WO2009007381A1

WO2009007381A1 - Box for disposable cotton buds associated with one or more containers of cosmetic or sanitary products.

Info

Publication number: WO2009007381A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/058876
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pasquale Cocchioni
Original assignee: Diva International Srl
Current assignee: Diva International Srl
Priority date: 2007-07-11
Filing date: 2008-07-08
Publication date: 2009-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-11
Also published as: ITMC20070030U1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a box (1) for disposable cotton buds characterised in that it is associated with one or more containers (5) for cosmetic, hygienic and/or sanitary products in fluid or semifluid state, each of them being provided with a hole (6) used to deeply insert one of the cotton buds inside the corresponding container.

Description

Box for disposable cotton buds associated with one or more containers of cosmetic or sanitary products.

The present patent application for utility model relates to a box for disposable cotton buds associated with one or more containers for cosmetic or sanitary products in fluid or semi-fluid state.

The use of cotton buds (which are largely known with the trade name "Cotton Fioc") has become familiar for a very large number of users.

As it is known, a cotton bud of this type consists in a tubular stem obtained from plastic materials that incorporates corresponding "padding" at two drop-shaped ends made of soft, yet sufficiently compact cotton.

The success of the said cotton buds is related to their great versatility that makes them perfectly suitable for being used for cosmetic operations (for instance, make up retouch), hygienic operations (for instance, ear cleaning) or sanitary operations (for instance, exact application of fluid or semifluid medications in specific points of the human body).

For these reasons, the said cotton buds are used also in households and public structures, such as hospitals, surgeries or toilettes.

The practical use of the said objects, however, has showed a serious inconvenience.

In view of the fact that the said cotton buds are designed to come in contact with very delicate points of the human body (eyes, ears, injuries, abrasions, etc.), they need to be preserved correct in a hygienic, if not sterile, way.

Such a correct preservation would protect users against the risk that the padded end of a dirty, dusted or even infected cotton bud can carry germs or other dangerous agents. The most critical aspect refers to the correct preservation of disposable cotton buds before they are actually used.

As a matter of fact, traditional cotton buds are sold in small plastic boxes where they are maintained in a basically vertical position.

In such a situation, especially in case of a full or almost full container (with a high density of cotton buds), the user must grab it with his/her fingers from the upper padded end in order to extract a single cotton bud from the box

During this operation the user's fingers inevitably come in contact with the other padded ends of the cotton buds situated near the one to be extracted.

Evidently, such an accidental contact may easily get dirty and infect not only the specific cotton bud to be used, but also some of the cotton buds that remain in the box for future use.

The specific purpose of the present invention is to provide a suitable box to store cotton buds in hygienic ordered way, while protecting them against dangerous agents (dust, germs, small insects, etc.), and at the same time "present" them to the potential user in horizontal position behind a suitable slot accessible for the user's fingers.

This special "presentation" mode of the cotton buds allows the user to grab each cotton bud in the central section of the tubular stem, that is to say in a place not covered with cotton and, most of all, not designed to come in contact with the said delicate parts of the human body.

Because of the aforementioned dispensing principle, also the accidental contact of the user's fingers with the other cotton buds that remain in the box of the invention is no longer "dangerous" since it affects the intermediate section of the said cotton buds. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide the box of cotton buds also with one or more containers of medical and/or cosmetic liquids, in which the padded end of each cotton bud is dipped to apply a small dose of the said cosmetic, sanitary or hygienic liqudis on the user's skin.

In such a way, the box immediately and correctly offers not only the aforementioned cotton buds, but also the liquids or fluid substances that are normally administered with the said cotton buds.

Finally, it must be noted that, without leaving the scope of the present inventive idea, a version of the box of the invention designed to contain cotton buds in vertical position can be obtained.

In such a case, the user will have to pay higher attention during the extraction of a single cotton bud, with the great advantage of having the said products in fluid or semifluid state in the said containers for administration with the cotton buds.

For purposes of clarity, the description of the invention continues with reference to the enclosed drawings, which are intended for purposes of illustration only and not in a limiting sense, wherein: - figure 1 and figure 2 are axonometric views of two alternative construction solutions of a first embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively;.

- figure 3 and figure 4 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the first embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively; - figure 5 and figure 6 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the first embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively;

- figure 7 and figure 8 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the first embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively.

- figure 9 and figure 10 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the first embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively.

- figure 1 1 and figure 12 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the first embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively.

- figure 13 and figure 14 are axonometric views of two alternative construction solutions of a second embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively;

- figure 15 and figure 16 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the second embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively.

- figure 17 and figure 18 are axonometric views of two additional alternative - A -

construction solutions of the second embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively.

- figure 19 and figure 20 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the second embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively.

- figure 21 and figure 22 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the second embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively.

- figure 23 and figure 24 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the second embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively.

- figure 25 and figure 26 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the second embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively. - figure 27 and figure 28 are axonometric views of two additional alternative construction solutions of the second embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively.

- figure 29 and figure 30 are axonometric views of two alternative construction solutions of a third embodiment of the box of the invention, respectively; - figure 31 is an axonometric view of a fourth embodiment of the box of the invention.

With reference to figures 1 to 12, the box of the invention (1 ) has a parallelepiped structure with width slighly larger than the height of traditional cotton buds, which is therefore suitable to contain a certain number of cotton buds in horizontal position.

The front wall (1 a) of the box (1 ) is provided near the bottom wall (1 b) with a horizontal slot (2) used to extract the cotton buds loaded inside the internal compartment (V) individually.

In order to facilitate the extraction of the other cotton buds, the said slot (2) is provided on top with a first central notch (3), with basically semicircular section, obtained in the front wall (1 a) of the box of the invention

(1 ) and on the bottom with an equivalent second notch (4) obtained on the bottom wall (1 b).

The presence of the two notches (3, 4) makes it easier for the user's fingers to grab the central section of each cotton bud contained in horizontal position in the compartment (V) and extract the entire cotton bud. With specific reference to figure 1 , the box (1 ) is provided on top with a container (5) with an upper hole (6) that can be closed with a partially removable adhesive tab (7).

The container (5) is designed to contain a cosmetic, hygienic and/or sanitary product in fluid or semifluid state, while the upper hole (6) allows the user to insert the padded end of the cotton bud into the container (5) in order to dip it in the product.

Figure 2 refers to an embodiment of the invention (1 ) provided wiht two different containers, having the same structure as the previous one, although with halved capacity, evidently designed to contain two different products. Figures 3 and 4 show two embodiments of the invention that are basically equivalent to the ones shown in figures 1 and 2, except for the fact that the containers (5A) are associated with the upper horizontal wall (1 d) of the container (1 ) with possibility of being removed.

Figures 5 and 6 show two embodiments of the invention wherein each container (5B) is designed to be mounted in projecting position on top of a lateral wall (1 c) of the container (1 ).

To that end, a rectilinear appendix (8) with L-shaped section projects from the top of the lateral wall (1 c), designed to exactly receive a corresponding appendix (9) with overturned L-shaped section, which projects from the top of a side of the container (5B).

Figures 7 to 12 show the same embodiments of the container (1 ) that are respectively shown in figures 1 to 6, with the only difference that a different solution is used to close the hole (6) provided on top of the containers (5, 5A, 5B). The alternative solution shown in figures 7 to 12 provides for a plug

(1 1 ) hinged with a tab (1 1 a) in the upper horizontal wall of the container.

Figures 13 to 26 refer to different construction solutions of an embodiment of the container of the invention (10) designed to store cotton buds in vertical position.

With reference to figure 13, the box (10) is provided with a series of internal compartments (V1 ), one of them acting as container (50); to that end, the latter is covered on top by a horizontal wall (12) with access hole (6) provided with a closing tab (7).

The compartments (V1 ) used to contain the cotton buds can be accessed from above, it being provided that they are closed in idle position by a common collapsible partition (13) hinged with respect to the back vertical wall of the box (10).

Figure 14 shows a construction solution of the invention wherein two of the internal compartments (V1 ) are designed to act as containers (50).

Figures 15 and 16 show two embodiments of the invention that basically correspond to the ones shown in figures 13 and 14, with the only difference that they are provided with corresponding collapsible partitions (13A) to close the internal compartments (V1 ) from the top.

Figures 17 and 18 show two alternative construction solutions of the embodiment of the invention provided with a single collapsible partition (13) to close all the internal compartments (V1 ) from the top. According to the construction solutions shown in the last two figures, corresponding containers (50B) of the type designed to be mounted in projecting position on top of the lateral wall (10c) of the container (10).

To that end, each lateral wall (10c) is provided on top with a rectilinear appendix (80) with L-shaped section designed to exactly receive the appendix with overturned L-shaped section (90) provided in lateral position with respect to the container (50B).

Figures 19 and 20 show two constructive solutions of the invention that are basically the same as the ones shown in figures 17 and 18, with the only difference that they are provided with specific partitions (13A) to close the internal compartments (V1 ) from the top.

Figures 21 and 22 show two constructive solutions of the invention that correspond to the ones shown in figures 13 and 14, with the only difference that they are provided with plugs (1 1 ) with hinge tabs (1 1 a) to close the holes (6) of the containers (50).

With reference to the only difference, it must be noted that figures 23 and 24 correspond to figures 15 and 16, figures 25 and 26 correspond to figures 17 and 18 and figures 27 and 28 correspond to figures 19 and 20.

Figures 29 and 30 refer to a third embodiment of the box of the invention (100) characterised in that it is provided with a hollow cylindrical structure open on top, with a sort of hollow circular column (500) in central position, designed to act as container for the cosmetic and/or sanitary products, being accessed from above by means of a hole (6).

The internal volume of this embodiment of the box of the invention

(100) is bordered for its entire height by radial partitions (14) that project from the central column (500) and originate corresponding compartments (V2) that can be accessed from above and are designed to contain the cotton buds in vertical position.

The box (100) is closed by means of a corresponding circular cover (15).

With reference to the embodiment of figure 29 the top hole (6) of the column-container (500) is provided with an adhesive tab (7) for closing. With reference to figure 30 the hole (6) is closed by means of a plug

(16) that projects from the centre of the internal wall of the cover (15).

Finally, figure 31 refers to a last embodiment of the invention, wherein the box (1000) is associated with the container (5000) in view of the fact that the two parts are only partially and permanently engaged, side by side, into corresponding housings obtained on the upper side of an ordinary support base (17).

Evidently, the container (5000) is provided on top with a hole (6) provided with suitable closing means.

Claims

1 ) Box for disposable cotton buds characterised in that it is associated with one or more containers (5, 5A, 5B, 50, 5OB, 500, 5000) for cosmetic, hygienic and/or sanitary products, each of them being provided with a hole (6) used to deeply insert one of the cotton buds inside the corresponding container.

2) Box as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the hole (6) of the one or more containers is provided with a closing means (7, 1 1 , 16).

3) Box as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the means used to close the hole (6) of each container consists in a partially removable adhesive tab

(7).

4) Box as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the means used to close the hole (6) of each container consists in a plug (1 1 ) associated with a corresponding hinge tab (1 1 a). 5) Box as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that it has a parallelepiped structure and is provided on the front vertical wall (1 a) near the bottom wall (1 b) with a horizontal slot (2) with width larger than the length of a traditional disposable cotton bud.

6) Box as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the slot (2) is joined on top with a first central notch (3) with basically semicircular section obtained on the front wall (1 a) and on the bottom with a corresponding second notch (4) obtained on the bottom wall (1 b).

7) Box as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the one or more containers (5) are permanently incorporated in the upper horizontal wall (1 d). 8) Box as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the one or more containers (5A) are removably mounted on the upper horizontal wall (1 d).

9) Box as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the one or more containers (5B) are situated in one or both lateral walls (1 b).

10) Box as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that each container (5B) is provided on one of the lateral walls with an overturned L-shaped rectilinear appendix (8) with horizontal direction designed to be matched with a corresponding L-shaped rectilinear appendix (9) provided on the lateral wall (1 c) of the box (1 ).

11 ) Box as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that it has a basically parallelepiped structure and is provided with one or more internal compartments (V1 ) that can be accessed from above to contain the cotton buds; it being provided that the one or more containers (50, 50B) are situated in one or both lateral walls (10c).

12) Box as claimed in claim 1 1 , characterised in that the one or more containers (50) are permanently associated with the lateral walls (10c).

13) Box as claimed in claim 1 1 , characterised in that the one or more containers (50B) are removably associated with the lateral walls (1 Oc).

14) Box as claimed in claim 13, characterised in that each removable container (50B) is provided on one of the lateral walls with an overturned L- shaped rectilinear appendix (80) with horizontal direction designed to be matched with a corresponding L-shaped rectilinear appendix (90) provided on the lateral wall (1 Oc) of the box (10).

15) Box as claimed in claim 1 1 , characterised in that each compartment (V1 ) can be closed with a corresponding collapsible partition (13A).

16) Box as claimed in claim 1 1 , characterised in that the multiple compartments (V1 ) can be closed with a common collapsible upper partition (13A).

17) Box as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that it has a cylindrical structure opened on top, with a cylindrical container (500) in central position for its entire height, from which radial partitions (14) protrude to originate corresponding vertical compartments (V2); it being provided that the box (100) is provided with a suitable cover (15).

18) Box as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that the cover (15) is centrally provided on the lower side with a plug (16) designed to be exactly inserted into the hole (6) provided on top of the cylindrical container (500).

19) Box as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the matching with the corresponding container (5000) is obtained because the box (1000) and the container (5000) are partially and permanently engaged, side by side, inside suitable housings obtained on the upper side of an ordinary support base Ĩ17).