U.S. patent application number 13/152128 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for wet/dry compact with multi-stage opening.
This patent application is currently assigned to HCT Asia Ltd. Invention is credited to Adrian C. Apodaca, Timothy Thorpe.
Application Number | 20120305442 13/152128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47229476 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120305442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Apodaca; Adrian C. ; et
al. |
December 6, 2012 |
Wet/Dry Compact with Multi-Stage Opening
Abstract
A wet/dry compact that contains a volatile product until a time
of use. The wet/dry compact includes an automatically opening hinge
assembly that pivotably couples a base at least partially encasing
a translucent pot, a rotatable lid assembly, and a pot lid in-line
with each other. The automatically opening hinge assembly having
interference tabs configured to automatically open and/or close the
pot lid assembly when the rotatable lid assembly is opened and/or
closed relative to the base. The wet/dry compact includes a solid
liner that completely covers an opening of the translucent pot and
seals the pot lid assembly to a rim of the translucent pot.
Inventors: |
Apodaca; Adrian C.; (Santa
Monica, CA) ; Thorpe; Timothy; (Santa Monica,
CA) |
Assignee: |
HCT Asia Ltd
Hong Kong
HK
|
Family ID: |
47229476 |
Appl. No.: |
13/152128 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/581 ;
220/831; 220/833; 220/849 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 33/006 20130101;
A45D 40/221 20130101; A45D 33/24 20130101; A45D 33/008 20130101;
A45D 2040/226 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/581 ;
220/831; 220/833; 220/849 |
International
Class: |
A45D 33/00 20060101
A45D033/00; B65D 53/00 20060101 B65D053/00; B65D 43/24 20060101
B65D043/24 |
Claims
1. A vessel comprising: a pot for holding a product; a base at
least partially encasing the pot and having a pin section arranged
integral in an outer wall of the base; a rotatable lid assembly
pivotably coupled to the base and configured to selectively lock to
the base, the rotatable lid assembly comprising: a lid ring having
a hollow section to pivotably couple to the pin section of the
base, the hollow section having an interference tab protruding from
the external surface of the hollow section; a lid rotatably coupled
to the lid ring; a pot lid assembly, interposed between the
rotatable lid assembly and the base, pivotably coupled in-line with
the rotatable lid assembly and the base and configured to
automatically open and/or close when the rotatable lid assembly is
opened and/or closed, the pot lid assembly comprising: a loop
section to pivotably couple in-line with the hollow section and the
pin section, the loop section having another interference tab
protruding from an outer wall of the pot lid assembly to engage
with the interference tab protruding from the external surface of
the hollow section when the rotatable lid assembly is opened and/or
closed.
2. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the interference tab and the
other interference tab engage with one another to automatically
open the pot lid assembly when the rotatable lid assembly is opened
about a predetermined angle relative to the base.
3. The vessel of claim 2, wherein the interference tab protruding
from the external surface of the hollow section comprises a planar
interference surface intersecting substantially perpendicular to
another planar interference surface, and wherein the planar
interference surfaces are formed as one unit integral with the
hollow section.
4. The vessel of claim 3, wherein the hollow section comprises a
cylinder section and the interference tab protrudes from the
external cylindrical surface of the cylinder section, and wherein
at least one of the planar interference surfaces intersecting
substantially perpendicular to one another is formed substantially
parallel with a bottom surface of the lid ring.
5. The vessel of claim 4, wherein the at least one planar
interference surface formed substantially parallel with a bottom
surface of the lid ring is oriented substantially perpendicular to
a center axis of the lid ring to interfere with the other
interference tab of the pot lid assembly at about the predetermined
angle.
6. The vessel of claim 2, wherein the other interference tab
protruding from the outer wall of the pot lid assembly generally
comprises a planar slip surface opposite another planar slip
surface distal to the outer wall of the pot lid assembly and
intersecting a planar stop surface at oblique angles for allowing
the interference tab to be displaced along the other interference
tab, and wherein the planar slip surface opposite another planar
slip surface intersecting the planar stop surface are formed as one
unit integral with the top lid assembly.
7. The vessel of claim 6, wherein the loop section comprises a
first loop opposite a second loop to pivotably couple in-line with
the hollow section and the pin section, and wherein the planar stop
surface is interposed by the first and the second loops and
oriented away from a center axis of the pot lid assembly to
interfere with the interference tab of the lid ring at about the
predetermined angle.
8. The vessel of claim 2, wherein the predetermined angle is
between about 90 degrees and 180 degrees.
9. The vessel of claim 2, wherein the predetermined angle is about
a 120 degrees.
10. A cosmetic compact comprising: a base; a pot to contain a
product, the pot at least partially encased by the base disposed
about an outer wall of the pot; and a rotatable lid assembly
pivotably coupled to the base and configured to selectively lock to
the base, the rotatable lid assembly comprising: a lid ring; a lid
rotatably coupled to the lid ring; a pot lid, interposed between
the rotatable lid assembly and the base, pivotably coupled in-line
with the rotatable lid assembly pivotably coupled to the base and
configured to automatically open and/or close when the rotatable
lid assembly is opened and/or closed; and a solid liner fixed to a
bottom surface of the pot lid configured to be impervious to the
product.
11. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the pot comprises a
rim arranged around an opening, and the solid liner completely
covers the opening of the pot and seals the pot lid to the rim of
the pot.
12. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the solid liner is
over-molded to the bottom surface of the pot lid.
13. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the solid liner
comprises silica gel, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE),
silicone, or neoprene, and wherein the pot lid comprises
polypropylene (PP).
14. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the base, the lid
ring, and the lid comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),
styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), and/or metal.
15. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the pot comprises
glass or a terpolymer.
16. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein: the base comprises a
pin section arranged integral in an outer wall of the base; the lid
ring comprises a cylinder section to pivotably couple to the pin
section,; and the pot lid comprising: a first loop section opposite
a second loop section to pivotably couple in-line with the cylinder
section and the pin section;.
17. The cosmetic compact of claim 16, wherein: the cylinder section
comprises an interference tab protruding from the external
cylindrical surface of the cylinder section; and the first loop
section opposite the second loop section pivotably coupled in-line
with the cylinder section and the pin section comprising another
interference tab interposed by the first and the second loop
sections, wherein the interference tab is oriented away from a
center axis of the pot lid to engage with the interference tab of
the lid ring when the rotatable lid assembly is opened a
predetermined amount.
18. A wet/dry compact comprising: a base assembly at least
partially encasing a pot and having a pin section arranged integral
in an outer wall of the base assembly; a rotatable lid assembly
having a cylinder section to pivotably couple to the pin section of
the base assembly ; a pot lid assembly interposed between the
rotatable lid assembly and the base assembly, the pot lid assembly
comprising a loop section protruding from an outer wall of the pot
lid assembly and arranged in-line with the pin section and the
cylinder section.
19. The wet/dry compact of claim 18, wherein the cylinder section
comprises an interference tab protruding from the external
cylindrical surface of the cylinder section, and the loop section
comprises another interference tab to interfere with the
interference tab of the rotatable lid assembly when the rotatable
lid assembly is opened a predetermined angle relative to the base
assembly.
20. The wet/dry compact of claim 18, further comprising a solid
liner fixed to a bottom surface of the pot lid assembly configured
to be impervious to a product contained in the pot.
21. The wet/dry compact of claim 20, wherein the solid liner is
over-molded to the bottom surface of the pot lid.
22. The wet/dry compact of claim 20, wherein the pot comprises a
rim arranged around an opening, and the solid liner completely
covers the opening of the pot and seals the pot lid to the rim of
the pot.
23. The wet/dry compact of claim 20, wherein the solid liner
comprises silica gel, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE),
silicone, or neoprene, and wherein the pot lid comprises
polypropylene (PP).
24. The wet/dry compact of claim 18, wherein the pot at least
partially encased by the base assembly comprises a glass or a
terpolymer.
25. The wet/dry compact of claim 24, wherein the pot comprises a
translucent glass or a translucent terpolymer, the product
contained in the pot being visible via an aperture in the base
assembly opposite the rotatable lid assembly.
26. The wet/dry compact of claim 18, wherein the predetermined
angle is between about 90 degrees and 180 degrees.
27. The wet/dry compact of claim 18, wherein the predetermined
angle is about a 120 degrees.
Description
[0001] This application is related to pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/772,109 (Attorney Docket No. HC1-0034US)
entitled "Airtight Compact," which is incorporated herein by
reference
BACKGROUND
[0002] Vessels exist that are portable, convenient to use, and
designed to contain volatile and/or aggressive products for use.
These types of portable vessels usually consist of a jar and lid
assembly, that when assembled together provide an effective barrier
for containing the volatile product. The vessels may be designed to
contain the volatile product with minimal weight loss. Moreover,
the vessels are designed to contain the volatile product with
minimal environmental communication. The jar and/or lid are
typically made of a glass, a plastic, a metal, combinations of the
foregoing, or the like, that when closed together create a seal.
Such vessels are used in the cosmetics and personal care industries
for containing a product to be applied to a body, where, as
described above, the product to be applied to the body is volatile
and/or aggressive. As such, without the vessel's effective barrier
the product may degrade and/or expire. While, existing portable
vessels may provide an effective barrier for containing a volatile
product, they may be cumbersome to open, and may have loose parts,
which make them susceptible to damage and difficult to manage.
SUMMARY
[0003] This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of
wet/dry compacts having an automatic opening feature and a liner
covering an orifice of the pot. The compacts are further described
below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to
identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is
it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
[0004] Wet/dry compacts according to one implementation comprise a
hinge assembly configured to automatically open a pot of the
wet/dry compact as a lid is progressively opened. In one example,
the hinge assembly comprises a pin section of a base, a cylinder
section of a rotatable lid assembly, and a loop section of a pot
lid assembly arranged in-line with each other. The cylinder section
of the rotatable lid assembly has an interference tab protruding
from the external cylindrical surface of the cylinder section to
engage another interference tab of the loop section of the pot lid
assembly when the rotatable lid assembly is opened and/or closed.
In some implementations, the wet/dry compact comprises a base at
least partially encasing a pot and a pot lid assembly having a
solid liner over-molded to a bottom surface of the pot lid assembly
to seal an opening of the pot when the wet/dry compact is in a
closed condition. The rotatable lid assembly is pivotably coupled
to the base and the pot lid assembly is pivotably coupled in-line
with the rotatable lid assembly and the base. The rotatable lid
assembly and the pot lid assembly may open in stages relative to
the base assembly. For example, the rotatable lid assembly may open
and/or close to a first predetermined angle, open and/or close to a
second predetermined angle, and may then open and/or close to a
third predetermined angle. For example, the rotatable lid assembly
may open to a first predetermined angle and engage with the pot lid
assembly. The rotatable lid assembly and the pot lid assembly may
then be opened together another predetermined angle and into an
open position. Further, once in the open position, the pot lid
assembly may be opened (i.e., displaced towards the rotatable lid
assembly) and/or closed (i.e., displaced towards the base
assembly). The solid liner over-molded to the bottom surface of the
pot lid assembly is configured to completely cover the opening of
the pot and seal the pot lid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a
reference number identifies the figure in which the reference
number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in
different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wet/dry compact in an open
position.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates the example wet/dry compact of FIG. 1 in
a closed position.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded isometric view of a base and
pot lid assembly of the wet/dry compact shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded isometric view of a rotatable
lid assembly of the wet/dry compact shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the wet/dry
compact of FIGS. 1 and 2 in an open position and an area
identifying a close up perspective view showing the automatically
opening hinge assembly in an open position.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates the area identifying the close up
perspective view showing the automatically opening hinge assembly
in an open position of FIG. 5 in more detail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview
[0012] This disclosure is directed to wet/dry compacts having an
automatic opening feature. The wet/dry compacts may include a liner
covering an entire orifice of the pot. The pot may be made of
materials such as a translucent glass or a translucent terpolymer,
which provide the necessary barrier properties for containing the
volatile product, as well as provide visibility to the volatile
product contained therein. However, because these materials can be
brittle and fragile the pot may be at least partially encased by a
base. The base may protect the pot while providing structural
strength for pivotably attaching a rotatable lid thereto. The
rotatable lid assembly pivotably attached to the base may be
configured to selectively lock to the base and automatically open
the pot lid assembly interposed between the rotatable lid assembly
and the base when the rotatable lid assembly is opened and/or
closed about a predetermined amount relative to the base. With the
rotatable lid assembly automatically opening the pot lid assembly,
the wet/dry volatile contents contained in the pot may be accessed
by simply opening the rotatable lid assembly. For example, the user
may simply loosen the rotatable lid assembly from the base and open
the rotatable lid assembly a predetermined angle (e.g., 120
degrees) relative to the base to gain access to the product
contained in the pot without separately opening the pot lid
assembly. Further, the user may simply loosen the rotatable lid
assembly from the base and open the rotatable lid assembly between
about90 degrees and 180 degrees relative to the base to gain access
to the product contained in the pot without separately opening the
pot lid assembly. To seal and isolate the volatile product from the
environment until a time of use, the user may simply close the
rotatable lid assembly, interposing the pot lid assembly between
the rotatable lid assembly and the base. The user may then twist
the rotatable lid assembly relative to the base to clamp the pot
lid assembly over the opening of the pot to seal the pot.
[0013] The base may be disposed about an outer wall of the pot. The
base may comprise a pin section arranged integral in an outer wall
of the base forming a portion of the automatically opening hinge
assembly. The base may comprise an opening for providing visibility
to the pot at least partially encased by the base.
[0014] The rotatable lid assembly pivotably attached to the base
may comprise a lid ring pivotably coupled to the base of the base.
The lid ring may comprise a hollow section to pivotably couple to
the pin section. The hollow section having an interference tab
protruding from the external surface of the hollow section for
interfering with another interference tab protruding from pot lid
assembly. A mirror may be fixed to a bottom surface of the
rotatable lid assembly.
[0015] The pot lid assembly interposed between the rotatable lid
assembly and the base may comprise pot lid having a loop section
protruding from an outer wall of the pot lid to be arranged in-line
with the pin section and the hollow section of the base and the
rotating lid assembly, respectively. The loop section having the
other interference tab for interfering with the interference tab
protruding from pot lid assembly. The pot lid assembly may comprise
a solid liner attached to a bottom of the pot lid. The solid liner
may be fixed to the bottom surface of the pot lid by a fastening
mechanism (e.g., clips or a captive groove), an adhesive, or any
other suitable fastening mechanism. Further, the pot lid and the
solid liner may be formed of an integral layered unit. For example,
the solid liner may be over-molded to the bottom surface of the pot
lid. Further, the solid liner may comprise silica gel, rubber, TPE,
silicone, or neoprene and the pot lid may comprise PP.
Illustrative Wet/Dry Compact
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wet/dry compact 102 in an open
position. The wet/dry compact 102 illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a
pot 104 at least partially encased by a base 106 for containing a
volatile product, such as a makeup to be applied to a body. The
wet/dry compact 102 is further illustrated in FIG. 1 as having a
rotatable lid assembly 108 pivotably coupled, via an automatically
opening hinge assembly 110, to the base 106. The wet/dry compact
102 is shown comprising a pot lid assembly 112 interposed between
the rotatable lid assembly 108 and the base 106 and pivotably
coupled in-line, with the rotatable lid assembly 108 pivotably
coupled to the base 106. Because the pot lid assembly 112 may be
pivotably coupled (e.g., hinged) in-line with the rotatable lid
assembly 108, this provides for improved manufacturability (i.e.,
ease of assembly) and provides for an improved aesthetic look of
the wet/dry compact 102. Further, because the pot lid assembly 112
may be pivotably coupled in-line with the rotatable lid assembly
108, the automatically opening hinge assembly 110 is able to
automatically open and/or close the rotatable lid assembly 108
relative to the base 106. For example, the automatically opening
hinge assembly 110 may comprise interference tabs (discussed in
detail below) arranged in-line that engage with one another to
automatically open and/or close the pot lid assembly 112 when the
rotatable lid assembly 108 is opened and/or closed relative to the
base 106.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates the pot 104 having a rim 114 arranged
around an opening 116 to allow access to a product contained in the
pot 104. The pot lid assembly 112 may comprise a solid liner 118
fixed to a bottom surface of the pot lid assembly 112, which may
completely cover the opening 116 of the pot 104 and seal the pot
lid assembly 112 to the rim 114 of the pot 104 when the wet/dry
compact is closed. For example, when the rotatable lid assembly 108
is fastened to the base 106 the pot lid assembly 112 may directly
compress the solid liner 118 to the rim 114 of the pot 104, sealing
the product in the pot. Further, the pot lid assembly 112 may
contain an applicator (e.g., a sponge, a flocked sponge, a puff, or
the like) contained in a dry area 120. The dry area 120 may provide
for the applicator, which may be wet after applying the wet
volatile product to a body, to dry out via gaps 122 when the
wet/dry compact is in a storage position.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates rotatable lid assembly 108 having a male
bayonet fastening mechanism 124 arranged along a perimeter 126 of
the rotatable lid assembly 108 configured to mate with a female
bayonet fastening mechanism 128 arranged along an outer wall 130 of
the base 106. However, although not shown in FIG. 1, other
fastening mechanisms may be used to fasten the rotatable lid
assembly 108 to the base 106 (e.g., cam lock mechanism, screw
threads, etc.).
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates the wet/dry compact 102 of FIG. 1 in a
closed position. Here, the wet/dry compact 102 is illustrated
having a lid 202 of the rotatable lid assembly 108 rotatably
attached to a lid ring 204. The lid 202 may comprise acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), metal, and/or
any other material, that is suitable for providing the structural
strength necessary for mechanical connections (e.g., to rotatably
couple with the lid ring).
[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lid 202 is configured to
rotate approximately about twenty-degrees in either a counter
clock-wise direction or a clock-wise direction about a longitudinal
axis 206 disposed substantially proximate to a center of the
wet/dry compact 102. Rotation of the lid 202 may be to unlock and
lock the rotatable lid assembly 108 from the base 106. FIG. 2
further illustrates a mark 208 disposed on the base 106, which
indicates when the lid 202 is rotated to a closed position 210
(i.e., a locked position) or an open position 212 (i.e., an
unlocked position). Specifically, when the lid 202 is rotated to
the closed position 210 the male bayonet fastening mechanism 124 of
FIG. 1 may be mated with female bayonet fastening mechanism 128 of
FIG. 1, which may allow the rotatable lid assembly 108 to displace
the pot lid assembly 112 interposed between the rotatable lid
assembly 108 and the base 106 and compress the solid liner 118 to
the rim 114 of the pot 104 (solid liner 118, rim 114, and pot 104
not shown in closed position of FIG. 2). Further, when the lid 202
is rotated to the open position 212 the male bayonet fastening
mechanism 124 is not mated with female bayonet fastening mechanism
128, which provides for the rotatable lid assembly 108 to be
pivoted away from the base 106 and into the open position as
illustrated in FIG. 1. Further, and as discussed above, if the
rotatable lid assembly 108 is pivoted away from the base 106
towards the open position, the automatically opening hinge 110 will
automatically open the pot lid assembly 112 relative to the base
106 as illustrated in FIG. 1. While mark 208 is illustrated in FIG.
2 as being disposed on an outer surface of the base 106, it may
instead, or also, be disposed on an outer surface of lid ring
204.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the base
106, the pot 104, and the pot lid assembly 112 of the wet/dry
compact 102 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As described above, the base
106 may be configured to at least partially encase the pot 104.
FIG. 3 illustrates the pot lid assembly 112 comprising a pot lid
302 and the solid liner 118. The solid liner 118 may be fixed to a
bottom surface of the pot lid 302. As described above with respect
to FIGS. 1 and 2, when lid 202 is rotated in either a counter
clock-wise direction or a clock-wise direction about the
longitudinal axis 206, the male bayonet fastening mechanism 124
mates/un-mates with the female fastening mechanism 128. Further,
when the lid 202 is in the closed position 210, the solid liner 118
is directly compressed between the pot lid 302 and the rim 114 of
the pot 104 completely covering the opening 116 of the pot 104.
[0022] While FIG. 3 illustrates the solid liner 118 as being
separate from the pot lid 302, the solid liner 118 may
alternatively be made integral with the pot lid 302. For example,
the solid liner 118 may be over-molded to a bottom surface 304 of
the pot lid 302. Further, the solid liner 118 may be fastened to
the pot lid 302 via an adhesive or retained within the pot lid 302
by a groove (not shown) disposed in an inside surface of the pot
lid 302. Here, the solid liner 118 may comprise silica gel, rubber,
TPE, silicone, neoprene, combinations of the foregoing, or the like
that is impervious to a volatile product contained in the pot 104.
In other embodiments in which the product is not volatile (or less
volatile) other materials may also be used. Again, as discussed
above, the pot lid 302 may comprise PP, or any other plastic for
assembling with the solid liner 118 and suitable for providing the
structural strength necessary for the mechanical connections. For
example, the pot lid 302 may comprise any plastic suitable for
pivotably coupling, via the automatically opening hinge assembly
110, to the base 106.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows the pot lid 302 including a loop section 306.
The loop section 306 may pivotably couple in-line with the base 106
via a pin section 308. The loop section 306, the pin section 308,
and a hollow section (illustrated in FIG. 4), of the rotatable lid
assembly 108, pivotably assemble in-line with each other to form
the automatically opening hinge assembly 110. The loop section 306
is shown comprising an interference tab 310 protruding from an
outer wall 312 of the pot lid 302. The interference tab 310 is
shown comprising a planar slip surface 314(A) opposite another
planar slip surface 314(B) distal to the outer wall 312. The planar
slip surfaces 314(A) and 314(B) may allow another interference tab
to be displaced along the interference tab 310. The planar slip
surfaces 314(A) and 314(B) may intersect a planar stop surface 316
at oblique angles. For example, the planar slip surfaces 314(A) and
314(B) may intersect the planar stop surface 316 at any oblique
angle suitable to allow another interference tab to slip along the
planar slip surfaces 314(A) and 314(B) when the rotatable lid
assembly 108 is opened and/or closed. For example, the oblique
angle may allow another interference tab to slip along the planar
slip surface 314(B) when the rotatable lid assembly 108 is being
opened. Likewise, the oblique angle may allow another interference
tab to slip along the planar slip surface 314(A) when the rotatable
lid assembly 108 is being closed.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows the interference tab 310 and the pot lid 302
may be formed of a single material. For example, the pot lid 302
and the interference tab 310 may be molded of a single material.
The pot lid 302 may be formed of a single material and the
interference tab 310 may be machined out of the material forming
the pot lid 302. Still further, the pot lid 302 may be molded from
a single material and the loop section 306 comprising the
interference tab 310 may be fastened to the pot lid 302 via
fasteners, adhesive, or the like.
[0025] The loop section 306 is shown comprising a first loop 318(A)
opposite a second loop 318(B) to pivotably couple in-line with the
pin section 308 and the hollow section (illustrated in FIG. 4).
FIG. 3 illustrates the interference tab 310 may be interposed by
the first and second loops 318(A) and 318(B). Specifically, the
planar stop surface 316 may be interposed by the first and second
loops 318(A) and 318(B) and oriented away from a center axis 320 of
the pot lid 302. The planar stop surface 316 may be configured to
interfere with an interference tab of the rotatable lid assembly
108. For example, the planar stop surface 316 may interfere with
the interference tab of the rotatable lid assembly 108 at about 120
degrees.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates the pin section 308 of the base 106
arranged integral in an outer wall 322 of the base 106. As
described above, the pin section 308 may pivotably couple in-line
with the loop section 306. For example, the loop section 306 may be
interposed by the pin section 308 and a pin may be received by both
the loop section 306 (e.g., by the first and second loops 318(A)
and 318(B)) and an aperture 324 arranged through the pin section
308.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates the pot 104 configured to couple to the
base 106. Specifically, the pot 104 may comprise one or more
fastening protrusions 326 arranged along a perimeter 328 of the pot
104. The one or more fastening protrusions 326 may be configured to
be received by one or more pockets 330 arranged along an inside
surface 332 of the outer wall 322 of the base 106. While FIG. 3
illustrates the pot 104 comprising fastening protrusions 326 for
fastening the pot 104 to the base 106, other fastening mechanisms
are contemplated. For example, the pot 104 and the base 106 may be
fastened together via a threading mechanism, a bayonet fastening
mechanism, a press fit mechanism, combinations of the foregoing, or
the like. Further, the pot 104 and the base 106 may be removably
fastened together to allow a user to interchange the pot 104.
[0028] FIG. 3 further illustrates an aperture 334 in the base 106.
When the wet/dry compact 102 is in the closed position 210 the
aperture 334 may be arranged opposite the rotatable lid assembly
108 and provide visibility to the pot 104 at least partially
encased by the base 106. While, in this example, the base 106 is
illustrated as comprising a single circular aperture 334, other
shapes may also be used. For example circular, rectangular,
triangular, combinations of the foregoing, or the like that are
suitable for providing visibility to the pot 104 and the volatile
product contained therein are contemplated.
[0029] FIG. 3 further illustrates the pot 104 being translucent and
formed of plastic, configured to receive and contain a volatile
product (not shown), comprising the perimeter 328 and a bottom
surface 336. The base 106 may be configured to be disposed about
the perimeter 328 of the pot 104. While the pot 104 has been
described here in FIG. 3 as being formed of translucent plastic,
other materials are contemplated. For example, the pot 104 may be
formed of translucent glass, translucent terpolymer, or any other
suitable material for containing a volatile or aggressive product.
Further, the base 106 may comprise ABS, SAN, metal, or any other
suitable material, or the like that is suitable for encasing and
protecting the pot 104, as well as provide the structural strength
necessary for mechanical connections (e.g., one or more pockets 330
and pin section 308).
[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the
rotatable lid assembly 108 of the wet/dry compact 102 shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. As described above, rotatable lid assembly 108 is
configured to be pivotably coupled, via the automatically opening
hinge assembly 110, to the base 106 and the pot lid assembly 112.
Here, FIG. 4 illustrates the lid ring 204 configured to pivotably
couple to the base 106 via a hollow section 402. The lid ring 204
may comprise acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene
acrylonitrile (SAN), and/or metal or any other suitable material,
or the like that is suitable for providing the structural strength
necessary for mechanical connections (e.g., rotatably couple with
the lid 202 and/or pivotably couple to the base 106 via the hollow
section 402). The hollow section 402 is illustrated as being
disposed on and distal to a bottom surface 404 of the lid ring
204.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates the hollow section 402 comprising an
interference tab 406 protruding from an external surface 408 of the
hollow section 402. The hollow section 402 may comprise an aperture
for receiving a pin. For example, and as discussed above with
respect to FIG. 3, the pin section 308 may pivotably couple in-line
with the loop section 306. Here, with respect to FIG. 4, the hollow
section 402 may also pivotably couple in-line with the pin section
308 and the loop section 306. For example, the hollow section 402
may be interposed by the loop section 306 interposed by the pin
section 308 and a pin may be received by the loop section 306, pin
section 308, and the hollow section 402.
[0032] The interference tab 406 may comprise a planar interference
surface 410(A) intersecting substantially perpendicular to another
planar interference surface 410(B). The planar interference
surfaces 410(A) and 410(B) may be formed as one unit integral with
the hollow section 402. FIG. 4 shows the hollow section may
comprise a cylinder section and the interference tab protrudes from
the external cylindrical surface of the cylinder section. Further,
FIG. 4 illustrates at least one of the planar interference surfaces
410(A) and 410(B) may be formed substantially tangential to the
external cylindrical surface. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates the
planar interference surface 410(A) formed substantially tangential
to the external cylindrical surface and oriented towards a center
axis 412 of the lid ring 204. Further, the planar interference
surface 410(B) may be formed substantially parallel with the bottom
surface 404 of the lid ring 204 and oriented substantially
perpendicular to the center axis 412 of the lid ring 204. The
planar interference surface 410(B) may be configured to interfere
with the other interference tab 310 on the pot lid 302. For
example, the planar interference surface 410(B) may be configured
to interfere with the planar stop surface 316 of the of the other
interference tab 310 at about 120 degrees. As discussed above, the
interference tab 406 of the rotatable lid assembly 108 and the
other interference tab 310 may be configured to interfere with one
another to automatically open the pot lid assembly 112 when the
rotatable lid assembly 108 is rotated open about 120 degrees
relative to the base 106.
[0033] FIG. 4 further illustrates the lid ring 204 comprising an
opening 414 for receiving a portion of the pot lid 302 and the base
106, when the wet/dry compact 102 is fully assembled as illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2. A channel 416 disposed on a top surface 418 of
the lid ring 204 is illustrated in FIG. 4 to be oriented towards an
outer perimeter 420 of the lid ring 204 opposite to the opening
414. The channel 416 is configured for receiving one or more ribs
422 arranged along an inside surface 424 of a perpendicular wall
426 of the lid 202. The one or more ribs 422 of the lid 202 and the
channel 416 of the lid ring 204 provide for the rotation of the lid
202 about a center 428 of the opening 414 of the lid ring 204 when
the rotatable lid assembly 108 is assembled.
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a mirror 430 may be disposed in the
rotatable lid assembly 108. The mirror 430 may be a solid piece of
glass and fixed to a bottom surface 432 of the lid via a fastening
mechanism (e.g., clips or a captive groove), an adhesive, or any
other suitable fastening mechanism. Further, while FIG. 4
illustrates a solid piece of glass that may be fixed to the bottom
surface 432 of the lid 202, any other solid piece of material may
be fixed to the bottom surface 432 of the lid 202. For example, any
solid piece of material (e.g., metal, ceramic, plastic, etc.) may
be used that provides a solid surface area to compress the pot lid
assembly 112 onto the pot 114.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the wet/dry compact 102
of FIG. 1 in an open position and an area 502 identifying a close
up perspective view showing the automatically opening hinge
assembly 110 in the open position. As discussed above, the pot lid
assembly 112 may be interposed between the rotatable lid assembly
108 and the base 106 and pivotably coupled in-line with the
rotatable lid assembly 108 pivotably coupled to the base 106.
Because the pot lid assembly 112 may be pivotably coupled in-line
with the rotatable lid assembly 108 the automatically opening hinge
assembly 110 is able to automatically open and/or close the
rotatable lid assembly 108 relative to the base 106.
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates the area 502 of the close up perspective
view showing the automatically opening hinge assembly 110 in the
open position in more detail. Again, FIG. 6 shows the pot lid
assembly 112 may be pivotably coupled in-line with the rotatable
lid assembly 108 pivotably coupled to the base 106. FIG. 6 further
illustrates the interference tab 310 of the pot lid assembly 112
interfering with the interference tab 406 of the rotatable lid
assembly 108. As discussed above, and as shown in FIG. 6, the
planar stop surface 316 may interfere with the planar interference
surface 410(B) and may be configured to automatically open the pot
lid assembly 112 when the rotatable lid assembly 108 is rotated
open about 120 degrees relative to the base 106.
[0037] FIG. 6 further shows the first and second loops 318(A) and
318(B) of the loop section 306 pivotably coupled in-line with the
pin section 308 and the hollow section 402. Specifically, the first
and second loops 318(A) and 318(B) are shown interposed by the pin
section 308 and the hollow section 402 is shown interposed by the
first and second loops 318(A) and 318(B). As discussed above, a pin
may be disposed in the pin section, the first and second loops
318(A) and 318(B), and the hollow section 402, and pivotably couple
the assembly in-line so that when the rotatable lid assembly 108 is
rotated open about 120 degrees relative to the base 106 the
interference tabs 310 and 406 interfere with each other to open
and/or close the pot lid assembly 112 automatically.
CONCLUSION
[0038] Although embodiments have been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific
features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts
are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the
embodiments. For example, while embodiments are described having
certain shapes, sizes, and configurations, these shapes, sizes, and
configurations are merely illustrative. Also for example, while one
example of a method of manufacturing is described, containers
according to this disclosure may be made using any other suitable
manufacturing methods.
* * * * *