REFILLABLE COMPACT

Abstract

A refillable compact includes a cover, a base and a platform having one or more pan wells. Each pan well is fillable with an active product. The cover and base are linked by coaxial hinges, the cover being rotatable around the coaxial hinges to open and close with the base. The platform is configured to removably slide into the base along rail slots located on each side of the base and the platform is kept in place by friction between the base and the platform. The platform is refillable or replaceable with a new platform by sliding out the platform from the base along the rail slots and inserting the platform refilled with the active product or the new platform into the base along the rail slots. The components of the refillable compact are made of environmentally friendly material to promote sustainability.

Claims

1. A refillable compact comprising a cover, a base and a platform comprising one or more pan wells, each pan well is fillable with an active product, the cover and base are linked by coaxial hinges, the cover being rotatable around the coaxial hinges to open and close with the base, the platform is configured to removably slide into the base along rail slots located on each side of the base and the platform is kept in place by friction between the base and the platform; wherein the platform is refillable or replaceable with a new platform by sliding out the platform from the base along the rail slots and inserting the platform refilled with the active product or the new platform into the base along the rail slots; and wherein components of the refillable compact are made of environmentally friendly material to promote sustainability.

2. The refillable compact of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises a handle to facilitate removable of the platform from the base along the rail slots.

3. The refillable compact of claim 1, wherein the platform is a paper platform.

4. The refillable compact of claim 4, wherein the platform is made of cardboard.

5. The refillable compact of claim 1 is free of adhesive and glue.

6. The refillable compact of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a snap to close around a front of the base by a temporary deformation in a closed position.

7. The refillable compact of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the cover is polished to provide reflection so the cover can be used as a built-in mirror, thereby eliminating the need for a separate mirror mounted on the inner surface of the cover.

8. The refillable compact of claim 1, wherein the base and the cover are made of a material that can be folded, stamped and formed without requiring any adhesive.

9. The refillable compact of claim 8, wherein the material of the base and the cover has memory to keep a formed shape permanently.

10. The refillable compact of claim 8, wherein the base and cover are made of a metal or non-metallic alloy.

11. The refillable compact of claim 10, wherein the base and cover are made of a same material.

12. The refillable compact of claim 11, wherein the base and cover are made of aluminum to provide a lightweight compact.

13. The refillable compact of claim 1, the components are made of recyclable materials, recycled materials or eco-friendly materials.

14. The refillable compact of claim 13, wherein the components are recyclable, the base and cover can be recycled together without being separated.

15. The refillable compact of claim 1, further comprising a log debossed on top of each rail slot and in contact with a top edge of the platform to prevent the platform from moving by exerting a pressure thereon by friction.

16. The refillable compact of claim 1, wherein the material of the base and the cover is free of plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The following detailed descriptions, given by way of example, and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will be best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying figures:

[0022] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a refillable compact in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of refillable compact in an open position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the refillable compact in a closed position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention;

[0025] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the refillable compact with platform details in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the rail slot in a closed position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention; and

[0027] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the refillable compact in a closed position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Turning to FIG. 1, a refillable compact 10 of the claimed invention comprises a cover 1 cooperating with a base 3 and a platform 2 to enclose one or several pan well(s) 211. The platform 2 is the refillable unit which can receive any kind of pan well with active product. The pan well 211 is filled with powder for make up or any possible application.

[0029] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the compact cover or lid 1 and base 3 are made of the same material, preferably, any kind of metal or non-metallic alloy, such as aluminum. Preferably, the housing (the lid/cover 1 and base 3) of the refillable compact is plastic free.

[0030] Turning to FIG. 2, the cover 1 and base 3 are linked by coaxial hinges 32a, 32b,13. The base 3 and cover 1 do not need to be separated and can be recycled together. The cover 3 rotates around the hinges 32a, 32b, 13 to close and open with the base 3. In a closed position, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover snap 100 closes around the front base 321 by a temporary deformation. It is appreciated that the cover snap 100 uses the elasticity and memory of the cover material.

[0031] The lid or cover 1 is a flat and wide, preferably, made of metal or non-metallic alloy. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the lid 1 is a polished part and preferably made of metal such as aluminum. The material must be suitable to be folded, stamped and formed without requiring any glue or other adhesive means. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the selected material must have memory to keep the formed shape permanently without requiring any glue or other adhesive means. Preferably, the lid 1 is made of a high gloss polished material that advantageously provides a necessary reflection so the lid 1 can be used as a built-in mirror 14 by the consumer/end user. This eliminates the need for mirror in the refillable compact 10, and totally eliminating the need for bonding, such as glue or adhesive. In typical compacts, the mirror is bonded onto the inner surface of the lid, thereby adding weight and requiring adhesives, such as glue, tape and the like. That is, the claimed refillable compact is glue and adhesive free. Further, this result in the claimed refillable compact being comprised of eco-friendly materials, promoting sustainability.

[0032] In accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the platform 2 is delivered as a separate element to the contract filler. As exemplary shown in FIG. 4, the platform 2 is a flat component designed to slide into the base slot 31 along the rail slots 31A, 31B. In accordance with exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the platform 2 is made of paper, such as cardboard. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the platform 2 is of a flat geometry to maintain an efficient and simple filling process, i.e., filling the platform 2 with an active product, such as compact powder. As exemplary shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the geometry and tolerances of the platform edges 21 slide into two rails of the base 31A, 31B. The thickness of the platform 2 and the base 3 by friction work together to keep the platform 2 in place. As exemplary shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the two debossed logs 311, 312, debossed on each rail slot 31A, 31B of the base 3, are the main components in contact with the top edge of the platform 2, thereby preventing the platform 2 from moving by exerting pressure thereon by friction.

[0033] It is appreciated that the paper platform 2 does not need to be durable, as it is a refill, a consumable part of the package or compact 10. The platform 2 is a vessel by which the active product is carried, in direct contact or with an interface called a “pan” in the case of pressed powder or hot poured make-up formulas. Typical platforms are usually made of plastic or metallic materials. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the platform is a paper platform, which is significantly cheaper in terms of material cost than plastic and metal, and significantly cheaper to manufacture. There is no tooling investment or very limited tooling investment as compared to plastic molded part. The collection and recycling process for paper product is well known and simple. Moreover, the claimed paper platform is significantly lighter than conventional plastic or metallic platform, and ability to decorate the claimed paper platform is unlimited. Furthermore, the source of the material used in the claimed platform is preferably forest stewardship certified and controlled. The carbon footprint of the metal/paper material combination of the claimed refillable compact impacts the environment much less than the conventional compact, thereby contributing to the on-going efforts to protect the environment.

[0034] Once the consumer decides to replace or refill the platform 2, as exemplary shown in FIG. 2, she completely opens the cover 1 at 180 degrees, grabs the handle 213 and pulls out the platform 2 from the base 3 to separate from the rail slots 31A, 31B. The platform 2 can be completely removed from the refillable compact 10 and replaced with another platform 2. The existing platform 2 slides out the base 3 along the rail slots 31A, 31B and a new platform 2 is installed by sliding it along the rail slots 31A, 31B. That is, the consumer can replace the existing platform 2 with another platform 2 after the active product in the existing platform 2 is consumed or to change platform 2 with different active product, e.g., a different shade for compact powder.

[0035] In contrast, the prior art compacts use permanent assembly elements, such as, permanent mechanical features, glue or welding, which cannot be easily separated and require breakage of the platform to separate the components. These claimed elements/features increase the reliability of the claimed refillable compact to provide a longer life and endless usage.

[0036] As exemplary shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the claimed platform 2 slides into the compact guided sideways by the rail slots 31A, 31B in the base 3 and the sides of the platform 21A, 21B and a stopper 214 on the platform 2, exemplary shown in FIG. 5, meeting the front of the base 322.

[0037] Regardless of the size of the platform 2 and the number of pan wells 211, it is appreciated that the top surface of the platform 2 is open and accessible to the end user.

[0038] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the claimed invention, the refillable compact 10 is made of or comprised of up to 100% recycled, recyclable or eco-friendly materials.