Patent Publication Number: US-9427062-B2

Title: Multiple level container

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/023,011, filed Jul. 10, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to a multiple level container with a base and lid, and in particular, to a multiple level container providing simultaneous access to multiple levels of products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vessels or containers exist that are portable, convenient to use, and designed to contain products for use. These types of portable vessels usually consist of a base and a lid, that when assembled together provide an effective barrier for containing the product. The base and/or lid are typically made of a glass, a plastic, a metal, combinations of the foregoing, or the like. 
     Such vessels are used in the cosmetics and personal care industries for containing a product to be applied to a body. Such products may be volatile and/or aggressive. Conventional base and lid assemblies may be opened and closed using different types of mechanisms. For example, some conventional base and lid assemblies are opened and closed using hinge assemblies. 
     Although portable containers exist, there is a continuing need for more and different containers. Particularly, there is a continuing need for containers for cosmetics that facilitate quick and easy access to products. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       There is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a multiple level container in a closed position according to some embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the multiple level container shown in  FIG. 1A  in a partially open position according to some embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the multiple level container shown in  FIG. 1A  in an open position according to some embodiments disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 1D  is a partial cross sectional perspective view of the multiple level container shown in  FIG. 1A  in an open position according to some embodiments disclosed herein; and 
         FIG. 2A through 7B  are side views and corresponding perspective partial cutaway views of the multiple level container illustrating the multiple level container at different states according to embodiments disclosed herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     As described above, some conventional containers include a base and a lid that are opened and closed using hinge assemblies. These conventional containers may include a tray or level that rotates or pivots about the same axis as the lid hinge. Some of these containers include a product (e.g., a sponge) on the tray and one or more other products (cosmetics to be applied to a user) under the tray. To apply the cosmetic products, the lid is opened, the sponge is removed from the tray, the tray is moved to access the cosmetic products and the sponge is then used to apply the products. Accordingly, these conventional containers do not provide simultaneous access to multiple levels (e.g., a sponge level and a product level). 
     Some embodiments provide a multiple level container providing simultaneously access to multiple levels of products. Embodiments provide a multiple level container configured to have a first product holding level and a second product holding level disposed within a base of the container when the container is closed and the second product holding level raised from the base when the container is opened to a position for the products to be accessed. Embodiments provide a multiple level container having linkage assemblies that cause the second product holding level of the container to move as a function of movement of the lid. 
       FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1D  show perspective views of an exemplary multiple level container.  FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a multiple level container in a closed position according to embodiments disclosed herein.  FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the multiple level container shown in  FIG. 1A  in a partially open position according to embodiments disclosed herein.  FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of the multiple level container shown in  FIG. 1A  in an open position according to embodiments disclosed herein.  FIG. 1D  is a partial cross sectional perspective view of the multiple level container shown in  FIG. 1A  in an open position according to embodiments disclosed herein. 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 1A  through  FIG. 1D , multiple level container  100  may include a lid  102  and a base  104 . The size and shape of the multiple level container  100  and each portion of the multiple level container  100  is merely exemplary. Embodiments may include multiple level containers having other shapes and sizes. As shown in  FIG. 1D , lid  102  may also include a mirror  114 . Embodiments may include multiple level containers having no mirror. 
     The container  100  may include a first level  106  and a second level  108 . The first level  106  may include a plurality of first level compartments  110  and the second level  108  may include a plurality of compartments  112 . The size, shape and number of compartments  110  and  112  shown are merely exemplary. Embodiments may include any number of compartments (including zero) having shapes and sizes different from those shown in  FIG. 1D . Exemplary compartments may be used to hold any type of product, but may be particularly well suited for cosmetics that may include, but are not limited to loose 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, moisturizers, hair creams, gels, serums, and the like. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1D , both first level  106  and second level  108  hold cosmetics to be applied to users (not shown). Embodiments may, however, include first or second levels holding any type of product, such as sponges, applicators or cosmetics to be applied to users or combinations of different types of products. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1D , the container  100  may include a first linkage assembly  116  coupled between the base  104  and the second level  108 . As shown in  FIG. 1D , the first linkage assembly  116  is coupled to the first level  106  and the second level  108 . In some embodiments, the first linkage assembly  116  may not be coupled to the first level  106 . For example, embodiments may include linkage assemblies coupled directly to bases (e.g., a side of the base). As shown in  FIG. 1D , first linkage assembly  116  includes two pivot points  116   a  and  116   b . Accordingly, the second level  108  is configured to move about an axis at pivot point  116   a  and about an axis at pivot point  116   b . It can also be seen by comparing  FIG. 1D  and  FIG. 2B  that the first linkage assembly  116  pivot point  116   a  sits in a receiving portion of the base of the perimeter which limits movement of the first linkage assembly from the position shown in  FIG. 1D , where it is at its most rearward extreme to define an access position, and the position in  FIG. 2B , where the first linkage assembly is completely forward to define a closed position. In some embodiments, one or more pivot locations may be sufficiently tight as to hold the lid and second level in a fixed position between these two extremes. 
     The container  100  may also include a second linkage assembly  118  coupled between the second level  108  and the lid  102 . As shown in  FIG. 1D , the container  100  may also include a hinge assembly  119  coupled between the base  104  and the lid  102 . Accordingly, the lid  102  may be configured to rotate about an axis of the hinge assembly  119  as the lid  102  opens and closes. 
     The size, shape and number of linkage assemblies  116  and  118  shown in  FIG. 1D  are exemplary. Embodiments may include any number of linkage assemblies having sizes, shapes configured to facilitate movement (e.g., opening and closing) of exemplary lids and second levels relative to container bases. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1D , the lid  102  and the second level  108  may be opened to an access position. The access position may occur when the lid  102  has opened to a position such that the lid is prevented from opening further. In some embodiments, containers may be configured to include several access positions. For example, containers may include one or more latches (not shown) to hold the container in multiple access positions. 
     In the access position in  FIG. 1D , the second level  108  is at second level angle  120  relative to the base  104  and lid  102  is at lid angle  122  relative to the base  104 . In the embodiment shown at  FIG. 1D , second level angle  120  is about 172 degrees relative to the base  104  and the lid angle  122  is about 135 degrees relative to the base  104 . Embodiments may include multiple level containers that open to a position having second level angles in the range of about 110 degrees and 180 degrees relative to their bases and preferably in the range of about 145 degrees and 170 degrees relative to their bases. Embodiments may also include multiple level containers that open to a position having lid angles in the range of about 90 degrees and 180 degrees relative to their bases and preferably in the range of about 115 degrees and 155 degrees relative to their bases. The range of second level angles relative to container bases may be selected based on various factors including facilitating a view of the products in the second level and facilitating the application of a product to an applicator not shown. The range of lid angles relative to container bases may be determined based on various factors including facilitating views of users (not shown) in mirrors on lids, such as mirror  114 , as well as preventing containers from tipping over. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1D , the first level  106  of container  100  may also include an area  124  adjacent to compartments  110  and below the second level  108 . In some embodiments, one or more magnets (not shown) may be disposed within area  124 . The one or more magnets may be used to facilitate holding the lid  102  closed. In some embodiments, an applicator or sponge (not shown) may be disposed within area  124 . In these embodiments, second level  108  may be moved to access the sponge or applicator. In other embodiments, a drawer (not shown) may be disposed within area  124  which may be configured to slide in and out of the area and may be configured to hold one or more additional products or applicators. 
       FIG. 2A through 7B  are side views and corresponding perspective views of the multiple level container  100  illustrating the multiple level container  100  at different states according to embodiments disclosed herein. In each of the views shown in  FIG. 2A through 7B , the angles of the lid  102  relative to the base  104  are exemplary and the angles of the second level  108  relative to the base  104  are exemplary. Further, the position of the linkage assemblies  116  and  118  shown in  FIG. 2A through 7B  are also exemplary. 
       FIG. 2A  is a side view of the multiple level container when the container  100  is in a closed position.  FIG. 2B  is a corresponding perspective and partial cutaway view of the multiple level container  100  when the container  100  is in a closed position. As shown in  FIG. 2B , when the container  100  is in a closed position, the second level  108  is substantially parallel to and abutting the first level  106 , linkage assembly  116  is neither parallel nor perpendicular to second level  108  and first level  106  and linkage assembly  118  is perpendicular to second level  108  and first level  106 . Although the second level  108  shown in  FIG. 1D  is abutting the first level  106 , some embodiments may include second levels proximate to but not abutting first levels when the container  100  is in a closed position. 
       FIG. 3A  is a side view of the multiple level container in a partially open position.  FIG. 3B  is a corresponding perspective and partial cutaway view of the multiple level container  100  when the container  100  is in a closed position. As the container  100  begins to open to the position shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the second level  108  includes movement that is a function of the movement of the lid  102 . For example, when lid  102  rotates about an axis of the hinge assembly  119  and is moved from its position shown in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  to its position shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , second level  108  pivots via linkage assemblies  116  and  118  to its position shown in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B . 
     As the container  100  continues to open, lid  102  continues to rotate about the axis of the hinge assembly  119  to its corresponding positions shown in  FIG. 3A  through  FIG. 7B  and second level  108  continues to move as a function of the movement of the lid  102  to its corresponding positions shown in  FIG. 3A  through  FIG. 7B . As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , container  100  is in an access position. When in this access position, a user may simultaneously access first level  106  and second level  108 . 
     A first non-limiting example takes the form of a multiple level container comprising a base comprising a base perimeter, a lid configured to be pivotably coupled to the base, a first level disposed within the base and comprising one or more first level compartments, a second level coupled between the lid and the base and comprising one or more second level compartments, a lid hinge assembly coupling the base and the lid, a first linkage assembly coupled between the base and the second level, and a second linkage assembly coupled between the second level and the lid, wherein the linkages and lid hinge assembly are configured and arranged such that when the lid is opened from a closed position to an access position, the lid rotates via the lid hinge and the second level pivots via the first linkage assembly and the second linkage assembly to provide simultaneous access to the one or more first level compartments and the one or more second level compartments. 
     A second non-limiting example takes the form of a multiple level container as in the first non-limiting example, wherein, when the lid is in the closed position, the lid, the second level and the first level are substantially parallel to each other, and when the lid is opened to the access position, the second level is configured to be at a second level angle relative to the base and the lid is configured to be at a lid angle relative to the base, the second level angle and the lid angle each being greater than zero degrees. 
     A third non-limiting example takes the form of a multiple level container as in the second non-limiting example, wherein when the lid is in the access position, the second level angle is within a range of about 110 degrees to about 180 degrees and the lid angle is within a range of about 90 degrees to about 180 degrees. 
     A fourth non-limiting example takes the form of a multiple level container as in the second non-limiting example, wherein, when the lid is in the access position, the second level angle is in a range of about 145 degrees to about 170 degrees and the lid angle is in the range of about 115 degrees to about 155 degrees. 
     A fifth non-limiting example takes the form of a multiple level container as in any of the first to fourth non-limiting examples, wherein, when the lid is in the access position, the second level is at an angle with respect to the first level. 
     A sixth non-limiting example takes the form of a multiple level container as in any of the first to fifth non-limiting examples, wherein the base perimeter comprises at least one receiving portion for receiving the first linkage assembly, wherein movement of the first linkage assembly is limited by the receiving portion to establish the closed position and the access position. 
     A seventh non-limiting example takes the form of a multiple level container as in any of the first to sixth non-limiting examples, wherein at least one of the first level compartments and second level compartments are configured to contain an applicator configured to apply a cosmetic product to a user. 
     An eighth non-limiting example takes the form of a multiple level container as in any of the first to seventh non-limiting examples, wherein at least one of the first level compartments and second level compartments are configured to contain one or more cosmetic products. 
     A ninth non-limiting example takes the form of a multiple level container as in any of the first to eighth non-limiting examples, wherein the lid contains a mirror configured such that, in the access position, the mirror allows the user to see himself or herself 
     Additional non-limiting examples may be as any of the first to ninth non-limiting examples, further wherein there are more than one first levels and/or more than one second levels. 
     The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, show illustrative embodiments. The size, shape, and dimensions of the exemplary multiple level containers shown throughout are merely exemplary. In the embodiments shown throughout, the container  100  includes two levels. Embodiments may however, include any number of levels and may include additional linkage assemblies. 
     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.