U.S. patent application number 15/481598 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-12 for container system for use with a cosmetic mask.
The applicant listed for this patent is ELC Management LLC. Invention is credited to Songyup Kim, Yeon Jung Roh.
Application Number | 20170291751 15/481598 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59998532 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170291751 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roh; Yeon Jung ; et
al. |
October 12, 2017 |
Container System For Use With A Cosmetic Mask
Abstract
A container system for use with a cosmetic mask that allows the
cosmetic mask to be treated with a liquid personal care preparation
just prior to using the mask. The container system comprises a
container (1), a closure (2) and a strainer (3). When the container
is in an upright position, a flowable product (P) in the reservoir
does not reach to the level of the strainer. The invention includes
a kit comprising a container system as described herein, and a set
of dry cosmetic masks that have not been exposed to the flowable
product (P).
Inventors: |
Roh; Yeon Jung; (Astoria,
NY) ; Kim; Songyup; (Jersey City, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ELC Management LLC |
Melville |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59998532 |
Appl. No.: |
15/481598 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62319997 |
Apr 8, 2016 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 34/06 20130101;
B65D 81/3222 20130101; B65D 81/32 20130101; A45D 44/002 20130101;
B65D 1/0246 20130101; B65D 25/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 81/32 20060101
B65D081/32; B65D 1/02 20060101 B65D001/02; A45D 34/06 20060101
A45D034/06; B65D 25/02 20060101 B65D025/02 |
Claims
1. A container system for use with a cosmetic mask comprising a
container (1), a closure (2), a strainer (3), and a mask
compartment (4) wherein: the container (1) comprises: a reservoir
(1a) for containing a flowable product (P); and a threaded neck
(1b) having an opening (1f) that leads to the reservoir (1a); the
closure (2) comprises: a side wall (2b) and a top (2e); an inner
surface having screw threads (2c), and a circumferential lip (2d)
above the screw threads; and an interior space (2a) that is defined
by the top (2e) and the cylindrical side wall (2b) above the
circumferential lip (2d); the strainer (3) depends downward from
the neck (1b) of the container (1), protrudes into the reservoir
(1a), and comprises: a perforated cylindrical wall (3b) that has an
inner diameter in the range of 25-210 mm; a top end (3e) that is
formed as a flange; a perforated bottom end (3d); an interior space
(3a) that is defined by the cylindrical wall (3b) and the bottom
(3d) of the strainer (3), the height of the interior space being
25-50 mm; wherein: the mask compartment (4) is a space that extends
from the top (2e) of the closure (2) to the bottom (3d) of the
strainer (3).
2. A kit comprising: a container system for use with a cosmetic
mask according to claim 1, wherein a flowable product (P) is
located in the reservoir (1a); and a set of 2-60 dry cosmetic masks
that have not been exposed to the flowable product (P).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is in the field of personal care
packaging, specifically a container for preparing cosmetic mask
products for application to the skin.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A variety of cosmetic masks, sheets and patches are
commercially available. Often, these are described as being useful
for moisturizing the skin and/or for the delivery of skin care
actives. Commonly, cosmetic masks are comprised of woven or
non-woven materials that have been moistened with a liquid personal
care preparation. The mask is flexible so that is will conform to
the target area where it is applied (the face or neck, for
example). Mask products are typically sold pre-moistened with
liquid product. When applied to the skin, the skin absorbs liquid
product from the moistened mask.
[0003] A major concern with this type of system is dry out of the
mask before reaching the consumer. Therefore, air tight, liquid
tight packaging is essential. Either a single moistened mask is
packaged in an air tight, liquid tight package (a packette, for
example), or a stack of moistened masks are packaged in a
resealable container that is air and liquid tight to an effective
degree. One drawback of this type of packaging is that only one
shape of mask is usually provided in the container rather than two
or more shapes of mask for use on different parts of the body. It
would be convenient to a consumer if the same container of liquid
personal care preparation could be used with masks of different
shapes.
[0004] Another drawback to this type of packaging is the inability
to associate some ingredients with the mask and some ingredients
with the liquid personal care preparation, and keep them separate
until just prior to use. For example, let's say that a mask has
been impregnated with a reactive skin care agent. Subsequently
saturating that impregnated mask with a liquid personal care
preparation, several weeks or months prior to use of the mask, may
have an adverse effect on the efficacy of the active ingredient.
This adverse effect could be a loss of efficacy or a using up of
the efficacy before the consumer has had a chance to benefit. Or,
perhaps the liquid skin care preparation might suffer an adverse
effect, such as a breakdown in stability of the preparation. In
these and similar cases, it would be beneficial if the mask and
skin care preparation could remain separate until just prior to
use. On the other hand, having a consumer moisten a cosmetic mask
just prior to use is likely to be messy and wasteful. That is,
unless the mask can be moistened inside the same sealed container
that contains the liquid skin care preparation.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A main object of the invention is to provide a container
system for use with a cosmetic mask that allows the cosmetic mask
to be treated with a liquid personal care preparation just prior to
using the mask.
SUMMARY
[0006] The objectives of the invention are met by a container
system that comprises a container (1) for holding a flowable
product (P), a closure (2) and a strainer (3). When the closure is
assembled to the container, then the strainer and closure define a
mask compartment (4) that is large enough to hold one or more
cosmetic masks. The container may be in the form of a jar or bottle
with a neck, either of which will have a finish that is capable of
receiving the closure to seal the reservoir and the mask
compartment from environment outside of the container system. When
the reservoir (1a) of the container is filled with a flowable
product (P), and the container is in an upright position, then the
flowable product in the reservoir may or may not reach to the level
of the mask compartment, and may or may not be able to wet a mask
that is stored in the mask compartment. Preferably, when the
reservoir of the container is filled, and the container is in an
upright position, then the flowable product in the reservoir does
not reach to the level of the mask compartment, or is otherwise not
able to wet a mask that is stored in the mask compartment. The
invention includes a kit comprising a container system as described
herein, and a set of cosmetic masks that have not been exposed to a
flowable product (P).
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] FIG. 1A is an elevation view of a container system according
to the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of the container system of
FIG. 1A.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the container (1), closure (2)
and strainer (3).
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross section of a closure (2) according to the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 4A, 4B and 4C show a strainer (3).
[0012] FIGS. 5-7 depict some types of cosmetic mask that may be
used with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 8 depicts a rolled up cosmetic mask (9) placed into a
strainer (3).
DETAILED SPECIFICATION
[0014] Throughout the specification "comprise" means that an
element or group of elements is not automatically limited to those
elements specifically recited, and may or may not include
additional elements. Various features of some of the embodiments
will now be described. Certain described features may be used
separately or in combination with other described or implied
features. Some of the embodiments may use only one or more
described features.
[0015] A container system for use with a cosmetic mask comprises a
container (1) for holding a flowable product (P), a closure (2),
and a strainer (3).
The Container (1) and Closure (2)
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, the container (1) may be in
the form of a jar or bottle, the interior of which forms a
reservoir (1a) for containing a flowable product (P). In the
drawings, the container is a bottle having a neck (1b). The bottom
of the container is denoted (1d), and the top (or land area) of the
neck is denoted as (1e). The reservoir is accessed through an
opening (1f) in the neck. Generally, the container may be plastic
or glass, but plastic is preferred because of the way that the
container will be handled.
[0017] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the closure (2) comprises a
side wall (2b, shown as cylindrical) and a top (2e). An inner
surface of the cylindrical wall has screw threads (2c). Also on the
inner surface of the cylindrical wall, above the screw threads of
the closure, is a circumferential lip (2d). (2a) denotes an
interior space that is defined by the top (2e) and the cylindrical
side wall (2b), above the circumferential lip (2d). In preferred
embodiments of the closure (2), the height (2h) of this interior
space will be on the order of 10-30 mm, and the diameter (2f) will
be in the range of 25-210 mm. Generally, the closure will be molded
in plastic.
[0018] The neck (1b) of the container (1) is able to receive the
closure (2) in a sealing engagement, such that the opening to the
reservoir may be sealed from the ambient environment (i.e. the
environment outside of the container). For example, the neck and
closure may seal via a threaded engagement, as is well known in the
art. Threads (1c) on the container neck cooperate with threads (2c)
in the closure. Near the top of the threads (2c) of the closure, is
a circumferential lip (2d). Optionally, but preferably, an O-ring
shaped liner (5) is disposed between the circumferential lip (2d)
and the flange (3e) of the strainer (3, see below).
The Strainer (3) and Mask Compartment (4)
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the strainer (3) comprises a
cylindrical wall (3b) that has an inner diameter. A top end (3e) of
the strainer may be formed as a flange. When the strainer is
inserted through the opening (1f) in the neck (1b) of the container
(1), the flange (3e) will come to rest on the top (1e) of the
container, and the rest of the strainer will depend downward from
the neck of the container.
[0020] The top end of the strainer defines an opening (3f) through
which a cosmetic mask may easily be inserted into and removed from
the strainer. The inner diameter of this opening may typically be
in the range of 25-210 mm, preferably matching the inner diameter
(2f) of the interior space (2a) of the closure (2). The bottom end
(3d) of the strainer may be formed as a bowl (as shown) or may be
flat or some other shape. The cylindrical wall (3b) and the bottom
(3d) of the strainer define an interior space (3a), that may be
occupied by a cosmetic mask. The height (3h) of this interior space
may typically be in the range of 25-50 mm, but this range is only
provided for guidance of what may be typical, and may be exceeded.
When inserted into the container (1), the bottom end of the
strainer may intrude into the reservoir (1a).
[0021] The strainer (3) may be unitary molded with the container
(1), or it may be molded separately and subsequently attached to
the container, as shown. The outer diameter of the cylindrical wall
(3b) of the strainer is sized to fit inside the opening (1f) of the
neck (1b). When the strainer is fully inserted into the neck, then
the flange (3e) rests on the land area (1e) of the neck. The flange
should not extend laterally beyond the land area of the container
finish. The strainer may be permanently affixed in the neck by
welding or adhesive. A temporary attachment could be a snap fit or
friction fit. Preferably, a friction fit is used. In this case, the
outer diameter of the cylindrical wall (3b) of the strainer may be
a little greater than the inner diameter of the opening (1f) of the
container neck. With sufficient interference between the
cylindrical wall of the strainer and the neck, the strainer will
not back out of the container, even when the container is inverted.
For example, the outer diameter of the cylindrical wall of the
strainer may be 0.8-1.3 mm larger than the inner diameter of the
neck. To assist this friction fit, the strainer is preferably made
out of plastic, or more preferably it is made out of an elastomeric
material that is inert with respect to the contents of the
reservoir (1a).
[0022] When the closure (2) is screwed down onto the neck (1b) of
the container (1), then the circumferential lip (2d) comes to bear
down against the flange (3e) of the strainer (3). Preferably, this
contact is sufficient to form an air tight and liquid type seal.
Optionally and preferably, however, an O-ring shaped liner (5) may
be disposed between the circumferential lip (2d) and the flange
(3e) of the strainer. The liner provides additional sealing
integrity. Optionally, the liner may be glued onto the
circumferential lip of the closure.
[0023] When the closure (2) is seated on the neck (1b), the
interior space (2a) of the closure, and the interior space (3a) of
the strainer (3) are contiguous, creating one large space or mask
compartment (4) that extends from the top (2e) of the closure to
the bottom (3d) of the strainer (see FIG. 1 B). A first portion
(4a) of the mask compartment (4) is located within the container
(1), and a second portion (4b) of the mask compartment is located
in the closure (2), but outside of the container. The mask
compartment is sealed from environment outside of the container.
This mask compartment must be large enough to accommodate at least
one cosmetic mask. Preferably, a mask will be rolled up and/or
folded neatly before it is put into the strainer (3, see mask (9)
in FIG. 8), but this is not required. FIG. 5 depicts a full face
mask (6). FIG. 6 depicts a cosmetic mask (7) for the lip and mouth
area. FIG. 7 depicts a cosmetic mask (8) for the eye area. These
depictions are only for illustration. Many other types of cosmetic
mas may find use with the present invention.
[0024] The cylindrical wall (3b) and the bottom (3d) of the
strainer (3) are perforated with a number of perforations (3g). The
perforations are large enough to allow a flowable product (P) to
flow into and out of the mask compartment easily, but small enough
to prevent the cosmetic mask (5) from falling or being pushed into
the reservoir (1a). For example, the largest dimension of a
perforation may be in a range of 2-6 mm. The perforations do not
all have to be the same size or shape, as shown in FIG. 4A.
[0025] Preferably, when a filled container (1) is in its upright
position, the level of flowable product (P) in the reservoir (1a)
is below the lower end (3d) of the strainer (see FIG. 1B), so that
the product in the reservoir does not reach to the level of the
strainer, or is not able to wet a mask stored in the strainer. If
the level of product was above the bottom of the strainer, then a
cosmetic mask (5) located in the mask compartment (4) could not
drain excess product back into the reservoir. By keeping the
product level below the strainer, a mask can only be wetted when
the container is not upright; that is, when the container is tilted
or inverted.
[0026] If a strainer (3) is permanently attached to the container
(1) (i.e. by unitary molding, welding or adhesive), or if the
strainer is assembled to the container before the container is
filled, then the container must be filled through the strainer. In
an automated filling operation, a problem can arise if the
perforations in the strainer are too small to allow product to flow
quickly through strainer. Therefore, in this case, the bottom
center of the mask compartment may have one perforation (3p, see
FIG. 4C) that is large enough for the filling nozzle of an
automated filling operation to pass through (but not large enough
for a cosmetic mask (5) to fall through or get wedged in). On the
other hand, if the strainer (3) is not permanently attached to the
container (1), then the container may be filled in the usual
manner, and the mask compartment inserted thereafter. In the
personal care consumer goods industry, the diameter of a filling
nozzle will vary, but the perforation (3p) for the filling nozzle
may typically be 3-12 mm, preferably at 5-10 mm, for example, about
7 mm.
[0027] Preferably, the strainer (3) has multiple perforations (3g)
all around its circumference and appreciably along its height. When
there is only one perforation near the bottom of the strainer, or
an insufficient number of perforations, product may not saturate
through the whole mask if, for example, a user inverts the
container (1) for too short a period of time. Also, when there is
only one opening near the bottom of the strainer, much of the
excess product in the mask compartment (4) has to drain through the
mask (5) which can be a slow process. An impatient user may remove
the mask from the mask compartment while it is still
over-saturated, before the excess product has had a chance to
drain. On the other hand, if a strainer (3) has multiple
perforations (3g) all around its circumference and appreciably all
long its height, the mask (5) will be evenly saturated faster
(within 30 seconds; preferably within 10 seconds; more preferably
within 5 seconds, for example), and excess product will drain from
the mask compartment much more quickly (within 60 seconds;
preferably within 30 seconds; more preferably within 10 seconds,
for example).
Method of Use
[0028] A user is provided with a container system according to the
present invention, and a dry mask (6). The container (1) is filled
with a flowable product (P). By "dry mask" we mean that a mask has
not been exposed to or treated with the same flowable product (P)
that is in the container, although it may have been treated with
other products. With the container (1) in the upright position, the
flowable product (P) in the reservoir (1a) does not reach to the
level of the mask compartment (4). Optionally, the user may roll up
(as in FIG. 8) and/or fold the mask. The user removes the closure
(2) from the container, places the dry mask (6) in the mask
compartment (4), and recloses the container (1). The user inverts
the container, at least until the flowable product has saturated
the mask. This may be as short as 1-3 seconds, for example, or
longer, like 5-10 seconds, for example). The user returns the
container to an upright position, and may then wait at least
several seconds or minutes to allow excess product to drain back
into the reservoir. The user opens the closure, and either removes
the saturated mask right away, or otherwise waits several seconds
or minutes to allow excess product to drain back into the
reservoir, and then removes the mask. The mask is unfurled and
applied to the skin. Preferably, the mask remains on the user's
skin for a recommended period of time, such as several minutes or
hours. After this dwell time, the user removes the mask from the
skin and discards the mask. The closure may be reapplied to the
container.
[0029] The flowable product (P) may be any formulation that is able
to flow through the perforations of the strainer when the container
(1) is inverted, and that is able to wet a cosmetic mask located in
the strainer in a reasonably short amount of time (within 30
seconds, for example). A flowable product that cannot pass through
the perforations as a result of inverting the container, or that
cannot thoroughly wet the cosmetic mask in a reasonable amount of
time, is not suitable for this invention. A suitable flowable
product (P), may contain any active ingredients. Preferably, the
flowable product contains at least one skin care active, either in
a natural or purified form. A natural form might be tea leaves or
flower petals, for example. A purified form might be an extract of
tea leaves or flower petals or other organic material.
[0030] The invention includes a kit comprising a container system
that has a flowable product (P) in the reservoir (1a), as described
herein, and a set of dry cosmetic masks that have not been exposed
to the flowable product (P). Multiple cosmetic masks, like a stack
of masks, may be packaged in single container. However, unlike the
prior art, these masks are dry, not pre-moistened. Preferably, a
kit according to the invention will comprise a container system as
described herein, and at least two dry masks (such as, 2-6 dry
masks), preferably at least 7 dry masks (i.e. at least one week's
supply), more preferably at least 30 dry masks (i.e. at least one
month's supply); or any number of dry masks from 2- 60. The
container system and the set of dry masks may be packaged in a
single outer package for retail sale.
* * * * *