Special receptacle or package – Combined or convertible – Packaged assemblage or kit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-23
2001-09-04
Foster, Jim (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Combined or convertible
Packaged assemblage or kit
C053S471000, C220S838000, C220S839000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283298
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a container for holding a product. In particular, the present invention relates to a container adapted to seal the internal contents against exposure to the external environment when not in use, and to a novel method for efficiently filling the container with a sample of product.
Containers used to store products such as cosmetics are well known in the art. For example, a standard compact for holding a non-volatile cosmetic product typically includes a lid or a cover coupled to a base by a hinge. The cover can be pivoted about the hinge to expose the cosmetic product which is typically stored in a recessed compartment or well in the base. A latch is commonly provided to keep the cover in contact with the base when the cover is closed. While the latch is effective in keeping the cover of the container closed, it does not, in and of itself, provide an airtight seal to prevent dry cosmetic product from absorbing moisture from the air, or, conversely, to prevent the volatile chemical components of some cosmetics from evaporating.
Many containers available today provide airtight seals. Such airtight containers typically utilize screw caps, liners and gaskets, additional covers, and combinations thereof to seal the internal contents against exposure to the external environment when not in use. The present invention has been developed to improve over prior art airtight containers and to allow for efficient filling of the container with product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally, in accordance with the present invention, an airtight container adapted to be filled with a sample of product, such as cosmetic product, is provided. The container includes a cover and a base each having interior and exterior surfaces and front and rear edges. The cover and base are pivotably coupled together at the rear edges thereof by a hinge. A latch mechanism or other common closure device is provided at the front edges of the cover and base to releasably secure the cover to the base when the container is closed.
When closed, the cover and base are compressively loaded by virtue of the construction of the hinge, the cover and base construction, and the latch. Compressive force results, in part, from the hinge height being less than the overall height of the container (i.e., the combined height of the cover and base). More particularly, when the cover is closed and latched, a compressive force is created as a result of the hinge being pulled to accommodate the height difference.
A preferred hinge mechanism includes one or more curved protrusions extending from the interior surface of the cover proximate to the rear edge of the cover that are adapted to engage corresponding slots extending through the base proximate to the rear edge of the base when the cover is articulated against the base to close the container. The protrusions extend into cavities or undercuts formed in the bottom of the base and lock against the rear edge of the base to pull the cover tightly against the base. Additionally, a living hinge may be provided between adjacent slots to pivotably connect the cover to the base.
An alternative hinge arrangement may take the form of a flexible planar connector joining the rear edge of the cover and the rear edge of the base. The flexible connector may extend along part or substantially all of the length of the rear edge of the container.
Also, the flexible connector between the rear edges of the cover and base may be provided with one or more hemispherical projections extending therefrom in registration with slots or undercuts defined in the exterior surface of the rear edge of the base. The protrusions engage the slots or undercuts when the cover is closed against the base and compress the cover against the base.
The base of the container according to the present invention includes an opening extending completely therethrough. A raised area or other suitable sealing member provided on the interior surface of the cover engages the opening in the interior surface of the base to form a seal with the opening when the cover is pivoted with respect to the base to close the container. The raised area extends only partially through the opening to allow space for the product to be introduced into the opening through the bottom of the base during filling of the container.
Filling of the container is accomplished by either (i) applying product to the surface of a separate seal such as a label or plastic sheet, and then affixing the seal over the opening in the base at the bottom of the base such that the product is introduced into the opening and is held in the space between the raised area and the seal, or, alternatively, by (ii) applying product through the opening in the base directly onto the surface of the raised area and then covering the opening with a separate seal such that the product is held in the space between the raised area and the seal.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved product sample container and method for filling the container with product.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a container capable of sealing the internal contents against exposure to the external environment in a substantially airtight manner when not in use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a container that may be filled with a sample of product in an efficient manner.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the following detailed specification.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of component parts, as well as the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1928445 (1933-09-01), Boyd
patent: 3954179 (1976-05-01), Warmath
patent: 4220248 (1980-09-01), Wilson et al.
patent: 4289232 (1981-09-01), Seibel et al.
patent: 4345607 (1982-08-01), Contreras et al.
patent: 4421127 (1983-12-01), Geer
patent: 4454889 (1984-06-01), Contreras, Sr
patent: 4545495 (1985-10-01), Kinsley
patent: 4573600 (1986-03-01), Dubach
patent: 4625898 (1986-12-01), Hazard
patent: 4801054 (1989-01-01), Nycz
patent: 4854473 (1989-08-01), Dubach
patent: 5031647 (1991-07-01), Seidler
patent: 5115931 (1992-05-01), Dubach
patent: 5257708 (1993-11-01), Dubach
patent: 5344037 (1994-09-01), Favre
patent: 5806682 (1998-09-01), Mecca et al.
patent: 5842486 (1998-12-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5875795 (1999-03-01), Bouix
patent: 5896866 (1999-04-01), Quennessen
patent: 5931169 (1999-08-01), Kervoalen
patent: 5950639 (1999-09-01), Suzuki et al.
Concept Workshop Worldwide LLC
Foster Jim
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
LandOfFree
Airtight container and method for filling container with... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Airtight container and method for filling container with..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Airtight container and method for filling container with... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2450098