U.S. patent application number 12/868583 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-03 for container for powder products.
This patent application is currently assigned to Zen Design Solutions Limited. Invention is credited to Rahul BOSE, Roger HWANG, Manisha KOHLI, Santosh MOHAPATRA, Leo Clifford PIRES.
Application Number | 20110048442 12/868583 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43623015 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110048442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PIRES; Leo Clifford ; et
al. |
March 3, 2011 |
CONTAINER FOR POWDER PRODUCTS
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to containers for powder
products. The present invention described herein relates to a
container capable of generating powder in loose form.
Inventors: |
PIRES; Leo Clifford;
(Basking Ridge, NJ) ; HWANG; Roger; (Maple,
CA) ; BOSE; Rahul; (New Delhi, IN) ;
MOHAPATRA; Santosh; (New Delhi, IN) ; KOHLI;
Manisha; (New Delhi, IN) |
Assignee: |
Zen Design Solutions
Limited
Kowloon
HK
|
Family ID: |
43623015 |
Appl. No.: |
12/868583 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61237285 |
Aug 26, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/200 ;
132/293 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/221 20130101;
A45D 33/006 20130101; A45D 33/008 20130101; A45D 33/003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/200 ;
132/293 |
International
Class: |
A45D 33/00 20060101
A45D033/00 |
Claims
1. A container for generating loose powder comprising: a base, said
base comprising a lower base and an upper base; a cover; and an
axially travel down scraper system, said system comprising a
scraper, and a biasing means; wherein the lower base houses a
receptacle for storing the powder product and the upper base houses
the axially travel down scraper system and wherein said lower and
upper base are rotatably connected to each other and wherein the
biasing means biases the scraper towards the receptacle and wherein
the scraper in the upper base is arranged to be axially
movable.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the base and cover are
connected by a suitable attachment means in a manner permitting
their relative movement with respect to one another to open and
close the container.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein the receptacle remains at a
static position in the lower base while the scraper in the upper
base is arranged to be axially movable while its rotational
movement with respect to the upper base is restricted.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the container further comprises
a scraper holder for holding the scraper in place and wherein the
scraper holder is arranged to be axially movable while its
rotational movement with respect to the upper base is
restricted.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein the container is
refillable.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the cover and the lower base
are so arranged as to restrict the relative movement of the upper
and lower base in closed condition of the container.
7. The container of claim 1 wherein the container for generating
loose powder is airtight.
8. The container of claim 1 comprising an axially travel down
scraper mechanism to scrape the pressed powder product.
9. The container of claim 8 wherein the axially travel down scraper
mechanism includes axially downward movement of the scraper as the
product level in the container reduces.
10. A method to scrape the pressed powder product contained in the
container of claim 1, the method comprising: a) rotating the lower
base with respect to the upper base which causes the scraping of
the pressed powder in the receptacle by the scraper.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the scraper is biased towards
the receptacle while the receptacle is static in the lower base,
the scraper moves axially downwards as the product level in the
receptacle goes down thereby indicating to the user the amount of
product remaining in the container post-usage.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/237,285, filed Aug. 26, 2009, which is
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a
container for powder products. The present invention described
herein relates to a container capable of generating powder in loose
form.
[0004] The container of the present invention can be used to store
a wide variety of powder cosmetic products.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] The cosmetic industry generally uses cosmetic containers to
store cosmetic compositions. A conventional case has a base and a
cover which is pivotally attached to the base in which is provided
a receptacle to receive the cosmetic product therein. Powder
cosmetic products are an important class of cosmetics which find
application in a plurality of cosmetic uses. Generally these are
available in two forms either pressed or loose. Loose powder and
pressed powder can be used on different occasions and times. The
loose powder is usually used when applying for the first time. The
pressed powder is good when re-application of make-up is required
or for just doing the touch-ups later on. Loose powder containers
are generally bulkier while the pressed powder containers are
available in a compact form. The biggest disadvantage with loose
powder is the fact that it can be quite messy and the user can not
carry it in her make-up case or purse. Since loose powder is not
easy to carry, the user generally uses loose form at home before
going out and carries the pressed powder with her for use during
the day. A pressed powder compact is easy to carry around without
fear of destroying your pocketbook or spilling the powder. As is
evident, there is a place for both pressed powder and loose powder
in a woman's make-up collection. Working together, they give a
quick and convenient way to subtly enhance complexion.
[0007] There have been attempts at making the container portable
and at the same time make loose powder available to the user as per
convenience. There are available pressed powder compacts that
convert pressed to loose powder. Great Britain Patent No. 2,236,673
to Lir France discloses a powder compact containing a compacted
powder receiving base, a lid and a scraper movable relative to the
base for producing free loose powder.
[0008] However, the above container is inconvenient to the user as
the user is unable to get a clue of the product getting finished.
As the scraper always remains at a fixed position the user may keep
rotating the scraper to get loose powder without knowing that the
product below has finished.
[0009] Therefore it is desirable that there is available a
container for generating loose powder that can give an indication
to the user of the amount of the product remaining as the product
is utilized.
[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a container that provides
efficient conversion of pressed powder to produce loose powder.
There is also a need for a container for generating loose powder
that can give an indication to the user of the amount of the
product remaining as the product is utilized. Further, it is also
desirable that the container is portable and provides a cleaner and
user-friendly interface to reveal the products stored therein.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention generally relates to containers for
powder products. The present invention described herein relates to
a container capable of generating powder in loose form.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention there is
provided a container that is compact in form that can be easily
carried in purse and at the same time gives the user freshly milled
loose powder as per the convenience and requirement of the
user.
[0013] According to yet another embodiment of the invention there
is provided a container that converts the pressed powder to loose
powder efficiently and provides full evacuation of the product. The
container of present invention is easy-to-use and does not create
mess for the user.
[0014] According to yet another embodiment of the invention there
is provided a container for powder products capable of generating
loose powder as per the convenience of the user. There is also
provided a container that gives an indication of the amount of
product remaining in the container to the user as the product gets
utilized.
[0015] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention
there is provided a cosmetic container having an axially travel
down scraper system which allows the visual indication of the
amount of product remaining in the cosmetic container.
[0016] According to yet another embodiment of the invention there
is provided a container that is compact in form that can be easily
carried in purse and at the same time gives the user freshly milled
loose powder as per the convenience and requirement of the user.
The container is easy-to-use and does not create mess for the
user.
[0017] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the
container for generating loose powder comprises a base, a cover and
a scraper. The base and cover are connected by a suitable
attachment means in a manner permitting their relative movement
with respect to one another to open and close the container. The
attachment means may comprise a hinge, a snap, a hook, a screw, a
magnet or any suitable means. In an alternative embodiment of the
invention, the inside surface of the cover may be provided with a
reflector such as a mirror. The base may comprise of a lower base
and an upper base, said lower and upper base being rotatably
connected to each other. The lower base houses a receptacle for
storing the powder product. The upper base houses the axially
travel down scraper system, said scraper system comprising a
scraper and a biasing means. The scraper and the biasing means are
so arranged that the scraper remains biased towards the receptacle.
Further, the receptacle remains at a static position in the lower
base while the scraper in the upper base is arranged to be axially
movable while its rotational movement with respect to the upper
base is restricted.
[0018] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention
a locking means is provided in the cover and base to prevent
opening of container when not in use. The locking means may
comprise of a fastener piece on the cover that matches a fastener
unit on the base for securing purpose. Further, a snap, a magnet or
a button or any suitable locking means could be provided to secure
the container.
[0019] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention
there may be provided a scraper holder for holding the scraper in
place. The scraper holder is then arranged to be axially movable
while its rotational movement with respect to the upper base is
restricted. Also, alternatively a receptacle holder may be provided
to keep the receptacle in place. Furthermore, according to an
alternative embodiment the lower base may be so configured to allow
the receptacle to be replaced, thereby making the container
refillable.
[0020] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention
the scraper aids in milling of the pressed powder product contained
in the receptacle. The scraper has a suitable scraping profile on
it wherein the profile may be a projection, a blade, a tooth or any
other suitable profile. Further, the scraper may have any suitable
shape and may occupy at least a section of the base for scraping
the pressed product. The scraper may have any suitable
cross-section and profile.
[0021] According to yet another embodiment of the invention, during
operation, the user rotates the lower base with respect to the
upper base which causes the scraping of the pressed powder in the
receptacle by the scraper. As the scraper is always biased towards
the receptacle while the receptacle is static in the lower base,
the scraper moves axially downwards as the product level in the
receptacle goes down thereby indicating to the user the amount of
product remaining in the container post-usage.
[0022] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention
the cover and the lower base are so arranged as to restrict the
relative movement of the upper and lower base in closed condition
of the container. The cover and the lower base may be provided with
a suitable locking arrangement to lock the lower base from being
rotated while the container is closed. The locking arrangement may
comprise of complementary profiles on the cover and the lower base
that get engaged when the container is closed thereby restricting
the movement of the lower base with respect to the upper base.
[0023] According to yet another embodiment of the invention the
base may also serve as a guiding tool with mark indicia providing
additional information about the amount of product remaining in the
container to the consumers. For example, the mark indicia may be
present on the inner surface of upper base and may help in
identification of the percentage of product remaining in the
container depending on the position of the scraper.
[0024] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention the
container for generating loose powder may be made to be
airtight.
[0025] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention the
container may be of any shape such as square, rectangular, circular
polygonal or any suitable shape, such that the cover and the base
having identical configuration of varying depths.
[0026] These and further aspects which will be apparent to the
expert of the art are attained by a container for powder products
in accordance with the main claim.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] 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.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates the perspective view of a container for
generating loose powder in a closed position according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the container of FIG.
1;
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the container of
FIG. 1 in an open position;
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the container
of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 5a, 5b, 5c illustrate the cross sectional view of the
container showing the downward movement of the scraper member as
the product is being utilized;
[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a partial sectional view of container of
FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a partial sectional view of container of
FIG. 3;
[0035] 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
[0036] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention
illustrating the perspective view of a container 200 in a closed
storage position. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the
container 200 comprises a base 210 and a cover 215. The base 210
and cover 215 are connected by an attachment means 225 in a manner
permitting their relative movement with respect to one another to
open and close the container 200. The attachment means 225 may
comprise a hinge, a snap, a hook, a screw, a magnet or any suitable
means. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the inside
surface of the cover 215 may be provided with a reflector such as a
mirror. The base 210 may comprise a lower base 210a and an upper
base 210b. The lower base 210a and the upper base 210b are
rotatably connected to each other. The lower base 210a houses a
receptacle 230 for storing the powder product. Further,
alternatively a receptacle holder may be provided to keep the
receptacle 230 in place. Furthermore, according to an alternative
embodiment the lower base 210a may be so configured to allow the
receptacle 230 to be replaced, thereby making the container 200
refillable.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the upper base 210b houses an
axially travel down scraper system, said system comprises a scraper
220 and a biasing means 235. The biasing means 235 may comprise of
but is not limited to a spring, a bellow, a sponge, and any other
suitable biasing means. The scraper 220 and the biasing means 235
are so arranged that the scraper 220 remains biased towards the
receptacle 230. Further, the receptacle 230 remains at a static
position in the lower base 210a while the scraper 220 in the upper
base 210b is arranged to be axially movable while its rotational
movement with respect to the upper base 210b is restricted.
Further, there is provided a scraper holder 245 for holding the
scraper 220 in place. The scraper holder 245 is then arranged to be
axially movable while its rotational movement with respect to the
upper base 210b is restricted. The scraper 220 aids in milling of
the pressed powder product contained in the receptacle 230. The
scraper 220 has a suitable scraping profile on it wherein the
profile may be a projection, a blade, a tooth or any other suitable
profile. The size and density of the scraping profiles may vary but
are kept sufficient enough to produce required loose form of the
powder. Further, the scraper 220 may have any suitable shape and
may occupy at least a section of the upper base 210b for scraping
the pressed product. The scraper 220 may have any suitable
cross-section and profile.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, a locking means 240 is provided in the
cover 215 and base 210 to prevent opening of container 200 when not
in use. The locking means 240 comprises of a fastener piece 240a on
the cover 215 that matches a fastener unit 240b on the base 210 for
securing purpose. Further, a snap, a magnet or a button or any
suitable locking means may be provided to secure the container
200.
[0039] The FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c depict the movement of the scraper
220 axially downwards as the product is utilized in the container
200. During operation, the user rotates the lower base 210a with
respect to the upper base 210b which causes the milling of the
pressed powder in the receptacle 230 by the scraper 220. As the
scraper 220 is always biased towards the receptacle 230 while the
receptacle 230 is static in the lower base 210a, the scraper 220
moves axially downwards as the product level in the receptacle 230
goes down thereby indicating to the user the amount of product
remaining in the container 200 post-usage. FIG. 5a shows the
initial position of the scraper 220 when the container is filled
with the product, FIG. 5b shows the downward displacement of the
scraper 220 as the product is utilized while FIG. 5c shows the
scraper 220 touching the base 210 when the product has been
finished.
[0040] As illustrated by FIG. 6 the cover 215 and the lower base
210a are provided with a locking arrangement 250 as to restrict the
relative movement of the upper 210b and lower base 210a in closed
condition of the container 200. The cover 215 and the lower base
210a are provided with complementary profiles 250a and 250b on the
cover 215 and the lower base 210a respectively that get engaged
when the container 200 is closed thereby restricting the movement
of the lower base 210a with respect to the upper base 210b. The
complementary profiles 250a and 250b on the cover 215 and the lower
base 210a are shown to be a toothed profile however any suitable
profiles may be provided that get engaged when the container is
closed thereby restricting the movement of the lower base with
respect to the upper base. The locking arrangement 250 to lock the
lower base 210a from being rotated while the container 200 is
closed may comprise of any other suitable arrangement as well.
[0041] As illustrated by FIG. 7, the complementary profiles 250a
and 250b on the cover 215 and the lower base 210a get disengaged
when the container 200 is opened, thereby making the lower base
210a available for rotation with respect to the upper base 210b for
generating loose powder.
[0042] The base 210 of the container 200 may also serve as a
guiding tool with mark indicia providing additional information
about the amount of product remaining in the container to the
consumers as the scraper moves axially downwards in the container.
The mark indicia may be present at any suitable surface of the
base. For example, the mark indicia could help in identification of
the percentage of product remaining in the container depending on
the position of the scraper.
[0043] All the components of the container 200 may 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. The material for biasing means and scraper may be any
metal or any other suitable polymeric material.
[0044] The container 200 may be of any shape such as square,
rectangular, circular, polygonal or any suitable shape, such that
the cover 215 and the base 210 having identical configuration of
varying depths.
[0045] 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.
* * * * *