Description CONTAINER FOR TOILETRY

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to cosmetic containers and, more particularly, to a cosmetic container which has an improved structure such that a cover is prevented from being undesirably opened by an outside impact, and such that the air- tightness of the container is ensured, thus preventing water in cosmetics from evaporating. Background Art

[2] Generally, as shown in FIG. 1, liquid foundation or compressed powder for foundation makeup is contained in a flat casing, which is typically called a compact, and is distributed and sold.

[3] Such a cosmetic casing includes a lower casing 2, which has in an upper surface thereof a concave part that contains cosmetics therein, and a cover 4, which is coupled to the lower casing 2 by a hinge. A locking button 6 is provided in the lower casing 2, so that, when the cover 4 is closed, the locking button 6 engages with a locking protrusion 8 provided in the cover 4, thus locking the cover 4 to the lower casing 2. Furthermore, when the locking button 6 is pushed, the cover 4 is opened.

[4] However, the conventional cosmetic container is constructed such that the lower casing 2 is merely covered with the cover 4. Therefore, because the airtightness of the concave part is not ensured, there is a problem in that the cosmetics contained in the concave part can easily dry out and thus become useless. Typically, the cosmetic container is stored in a handbag, and, when necessary, a user takes it out of the handbag. Here, if an article in the handbag strikes the locking button 6, the cover 4 may undesirably open. In this case, the cosmetic may becomes useless, and, in some cases, the handbag may be stained with the cosmetic spilled from the cosmetic casing. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[5] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic container which has an improved structure such that a cover is prevented from being undesirably opened by an outside impact, and such that the airtightness of the container is ensured, thus preventing water in cosmetics from evaporating. Technical Solution

[6] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a cosmetic container, including: a lower casing (12 and 14) having on an upper part thereof a

concave part (10) that contains a cosmetic therein; a rotating ring (16) rotatably fitted over a circumferential outer surface of the lower casing (12 and 14); and a cover (18) coupled to the rotating ring (16) by a hinge and covering the upper part of the lower casing (12 and 14), wherein a coupling groove (40) extending a predetermined length in one direction and a coupling protrusion (38) corresponding to the coupling groove (40) are respectively provided in the circumferential outer surface of the lower casing (12 and 14) and in the cover (18), so that, when the cover (18) is closed and is rotated along with the rotating ring (16), the coupling groove (40) and the coupling protrusion (38) become coupled to each other.

[7] Preferably, the coupling groove (40) may be formed in the circumferential outer surface of the upper part of the lower casing (12 and 14), and the coupling protrusion (38) may be provided on a protrusion rib (42) protruding downwards from a perimeter of a lower surface of the cover (18). The coupling groove (40) may have at a first end thereof an opening (44) communicating an upper surface of the lower casing (12 and 14) and be inclined downwards from the first end to a second end thereof, so that, when the cover (18) is rotated, the coupling protrusion (38) is moved downwards along the coupling groove (40) such that the cover (18) is brought into close contact with the lower casing (12 and 14).

[8] Furthermore, the cosmetic container may further include a subsidiary casing (20) inserted into the concave part (10), with a gasket (54) provided under a lower surface of the subsidiary casing (20). A protrusion step (28), which contacts the lower surface of the subsidiary casing (20), may be provided on a circumferential inner surface of the concave part (10), so that, when the cover (18) is closed, the subsidiary casing (20) is pushed downwards by the cover (18), and the gasket (54) of the subsidiary casing (20) is brought into close contact with the protrusion step (28), thus sealing the concave part (10).

[9] In addition, the protrusion rib (42) may be made of elastic material, so that the protrusion rib (42) can be coupled to the coupling groove (40) without passing through the opening (44).

Advantageous Effects

[10] As described above, the present invention provides a cosmetic container which has an improved structure such that a cover 18 is hinged to a rotating ring 16 that is rotatably fitted over a lower casing 12 and 14, and a coupling groove 40 and a coupling protrusion 38 are respectively provided in the lower casing 12 and 14 and the cover 18, so that the cover 18 can be closed and reliably fastened to the lower casing 12 and 14, thus preventing the cover 18 from being undesirably opened by an outside impact, and ensuring airtightness of the cosmetic container, thereby preventing water in cosmetics

from evaporating.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional cosmetic container;

[12] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cosmetic container, according to the present invention;

[13] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the assembled cosmetic container according to the present invention; and

[14] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the cosmetic container according to the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[15] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[16] FIGS. 2 through 4 illustrate a cosmetic container of the present invention. Referring to the drawings, the cosmetic container includes a lower casing 12 and 14, which has on an upper part thereof a concave part 10 to contain cosmetics therein, a rotating ring 16, which is rotatably fitted over the circumferential outer surface of the lower casing 12 and 14, a cover 18, which is coupled to the rotating ring 16 by a hinge and covers the upper part of the lower casing 12 and 14, and a subsidiary casing 20, which is inserted into the concave part 10.

[17] The lower casing 12 and 14 comprises an outer casing 12, which has around a circumferential upper edge thereof a shoulder part 22 over which the rotating ring 16 is fitted, and an inner casing 14, which is coupled to the outer casing 12 and holds the rotating ring 16 such that the rotating ring 16 is prevented from being undesirably separated from the lower casing 12 and 14. The concave part 10 is formed at the central portion in the inner casing 14. A ring-shaped protrusion step 28 is provided around the circumferential inner surface of the concave part 10. The circumferential outer edge of the lower surface of the subsidiary casing 20 is in close contact with the protrusion step 28. The rotating ring 16 is rotatably fitted over the shoulder part 22 of the lower casing 12 and 14. Protrusions, which are provided on the inner surface of the rotating ring 16, are inserted into respective guide grooves 32, which are formed in the circumferential outer surface of the lower casing 12 and 14, so that the rotating ring 16 is rotatable within a predetermined angular range defined by the guide grooves 32, along which the protrusions move. Here, upper openings 33 of the guide grooves 32 are covered by the upper rim of the inner casing 14, so that the protrusions are prevented from being removed from the guide grooves 32. Furthermore, each guide groove 32 has a height higher than the thickness of the protrusion, such that the rotating ring 16 is vertically movable within a predetermined gap.

[18] The cover 18 is coupled at a predetermined position thereof to an extension 34, which is provided on the upper surface of the rotating ring 16, by the hinge. A mirror 36 is provided under the lower surface of the cover 18. Furthermore, coupling protrusions 38 and coupling grooves 40 are respectively provided in the lower casing 12 and 14 and the cover 18, so that the cover 18 is fastened to the lower casing 12 and 14 by the coupling between the coupling protrusions 38 and the coupling grooves 40. In detail, protrusion ribs 42 protrude downwards from the perimeter of the lower surface of the cover 18, and the coupling protrusions 38 protrude from the respective protrusion ribs 42 towards the circumferential outer surface of the lower casing 12 and 14. The coupling grooves 40 are formed in the circumferential outer surface of the lower casing 12 and 14, particularly in the circumferential outer surface of the inner casing 14 at positions corresponding to the coupling protrusions 38. An opening 44, which communicates with the first end of each coupling groove 40, is formed in the upper surface of the inner casing 14. The coupling groove 40 is inclined downwards from the first end thereof to a second end thereof. Thus, when the cover 18 is closed, the coupling protrusions 38 of the cover 18 are inserted into the openings 44 of the respective coupling grooves 40. When the cover 18 is rotated, the coupling protrusions 38 are moved downwards along the coupling grooves 40, so that the cover 18 can be brought into close contact with the lower casing 12 and 14. Here, the protrusion ribs 42 are preferably made of elastic material such that they can be elastically bent outwards. Thus, even if the cover 18 is closed in a state in which the coupling protrusions 38 are not aligned with the openings 44 of the respective coupling grooves 40 because the rotating ring 16 has been rotated, because the protrusion ribs 42 can be elastically bent outwards, the coupling protrusions 38 can be inserted into the respective coupling grooves 40 after crossing over the circumferential outer edge of the lower casing 18.

[19] The subsidiary casing 20 is coupled to the inner casing 14 by a hinge 46, which is integrally provided at a predetermined position on the subsidiary casing 20 and is fitted into the upper surface of the inner casing 14. The subsidiary casing 20 has a handle 48 at a position diametrically opposite thereto. Also provided is a puff seat 52, in which a puff 50, used to apply cosmetics to a user's face, is formed in the upper surface of the subsidiary casing 20. A gasket 54 is provided under the lower surface of the subsidiary casing 20, so that, when the cover 18 is closed, the gasket 54 is brought into close contact with the protrusion step 28 of the concave part 10 to seal the concave part 10. Furthermore, it is constructed such that, when the cover 18 is closed, the upper end of the subsidiary casing 20 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the cover 18 so that the subsidiary casing 20 is pushed downwards by the cover 18.

[20] Therefore, when the cover 18 is closed and then rotated, the coupling protrusions 38 are moved downwards along the respective coupling grooves 40 and thus pull the

cover 18 downwards. Then, the cover 18 pushes the upper surface of the subsidiary casing 18, so that the gasket 54, which is provided under the lower surface of the subsidiary casing 18, is brought into close contact with the protrusion step, thus sealing the concave part 10, which contains the cosmetics therein. Subsequently, when the cover 18 is rotated in the direction opposite the direction in which the cover 18 is closed, and when the cover 18 is thereafter pulled upwards, the coupling protrusions 38 exit the respective coupling grooves 40 through the openings 44. Thus, the cover 18 is opened. After the application of makeup has been completed, if the cover 18 is closed in the state in which the cover 18 and the rotating ring 16 have been rotated in the direction in which the cover 18 is closed, the protrusion ribs 42 are elastically bent outwards, and the coupling protrusions 38 cross over the circumferential outer edge of the lower casing 12 and 14 and are inserted into the respective coupling grooves 40, thus fastening the cover 18 to the lower casing 12 and 14.

[21] In the cosmetic casing having the above-mentioned construction, the cover 18 can be reliably fastened to the lower casing in the closed state using the engagement between the coupling grooves 40 and the coupling protrusions 38. Therefore, the present invention prevents the cover 18 from being undesirably opened, thus preventing unfavorable events in which, for example, the cover 18 undesirably opens when the cosmetic container is in a handbag, thus making the cosmetic useless or staining the interior of the handbag with the cosmetic. Furthermore, because the coupling grooves 40 are inclined downwards, when the cover 18 is rotated, the cover 18 can be brought into close contact with the lower casing 12 and 14, thus maintaining airtightness of the cosmetic container. Accordingly, there is an advantage in that moisture contained in the cosmetic in the lower casing 12 and 14 is prevented from evaporating and the cosmetic is thus prevented from becoming useless. In particular, because the gasket 54 is provided under the lower surface of the subsidiary casing 20 to be seated on the concave part 10, and because the protrusion step 28 is provided in the concave part 10, when the cover 18 is closed, the gasket 54 closely engages with the protrusion step 28, thus ensuring the airtightness of the concave part 10. Hence, the volume in the space in which airtightness is required is minimized. Thereby, the effect of preventing the cosmetic from evaporating is markedly enhanced. In addition, because the protrusion ribs 42 are made of elastic material, even if the coupling protrusions 38 become misaligned with the openings 44 of the coupling grooves 40, the cover 18 can be closed and fastened. Thus, the present invention is convenient to use.

[22] Although the embodiment is illustrated as being constructed such that the gasket 54 is provided under the lower surface of the subsidiary casing 20 to be seated on the concave part 10 and the protrusion step to then be brought into close contact with the

gasket 54 provided in the concave part 10, the present invention may be constructed such that a ring-shaped packing is provided under the lower surface of the cover 18 so that the packing is brought into close contact with the upper surface of the lower casing 12 and 14, thus ensuring the airtightness of the cosmetic container. Industrial Applicability

[23] As described above, the present invention provides a cosmetic container which has an improved structure such that a cover 18 is hinged to a rotating ring 16 that is rotatably fitted over a lower casing 12 and 14 and a coupling groove 40 and a coupling protrusion 38 are respectively provided in the lower casing 12 and 14 and the cover 18, so that the cover 18 can be closed and reliably fastened to the lower casing 12 and 14, thus preventing the cover 18 from being undesirably opened by outside impact, and ensuring airtightness of the cosmetic container, thereby preventing water in cosmetics from evaporating.