Pouch container insert for a cosmetic package and package made with the same

Abstract

A cosmetic package has a pouch container insert in an outer shell. The pouch container insert includes all of the elements required to make the cosmetic applicator device functional, i.e., a pouch container defining a product storage chamber, a neck member with a passage to the storage chamber, a cap on the neck member to close the passage and an applicator wand extending from the cap through the passage into the storage chamber. In addition, the neck member includes a flange adapted to connect the pouch container to the package outer shell. The flange has outwardly projecting teeth that engage the outer shell to prevent rotation of the insert with respect to the outer shell. The flange may be modified to adapt it to different outer shells. Thus, the insert is adaptable to outer shells having a variety of different shapes and materials. Because the insert includes all of the essential elements of a cosmetic package, it can be manufactured, filled and sealed apart from the outer shell, and subsequently assembled with any one of a variety of outer shells. In addition, the insert may be provided with an elastic annular ring, preferably in the form of an upwardly directed skirt mounted about the wand and positioned at a location along a length of the wand corresponding to a point between first end and the second end of the neck when the cap is engaged on the second end. The ring is sized and biased with respect to the passage such that compression in the chamber is released as the ring is pushed in the passage toward the chamber and a vacuum is generated in the chamber as the ring is withdrawn in the passage away from the chamber. This vacuum causes the pouch container to collapse a predetermined amount each time the wand is withdrawn from the passage.