams extending between the first and second ends. For example, the flexible body portion may be generally or substantially in the form of a regular or irregular cuboid. In alternative embodiments, the flexible body portion of the container may be generally or substantially cylindrical.

The front face and opposed rear face of the flexible body portion preferably have a substantially square or rectangular transverse cross-section. The front face and opposed rear face of the flexible body portion may however have a substantially ovaloid or circular transverse cross-section depending on the particular requirements of the container.

The flexible body portion may be composed of any suitable flexible and/or resiliently deformable material that is capable of being folded and/or squeezed and/or rolled before and/or during and/or after application of the beauty product. The flexible body portion is preferably formed from a flexible synthetic plastics material, such as for example but not to be limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Said material is ideally recycled and/or recyclable, wherein the material comprises a single printed material. The material from which the flexible body portion is formed is preferably impermeable.

The flexible body portion may be composed of laminated plastic and foil, such as for example aluminium and polyethylene. At least a portion of the flexible body portion may include a region of clear material, for example clear flexible plastics material, enabling the user to view the contents of the container. The container is preferably disposable.

The maximum width of the container, as measured between the front and rear faces in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body portion, is preferably no more than 20 mm, preferably no more than 15 mm, more preferably no more than 10 mm, more preferably no more than 7 mm, and most preferably no more than 5 mm. Ideally the container is arranged for hand luggage on a plane due to lightweight, flat packaging taking up minimal room. In this way it may be envisaged that the maximum fluidic content will be under prevailing airline security transportable fluidic volume standards.

The maximum thickness of a wall of the container is preferably at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 2 mm, for example at least 5 mm.

The maximum length of the container is preferably between 1 mm and 20 mm, more preferably between 2 mm and 15 mm, more preferably between 2 mm and 10 mm, for example between 2 mm and 5 mm.

The walls of the container may taper or decrease towards the side portions. The thickness of the container may taper inwardly or decrease in a direction extending from the first end towards the second end of the body portion.

The beauty product may be any suitable for dispensing on the skin of a user. For example, the beauty product may be lipstick or lip gloss. The beauty product may alternatively be mascara, eye shadow, bronzer, foundation or blusher. The beauty product may for example be a fluid, a gel or a powder.

The applicator may be any suitable applicator for dispensing the beauty product from the internal cavity to the skin of the user. The applicator may have a dispensing head configured to contact or be in fluid communication with the beauty product located within the internal cavity of the body portion. The applicator may, for example, be provided in the form of a solid wand, a brush, or a solid applicator providing an opening in fluid communication with the beauty product within the internal cavity of the body portion.

The applicator may be elongate and may be for extending through an opening in the flexible body portion into contact with the beauty product therein. For example, the applicator may be an elongate wand or brush. The length of the applicator may be generally equal to or may be greater than the length of the flexible body portion of the container.

In some embodiments, the applicator may be rigid. In other embodiments the applicator may flexible, jointed, and/or resiliently deformable. This may allow the flexible body portion to be folded, rolled or otherwise collapsed while the applicator is located within the flexible body portion and may thereby improve the portability of the container. For example, the applicator may comprise an elongate flexible, jointed or resiliently deformable shaft or stem which may extend between the two ends of the applicator and/or between the head of the applicator and a handle of the applicator and/or the point of the applicator for attaching the flexible body portion of the container.

The applicator may permanently engage the body portion by way of an engagement means. The applicator may however releasably engage the body portion. The applicator may for example provide an interference fit with the adjacent portion of the body portion. The applicator may comprise a screw thread for threaded engagement with a corresponding portion of the body portion. The applicator may be moveable between a first closed position and a second open position.

The applicator may comprise a first end configured for releasable engagement with the body portion. Such releasable engagement is by way of, for example an interference fit or screw threaded engagement, with an adjacent portion of the body portion. Preferably engagement means is at or adjacent the first end of the body portion. The applicator may comprise a second opposed end comprising a dispensing head configured to be received within the internal cavity of the body portion. The dispensing head may be configured to contact the beauty product located within the internal cavity. The first end provides a handle portion for the user.

In preferred embodiments, the applicator comprises or is attached to a displaceable lid for the or an opening of the flexible body portion. For example, the applicator may comprise or may be attached to a screw thread lid for closing an aperture at or adjacent the first end of the flexible body portion. Such a lid may be at one end of the applicator, may define a handle for holding or manipulating the applicator and may be distal from the head of the applicator.

The lid is preferably arranged to close the aperture while the length, head and/or majority of the applicator is located within the cavity of the flexible body portion. In such embodiments the container may be closed with the applicator stored within container and the applicator may be removed from the cavity by removing and displacing the lid.

In other embodiments the applicator may be releasably attachable to the interior and/or exterior of a lid for the opening of the flexible body portion.

The applicator may be a wand or brush having suitable dimensions for being received within the internal cavity of the body portion. The wand or brush preferably has a slim, elongate profile.

The applicator may be configured to be permanently engaged with an adjacent portion of the body portion, preferably at or adjacent the first end of the body portion. The applicator may for example be engaged with the body portion using an adhesive.

In some embodiments the applicator may provide and/or may comprise a channel or passage extending through an opening of the flexible body portion (such as the opening at or adjacent a first end of the flexible body portion). The channel may extend between distal ends of the applicator, one such end may be a head of the applicator which may be located within the cavity of the flexible body portion in use, and/or one such end may define or may be attached to a lid for closing the opening of the flexible body portion. In such embodiments, the channel or passage may allow beauty product to be dispensed from the container when the opening of the flexible body portion is closed.

The channel may extend along generally or substantially all of the length of a shaft or stem of the applicator. For example, the channel may extend between opposite ends of an elongate applicator such as a brush.

The applicator may for example be a solid applicator. The applicator preferably comprises a first end providing an opening in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the body portion. The applicator preferably comprises a second opposed free end providing an opening for dispensing the beauty product from the internal cavity to the skin of a user. A channel preferably extends between the openings provided at each of the first and second ends of the applicator. The solid applicator may have any suitable shape, for example the solid applicator may be substantially circular or elliptical in cross-section.

In some embodiments, a channel through the applicator may be sealable, for example the container may comprise a lid, plug, valve, or other means for sealing the passage. In such embodiments, the applicator may be useable as both a channel through which beauty product may be dispensed (when the channel is open) from the container and as a headed implement such as a brush for carrying material (when the channel is closed).

In some such embodiments beauty product may be displaced through such a channel manually by squeezing the flexible body portion, in other embodiments the applicator may comprise a pump for displacing beauty product through the channel.

In order to minimise cross-sectional dimensions of the container, the applicator preferably has an elliptical cross-section. In particular, the dimensions of the applicator (when in the first closed position) are greater when measured in a direction extending between the side portions of the body portion than when measured in a direction extending between the front and rear faces of the body portion.

The container may further comprise a lid configured to receive and cover at least a portion of the applicator, and to releasably engage an adjacent portion of the body portion. The lid may substantially cover the first free end of the applicator. The lid therefore helps to maintain the material to be applied in a hygienic environment.

The container may for example comprise a hinge extending between a lid and an adjacent portion of the body portion. The lid may be configured to provide an interference fit with an adjacent portion of the body portion. The lid may for example comprise a screw thread for threaded engagement with a corresponding portion of the body portion and/or the applicator, such as for example the first free end of the applicator.

The container may comprise one or more attachment features, such as for example openings or hooks, to enable the container to be attached to other personal items carried by a user, such as for example keys.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration when viewed from the front of one embodiment of the beauty product container of the present invention when in the first closed configuration;

Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration when viewed from the side of the beauty product container of Figure 1 when in the first closed configuration;

Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration when viewed from the first end of the beauty product container of Figure 1 when in the first closed configuration;

Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the beauty product container of Figure 1 when in the first closed configuration; and

Figure 5 shows a schematic illustration when viewed from the front of the beauty product container of Figure 1 when in the second open configuration.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures, there is shown a beauty product container 10 which comprises a flexible body portion 12 defining an internal cavity (not shown) for receiving a beauty product. The container 10 further comprises an applicator 14 which is releasably attachable to the body portion 12. The applicator 14 being for dispensing the beauty product from within the internal cavity.

The body portion 12 comprises a first end 16 and a second opposed end 18. In use, the applicator 14 is inserted into the cavity through an aperture 32 located at the first end 16 of the body portion 12. The flexible body portion 12 comprises a front face 20, an opposed rear face 22, and a pair of side portions 24, 26 extending between the first and second ends 16, 18. The front face 20 and opposed rear face 22 have a substantially rectangular transverse cross-section.

The flexible body portion 12 is composed of PVC which is capable of being folded, squeezed, and/or rolled before, during, and/or after application of the beauty product.

The maximum thickness of the container, and in particular the body portion 12 is between 2 mm and 15 mm. It can be seen from the Figures that the body portion 12 tapers from a relatively thick central portion adjacent to the aperture 32 within which the applicator 14 is located in use to relatively narrow portions at the side edges 24, 26 (as shown in Figure 3). The body portion 12 tapers inwardly in a direction extending away from the centre of the body portion 12 and towards each side portion

24, 26. The body portion 12 also tapers from its relatively wise first end 16, in which the aperture 32 is formed to its relatively narrow second end 18 (as shown in Figure 2). The body portion 12 tapers inwardly in a direction extending from the first end 16 towards the second end 18 of the body portion 12.

The container 10 may be used to carry any suitable beauty product, such as, for example, lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye shadow, bronzer, foundation or blusher. Preferably, the container 10 comprises lipstick or lip gloss. The beauty products is held within the cavity of the flexible body portion 12 in use and may be displaced through the aperture 32 by the applicator 14 in use.

In some embodiments one or more card pockets or other pockets or pouches may be provided on the exterior of the flexible body portion 12.

The applicator 14 is displaceable between a first closed arrangement in which the beauty product is not dispensed and a second open arrangement allowing the beauty product to be dispensed using the applicator.

In the illustrated embodiment, the applicator 14 is a brush which is releasably engaged to the body portion. A first end 30 of the applicator 14 comprises a threaded lid portion for releasable engaging to the threaded portion of the aperture 32 provided at the first end 16 of the flexible body portion 12. The second opposed end 34 of the applicator comprises a dispensing head 28 configured to be received within the internal cavity of the body portion 12 in order to contact the beauty product.

The lid portion of the first end 30 and the head 28 of the second end are connected by an elongate stem. In some embodiments the stem may be flexible and/or resiliently deformable such that the container 10 may be rolled or folded when the applicator 14 is located within the cavity of the flexible body portion 12.

The aperture 32 of the flexible body portion comprises a threaded collar which extends from the first end 16 of the flexible body portion 12. The lid portion of the first end 30 of the applicator 14 is in the form of a threaded lid which fits onto the threaded collar and closes the aperture 32. The stem extends from the interior of the lid portion such that when the threaded lid is screwed onto the threaded collar the stem extends through the aperture 32 into the cavity of the flexible body portion 12.

In some embodiments a channel may extend through the applicator 14 from the head 28 at its second end 34 (which is located inside the cavity in the closed configuration) to the exterior of the lid portion at its first end 30. This channel may allow material to be dispensed through the applicator in addition to using the applicator as a brush and may allow material to be dispensed in the closed configuration. An additional lid, plug, valve or other closure mechanism may be provided for closing or sealing this channel.

The present invention therefore provides a flexible beauty product container 10 which minimises the amount of room required in a user’s handbag, purse or pocket for transportation. Furthermore, the product is flexible and as such allows the user to fold or roll the container enabling a further reduction in the storage space required. The container may in one embodiment be disposable.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A beauty product container comprising: a flexible body portion defining an internal cavity for receiving the beauty product; and an applicator for dispensing the beauty product from the internal cavity; the applicator being attached or attachable to the body portion, wherein the flexible body has at least one pocket pouch or card pocket on the exterior of the flexible body portion.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the body portion comprises a first end and a second opposed end, and in which the applicator is attached or attachable to or adjacent to the first end of the body portion.

3. A container as claimed in either of claim 1 or 2, in which the flexible body portion comprises a front face, an opposed rear face, and a pair of side edges extending between the first and second ends, and in which the front face and opposed rear face have a substantially square or rectangular transverse cross-section.

4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the flexible body portion is composed of material capable of being folded and/or squeezed and/or rolled before and/or during and/or after application of the beauty product.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, in which the flexible body portion is composed of flexible plastic material.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5, in which the flexible plastic material is PVC or laminated plastic and foil.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least a portion of the flexible body portion is composed of clear flexible plastic material.

8. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the maximum thickness of the container is between 2 mm and 15 mm.

9. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a beauty product is selected from: lipstick, lip gloss, mascara, eye shadow, bronzer, foundation or blusher.

10. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the applicator comprises a dispensing head configured to contact or be in fluid communication with the beauty product located within the internal cavity of the body portion.

11. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the applicator is selected from: a solid wand, a brush, or a solid applicator.

12. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the applicator comprises an elongate resiliently deformable shaft or stem.

13. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container is opened and closed by the applicator, wherein the applicator is moveable between a first closed position in which the beauty product is not dispensed and a second open position allowing the beauty product to be dispensed.

14. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the applicator is releasably engaged to the body portion, and in which the applicator comprises a first end configured for releasable engagement to the body portion, and a second opposed end comprising a dispensing head configured to be received within the internal cavity of the body portion.

15. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the applicator comprises or defines a lid for closing an aperture into the cavity of the flexible body.

16. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the applicator comprises a channel through which the beauty product may be displaced out of the cavity.

17. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, in which the applicator comprises a solid applicator permanently engaged to an adjacent portion of the body portion, and in which the applicator comprises a first end providing an opening in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the body portion, and a second opposed free end providing an opening for dispensing the beauty product from the internal cavity to the skin of a user, and in which a channel extends between the openings provided at each of the first and second ends of the applicator.

18. A container as claimed in claim 17, in which the solid applicator has a substantially elliptical cross-section.

19. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a lid

10 configured to receive and cover at least a portion of the applicator, and to releasably engage an adjacent portion of the body portion.

Intellectual Property Office

Application No: GB1812018.8 Examiner: JackBayntun

Claims searched: 1-19 Date of search: 23 January 2019

Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17