Abstract
A cosmetic refill pack, a cosmetic application device, and a shade matching cosmetic kit are described. In an embodiment, the cosmetic application devices include a container base, a removable cosmetic cartridge, an overcap configured to detachably couple to the container base and envelop the removable cosmetic cartridge, a cosmetic bullet, a cartridge riser, a container riser and a base plug configured to detachably couple to the container base, wherein the base plug comprises cosmetic color information indicative of a cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet. In an embodiment, the cosmetic refill packs include a refill cartridge, a cosmetic bullet, and a base plug configured to detachably couple to the open end of the refill cartridge, wherein the base plug comprises cosmetic color information indicative of a cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet. Shade matching cosmetic kits comprise a cosmetic application device and one or more cosmetic refill packs.
Claims
1-6. (canceled)
7. A cosmetic application device comprising: a container base; a removable cosmetic cartridge comprising an open end and a functional end, wherein the functional end of the removable cosmetic cartridge is configured to detachably couple to the container base; an overcap configured to detachably couple to the container base and envelop the removable cosmetic cartridge; a cosmetic bullet coupled to an interior portion of the functional end of the removable cosmetic cartridge; a cartridge riser configured to move the cosmetic bullet through the removable cosmetic cartridge; a container riser coupled to an exterior of the functional end of the removable cosmetic cartridge and configured to actuate the cartridge riser, thereby moving the cosmetic bullet through the removable cosmetic cartridge and out the open end of the removable cosmetic cartridge; and a base plug configured to detachably couple to the container base, wherein the base plug comprises cosmetic color information indicative of a cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet.
8. The cosmetic application device of claim 7, wherein the cosmetic color information comprises written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet.
9. The cosmetic application device of claim 7, wherein the cosmetic color information comprises a base plug color, wherein the base plug color corresponds to the cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet.
10. The cosmetic application device of claim 7, wherein the base plug couples to the container base by a snap fit coupling, a twist-lock coupling, a friction fit coupling, or a magnetic attachment coupling.
11. The cosmetic application device of claim 7, wherein, when the base plug couples to the container base, the container riser is activated.
12. The cosmetic application device of claim 11, wherein the base plug is keyed to fit the container base.
13. The cosmetic application device of claim 7, wherein the container base, the overcap, and the base plug each comprise a body shape, wherein the body shape is selected from the group consisting of a cylinder, a triangular prism, a square prism, a hexagonal prism, and an octagonal prism.
14. The cosmetic application device of claim 8, wherein the removable cosmetic cartridge and the base plug comprise recycle-ready materials.
15. The cosmetic application device of claim 8, wherein the cosmetic bullet is selected from the group consisting of a lip stick, a lip balm, a foundation stick, a blush stick, a moisturizer stick, and an eyeshadow stick.
16. A shade matching cosmetic kit comprising: a cosmetic refill pack, comprising: a refill cartridge comprising an open end and a functional end; a cosmetic bullet coupled to an interior portion of the functional end of the refill cartridge; a cartridge riser configured to move the cosmetic bullet through the refill cartridge and out the open end of the refill cartridge; and a base plug configured to detachably couple to the open end of the refill cartridge, wherein the base plug comprises cosmetic color information indicative of a cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet; and a cosmetic application device, comprising: a container base configured to detachably couple to an exterior of the functional end of the refill cartridge, wherein the container base is also configured to detachably couple to the base plug; a container riser configured to actuate the cartridge riser; and an overcap configured to detachably couple to the container base.
17. The shade matching cosmetic kit of claim 16, wherein the cosmetic color information comprises written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet.
18. The shade matching cosmetic kit of claim 16, wherein, when the base plug and the refill cartridge each are coupled to the container base, the container riser is activated.
19. The shade matching cosmetic kit of claim 16, wherein the cosmetic refill pack is a first cosmetic refill pack, further comprising a second cosmetic refill pack; wherein the first cosmetic refill pack comprises: a first cosmetic bullet, and a first base plug, comprising first cosmetic color information indicative of a first cosmetic color of the first cosmetic bullet; wherein the second cosmetic refill pack comprises a second cosmetic bullet and a second base plug comprising second cosmetic color information indicative of a second cosmetic color of the second cosmetic bullet; and wherein the second cosmetic color is different from the first cosmetic color.
20. The shade matching cosmetic kit of claim 19, wherein the second cosmetic color information comprises a second written indicia corresponding to the second color of the second cosmetic bullet.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional side view of a first representative embodiment of a cosmetic refill pack taken along a line at substantially the midpoint of the width of the device of FIG. 1I according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the cosmetic refill pack of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 1C is a second perspective view of the cosmetic refill pack of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a second representative embodiment of a cosmetic refill pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 1E is a second perspective view of the cosmetic refill pack of FIG. 1E according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 1F is a top view of the cosmetic refill pack of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 1G is a side view of the cosmetic refill pack of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 1H is a bottom view of the cosmetic refill pack of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 1I is another side view of the cosmetic refill pack of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 1J is an exploded perspective view of the cosmetic refill pack of FIG. 1A, showing the interior components of the cosmetic refill pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 1K is another exploded perspective view of the cosmetic refill pack of FIG. 1A, showing the interior components of the cosmetic refill pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of a first representative embodiment of a cosmetic application device that is functional without the coupling of a base plug, taken along a line at substantially the midpoint of the width of the device of FIG. 2J according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of a second representative embodiment of a cosmetic application device that is functional upon the coupling of a base plug, taken along a line at substantially the midpoint of the width of the device of FIG. 2I according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the cosmetic application device of FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 2D is a partially exploded second perspective view of the cosmetic application device of FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 2E is a perspective view of a third representative embodiment of a cosmetic application device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 2F is a partially exploded second perspective view of the cosmetic application device of FIG. 2E according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 2G is a top view of the cosmetic application device of FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 2H is a side view of the cosmetic application device of FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 2I is a bottom view of the cosmetic application device of FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 2J is another side view of the cosmetic application device of FIG. 2A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 2K is an exploded perspective view of the cosmetic application device of FIG. 2A, showing the interior components of the cosmetic application device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 2L is another exploded perspective view of the cosmetic application device of FIG. 2A, showing the interior components of the cosmetic application device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a shade matching cosmetic kit, comprising a cosmetic refill pack and a partially exploded view of a cosmetic application device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0039] FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the shade matching cosmetic kit of FIG. 3A, showing the interior components of the cosmetic refill pack and the cosmetic application device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter to the precise forms disclosed.
[0041] The present disclosure relates generally to cosmetic refill packs, cosmetic application devices, and shade matching cosmetic kits. Application of a wide variety of cosmetic formulations to human skin tissue is a common practice. In some instances, it is beneficial for cosmetic formulations to contain any of a large number of pigments for selectively applying shade or coloring effects to human skin tissue. A user may find it advantageous to select from any one of these varieties of pigments depending on the desired effect at the time of application. In one example, applying a first pigmented cosmetic formulation to the lips may be desired during a first application, and applying a second pigmented cosmetic formulation to the lips may be thereafter desired at the time of a second application. In another example, applying a first pigmented cosmetic formulation to the cheeks, eyelids, eyebrows, or lashes may be desired at the time of a first application, and applying a second pigmented cosmetic formulation to the cheeks, eyelids, eyebrows, or lashes may be desired at the time of a second application.
[0042] Existing systems for displaying color information for the application of cosmetic formulations containing pigmentation have been widely used. For example, different cosmetic application devices may have pre-loaded a particular pigmented cosmetic formulation, with pigment indicating indicia displayed upon the exterior of such cosmetic application devices to identify the coloration within. Alternatively, some cosmetic application devices are configured to accept interchangeable pigmented cosmetic formulations so as to render the exterior of such device's reusable. Existing reusable cosmetic formulation devices have several disadvantages. Such disadvantages include, but are not limited to the waste produced by the packaging necessary to deliver interchangeable pigmented cosmetic formulation refills to consumers, especially in delivery via e-commerce or at any retail point of sale; the risk of loss of necessary storage accessories for consumers who wish to change out pigmented cosmetic formulations from a cosmetic application device prior to the complete consumption of the pigmented cosmetic formulation; and providing clear and convenient indications of which pigmented cosmetic formulation is contained within a cosmetic application device without having to open up the cosmetic application device to expose the formulation therein.
[0043] The present disclosure addresses these and related challenges.
[0044] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a cosmetic refill pack. Referring initially to FIG. 1A, an exemplary embodiment of a cosmetic refill pack 100 is depicted. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a cosmetic refill pack 100 taken along a line at substantially the midpoint of the width of the device of FIG. 1I. The cosmetic refill pack 100 is shown to comprise a refill cartridge 110, a cosmetic bullet 120, and a base plug 130. FIGS. 1D and 1E provide a partially exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a cosmetic refill pack 101, which is an example of cosmetic refill pack 100 depicted in FIG. 1A, comprising a refill cartridge 110, a cosmetic bullet (such as element 120 of FIG. 1A) and a circular base plug 131, where the refill cartridge 110 and the cosmetic bullet are examples of the refill cartridge 110 and cosmetic bullet 120 depicted in FIG. 1A.
[0045] In an embodiment, refill cartridge 110 comprises a cylindrical shell 116 comprising a shell thickness and defining an open interior channel 118, as depicted in FIG. 1J which is an example of the cartridge refill pack 100 depicted in FIG. 1A. In an embodiment, refill cartridge 110 comprises an open end 112, a functional end 114, an axial length, and a radial diameter. In an embodiment, open end 112 is a wide-open end. In an embodiment, the axial length is greater than the radial diameter. In an embodiment, the axial length is shorter than the radial diameter. In an embodiment, the refill cartridge 110 comprises recycle-ready materials. In an embodiment, the recycle-ready materials of the refill cartridge 110 comprise a PET, a PE, or a PP polymer.
[0046] In an embodiment, cosmetic bullet 120 comprises a first end and a second end. In an embodiment, the first end of cosmetic bullet 120 is configured for application of a cosmetic formulation to a user, and the second end of cosmetic bullet 120 is configured to be coupled to the functional end 114 of refill cartridge 110. In an embodiment, the first end of cosmetic bullet 120 comprises a wedged tip. In an embodiment, the first end of cosmetic bullet 120 comprises a rounded tip. In an embodiment, cosmetic bullet 120 comprises a cosmetic color. In an embodiment, cosmetic bullet 120 comprises a lipstick. In an embodiment, cosmetic bullet 120 may comprise a lip balm, a foundation stick, a blush stick, a moisturizer stick, or an eyeshadow stick.
[0047] In an embodiment, cartridge 110 comprises a cartridge riser 150. In an embodiment, cartridge riser 150 is disposed substantially within the bottom of refill cartridge 110, as depicted in FIG. 1H. In an embodiment, cartridge riser 150 is configured to move cosmetic bullet 120 through the open interior channel 118 of refill cartridge 110 and out the open end 112 of refill cartridge 110. In an exemplary embodiment, depicted in the exploded perspective views of FIGS. 1J and 1K, cartridge riser 150 comprises a cup 152 and a guide 154. In an embodiment, cup 152 comprises a guidepost protrusion 152a, and guide 154 comprises a guide track 154a, where the guidepost protrusion 152a is configured to slot into and rise through the guide track 154a, thereby lifting cosmetic bullet 120 through the open interior channel 118 of refill cartridge 110. However, it is to be understood that cartridge riser 150 can operate by other mechanisms, such that in an embodiment, cartridge riser 150 is selected from: a screw-thread riser to raise cosmetic bullet 120 through the open interior channel 118 of refill cartridge 110 and out the open end 112 of refill cartridge 110 or a push-lift riser to raise cosmetic bullet 120 through the open interior channel 118 of refill cartridge 110 and out the open end 112 of refill cartridge 110. In an embodiment, cylindrical shell 116 of refill cartridge 110 is held stationary by a user while cartridge riser 150 is manipulated, such manipulation raising cup 152 as coupled to cosmetic bullet 120 through the open interior channel 118 of refill cartridge 110. In an embodiment, cartridge riser 150 holds cosmetic bullet 120 in place after cosmetic bullet 120 has moved through the open interior channel 118 of refill cartridge 110, thereby enabling stable application to a user. However, it is to be understood that any suitable mechanism for raising cosmetic bullet 120 is within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1F and 1H, base plug 130 comprises a display side 136 and a coupling side 138, wherein display side 136 comprises cosmetic color information 140 and the coupling side 138 comprises at least one coupling structure 139. As depicted in the FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 1F, which each depict further examples of the cartridge refill pack 100 depicted in FIG. 1A, the display side 136 of base plug 130 comprises cosmetic color information 140. In an embodiment, cosmetic color information 140 comprises a written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet 120. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1B, 1F, and 1J, the written indicia comprise a first color name (here Honey Pink) and a first color code (here 550) corresponding to a first cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet 120. In another illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1D, the written indicia comprise a second color name (here Sky Blue) and a second color code (here 351) corresponding to a second cosmetic color. In an embodiment, the cosmetic color information 140 comprises legal and regulatory information such as a location of manufacture, a TSA address, and an industrial lot code. In an embodiment, the color code can be used in purchasing additional refills, such as through e-commerce or at any retail point of sale. In another embodiment, the cosmetic color information 140 comprises a base plug color corresponding to the cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet 120. In an embodiment, the written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color are printed directly on the base plug 130. In an embodiment, the written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color is directly etched into the base plug 130. In an embodiment, written indicia are disposed on a face of the display side 136 of base plug 130 as depicted in FIG. 1F. In an embodiment, written indicia are disposed around the exterior perimeter of base plug 130. In an embodiment, a face shape of the base plug 130 comprises a square face shape, as depicted in the examples shown in FIGS. 1B, 1C, 1F, 1G, 1I, 1J, and 1K, which are all examples of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A. In the embodiment depicted by FIGS. 1D and 1E, circular base plug 131 is an example of base plug 130, where circular base plug 131 comprises a circular face shape. In an embodiment, a face shape of the base plug 130 may comprise any other shape, including a triangular face shape, a hexagonal face shape, or an octagonal face shape.
[0049] In an embodiment, the coupling side 138 of base plug 130 is detachably coupled to the open end 112 of the refill cartridge 110, thereby forming a seal and substantively protecting the cosmetic bullet 120 contained therein. In an embodiment, base plug 130 couples to the open end 112 of the refill cartridge 110 via a press fit coupling. However, it is to be understood that the base plug 130 can couple to the open end 112 of refill cartridge 110 via any suitable coupling, including a snap fit coupling, a twist-lock coupling, or a magnetic attachment, and that such cooperative coupling structures are within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0050] In an embodiment the at least one coupling structure 139 on the coupling side 138 of base plug 130 comprises a first coupling structure configured to couple to the refill cartridge 110, and a second coupling structure. In an embodiment, illustrated by the example depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the second coupling structure comprises a snap fit coupling 132. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1D and 1E, which are examples of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the second coupling structure of circular base plug 131 comprises a twist-lock coupling 134. However, it is to be understood that the second coupling structure may comprise any suitable coupling structure, including a friction fit coupling, or a magnetic attachment, and that such cooperative coupling structures are within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0051] Advantages of the base plug 130 include: having multiple functionalities, such as protecting the cosmetic bullet 120 inside the cosmetic refill pack 100, indicating color or shade information about the cosmetic bullet 120, providing legal and regulatory information such as industrial lot code number, and allowing a warehouse or point of sale location to organize a plurality of cosmetic refill packs 100 by color.
[0052] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a cosmetic application device. Referring initially to FIG. 2A, an exemplary embodiment of a cosmetic application device 200 is depicted. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a cosmetic application device 200 taken along a line at substantially the midpoint of the width of the device of FIG. 2J. The cosmetic application device 200 is shown to comprise a removable cosmetic cartridge 210, a cosmetic bullet 220, a base plug 230, a cartridge riser 250, a container base 260, an overcap 270, and a container riser 280. Referring next to FIG. 2B, another exemplary embodiment of cosmetic application device 200 is depicted. In an embodiment, cosmetic application device 200 of FIG. 2B is an example of the cosmetic application device 200 depicted in FIG. 2A and is shown to comprise a removable cosmetic cartridge 210, a cosmetic bullet 220, a base plug 230, a cartridge riser 250, a container base 260, an overcap 270, a container riser 280, and base plug coupling 290. Referring to FIG. 2F, another exemplary embodiment of cosmetic application device 201 is depicted, where cosmetic application device is an example of the cosmetic application device 200 depicted in FIG. 2A. In the illustrated embodiment, cosmetic application device 201 comprises a circular base plug 231, a circular container base 261, a circular overcap 271, a removable cosmetic cartridge (such as element 210 in FIG. 2A), a cosmetic bullet (such as element 220 in FIG. 2A), a cartridge riser (such as element 250 in FIG. 2A), and a container riser (such as element 280 in FIG. 2A). In an embodiment, circular base plug 231 is an example of base plug 230 as depicted in FIG. 2C. In an embodiment, circular container base is an example of container base 260 as depicted in FIG. 2C. In an embodiment, circular overcap 271 is an example of overcap 270 as depicted in FIG. 2C.
[0053] In an embodiment, the removable cosmetic cartridge 210 is an example of refill cartridge 110 discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 1A-1K, and comprises a cylindrical shell 216 and a cartridge riser 250. In an embodiment, the cosmetic bullet 220 is an example of cosmetic bullet 120 discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 1A-1K. In an embodiment, the base plug 230 is an example of base plug 130 discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 1A-1K. In an embodiment, the cartridge riser 250 is an example of cartridge riser 150 discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 1A-1K.
[0054] In an embodiment, container riser 280 is configured to engage cartridge riser 250, which, in an embodiment, is an example of cartridge riser 150 described further herein with respect to FIGS. 1H, 1J, and 1K. In an embodiment, the removable cosmetic cartridge 210, the base plug 230, the container base 260, and the overcap 270 comprise recycle-ready materials. In an embodiment, the recycle-ready materials of the removable cosmetic cartridge 210, the base plug 230, the container base 260, and the overcap 270 comprise a PET, a PE, or a PP polymer.
[0055] Referring next to FIGS. 2C, 2D, and 2G-2J, an example of the cosmetic application device 200 of FIG. 2A is depicted, where, in an embodiment, when base plug 230, container base 260, and overcap 270 are coupled, cosmetic application device 200 comprises an overall body shape. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the overall body shape of cosmetic application device 200 comprises a square prism. However, it is to be understood that the overall body shape of cosmetic application device 200 can be any body shape, including a cylinder (such as cosmetic application device 201 depicted in FIGS. 2E and 2F, which is an example of cosmetic application device 200), a triangular prism, a hexagonal prism, and an octagonal prism. In an embodiment, each of base plug 230, container base 260, and overcap 270 comprise a radial cross-sectional shape, wherein the radial cross-sectional shape comprises a circle, a triangle, a square, a hexagon, or an octagon.
[0056] FIGS. 2K and 2L depict an exploded perspective view of an example of the cosmetic application device 200 depicted in FIG. 2A. In an embodiment, container base 260 comprises a top side 262 and a bottom side 263. In an embodiment, the top side 262 of container base 260 is configured to be detachably coupled to removable cosmetic cartridge 210 via a cartridge coupling housing 264. In an embodiment, the cartridge coupling housing 264 fully encloses the exterior base of removable cosmetic cartridge 210 when the functional end (such as element 214 of FIG. 2A) of removable cosmetic cartridge 210 is coupled to the coupling housing 264 of container base 260. However, it is to be understood that removable cartridge 210 can couple to the top side 262 of container base 260 by any suitable means. In an embodiment, removable cosmetic cartridge 210 can be detached from cosmetic application device 200 by first removing overcap 270, then gripping the exterior of refill cartridge 210 and pulling perpendicular to container base 260, thereby releasing refill cartridge 210 from cosmetic application device 200. In an embodiment, removable cosmetic cartridge 210 is configured to snap fit into container base 260. In an embodiment, removable cosmetic cartridge 210 is configured to screw fit into container base 260. In an embodiment, removable cosmetic cartridge 210 is configured to be held into container base 260 by friction created between the exterior of removable cosmetic cartridge 210 and the interior of container base 260. In an embodiment, removable cosmetic cartridge 210 is configured to be held into container base 260 by magnetic attraction between the exterior of removable cosmetic cartridge 210 and the interior of top side 262 of container base 260. Advantageously, the coupling and decoupling of removable cosmetic cartridge 210 to container base 260 allows for a user to substitute out different cosmetic formulations into the same container base 260, thereby improving reusability of container base 260 across a range of cosmetic formulations and cosmetic colors of the cosmetic formulations.
[0057] In an embodiment, the bottom side 263 of container base 260 is configured to detachably couple to the coupling side 238 of base plug 230, as is depicted in FIG. 2L. In an embodiment, an exterior shape of base plug 230 and an exterior shape of container base 260 are configured such that, when base plug 230 and container base 260 are coupled, the exteriors are substantively flush with one another, as depicted in FIGS. 2H and 2J.
[0058] In an embodiment, such as in the examples depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2D, 2K, and 2L, the coupling side 238 of base plug 230 is configured to comprise a snap fit coupling 232. In an embodiment, snap fit coupling 232 is an example of snap fit coupling 132 as discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. In an embodiment, the snap fit coupling 232 of base plug 230 comprises a plurality of flexible arms protruding substantively perpendicularly from the coupling side 238 of base plug 230 and configured to be received by corresponding grooves in container base 260. In an embodiment, such as in the cosmetic application device 201 depicted in FIG. 2F, the coupling side 238 of circular base plug 231 is configured to comprise a twist-lock coupling 234. In an embodiment, twist-lock coupling 234 is an example of twist-lock coupling 134 as discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. In an embodiment, the twist-lock coupling 234 comprises a plurality of tabs protruding substantively perpendicularly from the coupling side 238 of base plug 230, wherein each tab of the plurality of tabs comprises a tongue portion and a groove portion, wherein the tongue and groove portions are configured to be received by corresponding tongues and grooves in container base 260. However, it is to be understood that any suitable coupling structure may be used, including a friction fit coupling or a magnetic attachment, and that such cooperative coupling structures are within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0059] In an embodiment, such as in the example depicted in FIG. 2B, base plug 230 further comprises a base plug coupling 290. In an embodiment, base plug coupling 290 is configured to selectively engage container riser 280, thereby activating container riser 280. In an embodiment, container riser 280 and cartridge riser 250 are nonfunctional until activated by base plug coupling 290. In an embodiment, when base plug 230 and container base 260 are coupled, base plug 230 becomes an extension of container base 260, thereby enabling both base plug 230 and container base 260 to operate in concert to manipulate container riser 280. In an embodiment, base plug coupling 290 of base plug 230 is keyed to fit container base 260 and container riser 280 such that only keyed base plug 230 is capable of activating the container riser 280. In an embodiment, when base plug 230 and container base 260 are coupled, base plug coupling 290 engages container riser 280 while base plug 230 comprises an extension of container base 260, thereby enabling both base plug 230 and container base 260 to operate in concert to manipulate container riser 280 via base plug coupling 290.
[0060] In an embodiment, overcap 270 comprises an open end 272 and a closed end 274. In an embodiment, the open end 272 of overcap 270 is configured to detachably couple to the top side 262 of container base 260. In an embodiment, the open end 272 of overcap 270 detachably couples to the top side 262 of container base 260 while removable cosmetic cartridge 210 is simultaneously coupled to container base 260, thereby enabling overcap 270 to envelop removable cosmetic cartridge 210. In an embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 2A, an interior receiving lip 276 is proximate the open end 272 of overcap 270 and is configured to engage a protruding lip 266 on the top side 262 of container base 260, thereby allowing the overcap 270 to securely attach to the top side 262 of container base 260. In an embodiment, the top side 262 of container base 260 comprises a shoulder 267 proximate the protruding lip 266 of container base 260, wherein the shoulder 267 comprises a depth, and wherein the depth of the shoulder 267 of container base 260 is substantively equivalent to a thickness of a wall of overcap 270 at the open end 272, such that when overcap 270 and container base 260 are engaged, the exterior of both elements are substantively flush with one another. In an embodiment, the exterior coloration of overcap 270 and container base 260 are the same. In an embodiment, the exterior coloration of overcap 270 and container base 260 are different colors. In an embodiment, the exterior coloration of overcap 270 and container base 260 are translucent. In an embodiment, the exterior design of overcap 270, container base 260, and base plug 230 are coordinated to achieve an aesthetic effect.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 2I, in an embodiment base plug 230 further comprises a display side 236 comprising cosmetic color information 240 indicative of a cosmetic color of cosmetic bullet 220. In an embodiment, cosmetic color information 240 comprises written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet 220. In an embodiment, the cosmetic color information 140 comprises legal and regulatory information such as a location of manufacture, a TSA address, and an industrial lot code. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 2D and 2I, the written indicia comprise a first color name (here Honey Pink) and a first color code (here 550) corresponding to a first cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet 220. In another illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2F, the written indicia comprise a second color name (here Sky Blue) and a second color code (here 351) corresponding to a second cosmetic color. In an embodiment, the color code can be used in purchasing additional refills, such as through e-commerce or at any retail point of sale. In another embodiment, the cosmetic color information 240 is a base plug color corresponding to the cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet 220. In an embodiment, the written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color is printed directly on the base plug 230. In an embodiment, the written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color is directly etched into the base plug 230. In an embodiment, the cosmetic color information 240 can be applied to the plug via a permanent adhesive label. In an embodiment, written indicia are disposed around the exterior perimeter of base plug 230.
[0062] Advantages of the base plug 230 include: indicating color or shade information about the cosmetic bullet 220, providing legal and regulatory information such as industrial lot code number, allowing a warehouse or point of sale location to organize a plurality of cosmetic application devices 200 by color.
[0063] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a shade matching cosmetic kit. Referring initially to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an exemplary embodiment of shade matching cosmetic kit 300 is depicted. FIG. 3A is a partially exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a cosmetic refill pack 302 and an embodiment of a cosmetic application device 304. In an embodiment, cosmetic refill pack 302 is an example of cosmetic refill pack 100 discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 1A-1K. In an embodiment, cosmetic application device 304 is an example of cosmetic application device 200 discussed further herein with respect to FIGS. 2A-2L.
[0064] In an embodiment, cosmetic refill pack 302 comprises a refill cartridge 310, a cosmetic bullet 320, a base plug 330 comprising cosmetic color information 340 on a display side 336 of base plug 330 and a coupling side 338 of base plug 330 comprising at least one coupling structure 339, such as a snap fit coupling 332 or a twist-lock coupling (as depicted by element 134 of FIG. 1E), and a cartridge riser 350 comprising a cup 352 and a guide 354. In an embodiment, cosmetic application device 304 comprises a container base 360, an overcap 370, and a cosmetic refill pack 302, which comprises a refill cartridge 310, a cosmetic bullet 320, a base plug 330 comprising cosmetic color information 340 on a display side 336 of base plug 330 and a coupling side (such as element 138 of FIG. 1H) of base plug 330 comprising at least one coupling structure (such as element 139 of FIG. 1H), such as a snap fit coupling 332 or a twist-lock coupling (such as element 134 of FIG. 1E), a cartridge riser 350 comprising a cup 352 and a guide 354, and a container riser (such as in element 280 in FIG. 2A). In an embodiment, refill cartridge 310 comprises a cylindrical shell 316 and cartridge riser 350. In an embodiment, refill cartridge 310 can be detached from cosmetic application device 304 by first removing overcap 370, then gripping the exterior of refill cartridge 310 and pulling perpendicular to container base 360, thereby releasing refill cartridge 310 from cosmetic application device 304.
[0065] In an embodiment, cosmetic color information 340 comprises written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet 320. In the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 3A, the written indicia comprises a first color name (here Honey Pink) and a first color code (here 550) corresponding to a first cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet 220. In an embodiment, the color code can be used in purchasing additional refills, such as through e-commerce or at any retail point of sale. In another embodiment, the cosmetic color information 340 is a base plug color corresponding to the cosmetic color of the cosmetic bullet 320. In an embodiment, the written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color is printed directly on the base plug 330. In an embodiment, the written indicia corresponding to the cosmetic color is directly etched into the base plug 330. In an embodiment, written indicia are disposed on the face of base plug 330 as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In an embodiment, written indicia are disposed around the exterior perimeter of base plug 330.
[0066] In an embodiment, base plug 330 further comprises a base plug coupling (such as element 290 of FIG. 2B), which in an embodiment is an example of base plug coupling 290 discussed further herein with respect to FIG. 2B. In an embodiment, the base plug coupling is configured to selectively engage the container riser (such as element 280 of FIG. 2L), thereby activating the container riser. In an embodiment, the container riser is nonfunctional until activated by the base plug coupling. In an embodiment, the base plug coupling of base plug 330 is keyed to fit container base 360 and container riser such that only keyed base plug 330 is capable of activating the container riser.
[0067] In an embodiment, the shade matching cosmetic kit comprises a first cosmetic refill pack and a second cosmetic refill pack. In an embodiment, the first cosmetic refill pack and the second cosmetic refill pack are each examples of cosmetic refill pack 302. In an embodiment, the first cosmetic refill pack comprises a first cosmetic bullet and a first base plug further comprising a first cosmetic color information indicative of a first cosmetic color of the first cosmetic bullet. In an embodiment, the second cosmetic refill pack comprises a second cosmetic bullet and a second base plug further comprising a second cosmetic color information indicative of a second cosmetic color of the second cosmetic bullet. In an embodiment, the first cosmetic color and the second cosmetic color comprise the same color. In an embodiment, the first cosmetic color and the second cosmetic color comprise different colors. In an embodiment, the first cosmetic color information comprises a first written indicia corresponding to the first color of the first cosmetic bullet, and wherein the second cosmetic color information comprises a second written indicia corresponding to the second color of the second cosmetic bullet. In an embodiment, the first cosmetic color information comprises a first base plug color corresponding to the first color of the first cosmetic bullet, and wherein the second cosmetic color information comprises a second base plug color corresponding to the second color of the second cosmetic bullet. In an embodiment, the shade matching cosmetic kit may comprise a third, a fourth, a fifth, or a sixth cosmetic refill pack, where the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth cosmetic refill packs are each examples of cosmetic refill pack 302 as described further herein with respect to the first and second cosmetic refill packs. In an embodiment, the shade matching cosmetic kit may comprise any number of cosmetic refill packs, where each of the any number of cosmetic refill packs are examples of cosmetic refill pack 302 as described further herein with respect to the first and second cosmetic refill packs. In an embodiment, the cosmetic application device 304 is configured to detachably couple to any of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth cosmetic refill packs, thereby enabling a user to substitute a different cosmetic bullet and a different cosmetic color information in the same device.
[0068] Advantages of the base plug 330 include: having multiple functionalities, such as protecting the cosmetic bullet 320 inside the cosmetic refill pack 302, indicating color or shade information about the cosmetic bullet 320, providing legal and regulatory information such as industrial lot code number, allowing a warehouse or point of sale location to organize a plurality of cosmetic refill packs 302 by color, allowing a consumer to keep and organize by color multiple sets of cosmetic refill pack 302 while having as few as one fully functional cosmetic application device 304, and for customers keeping and using more than one shade or color of cosmetic bullet 320, facilitating the reduction of packaging waste by having the base plug interchange between the cosmetic refill device 302 and the cosmetic application device 304 according to consumer preference, thereby ensuring base plug 330 is not just a single use throw away dust cap.
[0069] The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, are intended as a description of various embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided as a representative example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The representative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in order to achieve the same or substantially similar result. Generally, the embodiments disclosed herein are non-limiting, and the inventors contemplate that other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may include structures and functionalities from more than one specific embodiment shown in the figures and described in the specification. That is, the present disclosure includes embodiments that combine features from different embodiments.
[0070] In the foregoing description, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without embodying all the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.
[0071] The present application may include references to directions, such as vertical, horizontal, front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, etc. These references, and other similar references in the present application, are intended to assist in helping describe and understand the particular embodiment (such as when the embodiment is positioned for use) and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these directions or locations.
[0072] The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term plurality to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term plurality is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The term about, approximately, etc., means plus or minus 5% of the stated value. The term based upon means based at least partially upon.
[0073] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure, which are intended to be protected, are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed.
