U.S. patent application number 12/477822 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for ergonomic container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Zen Design Solutions Limited. Invention is credited to Rahul Bose, Roger Hwang, LEO CLIFFORD PIRES, Iti Seth, Vaishali Srivastava.
Application Number | 20100307521 12/477822 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43299849 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100307521 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PIRES; LEO CLIFFORD ; et
al. |
December 9, 2010 |
ERGONOMIC CONTAINER
Abstract
The present invention generally is an ergonomic container
comprising a cover, an applicator and a receptacle. At least one of
the cover or receptacle comprising a housing, wherein the housing
is formed by the presence of a cavity and aperture that retain the
applicator so as to make a gripping portion of the applicator
visible when disposed in the housing.
Inventors: |
PIRES; LEO CLIFFORD;
(Basking Ridge, NJ) ; Hwang; Roger; (Maple
Ontario, CA) ; Srivastava; Vaishali; (New Delhi,
IN) ; Bose; Rahul; (New Delhi, IN) ; Seth;
Iti; (New Delhi, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patterson & Sheridan, LLP - ZEN Design
3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 1500
Houston
TX
77056
US
|
Assignee: |
Zen Design Solutions
Limited
Wanchai
HK
|
Family ID: |
43299849 |
Appl. No.: |
12/477822 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/200 ;
132/294; 206/581; 220/212; 220/736 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 33/006 20130101;
A45D 40/26 20130101; A45D 34/04 20130101; A45D 2200/1018 20130101;
B65D 51/32 20130101; A45D 40/0068 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/200 ;
206/581; 220/736; 220/212; 132/294 |
International
Class: |
A45D 33/26 20060101
A45D033/26; B65D 25/00 20060101 B65D025/00; B65D 51/32 20060101
B65D051/32 |
Claims
1. An ergonomic container comprising a cover, said cover comprising
a body having at least one side wall, a top wall and at least one
housing, wherein the housing is formed by the presence of a cavity
extending through the at least one side wall, said housing having
an aperture; a receptacle, said receptacle comprising a body
wherein the body has at least one sidewall and a base, said base
having at least one recess for holding/storing product; and at
least one applicator, said applicator comprising a gripping portion
and an applicator portion, wherein the at least one applicator is
retained in the at least one housing present in the cover and
wherein the applicator gripping portion is visible in the cavity
when the applicator is disposed through the aperture.
2. The ergonomic container according to claim 1 wherein the at
least one housing is substantially parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the cover such that the presence of the applicator in the
housing completes the form of the cover.
3. The ergonomic container according to claim 1 wherein the at
least one housing is substantially parallel to the transverse axis
of the cover such that the presence of the applicator in the
housing completes the form of the cover.
4. The ergonomic container according to claim 1 wherein the at
least one housing is disposed at an inclined angle in the cover
such that the presence of the applicator in the housing completes
the form of the cover.
5. The ergonomic container according to claim 1 wherein the
gripping portion of the applicator further comprises a plurality of
gripping formations.
6. The ergonomic container according to claim 1 wherein the
applicator is telescopic.
7. The ergonomic container according to claim 1 wherein the
applicator is stored in the housing and is slid out of the housing
for usage.
8. The ergonomic container according to claim 1 wherein the
applicator completes the form of the cover.
9. The ergonomic container according to claim 1 further comprising
a fastener piece on the cover that engages a fastener unit on the
base for securing the cover to the receptacle.
10. The ergonomic container according to claim 1 wherein the
container is a kit with the base of the receptacle having a
plurality of recesses for retaining products.
11. The ergonomic container according to claim 10 wherein the cover
has a plurality of housings for retaining the applicators therefor
in a single package.
12. A method for using the ergonomic container claimed in claim 5,
said method comprising taking out the at least one applicator
through the aperture in cover or receptacle by help of gripping
formations formed on the applicator, opening the cover of the
container to access the product, closing the container and
replacing the applicator through the exposed aperture in the at
least one housing to complete the form of the container.
13. An ergonomic container comprising a cover, said cover
comprising a body having at least one side wall and a top wall; a
receptacle, said receptacle comprising a body, wherein the body has
at least one sidewall and a base, said base having at least one
recess for holding/storing the product and at least one housing,
wherein the housing is formed by the presence of a cavity extending
through the at least one side wall, said housing having an
aperture; and at least one applicator, said applicator comprising a
gripping portion and an applicator portion, wherein the at least
one applicator is retained in the at least one housing present in
the receptacle of the container and wherein the aperture in the
housing is disposed so as to make the applicator gripping portion
visible in the cavity.
14. The ergonomic container according to claim 13 wherein the at
least one housing is substantially parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the receptacle such that the presence of the applicator in
the housing completes the form of the receptacle.
15. The ergonomic container according to claim 13 wherein the at
least one housing is substantially parallel to the transverse axis
of the receptacle such that the presence of the applicator in the
housing completes the form of the receptacle.
16. The ergonomic container according to claim 13 wherein the at
least one housing is disposed at an inclined angle in the
receptacle such that the presence of the applicator in the housing
completes the form of the receptacle.
17. The ergonomic container according to claim 13 wherein the
gripping portion of the applicator further comprises a plurality of
gripping formations.
18. The ergonomic container according to claim 13 wherein the
applicator is telescopic.
19. The ergonomic container according to claim 13 wherein the
applicator is stored in the closed housing and is slid out of the
housing for usage.
20. The ergonomic container according to claim 13 wherein the
applicator completes the form of the receptacle.
21. The ergonomic container according to claim 13 further
comprising a fastener piece on the cover that engages a fastener
unit on the base for securing the cover to the receptacle.
22. The ergonomic container according to claim 13 wherein the
container is a kit with the base of the receptacle having a
plurality of recesses for retaining products.
23. The ergonomic container according to claim 22 wherein the
receptacle has a plurality of housings for retaining the
applicators therefor in a single package.
24. A method for using the ergonomic container claimed in claim 17,
said method comprising taking out the applicator through the
housing in receptacle by help of the gripping formations, opening
the cover of the container to access the product, closing the
container and replacing the applicator through the exposed aperture
in the at least one housing to complete the form of the container.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an
ergonomic container for consumer products. More particularly the
invention relates to an ergonomic container that provides a product
and an applicator therefor in a compact and portable manner. The
container of the present invention provides product and an
applicator in a single package to facilitate carrying and ready use
and at the same time giving the user an ergonomically placed
applicator which gives the user an indication of its presence
and/or absence.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The cosmetic industry generally uses cosmetic cases to store
cosmetic compositions. Conventional packages are in the form of
jars and compacts of varying sizes, or in the form of dispenser
pens.
[0005] Typically, a cosmetic container comprises a base member for
holding a given quantity of products and a cover. The cover may be
connected with the base by way of respective mating threads, i.e.
in the manner of a jar and lid, or pivotally attached to one
another at one cooperating edge thereof, i.e., in the manner of a
clam, snap-fit or by way of hinge. Further, in some containers
there is also provided an applicator, however, the applicator is
mostly in contact with the bulk product. Alternatively, there may
be provided a separate compartment for storage of an applicator
which is generally present below the receptacle in containers such
as compacts or jars.
[0006] In case of cosmetic jars, the provision of an applicator
results in a bulkier package as the applicator in jars is provided
in a separate compartment present in the top of the container. This
type of jar results in hindered portability of the container as it
becomes bulkier for storage in a woman's purse or like carrying
means. Moreover, such an arrangement of an applicator is generally
present when the cosmetic preparation is in powder form, however,
when the cosmetic preparation is of a creamy nature, as is the case
with eyebrow liner, rouge and the like, the necessary applicator
brush or like means is generally carried in a separate container,
thus adding to the space required in a woman's purse.
[0007] In conventional cosmetic compacts the applicator is
typically stored touching the bulk product which results in easier
contamination of the product and therefore, is undesirable by the
user. There are also present cosmetic compacts in which a separate
compartment is present in the form of a pull-out drawer or a
slidable tray below the receptacle. There are also present
containers in which the compartment containing the applicator is
present below the receptacle and engaged by way of hinge. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,232 to Sheffler et al., discloses a
cosmetic jar and applicator storage device having a body providing
a pair of back-to-back shallow recesses retaining a cosmetic
substance and an applicator respectively, wherein the cover means
storing the applicator is attached to the body by way of a hinge.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,533 to Roman discloses a cosmetic
storage device having a pivotable pull-out applicator storage
device.
[0008] However, all the above packages are cumbersome to use. As
the actual number of separate individual pieces increases in such
containers which in turn increases the number of steps for
application by the user. The user has to first open the container,
then open the compartment containing the applicator and then apply
the product, and during application the user has to take care of
all the pieces of the container. Similarly, closing the container
is also a cumbersome task for a user. Moreover, the applicator in
such compartments is so placed that the user has to use her nails
for pulling out the applicator which may result in breaking of
nails while taking out the applicator.
[0009] Moreover, these devices are not intuitive for the consumer
to know whether the applicator has been returned to its compartment
and may result in the applicator being lost by the user. Further,
the presence of a separate tray or a compartment in the container
disturbs the aesthetics of the overall products.
[0010] Therefore there is a need for a package that provides an
applicator in a manner that the overall aesthetics of the product
remain unchanged and at the same time the applicator is easily
accessible to the user. There is also a need for a container with
an applicator placed in an ergonomic and user-friendly manner. Ease
of manipulation and use of the applicator is also important to
thereby reduce the possibility of it being inadvertently dropped or
misplaced by the user.
[0011] It is also desirable that the applicator is kept in
isolation when not in use so as to minimize inadvertent
contamination as a special care is required in certain products
such as while applying cosmetic material to the face, especially to
sensitive skin and areas around the eyes.
[0012] In today's fast world, consumers look for easy-to-use
packages. Therefore, easy access, manipulation and use of the
applicator is important and hence, the need of a container with
storage space in which the applicator is placed in an ergonomic
manner without disturbing the overall aesthetics of the
package.
SUMMARY
[0013] The present invention generally is an ergonomic container
with an applicator. The container provides the product and an
applicator therefor in a single package to facilitate carrying and
ready use and at the same time giving the user an ergonomically
placed applicator having easy access. Further, the ergonomic
container also gives visual indication of the presence or absence
of the applicator.
[0014] The ergonomic container of the present invention may be used
for storage of consumer products wherein the term consumer products
is intended to include cosmetic, cosmeceutical and care products. A
few examples include but are not limited to lip colour, concealer,
primer, tint product, cream product, mousse or gel product, powder
compositions in the form of a pressed powder, a cake, hot pour
pasty product, for example face powder, eye shadow, rouge,
foundation, blush, cake mascara, and the like or skin care and
regimen product. The container of the present invention may also be
used for storing paint products.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention there is
provided an ergonomic container with an applicator which provides
easy one-hand access of the applicator. Further, the container of
the present invention helps in reminding/visually indicating to the
user to replace the applicator in its place after usage.
[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention there is
provided an ergonomic container that is simple in structure and at
the same time convenient to use, retaining essentially the
desirable aesthetics of the conventional container.
[0017] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
ergonomic container comprises a cover, a receptacle and at least
one applicator. The cover of the container comprises a body having
at least one side wall, a top wall and at least one housing for
receiving the at least one applicator. The housing in the cover is
formed by the presence of a cavity extending through the at least
one side wall, said housing having an aperture. Further, the
applicator gripping portion is visible in the cavity when the
applicator is disposed through the aperture. The receptacle of the
container comprises of a body wherein the body has at least one
sidewall and a base for holding the product, said base having at
least one recess for holding/storing the product. Further, the at
least one applicator comprises a gripping portion and an applicator
portion. Further, the presence of the applicator in the cover
completes the form of the cover thereby maintaining the aesthetics
of the container and giving the user a cue to put back the
applicator after using it. The receptacle and cover may be
connected by a complimentary thread arrangement, or by a hinge, a
pin, a snap, a hook or any other suitable means to open and close
the container. The interior or exterior surface of the cover of the
container may comprise a mirror.
[0018] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the at
least one housing in the cover of the ergonomic container may be
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cover such that the
presence of the applicator in the housing completes the form of the
cover. Alternatively, the at least one housing in the cover of the
ergonomic container may be parallel to the transverse axis of the
cover such that the presence of the applicator in the housing
completes the form of the cover. Alternatively, the at least one
housing in the cover of the ergonomic container may be disposed at
an inclined angle in the cover such that the presence of the
applicator in the housing completes the form of the cover.
[0019] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the
gripping portion of the applicator further comprises a plurality of
gripping formations. The gripping formations can have any suitable
dimensions, and form any suitable pattern. The gripping formations
provide for better grip and ergonomy in handling in the applicator.
The applicator may further be telescopic. Further, the applicator
may be fitted in the housing by way of a locking means wherein the
locking means may be a snap, a magnet or a button or any other
suitable means.
[0020] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention
a locking means may be provided in the cover and base of the
receptacle to prevent opening of container when not in use. The
locking means may comprise of a fastener piece on the cover that
engages a fastener unit on the base for securing the cover to the
receptacle. Further, any suitable locking means such as a
complimentary threaded arrangement, a snap, a magnet or a button
may be provided to secure the container.
[0021] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the
applicator is stored in the housing and is slid out of the housing
for usage. During use, the user takes out the at least one
applicator through the aperture in the cover by help of gripping
formations formed on the applicator, then he/she opens the cover of
the container to access the product. Post usage, the user closes
the container and is reminded to replace the applicator through the
exposed aperture in the at least one housing so as to complete the
form of the container.
[0022] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the
ergonomic container may be a kit with the base of the receptacle
having a plurality of recesses for retaining products. Accordingly,
the cover of the container has a plurality of housings for
retaining the applicators therefor in a single package.
[0023] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the
ergonomic container comprises a cover, a receptacle and at least
one applicator. The cover comprises a body having at least one side
wall and a top wall. The receptacle comprises a body, wherein the
body has at least one sidewall and a base, said base having at
least one recess for holding/storing the product and at least one
housing, wherein the housing is formed by the presence of a cavity
extending through the at least one side wall, said housing having
an aperture. Further, the applicator comprises a gripping portion
and an applicator portion, wherein the at least one applicator is
retained in the at least one housing present in the receptacle of
the container and wherein the aperture in the housing is disposed
so as to make the applicator gripping portion visible in the
cavity.
[0024] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the at
least one housing in the receptacle may be parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the receptacle such that the presence of the
applicator in the housing completes the form of the receptacle.
Alternatively, the at least one housing in the receptacle may be
parallel to the transverse axis of the receptacle such that the
presence of the applicator in the housing completes the form of the
receptacle. Alternatively, the at least one housing in the
receptacle may be disposed at an inclined angle in the receptacle
such that the presence of the applicator in the housing completes
the form of the receptacle.
[0025] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the
gripping portion of the applicator further comprises a plurality of
gripping formations. The gripping formations can have any suitable
dimensions, and form any suitable pattern. The gripping formations
provide for better grip and ergonomy in handling in the applicator.
The applicator may further be telescopic. Further, the applicator
may be fitted in the housing by way of a locking means wherein the
locking means may be a snap, a magnet or a button or any other
suitable means.
[0026] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention
a locking means may be provided in the cover and base of the
receptacle to prevent opening of container when not in use. The
locking means may comprise of a fastener piece on the cover that
engages a fastener unit on the base for securing the cover to the
receptacle. Further, any suitable locking means such as a
complimentary threaded arrangement, a snap, a magnet or a button
may be provided to secure the container.
[0027] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the
applicator is stored in the housing in the receptacle and is slid
out of the housing for usage. During use, the user takes out the at
least one applicator through the aperture in the receptacle by help
of gripping formations formed on the applicator, then he/she opens
the cover of the container to access the product. Post usage, the
user closes the container and is reminded to replace the applicator
through the exposed aperture in the at least one housing in the
receptacle so as to complete the form of the container.
[0028] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the
ergonomic container may be a kit with the base of the receptacle
having a plurality of recesses for retaining products. Accordingly,
the receptacle also has a plurality of housings for retaining the
applicators therefor in a single package.
[0029] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the
housing being integrally formed with the cover or the receptacle
utilizes the maximum area available and at the same time reduces
the material costs involved in making the container. Also, the
housing for storage of applicator being in one of the cover or the
receptacle gives the manufacturer the freedom of either giving a
screw-threaded mechanism or a hinge-mechanism or any other suitable
mechanism for closing the container.
[0030] According to yet another embodiment of the invention there
is also provided a container that comprises relatively fewer
separate components thereby keeping the manufacturing cost low. As
a consequence, highly functional and aesthetically pleasing
containers are realized, with low overall manufacturing cost, and
use of minimal quantities of plastic raw material.
[0031] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the
container when in the form of a pen such as a cosmetic pen, the
housing for storage of applicator may be integrally formed with the
cover or the receptacle of the pen. The aperture for storage of the
applicator may be formed in alignment with the lateral axis of the
pen or the transverse axis of the cover of the pen.
[0032] According to an embodiment of the invention the container
may be in the form of jars or pens/dispensers having an easy access
to applicators.
[0033] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention
the container of the present invention therefore provides easy
access to the applicator and at the same time provides for better
portability of the applicator and the product.
[0034] These and further aspects which will be apparent to the
expert of the art are attained by the ergonomic container in
accordance with the main claim.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] So that the manner in which the above recited features of
the present invention can be understood in detail, a more
particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above,
may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however,
that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of
this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective
embodiments.
[0036] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the ergonomic container
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the ergonomic container of
FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 3 is a front view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the container
of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the ergonomic container of
FIG. 1;
[0041] FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the ergonomic container of
FIG. 1;
[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of the ergonomic
container according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the ergonomic container of
FIG. 7;
[0044] FIG. 9 shows a front view of the container of FIG. 7;
[0045] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the container of
FIG. 7;
[0046] FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the ergonomic container of
FIG. 7;
[0047] FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the ergonomic container of
FIG. 7;
[0048] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals
have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements
that are common to the figures. It is to be noted, however, that
the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this
invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its
scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] FIGS. 1 through to 6 illustrate one embodiment of the
present invention showing an ergonomic container 100 for consumer
products that provides an ergonomically placed applicator and the
product in a single package to facilitate carrying and easy
one-hand accessibility of applicator in a container such as a jar
and at the same time giving the user a cue to put back the
applicator after usage. As represented by FIGS. 1 through to 4, the
container 100 comprises a cover 101, a receptacle 102 and an
applicator 103. The receptacle 102 of the container 100 comprises
of a body 102a wherein the body 102a has a sidewall 102b and a base
102c for holding the product, said base 102c having at least one
recess 102d for holding/storing the product. Further, the at least
one applicator 103 has a gripping portion 103a and an applicator
portion 103b. The cover 101 comprises a body 101a having at least
one side wall 101b, a top wall 101c and at least one housing 101d
for receiving the at least one applicator 103. The housing 101d is
formed by the presence of a cavity extending through the at least
one side wall 101b, said housing 101d having an aperture 104.
Further, the applicator gripping portion 103a is visible in the
cavity when the applicator 103 is disposed through the aperture
104. The receptacle 102 and cover 101 are connected together by a
complimentary thread arrangement 105a and 105b in both the cover
101 and the receptacle 102 to open and close the container 100. The
receptacle 102 and cover 101 may alternatively be connected by a
hinge, a pin, a snap, a hook or any other suitable means. Further,
a locking means may alternatively be provided in the cover 101 and
the receptacle 102 to prevent opening of container 100 when not in
use. The locking means may comprise of a fastener piece on the
cover 101 that engages a fastener unit on the receptacle 102 for
securing the cover 101 to the receptacle 102. Further, the
complimentary threaded arrangement may act as a locking means or a
snap, a magnet or a button or any other suitable means may be
provided to secure the container 100. Further, the applicator 103
may be fitted in the housing by way of a locking means wherein the
locking means may be a snap, a magnet or a button or any other
suitable means. The interior or exterior surface of the cover 101
of the container 100 may comprise a mirror. The cover 101 and
receptacle 102 may be formed of a suitable polymeric material such
as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or styrene acrylonitrile.
Further, the applicator 103 may be telescopic so as to be able to
accommodate in the housing as well as provide better grippability
when used due to the telescopicity.
[0050] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the housing 101d and the
aperture 104 in the cover 101 is disposed to be substantially
parallel to the transverse axis of the cover 101 such that the
presence of the applicator 103 in the housing 101d completes the
form of the cover 101. Alternatively, the housing 101d and the
aperture 104 in the cover 101 may be disposed to be substantially
parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cover 101 such that the
presence of the applicator 103 in the housing 101d completes the
form of the cover 101. Alternatively the housing 101d and the
aperture 104 in the cover 101 may be disposed to be at an inclined
angle in the cover 101 such that the presence of the applicator 103
in the housing 101d completes the form of the cover 101.
[0051] Further, the gripping portion 103a of the applicator 103 may
be provided with a plurality of gripping formations such as
projections, rings, ridges, ribs, embossments, depressions,
grooves, or any other suitable gripping structures. The gripping
formations can have any suitable dimensions, and form any suitable
pattern. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a suitable number of ridges 106
to provide on gripping portion 103a of the applicator 103 for
better grip and ergonomy in handling in the applicator 103. The
ridges 106 may be in the form of rings which could be either
continuous or discontinuous, lines, dashes, dots or any other
suitable form.
[0052] During use, the user holds the container 100 in one hand and
is able to pull out the applicator 103 from the cover 101 which is
visible from the outside by using a finger of the same hand. The
applicator 103 is therefore placed ergonomically in the container
100 and provides for a one-hand operation. The user then opens the
cover 101 of the container 100 in a usual manner to access the
product, thereby decreasing the steps for application by the user.
After usage, the user closes the container 100 in a usual manner
and the aperture 104 in the cover 101 gives a visual cue to her to
replace the applicator 103 in its place and thereby complete the
form of the container 100.
[0053] FIGS. 7 through to 12 illustrate yet another embodiment of
the invention showing an ergonomic container 200 for consumer
products that provides an ergonomically placed applicator and the
product in a single package. As represented by FIGS. 7 through to
10, the container 200 comprises a cover 201, a receptacle 202 and
an applicator 203. The cover 201 of the container 200 comprises of
a body 201a wherein the body 201a has a sidewall 201b and a topwall
201c. The applicator 203 has a gripping portion 203a and an
applicator portion 203b. The receptacle 202 comprises a body 202a
having at least one side wall 202b, a base 202c for holding the
product, said base 202c having at least one recess 202d for
holding/storing the product and at least one housing 202e for
receiving the applicator 203. The housing 202e is formed by the
presence of a cavity extending through the at least one side wall
202b, said housing 202e having an aperture 204. Further, the
applicator gripping portion 203a is visible in the cavity when the
applicator 203 is disposed in the aperture 204. The receptacle 202
and cover 201 are connected together by a complimentary thread
arrangement 205a and 205b in both the cover 201 and the receptacle
202 to open and close the container 200. The receptacle 202 and
cover 201 may alternatively be connected by a hinge, a pin, a snap,
a hook or any other suitable means. Further, a locking means may
alternatively be provided in the cover 201 and the receptacle 202
to prevent opening of container 200 when not in use. The locking
means may comprise of a fastener piece on the cover 201 that
engages a fastener unit on the base 202c for securing the cover 201
to the receptacle 202. Further, the complimentary threaded
arrangement may act as a locking means or a snap, a magnet or a
button or any other suitable means may be provided to secure the
container. Further, the applicator 203 may be fitted in the housing
by way of a locking means wherein the locking means may be a snap,
a magnet or a button or any other suitable means. The interior or
exterior surface of the cover 201 of the container 200 may comprise
a mirror. The cover 201 and receptacle 202 may be formed of a
suitable polymeric material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
or styrene acrylonitrile. Further, the applicator 203 may be
telescopic so as to be able to accommodate in the housing as well
as provide better grippability when used due to the
telescopicity.
[0054] Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the housing 202e and the
aperture 204 in the receptacle 202 is disposed to be substantially
parallel to the transverse axis of the receptacle 202 such that the
presence of the applicator 203 in the housing 202e completes the
form of the receptacle 202. Alternatively, the housing 202e and the
aperture 204 in the receptacle 202 may be disposed to be
substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle
202 such that the presence of the applicator 203 in the housing
202e completes the form of the receptacle 202. Alternatively the
housing 202e and the aperture 204 in the receptacle 202 may be
disposed to be at an inclined angle in the receptacle 202 such that
the presence of the applicator 203 in the housing 202e completes
the form of the receptacle 202.
[0055] Further, the gripping portion 203a of the applicator 203 may
be provided with a plurality of gripping formations such as
projections, rings, ridges, ribs, embossments, depressions,
grooves, or any other suitable gripping structures. The gripping
formations can have any suitable dimensions, and form any suitable
pattern. As shown in FIG. 10 a suitable number of ridges 206 are
provided on gripping portion 203a of the applicator 103 for better
grip and ergonomy in handling in the applicator 203. The ridges 206
may be in the form of rings which could be either continuous or
discontinuous, lines, dashes, dots or any other suitable form.
[0056] During use the user holds the container 200 in one hand and
is able to pull out the applicator 203 from the receptacle 202
which is visible from the outside by using a finger of the same
hand. The applicator 203 is therefore placed ergonomically in the
container 200 and provides for a one-hand operation. The user then
opens the cover 201 of the container 200 in a usual manner to
access the product, thereby decreasing the steps for application by
the user. After usage the user closes the container 200 in a usual
manner and is visually guided to put back the applicator 203
through the exposed aperture 204 in the housing as the aperture 204
is exposed and the form of the container 200 is incomplete unless
the applicator 203 is put back in place.
[0057] As the housing is integrally formed in the cover or the
receptacle of the container, the maximum area available is being
utilized and at the same time helps in reducing the material costs
involved in making the container. Also, the housing for storage of
applicator being in one of the cover or the receptacle gives the
manufacturer the freedom of either providing a screw-threaded
mechanism or a hinge-mechanism for closing the container. Moreover,
the ergonomic container of the invention container comprises
relatively fewer separate components thereby keeping the
manufacturing cost low. As a consequence, highly functional and
aesthetically pleasing containers are realized, with low overall
manufacturing cost, and use of minimal quantities of plastic raw
material.
[0058] Depending upon the cosmetic material being used, a variety
of sizes and shapes of the applicator can be utilized. The
applicator portion may be constructed of a porous or non-porous
rubber, fabric mesh, felt material, foamed polymers or sponge
material. Further the applicator could have any suitable shape
depending on the kind of application required. It could have a
shape other than round such as flattened brushes.
[0059] The ergonomic container of the present invention may be of
any shape such as square, rectangular, circular polygonal or any
suitable shape, such that the cover and the receptacle having
identical configuration of varying depths. Further, the container
may be in the form of jars, as well as pens, tubes or any other
suitable structure such that the housing for storage of applicator
may be integrally formed with the cover or the receptacle of the
container providing easy access to the applicator as well as better
portability of the applicator and the product.
[0060] The ergonomic container of the present invention may be a
kit with the base of the receptacle having a plurality of recesses
giving options of products and accordingly the cover or the
receptacle has a plurality of housings for retaining the
applicators therefor in a single package. The ergonomic container
of the present invention thus provides a container which gives the
user a range of products and applicators therefor in a single
package and at the same time giving the user a simplified and
user-friendly interface to interact with the package.
[0061] The container of the present invention can be used to store
a wide variety of consumer products such as cosmetic, cosmeceutical
and care products as well as paint products. A few examples of
these products may be pressed powder, a cake, hot pour pasty
product, face powder, eye shadow, rouge, foundation, concealer,
primer, blush, cake mascara, lip colour, tint product, cream
product, mousse or gel product, and the like or skin care and
regimen product as well as paint products.
[0062] All components of the ergonomic container could be
fabricated in a generally conventional manner using any suitable
polymer material such as ABS, SAN, etc while any reflective
material could be used as mirror.
[0063] Although the above description and drawings show the case
being circular, the shapes and profile cross section thereof are
not limited to the same. The case of the present invention may be
of any suitable shape such as square, rectangular, circular,
cylindrical, polygonal.
[0064] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the
present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention
may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and
the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
* * * * *