Airtight compact

Abstract

An airtight cosmetic compact, wherein the airtight feature is created by interaction between a seal facing downwardly from the inside of the cover and the upwardly facing recess of the base. The cover locks on the base by either thread elements on both cap and base or by bayonet like cams, allowing the cover to be twisted on the base compressing the cover against the base and engaging the seal with the base recess. By compressing the seal against the base and holding it in place through the threaded engagement the air-tightness of the compact is achieved and guaranteed.

Claims

1. A cosmetic case comprising: a base having a recess defined by a recess wall; a ring free to rotate about the recess wall and retained by the base; a cover; a hinge affixing the cover to the ring to form a cover assembly; wherein rotation of the cover assembly about the recess wall forms an airtight seal between the base and the cover; wherein the ring is retained to the base with at least one groove extending around at least a portion of the recess wall engaged with at least one protrusion extending inwardly from the ring, said at least one groove retaining the ring by the at least one protrusion while allowing rotation of the ring through at least a predetermined arc about the recess wall; wherein the at least one groove further comprises at least one riser such that rotation of the cover assembly engages the at least one protrusion with the at least one riser and moves the cover assembly away from the base.

2. The cosmetic case of claim 1, further comprising mating threads on the cover and base such that engagement of the threads and rotation of the cover assembly draws the cover towards the base to form the airtight seal.

3. The cosmetic case of claim 1, further comprising mating lugs and slots on the cover and base such that engagement of the lugs with the slots and rotation of the cover assembly holds the cover in position to form and maintain the airtight seal.

4. The cosmetic case of claim 1, further comprising a sealing element between the cover and the base.

5. The cosmetic case of claim 4 wherein the sealing element is selected from the group consisting of an annular gasket, a valve seal ring, and a disc.

6. The cosmetic case of claim 5 wherein the sealing element is formed as an integral part of the cover or base.

7. The cosmetic case of claim 1, further comprising: a valve seal ring affixed to the cover, said valve seal ring having a chamfered perimeter; and a chamfer on the recess wall configured to mate with the chamfered perimeter on the valve seal ring to form the airtight seal.

8. The cosmetic case of claim 1, wherein the recess wall extends upward from an upper surface of the base, said case further comprising a mirror affixed to a lower surface of the base.

9. The cosmetic case of claim 1, wherein the ring is retained to the base with a groove extending around a periphery of an outer surface of the recess wall engaged with a shoulder extended from an inner surface of the ring.

10. The cosmetic case of claim 1 further comprising a two part retaining element for retaining the ring on the base, wherein the first part of the retaining element further comprises at least one groove on the ring and the second part of the retaining element comprises at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the recess wall, wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to retain the ring by engaging the groove while allowing rotation of the ring through at least a predetermined arc about the recess wall.

11. The cosmetic case of claim 1 wherein said hinge has an outer profile which substantially matches a profile of an outer diameter of the ring, and said hinge in the closed position is fully contained within the outer perimeter of the ring.

12. The cosmetic case of claim 1 further comprising a chamber in vapor contact with the recess when the cosmetic case is sealed.

13. The cosmetic case of claim 12 wherein the chamber contains a substance selected from a list consisting of: a preservative, a bactericide, a biocide, a water source, a solvent, a desiccant, and combinations thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

(1) FIGS. 1 and 2 depict side views of embodiments of an airtight compact in accordance with the invention.

(2) FIGS. 3 and 4 depict rear views of the compacts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(3) FIGS. 5 and 6 depict side views of the compacts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the covers opened.

(4) FIGS. 7 and 8 depict perspective views of the compacts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the covers opened.

(5) FIGS. 9 and 10 depict top views of the compacts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the covers opened.

(6) FIGS. 11 and 12 depict rear views of the compacts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the covers opened.

(7) FIGS. 13 and 14 depict front views of the compacts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the covers opened.

(8) FIGS. 15 and 16 depict bottom perspective views of the compacts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the covers opened.

(9) FIGS. 17 and 18 depict sectional views of the compacts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with covers closed and seal open.

(10) FIGS. 19 and 20 depict sectional views of the compacts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with covers closed and seals formed.

(11) FIGS. 21 and 22 depict top views of the intermediate ring of the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2

(12) FIGS. 23 and 24 depict upper perspective views of the intermediate ring of the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(13) FIG. 25 depicts a lower perspective view of the intermediate ring of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2.

(14) FIGS. 26 and 30 depict upper perspective views of the cover of the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(15) FIGS. 27 and 31 depict lower perspective views of the cover of the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(16) FIGS. 28 and 32 depict side views of the base of the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(17) FIGS. 29 and 33 depict upper perspective views of the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(18) FIGS. 34 and 35 depict sectional views of embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

(19) The invention relates to airtight compacts or cosmetic cases, which for the purposes of this patent will be used interchangeably to refer to small, portable containers for cosmetics with hinged covers, with or without affixed mirrors. In particular, the invention relates to airtight compacts in which only a single cover is opened to expose the cosmetic for use. In these compacts, a cosmetic product is stored in a recess comprising a base and a cover. When the cover is closed, an airtight seal is formed between the cover and the base. In many embodiments, the recess is sized to fit a standard size cosmetic pan (41), advantageously permitting use of the cosmetic case for a variety of colors and compositions of cosmetics. In some embodiments, the recess is sized to contain an industry standard cosmetic pan.

(20) In some embodiments, the recess is defined by a recess wall (17) extending upwardly from an upper surface (6) of the base having an upwardly facing open end defined by a lip (19). The cover (1) has a downwardly facing seal configured to engage the lip of the recess to form an airtight container for the cosmetic product. In some embodiments, the seal is a flexible or elastomeric material affixed to the cover. Pressure holding the cover to the base provides force to deform the flexible or elastomeric material sufficiently to provide an airtight function between the cover and the lip of the recess. In other embodiments, the cover is made of a flexible or elastomeric material and deforms sufficiently to provide an airtight function without providing an additional seal.

(21) In some embodiments, the seal is a valve seal ring. This is a ring of flexible or elastomeric material extending downwardly from the cover and configured to engage the lip (19) of the recess. In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the external periphery (25) of the valve ring seal engages the internal periphery (23) of the lip of the recess to form an airtight seal when the cover is held down to the base. In other embodiments, the internal periphery of the valve ring seal engages the external periphery of the lip of the recess. In still other embodiments, the bottom surface of the valve ring seal engages the top surface of the lip of the recess. In further embodiments, the valve ring seal is slotted to engage both the internal and external periphery of the lip of the recess.

(22) In many embodiments using a valve seal ring, the engaging surfaces of the valve seal ring and the lip of the recess are chamfered slightly in opposite directions. In an embodiment in which the external periphery of the valve ring seal engages the internal periphery of the lip of the recess, the external periphery of the valve ring seal tapers slightly from larger where it meets the cover to smaller at its downward extent. The internal periphery of the lip of the recess is tapered slightly from larger at its upward extent to smaller as it approaches the base. This has the advantageous effect of compressing the valve seal ring as it is pressed into the lip of the recess, improving the airtight function of the container, as shown in FIGS. 17-20. The chamfers provide slight differences in the terminal diameters of the engaging surfaces which allow a more positive seating of the valve seal ring to the lip of the recess due to the size difference of the terminal diameters of the engaging surfaces as the cover is closed, and the resulting sloped surfaces allow more of the pressure holding the cover to the base to be applied directly to the engaging surfaces.

(23) In some embodiments, the seal is a disc of flexible or elastomeric material affixed to the cover on one surface and configured to engage the top surface of the lip of the recess on the other surface. In some embodiments, the disc is flat, providing advantages in ease of construction. In other embodiments, the disc is convex, the center extending further from the cover than the periphery, providing more positive centering and sealing to an interior periphery of the lip of the recess. In still other embodiments, the seal is concave, the periphery extending further from the cover than the center, providing an enlarged storage space inside the airtight chamber and being less likely to disturb and ornamental upper surface on the product in the receptacle.

(24) In other embodiments, the seal is an annular gasket affixed to the cover.

(25) In some embodiments, a seal is provided on the base, configured to engage a corresponding surface on the cover. In one embodiment, the lip of the recess comprises a flexible or elastomeric material which forms an airtight function when pressed against the cover. In other embodiments, the cover further comprises a downwardly protruding feature configured to engage the flexible portion of the lip to provide the airtight function. In one embodiment, the downwardly protruding feature is a ridge configured to engage one or more of the internal periphery, the external periphery, or the surface of the lip of the recess. In another embodiment, the downwardly protruding feature is a disc with an external periphery configured to engage the internal periphery of the lip of the recess. In different embodiments, the disc is flat, convex, or concave. In some embodiments, the engaging surfaces of the lip of the recess and the downwardly protruding feature of the cover are chamfered slightly in opposite directions, advantageously improving the airtight function of the container.

(26) FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate two embodiments of the airtight compact of the current invention. In FIG. 1, the hinge is external to the diameter of the compact. In FIG. 2, the hinge is contained within the external diameter of the compact. These embodiments comprise a cover (1), an intermediate ring (3) and a base (5). They further comprise a hinge (7) of two parts molded into the cover and the intermediate ring, and a hinge pin (9) to maintain the hinged relationship between the cover and the intermediate ring. As can be seen from FIGS. 7-8, the base contains a recess (13) formed from a wall (17) extending upwardly from the base. As shown in FIGS. 20-25 and 28-33, the intermediate ring (3) is fixed to the cover by protrusions (29) extending inwardly from the inner surface of the intermediate ring, the protrusions fitting into matching grooves (31) in the wall. This allows the intermediate cover to rotate with respect to the base about the external diameter of the wall, while preventing the ring from being detached from the base. The upward extent of the wall forms a lip (19) defining the opening of the recess.

(27) In some embodiments, the grooves are defined by an upper and lower edge, each parallel to the upper surface of the base, the groove being wider than the thickness of the protrusions. This allows the ring to move axially with respect to the base within the groove, the protrusions free to move perpendicular to the groove to an extent limited by the edges of the groove. This limited freedom of axial movement aids in engaging the threads on the cover and base and eases the requirement for machining to tight tolerances. Because the cover is attached to the ring by a hinge, a slight opening of the hinge permits the threads to engage even if there is some variation between manufactured parts.

(28) In some embodiments, a riser (33) is provided at the terminus of the groove. This advantageously lifts the ring away from the surface of the base at the extent of the ring's rotation, preventing any separation of the cover from the ring during rotation from wedging the ring against the recess wall as the cover is unscrewed. In another embodiment, the riser is a portion of the lower edge of the groove that slopes upward in relation to the upper surface of the base.

(29) The cover (1) further comprises a valve seal ring (14) on the internal downward surface (15). The external periphery (25) of the valve seal ring is chamfered slightly, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The internal periphery (23) of the lip of the recess is also chamfered slightly as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, and configured to engage the external periphery of the valve seal ring. As the cover is pressed against the base, the valve seal ring is compressed into the lip of the recess, forming an airtight function in the recess.

(30) Threads (21) are provided on the cover (1) to engage threads (11) provided on the wall (17) extended upwardly from the base. The cover is pressed against the base by engaging the threads on the cover and the threads on the base and rotating the cover and the base with respect to each other. This pressure is sufficient to engage the valve seal ring and the lip of the recess to form an airtight seal.

(31) As shown in FIGS. 15-20, a mirror (27) is attached to the bottom of some embodiments of the invention. This has the dual purpose of provided the largest possible reflective surface without increasing the size of the compact, and hiding the openings formed at the bottom of the base.

(32) To open these embodiments of the invention, the cover and base are rotated with respect to each other until the threads on the cover disengage from the threads on the base, and then the cover is lifted to open the hinge between the cover and the intermediate ring. To close the embodiments, the cover is lowered and the cover and base are rotated with respect to each other until the threads engage and the cover is pressed sufficiently against the base to form an airtight seal between the valve seal ring and the lip of the recess.

(33) In some embodiments, the function and structure of the hinge (7) and hinge pin (9) are replaced by a living hinge. This advantageously permits the cover (1) and the intermediate ring (3) to be molded or machined from a single piece of material, retaining a thin flexible diaphragm between the two. The cover and intermediate ring are folded together at the center of the diaphragm, leaving the diaphragm as a living hinge. This embodiment advantageously reduces the cost and complexity of manufacturing and is especially suited in smaller applications such as providing compacts for promotional samples of cosmetics. In some embodiments the living hinge remains external to the outer profile of the intermediate ring and the cover when the cover is closed. In other embodiments, the intermediate ring is provided with a depression into which the living hinge fits when the cover is closed, advantageously allowing a smooth external profile on the cosmetic case. In other embodiments, the cover is provided with a depression into which the living hinge fits when the cover is closed, while in still other embodiments, both the intermediate ring and the cover are provided with a depression, advantageously allowing a wider range of hinged motion between the intermediate ring and the cover while preserving a smooth profile to the outer surface of the cosmetic case when the cover is closed.

(34) In other embodiments, the invention utilizes bayonet mounts rather than threads to press the cover to the base. In one embodiment, one or more lugs are formed on the inside of the cover, configured to engage corresponding slots formed in the base. Engaging the lugs with the slots and rotating the cover and base with respect to each other has the effect of tightening the cover onto the base. In another embodiment, the one or more lugs are formed on the base to engage corresponding slots in the cover. Other mechanisms for pressing the cover to the base including latches and spring clips can be envisioned without departing from the spirit of the invention.

(35) In some embodiments, a manual vacuum break is provided. This is especially advantageous when the contents are fine dry powders. In these cases, the process of unscrewing the cover can form a vacuum inside the receptacle as the airtight seal is broken, and the inrushing air can scatter the contents. In other cases, the process of screwing down the cover to form the airtight seal compresses the air inside the container, leading to higher pressure inside the container than outside and potentially leading to blowing about of the powder as the pressure is released when the cover is open. By manually breaking the seal using a vacuum break before the cover is turned, such scattering is avoided. In some embodiments, the vacuum break is a channel through the cover of the case, held closed by spring tension and opened by depressing an actuator on the outside of the case. In some embodiments, the vacuum break is formed as an integral part of the cover and the spring tension is provided by the resilience and elasticity of the material from which the cover is formed.

(36) In other embodiments, a one-way valve is provided. This can advantageously reduce the increase in pressure caused by screwing down the cover to form an airtight seal by allowing the air to escape as the cover is screwed down. The one-way valve allows air to escape from inside the container when the pressure inside is higher than the pressure outside, but prevents outside air from entering the container, thus preserving the contents.

(37) In other embodiments, a chamber (35) is provided in vapor contact with the recess when the airtight seal is engaged. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 34, the chamber is located in the base of the cosmetic case, beneath the recess containing the product. In a second exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, the chamber is located in the cover, above the recess containing the product when the cosmetic case is sealed. This chamber is charged with a substance (37) for preserving the contents contained in the receptacle. In some embodiments, especially advantageous when the contents are in a dry powdery form, the chamber is charged with a desiccant. In varying embodiments, the desiccants are alternatively silica gel, magnesium sulfate, and sodium sulfate. The desiccant advantageously absorbs any water entering the cosmetic case when it is opened, preventing the cosmetic from absorbing water and caking up.

(38) In other embodiments, especially advantageous when the cosmetic product is an aqueous paste, the substance is a water source, advantageously preventing the contents from drying out as water is lost when the container is opened. In one embodiment, the water source is water absorbed onto a suitable absorbent material such as cotton, cellulose, or hydrophilic sponge. In another embodiment the water source is a hydrated hydrophilic gel. In yet another embodiment, the water source is a solid such as clay, zeolite, calcium carbonate, or magnesium sulfate, the solid being in a hydrated form.

(39) In still further embodiments, especially advantageous when the contents contain an organic solvent such as hexane, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, the substance is a solvent compatible with that of the contents, the solvent absorbed onto a suitable absorbent material such as foam, cloth, or paper. In still further embodiments, the substance is alternatively a biocide, a bactericide, a fungicide, or combinations thereof, advantageously preventing biological contamination of the cosmetic product.

(40) In some embodiments, the substance is separated from the recess by a perforated divider (39) to prevent loss of the contents of the recess into the chamber. In other embodiments, especially advantageous when the contents are finely divided powders which might pass through a perforated divider, the substance is separated from the recess by a membrane (43) permeable to vapors but impermeable to finely divided solids, to prevent entry of the contents of the recess into the chamber.

(41) These descriptions and drawings are exemplary of specific embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting to the scope of the invention defined in the claims.