Patent Publication Number: US-2015068549-A1

Title: Container of single-dose cosmetic products

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This claims the benefit of Italian Patent Application No. MI2013A001509, filed Sep. 11, 2013, incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present finding refers to a container of single-dose cosmetic products. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Single-dose cosmetic products are widely used on the market. For example, small single-dose capsules are known that are made of plastic material and sold by Elizabeth Arden with the name ‘Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum’. 
     The cosmetic product appears as a container, substantially a jar, in which a plurality of small loose capsules are housed, bunched together inside the vessel. 
     When a user wishes to use the cosmetic product, he opens the cover of the vessel and draws a small plastic capsule. The capsule provides for a head. By twisting the head, the user breaks the neck of the capsule, which is thus opened. A pressure on the convex body of the capsule causes the ejection of the product which can thus be used. 
     The known capsules have numerous disadvantages. Indeed, the use of the capsule is quite inconvenient and it is easy to waste product or dirty one&#39;s hands during the opening, closing or even during use. 
     The application WO 03092784A1 illustrates an applicator for the application of a spreadable composition for the skin comprising an element for receiving and carrying a measured dose of the composition and a grip portion for enabling the user to grip and manipulate the applicator, in which the grip portion and the reception element are arranged in a manner such that a user who holds the applicator by means of the grip portion is protected from undesired contact with the composition carried by the reception means. A plurality of applicators are housed in a container, the user extracts one applicator at a time from the container, then by using the grip portion of the applicator he uses it; the container which houses the applicators does not provide for a seat for the housing of a single applicator when it must be used. 
     The prior art solution does not fully meet the needs of the field of cosmetic products when the latter are contained in single-dose capsules or applicators, and it does not resolve the problem of manipulating or using said single-dose capsules or applicators. 
     In addition, once the capsule has been opened, the liquid at its interior must be used in a single application. Indeed, given the configuration of the capsule, it cannot remain autonomously ‘upright’. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Object of the present finding is to obtain a container of single-dose cosmetic products which is improved with respect to the prior art. 
     In particular, object of the present invention is to provide a container for single-dose cosmetic products that facilitates the easy, convenient use of the cosmetic product. 
     These and other objects are achieved by making a container for single-dose cosmetic products according to the technical teachings of the enclosed claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further characteristics and advantages of the finding will be evident from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the container, illustrated as a non-limiting example in the enclosed drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a container according to the present invention, when in closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a diameter section view of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is the same view of  FIG. 1 , but when the container is open in use position; 
         FIG. 4  is a diameter section of the container as represented in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial section of an enlarged detail of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a diameter section view of a variant of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a diameter section view of a second variant of the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a simplified diameter section view of a container according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 8 , when it is in a use configuration; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of the container of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross section of the container of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross section of a variant of the container of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view in use position of a further variant of a container according to the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross section of a detail of the container of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a partial section of the container of  FIG. 13  in “non-use” condition; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic view in cross section of a variant of the container pursuant to  FIGS. 13-14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the abovementioned figures, a container for single- dose cosmetic products is shown, indicated overall with the reference number  1 . 
     It comprises an external vessel C formed by a hollow body  2  (in jar form in the example) and a closure element  3  adapted to isolate an internal cavity thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure element is screwed (on a thread  15 ) to a neck  4  of the hollow body. 
     The hollow body, in proximity of the neck, has a seat where a flange  6  is abutted of an internal container  7 , preferably made of a single piece of plastic material. 
     The internal container houses a plurality of mutually-stacked single-dose containers  8 . Each single-dose container  8  substantially has the form of a discoid bottom and is formed via plastic material molding in a single piece—though of course it is not required that the single-dose container be of discoid form, as in this case, and it is not necessary that it be formed of a single piece. It can in fact assume any form according to requirements, and can of course be made of one or more pieces; it contains a cosmetic product  9 . The cosmetic product can for example be a cream, a make-up product, a powder or any other product housable in the single-dose container. The single-dose container is sealed by means of a film  10  glued to a surface thereof. The film can for example be a considerable multilayer and multi-material film. Of course, it is also possible to provide for a cover sealed with the container, or any other type of closure, preferably adapted to seal the single-dose container. 
     A certain quantity of cosmetic product is housed in each single-dose container. In such context, by ‘single-dose’ it must be intended a lower dose than that usually contained in conventional cosmetics bottles; hence the quantity of the contents of the ‘single-dose’ container can be such to be applied also in one or more applications at the discretion of the final consumer. 
     For example, if the cosmetic product is a cream, it is possible that the dose will be sufficient for the applications of an entire day. 
     As is observed in  FIG. 2 , the external vessel C has, at an external portion of its walls (an upper portion in the represented example), a housing  11  adapted to constrain, in a use position, a single single-dose container. 
     In  FIG. 2 , a user has arranged a single-dose container  8 A in the housing  11  of the external vessel. Advantageously, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the housing provides for means  12  for retaining the single-dose portion in the housing itself; such retention means are formed for example by an annular projection  12 A which is extended from the closure element  3  of the hollow body  2 . 
     The annular projection  12  laterally constrains the single-dose container  8 A which, by virtue of its lower face, is positioned at the perimeter of the same. In such a manner, the single-dose container is constrained via fitting with the container. 
     In order to constrain the single-dose container  8 A to the external body, it is also possible to provide for snap connection means (not represented), made for example on the annular projection  12 , and adapted to cooperate with a corresponding suitably shaped portion, provided in the lower part of the single-dose container. 
     When it is necessary to use the cosmetic product, the user removes the film  10  from the single-dose container, he positions it in the housing  11  and uses the cosmetic product that he wishes, without dirtying and without wasting product. 
     If unused cosmetic product remains inside the single-dose container, the user can decide to close a cover  13  hinged to the closure element  3 , in a manner so as to reuse the product contained in the single-dose container  8 A. 
     It is also possible to separate (in this case by unthreading it) the closure element  3  from the hollow body  2 , and use the closure element and the cover as a travel container, e.g. for using the cosmetic product during a brief vacation. 
     Advantageously, when all of the single-dose containers have been used, it is possible to extract the intermediate container  7  from the cavity of the body  2 , and replace the old intermediate container with a new one, full of new stacked single-dose containers. 
     Of course, the presence of the intermediate container is optional, given that the single-dose containers can also be positioned directly in the cavity of the body  2 . 
     It is noted that the housing  11  can be connected, directly or indirectly, to one or more portions of the external surface of the hollow body  2  of the container C, rather than to the closure element  3 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 6 , the housing  11  is obtained on the bottom of the container C. Advantageously, an annular projection  12  is provided, adapted to retain single-dose portion  8 A, along with a cover  13 , which can be hinged to the bottom of the container C (as represented in  FIG. 6 ), or screwed thereto. 
     In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the housing  11  is arranged at an external portion of the hollow body  2 , for example a flat side wall of the hollow body  2 . The annular projection  12  is directly obtained on the side wall of the hollow body  2 . It is preferable to provide for a cover with shape corresponding to the rest of the external wall of the hollow body  2 . If the hollow body  2  has a cylindrical external wall, it is preferable to provide for a curved cover (not shown) in a manner such that when it is closed, the cylindrical form of the external wall of the container C is preserved. 
     According to a non-illustrated variant, the vessel according to the invention could also provide for a plurality of housings for the single-dose portions, e.g. a housing like that pursuant to  FIGS. 1-4  and a housing of the type represented in  FIGS. 6  and/or  7 . 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 8 to 11 . 
     Hereinbelow, in the present description, the same reference numbers will be used to indicate parts that are functionally similar to those already described. 
       FIG. 8  shows a container  1  in section, which comprises an external vessel C formed by a hollow body  2  (with elongated form in the example) and a closure element  3  adapted to isolate an internal cavity thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure element is screwed (on a thread  15 ) or snap-engaged on a neck  4  of the hollow body by means of a first annular portion  3 A thereof, to which a second portion  3 B is hinged which is engaged on the first. 
     The hollow body  2  houses a plurality of single-dose containers  80  arranged in a loose manner (or in an ordered manner) at its interior. Each single-dose container  80  is formed via molding of soft plastic material in a single piece, and contains a cosmetic product  9 . Each single-dose container  80  has a conformation similar to a capsule, clearly visible in  FIG. 9 . In substance, it comprises a deformable portion  80 A that contains the fluid  81 ; from such portion, a conduit  80 B is extended that is sealed on the top. The conduit serves for supplying the fluid contained in the single-dose container upon separation of a terminal portion  80 C of the conduit. The rupture is facilitated by preferential breakage lines  80 D. 
     Of course, the single-dose container can have a form different from that just described and it can be made of any material. It is also possible that the container be made of a substantially rigid material provided with a soft membrane or with a deformable part, in order to allow squeezing the contents through the neck. Thus, in the case of an incomplete use of the contents, the terminal part  80 C can be reused for closing the container. 
     The fluid product can for example be a cream, an anti-wrinkle fluid, a cosmetic oil or another product housable in the single-dose capsule container. 
     In each single-dose container, a certain quantity of cosmetic product  81  is housed. In such context, by ‘single-dose’ it must be intended a lower dose than that usually contained in bottles of conventional cosmetic products—but of course the quantity of the contents of the ‘single-dose’ container can be such that the product can also be applied in multiple applications. 
     As is observed in  FIG. 11 , the external vessel C has a housing  11  adapted to house and constrain, in a use position, a single single-dose container. The housing is formed by a concave portion of the closure  3 , and specifically of the second part  3 B thereof. 
     The concave portion has a configuration corresponding to part of the convex portion of the capsule. In addition, a channel  25  is present that is adapted to receive the projection  80 B of the capsule, from which the product is supplied. 
     The concave portion (and hence the housing) is positioned in a manner such to allow an end portion of said capsule  80 B to project towards the exterior of the closure or external vessel, in a manner such that the supplied product does not come into contact with any part of the external vessel or cover. 
     As is seen in  FIG. 9 , the cover  13  is provided with a protuberance  28  useful for squeezing the capsule. 
     In  FIG. 9 , a user has arranged a single-dose container  80  in the housing  11  of the external vessel. 
     When it is necessary to use the cosmetic product, the user, after having previously opened the capsule by breaking the end portion  80 C thereof, closes or lowers the cover  13 . 
     The protuberance  28  squeezes the capsule that supplies the product in a convenient, clean manner. 
     There is no need for the user to even touch the capsule  80 , thus fully facilitating the ease of use and cleaning. 
     Analogous to that said for the container of  FIGS. 1 to 7 , it is possible to provide that the housing  11  is connected to the hollow body  2  of the container C rather than to the closure element  3  of the container C. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates, for example, a variant of the container of  FIG. 9 ; in such variant, the closure  3  is provided on the bottom of the container C, while the housing  11  is arranged on the upper part of the container C. Of course, it is possible to provide that the closure  3  be maintained on the upper part of the hollow body  2 , and that the housing  11  is arranged on the bottom of the hollow body  2 . It is also possible to provide that the housing  11  be obtained in the side wall of the hollow body  11 . 
       FIGS. 13 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  show an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     In this case, the cover  13  is not provided with a protuberance, but rather with a concave part  30  that encloses the swollen body of the capsule. 
     The top of the concave part  30  is open (opening  31 ) in a manner so as to allow a user to directly access the capsule  80 , by pressing it. 
     Of course, this variant can be applied both when the housing  11  is obtained in the closure  3 , and when the housing  11  is obtained directly in the hollow body  2 . In this case, the variant illustrated in  FIG. 12  is particularly suitable, as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     In any case, though, the capsule is perfectly constrained to the external body.