CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/712,023, filed on July 30, 2018, tided COSMETIC CONTAINER WITH CONICAL SIFTER, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The present application relates generally to a cosmetic container, and in particular, a cosmetic container having a conical sifter.

BACKGROUND

Cosmetic materials such as those used for cosmetic foundation or finishing are typically provided as compacted or a loose material. Loose materials, including loose powder, are becoming more common in part because loose material provides improved coverage of the material on a surface. The loose material may be provided in a container with a base, cover, and divider or sifter. The sifter is typically a flat surface containing perforations, so that the container may be opened and the powder may be shaken out of the perforations and applied to an applicator.

A typical means for applying a loose powder may include shaking the powder out through perforations and onto the cap, and dipping a cosmetic bmsh into the loose powder that has been shaken through the perforations in the sifter. Alternatively, the cap can remain on the container and the container can be shaken until some product passes through the perforations, and the cap is then opened and the bmsh is dipped onto the product on the sifter. In typical loose powder cosmetic containers, the perforations in the sifter may allow too much powder or too little powder to be passed therethrough. This may create a mess and/or make it difficult for a user to evenly apply a loose powder. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved cosmetic containers.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing methods, and use alternatives for cosmetic packaging. In a first example, a cosmetic container may comprise a base having a bottom, the bottom may include a hemispherical projection therefrom, and a cylindrical sidewall, wherein the cylindrical sidewall may have inner threads and outer threads. The cosmetic container may further comprise an inner sifter which may have an inner sifter conical section with an inner sifter lower end. The inner sifter conical section may have a plurality of inner sifter apertures, and an inner sifter sidewall, wherein the inner sifter sidewall may include outer threads for cooperating with the inner threads of the base cylindrical sidewall, one or more ridges, and one or more stops. The cosmetic container may include an outer sifter which may have an outer sifter conical section with an outer sifter lower end, wherein the outer sifter conical section may include a plurality of outer sifter apertures, an upper rim and an outer sifter sidewall. The outer sifter sidewall may comprise one or more tabs and a slot, wherein the slot may be adapted to receive the one or more ridges of the inner sifter sidewall, and the one or more tabs may be configured to interact with the one or more stops to define at least first and second positions. The cosmetic container may include a lid having inner threads which may be configured to interact with the outer threads of the base cylindrical sidewall. In the example, the outer sifter may be at least partly rotatable relative to the inner sifter such that the first position is one in which the outer sifter apertures align with the inner sifter apertures, and the second position is one in which the outer sifter apertures do not align with the inner sifter apertures. Further, the inner sifter lower end and the outer sifter lower end may be sized and shaped to rest on the hemispherical projection.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the outer sifter lower end and the inner sifter lower end each may comprise an opening, and the outer sifter lower end and the inner sifter lower end may align.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, tire outer sifter may be positioned over the inner sifter, and the outer sifter lot may engage with the one or more ridges of the inner sifter with a snap fit.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the outer sifter lower end and the inner sifter lower end may engage with the hemispherical projection to form a seal. The seal may not be an“airtight seal”, but, rather, is sufficient to substantially prevent a loose powder product from passing between the sifters and the hemispherical projection. Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, alignment of the outer sifter apertures and the inner sifter apertures may allow access to a product contained within the base.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, misalignment of the outer sifter apertures and the inner sifter apertures may block access to or escape of a product contained within the base.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the inner sifter sidewall may engage with the base with a snap fit.

The above summary of some example embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an illustrative cosmetic container in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an illustrative cosmetic container from a top to bottom perspective.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the illustrative cosmetic container as in FIG.

1.

FIG. 4A is a top view of an illustrative cosmetic container depicting an exemplary lid.

FIG. 4B is a bottom-top perspective view of the lid as in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 A is a side view of an illustrative outer sifter.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an underside of the illustrative outer sifter as in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an illustrative inner sifter.

FIG. 6B is atop perspective view of the illustrative inner sifter as in FIG. 6A. FIG. 7A is a top view of an illustrative cosmetic container wherein in outer sifter and an inner sifter are in an aligned configuration.

FIG. 7B is atop view of the illustrative cosmetic container as in FIG. 7A, wherein the outer sifter and the inner sifter are in a misaligned configuration.

FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of an illustrative base including an illustrative projection contained within.

FIG. 8B is a bottom view of the illustrative base as in FIG. 8A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein the like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The description and drawings show several embodiments which are meant to be illustrative in nature.

For convenience, the present disclosure may be described using relative terms including, for example, left, right, top, bottom, front, back, upper, lower, up, and down, as well as others. It is to be understood that these terms are merely used for illustrative purposes and are not meant to be limiting in any manner.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an illustrative cosmetic container 10 in a closed configuration. As shown in FIG. 1, the cosmetic container 10 may include a container, receptacle, or jar having a base 14, and a lid 12. The cosmetic container 10 may be cylindrical in shape, with a circular cross-section, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Alternatively, the cosmetic container 10 may have a cross-sectional shape that is square, rectangular, triangular, oval, or any other desired shape.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the illustrative cosmetic container 10 from atop to bottom perspective. As shown in FIG. 2, the cosmetic container 10 may include the base 14 having a bottom 16 and a sidewall 20 (as shown further below in FIG.

8A), defining a cavity 15 within the base 14 for receiving a cosmetic product. The base 14 may further include inner threads 19 and outer threads 21, with the inner threads 19 used for coupling to an inner sifter 30 and the outer threads 21. for coupling to the lid 12. Alternatively, the base 14 may not include inner and/or outer threads, and instead snap fit or interference fit may be used in place of the threaded coupling to one or both of the lid 12 and the inner sifter 30.

The cosmetic container 10 may include the lid 12 having inner threads 13 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4B). The lid 12 may be coupled to the base 14, such that when assembled together, the lid 12 and base 14 provide an effective barrier for containing the product.

The lid 12 and the base 14 assemblies may have a substantially round (e.g., cylindrical) shape in which the seal may be provided by a thread fastening mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. However, it is contemplated that the lid 12 and the base 14 may have an alternative shape (e.g., square, rectangular, oval, triangular, or any other shape desired) and may be sealed by a magnetic fastening mechanism, a snap fastening mechanism (e.g., a snap fit) or a clamp fastening system. It may be further contemplated that the lid 12 and the base 14 have one shape, such as a square, and inner pieces have a second, substantially round shape, wherein closure may be provided by a thread fastening mechanism. Some assemblies, when fastened together, can compress an O-ring or a gasket interposed by the base 14 and the lid 12 to achieve an airtight seal. Other examples may not be airtight and may simply serve to effectively contain and prevent spillage of the cosmetic product therein.

In some embodiments, the base 14 may include a hemispherical projection 18 extending from the bottom 16 to a position within the cavity 15 of the cosmetic container 10, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. While the hemispherical projection 18 is depicted as having a hemispherical shape, it may be contemplated that the projection 18 may have any other suitable shape (i.e., conical, fmstoconical, cylindrical, pyramidal, oval, or the like).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner sifter 30 may be positioned within the base 14 where it fits above the product contained within the cavity 15. The inner sifter 30 may include an inner sifter conical section 32, an inner sifter lower end 34, and an inner sifter sidewall 38. The inner sifter conical section 32 may include a plurality of inner sifter apertures 36.

The inner sifter 30 may further include outer threads 35 which are positioned on the inner sifter sidewall 38. The outer threads 35 of the inner sifter 30 are configured to engage with the inner threads 19 of the base 14. In this manner, the inner sifter 30 may be threaded (e.g., screwed) into the base 14 and may be held within the cavity 15 of the base 14. The inner sifter lower end 34 may comprise an opening, such that when the inner sifter 30 is held within the base 14, the inner sifter conical section 32 is positioned within the base 14 such that the inner sifter lower end 34 (e.g., opening) engages with the hemispherical projection 18 and forms a seal. Further, rotation of the inner sifter 30 in a counterclockwise direction raises the inner sifter 30 within the base 14, which disengages the inner sifter lower end 34 from the hemispherical projection 18 and breaks the seal forming an opening. In use, disengagement of the inner sifter lower end 34 from the hemispherical projection 18 allows excess product to return to the cavity 1.5. The inner sifter 30 may then be threaded back into the base 14 reforming the seal. The inner sifter 30 and outer sifter may also be removed entirely to allow refill of the container, if desired.

The inner sifter 30 may have a size and shape that corresponds with the size and shape of the base 14, thereby enclosing the product within the cavity 15. The inner sifter 30 and the base 14 may have a substantially round (e.g., circular or cylindrical) shape in which the seal may be provided by a thread fastening mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6A, 6B, and 8A. However, it is contemplated that the inner sifter 30 and the base 14 may have an alternative shape (e.g., square, rectangular, oval, triangular, or any other shape desired) and may be sealed by a magnetic fastening mechanism, a snap fastening mechanism (e.g., a snap fit) or a clamp fastening system.

The cosmetic container 10 may further include an outer sifter 40. The outer sifter 40 may include an outer sifter conical section 42, an outer sifter lower end 44, an upper rim 45, and an outer sifter sidewall 48. The outer sifter conical section 42 may include a plurality of outer sifter apertures 46.

The inner sifter may include one or more ridges 37 and one or more stops 39 as shown in FIG. 6A. The outer sifter 40 may further include one or more tabs 47 and a slot 49 (as shown in FIG. 5B), which may be positioned on an inside of the outer sifter sidewall 48 and may be configured to engage with the one or more ridges 37 and the one or more stops 39 of the inner sifter. In an example, the ridge(s) 37 of the inner sifter are placed and sized to be received in snap fit fashion in the slot 49 of the outer sifter. Once snap fit together, the inner and outer sifter will be fixed to prevent ready removal, but will still allow rotation of the outer sifter 40 relative to the inner sifter 30. The stops 39 of the inner sifter 30 are placed to interfere with the tabs 47 of the outer sifter 40 to limit rotation between the inner sifter 30 and the outer sifter 40 within a predetermined angle. Such operation is further explained below relative to FIGS 7A-7B. The combination of stops 39 and tabs 47 are optional, and may be omitted in some embodiments.

The outer sifter 40 may have a size and shape that corresponds with the size and shape of the base 14 and the inner sifter 30. The outer sifter 40 may be configured to sit above the inner sifter 30 where the inner sifter conical section 32 and the outer sifter conical section 42 may be flush with one another, thereby enclosing the product within the cavity 15. When the inner sifter 30 and outer sifter 40 are positioned within the base 1.4 and the lid 12 applied, a gap (not shown) may be formed between the outer sifter 40 and the lid 12. The gap provided may allow for placement and/or retention of a cosmetic implement such as, but not limited to, a brush, a sponge, an applicator, etc. In another embodiment a gasket could be placed in the gap between the outer sifter 40 and the lid 12 (not shown.) In some embodiments, the lid 12 and/or the base 14 may comprise a slot to receive and/or hold a cosmetic instrument such as a brush, sponge, doe foot or the like.

The illustrative cosmetic container 10 may be useful for receiving cosmetic products such as, but not limited to, loose powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like).

As discussed above, the inner sifter conical section 32 and the outer sifter conical section 42 may include a plurality of apertures, 36 and 46, respectively (as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, and 7). In the example shown, two sets of apertures are shown on each of the inner sifter 30 and outer sifter 40. In some examples, the plurality of apertures 36, 46 may span the entirety of the inner sifter conical section 32 and the outer sifter conical section 42, or they may only span a portion of the inner sifter conical section 32 and the outer sifter conical section 42. It may be contemplated that the plurality of inner sifter apertures 36 may span the entirety of the inner sifter conical section 32 and the plurality of outer sifter apertures 46 may only span a portion of the outer sifter conical section 42, or vice versa.

In some embodiments, the inner sifter 30 and the outer sifter 40 may be permanently coupled to the base 14, in other embodiments, the inner sifter 30 may be removably coupled to the base 14 and the outer sifter is permanently coupled to the inner sifter 30, and in further embodiments, the inner sifter 30 may be permanently coupled to the base 14 and the outer sifter 40 may be removably coupled to the base 14 and/or inner sifter 30, or any combination thereof. When the inner sifter 30 is removably coupled to the base 14 with the outer sifter 40 permanently attached to the inner sifter 30 the cavity 15 may be refilled once the product has been depleted.

The lid 12, base 14, inner sifter 30 and the outer sifter 40 may be comprised of plastic, metal, ceramic, glass, stone, wood, carbon-fiber, composites thereof, combinations thereof, or any other type of material. It may be contemplated that further embodiments of the sifters 30, 40 may be a wire mesh, rigid cloth, or any other construction that can provide apertures 36, 46 while limiting the dispensing rate of the product. In some examples, the lid 12 and/or base 14 may include a decorative outer shell or shells made of any of plastic, rubber, metal, ceramic, glass, stone, wood, carbon fiber, composites thereof, and/or combinations thereof, or any other suitable material for a given aesthetic.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the illustrative cosmetic container 10 as in FIG. 1, taken at line 3-3. The cross-section view of FIG. 3 more clearly illustrates the positioning of the various components of the cosmetic container 10. As discussed above, the lid 12 may include inner threads 13 which are configured to engage with the outer threads 21 of the base 14 to provide a barrier for containing the product.

The base 14 may further include inner threads 19 which are configured to engage with the outer threads 35 of the inner sifter 30. The engagement of the inner threads 19 and the outer threads 35 attaches the inner sifter 30 to the base 14, preventing undesired removal of the inner sifter 30.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the outer sifter 40 sits above the inner sifter 30 and just below the lid 12. In the example, the outer sifter 40 engages with the inner sifter 30 via a snap fit. The outer sifter 40 includes the slot 49, as mentioned above, which is configured to engage with the one or more ridges 37 of the inner sifter 30 (not shown in FIG. 3). The slot 49 is adapted to receive the one or more ridges 37 and provide the snap fit. When assembled, the cavity 15 is provided within the base 14 between the bottom 16 and the inner sifter 30, for receiving a cosmetic product such as, for example and without limitation, a loose powder.

The hemispherical projection 18 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. As previously discussed, the inner sifter lower end 34 (as shown in FIG. 6B) and the outer sifter lower end 44 engage with the hemispherical projection 18 to form a seal, which contains the product within tire cavity 15. However, as shown in FIG. 3, when the inner sifter apertures 36 and the outer sifter apertures 46 are aligned, the product within the cavity 15 is accessible. The hemispherical projection 18 is designed to direct the product within the cavity 15 towards the apertures 36, 46, allowing a user to sift tire product more readily. A user may then remove the lid 12 from the base 14, and sift the product out through the apertures 36, 46 for use. Alternatively, the inner sifter apertures 36 may be misaligned from the outer sifter apertures 46 to prevent escape of the product within tire cavity 15 (as shown in FIG. 7B). Misalignment of the apertures 36, 46 occurs when the outer sifter 40 is rotated relative to the inner sifter 30. The outer sifter 40 and inner sifter 30 are configured to allow for rotation of the outer sifter 40. However, the inner sifter 30 may include one or more stops 39 which may engage with the one or more tabs 47 (as shown in FIG. 5B) of the outer sifter 40 to prevent a full 360° (degree) rotation of the outer sifter 40 relative to the inner sifter 30.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the exemplary lid 12 of the cosmetic container 10. As discussed above, the lid 12 may include inner threads 13 which may be configured to engage with the outer threads 21 of the base 14. Alternatively, it may be contemplated that the inner threads 13 may be removed from the lid 12 and the lid 12 and the base 14 may be engaged by a magnetic fastening mechanism, a snap fastening mechanism (e.g., a snap fit) or a clamp fastening system.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the exemplary outer sifter 40 of the cosmetic container 10. As discussed above, the outer sifter 40 may include the outer sifter conical section 42, the outer sifter lower end 44, the upper rim 45, and the outer sifter sidewall 48. The outer sifter conical section 42 may include the plurality of outer sifter apertures 46. The outer sifter 40 may further include one or more tabs 47 and the slot 49, which may be positioned on an inside of the outer sifter sidewall 48 and may be configured to engage with the one or more ridges 37 and the one or more stops 39.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the exemplary inner sifter 30 of the cosmetic container 10. As discussed above, the inner sifter 30 may include the inner sifter conical section 32, the inner sifter lower end 34, and the inner sifter sidewall 38. The inner sifter conical section 32 may include the plurality of inner sifter apertures 36. The inner sifter 30 may further include outer threads 35 which are positioned on the inner sifter sidewall 38, one or more ridges 37 and one or more stops 39. The outer threads 35 of the inner sifter 30 are configured to engage with the inner threads 19 of the base 14. In this manner, the inner sifter 30 may be threaded (e.g., screwed) into the base 14 and may be held within the cavity 15 of the base 14. The inner sifter lower end 34 may comprise an opening, such that when the inner sifter 30 is held within the base 14, the inner sifter conical section 32 is positioned within the base 14 such that the inner sifter lower end 34 (e.g., opening) engages with the hemispherical projection 18 and forms a seal. If refill is desired, or if more product than is desired goes through the sifters, untwisting the inner sifter 30 relative to tire base 14 will allow product to pass between the inner sifter lower end 34 and the hemispherical projection 18 and into the cavity 15.

FIG. 7A illustrates the alignment of a plurality of inner sifter apertures 136 with a plurality of outer sifter apertures 1.46 (shown in phantom lines), of a cosmetic container 100. As discussed above, with reference to FIG. 3, alignment of the apertures 136, 146 creates an open position of the apertures 136, 146, and may allow access to a product contained within a cavity of a base (not shown in FIG. 7A).

However, rotation of an outer sifter 140 (not shown) relative to an inner sifter 130 creates misalignment of the plurality of inner sifter apertures 136 with tire plurality of outer sifter apertures 146 (shown in phantom lines), as shown in FIG. 7B. This rotation creates a closed position of the apertures 136, 146 and may prevent access to the product contained within the cavity of the base. The ability to open and/or close the apertures 136, 146 provides a cleaner and more effective tool for containing and more evenly distributing a cosmetic product.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the exemplary base 14 of the cosmetic container 10. As discussed above, the base 14 may include the bottom 16 and the sidewall 20, which defines the cavity 15 within the base 14 for receiving a cosmetic product. The base 14 may further include inner threads 19 and outer threads 21. Alternatively, the base 14 may not include inner and/or outer threads. The base 14 may further include the hemispherical projection 18 extending from the bottom 16 to a position within the cavity 15 of the cosmetic container 10, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. While the hemispherical projection 18 is depicted as having a hemispherical shape, it may be contemplated that the projection 18 may have any other suitable shape (i.e., conical, frustoconical, pyramidal, oval, or the like).

In some embodiments, the cosmetic container 10 and/or the various components thereof may be made from a rigid material (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastics, thermosets, other polymers, glass, metal, alloy, wood, and the like). Other embodiments, however, may include cosmetic containers 10 made from a flexible or semi-rigid material, such as plastic. In some embodiments, the base 14 and/or the lid 12 may comprise a transparent or translucent material so that the cosmetic product may be externally viewed.

In an illustrative example, a cosmetic container comprises a base having a bottom, the bottom including a projection therefrom, and a sidewall. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a base 14 can have a bottom 16 with a projection 18 and a sidewall 20. The illustrative example may further have an inner sifter having an inner sifter conical section with an inner sifter lower end, the inner sifter conical section having a plurality of inner sifter apertures, and an inner sifter sidewall, w'herein the inner sifter sidewall is sized and adapted to secure to the base. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, an inner sifter 30 includes a conical section 32 with a lower end 34 and apertures

36, as well as an inner sifter sidewall 38 having threads 35 for securing to the base 14; other structures (snap fit, press fit, friction fit, etc.) may be used to secure the inner sifter to the base.

The illustrative example may further have an outer sifter having an outer sifter conical section with an outer sifter lower end, the outer sifter conical section having a plurality of outer sifter apertures, an upper rim and an outer sifter sidewall, the outer sifter sidewall sized and adapted to secure to the inner sifter sidewall. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, an outer sifter 40 can have an outer sifter conical section 42 with a lower end 44 and apertures 46, with an upper rim 45 and a sidewall 48. As shown in various examples above, the outer sifter sidewall may have a snap fit (such as having a ridge 37 (FIG. 2) adapted to snap fit with a channel on the outer sifter 40 as visible but not numbered in FIG. 5B) or any other suitable connection to the inner sifter sidewall. The example also includes a lid configured to interact with the base cylindrical sidewall. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, a lid 12 may have threads or any other suitable structure, such as a snap fit, a friction fit, a magnetic holding apparatus (where paired magnets hold to one another, or a metal piece is provided in one of the lid or base to which a magnet in the other of the lid or base is attracted) to secure the lid to a base.

In the illustrative example, the outer sifter may be at least partly rotatable relative to the inner sifter to define at least a first position in which the outer sifter apertures align with the inner sifter apertures, and a second position in which the outer sifter apertures do not align with the inner sifter apertures. For example, as shown above, a combination of tabs and stops may be used to limit rotation to the identified first and second positions at the extreme of such rotation, where a snap fit is used to hold the outer and inner sifters together. The tabs and stops may be omitted entirely, or may be replaced for example, with detents and matching projections in the two sifters to define a plurality of positions, or the sifters may freely rotate relative to one another such that the user can define the first and second positions. Finally in the illustrative example, the inner sifter lower end is sized and shaped to rest on the projection and the outer sifter lower end is sized and shaped to rest on the projection, such that a powder product contained beneath the inner and outer sifters within the base is prevented from passing between the projection and the inner and outer sifters. Such an example is highlighted above, relative to FIG. 3.

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.