Cosmetic case

Details Cosmetic case Cosmetic case

2000-02-15

2001-09-11

Smith, Jeffrey A. (Department: 3732)

Toilet

Toilet kit

Powder box and applicator

Reexamination Certificate

active

06286521

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to a container intended to be used particularly for the packaging of a cosmetic product in the form of a powder or of a compact. By way of example, a container of this type may be used for packaging a blusher, eyeshadow or rouge.
In the cosmetics industry, and more particularly in mass-marketing, make-up products are packaged in transparent blister packs suspended from a generally metal support. A vertical display unit containing an entire range of products allows the client to make her selection and purchase directly. However, it is sometimes difficult to make a choice owing to the large number of products on display.
It has been proposed to arrange such make-up products in cases of which at least a part, for example the lid, is transparent. Such a possibility is, however, not easily and cheaply applicable in the case of all products in a range. The presentation of the case with the lid open at 180° with respect to the base poses a problem of overall size.
From patent application FR-A-2 651 975, it is known to produce a case including a bottom and a cover. The cover is connected to a hinge piece by a first pin. The hinge piece is itself connected to the bottom by a second pin parallel to the first one. An arrangement of this type makes it possible, in the open position, to arrange the cover entirely under the bottom. Such a design nevertheless presents a major drawback linked, for example, to the complexity involved in assembling it, its fragility and its cost. Indeed, such a design requires the use of at least five separate pieces: a bottom, a cover, a hinge and two hinge pins.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,947 also describes a case of the type comprising a cover mounted directly on a base via a hinge pin. After having pivoted the cover with respect to the base, about the hinge pin, so as to orient the cover and the base at 180° with respect to each other, the cover is displaced under the base by sliding studs defining the hinge pin in corresponding slides formed in the cover. The presence of the slides in the cover requires the use of at least one more expensive mold for producing a case of this type. Moreover, handling of the case is more restricted.
It is thus one of the objects of the invention to produce a container of the type mentioned above which totally or partly solves the problems discussed with reference to conventional devices.
It is, in particular, an object of the invention to provide a container which makes it possible to position the lid under the base in the open position, and which is simple to produce, sturdy and inexpensive.
It should be understood that the invention could still be practiced without performing one or more of the preferred objects and/or advantages set forth above. Still other objects will become apparent after reading the following description of the invention.
To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention includes a container. According to the invention, the container includes a base and a lid capable of reversibly covering the base. The lid is preferably mounted on the base in such a manner that, in an open position, it can be positioned under the base. The lid is mounted slidably on a linking member pivotable about the base. Preferably, the linking member is pivoted about a rotational axis (Y) which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (X) of the container, and the lid is slidable with respect to the linking member along the longitudinal axis (X). According to an alternative embodiment, the linking member may be articulated about a rotational axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (X), and the lid is slidable with respect to the linking member along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).
Thus, a preferred container of this type may be produced as four components, namely: a base, a lid, a hinge pin and a linking member. Its operation, both in opening and in closing, is preferably simple. A container of this type is preferably sturdy, and inexpensive to produce. With a configuration according to the invention, it is possible to use the linking member as the member for guiding the lid as the lid slides under the base, which makes it possible to facilitate handling, both on opening and on closing. Moreover, when the container is obtained by molding, the molds required for producing it are preferably simpler and therefore less expensive.
The mounting of the lid on the base via a linking member which is pivoted with respect to the base makes it possible to separate the pivot movement of the lid with respect to the base from the axial sliding movement of the lid under the base. Preferably, handling is substantially improved.
According to the invention, in any non-locked position of the lid with respect to the base, it is possible to pivot the lid with respect to the base irrespective of the axial position of the lid with respect to the base.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the lid includes a first face, called the inner face, intended to come opposite the base in the closed position of the lid, and a second outer face opposite the first inner face, the lid being mounted so that, when it is positioned under the base, the first face is opposite the base. This characteristic is particularly advantageous in that, when a mirror is arranged on the inner face of the lid or when the inner face of the lid is a reflective surface forming a mirror, the lid is protected against any risk of damage during its storage.
More specifically, the linking member may be formed from a U-shaped component pivoted on the base about a rotational axis passing through the two free ends of the legs of the U, the lid being mounted so as to slide between the rotational axis and the base of the U. Thus, during the movement for positioning the lid under the base, the lid may be displaced parallel to its plane until it reaches its final position under the container. At the time of this movement, it is preferably guided partly by the base of the container and partly by the U-shaped linking member.
Advantageously, stopping members are provided in order to limit the sliding of the lid with respect to the linking member between a first, open position in which the lid is arranged substantially entirely under the base and a second position, called the pivoting position, in which the lid at least partially covers the base and is offset with respect to the base so as to be able to be rocked in the closure position of the container. A snap-fit connecting element may be provided to reversibly lock the lid in the first and second positions.
More advantageously, at a first end of the lid, the stopping members include an element capable of reversibly locking the lid on the base. Typically, such a locking member includes a tab extending substantially in a plane perpendicular to a plane of the container and intended to interact by elastic deformation or by snap-fitting with a corresponding member provided on the base of the container. At the other end of the lid, it is also possible to provide a tab folded through 90° with respect to the plane of the lid. Thus, the closure forms a stop in the position in which the lid is under the container, whilst the other tab forms a stop in the pivoting position of the base with respect to the lid.
Preferably, the base includes at least a first compartment configured to receive a product, particularly a cosmetic product. More preferably, the container also includes a second compartment configured to receive an application member for the cosmetic product, for example a powder-puff, a pencil brush or a brush. The face of the container intended to come opposite the base may include a mirror or a reflective surface to act as a mirror.
A container of this type may be used for packaging a make-up product, particularly a blusher, rouge, eyeshadow or a foundation.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a container is provided. The container includes a base, a lid pivotally mounted on the base, the lid being m

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