Container with collapsible applicator

Abstract

A container is provided that includes a base having a plurality of sides defining abase perimeter and a well configured to hold a product. The container also includes a lid assembly configured to be pivotably coupled to the base and a recess disposed on two or more of the plurality of sides. The recess has a height extending between a top and bottom of the base and a width extending between the base perimeter and the well. The container further includes a collapsible applicator configured to be: (i) held within the recess at two or more of the plurality of sides when the collapsible applicator is in a collapsed position; and (ii) removed from the recess at the two or more sides and extended from the collapsed position to an extended application position.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a base comprising a plurality of vertical sides defining a base perimeter and having a well configured to hold a product; a lid assembly configured to be pivotably coupled to the base; a recess disposed on two or more of the plurality of vertical sides, the recess having a height extending between a top and bottom of the base and a width extending between the base perimeter and the well; a collapsible applicator configured to be: (i) held within the recess at two or more of the plurality of vertical sides when the collapsible applicator is in a collapsed position; and (ii) removed from the recess at the two or more vertical sides and extended from the collapsed position to an extended application position.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible applicator comprises a plurality of sections that are configured to move relative to each other, and when the collapsible applicator is in the collapsed position within the recess, each of the plurality of sections is adjacent to one of the two or more vertical sides.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible applicator comprises: a plurality of sections configured to move relative to each other, and one or more pivot elements joining adjacent sections of the plurality of sections, and each of the plurality of sections is configured to move relative to each other about the one or more pivot elements.

4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the one or more pivot elements comprise: one or more hinged elbows configured to facilitate the movement of each of the plurality of sections relative to each other.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the base is rectangular and having a front side, a rear side opposing the front side, a right side and a left side opposing the right side, the recess disposed on the rear side, the right side and the left side, and the collapsible applicator is configured to be: (i) held within the recess at the rear side, the right side and the left side when the collapsible applicator is in a collapsed position; and (ii) removed from the recess at the rear side, the right side and the left side and extended from the collapsed position to an extended application position.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible applicator comprises: a first end section, a second end section and a middle section each configured to move relative to each other, and a first hinged elbow joining the first end section and the middle section and a second hinged elbow joining the second end section and the middle section, wherein the middle section is held within the recess at the rear side when the collapsible applicator is in the collapsed position, the first end section is held within the recess at the right side when the collapsible applicator is in the collapsed position and the second end section is held within the recess at the left side when the collapsible applicator is in the collapsed position.

7. The container according to claim 1, further comprising: another collapsible applicator configured to be: (i) held within the recess at two or more of the plurality of vertical sides when in the collapsed position; and (ii) removed from the recess at the two or more of the plurality of vertical sides and extended from the collapsed position to the extended application position.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible applicator is configured to be held within the recess via a magnetic connection.

9. The container according to claim 1, wherein the collapsible applicator is configured to slide into the recess.

10. A collapsible applicator for use with a container, the collapsible applicator comprising: a first section; a second section; a third section; a first pivot element joining the first section and the second section; and a second pivot element joining the second section and the third section; wherein the first section and the second section are configured to move relative to each other about the first pivot element, and the first section and the second section are configured to be: (i) held within a recess disposed at two or more of a plurality of sides of a base of the container when the collapsible applicator is in a collapsed position; and (ii) removed from the recess at the two or more sides and extended from the collapsed position to an extend application position, wherein when the collapsible applicator is in the collapsed position, the first section of the collapsible applicator is configured to be held within the recess disposed at a right side of the container, the third section of the collapsible applicator is configured to be held within the recess disposed at a left side of the container opposing the right side of the container, and the third section of the collapsible applicator is configured to be held within the recess disposed at a rear side of the container extending between the right side and left side.

11. The collapsible applicator according to claim 10, wherein the first pivot element comprises one or more hinged elbows configured to facilitate the movement of each of the plurality of sections relative to each other.

12. The collapsible applicator according to claim 10, wherein the first pivot element comprises one or more corrugations configured to facilitate the applicator being collapsed between the collapsed position and the extended application position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing and other aspects of the container having a collapsible applicator are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. There is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a container with a collapsible applicator according to embodiments disclosed herein;

(3) FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the container shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1 with the collapsible applicator removed from the container and shown in an extended application position;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1 with the collapsible applicator removed from the container 100 and shown in a collapsed position; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container shown in FIG. 1 with the collapsible applicator in the collapsed position within the recess and the lid assembly in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(8) Because conventional vessels having applicators are typically small in size and much of the space of the vessels is used to hold the products, the applicators included with these conventional vessels are typically small. For example, the length of a conventional applicator may be limited to the width or length of the vessels in which they are held. In some cases, users of these conventional vessels may not wish to use these applicators because of their small size. Accordingly, users may discard these small applicators and, instead, use their own brushes which are separately packaged.

(9) Embodiments provide a container configured to hold one or more products and having a collapsible product applicator (e.g., brush) held in a recess disposed around a perimeter of the container. In some embodiments, the container includes multiple sides and the recess is disposed on at least two sides of the container. In some embodiments, the container includes a single side (e.g., circular container) and the recess is disposed on the single side of the container. In some embodiments, an applicator includes one or more pivot elements segmenting the applicator into sections configured to move about the pivot points. In some aspects of embodiments, the pivot elements include hinges. In some aspects of embodiments, the pivot elements include corrugations. In some embodiments, the pivot is provided with detents or features to maintain the applicator in an open or collapsed position until a sufficient force is applied to prevent accidental and unintended opening or collapsing. In some instances, additional stops corresponding to desirable angles may also be employed.

(10) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a container 100 with a collapsible applicator 108 according to embodiments disclosed herein. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the container 100 shown in FIG. 1. The size and shape of the container shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is merely exemplary. As shown in FIG. 1, the container includes a lid assembly 102 and a base 104, The base 104 includes a recess 106 disposed around a perimeter of the container 100. The recess 106 is disposed on sides of the container 100 and has a recess height H extending between a top and bottom of the base 104 and a recess width W extending between the base perimeter and the well 312 (shown in FIG. 3).

(11) The removable and collapsible applicator 108 is held within the recess 106. In some embodiments, an applicator includes one or more pivot elements joining the applicator into sections. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the pivot elements may include hinged elbows 118 joining the applicator 108 into sections with each section disposed within a portion of the recess 106 adjacent to a corresponding side of the container 100. The sections are configured to move about the hinged elbows 118 to facilitate the applicator 108 being collapsed from an extended application position shown in FIG. 4 to a collapsed position shown in FIG. 5.

(12) In some embodiments, however, applicators may not include hinges. For example, embodiments may include applicators made from flexible material (e.g., rubber) configured to facilitate the applicators being collapsed from an extended application position to a collapsed position. For example, embodiments may include applicators that include a plurality of corrugations configured to facilitate the applicators being collapsed from an extended application position to a collapsed position. In other embodiments, the applicators could employ a bimetallic or a memory wire to permit flexibility between the use and stored positions.

(13) As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the container may be rectangular in shape and the recess 106 may be disposed on a rear side 112, a right side 114 and a left side 116 of the rectangular container 100. In some embodiments, the rectangular container 100 may have a recess disposed on any number of sides. For example, the rectangular container 100 may include a recess disposed on two sides (e.g., rear side 112 and right side 114 or rear side 112 and left side 116). In some embodiments, the recess may be disposed on a single side (e.g., rear side 112) of the rectangular container 100. In some embodiments, the recess may be disposed on each of the sides (e.g., front side 110, rear side 112, right side 114 and left side 116).

(14) In the embodiment shown at FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the container 100 includes a single recess 106 that extends continuously on the right side 114, rear side 112 and left side 116, In some embodiments, however, containers may have multiple recesses disposed on different sides. For example, embodiments may include a rectangular container having one recess disposed on a left side and another recess disposed on a right side. In these embodiments, each recess may be used to hold a separate applicator. Similarly, in some embodiments, the recess can be disposed on three sides and house two applicators, each occupying, for example, one and a half sides. It should be appreciated that the number of applicators to be so held is limited only by the combination of size of the applicator(s) and the size of the recess(es).

(15) The size and shape of the recess 108 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is merely exemplary. Embodiments may include containers having other shapes and sizes. For example, containers may be shaped as another type of polygon (e.g., triangle or octagon). In some embodiments, containers may be circular having a single continuous side. In these embodiments, the container may include a single recess extending along any portion of the perimeter and may be used to hold one or more collapsible and removable applicators. In these embodiments, the container may also include multiple recesses extending along separate portions of the perimeter and may each be used to hold a collapsible and removable applicator.

(16) The dimensions of recesses may depend on various factors, including but not limited to the dimensions of containers and the balance between space within the containers for holding products and size of the applicators.

(17) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the container shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown at FIG. 1, the front side 110 does not include a recess. As shown in FIG. 3, the lid assembly 102 may include a clasp 302 disposed on the front side 104 to facilitate opening of the lid assembly 102 and the base 104 may include a clasp recess 304 configured to receive the clasp 302 and hold the lid assembly in a closed position. The container 100 may also include a mirror 306. In some embodiments, the mirror may be attached to the lid assembly 102. In other embodiments, the mirror 306 may be removable.

(18) As shown in FIG. 3, the applicator 108 includes sections joined by the hinged elbows 118. The size and shape of the applicator 108 shown in FIG. 3 is merely exemplary. Embodiments may include applicators having different shapes and sizes. Embodiments may also include applicators having different numbers of elbows and different numbers of sections. The applicator also includes a first tip type 402 and a second tip type 404 for applying different types of products or for applying products differently. In some embodiments, the tips may be the same. In some embodiments, applicators may include a single tip. Exemplary tips include a brush, bristles, doe foot, a pad, a sponge, metal, ceramic and other types of applicators.

(19) The container 100 may include a tray 308 having a plurality of compartments 310. The tray may be removable from well 312 in base 104. The size, shape and number of compartments 310 shown in FIG. 3 are merely exemplary. Embodiments may include any number of compartments having shapes and sizes the same or different from those shown in FIG. 3. Exemplary containers may also include any number of trays. Exemplary compartments may be used to hold any type of product, but may be particularly well suited for cosmetics that may include, but are not limited to loose powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like), creams (e.g., skincare, eye, foundation, and the like), sunscreen, hot pour products (e.g., lipsticks, glosses, and the like), touchup, spot cover, baked powders, moisturizers, hair creams, gels, serums, and the like.

(20) In the embodiment shown herein, the recess 106 is configured to receive and hold the removable applicator 108 via friction fitting. In some embodiments, containers may include recesses configured to receive and hold removable applicators via snap fitting. In other embodiments, containers may include recesses configured to receive and hold removable applicators via magnets.

(21) In some embodiments, one or more portions of the removable applicator 108 may have a width less than the width of the recess 106 such that the one or more portions of the removable applicator 108 does not extend to the perimeter of the container 100, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In some embodiments, one or more portions of the removable applicator 108 may have a width substantially the same as the width of the recess 106 such that the one or more portions of the removable applicator 108 extend substantially to the perimeter of the container 100. In some embodiments, one or more portions of the removable applicator 108 may have a width greater than the width of the recess 106 such that the one or more portions of the removable applicator 108 extend past the perimeter of the container 100. In these embodiments, the removable applicator 108 may be configured to facilitate removal of the applicators from the recess by receiving a user's finger. In some embodiments, one or more portions of the recesses may include a cut out (not shown) configured to receive a portion of a user's finger to facilitate removal of the applicators from the recess.

(22) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a container 100 in a closed state holding collapsible applicator 108 in a collapsed position. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container 100 shown in FIG. 1 with the collapsible applicator 108 removed from the container 100 and shown in an extended application position. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container 100 shown in FIG. 1 with the collapsible applicator 108 removed from the container 100 and shown in a collapsed position. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container 100 shown in FIG. 1 with the collapsible applicator 108 in the collapsed position within the recess 106 and the lid assembly 102 in an open position.

(23) Movement between various exemplary states of container 100 will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 through FIG. 6. The order of movement between the states is merely exemplary and is only described for explanatory purposes. The applicator 108 may be removed from its collapsed position within recess 106 shown in FIG. 1 to its collapsed position removed from the recess 106 shown in FIG. 5. For example, a user may remove the applicator from the recess 106 by pulling the applicator 108 from the middle section between the hinged elbows 118. In this example, the recess 106 may be configured to facilitate sliding of the sections of the applicator 108 along opposing sides 114 and 116. In another example, one or more sections (e.g., section adjacent to right side 114 or section adjacent to left side 116) of the applicator 108 may be removed from the recess 106 and extended prior to removing the other sections of the applicator 108 from the recess 106. For example, the user may remove the section adjacent to right side 114 from the recess 106 and the section adjacent to left side 116 from the recess 106 such that the applicator is in an extended position and then remove the applicator 108 from the recess 106 to the position of the applicator 108 shown in FIG. 4. The container 100 may then be opened and the applicator 108 may be used to apply products within the compartments 310 in tray 308.

(24) The container 100 may be closed by pivoting lid assembly 102 to a closed position and the applicator 108 may then be placed into the recess 106 as shown in FIG. 1, Alternatively, the applicator 108 may be first placed into the recess 106 with the lid assembly 102 open as shown in FIG. 6 prior to the lid assembly 102 being closed. Prior to being placed in the recess, the applicator 108 may be configured to be collapsed (e.g., by a user not shown) into the position shown in FIG. 5 and then placed within the recess 106. Alternatively, the applicator 108 may be configured to be positioned against or placed within a portion of the recess 106 adjacent to a side (e.g., rear side 112) while the applicator 108 is extended and then collapsed into the position shown in FIG. 5 such that each section is disposed in a corresponding side of the recess 106.

(25) The size, shape, and dimensions of the exemplary containers shown throughout are merely exemplary. For example, exemplary containers may include outer perimeters ranging from about 80 mm to about 150 mm. Exemplary containers may also include recesses having dimensions ranging from about 6 mm to about 20 mm. Exemplary circular quick release containers may include but are not limited to the following dimensional combinations: 605020 mm; 302018 mm; 1008025 mm.

(26) Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims be construed to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.