At a glance
| Patent number | CN206909979U (application CN201720281471) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Replaceable lipstick (可替换式口红) |
| Patent owner | Cheobe Dongguan Package Co., Ltd. |
| Inventors | Xiong Jieping |
| Filing date | 2017-03-21 |
| Grant date | 2018-01-23 |
| Status (China) | In force - no termination recorded; a China utility model lasts at most 10 years from filing (to 2027-03-21) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 9 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN206909979U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a replaceable lipstick made of a core and a removable lipstick assembly. The core has a fork (rotating part plus mounting part), a connecting cup, a first cup, a spiral tube and an aluminum tube. The mounting part has two longitudinal slots with short side slots at both ends in opposite directions; the spiral tube has a helical groove; two lugs on the connecting cup ride in both. The first cup sits in the fork and is removably mounted on the connecting cup. The lipstick assembly has the lipstick, a second cup, an outer cap and a tail cap; the first cup interlocks with the bottom of the tail cap, and the second cup has the same structure as the first.
Claims 2-4 - the step faces and flange that retain the spiral tube and aluminum tube, and an O-ring in a groove on the fork. Claim 5 - two L-shaped blocks with a guide groove inside the connecting cup. Claims 6-10 - further features described in the patent, such as the locking points and ribs on the cups, and the snap fit between outer cap and tail cap.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China. It is still in force in China, so making or selling this design in China would need the owner’s permission while it lasts (at most until 2027-03-21). It has no US or other foreign counterpart and does not restrict the design outside China.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Refillable lipstick cases are a fast-growing area, and large beauty groups and packaging makers have filed US patents and design patents on refill mechanisms; a freedom-to-operate (FTO) review by a US patent attorney should come before tooling, together with a check of design patents on the case shape.
- Fit and feel. The twist torque, the click at the release point and the pod seal depend on tight molding tolerances and must be proven on tooled samples with the actual bullet formula.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Case | Anodized aluminum colors, brushed or polished finish, engraving, magnetic cap |
| Mechanism | Bullet diameter, twist torque, release-point feel |
| Refill pod | Clear or colored cap and tail cap, recyclable mono-material plastics |
| Sizes | Standard, slim and mini bullets |
| Fillings | Lipstick, tinted balm, solid perfume or other stick products |
| Branding | Printing on sleeve and pods, gift boxes, refill cartons |
Things to plan for (US market)
- MoCRA (Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act) - the brand selling the filled lipstick must handle facility registration, product listing and safety substantiation; we supply the packaging and can fill through a qualified filler.
- Toxics in Packaging laws - about 19 states limit lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium in packaging, including the anodized sleeve and colorants.
- FPLA and FDA cosmetic labeling - net quantity, ingredient list and identity statement must fit the pod and the outer carton.
- California Prop 65 - check plastics, metal finishes and inks.
- Recyclability claims - any “recyclable” or “refillable” claim should follow the FTC Green Guides.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - bullet size, case finish, filling and quantity.
- Design - mechanism and pod adapted to your bullet and case look.
- Prototype - working samples for twist feel, release, pod seal and drop tests.
- Pilot run - small batch with filled pods for compatibility and stability checks.
- Production - volume production, decoration, packaging and shipping.
Quantities & timeline
The fork, cups, spiral tube and pod caps need precision multi-cavity injection molds, the sleeve needs aluminum deep-drawing or extrusion plus anodizing, and decoration needs printing or engraving set-up. Most development time goes into tolerances of the slots and the pod snap fit. Send us your bullet size, finish, filling, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
