INTERCHANGEABLE PALETTE

A cosmetic container includes a base assembly, at least one tray releasably secured to the base, and a lid. The base may have at least one ridge extending between a front edge and a rear edge of the base, and the tray may have at least one channel configured to receive the ridge, the channel having a securing element configured to releasably secure the tray to the ridge. The trays may be removable, replaceable, and/or interchangeable to provide a interchangeable palette.

BACKGROUND

Numerous types of containers such as compacts and palettes are available for cosmetic products. Such containers hold products in a useable form such as powder, cream, paste, etc., with various designs to allow a user access to the products. New and alternative approaches to such devices are desired.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides designs, material, manufacturing methods, and use alternatives for cosmetic packaging.

In a first non-limiting example a cosmetic container may comprise a base assembly having a front edge and an opposing rear edge and at least one ridge extending therebetween; at least one tray releasably secured to the base assembly, the at least one tray having at least one channel configured to receive the at least one ridge, the tray having a securing element configured to releasably secure the tray to the base assembly; and a lid configured to be coupled to the base assembly in an orientation to cover the at least one tray.

Additionally or alternatively, each tray may be removable and insertable into the base assembly when the lid is in a closed position and an open position.

Additionally or alternatively, the securing element may include at least one protrusion extending into each of the at least one channel.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one protrusion may be positioned adjacent a rear end of each of the at least one channel.

Additionally or alternatively, the ridge may include a cutout region adjacent the rear edge, the cutout region configured to receive the at least one protrusion.

Additionally or alternatively, the base assembly may include an upwardly angled portion adjacent the rear edge.

Additionally or alternatively, the tray may include a downwardly extending lip configured to extend below the upwardly angled portion of the base assembly when the tray is secured to the base assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, the base assembly may include at least one vertical projection extending upward from a bottom of the base assembly at the front edge.

Additionally or alternatively, the tray may include at least one angled surface on a front face thereof, the at least one angled surface configured to engage the vertical projection when the tray is secured to the base assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, the base assembly may include a plurality of ridges and the cosmetic container includes a plurality of trays, each tray having at least one channel configured to receive one of the plurality of ridges.

Additionally or alternatively, the base assembly may include at least three ridges, wherein at least a first tray includes a single channel and at least a second tray includes two spaced apart channels.

Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of trays may be configured to be inserted into the base assembly in a first arrangement, removed, and reinserted in at least a second arrangement different from the first arrangement.

Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of trays may be configured to be individually removable from and insertable into the base assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of trays may be configured to be repositionable within the base assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one tray may be configured to hold at least one cosmetic product.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one tray may be configured to hold two or more different cosmetic products.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one tray may be configured to hold a cosmetic implement.

Additionally or alternatively, the securing element may include at least one magnet positioned on the tray and at least one magnet positioned on the base assembly.

In a second non-limiting example, a cosmetic container may comprise a base assembly having a front edge and an opposing rear edge and a plurality of ridges extending therebetween, the base assembly having an upwardly angled portion adjacent the rear edge; a plurality of trays releasably secured to the base assembly, each of the plurality of trays having at least one channel configured to receive one of the plurality of ridges, and a securing element configured to releasably secure each tray to the base assembly, each tray having a downwardly extending lip configured to extend below the upwardly angled portion of the base assembly when the tray is secured to the base assembly; and a lid configured to be coupled to the base assembly, wherein each of the plurality of trays is removable and insertable into the base assembly when the lid is in a closed position and an open position.

Additionally or alternatively, the base assembly may include at least three ridges, wherein at least a first tray includes a single channel and at least a second tray includes two spaced apart channels.

The above summary of some example embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The description and drawings show several embodiments which are meant to be illustrative in nature.

For convenience, the present disclosure may be described using relative terms including, for example, left, right, top, bottom, front, back, upper, lower, up, and down, as well as others. It is to be understood that these terms are merely used for illustrative purposes and are not meant to be limiting in any manner.

FIG. 1is a front perspective view of an exemplary interchangeable palette or cosmetic container10in a closed configuration. The cosmetic container10may be interchangeable in that the cosmetics retained within the container10can be easily removed and inserted by the user and in any arrangement, as desired. As shown inFIG. 1, the cosmetic container10may include a base assembly20and a lid14. The cosmetic container10may have a generally rectangular shape, as illustrated inFIG. 1. However, the cosmetic container10may take any shaped desired, including, but not limited to, square, circular, triangular, half-ovoid, polygonal, etc.

In some examples, the cosmetic container10and/or the various components thereof may be made from a rigid material (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastics, other polymers, glass, metal, alloy, wood, and the like). Other examples may, however, include containers10made from a flexible or semi-rigid material, such as plastic. In some embodiments, the base assembly20and/or lid14may comprise a transparent or translucent material so that the cosmetic product within may be externally viewed.

The cosmetic container10may include a plurality of trays30a,30b,30c(collectively,30) accessible from the rear of the cosmetic container10as shown inFIG. 2. The trays30may be releasably secured to the base assembly20such that they are removable, replaceable and/or interchangeable, as desired. The trays30slide into the base assembly20under the lid14, and may be removed and inserted when the lid14is in either the open or closed position. The lid14may be configured to be coupled to the base assembly20in an orientation to cover the trays30. The lid14may be pivotably coupled to the base assembly20. For example, the lid14can be rotated open to expose a mirror16affixed to the underside of the lid, as shown inFIG. 3. In other examples, the lid14may be completely separate from the base assembly20and selectively coupled to the base assembly20with a magnetic closure, snap fit, or friction fit. Each of the plurality of trays30may include one or more fill puck40a,40b,40c(collectively,40). The fill pucks40may be configured to receive a cosmetic product, such as, but not limited to loose powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like), pressed powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like), creams (e.g., skincare, eye, foundation, and the like), sunscreen, hot pour products (e.g., lipsticks, glosses, and the like), touchup, spot cover, baked powders, pastes, moisturizers, hair creams, gels, serums, and the like. Alternatively, the cosmetic product may be deposited directly into the trays30.

The trays30and/or fill pucks40may have various sizes and shapes. For example, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the container10contains one large tray30aholding a single large fill puck40a, two small trays30b, each holding two small fill pucks40b, and one small tray30cholding a medium size fill puck40c. It is contemplated that the trays30and/or fill pucks40may have differing sizes and/or a different number of trays30and/or fill pucks40may be provided in the container10.

For example, a single tray30may fill the entire container10, or multiple trays of varying sizes may be provided. The cosmetic container10may be provided with a large array of tray sizes and placement configurations. Tray widths may be as desired. The fill pucks40may be sized and shaped to generally fill their respective tray30, although this is not required. In some cases, one or more trays30may be free from a fill puck40to allow for the placement and/or retention of a cosmetic implement. Some illustrative implements may include but are not limited to an applicator with a handle, an applicator without a handle, a stencil (e.g., a brow stencil), tweezers, a brush with or without a handle, a sponge with or without a handle, a pencil, a vial, a lipstick, etc.

FIG. 4is an exploded view of the elements of the cosmetic container. The lid14may include one or more lid magnets18attached thereto, and a mirror16attached to the lid14. The base assembly20may include a frame22disposed over a base50which together hold the trays30and their associated fill pucks40. The lid14may be attached to hinges21on the frame22. The base50may include one or more base magnets70, which engage the lid magnets18to keep the container10closed.

The base50may include a right (or first) lateral side wall54and a left (or second) opposing lateral side wall56extending upward from a bottom53. The base50may include a front edge57, an opposing rear edge58, one or more ridge51extending therebetween, and one or more vertical projection52extending upward from the bottom53along the front edge57. The ridges51may be configured to engage the trays30. Each ridge51may have a cutout region55adjacent but spaced apart from the rear edge58by a rear portion59. The ridge51may releasably secure a tray30, as discussed further below. In the example illustrated inFIG. 4, the base50includes five ridges51and four vertical projections52that engage the four trays30a,30b,30b,30c. The first and second side walls54,56and vertical projections52provide boundaries on three sides for holding the trays30inside the base50.

Each tray30may have a step or lip31extending downward adjacent a rear face38of the tray30, as shown inFIG. 5with regard to the large tray30a. The trays30will be/have been described with reference to a large tray30a. However is should be understood that the all of the trays30may include similar or the same features as described herein. The large tray30amay have a structure that is essentially a duplicate of two small trays30bjoined together. The large tray30amay include two projections35with angled surfaces36extending from a front face37. The small tray30b,30cmay include a single projection35with angled surfaces36, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 7. The angled surfaces36may engage the vertical projections52on the base50when the trays30a,30b,30care inserted into the base50. SeeFIG. 7.

The trays30may have one or more channels32extending between the front face37and the lip31, as shown inFIG. 6. The channel32may be configured to receive the ridge51. In the example illustrated, the large tray30ahas two channels32. The channels32may include openings39in the front face37that allow the large tray30ato slide over two adjacent ridges51in the base50. The channels may include a securing element such as a protrusion33extending partially into the channel32. The protrusion33may be adjacent the lip31, and may fit into the cutout region55in the ridge on the base50.

As shown inFIG. 7, the ridge51has a rear portion59located at the rear edge58of the base50. When the large tray30ais placed with the channels32positioned over the ridges51, the large tray30amay be advanced towards the front edge57of the base50. When the protrusion33engages the rear portion59of the ridge51, the protrusion33provides resistance. As the tray30is moved further forward against the resistance, the protrusion33slides along the rear portion59. When the tray30is fully advanced, the protrusion33snaps into the cutout region55, providing a snap fit holding the tray30in the fully forward position and preventing the tray30from sliding out of the container10until the user wishes to remove it.

In an alternative example, the ridges51may be disposed on the trays30a-30cand the channel32may be disposed on the base50, thus reversing the two parts, with otherwise similar structural and functional aspects as described.

As shown inFIG. 7, the large tray30ahas two channels32and thus covers the space over two ridges51, while the small trays30b,30ceach have a single channel32. The example base50with five ridges51thus holds three small trays30b,30cand one large tray30a. In other examples, a single tray30may be provided with five channels32to fit into the five ridges of the base50, two large trays30aand one small tray30bmay be provided, or five small trays30bmay be provided. The large tray30aand small trays30b,30cmay be inserted in any arrangement. For example, a first arrangement is illustrated inFIG. 7, with the large tray30aon the right, two small trays30beach holding two small fill pucks40bare next, and a small tray30cwith a medium fill puck40cis on the left. These trays30a,30b,30cmay be removed and reinserted in at least a second arrangement different from the first arrangement, such as with the two small trays30bon either end and the large tray30aand small tray30ctherebetween. It is contemplated that any number of ridges51and associated trays30may be provided. Further, any number of fill pucks40may be provided for each tray30. In the example shown inFIG. 7, the large tray30acontains a single large fill puck40a. Alternatively, one medium fill puck40cand two small fill pucks40b, or four small fill pucks40bmay be provided.

In other examples, instead of or in addition to the protrusion33and cutout region55snap-fit structure, the securing element may include magnets attached to the front face37of the tray30and the front edge57of the base50. In a further example, the protrusion33may be located at a different position along the channel32, or multiple protrusions may be provided as the securing element. Further, instead of a cutout region55on the ridge51, the entire length of the ridge may engage the protrusion33so a friction fit is achieved as the tray30is slid along the ridge51.

Removal of the large tray30ais illustrated inFIG. 8. The user may grasp the lip31extending below an upwardly angled rear portion60of the base50, and pull the tray30out of the base50in the direction of arrow80, overcoming the friction fit of the protrusion33within the cutout region55. Once the protrusion33is out of the cutout region55, the tray30slides easily over the ridge51for complete removal.

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims be construed to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.