COSMETICS CONTAINER

Abstract

 A cosmetics container, comprising: a base; a lid for closing the container and in hinged engagement with the base; and a cosmetics tray located or locatable within the base. The cosmetics tray is configured to releasably engage one or more cosmetics receptacles of cosmetics material.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a cosmetics container of the type typically used for holding cosmetic powder or foundation, and commonly referred to as a powder box or 'compact'.

Background

[0002] EP 0 551557 discloses a cosmetics compact comprising a lower casing part receiving a powder tray, and a top held in an articulated manner, as well as a closure mechanism. A frame, resting on the edge of the powder tray, is connected to the lower part in an articulated manner, and the powder tray can be rapidly exchanged and reliably secured.

[0003] EP 2 850 964 discloses a container for cosmetics in powder or compact cream form, comprising a bottom pan with a bottom surface and lateral walls defining a seat to accommodate the cosmetics powder. The container comprises a support for the powder inserted into the bottom pan and constrained by said lateral walls, the support being a plate-like element having throughslots with raised peripheral edges, through which the powder can be injected in paste form to fill the space around them and be consolidated into a tablet.

[0004] Compacts of the prior art are mostly single use, meaning that after the product is used up, the entire compact is disposed of. However, an increased environmental awareness of the public dictates that containers in general are being designed to be re-fillable and thus re-usable. This is particularly true, where compacts contain a selection of different products that may not be used at the same rate and thus could lead to an early disposal of the entire compact while only some of the products included therein have been used up.

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a cosmetic container that is environmentally friendly and, in particular, that allows for at least a partial re-filling. In particular, it is also an object of the invention to provide a cosmetic container that reduces the risk for pollution when, eventually, it is disposed of.

Summary of the invention

[0006] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a cosmetics container, comprising:

a base;

a lid for closing the container and in hinged engagement with the base; and

a cosmetics tray located or locatable within the base;

wherein the cosmetics tray is configured to releasably engage one or more cosmetics receptacles of cosmetics material.

[0007] Thus, the releasable engagability of the cosmetics receptacles of cosmetics material advantageously allows any of the cosmetics receptacles to be removed, whether for replacement once exhausted or for ready customization of the selection of cosmetics materials (by texture, substance, colour or otherwise) to be loaded into the container.

[0008] It should be noted that, in the present context, 'cosmetics' is to be understood in the broadest sense, and to include pastes and powders-whether of solely cosmetic function or not. For example, sunscreens, moisturizers (provided, for example, as creams or balms) and like are also regarded as within the scope of this term.

[0009] In an embodiment, the container includes the one or more cosmetics receptacles of cosmetics material.

[0010] In an embodiment, the cosmetics tray is configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles by snap-lock engagement.

[0011] In an embodiment, the cosmetics receptacles comprise one or more cosmetics pans for the cosmetics material, configured to be assembled into the respective cosmetics receptacles after receiving the cosmetics material. The cosmetics receptacles and cosmetics pans may be disengageably engageable, such as to allow customization, substitution, replacement or recycling of the cosmetics pans.

[0012] In an embodiment, the cosmetics receptacles include one or more frames or frame elements that are arranged to receive the cosmetics pan(s), preferably in a clip in manner and held in place by engaging with suitably formed notches or snap-hook elements. Preferably, the cosmetics pans clipped into the frames or frame elements are fixed in position when the cosmetics receptacle engages the cosmetics tray of the container.

[0013] In an example, the cosmetics pans are configured to accommodate being filled with the cosmetics material, such as, under pressure (which might otherwise damage the cosmetics receptacles).

[0014] This also allows the cosmetics receptacles and cosmetics pans to be manufactured of a less robust material: the cosmetics pans can be shaped for filling under pressure, such that the design of the cosmetics receptacles need not be subject to that constraint. Less robust material(s) may therefore be used for the cosmetics receptacles (including the cosmetics pans), such as, for example, certain biodegradable materials.

[0015] In an embodiment, the cosmetics tray is in hinged engagement with the base or the lid (including, for example, with both), such that the cosmetics tray is locatable within the base when the lid is closed, and locatable between the base and the lid by hinged rotation of the cosmetics tray relative to the base when the lid is open.

[0016] Thus, the ability to raise the cosmetics tray provides access to its underside, which may-in some configurations-facilitate disengagement of the cosmetics receptacles from the cosmetics tray.

[0017] In an embodiment, the cosmetics tray has side portions configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles.

[0018] In an embodiment, the cosmetics tray has a base portion configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles. In an example, the base portion of the cosmetics tray includes a plurality of apertures (typically the interstices of the grid) configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles-which may be of any suitable form, such as of circular, polygonal or mixed form.

[0019] In a particular example, the base portion comprises a grid configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles. For example, the grid may comprise a plurality of apertures (such as of circular, polygonal or mixed form). In one example, the apertures comprise octagons. If the apertures comprise polygons, such polygons may be regular polygons (e.g. regular octagons), but in other examples may comprise non-regular polygons (e.g. non-regular octagons).

[0020] As will be appreciated, a grid has the advantage that it can be configured to engage a plurality of cosmetics receptacles in a plurality of locations, and-if desired-with a plurality of different sizes.

[0021] In an embodiment, the cosmetics tray is configured to releasably engage one or more legs of each of the cosmetics receptacles. The legs of the cosmetics receptacles may have, for example, projections (such as detents, bosses, hooks, flanges, serrations or feet) or indentations (such as grooves, cut-outs or corrugations) for facilitating that engagement. In another example, the legs comprise split pins or the like for engaging the grid.

[0022] In an embodiment, the cosmetics tray is configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles in two or more orientations, such as, for example, in two mutually perpendicular orientations.

[0023] Thus, a cosmetics receptacle may be fitted to the cosmetics tray in different orientations, to advantageously allow still further arrangements-and hence customization-of the cosmetics receptacle and/or pans. In one example, the base portion comprises a grid comprising apertures spaced in a regular pattern such that the cosmetics tray can releasably engage a cosmetics receptacle (if smaller than the base portion) in a plurality of locations and in a plurality of orientations.

[0024] In an embodiment, at least a portion of the container (e.g. the base and cosmetics tray, or the base, cosmetics tray and cosmetics receptacles) is of a biodegradable and/or compostable polymeric material, such as a bio-plastic or biopolymer. This will allow the cosmetics container to be fully or near fully biodegradable once disposed of. In particular, the invention can comprise also forming the hinges of such biodegradable material so that, at the time of disposal, no metal pins or the likes will lead to an unwanted pollution of the disintegrated remains of the cosmetics container.

[0025] Suitable materials may be cellulose- or lignin-based materials; these may additionally include paper polymers, minerals or plant fibers. Examples of suitable materials include FiberForm^™, which is based on paper ingredients, Bio-Flex^™ (by FKuR Kunststoff GmbH), Sulapac^™, Ecovio^™ (by BASF SE), and Arboblend^™ or Arboform^™ (by Tecnaro GmbH).

[0026] It should be noted that any of the various individual features of each of the above aspects of the invention, and any of the various individual features of the embodiments described herein including in the claims, can be combined as suitable and desired.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] In order that the invention may be more clearly ascertained, embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetics container according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a closed configuration;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the container of figure 1, in an open configuration;

Figure 3A is a perspective view of the container of the invention, in an open configuration with cosmetics receptacles omitted and with the cosmetics tray in a lowered configuration;

Figure 3B is a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention in an open configuration and with the cosmetics tray raised;

Figure 3C is an enlarged detail of the view of figure 3B, showing a portion of the lid latch of the container of the invention;

Figure 3D is an enlarged detail of the view of figure 3B, showing one of the pair of cosmetics tray retaining posts of the container of the invention;

Figure 4A is a perspective view of the interior of the lid of a container according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4B is a perspective view of the cosmetics tray of a container according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4C is a perspective view of the interior of the base of a container according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4D is an enlarged schematic view of a hinge pin of the hinges of a container according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic partial view of the cosmetics tray of the container of the invention with two exemplary cosmetics receptacles;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of the grid of the cosmetics tray of the container of the invention;

Figure 7A is a perspective view of an exemplary cosmetics receptacle of the container of the invention with cosmetics pans engaged therein;

Figure 7B is an exploded view of the cosmetics receptacle of figure 7A;

Figure 7C is an enlarged view of one of the feet of the cosmetics receptacle of figure 7A;

Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the underside of the cosmetics tray of the container of the invention;

Figures 9A, 9B and 9C are enlarged views of details A, B and C, respectively, of figure 8.

Detailed description

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetics container 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, in a closed configuration. Cosmetics container 10 is a powder box or 'compact', as it includes a case (comprising a base 12 and lid 14 engaged by a pair of hinges) for enclosing a quantity of cosmetic powder or other cosmetics material. The head 16 of one of the pair of hinge pins that couple base 12 and lid 14 is also visible in this view.

[0029] Base 12 has a recess 18 and lid 14 has a complementary lip 20, the latter being user-manipulable to open the container 10.

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of container 10, in an open configuration. Container 10 includes a mirror 22 mounted in a mirror frame 24, and is in snap-fast engagement with an outer frame 26 of lid 14; as a result, the rear 28 of mirror frame 24 serves as part of the upper, external wall of lid 14. As mentioned, base 12 is hinged to lid 14 with a pair of hinges 30a, 30b.

[0031] Container 10 also includes a cosmetics tray 32 configured to hold a plurality of cosmetics receptacles 34a, 34b, 34c therewithin. Cosmetics tray 32 is in hinged engagement with base 12 and lid 14, also by hinges 30a, 30b, and includes tabs 36a, 36b on its near edge that can be manipulated by a user to lift cosmetics tray 32 out of base 12 and thereby gain access to the underside of cosmetics tray 32 (as discussed below).

[0032] Container 10, preferably including hinge pins 60 of the hinges 30a, 30b, is generally of a biodegradable material, in this example in the form of a biodegradable cellulose-based plastic (such as derived from a by-product of pulp production), apart from mirror 22 which is typically of glass backed with aluminium or the like.

[0033] Figure 3A is a perspective view of container 10, in another open configuration but with cosmetics receptacles 34a, 34b, 34c omitted and with cosmetics tray 32 in a lowered configuration. Firstly, it will be noted that base 12 includes-within recess 18-a tab that constitutes a first portion 38a of a lid latch, and positioned to be engaged by a complementary second portion 38b (not shown, but see figure 3B) projecting from the inner face of lip 20 when container 10 is closed, whereby snap-lock engagement of base 12 and lid 14 is effected.

[0034] It will also be noted that cosmetics tray 32 has a base in the form of a grid 40. Grid 40 defines an array of octagonal apertures 41 for engaging cosmetics receptacles 34a, 34b, 34c. Octagonal apertures 41 are non-regular but have rotational symmetry of order 4, as is described below.

[0035] Figure 3B is a perspective view of container 10, in an open configuration and with cosmetics tray 32 partially raised, partially exposing its lower inner wall 42. Hinges 30a, 30b allow cosmetics tray 32 to be raised from base 12 essentially as far as is lid 14, so that a user can access an underside of cosmetics tray 32-as is discussed further below.

[0036] Also shown in this view is a tab that constitutes second portion 38b of the aforementioned lid latch. Figure 3C is an enlarged detail of the view of figure 3B, showing second portion 38b of lid latch of container 10.

[0037] Referring again to figure 3B, base 12 is optionally provided-on its lower inner wall 42-one or more (in this example, two) snap-lock uprights 43a, 43b. Uprights 43a, 43b are shaped and positioned to form snap-lock engagement with respective octagonal apertures 41, to inhibit the inadvertent raising of cosmetics tray 32 out of base 12.

[0038] Figure 3D is another enlarged detail of the view of figure 3B, in this instance showing one (43b) of snap-lock uprights 43a, 43b of container 10 of figure 1. As is apparent in this view, each of snap-lock uprights 43a, 43b comprises a plurality (in this example, four) posts shaped to be received by the inner periphery of an octagonal aperture 41 and effect snap-lock engagement therewith.

[0039] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the interior of lid 14, showing mirror 22 in mirror frame 24, within outer frame 26, and lid knuckles 44a, 44b of hinges 30a, 30b. Figure 4B is a perspective view of cosmetics tray 32, showing grid 40 and tray loops 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d of hinges 30a, 30b. Lid knuckles 44a, 44b are received at 48a and 48b between tray loops 46a and 46b, and tray loops 46c and 46d, respectively.

[0040] Figure 4C is a perspective view of the interior of base 12. Base 12 includes base loops 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d of hinges 30a, 30b. Tray loops 46a, 46b and 46c, 46d are received at 54a and 54b between base loops 54a and 54b, and base loops 54c and 54d, respectively. Base 12 also includes apertures 56a and 56b aligned with hinges 30a, 30b for receiving respective hinges pins 60, and four retaining posts 58a, 58b, 58c, 58d for retaining those pins correctly in place in the assembled container10.

[0041] Figure 4D is a view of a hinge pin 60 (of a pair of identical pins) of hinges 30a, 30b, greatly enlarged relative to the view of figure 4C. Pin 60 has a head 62 and a base 64. Pin is necked at 66 and 68, in use corresponding to the positions of retaining posts 58a, 58b (or, in the case of its counterpart, retaining posts 58c, 58d).

[0042] One container 10 is assembled, lid knuckles 44a, 44b nestle within trap loops 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d, themselves within base loops 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d-held together with pin 60.

[0043] Figure 5 is a schematic partial view of cosmetics tray 32, with exemplary cosmetics receptacles 34a, 34b located within an outer frame 70 of cosmetics tray 32 and supported by grid 40.

[0044] Figure 6 is a detail of grid 40 of cosmetics tray 32, showing the configuration of octagonal apertures 41. Each octagonal aperture 41 has interior angles that alternate between 120° and 150°, and a rotational alignment such that vertices with 120° interior angles point towards the front 72, back 74 and sides 76 of outer frame 70. The specific choice of interior angles of the octagonal aperture 41 ensure that cosmetics receptacles 34 can be arranged in the cosmetics tray 32 in only a very limited number of arrangements, namely in a substantially orthogonal arrangement.

[0045] Figure 7A is a perspective view of exemplary cosmetics receptacle 34a, viewed from below, while figure 7B is a comparable but exploded view of cosmetics receptacle 34a. Cosmetics receptacle 34a has a frame 78 and two cosmetics pans 82a, 82b, the former having roughly twice the capacity of the latter. Frame 78 includes an inwardly directed rim 80 at its upper periphery, for retaining cosmetics pans 82a, 82b within cosmetics receptacle 34a (that is, against removal upwardly from the cosmetics receptacle 34a).

[0046] Frame 78 has six downwardly extending legs 84 both for releasably engaging grid 40 and for releasably engaging cosmetics pans 82a, 82b. Legs 84 allow an individual cosmetics receptacle 34a, 34b, 34c to be removed, such as when its contents are depleted to in order to replace a cosmetics receptacle with a less desired contents with one with a more desired contents. Likewise, individual cosmetics pans 82a, 82b can be removed by pushing them downwards, and replaced in a respective cosmetics receptacle 34a, 34b, 34c.

[0047] Configuring cosmetics pans 82a, 82b to be separatable from cosmetics receptacles 34a, 34b has several advantages. Firstly, it allows cosmetics receptacles 34a, 34b to be customized as to the size of cosmetics pans 82a, 82b. As mentioned (and also apparent in figure 5), cosmetics receptacle 34a includes two cosmetics pans 82a, 82b, with the former being approximately twice the size of the latter, whereas cosmetics receptacle 34b includes three cosmetics pans of approximately equal size.

[0048] Secondly, once the cosmetics material is exhausted in any particular cosmetics receptacle 82a, 82b (or no longer desired), that particular cosmetics receptacle can be replaced with another cosmetics receptacle containing the same or a different cosmetics material (and possibly full), with minimal waste.

[0049] Thirdly, cosmetics pans 82a, 82b are simpler than frame 78, as frame 78 includes, for example, inwardly directed rim 80 and legs 84. Likewise, cosmetics pans 82a, 82b are simpler than would be cosmetics receptacle 34a if the latter were provided with integral cosmetics pans 82a, 82b. The simple design of cosmetics pans 82a, 82b allows them to be filled with cosmetics material under pressure, by locating each of cosmetics pans 82a, 82b in a die that fully supports the respective side walls 85a, 85b and bases 86a, 86b of cosmetics pans 82a, 82b, thereby inhibiting the cracking of those side walls 85a, 85b and bases 86a, 86b when cosmetics material is injected or pressed into the respective cosmetics pans 82a, 82b. The complexity of frame 78, or of an integral version of such a cosmetics pan, would make the provision of such a supporting die more difficult if not impossible.

[0050] Fourthly, by forming the cosmetics receptable 34a to include a frame 78 arranged to releasably engage cosmetics pans 82a, 82b, once cosmetics receptacle 34a is disengage from the cosmetics tray32, removing the to be replaced cosmetics pans 82a, 82b from the frame 78 is facilitated. At the same time, when cosmetics receptacle 34a is engaged with the cosmetics try 32, the cosmetics pans 82a, 82b are securely held in place and cannot come off the cosmetics receptacle 34a.

[0051] Figure 7C is an enlarged view of one of these legs 84. As is apparent in this view, leg 84 is thicker than frame 78, so projects inwardly from the internal surface 88 of frame 78. Leg 84 thereby acts as a detent to facilitate snap-lock engagement between frame 78 and cosmetics receptacle 82b. Thus, two such legs 84 releasably retain cosmetics receptacle 82b in frame 78, while four such legs 84 releasably retain cosmetics receptacle 82a in frame 78.

[0052] Referring to figure 7C, leg 84 also includes a foot 92, extending laterally from opposite sides of leg 84, parallel to the internal surface 88 of frame 78. Each foot 92 has a lower face 94 that is of a generally isosceles trapezoid shape.

[0053] Foot 92 is configured to releasably engage cosmetics receptacle 34a and grid 40, also in snap-lock fashion. This is done by pressing each foot 92 of a respective leg 84 through a respective octagonal aperture 41 in grid 40. Foot 92 then bears against the underside of grid 40, thereby resisting (especially inadvertent) removal of cosmetics receptacle 34a from grid 40.

[0054] Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the underside 100 of cosmetics tray 32 and hence of grid 40 (with octagonal apertures 41), illustrating the engagement of cosmetics receptacles 34a and 34b therewith. Grid 40 also includes peripheral apertures 90 located at the edge of grid 40; peripheral apertures 90 are effectively truncated, half versions of octagonal apertures 41.

[0055] Owing to grid 40, cosmetics tray 32 can releasably engage cosmetics receptacles 34a and 34b in a plurality of positions within cosmetics tray 32 and in a plurality of orientations within cosmetics tray 32. This is most straightforwardly implemented by configuring grid 40 as a regular grid (i.e. with regularly space apertures 41, 90), and providing cosmetics receptacles 34a, 34b with engagement members (in this example, legs 84) spaced apart by multiples of the (regular) spacing of apertures 41,90.

[0056] Thus, cosmetics receptacles 34a and 34b may be located in cosmetics tray 32 in many different positions, and each may be oriented as shown (see also figure 5) or perpendicularly to the illustrated orientation. This accordingly allows further customization of the content of cosmetics container 10.

[0057] Details A, B and C in this figure are enlarged in figures 9A, 9B and 9C, respectively. Figure 9A illustrates the engagement of a leg 84' of cosmetics receptacle 34a with grid 40. Once foot 92 of leg 84' has been pushed through octagonal aperture 41', leg 84' engages the convexly curved inner edge of octagonal aperture 41', thereby forming snap-lock engagement. Lower face 94 of each of legs 84 is, as mentioned above, of a generally isosceles trapezoid shape with trapezoid legs that-when in situ in cosmetics tray 32-are parallel to the two sides of octagonal aperture 41 that the leg 84 (in this example, leg 84') engages (those two sides being angled at 60° to one another).

[0058] Figure 9B illustrates the engagement of another leg 84" of cosmetics receptacle 34a and a leg 84"' of cosmetics receptacle 34b with grid 40. Cosmetics receptacles 34a and 34b are adjacent (cf. figure 5), and leg 84" and leg"' engage grid 40 at the same octagonal aperture 41". Thus, to form that engagement, the foot 92 of each of legs 84" and 84"' is pushed through octagonal aperture 41", thereby forming snap-lock engagement.

[0059] Figure 9C illustrates the portion of cosmetics tray 32 where, when cosmetics receptacle 34a engages grid 40, a corner of frame 78 of cosmetics receptacle 34a is located. A cut-out 96 is provided adjacent to and continuous with those of the peripheral apertures 90 that correspond in location with the corner of the frame 78 of a cosmetics receptacle 34a, 34b, 34c. In figure 9C, a cut-out 96 is shown in back 74 of outer frame 70, adjacent to exemplary peripheral apertures 90'. (One or more such cut-outs 96 are also visible in figures 3 and 5.)

[0060] The collocation of cut-out 96 and peripheral aperture 90' gives the user greater access to the corner of frame 78 of cosmetics receptacle 34a (and any other cosmetics receptacles), which facilitates a user's manually pushing cosmetics receptacle 34a (from below when cosmetics tray 32 is raised: cf. figure 3B) and thereby disengaging cosmetics receptacle 34a from grid 40. Cosmetics receptacle 34a may thus be removed and substituted if desired, as discussed above. Once removed, individual cosmetics pans 82a, 82b can be removed from the respective cosmetics receptacle 34.

[0061] As will be appreciated, the specific design of the grid 40 of the cosmetics tray 32, the cosmetics receptacles 34 including the legs 84 and the frame 78, and the cosmetics pans 82 ensure that a fully flexibly system can be provided that can be simply refilled and/or reconfigured. In particular, this design ensures that all parts of the system can be made of the same material, preferably a biodegradable material with no relevant pollution by foreign materials.

[0062] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, in particular it will be apparent that certain features of embodiments of the invention can be employed to form further embodiments.

[0063] It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

[0064] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A cosmetics container (10), comprising:

a base (12);

a lid (14) for closing the container and in hinged engagement with the base; and

a cosmetics tray (32) located or locatable within the base (12);

characterized in that

the cosmetics tray (32) is configured to releasably engage one or more cosmetics receptacles (34) of cosmetics material.

2. A cosmetics container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container (10) includes the one or more cosmetics receptacles (34) of cosmetics material.

3. A cosmetics container as claimed in either claim 1 or 2, wherein the cosmetics tray (32) is configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles (34) by snap-lock engagement.

4. A cosmetics container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cosmetics receptacle (34) comprises one or more cosmetics pans (82) for the cosmetics material, configured to be assembled into the respective cosmetics receptacle (34) after receiving the cosmetics material.

5. A cosmetics container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cosmetics receptacle (34) and cosmetics pan(s) (82) are disengageably engageable, in particular, wherein the cosmetics receptacle (34) includes one or more frames (78) arranged to receive the cosmetics pan(s) (82).

6. A cosmetics container as claimed in either claim 4 to 5, wherein the cosmetics pans (82) are configured to accommodate being filled with the cosmetics material, such as, under pressure.

7. A cosmetics container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cosmetics tray (32) is in hinged engagement with the base or the lid (14), such that the cosmetics tray (32) is locatable within the base (12) when the lid (14) is closed, and locatable between the base and the lid by hinged rotation of the cosmetics tray relative to the base when the lid is open.

8. A cosmetics container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cosmetics tray (32) has side portions configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles (34).

9. A cosmetics container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cosmetics tray (32) has a base portion configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles (34).

10. A cosmetics container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the base portion of the cosmetics tray (32) includes a plurality of apertures (41) configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles (34), or the base portion comprises a grid (40) configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles.

11. A cosmetics container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the base portion comprises a grid (40) configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles (34), the grid (40) comprising a plurality of regular octagons, non-regular octagons, non-regular polygons, or other apertures (41).

12. A cosmetics container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cosmetics tray (32) is configured to releasably engage one or more legs (84) of each of the cosmetics receptacles (34).

13. A cosmetics container as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cosmetics tray (32) is configured to releasably engage projections or indentations of the legs (84) of the cosmetics receptacles (34).

14. A cosmetics container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cosmetics tray (32) is configured to releasably engage the cosmetics receptacles (34) in two or more orientations, preferably in two mutually perpendicular orientations.

15. A cosmetics container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the container (10) is made of a biodegradable and/or compostable polymeric material.

Drawing