Packaged cosmetic container

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the packaging of cosmetic (make-up) containers for blush, eye shadow, lipstick, compacts and the like and more particularly to a specific technique for supporting the containers on a display rack, shelf, peg or the like.

[0002] Heretofore, it has been common practice to package cosmetic products of the type recited above in blister type packaging. Whilst this type of packaging approach is generally satisfactory, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a more economical packaging technique and specifically one which supports and displays a cosmetic container in an uncomplicated, attractive and readily visible fashion.

[0003] The present invention utilizes a support in combination with the cosmetic container to be packaged. The support has a sheet-like main body which includes a cutout configured to accommmodate the container. As in FR-A-2131916 the container is disposed within the cutout such that at least one edge section of the main body along the cutout engages with the container to maintain the latter in place. However, unlike in the prior art the interlocking takes place in an inlet in the container formed between two mutually movable parts of the container. Then, placing the two parts in one relative configuration locks the container into the support with portions of it projecting respectively beyond respective faces of the support, while in another relative configuration the locking is released and the container may be removed from the cutout. In the specific embodiment disclosed herein, the container includes a main section defining a compartment adapted to house a cosmetic therein, for example the blush, eye shadow or the like recited above, and a lid which cooperates with the main section for opening and closing the compartment. This container with its lid closed is supported within the cutout such that confronting edge sections of the support body along opposite edges of the cutout extend into and between the container's main section and closed lid. This combination container and support may be supported to a hook or peg forming part of a display rack or shelf utilizing a cooperating through-hole which may be readily provided in the tab just above its cutout. In this way, the support alone serves as a package and a support for its associated cosmetic container in an economical and uncomplicated way while, at the same time, placing most of the container in direct view, e.g. uncovered, for visual inspection by potential customers.

[0004] The combination cosmetic container and support arrangement just described generally will be discussed in more detail hereinafter in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the combination arrangement shown supported to a shelf or display rack;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the cosmetic container comprising part of the overall combination arrangement of Figure 1, the container being shown in its opened position;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the opened container;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the opened container;

Figure 5 is a back elevational view of the container when the latter is in its closed position;

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of a support tab comprising part of the combination arrangement illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the combination arrangement of Figure 1 with a front portion of the container removed to show how the support and a back portion of the container cooperate with one another; and

Figure 8 is a back elevational view of the combination arrangement of Figure 1 with a back portion of the container removed to show how the tab support and a front portion of the container cooperate with one another.

[0005] Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures, attention is first directed to Figure 1. This figure illustrates a combination cosmetic container and support arrangement which is designed in accordance with the present invention and which is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, this combination arrangement includes and preferably consists solely of a cosmetic container 12 and a support tab 14. The container is adapted to house a cosmetic therein, as discussed above, and the support tab serves as a package for the container and, at the same time, a means of supporting the container to a display or shelf rack which is at least partially represented by the upstanding post 16 and its associated hook 18. As will be seen below, container 12 is interlocked in place within a cooperating cutout in tab support 14 and cannot be removed without being opened first. At the same time, the entire front face of the container remains uncovered and in direct view for visual inspection by potential customers.

[0006] Referring now to Figures 2-5, attention is specifically directed to container 12 which is shown including a generally rectangular main section 20 and a similarly shaped lid 22. As best seen in Figure 3, main section 20 defines a compartment 24 which houses a cosmetic, for example blush, eye shadow, lipstick, or the like, generally indicated at 25. Main section 20 also includes a circumferential margin or edge 26 extending entirely around compartment 24. As seen best in Figure 4, lid 22 includes a similar margin or edge 28 defining most of its rectangular periphery. In the embodiment illustrated, this margin or edge extends around a centrally located clear window 30 which, as will be seen below, exposes the cosmetic 26 to view when the lid is closed against main section 20.

[0007] Lid 22 is pivotally connected along its back edge 32 to the back edge 40 of main section 20 by a cooperating hinge mechanism generally indicated at 42 in Figure 5. As seen in this latter figure, the hinge mechanism includes an elongated hinge element 44 depending from a central location along the length of back edge 32 of lid 22. The back edge 40 of main section includes a complementary slot for receiving element 44 and opposing pivot projections 48 extending into cooperating openings at the opposite ends of element 44. In this way, the lid is pivotally movable between its opened position illustrated in Figures 2-4 and its closed position illustrated in Figures 1 and 5. While a hinge mechanism could be provided to bias lid 22 in its closed position, the overall container preferably includes a suitable latching mechanism to maintain the lid in a disengagably closed position. This mechanism which is generally indicated at 50 in Figure 1 extends along and forms part of the front edges 52 and 54 of the lid and -container main section, respectively, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4. As seen in these latter figures, the mechanism includes interlocking tabs 56 and 58.

[0008] From the foregoing it should be apparent that the circumferential margin or edge 26 on the top side of container section 20 and the circumferential margin or edge 28 on the underside of lid 22 engage one another when the lid is closed. As will be seen hereinafter, these engaging margins or edges and specifically opposite sections thereof are used to interlock the overall container with support tab 14 when the container is disposed within a cooperating cutout which is formed in the tab and which will be described below.

[0009] Referring now to Figure 6, attention is directed to the details of support 14. As seen in this figure, the support includes a generally rectangular, sheet-like main body 60 which may be cardboard, plastic, sheet metal, metal foil or like sheet material having sufficient structural integrity to support container 12 in the manner to be described. Main body 60 includes a generally rectangular cutout 62 which is configured to accommodate the container in an intelocking manner when the container lid is closed. This is best illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 in conjunction with Figures 1 and 6. As seen Figure 7, with the container in place within cut- out 62, main section 20 is disposed on the back side of main body 60 such that opposite edge sections 26a and 26b of edge 26 rest against the back sides of opposite edge sections of the main body 60 along and on opposite sides of cutout 62. These latter edge sections are generally indicated by dotted lines at 64a and 64b in Figure 6. At the same time, lid 22 is located on the front side of main body 60, as best seen in Figure 8. The margin or edge sections 28a and 28b of margin 28 engage the front sides of edges 64a and 64b. In this way, the container cannot be removed from cutout 62 without opening the container. In fact, in order to initially position the container in cutout 62 in the manner just described, the container lid must be opened and either the lid or main section must be passed through the cutout before the lid can be closed. Once the opened container is positioned within the cutout in this way, the lid is pivotally moved to its closed position. In this regard, the cutout itself includes a bottom cutout segment 66 (Figure 6) adapted to receive hinge mechanism 42 such that the main body does not interfere with operation of the hinge mechanism. For the same reason, cut- out 62 includes a top cutout segment 68 adapted to receive the latch mechanism 50, that is, so that the tab body does not interfere with its operation. At the same time, these cut- out segments serve to properly align the container in place.

[0010] It should be apparent from the foregoing that the overall configuration of cutout 62 in main body 60 depends upon the overall configuration of container 12 and therefore may vary depending upon the configuration of its associated container. Nevertheless, the cutout configuration selected must be one which allows at least one edge section of the main body along the cutout to extend into the container between its main section and lid when the latter is closed for locking the container in place. The cutout is preferably configured so that at least two opposing edge sections of the main body extend into the container when the latter is closed. Obviously, in any of the configurations selected, the container must be allowed to be opened and closed within the cutout. In the case of a hinged and latching lid, the hinge and latching mechanisms must be allowed to function in their intended manner. Moreover, the container itself must be one which lends itself to this overall interlocking relationship with the tab body.

[0011] Having described the way in which main body 60 supports its associated container 12, attention is now directed to the way the entire arrangement is supported on hook 18 of post 16 in Figure 1. All that is necessary to accomplish this is to provide the main body with a through-hole 70 which is preferably located directly above cutout 62. This through-hole receives the hook 18 or any other shelf type peg in the manner illustrated in Figure 1. In this regard, note that the entire front face of the container remains uncovered and in direct view for inspection by potential customers. This includes window 30 which readily displays the cosmetic therein.

Claims

1. A packaged cosmetic container (10) comprising the container (12) having a main section (20) with a compartment (24) adapted to house a cosmetic therein and a lid (22) which cooperates with the main section (20) for alternatively gaining access into and closing the compartment (24) and a support (14), the support (14) having a sheet-like main body (60) which includes a cutout (62) configured to accommodate said container (12), an inlet in the container being defined between the main section and the lid, the inlet being disposed within the cutout (62) such that at least one edge section (64a, 64b) of the main body (60) of the support (14) along said cutout is overlain by parts (26a, 26b, 28a, 28b) of the lid and the main section respectively to maintain the latter in place while it is held closed by a latch (56, 58) on the container.

2. A packaged cosmetic container according to Claim 1, wherein the latch includes interlocking latching elements (56, 58) respectively on the main section (20) and lid (22) for maintaining said lid closed and wherein the cutout (62) in the main body (60) of the support includes a cutout segment (68) configured to allow the latching elements (56, 58) to interlock with one another without interference from the body.

3. A packaged cosmetic container according to Claim 2, wherein the main section (20) and lid (22) of said container include cooperating pivot means (42) pivotally connecting the lid and main section and wherein the cutout (62) in the main body (60) of the support (14) includes a cutout segment (66) configured to allow free movement of said cooperating pivot means while the container (12) is in place.

4. A packaged cosmetic container according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the main body (60) of the support (14) includes two said edge sections (64a and 64b), disposed on opposite sides of and extending between latching elements (56, 58) and pivot means (42) of the container, whereby the container (12) must be opened before it can be removed from the support (14).

5. A packaged cosmetic container according to claim 5 wherein the cutout (62) is approximately rectangular, cut-out segments (66, 68) are disposed on opposite sides from one another for receiving a pivot means (42) and latching elements (56, 58) of the container and wherein the main body (60) includes two said edge sections (64a and 64b) along said cutout (62) on opposite sides of the latter between the cutout segments (66, 68).

6. A packaged cosmetic container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the main body of the support includes a through-hole (70) adapted to receive a peg (18) or the like for supporting the packaged container.

7. A method of packaging a cosmetic container (12) which has a main section (26) defining a compartment (24) adapted to house a cosmetic therein and a lid (22) which cooperates with said main section for alternatively gaining access into or closing said compartment, by temporarily holding the container in place on a support (14) said method comprising: opening the container (12) positioning either the main section (20) or lid (22) of said container through a cutout (62) in a sheet-like main body (60) of the support so that said main section (20) and lid (22) are on opposite sides of the body (60); and thereafter closing the container (12) such that at least one edge section (26a, 26b) of the main body along said cutout (62) extends into an inlet between said main section (26) and closed lid (22) for maintaining said container (12) in place in the support.

Ansprüche

1. Verpackter Kosmetikbehälter (10) umfassend einen Behälter (12) mit einem Hauptabschnitt (20), welcher Hauptabschnitt eine Abteilung (24) zur Aufbewahrung eines Schönheitspflegemittels und einen Deckel (22) aufweist, der mit dem Hauptabschnitt (20) bei der alternativen Öffnung und Schließung der Abteilung (24) zusammenwirkt, sowie einen Träger (14), wobei der Träger (14) aus einern blattähnlichen Hauptteil (60) besteht, in welchem ein Ausschnitt (62) so geformt ist, daß er den Behälter (12) aufnimmt, wobei ein Einlaß in den Behälter bzw. eine Einführungsöffnung zwischen dem Hauptabschnitt und dem Deckel abgegrenzt ist, welcher Einlaß innerhalb des Ausschnittes (62) angeordnet ist, sodaß zumindest ein Randabschnitt (64a, 64b) des Hauptteiles (60) des Trägers (14) entlang des Ausschnittes von Teilen (26a, 26b, 28a, 28b) des Deckels und des Hauptabschnittes überlagert bzw. bedeckt ist, um letztere in Stellung zu halten bzw. zu positionieren, während sie von der auf dem Behälter befindlichen Klinke bzw. dem Schnappschloß (56, 58) geschlossen gehalten werden.

2. Verpackter Kosmetikbehälter nach Anspruch 1, bei welchem die Klinke bzw. das Schnappschloß einander verriegelnde Verschlußteile (56, 58) auf dem Hauptabschnitt (20) und dem Deckel (22) umfaßt, um den Deckel geschlossen zu halten, und bei welchem der Ausschnitt (62) im Hauptteil (60) des Trägers ein Ausschnittssegment (68) einschließt, das so geformt ist, daß es das Ineinandergreifen der Verschlußteile (56, 58) ohne Beeinflussung durch den Hauptteil ermöglicht.

3. Verpackter Kosmetikbehälter nach Anspruch 2, bei welchem der Hauptabschnitt (20) und der Deckel (22) des Behälters zusammenwirkende Drehgelenkelemente (42) umfassen, die den Deckel und den Hauptabschnitt drehbar miteinander verbinden, und bei welchem der Ausschnitt (62) im Hauptteil (60) des Trägers (14) ein Ausschnittssegment (66) umfaßt, das so geformt ist, daß es eine freie Bewegung der zusammenwirkenden Drehgelenkelemente gestattet, während sich der Behälter (12) in seiner richtigen Stellung befindet.

4. Verpackter Kosmetikbehälter nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, bei welchem der Hauptteil (60) des Trägers (14) die zwei Randabschnitte (64a und 64b) umfaßt, die auf einander gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Verschlußteile (56, 58) und Drehgelenkelemente (42) des Behälters und zwischen diesen angeordnet sind, wodurch der Behälter (12) geöffnet werden muß, bevor er vom Träger (14) entfernt werden kann.

5. Verpackter Kosmetikbehälter nach Anspruch 4, bei welchem der Ausschnitt (62) im wesentlichen rechteckig ist, wobei die Ausschnittssegmente (66, 68) auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten relativ zu einander zur Aufnahme eines Drehgelenkelementes (42) und von Verschlußteilen (56, 58) des Behälters angeordnet sind und bei welchem der Hauptteil (60) zwei Randabschnitte (64a und 64b) entlang des Ausschnittes (62) auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten des letzteren zwischen den Ausschnittssegmenten (66, 68) aufweist.

6. Verpackter Kosmetikbehälter nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Hauptteil des Trägers ein durchgehendes Lock (70) umfaßt, das zur Aufnahme eines Stiftes (18) od.dgl. zum Aufhängen des verpackten Behälters geeignet ist.

7. Verfahren zur Verpackung eines Kosmetikbehälters (12), der einen Hauptabschnitt (20), der einen Abteilung (24) zur Aufbewahrung eines Schönheitspflegemittels begrenzt, und einen Deckel (22) umfaßt, der mit dem Hauptabschnitt zwecks alternativem Öffnen und Schließen der Abteilung zusammenwirkt, bei welchem der Behälter auf dem Träger (14) vorübergehend in Stellung gehalten bzw. positioniert wird, wobei dieses Verfahren beinhaltet: Öffnen des Behälters (12), wobei entweder der Hauptabschnitt (20) oder der Deckel (22) des Behälters durch einen Ausschnitt (62) in einem blattähnlichen Hauptteil (60) des Trägers durchgesteckt wird, sodaß sich der Hauptabschnitt (20) und der Deckel (22) auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Hauptteiles (60) befinden; und anschließendes Schließen des Behälters (12), sodaß mindestens ein Randabschnitt (64a, 64b) des Hauptteiles entland des Ausschnittes (62) sich in einen Einlaß bzw. eine Einführungsöffnung zwischen dem Hauptabschnitt (20) und dem geschlossenen Deckel (22) erstreckt, um den Behälter (12) am Träger in Stellung zu halten bzw. zu positionieren.

Revendications

1. Conditionnement de récipient à produit cosmétique (10), comprenant le récipient (12) avec une partie principale (20), qui délimite un compartiment (24) prévu pour contenir un produit cosmétique, et un couvercle (22), qui coopère avec la partie principale (20), pour assurer alternativement l'ouverture et la fermeture du compartiment (24), ainsi qu'un support (14), le support (14) comportant une partie de corps principale sous forme de feuille (60), qui est percée d'une découpure (62) prévue de forme telle qu'elle puisse recevoir le récipient (12), une ouverture d'entrée du récipient étant formée entre la partie principale et le couvercle, l'ouverture d'entrée étant disposée à l'intérieur de la découpure (62) de telle façon qu'au moins l'une des parties de bord (64a, 64b) de la partie de corps principale (60) du support (14), le long de cette découpure, soit couverte par des parties (26a, 26b, 28a, 28b) du couvercle et de la partie principale respectivement, pour maintenir cette dernière en place alors qu'elle est maintenue fermée par un dispositif de verrouillage (56, 58) prévu sur le récipient.

2. Conditionnement de récipient à produit cosmétique suivant la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif de verrouillage comporte des éléments de verrouillage à emboîtement (56, 58) prévus respectivement sur la partie principale (20) et sur le couvercle (22) pour maintenir le couvercle en position de fermeture, et la découpure (62) prévue dans la partie de corps principale (60) du support comporte un segment de découpure (68) de forme telle qu'il per= mette l'emboîtement des éléments de verrouillage (56, 58) entre eux, sans que la partie de corps ne gêne cet emboîtement.

3. Conditionnement de récipient à produit cosmétique suivant la revendication 2, dans lequel la partie principale (20) et le couvercle (22) du récipient comportent des éléments de pivotement coopérants (42) reliant à pivotement le couvercle et la partie principale, et la découpure (62) prévue dans la partie de corps principale (60) du support (14) comporte un segment de découpure (66) prévu de forme telle qu'il permette le libre mouvement des éléments de pivotement coopérants précités alors que le récipient (12) est en place.

4. Conditionnement du récipient à produit cosmétique suivant l'une ou l'autre des revendications 2 et 3, dans lequel la partie de corps principale (60) du support (14) comporte deux parties de bord (64a et 64b) prévues à des côtés opposés l'un à l'autre du récipient et s'étendant entre les éléments de verrouillage (56, 58) et les éléments de pivotement (42) du récipient, de telle sorte que le récipient (12) doive être ouvert avant de pouvoir être retiré du support (14).

5. Conditionnement de récipient à produit cosmétique suivant la revendication 4, dans lequel la découpure (62) est de forme approximativement rectangulaire, les segments de découpure (66, 68) sont prévus à des côtés opposés l'un à l'autre pour recevoir les éléments de pivotement (42) et les éléments de verrouillage (56, 58) du récipient, et la partie de corps principale (60) comporte les deux parties de bord précitées (64a, et 64b) le long de la découpure précitée (62), à des côtés opposés l'un à l'autre de cette dernière, entre les segments de découpure (66, 68).

6. Conditionnement de récipient à produit cosmétique suivant l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la partie de corps principale du support présente un trou de passage (70) prévu pour recevoir un bouton (18) ou l'équivalent, pour supporter le conditionnement du récipient.

7. Procédé de conditionnement d'un récipient à produit cosmétique (12) qui comporte une partie principale (20), délimitant un compartiment (24) prévu pour contenir un produit cosmétique, et un couvercle (22) qui coopère avec la partie principale précitée pour assurer alternativement l'ouverture et la fermeture du compartiment précité, le récipient étant termporairement maintenu en place sur un support (14), le procédé comprenant les opérations consistant à ouvrir le récipient (12), à mettre soit la partie principale (20), soit le couvercle (22) du récipient en place dans une découpure (62) formée dans une partie principale sous forme de feuille (60) du support, de telle façon que la partie principale précitée (20) et le couvercle précité (22) se trouvent à des faces opposées l'une à l'autre de la partie de corps (60), et à fermer ensuite le récipient (12) de telle façon qu'au moins l'une des parties de bord (26a, 26b) de la partie de corps principale, le long de la découpure précitée (62), s'avance dans une ouverture d'entrée prévue entre la partie principale (20) et le couvercle (22) se trouvant en position de fermeture, en vue du maintien place du récipient (12) dans le support.

Drawing