Shock absorber for cosmetic compact

Abstract

A shock absorber member is provided in a cosmetic compact to isolate a pan containing cosmetic product such as a pressed powder foundation, from impacts and vibration that might cause the product to crack or crumble. The shock absorber has at least two arched portions suspending the pan in a clearance in a base of the cosmetic compact. The arched portions are sufficiently resilient to allow the pan to move within the clearance relative to the base. The arched portions prevent shocks, impacts or vibrations from being transmitted to the pan from the base.

1 . A cosmetic compact comprising:
 a pan adapted to contain a solid or semi-solid cosmetic product, the pan having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall;   a base with a clearance dimensioned to receive the pan such that a gap is defined between at least one of the pan bottom and the base and the perimeter wall and the base;   a shock absorbing member adapted to connect the base to the pan, the shock absorbing member having a first arcuate portion extending across the gap, the first arcuate portion positioned along a first axis, and a second arcuate portion extending across the gap, the second arcuate portion positioned along a second axis transverse to the first axis;   wherein each of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion are sufficiently resilient to permit movement of the pan relative to the base within the clearance thereby reducing transmission of shock or vibration from the base to the pan.   
     
     
         2 . The cosmetic compact of  claim 1  wherein the shock absorbing member further comprises a third arcuate portion extending across the gap, the third arcuate portion positioned along the first axis on an opposite side of the pan from the first arcuate portion, and a fourth arcuate portion extending across the gap, the fourth arcuate portion positioned along the second axis on an opposite side of the pan from the second arcuate portion; wherein each of the third arcuate portion and the fourth arcuate portion are sufficiently resilient to permit movement of the pan relative to the base thereby reducing transmission of shock or vibration from the base to the pan. 
     
     
         3 . The cosmetic compact of  claim 1  wherein the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion each form part of a continuous arcuate web that connects the perimeter wall of the pan to the base. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic compact of  claim 3  wherein each of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion are defined within the continuous arcuate web by a pair of slits. 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic compact of  claim 3  wherein each of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion are defined between openings in the continuous arcuate web. 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetic compact of  claim 1  wherein each of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion comprise an arch. 
     
     
         7 . The cosmetic compact of  claim 1  wherein each of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion comprises an inverted arch. 
     
     
         8 . The cosmetic compact of  claim 1  wherein the cross section of each of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion comprises an S curve. 
     
     
         9 . A shock absorbing device for use in a cosmetic compact between a base of the compact and a pan received in the base, the pan adapted to contain a solid or semi-solid cosmetic product, the device comprising:
 an outer plate having a central clearance defined by an inner edge, the outer plate adapted to connect to one of the base or the pan;   an inner plate having an outer edge, the inner plate dimensioned to be received in the central clearance such that a gap is defined between the outer edge of the inner plate and the inner edge of the outer plate, the inner plate adapted to connect to the other of the base or the pan;   a first arcuate portion extending across the gap to connect the outer plate to the inner plate, the first arcuate portion positioned along a first axis; and   a second arcuate portion extending across the gap to connect the outer plate to the inner plate, the second arcuate portion positioned along a second axis transverse to the first axis;   wherein each of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion are sufficiently resilient to permit movement of the inner plate relative to the outer plate thereby reducing transmission of shock or vibration from the base to the pan.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  further comprising a third arcuate portion extending across the gap to connect the outer plate to the inner plate, the third arcuate portion positioned along the first axis on an opposite side of the inner plate from the first arcuate portion, and a fourth arcuate portion extending across the gap to connect the outer plate to the inner plate, the fourth arcuate portion positioned along the second axis on an opposite side of the inner plate from the second arcuate portion; wherein each of the third arcuate portion and the fourth arcuate portion are sufficiently resilient to permit movement of the pan relative to the base thereby reducing transmission of shock or vibration from the base to the pan. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  further comprising a sidewall extending upwardly from a perimeter of the outer plate, the side wall defining a clearance dimensioned to receive the pan containing cosmetic product. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the outer plate and the side wall are adapted to be connected to the pan. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9  further comprising a channel in at least one of the outer plate or the inner plate, the channel dimensioned to accommodate at least a part of one of the first arcuate portion or the second arcuate portion. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9  wherein each of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion comprise a configuration selected from one of a curved arch, an angular arch, a Z shape, an S shape, a wavy shape and a zigzag shape. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9  wherein at least one of the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion is adapted to provide progressive dampening by varying a thickness along a length of the respective arcuate portion. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the outer plate, the inner plate, the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion are integrally formed as a single piece. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the device is formed by molding. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the device is formed by die cutting.