Container, in particular for cosmetics products, with an interchangeable insert

Abstract: A container (10) for containing various products, such as cosmetics products, of the type in which a base (11) and a lid (12) are hinged together to contain an interchangeable insert (13) having at least one extension (19) which projects from the base (11) and lid (12) when these are closed one against the other. In this manner the container is provided with a lateral region enabling it to be more easily identified and handled.

Description: This invention relates to a container intended to contain various products, such as cosmetics, beauty and similar products, of the type comprising a base and a lid hinged together and containing an interchangeable insert. In this type of container, the interchangeable insert containing the type of product to be used is located between the base and the relative lid, in an appropriate seat. Currently used containers are also such as to be able to receive a series of inserts which differ in shape, enabling them to be usefully differentiated, but only when opened. In this manner the only element enabling the user to identify the container when closed, or rather its contents, is the container colour or the pattern applied to it. Alternatively, at the container manufacture stage various patterns and lines of containers can be created resulting in different appearances. However this requires structural modifications to the moulds or at least a part of them, with an unbearable cost increase. The outer aesthetics of the container also suffer from this type of problem. Their appearance can be changed only by changing the colour, the graphics or the pattern of the container components. The only technical solution currently available is to provide a different mould, and hence obtain a different container, to achieve an overall alternative form. EP-A-0 567 376 discloses a container for containing various products, such as cosmetics products, of the type in which a base and a lid are hinged together to contain an interchangeable insert. Said interchangeable insert comprises at least one extension which projects from said base and lid when these are closed one against the other. The general object of the invention is to obviate these technical problems and the related drawbacks by providing a container with an interchangeable insert of simple construction but such as to enable its overall structural appearance to be substantially modified and differentiated. A further object of the invention is to provide a container able to receive an interchangeable insert such as to achieve a pleasant shape and general appearance. Another object of the invention is to improve the gripping of the entire container by the user. Said objects are attained by a container for cosmetics products with an interchangeable insert incorporating the characteristics defined in the accompanying claims. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a container of the invention in its closed state; Figure 2 is a front view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view from above showing the container of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a longitudinal section on the plane IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a cross-section on the plane V-V of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a plan view from above showing just the interchangeable insert of Figure 1 according to the invention; Figure 7 is a cross-section on the plane VII-VII of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a cross-section through a second embodiment of an insert in a container according to the invention. With reference to the figures, a container of the invention provided with an interchangeable insert is indicated overall by 10 and is formed structurally from a base 11 and a lid 12 hinged together. The base 11 and lid 12 contain an interchangeable insert, for example all of plastics construction. In the illustrated example, the container is of essentially quadrangular flat shape with rounded corners. As can be clearly seen from the drawings, the base 11 and lid 12 are securely snap-engaged to contain the insert 13 in such a manner that this latter at least partly emerges from the container, so influencing the overall appearance of the container even when closed. This secure engagement between the base 11 and lid 12 is achieved, on respective facing surfaces of the base 11 and insert 13, by a tooth 14, projecting outwards from the insert 13, which engages in an undercut 15 provided in an inner wall of the base 11. For example this engagement is achieved along the same side on which two pins 16 are present, inserted through relative holes in the lid 12 and base 11, to hinge them together. The insert 13 can consequently be located securely in a seat 17 provided in the base 11 (Figure 4). As can be seen from the drawings, the insert 13 comprises for containing the product a central recessed region 18, which can be of any shape, surrounded by peripheral walls. According to the invention, from both of these peripheral walls of the insert 13 there projects an extension or lateral edgepiece 19 extending as far as the outside of both the container base 11 and lid 12 (Figure 5). The extension 19, which in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-7 is provided along two opposite sides of the insert 13, passes through an aperture 20 defined between the lateral walls of the lid 12 and base 11. In this situation, according to the invention the container comprises an extension, an edgepiece or a lateral projection 19 which can be of any form. This particular form or colour of the extension 19, connected to the insert 13, enables the insert contents to be identified, even in the case of a container of usual or standard form. In this respect, one and the same container, in the sense of the base 11 plus lid 12, can be used for inserts 13 which differ both in their contents and in the shape of the central recessed region 18. The extension 19, in the form of a lateral edgepiece, also advantageously serves to improve the gripping of the entire container by the user. In this respect, its presence enables the container to be retained by merely gripping the extension, hence making the opening of the lid independent of the base. This arrangement hence improves the handling of the container by the final user. As can be seen from the aforegoing embodiment and from that shown in Figure 8 as a further example, the extension or lateral edgepiece 19 can be of any form. Figures 1-7 show a pair of rounded tapering edgepieces 19 connected to the insert by a thin wall 21. The outer surface of the edgepieces extends tram the rear wall of the container, where the hinge is situated, to the front wall, in correspondence with the opening region (Figure 3). The edgepieces 19 are hence of rounded shape, with a certain thickening towards their rear, and a rounded but converging and tapering shape at their front. In this manner they laterally continue and reproduce the shape of the container, to give it a more valid and pleasant appearance (Figure 1). Figure 8 shows a different profile of the extension, which is limited simply to an extension of the thin wall 21, to form a slight rib to the side of the container. The container in this case essentially preserves its original shape and appearance, even though provided with edgepieces for easier identification and handling. As already stated, a plurality of inserts 13 can be made available, which although differing in contents enable the container housing them to be easily distinguished by virtue of the extension or lateral edgepiece. The moulds for the container, in the sense of the lid plus base, can hence remain unaltered, only the insert moulds needing to be changed to give the entire container a different appearance for identification.

Claims: A container (10) for containing various products, such as cosmetics products, of the type in which a base (11) and a lid (12) are hinged together to contain an interchangeable insert (13), and in which said interchangeable insert (13) comprises at least one extension (19) which projects from said base (11) and lid (12) when these are closed one against the other. characterised in that such an extension (19) is provided on both sides of said container (10). A container as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each extension (19) passes through an aperture (20) which is defined between lateral walls of said base (11) and said lid (12) when these are closed together. A container as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each extension (19) is connected to said insert (13) by a thin wall (21). A container as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each extension (19) has a lateral shape which reproduces the shape of said container (10). A container as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that each extension (19) is limited to a thin wall (21) slightly projecting from said base (11) and said lid (12).

Inventors: CROSTA SERGIO, CROSTA, SERGIO, Crosta, Sergio, c/o Laffon Design-Kree Plast S.p.A
Applicants: LAFFON S P A, LAFFON S.P.A
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A45D40
IPC codes: A45D33, A45D40