Cosmetic Box and Usage Method of Putting Plastic Pin to Pivotally Couple Cover and Base Thereof

Abstract

A cosmetic box includes a cover including a block on an underside, the block having an axial channel; a base including a groove on one side, the groove being complimentarily shaped to the block, and two opposite through apertures, each extending from an outer surface of the base to either end of the groove; and at least one plastic pin including two convex portions at two ends respectively, and two transitional members, each around the convex portion. The block is disposed in the groove. The at least one plastic pin is inserted through one through aperture, the axial channel, and the other through aperture to pivotally couple the cover and the base together.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to cosmetic boxes and more particularly to a plastic pin for a cosmetic box and its application, the plastic pin being made of plastic and having the characteristics of being environmentally friendly, capable of hingedly fastening two objects together without being damaged or broken, and improving the quality of produced plastic pins.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] A conventional cosmetic box 70 is shown in FIG. 5 and comprises a cover (not numbered) and a base (not numbered) including a metal hinge 60 for hingedly fastening the cover and the base together. Lubricating oil 62 is coated on the hinge 60 for preventing the hinge 60 from being rusted by the air. However, the lubricating oil 62 may involve a chemical reaction with the air to form a rust layer 64 on the hinge 60. The rust layer 64 can hinder the pivotal operation of the hinge 60 when closing or opening the cosmetic box 70. The hinge 60 may be malfunctioned to jam the opening or closing of the cosmetic box 70 after a period of time of use. To the worse, the cosmetic box 70 may be damaged or broken.

[0003] Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a cosmetic box comprising a cover including a block on an underside, the block having an axial channel; a base including a groove on one side, the groove being complimentarily shaped to the block, and two opposite through apertures, each extending from an outer surface of the base to either end of the groove; and at least one plastic pin including two convex portions at two ends respectively, and two transitional members, each around the convex portion; wherein the block is disposed in the groove, and the at least one plastic pin is inserted through one through aperture, the axial channel, and the other through aperture to pivotally couple the cover and the base together.

[0005] Preferably, the plastic pin is made of plastic.

[0006] Preferably, the cover includes a central cover element which is transparent or opaque.

[0007] Preferably, further comprises a frame member on the base, the frame member includes a central opening as storage.

[0008] Preferably, a plurality of first bossed holes are provided on a top of the base respectively, and a plurality of hole members are provided on a bottom of the frame member respectively, and the first bossed holes are inserted into the hole members.

[0009] Preferably, the cover includes a catch on an underside, the base includes a second bossed hole, the frame member includes a through hole on one side, the second bossed hole is inserted through the through hole to fasten the base and the frame member together, and the catch is inserted into the second bossed hole to fasten the cover, the frame member and the base together.

[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a usage method of putting a plastic pin to pivotally couple a cover and a base of a cosmetic box, wherein the plastic pin is a solid cylinder having two convex portions at two ends respectively, and two transitional members each around the convex portion, the usage method comprising the following step: the plastic pin being inserted through a through aperture of the cover, a channel of the base so as to pivotally couple the cover and the base of the cosmetic box together.

[0011] The invention has the following advantages and benefits in comparison with the conventional art:

[0012] The plastic pin is made of plastic and it can be recycled. Further, it can reduce the consumption of non-recyclable material and save cost. Furthermore, it is environmentally friendly.

[0013] The plastic pin is flexible and has two rounded or chamfered ends. Thus, the plastic pin can decrease friction when it is inserted through one through aperture, the channel, and the other through aperture. The cover and the base pivotably secured together by the pin are prevented from being damaged or broken, thereby improving the quality of produced plastic pins.

[0014] Finally, the plastic pin is prevented from being rusted. Thus, it is durable.

[0015] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plastic pin according to the invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a cosmetic box incorporating the plastic pin according to the invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled cosmetic box;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a partially broken away view of the cosmetic box; and

[0020] FIG. 5 is a cosmetic box having a conventional hinge, the cosmetic box being open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a cosmetic box in accordance with the invention comprises a hexagonal cover frame 10 including a catch 18 on an underside, an elongated block 12 on the underside, the block 12 being opposite to the catch 18 and having an axial channel 14, and a hexagonal cover element 16; a hexagonal base 20 including an elongated groove 22 on one side, the groove 22 being complimentarily shaped to the block 12, two through apertures 221 each extending from a corner of the base 20 to either end of the groove 22, six first bossed holes 24 on six corners on a top respectively, and a second bossed hole 26 between two adjacent first bossed holes 24 on one side, the second bossed hole 26 being opposite to the groove 22; a hexagonal frame member 40 including a central opening 42, six hole members 44 on six corners of a bottom respectively, and a through hole 46 between two adjacent hole members 44 on one side; and a plastic pin 30 including two convex portions 32 at two ends respectively, and two transitional members 34 each around the convex portion 32, wherein the plastic pin 30 is a solid cylinder.

[0022] The cover element 16 is fitted on a hollow portion of the cover frame 10. The first bossed holes 24 are inserted into the hole members 44 and the second bossed hole 26 is inserted through the through hole 46 to fasten the base 20 and the frame member 40 together. Thus, cosmetic content can be stored in the opening 42. The block 12 is disposed in the groove 22. The catch 18 is inserted into the second bossed hole 16. The plastic pin 30 is inserted through one through aperture 221, the channel 14, and the other through aperture 221. This completes the assembly of the invention.

[0023] Preferably, the plastic pin 30 is made of plastic.

[0024] Preferably, the corners of the cover frame 10 are rounded or chamfered.

[0025] Preferably, the corners of the base 20 are rounded or chamfered.

[0026] Preferably, the cover element 16 is transparent or opaque.

[0027] Preferably, a hinge is comprised of the plastic pin 30, the groove 22, the block 12 having the channel 14, and the through apertures 221 for pivotably fastening the cover frame 10 and the base 20 together.

[0028] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cosmetic box comprising: a cover including a block on an underside, the block having an axial channel; a base including a groove on one side, the groove being complimentarily shaped to the block, and two opposite through apertures, each extending from an outer surface of the base to either end of the groove; and at least one plastic pin including two convex portions at two ends respectively, and two transitional members, each around the convex portion; wherein the block is disposed in the groove, and the at least one plastic pin is inserted through one through aperture, the axial channel, and the other through aperture to pivotally couple the cover and the base together.

2. The cosmetic box of claim 1, wherein the plastic pin is made of plastic.

3. The cosmetic box of claim 1, wherein corners of the cover are rounded or chamfered, and corners of the base are rounded or chamfered.

4. A usage method of putting a plastic pin to pivotally couple a cover and a base of a cosmetic box, wherein the plastic pin is a solid cylinder having two convex portions at two ends respectively, and two transitional members each around the convex portion, the usage method comprising the following step: the plastic pin being inserted through a through aperture of the cover and a channel of the base so as to pivotally couple the cover and the base of the cosmetic box together.