KR20120028990A - Shock absorber for cosmetic compact - Google Patents

Abstract

An impact absorbing member is provided in the cosmetic compact to separate the pan containing the cosmetic, such as compressed powder foundation, from impacts and vibrations that can cause the product to break up or crumble. The shock absorber has at least two arcuate portions which float the fan in the gaps in the base of the cosmetic compact. The arcuate portion is of sufficient elasticity to allow the fan to move relative to the base within the gap. The arcuate portion prevents shock, bumps or vibrations from the base to the fan.

Description

Shock absorber for cosmetics compact {SHOCK ABSORBER FOR COSMETIC COMPACT}

The present invention relates to a cosmetic packaging comprising a shock absorbing means. In particular, the invention relates to compact cases with solid or semi-solid cosmetics compressed or cast in a support pan. More particularly, the present invention relates to a means for separating a fan containing a product from an external impact.

Solid or semisolid cosmetic compacts generally comprise a base and corresponding cover. The base has at least one cavity dimensioned to receive the cosmetic. Thin plastic or metal pans containing solid or semi-solid cosmetics are secured in the cavity. Solid or semi-solid cosmetics can be of similar consistency to, for example, compressed or cast powders, semi-solid pastes or cakes. The category of cosmetics can be powder (eg blusher), skin foundation, eye shadow, lipstick and the like.

During transportation of the product or during normal use of the product, the compact may experience shocks or collisions, for example if dropped accidentally. Some solid and semisolid cosmetic formulations contained in thin trays are subject to fragmentation and / or crumbness when the cosmetic case experiences external shocks, vibrations or impacts. This is especially true for higher quality compressed powders that are made by less pressing to give the user a softer 'feel' and adhere the product to the fingers or applicator. Clearly, broken or shattered cosmetics are undesirable because they give a negative impression to the consumer. In addition, broken or shattered cosmetics can negatively affect the performance of the product. For example, a broken or chipped product may be unevenly loaded into an applicator (eg a brush or pad). Thus, this can cause the product to be undesirable and unevenly distributed on the user's skin.

There have been several attempts to correct the problem. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006061189 discloses a cosmetic compact in which a cosmetic tray is detachably fixed in a recess with a collar so that the bottom of the tray and the bottom of the recess are separated by an air layer. do.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005304850 discloses, for example, a cosmetic container for storing foundation and eye shadow. Such a container includes an inner plate that forms a cosmetic storage chamber. The plate is optionally mounted to the bottom of the container by a cushion member.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-191928 discloses a shock absorbing thin-walled inner plate formed of a synthetic thin film. The second inner plate (possibly not shock absorber) lies in the shock absorbing inner plate. The shock absorbing inner plate includes a protrusion that contacts the inner surface of the housing bottom.

U. S. Patent 5,713, 471 discloses a packaging unit comprising a support with a cavity for accommodating a pan containing cosmetics. The fan is secured in the cavity by elastic retaining means (eg o-rings). In addition, compressible means in the form of flexible foams or flexible spikes may be provided under the fan for gap replenishment and / or protection from vibration.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-177044 discloses a container body having a clearance for accommodating an inner tray for cosmetics. An elastic arm provided opposite the gap has a protrusion for detachably filling the concave portion on the inner tray side. The resilient arm is said to provide impact resistant properties to the inner tray.

U. S. Patent No. 1,552, 173 discloses a powder box that provides an elastic means under the double bottom, pushing up the powder on the double bottom through a perforated distribution compartment.

French patent 2691339 discloses a compact with a fan supported on a spring, which allows the fan to be discharged from the base to allow replacement of the fan.

U.S. Patent No. 1,194,187 discloses a loose box in which the loose retaining pad is compliantly held at the top of the loose box by a support spring, so that the loose can be readily used at any time by opening the box. The loose pad is fit snugly within the box. Thus, there seems to be no gap large enough for the pad to move sideways in the box.

US Patent No. 2,054,004 is a loose powder, having a spring that prevents the powder from leaking or spilling by pushing the powder container (pan) upwards so that the top edge of the container remains in contact with the underside of the cover when the case is closed. Disclosed is a portable cosmetic case for use.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-299138 discloses an inner tray for cosmetics having protrusions formed on the outside thereof. The protrusions mate with grooves inside the compact base. Inner trays with protrusions are said to impart good impact resistance.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 06-189821 discloses a cosmetic compact having an annular rubber gasket between the lower lid and the cosmetic tray such that a space is formed between the lower lid and the cosmetic tray.

Any of the above references allow a gap to be defined between the fan and the base, wherein the fan is lifted by an arcuate member traversing the gap and positioned along the transverse axis for compressed powder having a pan accommodated in a gap in the base of the compact. It does not disclose a cosmetic compact. Accordingly, there is a need for a cost-effective and mass-producible cosmetic case having an impact absorbing means that effectively prevents breakage of the compressed powder cosmetics.

The present invention provides a means for cushioning shocks, impacts and vibrations transmitted from a base of a cosmetic compact to a pan supported in the compact.

The present invention relates to means for cushioning shocks, collisions and vibrations transmitted from a base of a cosmetic compact to a pan supported in the compact. The pan is adapted to contain solid or semi-solid cosmetics, for example compressed powder, which may be broken or broken in shape, or leak out of the pan in a poor case. The shock absorbing means minimizes or eliminates damage to the cosmetics caused by external shocks, collisions or vibrations. The fan is located in a gap in the base that is wide enough to provide an air gap around the fan. The shock absorbing means comprise at least two arcuate resilient portions extending across the gap such that the fan is connected to the base. One arcuate portion is located along the first axis and the second arcuate member is located along a second axis that crosses the first axis. The arcuate portion is sufficiently elastic to allow the fan to move relative to the base to prevent shock, impact or vibration from being transmitted from the base to the fan.

In a first embodiment, the arcuate portion is part of a continuous arcuate net that connects the pan with the base of the compact. Alternatively, the arcuate net may include discontinuities, such as, for example, cut surfaces or holes, adapted to provide more responsive and resilient shock absorbing features.

In a second embodiment, the shock absorbing device comprises a space-saving planar structure, ie a plate structure in a plate inserted between the pan and the base of the compact. The outer plate has a center gap, and the inner plate floats in the center gap so that a gap is defined between the outer edge of the inner plate and the inner edge of the outer plate. The inner plate is floated in the gap by at least two arcuate members. The outer plate is adapted to connect with either the base or the fan, and the inner plate is adapted to connect with the other of the base or the fan.

Thus, cost-effective and mass-producible shock absorbing means of both embodiments are provided for cosmetic compact cases. Any embodiment can be readily adapted for installation in existing compact case designs.

The shock absorbing means of the present invention effectively prevents breakage of the compressed powder cosmetics.

1 is a perspective view of a compressed powder cosmetic compact of the type that may be incorporated in one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the compact of FIG. 1 showing a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
3 is a perspective view of the compact of FIG. 2.
4 is a cross-sectional view across lines 4-4 in FIG. 2 showing a first embodiment.
5 is a detailed view of the area indicated by (5) in FIG.
Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a planar shock absorbing member, which is a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6. FIG.
8 is a perspective view of a compact base incorporating a second embodiment.
9 is a plan view of a second embodiment in a compact base.
10 is a cross-sectional view across the 10-10 line in FIG.
11 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment that includes a compact cover, a fan, and a product.
12 is a plan view illustrating the variety of arcuate members for illustration purposes.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 to 3, wherein the cosmetic compact is generally represented by reference numeral (2). The compact 2 has a cover 12 and a base 14. A button 16 on the base is provided to release the latch 18 from the hook 20. The cover 12 is pivotable between a closed state (FIG. 1) and an open state (FIG. 2) by a hinge, represented generally by reference numeral 22. As best seen in the perspective view of FIG. 3, the compact 2 comprises a pan 6 containing a solid or semi-solid cosmetic (P). The fan 6 has a bottom face 8 and a peripheral face 10. The base 14 is such that the fan 6 is defined such that the gaps 28, 26 (see FIG. 4) are defined between the bottom of the fan and the base of the compact, and at least one of the peripheral surface of the fan and the base of the compact, respectively. ) Has a gap 24 dimensioned to receive. In other words, the outer dimension of the fan 6 is sufficiently small compared to the dimension of the gap 24 so that at least one gap 28 or 26 is defined.

The shock absorbing member 30 is provided such that the base is connected with the fan. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the shock absorbing member 30 located along the first axis 34 has a first arcuate portion 32 extending across the gap such that the base is connected with the fan. The second arcuate portion 36 is located along a second axis 38 transverse to the first axis and extends across the gap 26 at another location such that the base is connected to the fan. The third arcuate portion 40 extends from the first arcuate portion 32 across the gap 26 such that the base is connected with the fan along the first axis 34 opposite the fan 6. The fourth arcuate portion 42 extends from the second arcuate portion 36 across the gap 26 along the second axis 38 opposite the fan 6. Each of the arcuate portions 32, 36, 40, 42 comprises an area indicated between dashed lines 31 in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each of the first, second, third and fourth arcuate portions has sufficient elasticity to allow the fan 6 to move relative to the base 14 within the gap 26, so that shock or vibration from the base to the fan is achieved. Reduces the transmission of. The arcuate portions 32, 36, 40, 42 operate individually or simultaneously to cushion and minimize the transmission of shocks and / or vibrations from the base 14 to the fan 6, thereby Substantially eliminates damage to (P) in the form of splitting or chipping.

Although four arcuate portions are shown by dashed lines 31, it will be appreciated that the number of arcuate portions may vary from at least two to any suitable number necessary to prevent damage to the contents of the pan. Preferably, at least two arcuate portions are provided, one located along the first axis 34 and the other along the second axis 38 traversing the first axis. More preferably, as shown, a pair of arcuate portions 32 and 40 are provided along the axis 34, and a pair of arcuate portions 36 and 42 extend the axis 38. Provided along, each pair is located opposite the fan 6.

The arcuate portions 32, 36, 40, 42 have edges of the gap 24 in the base 14 that surround the peripheral surface 10 of the fan 6, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. And may form part of a continuous arcuate net 44 that connects with. Alternatively, the arcuate portion may comprise individual portions or members spaced apart around the fan 6. Individual portions or members may be formed separately, or may be separated by a slit (for example along dashed line 31) from the rest of the network, or by removing portions of the continuous network between adjacent arcuate portions. It can be formed by allowing each arcuate portion to be defined between the holes of the mesh. Depending on the elastic material chosen for the arcuate part, the latter arrangement may provide greater flexibility and shock absorbing capacity, especially for compacts with relatively pointed fans (eg square, triangular or rectangular pans). Continuous network arrangements have been found to work particularly well when the fan is substantially circular or elliptical in plan view (as shown). For fans with pointed corners (square, triangular or rectangular), an arrangement with individual arcuate sections (not shown) along each flat side of the fan (not shown), with a gap in the arcuate net of the pointed corners of the fan, is preferred. .

In the first embodiment, preferably each arcuate portion 32, 36, 40, 42 comprises one or more upward arches 45 (see FIG. 5). Alternatively, each arcuate portion includes one or more inverted arches 47, waveforms 49, a Z curve 51, or an S curve 53 structure (see FIGS. 5A-5D).

As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the shock absorbing member 30 has a bottom surface 46 for supporting the fan 6 (not shown in FIG. 4). Alternatively, the bottom surface may or may not be partially provided on the shock absorbing member. Instead, the inner sidewall 48 of the member 30 can be attached directly to the peripheral surface 10 of the fan 6 using mechanical or other means of attachment, such as glue, sonic fusion, for example. The outer sidewall 50 of the shock absorbing member 30 has an annular ridge 52 for filling the inner edge 54 of the gap 24 in the base 14. The member 30 may be attached to the base 14 using, for example, a fitting, sticky thing, sonic fusion, or other known means.

The shock absorbing member 30 can be made of any suitable plastic or elastomeric material such as rubber, styrene, acetal, polyethylene, polypropylene. The member can be manufactured by any suitable method such as, for example, injection molding, die cutting, or the like.

In another embodiment, the shock absorbing member 30 includes a planar shock absorbing device 130 having an arcuate member that defines a horizontally oriented arch, a structure that occupies less height in a compact (FIG. 6). The planar shock absorbing device 130 is adapted to be inserted in the cosmetic compact 2 between the base 14 of the compact 2 and the fan 6 received in the gap 24 in the base. The planar device 130 includes an outer plate 133 having a central gap 135 and an inner plate 137 floating in the central gap by at least two arcuate portions 132, 136. Outer plate 133, inner plate 137 and at least two arcuate portions 132, 136 are all in the same plane. In order to further minimize the height occupied by the device 130, the arches of each of the at least two arcuate portions are also placed in the same plane as the components 133 and 137, ie in the plane as if each arch is on its face. Horizontally oriented at. The central gap 135 is defined by the inner edge 139 of the outer plate. The inner plate 137 has an outer edge 141 and is dimensioned to be received within the central gap 135 so that the gap 126 is outside the outer edge 141 and the outer plate 133 of the inner plate 137. ) Is defined between the inner edges (139) of the < RTI ID = 0.0 > The outer plate is adapted to connect to either the base or the fan, and the inner plate is adapted to connect to the other of the base or the fan. The base and / or fan may be connected to the device by any suitable mechanical or other attaching means. For example, the base may be glued, fused (e.g., sonic), riveted, or studded or bolted to the prefabricated hole 165 (e.g., press fit or Thermal bonding) to the inner plate. The fan can be connected to the outer plate, for example using glue or similar means.

The first, second, third and fourth arcuate portions 132, 136, 140, (each of which the arches are horizontally oriented in the plane consisting of the inner plate 137 and the outer plate 133, respectively ( 142 each extend across the gap to connect the outer plate 133 to the inner plate 137. The first and third arcuate portions 132, 140 are located along the first axis 134 opposite the inner plate. The second and fourth arcuate portions 136, 142 are located opposite the inner plate along a second axis 138 traversing the first axis 134. Each arcuate portion 132, 136, 140, 142 is sufficiently elastic to allow the inner plate 137 to move relative to the outer plate 133 so that the fan ( 6) reduce the transmission of shock or vibration to. The arcuate portions operate individually or simultaneously to dampen and minimize the transmission of shocks and / or vibrations from the base to the fan, thus substantially eliminating cosmetic P damage from being broken or shattered.

It will be appreciated that the number of arcuate portions provided in planar shock absorbing device 130 may vary from at least two to any suitable number necessary to prevent the contents of a fan attached to the device from damage. Preferably, at least two arcuate portions are provided, one located along the first axis 134 and the other along the second axis 138 crossing the first axis. More preferably, pairs of arcuate portions are provided along each axis, one on each side of the inner plate 137. However, any reasonable number of arcuate portions may be provided.

Outer plate 133 may further include an upward sidewall 153 extending upward from the perimeter 151 of the outer plate (FIG. 8). A collar 157 comprising a horizontal wall 155 and / or a dependent decorative wall 159 adjacent the top of the side wall 153 to fill the space between the side wall 153 and the outer wall 15 of the base 14. ) May be provided. The side wall 153 defines a gap 24 dimensioned to receive the pan 6 containing the cosmetic product P. As shown in FIG. In the first construction, the pan is attached to the outer plate and the inner plate is attached to the base 14 of the compact. The fan 6 may be attached to the outer plate using glue as indicated above, or the outer side may be fitted between the circumferential surface 10 of the fan and the upward sidewall 153 of the outer plate. Can be attached to the plate. The inner plate 137 utilizes a glue, or preferably protrudes from either the plate 137 or the base 14 and secures in the prefabricated hole 165 of the other of the plate 137 or the base 14. Bolts or bolts 163 may be used to secure the base 14 of the compact. The gong or bolt 163 may be secured to the hole 165 by, for example, pressing and fitting, heat fusion, sonic fusion, or glue. In one embodiment, the outer plate 133 will move relative to the base 14, so that the inner edge 171 of the collar 157 has a relationship with the top of the upward sidewall 153 of the outer plate 133. It will be appreciated that there must be a space in the. Thus, a gap 173 is provided between the inner edge 171 and the top of the side wall 153. Unlike the above structure (not shown), the fan is attached to the inner plate and the base is attached to the outer plate. In order for the fan to be able to move relative to the base, the peripheral surface 10 of the fan must have a space in relation to the side wall 153 of the outer plate.

Outer plate 133 or inner plate 137, or both, may be provided with channels 160 for receiving respective arcuate portions 132, 136, 140, 142. This channel 160 allows the arcuate portion to be relatively long and allows the inner and outer plates to have a relatively large surface area for attaching to the compact base and / or pan bottom.

The arcuate portions 132, 136, 140, 142 can have various structures. For example, the arched portion may be curved arch 181 (FIG. 12), angled arch 183 (FIG. 12), Z type (FIG. 5), S type (FIG. 5), waveform 185 (FIG. 12). Or zigzag (not shown), or any combination of the foregoing. In FIG. 12 the shock absorbing member 30 is shown mainly as an arcuate portion of four different structures to show various structures. For purposes of this application, the arcuate portion will include all of the above variations, as well as any member or element that provides elasticity in a structure close to the curve. This variety can be used in any combination that is desirable and effective to achieve the result of shock absorption.

A shock absorbing device similar to a plate can be formed as a single complete body in all its parts. The outer plate, inner plate, and arcuate portion may all be molded as a single piece, for example by injection molding or die cutting, respectively, or may be cut from a single piece of base integration. The monolith may comprise a portion of the compact base, for example the bottom surface of an insert in the base (see FIG. 8).

In the above embodiments, the arcuate portion can also be adapted to provide an improved cushioning effect by varying the thickness along the length of each arcuate portion, as shown by arcuate portion 187 in FIG. 12.

Any of the above embodiments can be prepared from any suitable plastic, elastomer (natural or synthetic) or metal using conventional methods such as molding or cutting, for example. The material should be chosen to provide an appropriate level of elasticity to protect the product from cleavage. Examples of suitable materials include acetal, polypropylene, polyethylene, styrene and elastomers. When the shock absorbing device 130 is made of a plastic material, the thickness of the plate and the arcuate member is preferably 0.5 to 2.5 mm.

It should be understood that various modifications and changes can be made in a particular form and various parts may be constructed without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims (1)

A fan having a bottom and a peripheral surface adapted to contain a solid or semi-solid cosmetic product;
A cosmetic compact having a base having a gap dimensioned to receive the pan so that a gap is defined between the bottom of the pan and the base and the peripheral surface of the pan and at least one of the base,
A first arcuate portion extending across the gap and positioned along a first axis, the base being adapted to connect with a fan and a second arcuate portion located along a second axis extending across the gap and crossing the first axis A method for reducing the transmission of shock or vibration from a base to a fan with a shock absorbing member having a.

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