Compact Housing And Godet For A Cosmetic Container

Abstract

There is presented a compact housing which is suitable for assembly with a godet containing a cosmetic product so as to provide a compact cosmetic container. The housing comprises a removable protection layer adapted to cover the cosmetic product of the received godet. The protection layer is releasably attached to the housing so that the removable layer can be detached from the housing by a user.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to United Kingdom application no. 1304633.9, filed Mar. 14, 2013, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of cosmetic containers, and more particularly to a compact housing a godet for a cosmetic container.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0003] Conventional compact cosmetic containers typically comprise one or more cosmetic products (such as lipstick, lip-gloss, foundation, eye shadow, mascara concealer or blusher for example) and a housing which encloses and protects the cosmetic product(s) when the user does not wish to use it.

[0004] Various structures have been proposed for compact cosmetic containers of the above kind, some of which employ slide-type mechanisms for opening and closing the housing. Other cosmetic containers employ rotatable clam-type mechanisms for opening and closing the housing.

[0005] Such mechanisms can be simple and quick to operate, thereby providing easy access to the cosmetic product(s) housed in the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a compact housing for assembly with a godet containing a cosmetic product according to claim 1.

[0007] Embodiments thus provide a simple and reliable compact housing for supporting a solid, liquid, paste or powder cosmetic product. The removable protection layer may be adapted to protect the cosmetic product and/or restrict access to the cosmetic product. The removable layer may therefore indicate whether or not the case and/or the cosmetic product has been tampered with.

[0008] Embodiments may therefore provide a housing for a cosmetic product which includes a disposable protection layer removably attached to the case and adapted to cover the cosmetic product(s) held in the container. At the point of purchase, a user may expect the protection layer to be present and/or in a predetermined state. If the removable protection layer is found not to be as expected, it may be inferred that the case or the cosmetic product has been tampered with between the time of assembly and the time or purchase. Embodiments may therefore be referred to as providing a tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant feature.

[0009] Alternative embodiments provide a godet platform holding a cosmetic product and having a disposable protection layer removably attached to the godet platform and adapted to cover the cosmetic product held by the godet platform. The removable layer may be adapted to protect the cosmetic product and/or restrict access to the cosmetic product held by the godet. The removable layer may therefore indicate whether or not the godet and/or the cosmetic product has been tampered with.

[0010] In the field of cosmetic packaging, a godet platform is typically otherwise referred to as a godet, a godet tray, tray or platform that is adapted to support and/or hold a cosmetic product such as a pressed powder. Typically, a godet holding a cosmetic product is combined with a housing for a cosmetic product so as to create a compact cosmetic container that contains the cosmetic product. The godet may be provided by a first supplier, and the housing may be provided a second, different supplier.

[0011] Thus, a compact cosmetic container according to an embodiment of the invention may be assembled by combining a godet according to the invention with a conventional housing. Such an embodiment may be beneficial for a situation where the technical, manufacturing or cost constraints of the housing supplier/manufacturer are such that it is preferable for the godet manufacturer/supplier to provide a pre-assembly godet component which includes a removable protection layer according to the invention.

[0012] Alternatively, a compact cosmetic container according to another embodiment of the invention may be assembled by combining a conventional godet with a housing according to the invention. Such an embodiment may be beneficial for a situation where the technical, manufacturing or cost constraints of the godet manufacturer/supplier are such that it is preferable for the housing manufacturer/supplier to provide a pre-assembly housing component which includes a removable protection layer according to the invention.

[0013] It will be understood that embodiments provide a compact cosmetic container with a tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant feature provided by (as part of) a pre-assembly component. The container may comprise either a pre-assembly housing component according to an embodiment of the invention or a pre-assembly godet component according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] The cosmetic product may be any facial or bodily cosmetic or beauty treatment product including lipstick, lip-gloss, eye-brow, eye-shadow, concealer, blusher, foundation, skin-treatment, compressed powder and the like.

[0015] The removable protection layer may be at least partially transparent so as to enable a user to view the cosmetic product without removing the protection layer. In other words, the removable protection layer may be arranged so the cosmetic product is visible to a user through the protection layer. Embodiments may therefore enable a user to inspect a cosmetic product held in a compact cosmetic container according to the invention whilst providing protection from user accidently or intentionally touching, contacting or contaminating the cosmetic product.

[0016] The removable cover layer may comprise a disposable sheet of flexible material that is attached to either a housing according to an embodiment of the invention or a godet according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Embodiments may provide a compact cosmetic case comprising: a housing having a lid and base portion movable between an open and closed configuration; a cosmetic product supported in the base portion of the housing; and a removable protection layer covering the cosmetic product and positioned between the cosmetic product and the lid with the housing in the closed configuration, wherein the removable cover layer is adapted to uncover the cosmetic product when removed from the cosmetic case.

[0018] The removable protection layer may be releasably adhered to the base portion of the housing. Alternatively, the cosmetic case may further comprise a godet tray holding the cosmetic product, the godet tray being supported in the base portion of the housing, and the removable protection layer may be releasably adehered to the godet tray.

[0019] Further developments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 shows an exploded diagram of compact cosmetic container according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 shows a partly-assembled compact housing for a cosmetics product according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 3 shows an assembled version of the compact housing of FIG. 2;

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates the housing of FIG. 3 being combined with a conventional godet to provide a compact cosmetic container according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a partly-assembled godet according to an embodiment of the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a compact cosmetic container 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The container 10 comprises a housing 12 formed with an aperture 14 for receiving a godet 16 supporting a cosmetic product 17. A godet is typically otherwise referred to in the field of cosmetic packaging as a godet tray, a tray or a platform that is adapted to support or hold a cosmetic product such as a pressed powder.

[0027] The housing 12 is formed from a lid portion 18 and a base portion 20, and the aperture 14 is formed in the center of the base portion 20.

[0028] Here, the godet 16 is inserted into the aperture 14 from below (as indicated by the arrow labeled "A"). When inserted, the top surface of the cosmetic product 17 is recessed from the upper surface 22 of the base portion 20. In other words, the assembled container 10 has a housing 12 with a recess 24 in which the cosmetic product 17 is supported.

[0029] The mouth of the recess 24 (i.e. the aperture 14) is covered by a removable protective layer 26 that is adhered to the upper surface 22 of the base portion 20 using adhesive, heat sealing or any other suitable adhering technology. The removable protective layer 26 can be detached from the upper surface 22 of the housing so as to uncover the mouth of the recess 24 and permit access to the cosmetic product 17.

[0030] The adhering method is preferably chosen so that the protective layer 26 remains adhered to the base portion 20 during transport of the container 10 but can be easily removed by pulling or peeling the protective layer 26 away from the base portion 20. It will therefore be appreciated that the protective layer may be formed from a disposable flexible material that is adapted to be self-adhesive or adhered to the base portion by application of force or heat, for example. The material for the protective layer 26 may preferably be water resistant and adapted to protect or restrict access to the cosmetic product 17 when it is adhered to the base portion 20.

[0031] The lid 18 and base 20 portions are rotatably connected to each other by a hinge 28. Rotation of the lid portion 18 relative to the base portion 20 moves the compact case between an open and closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the lid 18 covers the removable protective layer 26 and the upper surface 22 of the base portion 20. In the open configuration, the lid portion 18 is spaced apart from the removable protective layer 26 and the upper surface 22 of the base portion 20 so as to enable a user to access the removable protective layer 26.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lid portion 18 is provided with a mirror 30 on its surface that faces the removable protective layer 26 and the upper surface 22 when in the closed configuration. Thus, when in the open configuration, the mirror 30 is exposed to the user.

[0033] The embodiment described above therefore comprises what may be referred to as a tamper-resistant and/or tamper-evident seal which must be removed (e.g. pulled or peeled) from the container to access the cosmetic product. If the label has been disturbed at purchase, then it may be implied by a user that the container, or the cosmetic product held therein, has been potentially tampered with or contaminated.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, there is depicted a method of assembling a compact housing 50 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0035] The housing comprises a platform portion 52 adapted to receive a godet 16 from below. The platform portion has a substantially planar upper surface 54 with an aperture 56 formed therein. The aperture 56 is positioned in the centre of the upper surface 54 so as to be vertically aligned with a cosmetic product held by a godet when the godet 16 is coupled to the platform portion. Also, in this embodiment, the aperture 56 is smaller in diameter than the diameter of the upper surface 54 but is equal or larger in diameter than the diameter of a cosmetic product held in the godet 16 that the platform portion 52 is adapted to be received.

[0036] Thus, it will be appreciated that the platform portion 52 is adapted to receive a conventional godet (with cosmetic product held therein) so that the godet is postioned below the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52 with the cosmetic product of the godet 16 being aligned with the aperture 56.

[0037] The housing 50 also comprises a lid portion 58 that is rotatably connected to the platform portion 52 by a hinge 60. Rotation of the lid portion 58 relative to the platform portion 52 moves the housing 50 between an open and closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the lid portion 58 covers the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52 so as to prevent or restrict access to the aperture 56. In the open configuration, the lid portion 58 is spaced apart from the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52. Further, the lid portion 58 is provided with a mirror 61 on its surface that faces the removable the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52 when in the closed configuration. Thus, when in the open configuration, the mirror 61 is exposed to the user.

[0038] A protection layer 62 is initially provided separate from the platform 52 and lid 58 portions. The protection layer 62 is formed from a flexible material that is adapted to be adhered to the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52. The protection layer 62 is larger than the aperture 56 so that it is adapted to cover the entirety of the aperture 56. The protection layer 62 is also provided with a tab portion 64 that is adapted to be gripped by a user in order to facilitate removal of the protection layer 62 from the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52.

[0039] The protection layer 62 is applied to the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52 (as illustrated by the arrow labeled "P" in FIG. 2) and affixed to the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52 so as to cover the aperture 56 as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 thus shows an assembled housing 50 according to an embodiment which is adapted to receive a conventional godet. The assembled housing 50 is thus a pre-assembly component suitable for assembly of a compact cosmetic container, wherein the assembled compact cosmetic container will have a tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant layer 62 that provided by the pre-assembly housing component 50.

[0040] The method of affixing the protection layer 62 is preferably chosen so that the protection layer 62 remains adhered to the base portion during transport of the housing, for example, but can be easily removed by pulling or peeling the protective layer 62 away from the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52. It will therefore be appreciated that the protection layer 62 may be self-adhesive, provided with heat-activated adhesive layer, or employ any other suitable means for adhering it to the upper surface 54 of the platform portion 52.

[0041] Here, the tab portion 64 of the protection layer 62 is not adhered to the upper surface 52 of the platform portion 52 so as to provide a section of the protection layer 62 that can be gripped by a user and used to pull or peel the protection layer 63 from the platform portion 52.

[0042] It will be appreciated that FIG. 3 depicts a compact housing 50 adapted to receive a conventional godet (holding a cosmetic product). When the godet is received by the compact housing 50 (and secured in place so that it cannot be removed from the housing 50), the protection layer 62 covering the aperture 56 limits or prevent access to cosmetic product held in the godet.

[0043] The housing 50 of FIG. 3 may be combined with a conventional godet as shown in FIG. 4 to provide a compact cosmetic container holding a cosmetic product that has a removable protection layer covering the cosmetic product. As shown in FIG. 4, a godet 16 holding a pressed powder product 70 is inserted into the bottom of the platform portion 52 of the housing 50 of FIG. 3 as indicated by the arrows labeled "Q". As a result, the pressed powder product 70 is situated below the protection layer 62.

[0044] In order to use the cosmetic product, the protection layer 62 must be removed, pierced or broken. Accordingly, at the point of purchase, a user can expect the removable protection layer to be present and/or intact and, if it is not, the user may infer that that the cosmetic product has been used, tampered with or contaminated after assembly of the container. Such containers may therefore be said to have a tamper-evident removable seal. Also, the protection layer may provide a basic/low level of protection for the cosmetic product which helps to reduce the risk of a user accidently contacting, contaminating or damaging the cosmetic product when simply handling or inspecting the container. An elementary level of tamper resistance may therefore be provided embodiments of the invention.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is depicted a method of assembling a godet 80 containing a cosmetic product 82 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0046] The godet 80 comprises a planar tray 84 with a circular flange 86 projecting upwardly therefrom to define a cup-like enclosure within which the cosmetic product 82 is supported on the tray 84. The godet 80 is adapted to be snap-fitted to a compact case according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0047] A sheet of transparent material 90 is initially provided separate from the godet 80. The transparent material 90 is flexible and is adapted to be adhered to the lip 88 of circular flange 86 so as to cover the cosmetic product 82. The transparent material 90 is substantially equal in diameter to the circular flange 86 so that the peripheral edge of the transparent material 90 can be aligned with the peripheral edge of the circular flange 86.

[0048] The transparent material 90 is also provided with an upstanding tab 92 that is adapted to be gripped by a user in order to facilitate removal of the transparent material 90 from the lip 88 of the circular flange 86 so as to uncover the cosmetic product 82.

[0049] As illustrated by the arrow labeled "R" in FIG. 5, the transparent material 90 is applied to the lip 88 of circular flange 86 (with their peripheral edges aligned) and affixed to the lip 88 of the circular flange 86 so as to cover the cosmetic product 82. Affixing means are preferably chosen so that the transparent material 90 remains affixed to the lip 88 during transport of the godet 80, for example, but can be easily removed by pulling or peeling the transparent material 90 away from the lip 88. The transparent material 90 may thus be adhered to the lip 88 using a conventional heat-bonding technique or employ any other suitable adhering means.

[0050] The tab 92 of the transparent material 90 is not adhered to the lip 88 of the circular flange 86 so as to provide a section of the transparent material 90 that can be gripped by a user and used to pull or peel the transparent material 90 from the godet 80.

[0051] The embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 4 therefore comprises a godet suitable for assembly with a conventional compact case, wherein the godet has a tamper-resistant and/or tamper-evident seal which must be removed (e.g. pulled or peeled) from the godet to access the cosmetic product.

[0052] Embodiments described above comprise a clam-type compact case. Alternative embodiments may comprise an opening and closing mechanism which can be described as slide-to-open, slide-to-close mechanism for enabling a user to secure or deploy cosmetic products within/from the case.

[0053] Also, the removal protection layer/material may not be transparent in alternative embodiments. For example, the removal protection layer/material may comprise a metal foil with heat-activated adhesive layer provided thereon. The metal foil may be adhered to a surface of an embodiment by pressing the heat-activated adhesive layer against the surface and applying heat to melt adhesive layer and fuse together the metal foil and the surface.

[0054] While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A compact housing for assembly with a godet containing a cosmetic product to provide a compact cosmetic container, the housing comprising: a base and lid portion the base portion being adapted to receive the godet; a removable protection layer adapted to cover the cosmetic product of the received godet, wherein the removable protection layer is releasably adhered to the base portion so that the removable protection layer can be detached from the housing by a user such that in order to access the cosmetic product the removable protection layer must be removed, pierced or broken so that the removal, piercing or breakage of the removable protection layer indicates that the cosmetic product has been used, tampered with or contaminated after assembly of the compact cosmetic container.

2. The compact housing of claim 1, wherein the base and lid portions that are movable relative to each other to move the housing between an open and closed configuration.

3. The compact housing of claim 3, wherein the base portion comprises an aperture wherein the removable protection layer covers the entirety of the aperture.

4. The compact housing of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the removable protection layer is situated between the base portion and the lid portion with the housing in the closed configuration.

5. The compact housing of claim 2, wherein the base and lid portions are rotatable relative to each other, and wherein rotation of the lid portion relative to the base portion moves the housing between an open and closed configuration

6. The compact housing of claim 1, wherein the removable protection layer comprises a disposable flexible layer of material.

7. The compact housing of claim 1, further comprising a mirror.

8. The compact housing of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic product comprises at least one of: lipstick; lip-gloss; eye-brow; eye-shadow; concealer; blusher; foundation; compressed powder and skin-treatment.

9. A compact cosmetic container comprising: a compact housing according to any preceding claim; and a godet holding a cosmetic product, the godet being supported by the compact housing so that the removable protection layer covers the cosmetic product.

10.-12. (canceled)