ANNULAR MEMBER, CONTAINER, PACKAGE INCLUDING THE ANNULAR MEMBER AND PRODUCING METHOD OF SUCH ANNULAR MEMBER

Abstract

 The present invention relates to an annular member (4) for a container, including a stop ring (110) and a seal ring (120).The stop ring (110) includes a ring body (112) and a stopper (111) extending from the ring body (112) towards the center of the annular member. The stop ring (110) and the seal ring (120) are formed in one piece by bi-injection molding. The present invention also relates to a cosmetic package including said container, and also relates to a producing method of the annular member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an annular member for a container. In particular, the present invention also relates to a cosmetic package including said container, and a producing method of the annular member.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Foundation liquid is widely used in the field of a cosmetic.

[0003] In order to allow the user to apply the liquid foundation uniformly and consistently, a sponge is used for absorbing and storing the liquid foundation. In fact, the sponge is steeped with the liquid foundation, and is placed in a cup located within a base of the container. The user then gently touches and taps the sponge by an applicator to collect the liquid foundation, and then applies the liquid foundation onto the skin.

[0004] The cup is provided with an annular stop ring, which prevents the sponge from falling out of the cup when the container is opened.

[0005] Furthermore, in order to prevent the liquid foundation from drying, it is desirable to provide a seal ring between a cover of the cup and the cup itself.

[0006] However, the provision of an individual annular stop ring and the provision of an individual annular seal ring require independent molds and respective assembly processes, which unnecessarily increases the production cost. In addition, when the independent mold is used, this increases a risk of the annular stop ring or the annular seal ring being misplaced or even falling out.

[0007] Likewise, even if forming the annular stop ring and/or the annular seal ring integrally with the cover or the cup, the production cost would not be reduced or would even conversely be increased, because the molds for the cover and/or for the cup are relatively large, complex and will have to be redesigned.

SUMMARY

[0008] One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to provide an annular member which may address at least the problems mentioned above. The annular member is for example a ring formed by bi-injection molding. The bi-injection molding is also referred to as two-color injection molding or double injection molding.

[0009] The bi-injection molded ring according to the present invention simultaneously has two functions: the ring is used as an annular stop ring (for example made of PP) to prevent the sponge from falling out of the cup; and the ring is also used as an annular seal ring (for example made of TPE) to form a seal between the cover and the cup and thereby to prevent the liquid foundation from drying.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provide an annular member for a container, which includes a stop ring and a seal ring.

[0011] The stop ring includes a ring body and a stopper extending from the ring body towards the center of the annular member.

[0012] The stop ring and the seal ring are formed in one piece by bi-injection molding.

[0013] Preferably, the seal ring may have a first side and a second side, which are opposite from one another, and are intended to be abutted against by a cover and a cup of the container, respectively, such that the seal ring provides an airtight sealing between the cover and the cup.

[0014] Preferably, the hardness of the stop ring may be higher than that of the seal ring.

[0015] Preferably, the stop ring may be for example made from polypropylene (PP), and the seal ring may be for example made from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

[0016] Preferably, the stopper of the stop ring may be in form of a flat ring lying in a horizontal plane.

[0017] Preferably, the ring body of the stop ring may include a first part and a second part. The first part may be of a shape of a cylinder. The stopper may extend from an end of the cylinder towards the center of the annular member. The second part may be connected with the seal ring.

[0018] Preferably, the second part of the ring body may include a transition section and a connection section.

[0019] The ring body and the seal ring may together delimit a annular groove. An inner circumferential wall of the annular groove is formed by the first part of the ring body. An outer circumferential wall of the annular groove is formed by the seal ring and the connection section of the second part of the ring body. A bottom wall of the annular groove connecting the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall is formed by the transition section of the second part of the ring body.

[0020] Preferably, the first part of the ring body of the stop ring may be intended to be fixed on a neck of the cup of the container.

[0021] Preferably, the first part of the ring body of the stop ring may be provided with an inner protrusion, and the neck of the cup of the container may be provided with an outer recess which has a shape complementary to that of the inner protrusion of the first part.

[0022] Preferably, the interface between the seal ring and the stop ring may include a step.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provide a container including a cover, a cup and the annular member described above.

[0024] The cover is provided with an engaging cylinder having an outer diameter which is larger than an inner diameter of the seal ring.

[0025] The cup is provided with an annular recess receiving the annular member and having an inner wall and an outer wall. The first part of the ring body of the stop ring of the annular member is fixed on the inner wall of the annular recess.

[0026] In a configuration where the cup is closed by the cover, the seal ring of the annular member is pressed by the engaging cylinder of the cover against the outer wall of the annular recess of the cup.

[0027] Preferably, the cup may be used for holding an absorber which may absorb and store volatile liquid. The stopper of the stop ring of the annular member may extend inwardly beyond the opening of the cup, in order to prevent the absorber from falling out of the cup.

[0028] Preferably, the absorber may be made from sponge or fabric.

[0029] Preferably, the absorber may be used for absorbing and storing foundation liquid.

[0030] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provide a cosmetic package, including a shell assembly, an applicator and the container described above. The container is placed in the shell assembly, and the applicator is placed on the cover of the container.

[0031] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provide a method for producing the annular member described above, wherein the method includes:

providing a mold assembly including a first mold, a second mold and a third mold;

assembling the first mold and the second mold to form a first cavity;

injecting a first material into the first cavity to form the stop ring of the annular member;

replacing the second mold with the third mold to form a second cavity;

injecting a second material into the second cavity to form the seal ring of the annular member, wherein the seal ring is integral with the stop ring; and

releasing the annular member in the form of one-piece from the first mold and the third mold.

[0032] According to the present invention, the annular member for the container is made at a lower cost, and can for example prevent the sponge or fabric from falling out of the cup, and can act as a seal between the cover and the cup to prevent the liquid foundation from drying.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cosmetic package 10 according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the cosmetic package 10 in an open state.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the cosmetic package 10.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a cover 3, an annular member 4 and a cup 5 of an inner container of the cosmetic package 10 in an unassembled state.

FIG. 5 shows a partial enlarged view of the annular member 4 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a partial enlarged view of the inner container of the cosmetic package 10 in an assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The present invention proposes an annular member for a container, which can in turn be used for a cosmetic package. FIGS. 1-3 show a preferred embodiment of a cosmetic package in accordance with the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a cosmetic package 10 in a closed state. FIG. 2 shows the cosmetic package 10 in an open state. FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the cosmetic package 10. As shown in the figures, the cosmetic package 10 includes an outer cover 1, an optional mirror 2, a cover 3 of an inner container, an annular member 4 of the inner container, a cup 5 of the inner container, an inner shell 6 of a base, an outer shell 7 of the base, a button 8 and a spacer 9.

[0036] The cosmetic package 10 mainly includes an outer frame and the inner container. The outer frame includes the outer cover 1, the mirror 2, the inner shell 6 of the base, the outer shell 7 of the base, the button 8 and the spacer 9. The outer cover 1 and outer shell 7 of the outer frame as a shell assembly can be seen in FIG. 1. The inner container includes the cover 3, the cup 5 and the annular member 4. The inner container is placed within the outer frame and, in particular, is seated in the base.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the inner container of the cosmetic package 10 is shown in the form of an exploded view.

[0038] The cover 3 of the inner container includes a flat body 31, below which an engaging cylinder 311 is suspended, and above which a receiving space 312 is formed. The receiving space 312 can be used for receiving an applicator (not shown) such as a puff or a cotton pad.

[0039] The cup 5 of the inner container includes a cup body 51 having a cylindrical portion 511 and a bottom 513, an outer sleeve 53 concentric with the cylindrical portion 511, and a connecting portion 55 connecting the cylindrical portion 511 and the outer sleeve 53. An accommodation space 508 is formed in the cup body 51. The accommodation space 508 can be used for accommodating an absorber (not shown) such as a sponge or fabric. The absorber is used for absorbing and storing volatile liquid such as liquid foundation.

[0040] Preferably, the cover 3 may further include a first engaging portion 39, and the cup 5 may further include a second engaging portion 59. The first engaging portion 39 and the second engaging portion 59 may each be provided with complementary shapes to facilitate an interlocking engagement between the first engaging portion 39 and the second engaging portion 59.

[0041] Preferably, the cover 3 may further include a first pivoting portion 37, and the cup 5 may further include a second pivoting portion 57. The first pivoting portion 37 and the second pivoting portion 57 can be engaged with each other to enable the cover 3 to be pivoted relative to the cup 5, so as to open or close the cover. For example, the first pivoting portion 37 of the cover 3 may be provided with a pin, while the second pivoting portion 57 of the cup 5 may be provided with a hole for passage of the pin.

[0042] Positions of the first engaging portion 39 and of the second engaging portion 59 may be disposed opposite to the positions of the first pivoting portion 37 and of the second pivoting portion 57.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a partial enlarged area A of the annular member 4 of FIG. 4.

[0044] The annular member 4 includes a stop ring 110 and a seal ring 120. The stop ring 110 includes a ring body 112 and a stopper 111. The stopper 111 extends from the ring body 112 towards the center of the annular member 4, and extends inwardly beyond an opening of the cup 5. Preferably, a center hole of the stopper portion 111 has a diameter smaller than that of the absorber accommodated in the accommodation space 508 of the cup body 51, whereby the absorber can be prevented from falling out of the accommodation space 508. The stopper 111 may be in form of a flat ring lying in a horizontal plane for example.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a partial enlarged view of the inner container of the cosmetic package 10 in an assembled state. The portion shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the portion shown in FIG. 5.

[0046] The ring body 112 of the stop ring 110 of the annular member 4 includes a first part 1121 and a second part 1122.

[0047] The first part 1121 of the ring body 112 is of a shape of a cylinder, and the stopper 111 extends from an end of the cylinder, in particular an upper end of the cylinder, towards the center of the annular member 4. The second part 1122 of the ring body 112 is connected with the seal ring 120 of the annular member 4. The second part 1122 includes a transition section 1122a extending from the first part 1121 and a connection section 1122b connected with the seal ring 120.

[0048] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the ring body 112 and the seal ring 120 together delimit an annular groove 113. The annular groove 113 has a substantially U-shaped cross section and includes an inner circumferential wall, an outer circumferential wall, and a bottom wall. The inner circumferential wall of the annular groove 113 is formed by the first part 1121 of the ring body 112, while the outer circumferential wall is formed by the seal ring 120 and the connection section 1122b of the second part 1122 of the ring body 112. The bottom wall of the annular groove 113 connecting the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall is formed by the transition section 1122a of the second part 1122 of the ring body 112. In this case, in the substantially U-shaped cross section of the annular groove 113, a circumferential wall closer to the center of the annular member 4 is the inner circumferential wall, and a circumferential wall away from the center of the annular member 4 is the outer circumferential wall.

[0049] With reference to FIG. 6, the first part 1121 of the ring body 112 is intended to be fixed on a neck of the cup 5 of the inner container. The neck of the cup 5 is formed by an upper part of the cylindrical portion 511. Preferably, the first part 1121 is provided with an inner protrusion 1121a, and the neck of the cup 5 is provided with an outer recess 511a. The outer recess 511a has a shape complementary to that of the inner protrusion 1121a. However, it will be appreciated that, alternatively, it is also possible that the first part 1121 of the ring body 112 and the neck of the cup 5 are provided with complementary recesses and projections, respectively.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the stop ring 110 and the seal ring 120 are formed in one piece by bi-injection molding, whereby the annular member 4 having both the stopping function and the sealing function is obtained in a low cost manner. However, it will be appreciated that, alternatively, the sealing ring 120 and the stop ring 110 can also be connected by other manners, for example by adhesive bonding. Preferably, the interface between the seal ring 120 and the stop ring 110 includes a step 170, as shown in FIG. 6. In this way, the seal ring 120 and the stop ring 110 can have a larger contact area, so that the connection between them will be stronger.

[0051] With reference to FIG. 6, the seal ring 120 has a first side 1201 and a second side 1202. The first side 1201 and the second side 1202 are opposite from one another, and are intended to be abutted against by the cover 3 and the cup 5 of the container, respectively, such that the seal ring 120 provides an airtight sealing between the cover 3 and the cup 5. The distance between the first side 1201 and the second side 1202, that is, the thickness of the seal ring 120, may be slightly larger than the distance between the engaging cylinder 311 of the cover 3 and the outer sleeve 53 in the closed state, so that the seal ring 120 will be squeezed and deformed when the cover 3 closes the cup 5, to provide a better airtight sealing performance.

[0052] Preferably, the hardness of the stop ring 110 is higher than that of the seal ring 120. The higher hardness of the stop ring 110 makes it easier to block the absorber stored within the cup 5, while the lower hardness of the seal ring 120 provides a good seal between the seal cover 3 and the cup 5. The stop ring 110 is for example made from polypropylene, and the seal ring 120 is for example made from thermoplastic elastomer.

[0053] The engaging cylinder 311 of the cover 3 of the container has an outer diameter which is larger than an inner diameter of the seal ring 120. As such, when the cover 3 is closed, the seal ring 120 will be deformed by the squeezing of the engaging cylinder 311 so as to achieve a better sealing function.

[0054] The cup 5 is provided with an annular recess 52 which is intended to receive the annular member 4 and which has a substantially U-shaped cross section (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The annular recess 52 has an inner wall and an outer wall. The first part 1121 of the ring body 112 of the stop ring 110 of the annular member 4 is fixed on the inner wall of the annular recess 52. In a configuration where the cup 5 is closed by the cover 3, the seal ring 120 of the annular member 4 is pressed by the engaging cylinder 311 of the cover 3 against the outer wall of the annular recess 52 of the cup 5. In this case, in the substantially U-shaped cross section of the annular recess 52, a wall closer to the center of the annular member 4 is the inner wall, and a wall away from the center of the annular member 4 is the outer wall.

[0055] The annular member 4 can be manufactured by the following method, the method including:

providing a mold assembly including a first mold, a second mold and a third mold;

assembling the first mold and the second mold to form a first cavity;

injecting a first material into the first cavity to form the stop ring 110 of the annular member 4;

replacing the second mold with the third mold to form a second cavity;

injecting a second material into the second cavity to form the seal ring 120 of the annular member 4, wherein the seal ring 120 is integral with the stop ring 110; and

releasing the annular member 4 in the form of one-piece from the first mold and the third mold.

[0056] According to the above embodiments, the seal ring 120 and the stop ring 110 are integrally formed by injection molding or bi-injection molding, however, it should be understood that the seal ring 120 and the stop ring 110 may also be combined together by assembling.

[0057] The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, but it should be noted that the above embodiments are described by way of example only, and not in any limiting sense. The various technical features described in the above embodiments can be combined and used arbitrarily in different embodiments as long as they are not contradictory. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be made in various different ways, and that various modifications, variations, and alterations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An annular member (4) used for a container, comprising a stop ring (110) and a seal ring (120),

wherein the stop ring (110) comprises a ring body (112) and a stopper (111) extending from the ring body (112) towards the center of the annular member; and

the stop ring (110) and the seal ring (120) are formed in one piece by bi-injection molding.

2. The annular member (4) according to claim 1, wherein the seal ring (120) has a first side (1201) and a second side (1202), which are opposite from one another, and are intended to be abutted against by a cover (3) and a cup (5) of the container, respectively, such that the seal ring (120) provides an airtight sealing between the cover (3) and the cup (5).

3. The annular member (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hardness of the stop ring (110) is higher than that of the seal ring (120).

4. The annular member (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stop ring (110) is made from polypropylene, and the seal ring (120) is made from thermoplastic elastomer.

5. The annular member (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stopper (111) of the stop ring (110) is in form of a flat ring lying in a horizontal plane.

6. The annular member (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ring body (112) of the stop ring (110) comprises a first part (1121) and a second part (1122);

the first part (1121) is of a shape of a cylinder;

the stopper (111) extends from an end of the cylinder towards the center of the annular member (4); and

the second part (1122) is connected with the seal ring (120).

7. The annular member (4) according to claim 6, wherein the second part (1122) of the ring body (112) comprises a transition section (1122a) and a connection section (1122b); and

the ring body (112) and the seal ring (120) together delimit a annular groove (113), wherein an inner circumferential wall of the annular groove (113) is formed by the first part (1121) of the ring body (112), an outer circumferential wall of the annular groove (113) is formed by the seal ring (120) and the connection section (1122b) of the second part (1122) of the ring body (112), and a bottom wall of the annular groove (113) connecting the inner circumferential wall and the outer circumferential wall is formed by the transition section (1122a) of the second part (1122) of the ring body (112).

8. The annular member (4) according to claim 6, wherein the first part (1121) of the ring body (112) of the stop ring (110) is intended to be fixed on a neck of the cup (5) of the container.

9. The annular member (4) according to claim 8, wherein the first part (1121) of the ring body (112) of the stop ring (110) is provided with an inner protrusion (1121a), and the neck of the cup (5) of the container is provided with an outer recess (511a) which has a shape complementary to that of the inner protrusion (1121a) of the first part (1121).

10. The annular member (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interface between the seal ring (120) and the stop ring (110) comprises a step (170).

11. A container, comprising a cover (3), a cup (5) and the annular member (4) according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein

the cover (3) is provided with an engaging cylinder (311) having an outer diameter which is larger than an inner diameter of the seal ring (120),

the cup (5) is provided with an annular recess (52) receiving the annular member (4) and having an inner wall and an outer wall, the first part (1121) of the ring body (112) of the stop ring (110) of the annular member (4) being fixed on the inner wall of the annular recess (52), and

in a configuration where the cup (5) is closed by the cover (3), the seal ring (120) of the annular member (4) is pressed by the engaging cylinder (311) of the cover against the outer wall of the annular recess (52) of the cup (5).

12. The container according to claim 11, wherein the cup (5) is used for holding an absorber absorbing and storing volatile liquid, and

the stopper (111) of the stop ring (110) of the annular member (4) extends inwardly beyond the opening of the cup (5), in order to prevent the absorber from falling out of the cup (5).

13. The container according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the absorber is made from sponge or fabric.

14. The container according to claim 13, wherein the absorber is used for absorbing and storing foundation liquid.

15. A cosmetic package, comprising a shell assembly (1, 7), an applicator and the container according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the container is placed in the shell assembly (1, 7), and the applicator is placed on the cover (3) of the container.

16. A method for producing the annular member according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the method comprises:

providing a mold assembly comprising a first mold, a second mold and a third mold;

assembling the first mold and the second mold to form a first cavity;

injecting a first material into the first cavity to form the stop ring (110) of the annular member (4);

replacing the second mold with the third mold to form a second cavity;

injecting a second material into the second cavity to form the seal ring (120) of the annular member (4), wherein the seal ring (120) is integral with the stop ring (110); and

releasing the annular member (4) in the form of one-piece from the first mold and the third mold.

Drawing