PORTABLE AND SLENDER COSMETIC CONTAINER

Abstract

A portable and slender container for the effective and efficient transportation, carrying, and storage of cosmetic formulations having a slender configuration and comprising a container body of an elastically deformable material with an inner shell member, an outer shell member selectively removably coupled to the inner shell member, a sidewall defining a body width, an upper enclosed aperture, a body length, a body depth, and a container cavity housing a cosmetic substance therein. The container body is of a slender configuration with the body length and the body depth of a dimension ratio of at least 5:1 and with the inner wall operably configured to be depressed into the container cavity to force the cosmetic substance through the upper enclosed aperture.

Claims

1. A portable and slender cosmetic container comprising: a container body with an inner shell member having an inner wall including an inner wall rear surface, with an outer shell member selectively removably coupled to the inner shell member and with an outer wall opposing the inner wall, of an elastically deformable material, and including an outer wall rear surface, with a sidewall having two opposing sides defining a body width, with a bottom end, with an upper end opposing the bottom end, defining an upper enclosed aperture disposed at the upper end of the container body, defining a body length separating the bottom and upper ends, defining a body depth separating the outer and inner wall rear surfaces, and defining and enclosing a container cavity housing a cosmetic substance therein and with the container cavity is fluidly coupled to the upper enclosed aperture, wherein the container body is of a slender configuration with the body length and the body depth of a dimension ratio of at least 5:1 and with the inner wall operably configured to be depressed into the container cavity to force the cosmetic substance through the upper enclosed aperture; and a cover selectively removably coupled to the upper end of the container body in a watertight configuration and covering the upper enclosed aperture.

2. The cosmetic container according to claim 1, wherein: the inner and outer shell members are selectively removably coupled together around outer edges thereon, wherein the outer shell member includes a flange radially extending from the outer edges thereon and defining a singular space thereon that is aligned with the upper enclosed aperture.

3. The cosmetic container according to claim 1, wherein: the inner wall is of an elastically deformable material.

4. The cosmetic container according to claim 1, wherein: the slender configuration includes the body length and the body depth of a dimension ratio of at least 10:1.

5. The cosmetic container according to claim 1, further comprising: an applicator stem disposed in the upper enclosed aperture, with a lower end defining a lower end opening disposed in the container cavity, and with an upper end defining an upper end opening disposed outside of the container cavity, wherein the inner wall is operably configured to be depressed into the container cavity to force the cosmetic substance through the applicator stem, through the upper enclosed aperture, and out the upper end opening of the applicator stem, the cover operably configured to cover the applicator stem.

6. The cosmetic container according to claim 5, further comprising: an applicator tip selectively removably coupled to the upper end opening of the applicator stem and of a porous material configured to enable transportation of the cosmetic substance therethrough, the cover operably configured to cover the applicator tip.

7. The cosmetic container according to claim 6, further comprising: a cosmetic pouch of a flexible polymeric material, disposed within the container cavity, having the applicator stem coupled thereto, housing the cosmetic substance therein, and selectively removably coupled to at least one of the inner and outer shell members, wherein the inner wall is operably configured to be depressed into the container cavity and contact the cosmetic pouch to force the cosmetic substance through the applicator stem, through the upper enclosed aperture, and out the upper end opening of the applicator stem.

8. The cosmetic container according to claim 7, wherein: the inner and outer shell members are selectively removably coupled together around outer edges thereon, wherein the outer shell member includes a flange radially extending from the outer edges thereon and defining a singular space thereon that is aligned with the upper enclosed aperture.

9. The cosmetic container according to claim 1, further comprising: an internal flange radially extending into the container cavity from at least one of the inner wall and the outer wall and operably configured to retain the cosmetic substance therein.

10. The cosmetic container according to claim 9, further comprising: a cosmetic pouch of a flexible polymeric material, disposed within the container cavity, housing the cosmetic substance therein, and retained by the internal flange.

11. The cosmetic container according to claim 10, further comprising: an applicator stem disposed in the upper enclosed aperture, coupled to the cosmetic pouch, with a lower end defining a lower end opening disposed in the container cavity, and with an upper end defining an upper end opening disposed outside of the container cavity, wherein the inner wall is operably configured to be depressed into the container cavity and contact the cosmetic pouch to force the cosmetic substance through the applicator stem, through the upper enclosed aperture, and out the upper end opening of the applicator stem, the cover operably configured to cover the applicator stem.

12. The cosmetic container according to claim 1, further comprising: a portion of the sidewall located at the bottom end of the container body that is selectively removable from the container body to expose the container cavity.

13. The cosmetic container according to claim 1, further comprising: a sliding cover disposed on the upper end of the container body that is operably configured to slide along a translational track defined by a protuberance and to expose the upper enclosed aperture.

14. The cosmetic container according to claim 13, wherein the translational track of the sliding cover is about an x- and y-axis of the protuberance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a front exploded view of a portable cosmetic container in accordance with a circular embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIGS. 2-6 depict elevational and perspective views of the portable cosmetic container according to FIG. 1, in accordance with a circular embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIGS. 7-8 depict cross-sectional front and side views of the portable cosmetic container, in accordance with a circular embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the portable cosmetic container, in accordance with a rectangular embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 10 is an elevational front view of the portable cosmetic container, in accordance with a rectangular embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 11 is a perspective front view of the portable cosmetic container, in accordance with a rectangular embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIGS. 12-13 depict elevational side views of the portable cosmetic container, in accordance with a rectangular embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIGS. 14-15 depict perspective top and bottom views of the portable cosmetic container, in accordance with a rectangular embodiment of the present invention; and

[0032] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional front view of the portable cosmetic container and cosmetic pouch therein, in accordance with a rectangular embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0033] The invention described herein provides a portable and slender cosmetic container that overcomes known disadvantages of those known devices and methods of this general type and that enables effective and efficient transportation, carrying, and storage of cosmetic substances.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a perspective view. FIG. 1 shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a portable and slender cosmetic container 100 (referred to hereinafter as “container 100” for brevity), as shown in FIG. 1, includes a container body 102 with an inner shell member 124 having an inner wall 130 including an inner wall rear surface 120, with an outer shell member 126 selectively removably coupled to the inner shell member 124 and with an outer wall 132 opposing the inner wall 130, of an elastically deformable material. The outer wall 132 has an outer wall rear surface 118. The container 100 also has a sidewall 106 having two opposing sides 114, 116 that define a body width 200. The container further has a bottom end 110 and an upper end 112 opposing the bottom end 110. The upper end 112 defines an upper enclosed aperture 128, a body length 202 that separates the bottom and upper ends 110, 112, a body depth 204 that separates the outer and inner wall rear surfaces 118, 120, and a container cavity 104 that is both defined and enclosed by the upper end 112. In one embodiment, at least one of the inner wall rear surface 120 and the outer wall rear surface 118 is substantially planar, wherein “substantially planar” is defined as flat or relating to or in the form of a plane. Beneficially, this prevents the container 100 from getting inadvertently caught on any items within the purse, wristlet, or other carrying case in which it is placed.

[0035] The container cavity 104 houses a cosmetic substance therein and is fluidly coupled to the upper enclosed aperture 128, wherein the container body 102 is of a slender configuration. Specifically, the body length 202 and the body depth 204 are of a dimension ratio of at least 5:1 and the inner wall 130 is operably configured to be depressed into the container cavity 104 to force the cosmetic substance through the upper enclosed aperture 128. In one embodiment, the slender configuration includes the body length being approximately 3-6 inches, the body width being approximately 1-3 inches, and the body depth 204 is approximately 0.5-2 inches. Said another way, the slender configuration may have a length, width, and depth (L×W×D) dimensional ratio of approximately 3:2:1. In another embodiment, the dimensional ratio is approximately 5:3:1. In another embodiment, the dimensional ratio is approximately (3-5):(2-4):(0.2-1). In the accompanying figures, the ratio is approximately 13:1 for the rectangular embodiment of the container 100 (i.e., 86 mm (L)×6.35 mm (D)) and around 11:1 for the circular embodiment of the container 100 (i.e., 59 mm (L)×5 mm (D)). In alternate embodiments, the slender configuration includes the body length 202 and the body depth 204 of a dimension ratio of at least 10:1. A slender configuration can also be seen depicted in at least FIGS. 2-15 and may consist of a rectangular, oblong, cylindrical, or other shape having a slender configuration. The dimensions of the cosmetic device beneficially enables the device to be efficiently and effectively stored in the purse, wristlet, or other wearable item used by the user for storing purposes (with minimal disruption, storage area, or inconvenient experienced or required by the user and/or the user's wearable item). As such, when the user desires to use the cosmetic device, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the user will simply remove the cover (with the applicator) and utilize the device as conventionally known. Beneficially, the slender configuration of the container 100 is achieved by the absence of any pumping components typically utilized by cosmetics. Without sacrificing its slender configuration, however, the container 100 is operably configured to dispense the cosmetic substance housed within the container cavity 104. Specifically, the container 100 comprises and utilizes an elastically deformable wall in order to force the cosmetic substance from inside the container 100 to the user.

[0036] In certain embodiments, like those wherein the container body 102 is of a circular shape, the body length 202 is identical to the body width 200 and is technically considered the diameter of the circular container body 102. One such embodiment (including body width 200 and body length 202) is depicted in FIGS. 5-6. The circular embodiment of the container 100 may be accompanied by a corresponding stand operably configured to support and display the circular container 100 since the circular sidewall 106 may not be structurally capable of holding the container 100 in an upright position on its own.

[0037] The container 100 also includes a cover 108 selectively removably coupled to the upper end 112 of the container body 102 in a watertight configuration and covering the upper enclosed aperture 128, thereby preventing any cosmetic substances housed inside the container body 102, e.g., lip gloss, from inadvertently emitting therefrom. In one embodiment, the container body 102 and cover 108 are made of polymeric material that is preferably degradable and/or recyclable, e.g., biodegradable. In other embodiments, another polymeric and preferably durable and flexible material is utilized, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). In some embodiments, the container body 102, either completely or partially, may be of a material that is translucent and/or transparent. In further embodiments, the body may be of one or more color(s) and/or shade(s). In preferred embodiments, both the inner and outer walls 130, 132 are of a silicone material that beneficially enables the user to squeeze contents within the container cavity 104 out of the container cavity 104. The silicone material has a preferred Shore hardness range of 10A-50A on a scale of 0-100A and a modulus of elasticity ranging from 110-180 GPA. Because it is used for cosmetics, silicone is preferably utilized because of its superior strength to other elastomers, its greater resistance to heat damage, its increased resistance to chemical attacks, corrosion, and degradation from prolonged exposure to caustic and acidic compounds, and its greater resistance to damage from fungus and organic buildup because the material itself is inorganic.

[0038] The inner and outer shell members 124, 126 are selectively removably coupled together around outer edges thereon, wherein the outer shell member 126 includes a flange 138 radially extending from the outer edges thereon and defining a singular space 140 thereon that is aligned with the upper enclosed aperture 128. The singular space 140 is aligned with the upper enclosed aperture 128 to beneficially permit an applicator stem 122 to protrude through the upper enclosed aperture 128. The applicator stem 122 is disposed in the upper enclosed aperture 128, with a lower end defining a lower end opening disposed in the container cavity 104, and with an upper end defining an upper end opening disposed outside of the container cavity 104. The inner wall 130 is operably configured to be depressed into the container cavity 104 to force the cosmetic substance through the applicator stem 122, through the upper enclosed aperture 128, and out the upper end opening of the applicator stem 122. The cover 108 is operably configured to cover the applicator stem 122.

[0039] The applicator stem 122 may have a plurality of bristles extending radially therefrom, and preferably disposed at and/or proximal to the distal terminal end of the applicator stem 122. In a preferred embodiment, the applicator stem 122 is of Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam, a closed cell foam having an approximate Durometer Shore-C hardness of 38 and that comes in various thickness, shapes and densities. In one embodiment, the cover 108 may be of the same diameter as the body 102 of the container 100. In one embodiment, the body 102 may include one or more ring(s) or coupling member(s) operably configured to receive and retain a chain for necklace or other wearable item, thereby enabling the cosmetic device to be also worn by the user when not efficiently and effectively stored by the user.

[0040] The applicator stem 122 may further comprise an applicator tip 134 to facilitate the application of the cosmetic substance onto the user's skin. The applicator tip 134 is selectively removably coupled to the upper end opening of the applicator stem 122 and is of a porous material configured to enable transportation of the cosmetic substance therethrough, the cover 108 operably configured to cover the applicator tip 134.

[0041] The container 100 may be used in conjunction with a cosmetic pouch 136 that houses, stores, and retains the cosmetic substance until such time as the container 100 is used and the cosmetic substance is dispensed by the user. The cosmetic pouch 136 is of a flexible polymeric material such as LDPE (low density polyethylene) which is a soft, flexible, lightweight plastic material. LDPE is a preferred material composition for the cosmetic pouch 136 because of its low temperature flexibility, toughness, and corrosion resistance. The cosmetic pouch 136 is disposed within the container cavity 104, having the applicator stem 122 coupled thereto, and is selectively removably coupled to at least one of the inner and outer shell members 124, 126, wherein the inner wall 130 is operably configured to be depressed into the container cavity 104 and contact the cosmetic pouch to force the cosmetic substance through the applicator stem 122, through the upper enclosed aperture 128, and out the upper end opening of the applicator stem 122. The user may beneficially select the type of cosmetic substance desired, fill the cosmetic pouch 136 with said cosmetic substance, and dispense the desired cosmetic substance from the cosmetic pouch 136 as desired. Alternatively, the cosmetic pouch 136 may be a pre-filled cosmetic product purchased from any industry channel of trade and disposed, by the user, between the inner and outer shell members 124, 126.

[0042] The inner and outer shell members 124, 126 are selectively removably coupled together around outer edges thereon, wherein the outer shell member 126 includes a flange 138 radially extending from the outer edges thereon and defining a singular space 140 thereon that is aligned with the upper enclosed aperture 128.

[0043] In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the container 100 comprises an internal flange 700 radially extending into the container cavity 104 from at least one of the inner wall 130 and the outer wall 132 and operably configured to retain the cosmetic substance therein. The internal flange 700 beneficially prevents the cosmetic substance from inadvertently or accidentally escaping from the container cavity 104. In one embodiment, the cosmetic pouch 136 is disposed within the container cavity 104, housing the cosmetic substance therein, and is retained by the internal flange 700.

[0044] The applicator stem 122 may be disposed in the upper enclosed aperture 128 and coupled to the cosmetic pouch 136, with a lower end defining a lower end opening disposed in the container cavity 104, and with an upper end defining an upper end opening disposed outside of the container cavity 104, wherein the inner wall 130 is operably configured to be depressed into the container cavity 104 and contact the cosmetic pouch to force the cosmetic substance through the applicator stem 122, through the upper enclosed aperture 128, and out the upper end opening of the applicator stem 122, the cover 108 operably configured to cover the applicator stem 122.

[0045] As best depicted in FIG. 9, a portion 900 of the sidewall 106 is located at the bottom end 110 of the container body 102 and is selectively removable from the container body 102 to expose the container cavity 104 for greater ease of refilling, changing, and/or inserting the cosmetic pouch 136. In an exemplary embodiment, the container 100 further comprises a sliding cover 902 disposed on the upper end 112 of the container body 102 that is operably configured to slide along a translational track defined by a protuberance 904 and to expose the upper enclosed aperture 128. The sliding cover 902 prevents the inadvertent release of cosmetic substance from the cosmetic pouch 136 that may damage or destroy nearby objects, e.g., the user's clothes, skin, wallet, or other items within the user's purse. The translational track of the sliding cover 902 is about an x- and y-axis of the protuberance 904. FIG. 10 depicts the sliding cover 902 on the translational track about an x-axis. FIG. 11 depicts the sliding cover 902 on the translational track about a y-axis.

[0046] In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the sidewall 106 may include a hook-and-loop material coupled thereto, wherein the said hook-and-loop material may be operably configured to engage with an opposing hook-and-loop material selectively removably coupled (e.g., using adhesive and/or a fastener) to an ancillary and portable item, e.g., a cellphone cover. In one embodiment of the present invention, the hook-and-loop material coupled to the sidewall 106 is also selectively removably coupled thereto (e.g., using adhesive and/or a fastener). Preferably, the hook-and-loop coupling configuration has an engagement that is configured to support the weight of the cosmetic device (e.g., 0.5 lbs or less) when coupled to the ancillary and portable item and without inadvertent detachment of the cosmetic device.

[0047] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above-described features.