CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional counterpart application io VS Serial No. 61/1 16,359 filed on November 20, 2008. which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to packaging systems, in particular, to packaging systems for a cosmetic system.

2. Description of the Related Art Typically, packaging for a cosmetic or cosmetic systems comprises components that are individually packaged. Each of these components then may be boxed together to represent a cosmetic system that includes at least two components that create a cosmetic effect. However, boxed cosmetic systems have a drawback insofar they have unnecessary packaging and occupy significant volume,

Moreover, cosmetic systems known in the art provide cosmetic components separately, which may be misplaced.

Thus, what is needed is a packaging system having a reduced space with less packaging material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other needs are filled by the present invention. Therein, a packaging system for a cosmetic system comprises a first container and a second container, the second container removably mounted onto the first container. Each container comprises different cosmetic components, which together provide a cosmetic effect. The second cosmetic container may be mounted to a closure, such as a toggle cap provided on the first container The second container may comprise a lid e g . a snap-on cap, which has a spout for easy dispensing.

5 BRIEF DKSCKIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. Ia is a perspective view of a packaging system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 b is a perspective view of the packaging s\stem of Fig. I a wherein a first container and 10 a second container are being separated

Fig. I c is a perspective view of the packaging system of Fig I a wherein the first container and the second container are separated.

15 Fig. 2 is an elesational view of a first container of a packaging system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second eomainer of a packaging system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention and wherein the second container 20 comprises a translucent roaterial.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the second container of the packaging system of Figs. 1 a- 1 c wherein a spout is in an open position.

25 Fig. 5 is a perspecm e view of exploded second container of the packaging system of Figs. I a- Ic in relation to a closure of the first container

Fig. 6a is a cross-sectional view of the second container of the packaging system of Figs. I a- Ic taken through Fig. 4. M ⁾

Fig. 6b is a perspective view of a body of the second container of the packaging system of Figs. Ia- Ic. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a closure of the second container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present inv ention.

Fig. .S is a perspective view of a further portion of a closure of the second container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED PESC RtPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now he made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompany ing drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top. bottom, left, right, up. down, over, above, below, beneath, reat, and front may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in am manner

Fig. I a is a perspective view of a packaging system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. I b is a perspective view of the packaging system of Fig Ia wherein a fust container and a second container are being separated Fig. 1c is a perspective view of the packaging system of fig. Ia wherein the first container and the second container are separated.

A multi-component cosmetic system 100 comprises a plurality of cosmetic components that are stored and transported in a reduced-space packaging system. Packaging system IO comprises a first container 20 and a second container 40. which removably mounts onto the first container, and can be separated as illustrated, for example, by Figs. Ib-Ic, along an axis through a closure.

In a mounted state, for example, in Fig. Ia. the first container and the second container join to form a reduced-space packaging unit 00 Reduced-space packaging unit 60 comprises a peripheral shape 60a that is substantially unbroken and continuous between a base of the first container and the closure of the second container. The peripheral shape may comprise any suitable shape and si/e. Thus, as illustrated herein, peripheral shape 60a may comprise a substantially cyiindπcai shape lhai is constant in cross-section and thai is interrupted only al the interface 60b formed between first container 20 and second container 40.

Advantageously, packaging unit 60 comprises less packaging materia! and may be shipped 5 easily and occupy less .space than both containers would indiv idtialls Thus, packaging system 10 is more cost effective and environmentally friendly. Moreover, once packaging unit 60 has reached the hands of a user, the combination of two components presents an impact on the end user, is easier to handle and store, and keeps two separate components together foi easy use. io

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a fusi container of a packaging system tn accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. First container 20 stores and dispenses a first cosmetic component and second container 40 stores and dispenses a second cosmetic component, which is usable with the ftrst cosmetic component to produce a cosmetic effect.

15 For example, the first cosmetic component may be facial wash and the second cosmetic component may be a bead-like material that prov ides exfoliation of the user s skin when utilized with the facial wash.

First container 20 comprises any convenient shape and material. First container 20 comprises 20 a body 20a, a base 20b, a shoulder 20c, and a closure 20d Therein, bodv 20a comprises a peripheral shape 2Oe that may be. but need not be. substantially constant in cross-section from base 20b to shoulder 2θe. Shoulder 20c may have any conv enient shape but preferably, includes a downward slope from a central portion to the peripheral edge.

25 The fust cosmetic component, such as. in the example give abov e, a facial wash, may be tn a liquid or gel state, including solutions, dispersions, emulsions, lotions, and creams Thus, first container 20 may comprise a substantially cylindrical body 20a made of a pliable material, .such as plastic. I herein, the first container may be made b> injection molding.

30 Base 2θb may be reinforced, while the bodv is soft-sided to permit a user to squeeze first container 20. Shoulder 20c may connect to a centrally located neck portion 2oe to which closure 2nd is fitted. Closure 2Od may be a removable toggle cap that is screwed onto neck portion 2Of. The toggle cap permits the first cosmetic component to exit m a convenient mannei via downwardly operable user-push portion 20g thai toggles an outflow (not shown) fiec from a wall portion of the cap

Fig 3 is a petspective view of a second container 40 of a packaging system 60 in accordance 5 with one or more embodiments of the present invention and u herein the second container comprises a translucent material Fig 4 is a perspective view of the second container 40 of the packaging sy stem 60 of Figs Ia-I c wherein a spout is tn an open position Fig 5 is a pcispecttve v iew of exploded second container 40 of the packaging system 60 o! figs 1 a-Ic in relation to a closute 20 d of the first container

10

Second containei 40 comprises a first. body 40a. which includes a teem ing space 40b and base 40c and a closure 40d Bods 40a may be made of am suitable shape and any suitable maicπal and compmc any suitable shape Howev er body 40a preferably compiiscs a peripheral shape 40e that continues peripheral shape 20e 1 hetein. peripheral shape 40e at

15 the base 40c in cross-section matches a cross-section ol petipheial shape 20e at shoulder 20c

Base 40c compttses a shape that matches the shape of shoulder 20c by including a matching downward slope from a cential pottion to a penpheiat eclae ol the base Moreover, receiving space 40b comprises a shape that fits refetabK snudly, onto elosute 20d to permit the 20 second containei to be removably mounted onto the first container Thus receiving space 40b comprises a peripheral wall 401 and a raised base 40g that seals the space frυm the imeiior of the second contamer

Fig 6a is a cross-sectional view of the second containei of the packaging system of Figs. I a- 25 Ic taken through Fig 4 Fig. 6b is a peirspective view of a body of the second container of the packagingsystem of 1- Figs. I a- 1 c

To ensute a snug fit, receiv ing space 40b may compute one or more staves 40h provided on perphieral wall 4of and thai pioinidc slightly into the receiving space to bear against a closure 30 that is leceix ed in the leceiving space

I he second cosmetic component such as. in the example give abov e a bead material. ma> compii.se a substaniialls solid gramular state Thus, second coniauici 40 may cornptise a substantially cylindrical bodv 40a with a peripheral edge 40i to form a large opening for easily filling the second container with a granular material

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a closure of the second container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Fig 8 is a perspective v iew of a further portion of a closure of the second container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. A closure 40d mav be in the form a fid (a snap-on - capt that snaps securely over a lip 40j provide in edge 40i. One or more detents 40k mav be prov tded proximate to edge 40i and one or more matching indents 401 may be provide on an inner portion of the lid. i.e.. closure 40d, to prevent the ltd from unintended rotation relative to the body .

Closure 40d may comprise a spout 42 disposed in an aperture 40m in the closure Spout 42 comprises central waill 42a that ends in a finger portion 42b for lifting the spout. In an unopened state, the spout rests in aperture 40m and the fingei grip rests in a recess 40n.

a pair of pins 42c is disposed on a pair of guide walls 42d that are disposed perpendicular to the central wall to form a chute. Pins 42c comprise an axle about which the spout is rolatably opened relative to the closure using the finger grip. A stop 42e is provided to prevent ovet- rotation and to limit the si/e of the opening of the spool relativ e to the lid.

In use, a inanufacturer would fill each container w ith the respective cosmetic component. Therein, second container 40 is mounted onto first container 20 to form reduced-packaging system 60. Packaging system 60 would then be placed in further shipping container such as box. which would be smaller than if each container was shipped individually, or shrink- w rapped together using less material than if each container was shrink-w rapped individually

An end user would receive an attractive combined packaging una. I he packaging unit would lake up less space than the combined space of the individual components The user would remove the second container from the first container. F.ach container comprises a closure that is adapted to the cosmetic component provided therein. Thus, in the example given herein, a user could dispense the face wash from first container 20 by toggling the toggle cap open and wash their face. The user could then add bead material to exfoliate by opening the spout of the second container and dispensing the bead material. The amount of bead material is within the control of consumers, and can be adjusted based upon their own experience.. The containers are provided u ith instructions for use, which may include guidance for the amount of each product to be used alone or m concert. Once finished, the user can then mount the second container onto the first container and store the packaging unit.

Advantageously, the first container and the second container comprise differently formed bodies that accommodate the cosmetic components each is designed to store and dispense. For example, first container 20 may be a 200 ml bottle having soft-sides and second container 40 may be a hard-sided 1 o/. (2s grams). jar.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, cosmetic s\ stem MMt may be user configurable. T herein, a user could choose from a plurality of cosmetic components for either the first or the second container or for both. For example, a user may select from different facial washes for the first container and or from a different exfoliating materials for the second container as desired by the user.

in accordance w uh one or more embodiments of the present invention, the first and second containers are typically .xt/ed such that each has substantially equivalent number of usage portions in each Therein, both containers would become empty at the same time permitting a user to avoid having leftovers. In another embodiment the cosmetic compositions in the first and second containers may be sold to the consumer separately for subsequent assembly by the consumer. One or both of the separately sold products may include indicia directing the purchaser to purchaser the other product and may further include instructions for use including assembly. By separate purchase the consumei would be able to select a particular cosmetic composition in the lϊrst or second from among a variety of offerings, for example, a cleanser foi oily skin or for dry skin, or an exfoliating beads product for delicate or normal skin. Separate sale also permits the consumer to replace one of the first or second containers when the cosmetic compositions in the packaging system are not used up at the same time. A typical cosmetic composition for use in the first container of the packaging system is an aqueous based cleanser, typically a cleanser adapted for facial cleansing. The cleanser thus would contain one or more surfactants, typically including an anionic surfactant andaise genera My including a nomonic surfactant. Among the anionic surfactants mention may be made of sodium laureih to laurcih- 12 sulfate and disυdiunt laureih lυ laureth- 12 sulfosuccmate. Among the nonionic surfactants mention may be made of laureih- 16 to hutreth-40, PEG-20 to PEG -80 sorbitan laurate. PEG- 120 methyl glucose dioleate.atul ceteareιh-1 to ceteaιeιh-45. An illustiative listing of surfactant cleansers appears in International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook. v . 4, Section 4, p. 2955-62 (Ninth Ed. 2002) (hereinafter "INCT"). The cleanser may further include pH adjusting agents: viscosity enhancing agents, amphoteric /zwitterionic surfactants such as cocoamidopropyl betaine, humectants; emollients; botanicals to provide skin improvements benefits, for example, oat protein, banana extract, vanilla planifolia extract, willow extract, etc.: preservatives: fragrances; chelating agents . and colorants.

The exfoliating beads contain one or more granular materials of a si/e and shape adapted to abrade (he skin to gently remove dead skin cells. Suitable granular materials have an average particle si/e of from about 50 to 500 microns, pieferably about 75 to about 250 microns, and most preferably from about 75 to 200 microns. The shape is usually irregular, but without sharp features, but may also be more uniformly ovate, including spherical. Suitable materials include seeds of plants in powder form, e.g., apricot seed powder, ad/uki seed powder: shells of nuts m powder form, such as walnut shell powder, synthetic materials such as polyethylene powder; silica; pumice Illustrative abrasive materials suitable for use to exfoliate skin are identified in INC1, v 4. Section 4. p. 2878

While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.