Cosmetics Dispenser with Automatic Closure

Abstract

A cosmetics dispenser apparatus includes a base containing a reservoir for housing a product and a lid containing an interior tapered cap. The reservoir includes an upper portion containing a shape opening, and the tapered cap ends in a shaped projection that is sized to fit into the shaped opening of the reservoir. A hinge connects the lid and the base and is pivotable relative to the base between an open position in which the product is accessible, and a closed position. In the closed position the lid seals the reservoir by inserting the shaped projection into the shaped opening in the reservoir and by compressing the tapered cap into the upper portion of the reservoir.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a base comprising at least one reservoir for housing a product, wherein an upper portion of the reservoir comprises a shaped opening;   a lid comprising at least one interior tapered cap, wherein the tapered cap ends in a shaped projection sized to fit in the shaped opening of the reservoir; and   a hinge connecting the lid and the base, such that the lid is pivotable relative to the base between:
 i) an open position in which the product is accessible, and 
 ii) a closed position in which the lid simultaneously seals the at least one reservoir by inserting the shaped projection into the shaped opening in the reservoir and compressing the tapered cap into the upper portion of the reservoir. 
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the product comprises a loose powder makeup. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tapered cap comprise an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaped projection comprises an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tapered cap and shaped projection comprise a thermoplastic elastomer. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reservoir comprises four reservoirs and the at least one interior tapered cap comprises four interior tapered caps. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the reservoirs are axially aligned. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tapered cap and the reservoir are substantially circular, substantially square-shaped, or substantially oval-shaped. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shaped projection and the shaped opening are substantially circular, substantially square-shaped, or substantially oval-shaped. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises at least one applicator well for housing an applicator. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises at least one mixing well for mixing product prior to application. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lid further comprises a mirror disposed on an underside of the lid. 
   
   
       13 . A cosmetics dispenser apparatus, comprising:
 a base having a reservoir for housing a first cosmetic product, wherein an upper portion of the reservoir comprises a hard, concave surface tapering into a shaped opening;   a lid coupled to the base, the lid having a cap comprising a convex taper ending in a shaped projection, wherein opening the lid provides accessibility to the first cosmetic product, and wherein closing the lid closes the reservoir by inserting the shaped projection into the shaped opening in the reservoir.   
   
   
       14 . The cosmetics dispenser apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein an interior of the lid comprises a backing supporting the tapered cap, and wherein the tapered cap and shaped projection comprise a thermoplastic elastomer coupled to the backing. 
   
   
       15 . The cosmetics dispenser apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the backing comprises a substantially rigid polypropylene backing. 
   
   
       16 . The cosmetics dispenser apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein closing the lid and thereby inserting the shaped projection comprising a thermoplastic elastomer into the shaped opening in the reservoir creates a seal which closes the reservoir and prevents release of the first cosmetic product housed in the reservoir. 
   
   
       17 . The cosmetics dispenser apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the projection and cap comprise an elastomeric material, and are formed integrally with the lid. 
   
   
       18 . A cosmetics dispenser apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein the lid further comprises two separately openable portions, wherein one portion comprises at least one tapered cap. 
   
   
       19 . A cosmetics dispenser apparatus as in  claim 13 , wherein the base further comprises an open well for housing a second cosmetics product. 
   
   
       20 . A cosmetics dispenser apparatus as in  claim 19 , wherein the second cosmetics product comprises a cosmetic in solid form. 
   
   
       21 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a base comprising a reservoir with a shaped opening;   a lid comprising a tapered cap which ends in a shaped projection, wherein opening the lid provides accessibility to the reservoir through the shaped opening, and wherein closing the lid closes the reservoir by inserting the shaped projection into the shaped opening; and   a loose powder cosmetic product housed in the reservoir and accessible via the shaped opening.   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the tapered cap and shaped projection comprise an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the tapered cap and shaped projection comprise a thermoplastic elastomer. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the base further comprises four axially aligned reservoirs with shaped openings and the lid further comprises four tapered caps ending in shaped projections, the caps being axially aligned and positioned such that opening the lid provides accessibility to the reservoirs thorough the respective shaped openings, and closing the lid closes the each of the reservoirs by inserting the shaped projections into the respective shaped openings. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the base further comprises an applicator well for housing an applicator and a mixing well for mixing product prior to application,
 wherein the tapered cap and shaped projection comprise an elastomeric material, and   wherein each of the tapered cap, the reservoir, the shaped projection, and the shaped opening is substantially circular, substantially square-shaped, or substantially oval-shaped, and   wherein inserting the shaped projection comprising an elastomeric material into the shaped opening in the reservoir creates a seal which closes the reservoir and prevents the release of the makeup product housed in the reservoir.