COSMETICS CONTAINER SYSTEM

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the following co-pending United States provisional patent application which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/955,337, filed Aug. 10, 2007 and entitled “COSMETICS CONTAINER SYSTEM”.

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the act or process or dressing or grooming a human being, and, more particularly, to kits having plural cosmetic or applicator compartments or receivers.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Archeological research has shown that human beings have used cosmetics as part of grooming since the time of the ancient Egyptian kingdom. Cosmetics are now used worldwide. Cosmetics may have the form of powders, pastes, liquids or solid materials and may be said to be substances used to enhance or protect the appearance or odor of the human body. Current-day cosmetics designed to improve or enhance the appearance of the face include lip glosses, lip enhancers, lip sticks, lip plumper, lip balms, lip lusters, lip conditioners, lip boosters, rouge, eye shadows, eye liners, mascaras, lash extenders, lash conditioners, eyebrow grooming gels, eyebrow pencils, eyebrow creams, eyebrow waxes, eyebrow gels, eyebrow powders, tints, perfecters, powder blushes, foundations, bronzing powders and creams, and mattifiers. Other cosmetics may be directed to the appearance of other parts of the body, such as fingernail or toenail polish. In addition, grooming may include perfumes and scents as olfactory cosmetics.

[0006] Cosmetics generally require containers. Containers have been devised to hold cosmetics since the days of ancient Egypt.

[0007] A person who uses cosmetics generally will use several cosmetics. This will require several containers if each cosmetic has its own container. The user of cosmetics will often depend on the user's mood, the occasion, the weather, and the like. The user will choose the cosmetics for an occasion and carry them with her.

[0008] The person using the cosmetics therefore will have to store and carry a number of cosmetics containers. Storage is not as much a problem as is carrying a number of containers, such as in a handbag or other carrying device. A number of separate containers may become intermixed with other articles and therefore be difficult to find. Containers have been provided that hold two or more cosmetics in separate compartments, trays or bins. The use of containers of this sort reduces the number of containers but is limiting because it restricts the choice of the cosmetics if only a few containers is to be carried.

[0009] Jouer Cosmetics, the assignee of the present application, currently sells a cosmetics compact that has a tail formed on one edge and a complementary socket formed in the opposed edge, so that two such cosmetics compacts may be joined side by side. In addition, the bottom side of the cosmetics compact has four side-by-side mating peg and pit combinations whereby that two such cosmetics compacts may be joined bottom to bottom. The cosmetics compact may hold any of a number of kinds of cosmetics, such as mascaras, in any of a number of colors or hues. United States design patent D535,789 to Claude Peter Meyers shows the appearance of one of these compacts.

[0010] The features of the Jouer Cosmetics compact mentioned above permit any number of compacts to be joined together side by side and bottom to bottom, resulting in a linear array of cosmetics compacts that may be two deep. The cosmetics compacts each contain a hinged lid as their top surface. The hinged lid will be exposed even when the compact is joined to other compacts, so that the cosmetics contained in the compact will be available to the user. The lid is provided with a mirror in the inside surface of the lid so that the user can see herself while applying the cosmetic.

[0011] The user selects the Jouer cosmetics compacts containing the cosmetics she believes that she will need for an occasion or trip and joins them together as described to produce a single composite unit that can easily be carried. The cosmetics selected by the user will be together when needed. Individual cosmetics compacts are less likely to be lost or misplaced.

[0012] The user can easily add or subtract cosmetics compacts from the composite unit in order to modify the selection of cosmetics she carries. She can also break the composite unit down into its constituent compacts for separate storage when the composite unit is no longer needed.

[0013] The Jouer cosmetics compacts, however, have only the one size and shape. Different cosmetics may need different containers. For example, liquids such as mascara need a container that will prevent leaks and an applicator.

[0014] Furthermore, the user may use a larger amount of one cosmetic than another. She will need to carry a larger amount of one cosmetic compared to the other. With only one size of compact, the user must double or triple the number of compacts containing that cosmetic or face the risk of not having enough of the cosmetic.

[0015] A cosmetics container system is disclosed herein that provides detachably interlocking containers of different sizes and shapes, each container containing at least one cosmetic or cosmetic accessory. The user may join each container to one or more of the other containers in order to build a composite cosmetics container having the user's selection of cosmetics. The system provides means for joining the containers in any of many arrangements to be selected by the user, despite the difficulty presented by the containers having different sizes and shapes, so that a composite unit of such containers may be formed. The composite unit is readily carried in a handbag or other device or stored in a glove compartment or other storage place.

[0016] In a preferred aspect of the cosmetics container system disclosed herein, the detachably interlocking containers include first and second compacts, wherein the first or large compact is larger than the second or small compact, and a vial. The first and second compacts may be joined to each other side-to-side or bottom-to-bottom. The vial may be joined to a first compact or to one or two of the second compacts.

[0070] As used herein, a compact of the cosmetics container system disclosed herein can be, but is not limited to, a compact case of any size or shape, a cosmetics accessory such as a pencil sharpener, eyelash curler, or tweezers, an attachable makeup applicator/tool such as a brush, a cotton swab, or sponge, a false eyelash kit, a manicure kit, face tissue, cleansing wipes, or an attachable empty canister to hold separately packaged cosmetic products.

[0071] Also as used herein, a vial of the cosmetics container system disclosed herein can be, but is not limited to, a filled cosmetics tube (such as for liquid foundation, primer, or toothpaste), a liquid cosmetic holder with an applicator (such as for lip gloss, mascara, brow gel, stains, liquid eyeliner, or nail polish), an spray atomizer pump (such as for perfume, hair spray, brush cleaner, or toner), a pump (such as for lotions, serums, foundation makeup, or cleanser), an aerosol sprayer (such as for perfume, toners, hair spray, or mouse), a bottle (such as for cleanser, shampoo, conditioner, makeup remover, or brush cleaner), or a cosmetic pencil (such as lip liner or eye liner).

[0072] Examples of various combinations of a second or small compact 100, a first or large compact 200, and a vial 300 of one currently preferred embodiment of a cosmetics container system according to the disclosure are shown in FIGS. 1A to 10 in the drawings. The small compact 100, the large compact 200, and the vial 300 are provided with means permitting these components of the cosmetics container system to be joined at will in any of many configurations to accommodate the user's need for any particular combination of cosmetics. The means for joining the components of the cosmetics container system comprise protrusions and/or indentations formed on a component that mate with complementary indentations and/or protrusions on other components.

[0073] The small compacts 100 have a square shape when seen from above or below. They may be joined to each other horizontally, side-by-side, as in FIG. 1A, or vertically, bottom-to-bottom, as in FIG. 1B. The structure of the small compact 100 is shown in detail in FIGS. 11-18.

[0074] The large compacts 200 have a rectangular shape when seen from above or below. They may be joined to each other horizontally, side-by-side, as in FIG. 2A, or vertically, bottom-to-bottom, as in FIG. 2B. The structure of the large compact 200 is shown in detail in FIGS. 19-25.

[0075] The large compacts 200 may be joined in one of two possible vertical orientations. When two large compacts 200 according to a preferred embodiment are joined vertically, they may be oriented so that their lids rotate toward each other when opened (the axes of the hinges of the lids being vertically aligned) as in the configuration shown in FIG. 2B or away from each other (the axes of the hinges of the lids being spaced from each other horizontally) as in the configuration of vertical joined compacts shown in FIG. 10. The small compacts 100 according to this one preferred embodiment have only one possible orientation when joined vertically. The lids of two vertically joined small compacts will rotate toward each other when opened (the axes of the hinges of the lids being vertically aligned), as in the configuration shown in FIG. 1B.

[0076] The large compact 200 may be joined horizontally to a small compact 100, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 4. Two small compacts 100 may be joined to a large compact 200, as shown in FIG. 3B. The large compact 200 is twice as long as a small compact 100 so that two small compacts 100 may be joined horizontally to a large compact 200 without overlap or extension, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0077] FIG. 5A shows how four small compacts 100 may be joined together horizontally in a linear formation. It will be understood that any number of the small compacts 100 may be so joined, by adding additional small compacts 100 to one end or the other of the line of small compacts 100.

[0078] FIG. 5B shows how four small compacts 100 may be joined together horizontally as well as vertically, so that two bottom-to-bottom lines of the small compacts 100 are formed. It will be understood that any number of the small compacts 100 may be so joined, by adding additional small compacts 100 to one end or the other of the two lines of small compacts 100

[0079] FIG. 5C shows how four large compacts 200 may be joined together horizontally in a linear formation. It will be understood that any number of the large compacts 200 may be so joined, by adding additional large compacts 200 to one end or the other of the line of large compacts 200.

[0080] FIG. 5D shows how four large compacts 200 may be joined together horizontally as well as vertically, so that two bottom-to-bottom lines of the large compacts 200 are formed. It will be understood that any number of the large compacts 200 may be so joined, by adding additional large compacts 200 to one end or the other of the two lines of large compacts 200. As noted above, when two large compacts 200 are joined vertically, they may be oriented so that their lids rotate toward each other when opened (the axes of the hinges of the lids being vertically aligned) or away from each other (the axes of the hinges the lids being spaced from each other horizontally).

[0081] The vial 300 may be joined horizontally to a small compact 100 as shown in FIG. 6A. The structure of the small compact 100 is shown in detail in FIGS. 26-38.

[0082] The vial 300 may be joined horizontally to a large compact 200, as shown in FIG. 6B, or to two large compacts 200, as shown in FIG. 7A. Two vials 300 may be horizontally joined to one large compact 200, as shown in FIG. 7B. FIGS. 8A and 8B show horizontal combinations of a vial 300 with a large compact 200 and one or two small compacts 100. FIG. 9A shows how a vial 300 can be joined to a vertical combination of the small compacts 100. FIG. 9B shows how a vial 300 can be joined to a vertical combination of small compacts 100 and a large compact 200. FIG. 10 shows a vertical combination of two layers of small compacts 100 and large compacts 200 joined to a vial 300.

[0083] Generally, any combinations of the small compact 100, the large compact 200, and the vial 300 of this one preferred embodiment of the system may be put together. Only two layers of the small compact 100 and the large compact 200 may be joined vertically but horizontal combinations of the small compact 100 and the large compact 200 may be extended without limit other than practical considerations such as whether the combination will fit into a handbag. The vial 300 in this one preferred embodiment may attach only to one side of the small compacts 100 or the large compacts 200, as shown in FIGS. 8A-10. It will be understood that this is only a design preference and that the vial could be designed to attach instead to a bottom of one of the small compacts 100 or the large compacts 200 by providing appropriate attachment means on one side of the vial 300, such as peg-and-pit combinations. As will be discussed further below, a vial may also have means to connect to multiple components of the cosmetics container system disclosed herein.

[0084] FIGS. 11-18 show the structure of the small compact 100, the components of which are preferably molded of one or more thermoplastic or polymer materials such as (but not limited to) acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), aolymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), co-polymerized polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polycarbonate (PC), or polypropylene (PP).

[0085] The small compact 100, as may be best seen in FIGS. 16 and 18, has a base 110, preferably molded from ABS, which has a hollow into which fits a pan 120, preferably also molded of ABS. The pan 120 holds cosmetics. An inner lid 130, preferably molded of ABS, is attached by a metal hinge pin 140 to a flange 111 projecting from the base 110. A mirror (not shown) may be pressed or otherwise attached to the underside of the inner lid 130. A top cover 150 is adhered or press-fitted to the inner lid 130. The inner lid 130 (and the attached top cover 150) can therefore rotate about the hinge pin 140 to and away from the base 110 and its enclosed pan 120 so that the user can shut or open the small compact 100 as needed. The inner lid 130 and the attached top cover 150 together act as a cover for the cosmetics in the pan when the cover is shut against the base 110. A detent in the inner lid 130 (not shown) engages with a ridge 112 molded into the front side of the base 110 in order to maintain the inner lid 130 in a closed configuration against the base 110.

[0086] The right side of the base 110 has a socket 113 molded therein. The left side of the base 110 has a tail 114 molded therein. The left side of the base 110 has a protrusion in the form of a tail 114 molded therein. The socket 113 and the tail 114 are shaped and sized to slidingly engage the tail 114 and socket 113, respectively, of other small compacts 100, in a sliding dovetail joint. The center of the tail 114 contains a rounded projection 115 having a vertically arranged slot 115A molded therein for receiving a detent 116 molded in the center of the bottom of the socket 113, to hold two of the small compacts 100 in alignment when joined horizontally, as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0087] The bottom side of the base 110 has four spaced peg and pin engagement units 117, each composed of an indentation in the form of a pit 118 adjoining a protrusion in the form of a peg 119. The peg 119 is shaped and sized to detachably fit into the pit 118 of another and vertically adjacent small compact 100 while the peg 119 of that other small compact 100 fits into the pit 118 of the first small compact 100. The peg 119 also is shaped and sized to detachably fit into the pit 218 of a vertically adjacent large compact 200 while the peg 219 of that large compact 200 fits into the pit 118 of the small compact 100.

[0088] The bottom edges of the pegs 119 are preferably softened, not sharp, in order to permit easier engagement with the pit 118 of another small compact 100. The peg and pit engagement units 117 therefore permit two small compacts 100 to be detachably connected bottom-to-bottom, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 5B, and for a small compact 100 to be detachably connected bottom-to-bottom to a large compact 200, as in FIG. 10.

[0089] FIGS. 19-25 show the structure of the large compact 200, the components of which are preferably molded of one or more thermoplastic materials such as ABS, PMMA, PETG, PC, or PP.

[0090] The large compact 100, as may be best seen in FIGS. 23 and 25, has a base 210, preferably molded from ABS, which has a hollow into which fits a pan 220, preferably also molded of ABS. The pan 220 holds cosmetics. An inner lid 230, preferably molded of ABS, is attached by a metal hinge pin 240 to a flange 211 projecting from the base 210. A mirror (not shown) may be pressed or otherwise attached to the underside of the inner lid 230. A top cover 250 is adhered or press-fitted to the inner lid 230. The inner lid 230 (and the attached top cover 250) can therefore rotate about the hinge pin 240 to and away from the base 210 and its enclosed pan 220 so that the user can shut or open the small compact 200 as needed. The inner lid 230 and the attached top cover 250 together act as a cover for the cosmetics in the pan when the cover is shut against the base 210. A detent in the inner lid 230 (not shown) engages with a ridge 212 molded into the front side of the base 210 in order to maintain the inner lid 230 in a closed configuration against the base 210.

[0091] The right side of the base 210 has a protrusion in the form of a socket 213A molded on the right side thereof. The right side of the base 210 also has a protrusion in the form of a tail 214A molded on the left side thereof. The left side of the base 210 has an indentation in the form of a socket 213B molded on the right side thereof. The right side of the base 210 also has a protrusion in the form of a tail 214B molded on the left side thereof. The socket 213A and the tail 214A are shaped and sized to slidingly engage either the tail 214A and socket 213A or the tail 214B and the socket 213B, respectively, of other large compacts 200, as well as the tail 114 and socket 113 of a small compact 100. The socket 213B and the tail 214B are shaped and sized to slidingly engage either the tail 214A and socket 213A or the tail 214B and the socket 213B, respectively, of other large compacts 200, as well as the tail 114 and socket 113 of a small compact 100.

[0092] It will be noted that that the small compact 100 will be horizontally mated to a large compact 200 in such a configuration that the hinge pin 140 of the small compact 100 is located adjacent the center of the large compact 200. The small compact 100 will have its front side adjacent one end of the large compact 200 rather than its middle so that the inner lid 130 and top cover 150 will rotate toward the middle of the large compact 200. The socket 113 and tail 114 of the small compact 100 are located on its left and right side, respectively, in order to require this configuration (see, e.g., FIG. 15) in one preferred embodiment of the system. This configuration is preferred because the small compact 100 will be easier to open when horizontally mated to the large compact 200, and especially when two small compacts are horizontally mated to the same large compact 200, as in FIG. 3B.

[0093] The centers of the tails 214A and 214B contain a rounded projection 215 having a vertically arranged slot 215A molded therein for receiving a detent 216 molded in the center of the bottom of the sockets 213A and 213B, to hold two of the small compacts 100 in alignment when joined horizontally, as shown in FIG. 10, or to hold one large compact 200 in alignment when joined horizontally, as shown in FIGS. 5D and 7A.

[0094] The bottom side of the base 210 has first and second sets 260 and 270, respectively, of four spaced peg and pit engagement units 217, each peg and pit engagement units 217 being composed of an indentation in the form of a pit 218 adjoining a protrusion in the form of a peg 219. The peg 219 is shaped and sized to detachably fit into the pit 118 of a vertically adjacent small compact 100 while the peg 119 of that small compact 100 fits into the pit 218 of the large compact 200. The peg 219 also is shaped and sized to detachably fit into the pit 218 of a vertically adjacent large compact 200 while the peg 219 of that large compact 200 fits into the pit 218 of the first large compact 200.

[0095] It will be observed in the bottom side view of FIG. 21 that the first set 260 of four spaced peg and pit engagement units 217 is oriented in one direction (each peg 219 is left of its adjacent pit 218 as shown in FIG. 21) and the second set 270 of four spaced peg and pit engagement units 217 is oriented in the opposite direction (each peg 219 is right of its adjacent pit 218 as shown in FIG. 21). As a result, each large compact 200 can mate vertically to another large compact 200 in one of two configurations, as noted above (hinges either vertically aligned or spaced horizontally). In other words, the user can separate the vertically mated large compacts 200, rotate one large compact 180 degrees about its vertical axis, and re-mate it to the other large compact 200.

[0096] It will also be observed that the small compact 100 will be vertically mated to a large compact 200 in such a configuration that the hinge pin 140 of the small compact 100 is located adjacent the center of the large compact 200. As noted above, the small compact 100 will have its front side above one end of the large compact 200 rather than above its middle so that the inner lid 130 and top cover 150 will rotate toward the middle of the large compact 200. The peg and pit engagement units 117 of the small compact 100 have an orientation that requires this configuration (see FIG. 17). This configuration is preferred because the small compact 100 will be easier to open when vertically mated to the large compact 200, and especially when two small compacts are vertically mated to the same large compact 200, as in FIG. 9B.

[0097] The bottom edges of the pegs 219 are preferably softened, not sharp, in order to permit easier engagement with the pit 118 of another small compact 100. The peg and pit engagement units 117 therefore permit two large compacts 200 to be detachably connected bottom-to-bottom, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 5D, and for a small compact 100 to be detachably connected bottom-to-bottom to a large compact 200, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0098] FIGS. 26-33 show the structure of the vial 300 according to one embodiment, the components of which are preferably molded of one or more thermoplastic materials such as ABS, PMMA, PETG, PC, or PP. The vial 300 essentially has a body defining a compartment for receiving cosmetics and a cap for securing the compartment. An applicator or brush assembly will usually be included with the vial 300 so that the contents of the vial 300 may be applied by the user. Examples of two brush assemblies are shown in FIGS. 33-38.

[0099] As is best seen in FIG. 32 the vial 300 has an outer shell 310 that preferably is injection molded from PC. The outer shell 310 has a socket 312 formed in one outer side. The socket 312 is shaped and sized to accommodate the tail 114 of a small compact 100 and one of the tails 214A and 214B of a large compact 200 in a sliding dove-tail joint, in order to permit the vial 300 to be connected to either a small compact 100 or a large compact 200.

[0100] The outer shell 310 is hollow with an opening at one end for receiving an inner vial 320 that preferably is blow molded in PETG. The inner vial 320 has a threaded neck 322 with an opening therein leading to a compartment for receiving cosmetics such as mascara, as is best seen in FIGS. 29 and 31. The inner vial 320 is held in the outer shell 310 by a collar 330 that is preferably injection molded of PP material and welded to the outer shell 310. The collar 330 has an opening 332 through which the neck 322 projects. The outer shell 310, the inner vial 320, and the collar 330 form the body of the vial 300.

[0101] The outer shell 310 has one wall 311 that is thickened to project outwardly. A socket 313 is formed in the wall 311. The socket 313 is shaped and sized to accommodate the tail 114 of a small compact 100 and the tails 214A and 214B of the large compact 200. Accordingly, the vial 300 can be horizontally mated to either a small compact 100, as in FIG. 9A, or a large compact 200, as in FIG. 9B.

[0102] The vial 300 has an outer cap 340, preferably molded of ABS, into which an inner cap 350 is press-fitted, welded or adhered. The inner cap 350, preferably made of an injection molded PP material, has molded therein a threaded opening for receiving the neck 322 of the inner vial 320. The opening in the inner cap 350 contains a wiper 360, preferably injected molded in PP material. The wiper 360 is intended to fit into the neck 322 of the inner vial 320. The wiper 360 also holds the brush assemblies shown in FIGS. 33-38. The outer cap 340, the inner cap 350, and the wiper 360 comprise the cap that seals the body of the vial 300.

[0103] The wall 311 is thickened not only to accommodate the socket 313 but also to space the outer cap 340 away from that wall, as shown in FIG. 31, so that the outer cap 340 will not interfere with a tail 114 of a small compact 100 or a tail 214A or 214B of a large compact 200 when horizontally mated to them.

[0104] In a further embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, and with reference to FIGS. 39A-B, a vial 400 may be formed with a socket 413 in one wall 411 sized to accommodate the tail 114 of a small compact 100 and the tails 214A and 214B of a large compact 200, and is further formed with a tail 414 projecting from the wall 412 opposite wall 411 and sized to be accommodated into the socket 113 of a small compact 100 and the sockets 213A and 213B of a large compact 200. This embodiment of a vial 400 can thus be utilized together with a vial 300 and a compact 200 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 39C-D to form an assembly that presents a smooth, continuous outer surface on one side that has no exposed tails or sockets or, if desired, two such vials 400 can be used in an assembly that present no exposed tails or sockets whatsoever.

[0105] FIGS. 33-35 show a brow brush assembly 370. The brow brush assembly 370 has a wand 372, preferably made of polyoxymethylene (POM), a brush 374 at one end of the wand 372, and a flanged cup 376 formed in the wand 372 at its other end. The flanged cup 376 is shaped and sized to fit between the wiper 360 and the inner cap 350. The wand 372 and the brush 374 will project into the inner vial 320 when the inner cap 350 is threaded onto the neck 322 of the inner vial 320.

[0106] FIGS. 36-38 show a lip brush assembly 380. The brow brush assembly 380 has a wand 382, preferably made of polyoxymethylene (POM), a brush 384 at one end of the wand 382, and a flanged cup 386 formed in the wand 382 at its other end. The flanged cup 386 is shaped and sized to fit between the wiper 360 and the inner cap 350. The wand 382 and the brush 384 will project into the inner vial 320 when the inner cap 350 is threaded onto the neck 322 of the inner vial 320.

[0107] It will be appreciated that a variety of brushes and other applicators could be provided in place of the brush assemblies shown in FIGS. 33-38.

[0108] While illustrative embodiments of the clamps disclosed herein have been shown and described in the above description, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, different materials might be employed for components in place of those specifically mentioned, the shapes of the components might be altered, additional and different containers might be supplied that the join the system, and other means for joining the containers might be employed. It should be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated, and can be made, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.