JP7787496B2 - Cosmetic container with built-in cosmetic applicator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cosmetic container that stores cosmetics such as lipstick, eye shadow, and blush, as well as applicators that are compatible with the stored cosmetics, such as a lipstick brush, sponge tip, and cheek brush.

Various configurations have been proposed for cosmetic containers that store cosmetics such as lipstick, eye shadow, and blush together with the corresponding cosmetic applicators, such as lipstick brushes, sponge tips, and blush brushes. Among these, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a configuration is known in which a detachable lid is used as part of the cosmetic applicator, thereby miniaturizing the container for easy portability.

The cosmetic case (1) in Patent Document 1 consists of a case body (2) and detachable lids (5a, 5b) from the case body (2). The case body (2) has a cosmetic storage section (3) and a brush storage section (4) connected to it. The cosmetic storage section (3) has brush insertion grooves (8a, 8b) carved from the front end to the top, and recesses (6a, 6b) for storing cosmetics on the bottom of the brush insertion grooves (8a, 8b). The brush storage section (4) has insertion holes (15a, 15b) connected to the brush insertion grooves (8a, 8b). The lids (5a, 5b) are formed with main body parts (10a, 10b) that are inserted into the brush insertion grooves (8a, 8b) of the case body (2) to cover the recessed parts (6a, 6b), and insertion parts (11a, 11b) that have brushes (13a, 13b) attached to the tips of the main body parts (10a, 10b) that are inserted into the brush insertion grooves (8a, 8b) of the case body (2). Protrusions (18a, 18b) are provided on the side walls (17a, 17b) of the brush insertion grooves (8a, 8b) of the case body (2), and engagement holes (20a, 20b) into which the protrusions (18a, 18b) engage are formed in the side walls of the main body parts (10a, 10b) of the lids (5a, 5b), providing engagement means (16a, 16b) for detachably engaging the lids (5a, 5b) with the case body (2).

The cosmetic container of Patent Document 2 consists of a container body (7) and a cosmetic brush holder (9) that serves as a detachable lid for the container body (7). The container body (7) has a long recess (8) extending from the front end on its top surface, a recess (11) formed on the bottom of this recess (8) for accommodating an inner tray (10a) containing cosmetics (10), and an elastic locking piece (18) erected on the front end of the bottom of the recess (8). The cosmetic brush holder (9) is accommodated in the recess (8) of the container body (7). This cosmetic brush holder (9) slidably accommodates brush bristles (19) inside, which protrude and retract from the end of the cosmetic brush holder (9). The front end face of this cosmetic brush holder (9) is provided with a protrusion (23) that engages with the elastic locking piece (18) of the container body (7), serving as a locking means for detachably locking the cosmetic brush holder (9) to the container body (7).

In these configurations, the lid is used as part of the applicator, making it easy to make the cosmetic container itself smaller. The cosmetic container itself also has a prismatic appearance, giving it a simple, clean shape. Furthermore, using the applicator as the lid also helps prevent the applicator from getting lost.

Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-139214 Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 03-111210

However, because the means for locking the container body to the lid uses a convex and concave engagement, i.e., an undercut engagement, an impact is generated along with a snapping sound when the lid is engaged, which poses the risk of damaging the cosmetics contained therein by cracking or chipping them. Furthermore, because the container itself has been made smaller, the gripping area on the lid has also become smaller, making it difficult to disengage. This problem can be solved by providing the container body (7) with a push-button-like operating piece (16) that pushes up the cosmetic brush holder (9), as shown in Patent Document 2, but this makes the container itself more complicated.

The cosmetic container incorporating the cosmetic applicator of the present invention has a lid 4 having an applicator 42 at its end that fits into a container body 2 containing cosmetic 1, and is configured so that the lid 4 can be attached and detached by sliding the lid 4 in one direction. The lid 4 and container body 2 are provided with a hook portion 232 on one side and an engagement groove 413 on the other side that engages with the container body 2 to hold the lid 4 in place when the lid 4 is slid. Magnets 51 and 52 are arranged on the underside of the lid 4 and the top surface of the container body 2, respectively, with their like poles facing each other. When the hook portion 232 and engagement groove 413 engage, the magnet 52 on the lid 4 is shifted from the magnet 51 on the container body 2 in the engagement direction between the hook portion 232 and engagement groove 413, and when the hook portion 232 and engagement groove 413 disengage, the magnet 52 on the lid 4 is positioned shifted from the magnet 51 on the container body 2 in the disengagement direction between the hook portion 232 and engagement groove 413, reversing the repulsive directions P1 and P2 of the magnets 51 and 52.

The present invention relates to a cosmetic container incorporating the above-described cosmetic applicator. When the lid 4 is fitted to the container body 2 and the hook 232 and engagement groove 413 are engaged, the magnet 52 of the lid 4 is positioned offset in the engagement direction relative to the magnet 51 of the container body 1. As a result, the repulsive force P1 of the magnets 51 and 52 acts on the lid 4 in the direction in which the hook 232 and engagement groove 413 engage, further strengthening the engagement between the hook 232 and engagement groove 413. When the lid 4 is slid to disengage the hook 232 and engagement groove 413, the magnet 52 of the lid 4 shifts in the disengagement direction relative to the magnet 51 of the container body 1. As a result, the repulsive force P2 of the magnets 51 and 52 acts on the lid 4 in the direction in which the hook 232 and engagement groove 413 disengage, preventing the lid 4 from re-engaging.

In other words, rather than using a typical undercut engagement structure, the repulsive force P1 of the magnets 51 and 52 is used to maintain the engagement between the lid 4 and the container body 2, so no impact is generated during engagement and there is no adverse effect on the cosmetics 1 contained within the container body 2. Furthermore, when the repulsive force P2 of the magnets 51 and 52 is directed in the direction of disengaging the container body 2 and the lid 4, the repulsive force P2 causes the lid 4 to lift slightly, making it easier to pick up.

In addition, as the lid 4 slides, the direction of displacement between the opposing magnet 52 on the lid 4 and the magnet 51 on the container body 1 reverses, allowing the repulsive forces P1 and P2 of the magnets 51 and 52 to be reversed midway. This allows a simple structure that simply shifts magnets facing the same pole to achieve the same effect as a reversing spring that changes its spring direction depending on the position, using a cam, link, or spring.

1 is a side cross-sectional view of a cosmetic container incorporating a cosmetic applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the lid removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the state of FIG. 1 . 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a cosmetic container incorporating a cosmetic applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention, with the lid fitted thereto. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the state of FIG. 3 . 4 is an explanatory diagram of the cosmetic container incorporating the cosmetic applicator of the embodiment of the present invention when the lid is removed, and is an explanatory diagram of the state of each part at the time of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the lid removal operation of a cosmetic container incorporating a cosmetic applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram of the state of each part when the lid is slid forward from the state shown in FIG. 5. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the cosmetic container incorporating the cosmetic applicator of the present invention during the operation of removing the lid, and is an explanatory diagram of the state of each part when the sliding of the lid is stopped from the state shown in FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the fitting operation of the lid of a cosmetic container incorporating a cosmetic applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram of the state of each part when the lid is placed on the container body. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the fitting operation of the lid of a cosmetic container incorporating a cosmetic applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram of the state of each part when the lid is slid inward from the state shown in FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The cosmetic container of this embodiment is a cosmetic container in which a lid is removably fitted to a container body. As shown in Figure 4, when the lid is fitted to the container body, it forms an integral, elongated, approximately rectangular box. Figures 1 and 2 are a side cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the container body with the lid removed. Figures 3 and 4 are a side cross-sectional view and a perspective view of the container body with the lid fitted.

The container body 2 is rectangular, with a storage dome 21 protruding from the upper surface at the rear in the longitudinal direction. The interior of this storage dome 21 is hollow, with an insertion opening 211 opening in the front sidewall. A storage recess 22 for storing the contents is provided on the upper front surface of the storage dome 21. In this embodiment, the storage recess 22 stores a dish 3 filled with cosmetic material 1. Rail-shaped slide protrusions 23 protrude from the top surface of this storage recess 22 along both longitudinal edges.

This slide protrusion 23 begins at the front end of the container body 2 and ends at the storage dome 21. A hook 231 protrudes from the inner wall of the front end of this slide protrusion 23. The upper end of this hook 231 forms a hook portion 232 that is bent toward the front end. The upper surface of this hook 231 is inclined toward the front end, forming a tapered cam surface 233 with a pointed tip.

The lid 4 consists of a long, thin, roughly plate-shaped lid portion 41 and an applicator 42 connected to the end of the lid portion 41. The lid portion 41 fits onto the top surface of the storage recess 22 of the container body 2, closing the storage recess 22. Recesses 411 that engage with the slide protrusions 23 of the container body 2 are formed on the underside of the lid portion 41 on both longitudinal edges. The engagement between the slide protrusions 23 and the recesses 411 allows the lid 4 to slide back and forth along the longitudinal direction, guided by the slide protrusions 23 of the container body 2.

A guide groove 412 is carved into the underside of the lid 4 at the front end of the inner wall of this recess 411. This guide groove 412 is designed so that when the applicator 42 is inserted into the insertion opening 211 of the storage dome 21 and the recess 411 of the lid 4 engages with the slide protrusion 23 of the container body 2, the hook 231 of the container body 2 enters from below. An engagement groove 413 bent toward the front end is connected to the upper end of the guide groove 412 of the lid 41. When the fitting portion 423 of the applicator 42 is fitted into the insertion opening 211 and the lid 4 closes the container body 2, the hook portion 232 of the hook 231 catches in this engagement groove 413, allowing the lid 4 to remain closed.

This guide groove 412 is connected to an engagement groove 413, allowing the inserted hook 231 to move back and forth within the range in which the hook portion 232 of the hook 231 can engage and disengage with the engagement groove 413 connected to the guide groove 412. The lower end open groove edge 414 of the guide groove 412 widens in a funnel shape, and the open groove edge 414 of the guide groove 412 and the cam surface 233 of the hook 231 allow the hook 231 to abut against the edge of the guide groove 412 and guide it to the insertion position even if it is slightly misaligned when the hook 231 enters the guide groove 412.

When the lid 41 fits onto the top surface of the storage recess 22 of the container body 2, the applicator 42 is inserted through the insertion opening 211 of the container body 2 and stored within the storage dome 21. A fitting 423 that fits into the insertion opening 211 of the container body 2 is provided at the connecting portion between the lid 41 and the applicator 42. The applicator 42 is made by bundling brush bristles 421 with a nozzle 422, and the lid 41 can be used as a handle for the applicator 42.

This sliding along the length of the lid portion 41 acts as a guide for safely inserting and removing the applicator 42 of the lid body 4 into and from the storage dome 21 through the insertion opening 211. This sliding stops when the end of the lid portion 41 abuts against the edge of the insertion opening 211 of the storage dome 21 of the container body 2. At this time, the lid portion 41 covers the storage recess 22 of the container body 2, the fitting portion 423 of the applicator 42 fits into the insertion opening 211, closing off the interior of the storage dome 21, and the lid body 4 covers the top surface of the container body 2.

When the lid 4 is covering the top surface of the container body 2, the outer surfaces of the container body 2 and the lid 4 are nearly flush, forming a single, elongated, roughly rectangular box (see Figure 4). This closure can be released by sliding the lid 102 in the direction opposite the storage dome 106, using the slide protrusion 107 as a guide. Additionally, a finger grip 424 is formed on the top surface of the lid portion 41 of the lid 4 that is exposed to the outside, making it easier to slide the lid 4 in the longitudinal direction.

A magnet 51 is embedded in the upper surface of the front end of the storage recess 22 of the container body 2. This magnet 51 has two poles magnetized at both axial ends, with one pole facing the top surface of the storage recess 22. Furthermore, a magnet 52 is embedded in the underside, front end, of the lid 41. This magnet 52 also has two poles magnetized at both axial ends, with one pole facing the bottom surface of the lid 41. The polarity of the magnet 51 on the top surface of the storage recess 22 of the container body 2 and the polarity of the magnet 52 on the bottom surface of the lid 41 of the lid 4 are the same, so when the lid 4 is fitted to the container body 2, the magnets 51 and 52 face each other, generating a repulsive force.

When the recess 411 of the lid 4 engages with the slide protrusion 23 of the container body 2 and the fitting portion 423 of the applicator 42 fits into the insertion opening 211, closing the container body 2 with the lid 4 (see Figures 5 and 9), the magnet 52 of the lid 4 is shifted backward relative to the magnet 51 of the container body 2. Furthermore, when the lid 4 slides forward and the engagement between the catch portion 232 of the hook 231 of the container body 2 and the engagement groove 413 of the lid 4 is released (see Figures 6 and 8), the magnet 52 of the lid 4 is shifted forward relative to the magnet 51 of the container body 2.

This is the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. Next, the operation of attaching and detaching the lid 4 of a cosmetic container incorporating a cosmetic applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. Figures 5 to 7 are explanatory diagrams showing the state of each part when the lid 4 is removed from the container body 2. Figures 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams showing the state of each part when the lid is fitted. In the figures, P1 and P2 indicate the direction of the repulsive force of the magnets 51 and 52, and F1 to F5 indicate the direction of stress applied to the lid 4.

Figure 5 shows the state in which the recess 411 of the lid 4 engages with the slide protrusion 23 of the container body 2, the applicator 42 is housed in the storage dome 21 through the insertion opening 211, and the fitting portion 423 of the applicator 42 fits into the insertion opening 211, causing the lid 4 to close the container body 2. At this time, the magnet 52 of the lid 4 is shifted toward the back relative to the magnet 51 of the container body 2, so the repulsive force between the magnets 51 and 52 is directed in the direction P1. However, because the hook 231 of the container body 2 is inserted into the guide groove 412 of the lid portion 41 and the hook portion 232 of the hook 231 is hooked into the engagement groove 413 connected to the guide groove 412, the lid 4 can only move horizontally. As a result, the repulsive force P1 acting on the lid 4 acts in the direction F1, in which the lid 4 can move. This direction allows the catch portion 232 of the hook 231 on the lid 4 to engage with the engagement groove 413 on the container body 2, ensuring a more secure closure between the lid 4 and the container body 2.

Figure 6 shows the state in which the lid 4 has been slid forward in the direction F2 from the state in Figure 5 in which the lid 4 is closing the container body 2. When the lid 4 is slid forward, the engagement between the catch portion 232 of the hook 231 of the lid 4 and the engagement groove 413 of the container body 2 is released. At this time, the magnet 52 of the lid 4 shifts forward relative to the magnet 51 of the container body 2 and faces it, reversing the repulsive force in the direction P2. However, because the lid 4 is being held down by the sliding operation, it does not move due to the repulsive force P20.

Figure 7 shows the state in Figure 6 where the sliding operation of the lid 4 has stopped. With nothing holding the lid 4 down, the catch portion 232 of the hook 231 is no longer caught in the engagement groove 413 of the container body 2 and is now free. As a result, the repulsive force P2 of the magnets 51 and 52 pushes the lid 4 up in the direction F3, causing the lid 102 to rise slightly. This lift makes it easier to remove the lid 4. At this time, because the lid 4 is pushed up in the direction that releases the catch between the catch portion 232 and the engagement groove 413, the catch portion 232 and the engaging protrusion 120 will not get caught again, making it impossible to remove.

Figure 8 shows the state in which, after use, the applicator 42 on the lid 4 is engaged with the slide protrusion 23 on the container body 2 in the recess 411 of the lid 41, the applicator 42 is inserted into the storage dome 21 through the insertion opening 211, the lid 41 covers the storage recess 22, and the lid is closed in the direction F4 against the repulsive force P2 of the magnets 51 and 52. At this time, the lid 4 abuts against the container body 2 while being shifted forward.

Figure 9 shows the state in which the lid 4 has been slid in the F5 direction from the state shown in Figure 8. At this time, the engagement groove 413 of the lid 4 engages with the hook portion 232 of the container body 2. At the same time, the fitting portion 423 of the lid 4 engages with the insertion opening 211 of the storage dome 21 of the container body 2, and the lid 4 closes the top surface of the container body 2. At this time, the magnet 52 of the lid 4 moves backward relative to the magnet 51 of the container body 2, causing a misalignment, and the repulsive force between the magnets 51 and 52 reverses to the P1 direction. However, because the hook 231 of the container body 2 enters the guide groove 412 of the lid portion 41 and the hook portion 232 of the hook 231 engages with the engagement groove 413 connected to the guide groove 412, the lid 4 can only move horizontally. As a result, the repulsive force P1 acting on the lid 4 acts in the F5 direction, which is the direction in which the lid 4 can move. This direction allows the catch portion 232 of the hook 231 on the lid 4 to engage with the engagement groove 413 on the container body 2, ensuring a more secure closure between the lid 4 and the container body 2.

The above describes a cosmetic container incorporating a cosmetic applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the cosmetic container incorporating a cosmetic applicator according to the embodiment, the lid 4 is provided with an applicator 42 consisting of brush bristles 421 bound together by a nozzle 422. However, cosmetic applicators such as sponge tips and twisted brushes can also be used, and any other shape, such as a spatula or spoon, can be used.

Furthermore, the arrangement of the hook portion 232 of the container body 2 and the engagement groove 413 of the lid body 4, which hook together to close the container body 2 and the lid body 4, can be reversed. Similarly, the cam surface 233 provided on the hook portion 232 can also be provided on the guide groove 412 of the lid body 4.

The magnet 51 on the container body 2 and the magnet 52 on the lid 4 can be arranged with like poles facing each other, either north poles or south poles. Furthermore, in addition to the magnets 51 and 52 with two poles magnetized on the axial ends described in the examples, magnets with two poles magnetized on one side can also be used by arranging the magnets perpendicular to the sliding axis of the lid 4, with both poles straddling the sliding axis, and with opposite poles facing each other, thereby utilizing the repulsive force. Note that common magnets such as alnico magnets, ferrite magnets, neodymium magnets, and samarium-cobalt magnets can be used.

As described above, in the present invention, the direction of misalignment between the opposing magnets (magnet 51 on container body 2 and magnet 52 on lid 4) changes direction midway as the lid 4 slides, so the direction of the repulsive force of magnets 51, 52 can be reversed midway, and the sliding member is used like a reversing spring, where the spring direction changes midway. In other words, the repulsive force of magnets 51, 52 can be controlled by setting the direction of the repulsive force depending on the direction of misalignment between the opposing magnets 51, 52, the inclination relative to the axis of the repulsive direction depending on the amount of misalignment between the opposing magnets 51, 52, and the strength of the repulsive force depending on the distance between the opposing magnets 51, 52.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Cosmetic material 2 Container body 4 Lid 42 Applicator 51 Magnet 52 Magnet 232 Hook portion 413 Engagement groove P Magnet repulsion direction

Claims (1)

The lid (4), which has an applicator (42) at its end, fits into the container body (2) containing the cosmetic (1), and the lid (4) can be attached and detached by sliding the lid (4) in one direction. The lid (4) and the container body (2) are provided with a hook (232) on one side and an engagement groove (413) on the other side, which engage with the container body (2) to hold the lid (4) in place when the lid (4) is slid. Magnets (51, 52) are arranged on the top surfaces of the lid (4) and the container body (2), respectively, with the same poles facing each other. The magnets (51, 52) are: A cosmetic container incorporating a cosmetic applicator, characterized in that when the hook portion (232) and engagement groove (413) engage, the magnet (52) of the lid (4) is displaced from the magnet (51) of the container body (2) in the engagement direction of the hook portion (232) and engagement groove (413), and when the engagement between the hook portion (232) and engagement groove (413) is released, the magnet (52) of the lid (4) is positioned displaced from the magnet (51) of the container body (2) in the disengagement direction of the hook portion (232) and engagement groove (413), reversing the repulsive directions (P1, P2) of the magnets (51, 52).