Patent Publication Number: US-2023137961-A1

Title: Modular Packaging Container System

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/274,590 filed on Nov. 1, 2021, and incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a modular packaging container system. In particular, the present invention relates to a modular packaging container system that is biodegradable and can be held in one hand or is self-supported when placed on a surface. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The cosmetics and skincare industry has an enormous impact on the environment. Packaging is the number one contributor to plastic production in the world and the number one offender for plastic waste pollution. As of 2015 packaging accounted for over 150 million tons of plastic every year of which 11 million tons leak into the ocean. Although there has been minimal scrutiny and oversight and therefore little hard data on the environmental impact of cosmetics packaging, it is estimated that the beauty industry creates 120 billion units of packaging every year. The reliance on heavy use of plastics and petroleum-based chemicals can not only take thousands of years to degrade in landfills, but harmful toxins can also leech into the soils and waterways, potentially impacting environments far away from localized disposal sites. While advancements in “clean” cosmetics have been useful at helping to begin mitigating negative effects on human health at a use case level, cosmetics packaging remains one of the largest contributors to global environmental pollution and ecological degradation. 
     Many existing paper based cosmetic packages utilize a simple book style containment that is familiar, easily produced, and provides the user easy access to the cosmetic product. Book style packaging efficiently stores components and protects and isolates them from their surroundings, especially important for makeup (such as eye shadows, foundations, and lip cosmetics) as the user may travel with the packaging or use it in a variety of environments. Book style packaging in its popular form also allows the user to hold the packaging in one hand while accessing and using the interior components with the other hand. While book style functional design has been utilized for hundreds of years, it has significant ergonomic deficiencies, for example, it requires complex and unsteady physical manipulation within the hand to allow simple access to all areas of the internal components. Solutions to this challenge include purposefully making the packaging (a) oversized to eliminate grabbing and damaging internal components with finger and thumb or (b) to be placed on a stand or fixture, table or similar to improve functionality of use. 
     A need therefore exists for a container system having a comparatively positive impact on the environment while providing consumers with enhanced functionality, reusability, flexibility, aesthetics, and design features. It would be beneficial for the container system to be modular and have multi-functional usage built into its design to solve existing ergonomic issues. It would also be beneficial for the container system to have a built-in stand, easel or fixture, and further to be at least partially biodegradable. It would be further beneficial if a portion of the container system was durable and reusable with other portions that could be used and discarded as needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the invention, a modular packaging container system comprises a cover comprising a hinge portion connected between a top portion and a base portion along first and second fold lines, respectively, the base portion further comprising a support portion connected to an easel portion by a third fold line. The support portion comprises first and second magnets embedded therein, each adapted to detachably attach at least one receptacle tray to the support portion, wherein the first magnet is disposed between the second magnet and an edge of the support portion opposite the third fold line. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a modular packaging container system comprises a cover comprising a hinge portion connected between a top portion and a base portion along first and second fold lines, respectively, the base portion further comprising a support portion connected to an easel portion by a third fold line. The support portion comprises first and second magnets embedded therein, each adapted to detachably attach at least one receptacle tray to the support portion, wherein the first magnet is disposed between the second magnet and an edge of the support portion opposite the third fold line. A first surface of the top portion further comprises an easel docking groove oriented parallel to the third fold line. In a first configuration the hinge portion, the top portion, and the base portion are all arranged within a common plane, and in a second configuration the top portion is folded along the first fold line in a first direction away from the common plane and the third fold line is disposed away from the common plane in the first direction while the hinge portion remains in the same position as in the first configuration. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, a modular packaging container system comprises a cover comprising a hinge portion connected between a top portion and a base portion along first and second fold lines, respectively, the base portion further comprising a support portion connected to an easel portion by a third fold line. The modular packaging container system further comprises at least one receptacle tray, wherein the support portion comprises first and second magnets embedded therein, each adapted to detachably attach the at least one receptacle tray to the support portion, wherein the first magnet is disposed between the second magnet and an edge of the support portion opposite the third fold line. A first surface of the top portion further comprises an easel docking groove oriented parallel to the third fold line. In a first configuration the hinge portion, the top portion, and the base portion are all arranged within a common plane, and in a second configuration the top portion is folded along the first fold line in a first direction away from the common plane and the third fold line is disposed away from the common plane in the first direction while the hinge portion remains in the same position as in the first configuration. 
     Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary cover for a modular packaging container system according to an embodiment, the exemplary cover illustrated in a first configuration; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a side view of the exemplary cover according to an embodiment, the exemplary cover illustrated in a second configuration; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary cover in the second configuration according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary receptacle tray according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a side view of the exemplary receptacle tray of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a bottom view of the exemplary receptacle tray of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary receptacle tray according to another embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary receptacle tray according to a further embodiment; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary receptacle tray according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary receptacle tray according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary receptacle tray according to yet a further embodiment; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary receptacle tray having a tray portion separable from a board portion according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates detachable attachment of an exemplary receptacle tray to the exemplary cover in a first orientation, A, on the left and a second orientation, B, on the right according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates detachable attachment of an exemplary receptacle tray to the exemplary cover in a first attachment, C, on the left and a second attachment, D, on the right according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates detachable attachment of an exemplary receptacle tray to the exemplary cover in a third configuration according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG.  16    illustrates two or more exemplary receptacle trays adapted to be detachably attachable to the exemplary cover according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, wherein similar structures have similar reference numerals. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed embodiments presented herein are for illustrative purposes. That is, these detailed embodiments are intended to be exemplary of the present invention for the purposes of providing and aiding a person skilled in the pertinent art to readily understand how to make and use of the present invention. In the descriptions that follow identical reference numerals used to describe components of different disclosed embodiments refer to identical components that may be part of the different disclosed embodiments. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , in an embodiment a modular packaging container system (MPCS)  100  comprises a cover  110  comprising a hinge portion  120  connected between a top portion  130  and a base portion  140  along first  150  and second  160  fold lines, respectively. In an embodiment the base portion  140  further comprises a support portion  170  connected to an easel portion  180  by a third fold line  190 . In an embodiment, a first surface  200  of the top portion  130  further comprises an easel docking groove  210  oriented parallel to the third fold line  190 . 
     Still referring to  FIG.  1   , in a first configuration the hinge portion  120 , the top portion  130 , and the base portion  140  are all arranged within a common plane  220  (see  FIG.  2   ). In a second configuration, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the top portion  130  is folded along the first fold line  150  in a first direction  230  away from the common plane  220  and the third fold line  190  is disposed away from the common plane  220  in the first direction  230  while the hinge portion  120  remains in the same position as in the first configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , which also illustrates the cover  110  in the second configuration, the support portion  170  in an embodiment comprises first  240  and second  250  magnets embedded therein. In an embodiment each of the first  240  and second  250  magnets is adapted to detachably attach at least one receptacle tray (see  FIGS.  4 - 6   ) to the support portion  170 , wherein the first magnet  240  is disposed between the second magnet  250  and an edge  260  of the support portion  170  opposite the third fold line  190 . In an embodiment the top portion  130  further comprises a magnet  270  embedded therein proximate to the easel docking groove  210 . In an embodiment the top portion  130  further comprises a magnet  280  embedded therein and disposed along an edge  290  of the top portion  130  opposite the first fold line  150 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 - 6   , in an embodiment the MPCS  100  comprises at least one receptacle tray  300  that is adapted to detachably attach to the support portion  170 . In an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  is adapted to contain consumable items, for example, without limitation, cosmetic powders and creams. In an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  comprises one or more recesses  310  to accommodate consumable material or items or small containers containing consumable material or items. In an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  includes 8 uniformly sized recesses  310  as shown in  FIG.  4   ; however, in other embodiments the receptacle tray  300  includes 1 to 7 or 9 to 100 or more recesses that may be uniformly or differently sized, and arranged in a rectangular array or a circular array or any other sort of relative arrangement. The possible configurations for the number, sizes, and arrangement of recesses possible in the receptacle tray are too many to illustrate herein; however, some exemplary non-limiting examples are provided in  FIGS.  7 - 11   . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a side of an exemplary at least one receptacle tray  300  opposite to the side having the recesses  310 . In an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  comprises at least two magnets  320 ,  330  embedded therein, wherein the magnet  320  is disposed along a first edge  340  of the at least one receptacle tray  300  and the magnet  330  is spaced away from the magnet  320 . In an embodiment the magnet  330  is spaced by a distance D 1  from a second edge  350  of the receptacle tray  300  opposite the first edge  340 , and in an embodiment the distance D 1  matches a distance D 2  between the first magnet  240  and the edge  260  of the support portion  170  (see  FIG.  3   ). 
     Still referring to  FIG.  6   , in an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  further comprises two more magnets  350 ,  360  embedded therein, wherein the magnet  350  is disposed along a second edge  370  of the at least one receptacle tray  300  opposite the first edge  340  and the magnet  360  is disposed between the magnet  320  and the magnet  330 . In an embodiment the magnet  360  is spaced by a distance D 3  from the edge  340  of the receptacle tray  300 , and in an embodiment the distance D 3  matches the distance D 2  between the first magnet  240  and the edge  260  of the support portion  170  (see  FIG.  3   ). 
     In an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  further comprises two more magnets  380 ,  390  embedded therein, wherein the magnet  380  is disposed between the magnet  330  and the magnet  360 , and the magnet  390  is disposed between the magnet  360  and the magnet  380 . In an embodiment the magnet  380  is spaced by a distance D 4  from the magnet  330 , and the magnet  390  is spaced by a distance D 5  from the magnet  360 , and in an embodiment the distances D 4  and D 5  match the distance D 6  between the first magnet  240  and the second magnet  250  of the support portion  170  (see  FIG.  3   ). 
     Although illustrated as dashed lines in  FIG.  6    to be representative of being just below the surface of the at least one receptacle tray  300 , in an embodiment all of the magnets  320 ,  330 ,  350 ,  360 ,  380 , and  390  embedded in the at least one receptacle tray  300  are embedded at or just below the surface. Similarly, in an embodiment all of the magnets  240 ,  250 ,  270 , and  280  embedded in the cover  110  are embedded at or just below the surface. 
     Referring to  FIG.  12   , in an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  comprises a tray portion  400  separable from a board portion  410 . The board portion  410  is illustrated in  FIG.  12    as having the arrangement of magnets  320 ,  330 ,  350 ,  360 ,  380 , and  390  described above again at or just below the surface of the board portion  410 . In an embodiment the tray portion  400  further includes magnets  420  and  430 , each shown in solid lines separated from the tray portion  400  and as dashed lines embedded within the tray portion  400 . In an embodiment the magnets  420 ,  430  are positioned at opposite ends of the tray portion  400  so as to be aligned with the magnets  320  and  350 , respectively, in the board portion  410  to allow for a detachable magnetic attachment between the tray portion  400  and board portion  410 . An embodiment having separable tray  400  and board  410  portions as shown in  FIG.  12    allows a single board portion  410  to be used with a plurality of tray portions  400  that can have any desired configuration for the recesses  310 . 
     In an embodiment as further described hereinbelow, the at least one receptacle tray  300  is adapted to detachably attach to the cover  110  via magnetic attraction between one or more of the magnets  320 ,  330 ,  350 ,  360 ,  380 , and  390  embedded in the board portion  410  as described above and one or more of the magnets  240 ,  250 ,  270 , and  280  embedded in the cover. In an embodiment the magnets  320 ,  330 ,  350 ,  360 ,  380 , and  390  embedded in the board portion  410  as described above are adapted to allow for magnetic attachment of consumable material or items or small containers, for example individual pans, containing consumable material or items to the recesses  310 . In an embodiment, for example, makeup pans manufactured from tin or other magnetic materials can be detachably attached within the recesses  310  via the force of magnetic attachment between one or more of the magnets  320 ,  330 ,  350 ,  360 ,  380 , and  390  and the makeup pans. 
     Referring to the left side of  FIG.  13   , in an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  is adapted to detachably attach to the support portion  170  of the cover  110  in a first orientation, A, for example, via magnetic attraction between the magnets  240  and  250  (see  FIG.  3   ) and the magnets  330  and  380  (see  FIG.  6   , respectively). Referring to the right side of  FIG.  13   , in an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  is further adapted to detachably attach to the support portion  170  of the cover  110  in a second orientation, B, for example, via magnetic attraction between the magnets  240  and  250  (see  FIG.  3   ) and the magnets  360  and  390  (see  FIG.  6   , respectively). In an embodiment, the first and second orientations A and B are relatively rotated by 180 degrees relative to the support portion  170 . 
       FIG.  14    illustrates the at least one receptacle tray  300  attached to the cover  110  in the second configuration in two different attachments, with the common plane  220  included as a reference. In an embodiment, on the left in  FIG.  14   , attachment C, illustrates the at least one receptacle tray  300  detachably attached to the cover  110  wherein an edge of the receptacle tray  300  detachably attaches within the easel docking groove  210  by magnetic attraction between the magnet  270  (see  FIG.  3   ) disposed proximate to the easel docking groove  210  and one of the magnets  320  or  350  (see  FIG.  6   ) within the dashed circle E, and also via magnetic attraction between one of the magnets  330  or  360  (see  FIG.  6   ) and the magnet  240  (see  FIG.  3   ) within the dashed circle F. In the attachment C, the top portion  130  of the cover  110  is disposed at an angle G relative to the hinge portion  120 , where the angle G is essentially a right angle, and the at least one receptacle tray  300  is supported at an acute angle relative to the common plane  220 . 
     In an embodiment, on the right in  FIG.  14   , attachment D, illustrates the at least one receptacle tray  300  detachably attached to the cover  110  by magnetic attraction between the magnet  270  (see  FIG.  3   ) disposed proximate to the easel docking groove  210  and one of the magnets  320  or  350  (see  FIG.  6   ) within the dashed circle H, and also via magnetic attraction between one of the magnets  330  or  360  (see  FIG.  6   ) and the magnet  250  (see  FIG.  3   ) within the dashed circle I. In the attachment D, the top portion  130  of the cover  110  is disposed at an angle J relative to the hinge portion  120 , where the angle J is larger than a right angle, and where the at least one receptacle tray  300  is supported at an acute angle relative to the common plane  220 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  15   , the frame of reference utilized in  FIG.  2    including the common plane  220 , which is represented by the dashed rectangle, is utilized to describe a third configuration for the MPCS  100 . In the third configuration the base portion  140  is disposed in the common plane  220 , the hinge portion  120  is folded along the second fold line  160  in the first direction  230  away from the common plane  220 , and the top portion  130  is disposed over the at least one receptacle tray  300  and generally parallel to the base portion  140 . 
     The length and width of the cover  110  can have a variety of aspect ratios as desired for functions or aesthetics. In an embodiment as illustrated in  FIG.  16   , the cover  110  has a wider appearance than that shown, for example, in  FIG.  3   . In an embodiment, the at least one detachable receptacle tray  300  comprises two or more detachable receptacle trays  300  that are adapted to be detachably attached side by side to the support portion  170 .  FIG.  16    illustrates a first receptacle tray  300  already attached to the support portion  170  and a second receptacle tray  300  being moved into attachment position as indicated by the arrow  440 . In an embodiment when two or more receptacle trays  300  are attached to the cover  110 , each of the two or more receptacle trays  300  attaches in all of the orientations and configurations and attachments as described hereinabove for a single receptacle tray  300 . 
     As is visible in many of the FIGS., for example referring to  FIG.  14   , in an embodiment the cover  110  when supporting the one or more receptacle trays  300  in the second configuration provides a closed loop  450  that a user&#39;s finger can be inserted into to provide a secure and dexterous “midair” work station preventing product droppage. 
     In an embodiment at least a portion of the cover  110  or at least a portion of the at least one receptacle tray  300  is made from a biodegradable material selected from the group consisting of a biodegradable pulp, a biodegradable paper, a layer of biodegradable plastic film disposed over any of biodegradable pulp, biodegradable paper, or other substrate, tin, aluminum, biodegradable plastic, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  comprises a first receptacle tray  300  that is disposable, and the cover  110  is reusable being adapted for use with at least a second receptacle tray  300  after being used with the first receptacle tray  300 . 
     In an embodiment the cover  110  is manufactured as an inexpensive biodegradable throwaway; however, in another embodiment the cover  110  is manufactured as a high-end keepsake folio type piece that is reused/repurposed. In an embodiment the at least one receptacle tray  300  is adapted to contain consumable items, for example without limitation, makeup, and can be discarded after use, where replacement/refills trays  300  can be purchased separately and inserted into the previously purchased cover  110  minimizing waste and cost to the consumer. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     A modular packaging container system as presented herein provides a convenient cover for supporting at least one receptacle tray that can have a myriad of recess configurations for holding consumer materials therein. The system conveniently supports the receptacle tray in multiple orientations and configurations for ease of access by a consumer. The modular packaging container system can be manufactured in industry for use by consumers. 
     Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. It is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved. All patents, patent publications and applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.