MAKEUP PALETTE WITH REMOVABLE PANS

A makeup palette includes at least one removable makeup pan disposed within a recess formed in a makeup palette case. The makeup palette case has an ejection feature configured to separate the makeup pan from the makeup palette case. A makeup composition is disposed within the makeup pan. The makeup pan includes a first material, and the makeup palette case includes a second material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cosmetic packaging. In an embodiment, the packaging includes a compact system in which one or more makeup pans are easily removed to facility recycling and/or reuse.

SUMMARY

Conservation and recycling of various products has become increasingly desirable for many consumers for various reasons, including a general concern for the environment and in some cases, government regulations. For example, metals, plastics, papers, and cardboards are all widely recycled in today's market. Further, in some cases, packaging components can be re-filled and/or reused. Therefore, there is a desire among many consumers and manufacturers to minimize waste and to recycle and/or reuse, when possible, such things as personal product packaging (e.g., soap dispensers, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, etc.) or components thereof.

In the cosmetic industry, makeup palettes provide consumers with a variety of different shades of makeup in one convenient package. Such packaging, and in particular compact systems, can hold from one to a plurality of “pans” or receptacles that each contain a cosmetic formula, i.e., “makeup.” These pans are typically made of a different material from the full package (such as steel or plastic), which creates a need to separate these different materials for recycling or replacement after the makeup is depleted.

The present disclosure relates to a makeup palette, comprising at least one removable makeup pan disposed within a recess formed in a makeup palette case. The makeup palette case includes an ejection feature configured to separate the makeup pan from the makeup palette case and a makeup composition disposed within the makeup pan. The makeup pan includes a first material, and the makeup palette case includes a second material.

In an embodiment, the ejection feature includes at least one fulcrum disposed within the recess and defining an axis, wherein a twisting force applied to the makeup palette case rotates the makeup pan relative to the makeup palette case about the axis.

In an embodiment, the ejection feature further includes an engagement surface disposed within the recess, wherein the engagement surface engages the makeup pan to rotate the pan about the axis when the twisting force is applied.

In an embodiment, the recess includes one or more retention features engaging the pan in an interference fit to retain the pan within the makeup palette case.

In an embodiment, the ejection feature includes at least one perforation defining a detachable strip.

In an embodiment, the detachable strip forms a part of the recess, detachment of the strip ejecting the pan from the recess.

In an embodiment, the detachable strip includes a tab at one end.

In an embodiment, the ejection feature includes at least one separately formed strip attached to the makeup palette case and extending through the recess to be positioned under the pan when the pan is disposed within the recess.

In an embodiment, the strip is co-molded with the makeup palette case.

In an embodiment, the strip is attached to the makeup palette case with an adhesive.

In an embodiment, the makeup palette case is disposed within a housing, the ejection feature including an aperture formed through the makeup palette case in the recess, wherein a first side of the aperture is covered by the pan, and a second side of the aperture is covered by the housing.

In an embodiment, the aperture is sized and configured for a user to extend a finger or implement through the aperture to eject the pan when the makeup palette case is removed from the housing.

In an embodiment, the makeup palette case is formed from at least one of the group consisting of paper, pulp, fiber, and cellulose.

In an embodiment, the pan is formed from a metal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1-4show an illustration of an embodiment of a makeup palette100according to aspects of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the makeup palette100includes a makeup palette case110(alternatively referred to simply as “a case”) that contains makeup152, such as a pressed powder cake used for blush, eye shadow, and the like. In an embodiment, the makeup152is disposed within a removable pan150that enables the user to easily remove the pan150from the case150so that upon depletion of the makeup, the case110and the pans150, which are made of different materials, are easily separated for recycling. A plurality of pans150, each with a different formulation, can be made available to the user such that the user has a selection of different formulations from which to choose. In an embodiment, the formulation can include pressed powder cakes; however, in other embodiments, the formulation can include salves, gels, ointments, creams, lotions, and the like. In an embodiment, the case110also contains an applicator (not shown) for applying the makeup.

As best shown inFIGS.1and4, the illustrated pans150have a generally rectangular perimeter and a depth that cooperate to define a cavity to hold makeup152. In some embodiments, the perimeter has a shape that is generally square, round, oval, hexagonal, or any other suitable shape. In some embodiments, all of the pans150have the same shape and are interchangeable. In some embodiments, some or all of the pans150have different shapes. In some embodiments, one or more of the pans150are formed from a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as metal, a plastic, or any other suitable material or combination of materials. In some embodiments, the pans150are formed from aluminum, steel, or alloys thereof.

Referring back toFIG.1, the case110includes a cover112rotatably coupled to a base116by an integral hinge114. The cover112is rotatable about the hinge to move between an open state (shown inFIG.1) and a closed state (not shown), in which the cover112engages the base116to define an interior portion in which the pans150filled with makeup152are disposed.

In an embodiment, the case110is formed from one or more sustainable materials, such as paper, pulp, fiber, cellulose, and the like. In an embodiment, the case110is formed from a virgin polymer, a post-consumer recycled (PCR) polymer, or any other sustainable material or materials with suitable properties In an embodiment, the case110is thermoformed, injection molded, stamped, additively manufactured, or manufactured using any suitable manufacturing technique or combination of techniques. In an embodiment, the case110includes woven or non-woven portions. In an embodiment, the case110is an insert disposed within housing formed from metal, polymers, or any other suitable material or combination of materials that provides additional rigidity, durability, and/or aesthetics.

In an embodiment, the cover112engages the base116with an interference fit to maintain the case110in a closed state until opened by a user. In an embodiment, the case110or an outer shell in which the case110is disposed includes one or more elastic locking features, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or any other suitable fastening systems in addition to or in lieu of the interference fit to maintain the case110in a closed state until a user opens the case.

Referring not toFIGS.2and3, one or more recesses120are formed in a top surface118of the base116. In an embodiment, one or more additional recesses154are formed in the base116to provide storage for an applicator (not shown).

Each recess120is sized and configured to receive a pan150filled with makeup150. In an embodiment, an upper wall122is sized and configured to conform to the outer surface of a pan130to be received therein. One or more protrusions124are formed on and extend inwardly from the upper wall122. When a pan130is inserted into the recess120, the protrusions engage the pan and deform in an interference fit to act as a retention feature that retains the pan130within the recess120until a user removes the pan. In an embodiment, the protrusion or protrusions124are integrally formed with the case. It will be appreciated that the number, location, and shape of the protrusions124can vary, and such variations should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

A surface extends inwardly from the upper wall122to define a shelf126that is parallel to the top surface118of the base116. A pair of fulcrums128is positioned on the shelf, each fulcrum being positioned on the shelf opposite the other fulcrum. The fulcrums cooperate to define a common axis160that extends across the recess120below the top surface118of the base116. In an embodiment, each fulcrum128has a triangular cross-section. In an embodiment, each fulcrum as cross-section that is arcuate, square, rectangular, or any other suitable shape. In an embodiment, the number and location of the fulcrum128or fulcrums can vary according to the shape of the recess120and corresponding pans130.

Still referring toFIGS.2and3, an engagement surface132is disposed above the shelf126and below the top surface118of the base at each end of the recess120between the fulcrums128. In an embodiment, a pan150is at least partially supported by the support surfaces132and or the fulcrums128when disposed within the recess120. In an embodiment, size, shape, configuration, and number of engagement surfaces132varies according to size and shape of the recess120and corresponding pan150.

In an embodiment, an inner surface of the shelf126is delimited by a lower wall134that is offset inwardly from the upper wall122. A bottom surface136extends across the bottom of the lower wall134to define a bottom of the recess120. In an embodiment, the shelf126defines the bottom of the recess120, i.e., the recess does not include a lower wall134, and the shelf extends across the entire recess to act as the bottom surface of the recess.

As shown inFIG.1, during the life of the palette100, pans150filled with makeup152are disposed within the recesses120of the case110. When a user has used all of the makeup or wants to dispose of the palette100for any other reason, embodiments of the described palette enable a user to easily remove the pans150from the case. By providing a configuration that enables the palette100to be easily and intuitively broken down into its individual and dissimilar components, a user is able to more easily prepare component parts for reuse and/or recycling.

Referring now toFIG.4, in order to separate the pans150from the case110, a user holds the case110at opposite ends and imparts a twisting motion on the case, i.e., the use rotates one end of the case in one direction, and the other end of the case in the opposite direction. As the case110deflects in response to the twisting motion, one of the engagement surfaces132in each recess120engages the corresponding pan150. The pan150also engages the fulcrums128of the recess120so that further movement of the engagement surface132by the twisting motion rotates the pan150about the fulcrums128and, more specifically, the axis130until the pan is ejected from the recess12. With the pans150ejected from the case100, a user can easily and efficiently recycle the various dissimilar component materials as appropriate for each material. Thus, the fulcrum(s)128and engagement surface(s)132cooperate to define an ejection feature180.

FIGS.5and6show an embodiment of a palette200similar to the palette100shown inFIGS.1-4, except that the palette200is configured to eject pans250from the case210using an integrally formed strap. For the sake of brevity, similar features and characteristics will not be described again with the understanding that features of the palette200identified by reference number 2XX correspond to similar features of palette100identified with reference number 1XX unless otherwise noted. For example, cover212and pan250shown inFIGS.5and6correspond to cover112and pan150, respectively, shown inFIGS.1-4, unless otherwise noted.

In an embodiment, an ejection feature280includes one or more perforations262are formed in the base216of the case210to define at least a portion of an integral strip260. In an embodiment, the perforations262extend along the upper surface of the base216and through the recesses210so that the strip260is positioned below the pans250when the pans are disposed in the recesses210. In an embodiment, a tab264is formed at one or both ends of the strip260to enable a user to more easily grab an end of the strip.

To separate the pans250from the case210, a user grabs the tab264and pulls upward, away from the case210. As the user pulls on the tab264, the perforations262tear, and the strip260separates from the base216. As the portions of the strip260formed in the recesses220separate and pull away from the base216, the strip260ejects the each pan250from the corresponding recess220, thereby separating the pans250from the base216.

In an embodiment, the case210is molded, and the perforations262are molded into the case. In an embodiment, the case210is molded, and the perforations262are formed in the case after the molding process. In an embodiment, the perforations262are parallel to define an elongate strip260. In an embodiment, the strip260has any suitable shape and is formed in any suitable manner to enable a user to detach the strip260from the case210, thereby ejecting the pans250from the case210.

FIGS.7-9show an embodiment of a palette300similar to the palette200shown inFIGS.5and6, except that the palette300includes an ejection feature380configured to eject pans350from the case310using a strap360that is not integral to the case. For the sake of brevity, similar features and characteristics will not be described again with the understanding that features of the palette300identified by reference number 3XX correspond to similar features of palette200identified with reference number 2XX unless otherwise noted. For example, cover312and pan350shown inFIGS.7and8correspond to cover212and pan250, respectively, shown inFIGS.5and6unless otherwise noted.

As best shown inFIG.7, the strip360is a separately formed component attached to the base316. In an embodiment, the strip360is manufactured from plastic, metal (foil), fabric, fibrous, or other natural, additively manufactured, recycled, or conventional materials and adhesives. In an embodiment, the strip is co-molded with the base316. In an embodiment, the strip360is attached to the base316with an adhesive. In an embodiment, the adhesive is a low-tack adhesive.

To separate the pans350from the case310, a user grabs an end of the strip360, as shown inFIG.8, and pulls upward, away from the case310. As the user pulls on an end of the strip260, the strip peels away from the base216. As the portions of the strip360disposed in the recesses320separate and pull away from the base316, the strip360ejects the each pan350from the corresponding recess320, thereby separating the pans350from the base316, as shown inFIG.9.

FIGS.10and11show an embodiment of a palette400similar to the palette100shown inFIGS.1-4, except that the palette400includes an ejection feature480configured to eject pans450from the case410by a user pushing on the bottoms of the pans450through the base416. For the sake of brevity, similar features and characteristics will not be described again with the understanding that features of the palette400identified by reference number 4XX correspond to similar features of palette100identified with reference number 1XX unless otherwise noted. For example, cover412and pan450shown inFIGS.10and11correspond to cover112and pan150, respectively, shown inFIGS.1-4, unless otherwise noted.

In an embodiment, the case410is mounted within a housing470. As best shown, inFIG.11, ejection feature480includes a plurality of recesses420formed in the case410, wherein each recess420is sized and configured to receive and retain therein a pan450containing makeup452. Each recess420has an aperture472extending through a bottom surface446of the recess420.

When the case410is mounted within the housing470and pans450are mounted within each recess420, the apertures472are positioned between and covered by the housing and the pans. If a user wishes to separate one or more pans450from the base416, the case410is removed from the housing470, thereby exposing the bottom of the pans450through the apertures472. The user then extends a finger or an implement through the aperture472and pushes the pan450to eject the pan from the case410.

Disclosed embodiments of a makeup palette provide a sustainable, cost-effective product that can be easily broken down into its constituent parts for recycling, reusing, or refilling. By providing the consumer with ejection features to remove the pans and/or to separate dissimilar components, the disclosed embodiment provide a simple and intuitive way to separate components for recycling and/or re-use.

The present application may reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also, in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc.