EP3512373B1

EP3512373B1 - Container assembly for cosmetic formula, kit for forming such a container assembly, and method for using such a kit

Info

Publication number: EP3512373B1
Application number: EP17787967.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marc Lechanoine; Jordan MOLINIE
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2016-09-14
Filing date: 2017-09-12
Publication date: 2021-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-12
Also published as: JP2019530493A; CN109661188B; KR20190038903A; CN109661188A; ES2907715T3; JP7032385B2; WO2018052151A1; EP3512373A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container assembly for a cosmetic formula, and more particularly to a container assembly for a cosmetic formula which is used upon adding a natural material thereto. The present invention also relates to a kit for forming such a container assembly. The present invention further relates to a method for using such a kit.

BACKGROUND ART

In consideration of the utility of Chinese medicine, novel methods for using cosmetic formulas such as a serum have recently been proposed. According to these methods, the cosmetic formula is used upon adding a natural material such as petals, leaves or small pieces thereof, seeds, and the like. A Natural material is provided in a state in which it is immersed in the cosmetic formula so that the active ingredient of the natural material mixes with the cosmetic formula.
However, natural materials tend to clump together in the cosmetic formula or settle at the bottom of the container. Thus, it is difficult to realize a good infusion of the active ingredient of the natural material in the cosmetic formula. It is also difficult to obtain good homogeneity of the mixture consisting of the cosmetic formula and the active ingredient of the natural material.
Furthermore, if the natural material is left in an immersed state in the cosmetic formula over a long period of time, the freshness of the mixture consisting of the cosmetic formula and the active ingredient of the natural material may be lost.
Prior art related to the present invention is disclosed in US 2003/123919 , KR20100012999 , WO 2005/007206 , US 4821630 and in the following publications.
KR20140137270 discloses a container for a cosmetic formula having a two-layer structure. This container is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion with an anti-bacterial filter therebetween, and fruit or the like is accommodated in the lower portion.
KR20100010633 discloses a container including a small water-permeable bag which accommodates an herbal medicine or the like. This bag is disposed in the container through an opening formed in a lid of the container.
KR20130002203 discloses a dropper for a cosmetic formula. In this dropper, a capsule included in the cosmetic formula is smashed by sliding a tube for discharging the cosmetic formula up and down.
CN282505 discloses a tea-filled bottle. A cap of this bottle has, on the inside thereof, a compartment for accommodating tea leaves. The tea leaves can be directly charged into water within the bottle when necessary.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel container assembly for a cosmetic formula and a kit for forming such a container assembly in order to alleviate or eliminate one or more defects of the prior art.
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a container assembly as defined in claim 1.
The present invention further provides a kit for forming a container assembly for a cosmetic as defined in claim 9.
A "cosmetic formula" as used in the present specification is a general term for cosmetic formulas in a liquid or cream state. As a cosmetic formula, mention may be made of, but not limited to, for example, a serum, a liquid foundation, a lotion, an emulsion, a liquid concealer, a hair care product, and the like.
A "natural material" as used in the present specification is a general term for a solid or semi-solid natural material, which includes an active ingredient or is believed to include an active ingredient. As a natural material, mention may be made of, but not limited to, for example, petals, plant leaves or small pieces thereof, plant seeds, honeycomb, small pieces of plant roots, and the like. In the present invention, any other raw material is also included in the meaning of "natural material". These natural materials can have any shape or size as long as they can be retained within the cage so that they do not exit to the outside thereof.
According to the container assembly of the present invention, the natural material is disposed within the main body, which accommodates the cosmetic formula, in a state in which the natural material is accommodated within the cage having the above-described characteristic constitution. Therefore, satisfactory contact between the natural material and the cosmetic formula can be achieved without the natural material clumping together or settling at the bottom of the container. As a result, good infusion of the active ingredient and good homogeneity of the mixture of the active ingredient and the cosmetic formula can be realized. Further, by using the kit of the present invention, a user can immerse the natural material in the cosmetic formula for the first time at the time of using the cosmetic formula. Therefore, the problem of loss of freshness of the mixture of the cosmetic formula and the active ingredient of the natural material, such as when the natural material is left in an immersed state in the cosmetic formula over a long period of time, does not occur.
According to the present invention, the cage includes a cylindrical inner wall portion which is fluid permeable, and a cylindrical outer wall portion which is disposed around the inner wall portion and is fluid permeable. In this case, the natural material is accommodated within a space formed between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container assembly may further include a dispensing device for dispensing the cosmetic formula accommodated within the main body. In this embodiment, the dispensing device may be a pump device including a tube for sucking up the cosmetic formula, and in this case, the tube extends through an inner space enclosed by the inner wall portion of the cage. Alternatively, the dispensing device may be a dropping device including a tube for sucking up the cosmetic formula, and in this case, the tube extends through an inner space enclosed by the inner wall portion of the cage.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main body of the container assembly may be constituted by a flexible material. In this case, the opening of the main body is covered by a covering member having an outlet for discharging the cosmetic formula accommodated within the main body to the outside, and the cosmetic formula can flow to the outlet upon passing through the space of the cage in which the natural material is accommodated when the main body is squeezed. In particular, in this embodiment, the cage may include a cup-shaped casing which is fluid permeable, and a cup-shaped core which is disposed inside the casing and is fluid permeable. In this case, the natural material is accommodated within a space formed between the casing and the core, and the cosmetic material flows to the outlet upon further passing through the inner space of the core when the main body is squeezed. In addition, in this embodiment, the casing and the core may both be substantially conical shaped.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main body and the cage may be disposed coaxially so that a central axis line of the main body and a central axis line of the cage substantially coincide with each other.
The present invention also provides a kit for forming a container assembly for a cosmetic formula as defined in claim 10.
The present invention further provides a method for using this kit, comprising the following steps: accommodating the cartridge within the main body through the opening so that the cartridge extends within the main body and so that the natural material accommodated within the cartridge is immersed in the cosmetic formula; removing the cartridge from the main body after a predetermined time has elapsed since accommodating the cartridge within the main body; and engaging the dispensing device with the main body after the cartridge has been removed from the main body.
According to these aspects of the present invention, the user of the kit can arbitrarily adjust the time during which the natural material is immersed in the cosmetic formula. This allows users to adjust the concentration of an active ingredient to whatever the user likes. Furthermore, these aspects of the present invention are particularly advantageous when using a natural material that is not preferred to be immersed in the cosmetic formula over an extended period of time.
According to the invention, in such a kit, the cartridge comprises a tube for accommodating the natural material, and a cap for closing an opening present at a top end of the tube, and wherein the cap is configured to be able to detachably engage with the top end of the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and representative embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in detail below referring to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container assembly according to the present invention in a state in which the container assembly is assembled.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the container assembly of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section view of the container assembly of FIG. 1 along line X-X.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a container assembly according to the present invention in a state in which the container assembly is assembled.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the container assembly of FIG. 4 in a disassembled state.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section view of the container assembly of FIG. 4 along line Y-Y.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a container assembly according to the present invention in a state in which the container assembly is assembled.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the container assembly of FIG. 7 in a disassembled state.
FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the container assembly of FIG. 7 along line Z-Z.
FIG. 10 is a cross-section view illustrating the container assembly of FIG. 7 in a squeezed state.
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an alternative embodiment of a kit according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 11 along line Ω-Ω in a state in which the natural material is removed for clarity.
FIGS. 13A to 13E schematically show the usage processes of the kit shown in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of a container assembly 10 for a cosmetic formula and a kit for making the container assembly according to the present invention. The container assembly 10 is used to accommodate and dispense a cosmetic formula F, such as a serum. As will be explained in detail below, the container assembly 10 includes: a bottle-shaped main body 100 which accommodates the cosmetic formula F; a cage 110 which is accommodated within the main body 100, and which accommodates therewithin a natural material M, such as small pieces of plant leaves; and a dispensing device 120 for dispensing the cosmetic formula F within the main body 100. The dispensing device 120 is integrated with a shoulder cover 140. The shoulder cover 140 is bonded by screwing to a top end part of the main body 100, and supports the dispensing device 120. As can be understood from FIG. 3, the main body 100 and the cage 110 are disposed coaxially so that a center axis line Li of the main body 100 and a center axis line L₂ of the cage 110 coincide with each other.
FIG. 1 illustrates the container assembly 10 in an assembled state, and this is formed from the first embodiment of the kit according to the present invention. Thus, as can be understood from FIG. 2, the kit includes the main body 100 which accommodates the cosmetic formula F, the cage 110 which accommodates the natural material M, and the dispensing device 120 having the shoulder cover 140.
The main body 100 is made of, for example, glass. The main body 100 has an opening 101 at the top end thereof. The opening 101 is closed excluding a center portion thereof by a lid member to be explained later. The cage 110 which accommodates the natural material M is accommodated within the main body 100 through the opening 101 so as to extend within the main body 100.
The cage 110 is configured to allow the cosmetic formula F to flow into and flow out of a space within the cage 110 so that the cosmetic formula F can contact the natural material M. Further, the cage 110 is configured so as to prevent the natural material M accommodated therewithin from exiting to the outside of the cage 110. In more detail, as can be understood from FIGS. 2 and 3, the cage 110 includes a cylindrical inner wall portion 111 which is fluid permeable, and a cylindrical outer wall portion 112 which is disposed around the inner wall portion 111 and is fluid permeable. The natural material M is accommodated within a space S₁ formed between the inner wall portion 111 and the outer wall portion 112.
In order to achieve fluid permeability, the inner and outer wall portions 111 and 112 both have pores of a size through which the natural material M cannot exit to the outside. Specifically, the inner and outer wall portions 111 and 112 are both elongated mesh parts made of, for example, plastic. The cage 110 is formed by bonding the inner and outer wall portions 111 and 112 to each other at the bottom ends thereof, but the cage 110 may be formed by integral molding. The cage 110 further includes a lid member 113 for sealing the natural material M. FIG. 2 illustrates a disassembled state for the purpose of explanation, but the lid member 113 is bonded to the top ends of the inner and outer wall portions 111 and 112 after the natural material M is accommodated within the space S₁. As can be understood from FIG. 3, the lid member 113 is tightly fitted into an annular recess formed at the opening end of the main body 100, and thereby the cage 110 is supported in a suspended state within the main body 100. An opening 113a is provided in the center of the lid member 113.
The dispensing device 120 is a pump device including a tube 121 for sucking up the cosmetic formula F within the main body 100. In the assembled state, the tube 121 passes through the opening 113a of the lid member 113 and further extends through an inner space S₃ enclosed by the inner wall portion 111 of the cage 110. In order to accomplish this, the opening 113a and the opening at the top end of the inner space S₃ are overlapped on each other. As the pump device, any well-known pump device may be used, and thus detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.
The container assembly 10 may be formed by a user from the kit at the time of use. When the cage 110 which accommodates the natural material M is immersed in the cosmetic formula F by such an operation, the active ingredient included in the natural material M is infused in the cosmetic formula F. The user can then push down the head of the dispensing device 120 to discharge the cosmetic formula F including the active ingredient of the natural material M from the container assembly 10, and apply the cosmetic formula F on a desired area.
In the container assembly 10, the natural material M is retained by the cage 110 which extends within the main body 100, and thus satisfactory contact between the natural material M and the cosmetic formula F can be achieved. As a result, good infusion of the active ingredient and good homogeneity of the mixture of the active ingredient and the cosmetic formula F can be realized. Further, when using the container assembly 10, the cosmetic formula F and the natural material M are contacted with each other for the first time at the time of using the cosmetic formula F. Therefore, a fresh mixture consisting of the cosmetic formula F and the active ingredient of the natural material M can be provided.
FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate a second embodiment of a container assembly 20 for a cosmetic formula and a kit for making the container assembly according to the present invention. The container assembly 20 also includes: a bottle-shaped main body 200 which accommodates the cosmetic formula F; a cage 210 which is accommodated within the main body 200, and which accommodates therewithin a natural material M, such as small pieces of plant leaves; and a dispensing device 220 for dispensing the cosmetic formula F within the main body 200. The dispensing device 220 is integrated with a cap 240. The cap 240 is bonded by screwing to a top end part of the main body 200, and supports the dispensing device 220. As can be understood from FIG. 6, the main body 200 and the cage 210 arc disposed coaxially so that a ccntcr axis line Li of the main body 200 and a center axis line L₂ of the cage 210 coincide with each other.
FIG. 4 illustrates the container assembly 20 in an assembled state, and this is formed from the second embodiment of the kit according to the present invention. Thus, as can be understood from FIG. 5, the kit includes the main body 200 which accommodates the cosmetic formula F, the cage 210 which accommodates the natural material M, and the dispensing device 220 having the cap 240.
The main body 200 is made of, for example, glass. The main body 200 has an opening 201 at the top end thereof. The opening 201 is closed excluding a center portion thereof by a lid member to be explained later. The cage 210 which accommodates the natural material M is accommodated within the main body 200 through the opening 201 so as to extend within the main body 200.
The cage 210 is configured to allow the cosmetic formula F to flow into and flow out of a space within the cage 210 so that the cosmetic formula F can contact the natural material M. Further, the cage 210 is configured so as to prevent the natural material M accommodated therewithin from exiting to the outside of the cage 210. In more detail, as can be understood from FIGS. 5 and 6, the cage 210 includes a cylindrical inner wall portion 211 which is fluid permeable, and a cylindrical outer wall portion 212 which is disposed around the inner wall portion 211 and is fluid permeable. The natural material M is accommodated within a space S₂ formed between the inner wall portion 211 and the outer wall portion 212.
In order to achieve fluid permeability, the inner and outer wall portions 211 and 212 both have pores of a size through which the natural material M cannot exit to the outside. Specifically, the inner and outer wall portions 211 and 212 are both elongated mesh parts made of, for example, plastic which are bonded or integrally molded as explained with regard to the first embodiment. The cage 210 further includes a lid member 213 for sealing the natural material M. FIG. 5 illustrates a disassembled state for the purpose of explanation, but the lid member 213 is bonded to the top ends of the inner and outer wall portions 211 and 212 after the natural material M is accommodated within the space S₂. As can be understood from FIG. 6, the lid member 213 is tightly fitted into an annular recess formed at the opening end of the main body 200, and thereby the cage 210 is supported in a suspended state within the main body 200. An opening 213a is provided in the center of the lid member 213.
The dispensing device 220 is a push button controlled-type dropping device including a tube 221 for sucking up the cosmetic formula F within the main body 200. In the assembled state, the tube 221 passes through the opening 213a of the lid member 213 and further extends through an inner space S₄ enclosed by the inner wall portion 211 of the cage 210. In order to accomplish this, the opening 213a and the opening at the top end of the inner space S₄ are overlapped on each other. As the dropping device, any well-known dropping device may be used, and thus detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.
The container assembly 20 may also be formed from the kit at the time of use. When the cage 210 which accommodates the natural material M is immersed in the cosmetic formula F by such an operation, the active ingredient of the natural material M is infused in the cosmetic formula F. The user subsequently operates the button of the dispensing device 220 in a state in which the tube 221 is immersed in the cosmetic formula F. Thereby, the cosmetic formula F including the active ingredient is sucked up into the tube 221. Thereafter, by operating the button again, the user can extract the cosmetic formula F including the active ingredient onto the hand. Therefore, in the case of the using the container assembly 20, good infusion of the active ingredient and good homogeneity of the mixture of the active ingredient and the cosmetic formula F can be realized. Further, a fresh mixture consisting of the cosmetic formula and the active ingredient of the natural material can be provided.
FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate a third embodiment of a container assembly 30 for a cosmetic formula and a kit for making the container assembly according to the present invention. The container assembly 30 includes: a tube-shaped main body 300 for accommodating the cosmetic formula F; a cage 310 which is accommodated within the main body 300, and which accommodates therewithin a natural material M, such as plant seeds; a covering member 320 which is bonded by screwing to a top end part of the main body 300, and is for sealing the cosmetic formula F; and a cap 330 which is detachably bonded by screwing to the covering member 320. The main body 300 is made of a flexible material, and thus the main body 300 can be deformed by applying a sufficient force against the side surface thereof. As can be understood from FIG. 9, the main body 300 and the cage 310 are disposed coaxially so that a center axis line Li of the main body 300 and a center axis line L₂ of the cage 310 coincide with each other.
FIG. 7 illustrates the container assembly 30 in an assembled state, and this is formed from the third embodiment of the kit according to the present invention. Thus, as can be understood from FIG. 8, the kit includes the main body 300 which accommodates the cosmetic formula F, the cage 310 which accommodates the natural material M, the covering member 320, and the cap 330.
The main body 300 has an opening 301 at the top end thereof. The cage 310 is accommodated within the main body 300 through the opening 301 so as to extend within the main body 300. The opening 301 is ultimately covered by the covering member 320, and the covering member 320 has an outlet 321 for discharging the cosmetic formula F accommodated within the main body 300 to the outside.
As can be understood from FIGS. 8 and 9, the cage 310 includes a cup-shaped, particularly substantially conical shaped, casing 311 which is fluid permeable, and a cup-shaped, particularly substantially conical shaped, core 312 which is disposed inside the casing 311 and is fluid permeable. A prescribed interval is provided between the casing 311 and the core 312, and the natural material M is accommodated within a space S₅ formed between the casing 311 and the core 312. The casing 311 and the core 312 both have pores of a size through which the natural material M cannot exit to the outside. Specifically, the casing 311 and the core 312 are both elongated mesh parts made of, for example, plastic. The cage 310 further includes a lid member 313 for sealing the natural material M. FIG. 8 illustrates a disassembled state for the purpose of explanation, but the lid member 313 is bonded to the top ends of the casing 311 and the core 312 after the natural material M is accommodated within the space S₅. Thereby, the casing 311 and the core 312 are indirectly bonded and their positional relationship is maintained.
As can be understood from FIG. 9, the lid member 313 is tightly fitted into an annular recess formed at the opening end of the main body 300. Further, the top surface of the lid member 313 abuts, for example, through a packing, the bottom surface of the covering member 320 which is bonded by screwing to the main body 300. Thereby, the cage 310 is supported in a suspended state within the main body 300. An opening 313a is provided in the center of the lid member 313. In the assembled state, the outlet 321, the opening 313a, and the opening of an inner space S₆ of the core 312 overlap each other.
In the container assembly 30, by squeezing the main body 300, the user can discharge the cosmetic formula F including the active ingredient of the natural material M to the outside. In more detail, when the main body 300 is squeezed, as shown in FIG. 10, the cosmetic formula F passes through the space S₅ of the cage 310 in which the natural material M is accommodated and then flows to the outlet 321 through the inner space S₆ of the core 312. This means that the cosmetic formula F is made to actively contact the natural material M before being discharged from the container assembly 30. Therefore, in the container assembly 30, an even better mixed state of the cosmetic formula F and the active ingredient of the natural material M can be realized.
FIG. 11 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of a kit according to the present invention, which is used for forming a container assembly 40 for a cosmetic formula F (see FIG. 13E). As is apparent from FIG. 11, the kit denoted by "K" comprises a main body (a container main body) 400 for accommodating the cosmetic formula F, a cartridge (also called an infuser) 410 in which a natural material M is accommodated, and a dispensing (pump) device 420 for dispensing the cosmetic formula F accommodated within the main body 400. In FIG. 11, although the main body 400 and the dispensing device 420 are separated for explanation, they remain coupled at the time of, for example, storage, transportation and sale.
The main body 400 has an opening 401 at a top end thereof. The opening 401 is surrounded by a threaded annular wall 402 which has a smaller diameter than that of the reminder of the main body 400. Similarly to the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the dispensing device 420 is configured to be able to detachably engage with the top end of the main body 400, i.e., the threaded annular wall (also called a neck) 402 of the main body 400.
The cartridge 410 forming the kit K together with the main body 400 and the dispensing device 420 can be accommodated within the main body 400 through the opening 401 so as to extend within the main body 400. The cartridge 410 is configured to be able to detachably engage with the top end of the main body 400, i.e., the threaded annular wall 402 of the main body 400 when the dispensing device 420 does not engage with the top end of the main body 400. In this embodiment, such an engagement is made by screw fastening, but other suitable techniques are also available. The cartridge 410 is also configured to allow the cosmetic formula F to flow into and flow out of a space within the cartridge 410 so that the cosmetic formula F can contact the natural material M. Furthermore, the cartridge 410 is configured so as to prevent the natural material M accommodated within the cartridge 410 from exiting to the outside thereof.
According to the invention, as can be seen from FIG. 12, the cartridge 410 comprises an elongated tube (a cage) 411 for accommodating the natural material M, and a cap 412 for closing an opening 413 present at a top end of the tube 411. The elongated tube 411 is closed at a bottom end thereof and has a large number of pores 414 in an annular wall 415 forming a major part of the tube 411. The diameter of the pores 414 is sufficiently smaller than the average grain diameter (the size) of the natural material M. The pores 414 allow the cosmetic formula F to flow into and flow out of the space within the cartridge 410. The cap 412 forming the cartridge 410 together with the tube 411 comprises an inner annular wall 416 and an outer annular wall 417. The inner annular wall 416 engages with the tube 411, in particular, permanently fits into the opening 413 of the tube 411. On the other hand, the outer annular wall 417 can engage with the top end of the main body 400, i.e., the threaded annular wall 402 of the main body 400. As a result, as described above, a detachable engagement between the cartridge 410 and the main body 400 is possible.
Hereinafter, the method for using the kit K for forming the container assembly 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13E. Typically, as shown in FIG. 13A, the kit K is provided in a state where the dispensing device 420 is engaged with the main body 400 filled with the cosmetic formula F. Therefore, at first, the dispensing device 420 is removed from the main body 400, and instead, the cartridge 410 is accommodated within the main body 400 through the opening 401 thereof as shown in FIG 13B. That is, the cartridge 410 is detachably engaged with the top end of the main body 400. As a result, the cartridge 410 extends within the main body 400 and the natural material M accommodated within the cartridge 410 is immersed in the cosmetic formula F. During this immersion, the active ingredients are extracted from the natural material M as shown in FIG 13C.
After a predetermined time, for example, dependent on the user's preference, has elapsed since accommodating the cartridge 410 within the main body 400, the cartridge 410 is removed from the main body 400 and thereafter, the dispensing device 420 is engaged with the main body 400 once again, as shown in FIG. 13D. As a result, as shown in the FIG. 13E, the container assembly 40 filled with the cosmetic formula F containing the active ingredient extracted from the natural material M is obtained.
In this embodiment, since the user of the kit can arbitrarily adjust the time during which the natural material M is immersed in the cosmetic formula F, it is possible for the user to adjust the concentration of the active ingredients to whatever the user likes.

Claims

A container assembly (10, 20, 30) for a cosmetic formula (F), comprising:
a main body (100, 200, 300) for accommodating the cosmetic formula (F), the main body (100, 200, 300) having an opening (101, 201, 301) at a top end thereof;

a cage (110, 210, 310) which is accommodated within the main body (100, 200, 300) in the opening (101, 201, 301) so as to extend within the main body (100, 200, 300), wherein a natural material (M) is accommodated within the cage (110, 210, 310); and

a lid member (113, 213, 313) which is tightly fitted into an annular recess formed at the opening end of the main body (100, 200, 300), wherein the cage (110, 210, 310) is supported in a suspended state within the main body (100, 200, 300) by the lid member (113, 213, 313),

wherein the cage (110, 210, 310) is configured to allow the cosmetic formula (F) to flow into and flow out of a space within the cage (110, 210, 310) so that the cosmetic formula (F) can contact the natural material (M),

wherein the cage (110, 210, 310) is configured so as to prevent the natural material (M) accommodated therewithin from exiting to the outside of the cage (110, 210, 310),

wherein the cage (110, 210) comprises: a cylindrical inner wall portion (111, 211) which is fluid permeable; and a cylindrical outer wall portion (112, 212) which is disposed around the inner wall portion (111, 211) and is fluid permeable, and

wherein the natural material (M) is accommodated within a space (S1, S2) formed between the inner wall portion (111, 211) and the outer wall portion (112, 212).
The container assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a dispensing device (120, 220) for dispensing the cosmetic formula (F) accommodated within the main body (100, 200).
The container assembly according to claim 2, wherein the dispensing device (120) is a pump device comprising a tube (121) for sucking up the cosmetic formula (F), and the tube (121) extends through an inner space (S₃) enclosed by the inner wall portion (111) of the cage (110).
The container assembly according to claim 2, wherein the dispensing device (220) is a dropping device comprising a tube (221) for sucking up the cosmetic formula (F), and the tube (221) extends through an inner space (S₄) enclosed by the inner wall portion (211) of the cage (210).
The container assembly according to claim 1, wherein the main body (300) is constituted by a flexible material,
the opening (301) of the main body (300) is covered by a covering member (320) having an outlet (321) for discharging the cosmetic formula (F) accommodated within the main body (300) to the outside, and

the cosmetic formula (F) can flow to the outlet (321) upon passing through a space of the cage (310) in which the natural material (M) is accommodated when the main body (300) is squeezed.
The container assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cage (310) comprises a cup-shaped casing (311) which is fluid permeable, and a cup-shaped core (312) which is disposed inside the casing (311) and is fluid permeable, and
the natural material (M) is accommodated within a space (S₅) formed between the casing (311) and the core (312), and the cosmetic material (F) flows to the outlet (321) upon further passing through an inner space (S₆) of the core (312) when the main body (300) is squeezed.
The container assembly according to claim 6, wherein the casing (311) and the core (312) are both substantially conical shaped.
The container assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the main body (100, 200, 300) and the cage (110, 210, 310) are disposed coaxially so that a central axis line (L₁) of the main body (100, 200, 300) and a central axis line (L₂) of the cage (110, 210, 310) substantially coincide with each other.
A kit for forming the container assembly (10, 20, 30) for the cosmetic formula (F) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising at least:
a main body (100, 200, 300) in which the cosmetic formula (F) is accommodated and which has an opening (101, 201, 301) on a top end thereof; and

a cage (110, 210, 310) which can be accommodated within the main body (100, 200, 300) through the opening (101, 201, 301) so as to extend within the main body (100, 200, 300), wherein a natural material (M) is accommodated within the cage (110, 210, 310); and

a lid member (113, 213, 313) which can be tightly fitted into an annular recess formed at the opening end of the main body (100, 200, 300), wherein the cage (110, 210, 310) is to be supported in a suspended state within the main body (100, 200, 300) by the lid member (113, 213, 313), and

wherein the cage (110, 210) comprises: a cylindrical inner wall portion (111, 211) which is fluid permeable; and a cylindrical outer wall portion (112, 212) which is disposed around the inner wall portion (111, 211) and is fluid permeable, and wherein the natural material (M) can be accommodated within a space (S 1, S2) formed between the inner wall portion (111,211) and the outer wall portion (112, 212).
A kit for forming a container assembly (40) for a cosmetic formula (F), comprising:
a main body (400) for accommodating the cosmetic formula (F), the main body (400) having an opening (401) at a top end thereof;

a dispensing device (420) for dispensing the cosmetic formula (F) accommodated within the main body (400), wherein the dispensing device (420) is configured to be able to detachably engage with the top end of the main body (400); and

a cartridge (410) in which a natural material (M) is accommodated, wherein the cartridge (410) can be accommodated within the main body (400) through the opening (401) so as to extend within the main body (400), and wherein the cartridge (410) is configured to be able to detachably engage with the top end of the main body (400) when the dispensing device (420) does not engage with the top end of the main body (400),

wherein the cartridge (410) is configured to allow the cosmetic formula (F) to flow into and flow out of a space within the cartridge (410) so that the cosmetic formula (F) can contact the natural material (M), and wherein the cartridge (410) is further configured so as to prevent the natural material (M) accommodated therewithin from exiting to the outside of the cartridge (410), and

wherein the cartridge (410) comprises a tube (411) for accommodating the natural material (M), and a cap (412) for closing an opening (413) present at a top end of the tube (411), and wherein the cap (412) is configured to be able to detachably engage with the top end of the main body (400), and the cap (412) closes the opening (401) of the main body (400) when it is engaged with the top end of the main body (400).
A method for using the kit according to claim 10, comprising the following steps:
accommodating the cartridge (410) within the main body (400) through the opening (401) so that the cartridge (410) extends within the main body (400) and so that the natural material (M) accommodated within the cartridge (410) is immersed in the cosmetic formula (F);

removing the cartridge (410) from the main body (400) after a predetermined time has elapsed since accommodating the cartridge (410) within the main body (400); and

engaging the dispensing device (420) with the main body (400) after the cartridge (410) has been removed from the main body (400).