Replaceable jar package

A replaceable jar package includes a push-to-release button, an inner jar sized to fit within the outer jar, the outer jar having a threaded opening at its top and having an opening at its bottom, and having a pair stubs for holding the push-to-release button within the opening at the bottom of the outer jar. The outer jar cooperates with the inner jar to form a snap feature. The inner jar is secured to the outer jar when the snap feature is engaged. The inner jar can be removed from the outer jar when the snap feature becomes disengaged. The snap feature is disengaged by the push-to-release button moving in a direction from the bottom of the outer jar toward a top of the outer jar such that the push-to-release button moves the inner jar relative to the outer jar.

BACKGROUND

Field

This invention relates generally to jars, and more specifically to a replaceable jar package for holding and delivering a cosmetic.

Related Art

Jar packages for holding and delivering a cosmetic are well known. Jar packages that include an inner container and an outer container are well known. Jar packages that include a snap-fit joint, snap joint or snap feature, are well known.

One known jar package comprises a replaceable inner jar that includes a heat induction seal. However, this one known jar package lacks an anti-rotate lug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is an exploded view of a replaceable jar package100comprising an inner jar102with a pull tab seal disk104, an outer jar106with threads to accept a threaded cap108, a push-to-release button (hereinafter “push button”)110and a foam liner112, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. Advantageously, the inner jar102is replaceable. The outer jar106cooperates with the inner jar102to form at least one snap feature. The inner jar102is secured to the outer jar106via the at least one snap feature.

FIG. 2is a cut-away view of the inner jar102including a rim201at the top of the inner jar and a flange202that extends continuously and completely around the rim201. The flange202includes a continuous undercut203that forms part of a snap feature. The continuous undercut203extends completely around and underneath the flange202.

FIG. 3is a view of a portion ofFIG. 2showing an enlargement of a portion of the rim201.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of a bottom of the inner jar102showing the rim201at a top of the inner jar.

FIG. 5is an enlarged perspective view of a portion ofFIG. 4showing details of the rim201including a stabilizing rib (hereinafter, “rib”404). The inner jar102includes a plurality of ribs404. In one embodiment, the inner jar102includes eight (8) ribs404. We might want to give him other “embodiments where we show quick examples of 6 ribs, 4 ribs, 2 ribs, 1 rib, etc.

FIG. 6is a perspective view of a side of the outer jar106. The outer jar106includes a plurality of stabilizing notches, or slots606, near a rim of the outer jar at the top of the outer jar. The slots are formed by material cut out from the outer jar106. The material of the outer jar106between the slots606form annular snap beads608. In one embodiment, the outer jar106includes eight (8) slots606.

The annular snap beads608are evenly spaced around the diameter of the outer jar106. The annular snap beads608at the top of the outer jar106cooperate with the undercut203underneath the rim201of the inner jar102. Unlike the intermittent annular snap beads608on the outer jar106, the undercut203of the inner jar102is continuous because there are no cut outs on the rim201of the inner jar. Moreover, because there are no cut outs on the rim201of the inner jar, hoop stress applied on the inner jar102when the replaceable jar package100is assembled is advantageously dispersed radially.

FIG. 7is an enlarged view of a portion ofFIG. 6showing details of one slot606. The material of the outer jar106at the top of each slot606is cut out at angles701and702so that corresponding ribs404on the inner jar102can easily align with each slot. The slots606at the top of the outer jar106are mated with the ribs404on the inner jar102. The ribs404and the slots606are designed to stabilize the inner jar102securely so when the threaded cap108is applied and the correct application torque has been achieved the inner jar does not skew to one side due to the threaded cap wanting to push on one side of the inner jar with more force than on the other side. The slots606also act as anti-rotate lugs so the inner jar102does not spin inside the outer jar106.

FIG. 8is a cut-way view of the replaceable jar package100showing the push button110in state of not pushed, and showing the snap feature engaged.FIG. 8shows the threaded cap108screwed on to the outer jar106.

The replaceable jar package100includes a mechanism for securing the inner jar102to the outer jar106and the mechanism includes a release mechanism. The securing mechanism includes the snap features. The release mechanism includes the push button110. The push button110may vary in shape, size and location. The outer jar106includes a circular inner lip that appears as a pair of stubs801and802for holding the push button110within the opening at the bottom of the outer jar. The one embodiment, the push button110is flexible or pliable. Such a pliable push button110comprises one of a thermoplastic elastomer material, a thermoplastic polyurethane material, a silicone material, a thermoplastic rubber material, a thermoplastic urethane material, or another type of thermoset material. Actuation of the pliable push button110is accomplished via a direct force applied to a center803of the push button, which disengages the at least one snap feature to release the inner jar102from the outer jar106. The inner jar102can be removed from the outer jar106by using the pliable push button110that, when pressed by a user, will disengage the snap bead608. Advantageously, because of the presence of the push button110at a bottom of the replaceable jar package, the first embodiment of the replaceable jar package100has a closed-bottom appearance. In another embodiment (not shown) of the replaceable jar package100, the push button110is rigid.

FIG. 9is an enlarged view of a portion ofFIG. 8showing details of the snap feature901engaged.

FIG. 10is a cut-way view of the replaceable jar package100showing the push button110in state of pushed, and showing the snap feature disengaged.FIG. 10shows the threaded cap108not screwed on to the outer jar106.FIG. 10shows the pliable push button110being actuated via a direct force applied to a center803of the push button, as indicated by arrow1001, which disengages the at least one snap feature to release the inner jar102from the outer jar106.

FIG. 11is an enlarged view of a portion ofFIG. 10showing details of the snap feature901disengaged.

A consumer, or user, places the inner jar102into the outer jar106after an original inner jar has been removed from the outer jar. However, there are no threads on the inner jar102(which could have been used in conjunction with the threads on the threaded cap108if such threads were present on the inner jar) to properly seal the inner jar. Therefore, the threaded cap108is turned by the user such that the threads on the outer jar106and the threads on the threaded cap108are properly torqued to indirectly seal the inner jar102.

The inner jar102is designed with the at least one snap bead608that holds the inner jar in place even when the inner jar is filled and the replaceable jar package100is turned upside down and shook.

FIG. 12is an exploded view of a replaceable jar package1200including the inner jar102with the pull tab seal disk104, the outer jar106with threads to accept the threaded cap108, and the foam liner112, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The outer jar106has an opening1201at its bottom. The replaceable jar package1200includes a mechanism for securing the inner jar102to the outer jar106and the mechanism includes a release mechanism. The securing mechanism includes the snap features. The second embodiment of the replaceable jar package1200does not include a push-to-release button. With the second embodiment of the replaceable jar package1200, the inner jar102can be removed from the outer jar106by the user simply applying sufficient pressure directly to the inner jar so as to disengage the snap feature of the replaceable jar package.

FIG. 13is a cut-way view of the replaceable jar package1200showing a left side1301and a right side1302of a circular foot, and the snap feature901engaged.FIG. 13shows the threaded cap108screwed on to the outer jar106.

FIG. 14is an enlarged view of a portion ofFIG. 13showing details of the engaged snap feature.

FIG. 15is a cut-way view of the replaceable jar package1200showing a snap feature disengaged.FIG. 15shows the threaded cap108not screwed on to the outer jar106. The inner jar102is removed from the outer jar106by the user simply applying sufficient pressure directly to a bottom1501of the inner jar, as indicated by the arrow1502.

FIG. 16is an enlarged view of a portion ofFIG. 15showing details of the disengaged snap feature.

FIG. 17is an exploded view of the inner jar102, a snap-on service cap (hereinafter “service cap”)1707and a heat induction liner (hereinafter “induction liner”)1709. The inner jar102can be used with or without the service cap1707. The service cap1707is designed to hold the induction liner1709in place and to apply the correct amount of pressure for proper lining. The service cap1707is also designed to be an extension of the inner jar102from a marketing standpoint and can have logos applied through emboss or deboss or other decoration such as silk screen or hot stamping to elevate the appearance of the replaceable jar package100and1200.

FIG. 18is a cut-away view of the inner jar102, the service cap1707and the induction liner1709. The service cap1707is used in the manufacturing process to apply the induction liner1709to the inner jar102. The service cap1707is designed to hold the induction liner1709in place and apply the correct amount of pressure for proper lining. In the illustrated embodiment, the service cap1707has three (3) annular snap beads1711around its inside wall so that it applies equal pressure distribution to the induction liner1709on the inner jar102. The size, shape and location of the snap features may vary as long as they provide enough securement for the heat induction lining process. The inner jar102is them put in an energized state, which activates an adhesive on the induction liner1709, and causes it to adhere to the inner jar102. Then, the service cap1707would either be reused or disposed of by the factory.

The inner jar102is designed so that, after removal of the heat induction liner1709by pulling on a pull tab1713, the inner jar becomes an open container and has no means of being re-sealed without using the outer jar106and properly torqueing the threaded cap108. After the heat induction liner1709is removed, the service cap1707does not provide air tight seal and the contents of the inner jar102may dry or evaporate if the inner jar is not put back into the outer jar106with the threaded cap108closed with the foam liner112.

The inner jar102may, for example, hold lotions, creams, serums or moisturizers for the beauty industry. However, the inner jar102may also hold substances for non-beauty industries.

The outer jar106is designed to use multiple materials by having a wall thickness that is conducive to bottle grade polyethylene terephthalate. The replaceable jar package100and1200is made from polypropylene terephthalate with the recycle code of “5” which can be made at varying levels of post-consumer recycled polypropylene. A purpose of the replaceable jar package100and1200is to increase sustainability of packages in the cosmetic industry. The material of the inner jar102and the outer jar106may include less than 1% of a thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic elastomer improves impact properties of polypropylene.

The user friendliness of the replaceable jar package100and1200is attributed to the ease of removal of the inner jar102via actuation of the push button110by an optimal release force. The amount of release force needed to disengage the snap feature is the range of 1 to 8 inch-pounds.

The inner jar102easily rotates but advantageously does not warp to one side due to the use of the ribs404in the inner jar102and the slots606in the outer jar106.

In one embodiment, a size of the opening1201at the bottom of the outer jar106is big enough for a label, such as a pressure-sensitive label, that had been placed on the bottom of the inner jar102to be read by a consumer or user. In another embodiment (not shown), the size of the opening1201at the bottom of the outer jar106is smaller, but large enough for a user to access the bottom of the inner jar102.

Snap features may vary in number of snap features, shape, size and location on the replaceable jar package100and1200. In some embodiments, the at least one snap feature is an annular snap joint. In other embodiments, the at least one snap feature is a cantilever snap joint.

The Detailed Description section, and not the Abstract section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Abstract section may set forth one or more but not all embodiments of the invention, and the Abstract section is not intended to limit the invention or the claims in any way.