Cosmetic Product Container and Retention Mechanism

The present disclosure generally relates to cosmetic, hair care, body care, and/or skincare products and, more particularly, to systems and approaches for containing and retaining such products from unintended movement.

Cosmetic, hair care, body care, and/or skincare products may be provided in a number of different containers, and may be applied using a number of varying approaches. As an example, a lipstick or lip balm product may be in the form of an elongated tube, cylinder, square, rectangular, diamond prism, bullet, and/or other non-prismatic shape, among other shapes that is disposed in a protective container. Such containers may allow the cosmetic substance to selectively advance to an extended position relative to the container to be applied by the user. The cosmetic substance may be a generally solid, yet relatively soft, molded composition that may be inserted into a cavity of a retaining cup. In the event the container is inadvertently dropped or otherwise jostled, the cosmetic substance may become damaged, broken, or otherwise detached or partially disengaged from the retaining cup. In some examples, the retaining cup (or other features of the container) may include discrete retention members in the form of hooks, nodules, or similar components that may be urged into the cosmetic substance in an attempt to prevent or otherwise limit movement of the cosmetic substance relative to the cup and the container during these inadvertent drops or bumps. However, these features may create localized stress points that may ultimately deform or otherwise damage the cosmetic substance.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved accessories having improved functionalities.

Examples within the scope of the present disclosure are directed to a cosmetic product container and retention mechanism that may include a cup for retaining a cosmetic substance. The cup includes a cup body having a first end, a second end, and an inner sidewall forming a cup cavity and a stepped retention member disposed on the inner sidewall of the cup body and extending into the cup cavity. The stepped retention member has a first width value extending around the periphery of the inner sidewall.

In some examples, the at least one retention member may include a plurality of recesses that extend inwardly into the inner sidewall in an axial pattern. In these and other examples, the at least one retention member may include a plurality of recesses that extend inwardly into the inner sidewall in a radial pattern about the periphery of the inner sidewall. In some forms, the at least one retention member may include an upper ledge surface that cooperates with the inner sidewall to define an undercut region.

In an approach, the cup may further include a secondary retention member disposed on the inner sidewall of the cup body. The secondary retention member may extend into the cup cavity. In some of these examples, the secondary retention member may include an elongated notch having a first end having a first width, a second end having a second width. The second width may be greater than the first width thereof. In some examples, the elongated notch may further include an extension extending inwardly from the inner sidewall into the cup cavity and a notch contact face extending generally perpendicular to the extension. The extension and the notch contact face may cooperate to define a channel region.

In some approaches, the cup may further include a floor member that defines an opening surrounded by a frustoconical surface.

In accordance with a second aspect, a cosmetic product container includes an inner body, a cup, and a cosmetic substance. The inner body has a first end and a second end and defining a container cavity. The cup is adapted to be at least partially disposed within the container cavity and includes a cup body having a first body end, a second body end, and an inner sidewall forming a cup cavity and at least one retention member disposed on the inner sidewall of the cup body and extending into the inner sidewall. The at least one retention member extends a width around a periphery of the inner sidewall. The cosmetic substance has a first end, a second end, and an elongated body therebetween. At least a portion of the elongated body is disposed within the cup cavity.

In accordance with a third aspect, an approach for assembling a cosmetic product includes providing a cup including a cup body having a first body end, a second body end, an inner sidewall forming a cup cavity, and at least one retention member disposed on the inner sidewall of the cup body and extending into the inner sidewall. The at least one retention member extends a width around a periphery of the inner sidewall. The methos further includes inserting a cosmetic substance having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body therebetween into the cup cavity of the cup such that at least a portion of the cosmetic substance enters the at least one retention member. The cup is at least partially disposed within a container cavity of an inner body.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various examples. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible examples are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various examples. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

Generally speaking, pursuant to these various approaches, cosmetic product containers and retention mechanisms are provided that adequately retain a cosmetic substance during use as well as in the event of inadvertent drops and/or bumps. The approaches described herein provide firm retention of the cosmetic substance while reducing or eliminating potentially harmful stress regions. As such, the systems described herein may be used to contain and retain a multitude of cosmetic substances having varying degrees of material softness.

Turning to the Figures, a cosmetic productis provided that includes a cosmetic product containerthat contains and applies a cosmetic substance. The cosmetic product containerincludes an inner bodyhaving a track, a spiral member, a shell, and a retention mechanism or cup. In the illustrated examples, the cosmetic substanceis in the form of a lipstick or lip balm product. It is to be appreciated that the cosmetic substancemay be any type of cosmetic, hair care, body care, and/or skincare product that may be applied to a user. Other examples are possible. In some of these examples, the cosmetic substancemay include strong or otherwise aggressive chemicals and/or ingredients such as, for example, volatiles. The cosmetic substanceincludes a first end, a second end, and an elongated bodyextending therebetween along a longitudinal axis (“A”). Further, the cosmetic substancedefines an outer cross-sectional dimension (“DO”). In the illustrated examples, the outer cross-sectional dimension DO is in the form of an outer diameter or circumference. However, other examples are possible.

Generally speaking, the inner bodyat least partially retains components of the cosmetic product containerin an inner body cavity. The inner bodydefines a ledgeformed on an outer surface thereof. In some arrangements, a securement mechanism (not illustrated) may be used to engage a portion of a cap (not illustrated) to conceal the cosmetic substancefor storage purposes. Any number of suitable securement mechanisms may be used such as, for example, a snap-fit coupling, a friction-fit coupling, a threaded connection, and the like. Other examples are possible. In yet other examples, a base (not illustrated) may be provided to encapsulate at least a portion of the inner body. Such a base may couple with a portion of the cap, if provided.

The trackincludes a first endand a second end. The inner body (which, in some examples, may be referred to as an outer container)may also include an inner surface. The spiral memberis provided with a helical arrangementon an inner surface thereof, and is rotatably engaged with the inner body.

The shellis provided to prevent a user from observing portions of the inner bodyand the spiral member. The shellincludes a lipthat engages a portion of the inner bodyto restrict movement in a direction along the longitudinal axis A. In the illustrated examples, the shellis arranged to rotate with the spiral memberrelative to the inner body. It is to be appreciated that any of the inner body, the spiral member, and/or the shellmay include any number of additional features and/or components to assist in use of the cosmetic product container, but for the sake of brevity, such features and/or components will not be discussed in substantial detail herein.

The cupis provided to securely retain the cosmetic substance. The cupincludes a cup bodythat has a first end, a second end, an inner sidewall, and a cup cavity. Generally speaking, the cosmetic substanceis at least partially disposed within the cup cavity. The cup bodyfurther includes a cup retention memberpositioned on an exterior surface thereof. The cup bodymay be formed from any number of desired materials.

With reference to, the cup bodyis adapted to be disposed within the inner body. Upon coupling the cup bodywith the inner body, the cup retention membersare positioned within the trackof the inner bodyto guide relative movement therebetween in the axial direction. As will be discussed in detail below, the cup retention membersare also arranged to engage the helical arrangementformed on the spiral member.

The cup bodyfurther includes any number of retention membersdisposed on the inner sidewall. Each of these retention membersis in the form of a recess that extends into the inner sidewall. Put differently, the retention membersmay be in the form of fixed pockets that are debossed or otherwise formed into the inner sidewall

Each recess formed by the retention membermay include an upper ledge surface. In some examples, this upper ledge surfacecooperates with the inner sidewallto define an undercut region. In some examples, this undercut region forms an approximately 90° angle. However, other examples of suitable angles formed by these surfaces are possible depending on desired manufacturing approaches and the like. In some of these examples, each retention memberextends inwardly into the inner sidewalla distance between approximately 0.10 mm and 5 mm, and preferably between approximately 0.05 mm and approximately 2 mm. Notably, this depth dimension is relatively shallow to allow cosmetic substancesformed from softer compositions to better flow into these regions during assembly.

In the illustrated examples, each retention memberhas a width or arc valuethat spans a distance on the inner sidewallof the cup body. As shown in the Figures, this width valueis generally wide in that the retention memberextends around approximately 20% of the inner periphery of the cup bodyor more. It is to be appreciated that the width valueand/or the shape of the retention membermay be modified to improve retaining performance of cosmetic substanceshaving varying material characteristics such as, for example, softness and the like.

With reference to, a number of retention membersmay be positioned about the inner sidewallof the cup bodyin a radial pattern or arrangement. It is to be appreciated that any number of retention membersmay be incorporated into the cup body.

During the assembly process, and as will be discussed below, the first endof the cosmetic substanceis inserted into the cup cavity. In some arrangements, the outer diameter of the cosmetic substanceis equal to or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the inner sidewall. In some examples, the first endof the cosmetic substancemay have a slightly tapered arrangement relative to the shape of the cup cavityto support insertion of the cosmetic substancetherein. In other examples, the cup cavitymay be slightly tapered relative to the cosmetic substanceto accommodate insertion. In either of these arrangements, upon fully inserting the cosmetic substanceinto the cup cavity, additional cosmetic substancewill flow into each retention member. As a result, the cosmetic substanceis effectively locked into place within the cup cavitywhile having additional surface contact with the cup body to promote retention.

In some examples, the cupmay include any number of optional features. For example, the cup bodymay additionally include any number of optional secondary retention membersin the form of tapered elongated ribs or notches that extend or protrude into the cup cavity. Each of these secondary retention membersmay include a first endhaving a first width value and a second endhaving a second width value. As illustrated in, the first endsof the secondary retention membersare generally narrower than the second endsthereof in the tangential direction such that a draft angle is formed relative to a central point in the secondary retention member. In some examples, this draft angle may be between approximately 5° and approximately 25°. Other examples are possible.

Additionally, the second endsof the secondary retention membersprotrude further into the cup cavitythan the first endsthereof. Further, it is to be appreciated that while the illustrated secondary retention membersare provided as being oriented generally vertically (i.e., generally parallel to the longitudinal axis L), in some examples, the secondary retention membersmay be arranged in a helical or other arrangement (not illustrated). Other arrangements are possible.

Each secondary retention memberadditionally includes an extensionthat extends into the cup cavityas well as a notch contact facethat extends generally perpendicular to the extension. The extensionand the notch contact facecooperate to define a channel regionbetween the notch contact faceand the inner sidewallof the cup body.

As illustrated in the various figures, in some arrangements, the secondary retention membersare positioned at or near the retention members. As a result, when the cupis so equipped with the secondary retention members, upon inserting the cosmetic substanceinto the cup cavity, a portion of the cosmetic substancemay be gently urged or directed by the secondary retention membersinto the retention members. More specifically, as a portion of the cosmetic substanceenters the channel region, the tapered width arrangement of the second endthereof causes the cosmetic substanceto be displaced. Because the retention membersare in the form of pockets, this cosmetic substancemay be displaced into these pockets. Notably, such an arrangement avoids creating a high insertion force exerted on the cosmetic substanceduring assembly. It is to be appreciated that in some examples, the outer diameter of the cosmetic substanceneedn't be greater or equal to the inner diameter of the inner sidewallbecause the secondary retention membersoccupy additional volume in the cup cavity. Additionally, it is noted that the channel regionmay also serve to retain the cosmetic substancewithin the cup cavity.

In some examples, the cup bodymay additionally include a floor memberpositioned at or near the first endthereof. This floor membermay provide additional support for the first endof the cosmetic substance. In some examples, the floor membermay include a frustoconical or angled surface. This frustoconical surfacemay also assist with directing the cosmetic substanceinto the retention members. More specifically, upon inserting the first endof the cosmetic substanceinto the cup cavity, the angled arrangement of the frustoconical surfacemay urge the cosmetic substanceoutwardly and into the retention members. Further, in some examples, the floor membermay include any number of through bores or openingsthat are surrounded by the frustoconical surface, which allows for backfilling of the cosmetic substance.

Upon inserting the cosmetic substanceinto the cup cavity, the cosmetic substancemay additionally at least partially encapsulate the secondary retention members, whereupon the secondary retention membersmay restrict or otherwise limit rotation of the cosmetic substancewith respect to the cup cavityabout the longitudinal axis A. In other examples, the cosmetic substancemay be inserted into the cup cavityvia other approaches such as, for example, any number of backfilling techniques. In any of these filling techniques, the retention membersrestrict or otherwise limit rotation of the cosmetic substance.

So arranged, in examples where the secondary retention membersand the frustoconical surfaceare provided, these components cooperate to squeeze or otherwise push the cosmetic substanceoutwardly and into the retention members.

To assemble the cosmetic product container, the cup retention memberof the cup bodyis positioned within a notchof the trackto temporarily to retain the cup bodyin a relatively fixed position with respect to the longitudinal axis A. However, in other examples, the cup bodymay not be coupled with the inner bodyat this point. The first endof the cosmetic substanceis then inserted into the cup cavity. Because the outer cross-sectional dimension DO of the cosmetic substanceis similar to the inner cross-sectional dimension of the inner sidewall, such insertion of the cosmetic substancecauses a portion of the elongated bodyof the cosmetic substanceto contact the inner sidewalland ultimately enter each retention member. The upper surfaceand the additional surfaces of the retention memberscreate increased surface area, and thus frictional, contact with the cosmetic substance.

Accordingly, the retention member or membersapply a gentle retaining force against the elongated bodyof the cosmetic substance. It is to be appreciated that any number of characteristics such as, for example, any number of desired dimensions of the retention memberand/or material characteristics of the cosmetic substancemay be modified to generate a relatively gentle or relatively firm retention force against the cosmetic substancewithout causing excessive damage or deformation along the elongated bodydue to the significant surface area contact between the retention membersand the elongated body. In some approaches, material properties of the cosmetic substancemay dictate the quantity and dimensions of each retention memberto ensure the cosmetic substanceis not damaged or otherwise deformed during insertion or use.

With reference to, upon assembling the cupwithin the inner body, the lipof the shellmay then be positioned over the inner body. In some examples, and as previously noted, the spiral memberand the shellmay be fixed with each other while being rotatable relative to the inner bodywhile the cupmay be translatable along the longitudinal axis A relative thereto (via the track). Because the cup retention membersare insertably engaged with the helical arrangementof the spiral member, to advance the cup(and thus, the cosmetic substance), causing it to protrude outwardly beyond the shell, a user may twist one of the inner bodyrelative to the shelland the spiral member, causing relative rotation therebetween. This relative rotation causes the cup retention membersto traverse the helical arrangementwhile being constrained to axial motion along the track.

It is also to be appreciated that the cupmay be provided in any number of varying shapes and/or configurations. As non-limiting alternative examples,illustrate alternative cups,that may be incorporated into the cosmetic product container. These cups,include similar features as the cup, and as such, are provided with reference numerals having identical two-digit suffixes. For the sake of brevity, such components will not be described in further detail. In these examples, the cups,have additional retention members,that are in a stacked, axial, or vertical pattern or arrangement. In, the secondary retention membershave a generally parallel arrangement in that the second endsthereof do not have a substantially greater width than the first endsthereof. In, the secondary retention membershave a tapered arrangement similar to the secondary retention memberspresented in.

So configured, the cup and product described herein securely retains the cosmetic substance without damaging portions thereof. The cup advantageously increases surface area in shear contact with the cosmetic substancecompared with traditional designs, thereby increasing friction to assist with retaining the cosmetic substancewithin the cup cavityduring use, drops, and/or other unintended movements. Additionally, the present disclosure takes the approach of accommodating expansion of the cosmetic substanceas compared with providing a compressive force thereon. Further, the presently described cup and product do not include additional stress concentration areas that may otherwise result in the cosmetic substance being fractured, stretched, or otherwise damaged during unintentional movements. The cups described herein may also provide additional stability to protect the cosmetic substance in the event of a drop or bump event. More specifically, the cup may maintain alignment of the cosmetic substance so that it does not become misaligned after a drop or bump. Such misalignment may cause the cosmetic substance to contact interior portions of the product during upward application, which in turn may damage or smear the cosmetic substance.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. Additionally, the described embodiments/examples/implementations should not be interpreted as mutually exclusive and should instead be understood as potentially combinable if such combinations are permissive in any way. In other words, any feature disclosed in any of the aforementioned embodiments/examples/implementations may be included in any of the other aforementioned embodiments/examples/implementations.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The claimed invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s).