Particularly easy-to-produce cosmetic units

Abstract

A preform (1) for a cosmetic unit to be filled with a cosmetic substance has a container part (3) which is preferably formed as a tube (3a), which is open on the lower side and is dimensioned so that after filling with the cosmetic substance (K) to be stored by the tube, it can be closed by welding without being affected by the cosmetic substance (K) and then forms a complete cosmetic container, the container part (3) providing an opening (12) on the upper side to be removed subsequently, and an applicator part, which applicator part consists of at least a rod (5) equipped with or capable of being equipped with an applicator element (2), the rod (5) of the preform (1) being partially arranged on the inner side of the container part (3) and partially protruding outwards through the opening (12) to be removed subsequently, wherein the rod (5) is connected to the inner edge of the opening (12) to be removed subsequently via a thin material bridge (8), so that the thin material bridge tightly closes the opening to be removed subsequently, and the rod (5) and the container part (3) are an integral one-piece component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Claim 1 relates to a preform for particularly simple and rational production of a cosmetic unit and to a cosmetic unit produced therefrom. Furthermore, a corresponding method is described which can be claimed when the time comes. Background Art

[0002] As competitive pressures increase, there is a growing need to be able to spontaneously communicate to the public at trade fairs the special application experience offered by a new cosmetic product and / or a new cosmetic product applicator. However, anyone who distributes large numbers of free, non-small-fill, saleable cosmetic product units at trade fairs risks clogging up the target market themselves in the first place.

[0003] Another important aspect to consider is cost. In order to save costs, simplified cosmetic units are increasingly being produced for demonstration and testing purposes. These units are designed to provide the same application experience as the original, marketable product used as a model. However, due to their simpler design and lower filling volume, they can be thrown away immediately after testing without guilt.

[0004] Various configurations already exist here.

[0005] For example, there are cosmetic units that are made on the basis of tubular bags. In this type of cosmetic unit, the fixed cosmetic container has been replaced by the tubular bag. A rigid bottle neck has been welded into the tubular bag. A cosmetic applicator of known design with a cap, a stem and an applicator element carried by it is then screwed or snapped onto this bottle neck.

[0006] However, unlike a firm, easy-to-grip bottle, a soft tubular bag is difficult to hold in the hand during use. The user must always be careful that the tubular bag does not collapse accidentally. He or she must also ensure that even in the event of a momentary oversight, too tight pressure is not applied to the tubular bag. Otherwise, the cosmetic substance may accidentally leak and may result in a mess. This is why such tubular bag-based packaging has not received a very high level of public acceptance. Therefore, for the purposes of this discussion, they are not acceptable.

[0007] Alternatively, it has been considered to use a simple tray closed by foil instead of the container. The foil can be easily removed. The applicator and the tray can then be used together like a brush and a palette. In this way, the cosmetic substance stored in the tray can be easily applied without making a mess.

[0008] However, this type of tester has not really caught on either. On the one hand, this is because the tray or its use as a tray creates a completely different application experience - compared to the usual application of cosmetics from rigid bottles that most testers are familiar with. Another reason why the tray has not been accepted is that it is relatively difficult to keep the applicator and the cosmetic substance together in the tray so that the applicator remains clean and free of dirt before the first use. Special and therefore complex precautions must be taken here. This is the only way to ensure that the cosmetic substance is strictly kept in the tray area assigned to it. In any case, the cosmetic substance cannot penetrate into the storage area of ​​the applicator. This is the only way to ensure that the tester can accurately guide the applicator during the test and not accidentally get the cosmetic substance on his fingers. Summary of the invention

[0009] Purpose of the invention

[0010] In view of the above, the present invention is based on the task of creating a cosmetic unit,

[0011] On the one hand, its application behavior deviates as little as possible from known cosmetic units with their rigid bottle-like storage containers,

[0012] On the other hand, it can be produced more efficiently and is therefore more cost-effective.

[0013] Solution according to the invention

[0014] The solution according to the invention is achieved, as stated in claim 1, by using preforms which are transformed into bottle-shaped containers in a subsequent production step.

[0015] The preform forms the basis for producing a cosmetic unit filled with a cosmetic substance. The preform comprises a container section which is open on its side facing away from the opening which is subsequently removed. This portion of the container which is open on the lower side forms a tube - preferably essentially dimensionally stable itself. The dimensions of this tube are designed so that after being filled with the cosmetic substance to be stored by it, it can be tightly sealed by an internal seal without being affected by the cosmetic substance. After closing, the tube forms a complete cosmetic container. Usually no additional parts (such as a separately produced bottle base, which is therefore expensive to install and finally weld to the tube) are required. In most cases, no filler metal is required, i.e., additional material is added during welding to bridge the gap.

[0016] The container part as a part of the preform provides an opening at the top which is removed later. However, the opening which is removed later is still initially airtightly closed and is therefore sealed.

[0017] The preform also comprises an applicator segment. This consists at least of a rod which is equipped or can be equipped with an applicator element. The applicator element is formed by a bristle carrier and bristles (or bristle replacement elements) which usually protrude radially therefrom. The applicator element can be a one-piece applicator element produced by injection molding. Alternatively, a so-called "twisted wire brush" is used.

[0018] The stem of the preform is partially located inside the container portion. It partially protrudes outward through an opening that is later removed.

[0019] The decisive factor is that the rod is connected to the edge of the subsequently removed opening via a thin section, so that it tightly seals the removal opening, but can be separated from its edge without the use of tools - simply by pulling or pressing hard. Before the cosmetic unit is opened, the handle and the container part are an integral one-piece component. Usually, such an integral one-piece component is produced at one time and from a homogenous material by plastic injection molding.

[0020] Such preforms allow a very rational production of the finished cosmetic unit. The applicator element is easy to install, since the initially still open base forms an easily accessible free loading opening - provided that the applicator element has not yet been molded during the injection molding step of forming the preform. Subsequently, the large loading opening allows the cosmetic charge intended for the cosmetic unit to be inserted or even injected in a simple manner. No special tubing is required, which first has to be pushed through the narrow neck of the cosmetic container in order to fill the container with a measured amount of cosmetic substance.

[0021] The tube then only needs to be flattened. Afterwards, it can be sealed by welding "to itself". This completes the cosmetic unit.

[0022] The process according to the invention is simpler than:

[0023] First, the bottles are produced individually.

[0024] Equip the bottle with a separate wiper,

[0025] Fill the bottle through the narrow neck,

[0026] The applicator, also manufactured separately, is then inserted into the bottle together with the bulk of the stem that carries it.

[0027] and screw or snap the applicator onto the bottle.

[0028] And then a dedicated seal is applied to ensure that the contents of the cosmetic unit cannot be unnoticed tampered with before opening.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention

[0030] Starting from the basic idea described in claim 1 , the invention can be further developed or refined step by step, for example in the following summary.

[0031] This is particularly advantageous if the rod is not already connected with its elongated diameter directly to the edge of the opening to be removed later. Instead, the connection is made via a first plate extending radially outwards from the elongated portion of the rod. The plate is usually flat and disc-shaped. It closes the opening to be removed later. This is done by connecting to the inner edge of the opening to be removed later via a thin section. By determining the radial extension of the plate, it is easy to control how large the clear diameter of the opening to be removed later is. This is important, because the clear opening created by tearing off the plate should also serve as a wiper for the finishing of the applicator element formed by the applicator mechanism. Therefore, the clear diameter of the removal opening created by the tearing cannot be too small. On the contrary, it must match exactly the maximum outer diameter shown by the surface of the applicator element.

[0032] It is recommended to form a thin section, by which the rod is connected to the inner edge of the opening to be removed later via a v-shaped circumferential annular groove. Its v-shaped opening faces the inside of the container part. The bottom of the groove is the thinnest point here. A strong notch effect occurs at the bottom of the groove. For this reason, the bottom of the groove can be used as a thin point, which can be broken open with little effort and with good reproducibility.

[0033] Such a V-shaped groove which opens inwards (ie towards the inside of the container part) has the great advantage that after the cosmetic unit has been broken open in the container part, it leaves behind a cone which tapers from the inside of the container part towards the outside. If its diameter is designed correctly, such a cone forms a very effective integrated wiper. It is no longer necessary to press a separate wiper into the bottle neck and fix it there - as is known from classic cosmetic bottles. This saves considerable costs.

[0034] A particularly advantageous option is to equip the handle with a plate whose outer diameter is greater than the maximum clear inner diameter of the removal opening after the rupture. Such a plate is usually a second additional plate. It is then arranged next to the first plate, which seals the removal opening until it is broken. In this case, the diameters of the (possibly second) plate and the removal opening created by the opening match each other. The fit is such that despite the radial overdimensioning of the plate, the plate can still be forced through the removal opening, wherein the removal opening is substantially elastically expanded. This elastic expansion is supported by the conical shape of the removal opening. The second plate then rests from the inside on the inner surface of the container part surrounding the extraction opening. This is the case in any case if it is ensured that forcing the plate into the container generates a permanent elastic force, which tends to push the rod outwards again through the sampling opening.

[0035] Further design possibilities, modes of operation and advantages of the invention result from the following description of preferred design examples using the drawings.

[0036] It is important to note that protection for the methods of manufacture of the present invention will also be claimed in due course. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 An exploded view of an unfilled and unsealed preform and an applicator element combined therewith is shown.

[0038] Figure 2 A cosmetics unit produced with the aid of a preform is shown which is ready for use after opening but has been tightly closed again. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1 Very clearly shown is the preform 1 which forms the basis for producing a ready-to-use cosmetic unit filled with a cosmetic substance, while also providing an applicator element 2 facilitating application.

[0040] Typical materials for the preform 1 are HDPE or high-quality functional plastics, such as those sold under the HYTREL trademark. Alternatively, nylon or similar materials can also be used. Plastics are in any case resistant to cosmetics. Therefore, they are not attacked by cosmetics and the waxes and / or lipids contained therein, or even cause them to swell.

[0041] The preform 1 consists of a container section or part 3 which is open at the bottom. Thus, it has a free loading opening 4 on its underside. In the present case, the main part of the container part 3 is formed by a tube 3a. The tube 3a is preferably substantially dimensionally stable itself. The term "substantially dimensionally stable itself" means that the tube 3a substantially retains its shape as long as no external force is applied to compress the tube 3a. In this respect, the tube 3a is different from a membrane. A membrane is typically almost completely flexible. Therefore, unless its contents or the pressure inside inflate it, it will collapse.

[0042] In the uncompressed state, the cross section of the tube 3a is preferably - at least substantially - circular or oval. The wall thickness of the tube 3a is typically greater than 0.3 mm. In some cases even greater than 0.5 mm.

[0043] The length of the tube 3a in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the rod is chosen to match the filling amount, or vice versa. This ensures that the tube 3a can be compressed and welded at its previously open end even after filling, without squeezing the cosmetic material into the area to be welded and then causing problems during welding. After all, a perfect weld, i.e. a truly tight weld, can only be guaranteed if the area to be welded does not come into contact with the cosmetic substance before welding.

[0044] As can be seen, the rod 5 is connected in one piece with the container part 3. It is recommended that the rod 5 is integrally integrated into the handle 6 on its side outside the container part 3. The handle 6 is typically designed as a flat plate, the plate thickness of which is usually between 3 mm and 10 mm. This avoids material accumulation during cooling, which leads to unsightly collapse of the surface.

[0045] It can be seen that a portion of the rod 5 is from the beginning inside the container part 3 (ie already during the initial forming process). This portion of the rod is generally a larger or longer portion than the other portion of the rod outside the container part 3.

[0046] The special feature here is that the rod together with the container part 3 forms a one-piece, integral preform 1 .

[0047] from Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, the rod 5 here has a first plate 7. This plate 7 extends all around in a radial direction away from the pattern. In the region of its largest outer diameter, the first plate 7 is integrally connected to the container part 3 via a thin material bridge. In other words, it can be said that the container part 3 and the first plate 7 together form an annular groove that is open towards the inside of the container part 3. In this case, it is a V-shaped groove. The bottom of the groove forms a thin section or a thin material bridge. The first plate 7 and the container part 3 are integrally connected to each other as one piece via this thin bridge - as long as the rod 5 and its first plate 7 are not separated from the container part 3 by violent pulling or violent pushing and destruction of the thin bridge.

[0048] from Figure 1 As can be clearly seen in the figure, one inclined side of the v-shaped circular groove is part of the first plate 7. The other inclined side of the v-shaped circular groove on the opposite side is part of the container part 3. After the first plate 7 has been torn off, the inclined sides abut the now freely removed opening of the container part 3. In most cases, each inclined side of the v-shaped groove facing the inside of the container encloses an angle of about 40° to 50° with the longitudinal axis L of the rod 5.

[0049] The removal opening released by tearing off has a maximum clear diameter which is usually - at least in some areas - smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the trim carried by the applicator element 2. As a result, the removal opening released by tearing off acts as a wiper for the trim formed by the individual applicator elements, which are preferably designed as bristles. The wiping effect of the removal opening is substantially supported by the fact that the container part 3 adjoining it forms a cone which narrows from the inside to the outside of the container part 3.

[0050] Figure 2 A ready-to-use cosmetic unit is shown. It can be seen that the cosmetic substance K has been filled through the free loading opening. Compared to the position shown in the figure, the preform is usually upside down.

[0051] The tube 3 is then already compressed in the region of the free loading opening 4. The compression is carried out in such a way that the opposing tube walls come to bear against each other at the outermost end, here the lower end. The tube walls that are in contact with each other are then welded together.

[0052] Figure 2 The cosmetic unit is shown opened.

[0053] It can be seen that the first plate 7 here has been separated from the container part 3 by breaking open the thin material bridge 8. It is easy to see how the cosmetic unit can still be cleanly closed.

[0054] The stem 5 has a second plate 10 on its side facing away from the applicator element 2, i.e. above the first plate 7. This second plate 10 is preferably provided with bevels 11 on both sides. It can be easily seen that the maximum outer diameter of the second plate 10 is in any case greater than the maximum outer diameter of the first plate 7. Due to the elasticity of the material used here, the second plate 10 can still be forced through the removal opening 12 that has become free due to the tearing off of the first plate 7.

[0055] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the applicator mechanism 9 of the applicator element 2 rests on the inside of the container part 3, which is narrowed at the bottom due to the welding. They try to push the rod upwards again. This is unsuccessful. However, this force presses the top side bevel on the second plate 10 against the cone of the wiper in a well-closed manner. This achieves a sufficiently tight connection.

[0056] Instead of using an applicator mechanism to generate the pretensioning force just described, a different spring element which is not shown symbolically here can be used.

[0057] Multifaceted

[0058] In general, for the subsequent patent application, a method for manufacturing a cosmetic unit is also claimed. In any case, the method according to the invention is characterized by the fact that first a preform according to any of claims 1 to 10 is produced, preferably by injection molding, and then (preferably) an applicator element equipped with an applicator mechanism is inserted into the container through the still open bottom of the container and connected to the free end of the rod located there, so that the cosmetic substance to be stored by the container is filled through the still open bottom of the container, so that the segments of the container adjoining the open bottom can now be flattened and placed against each other without contact with the cosmetic product, and then tightly welded together.

[0059] The process can be further refined through already established claims or further disclosure of the specification, and can be done step by step if necessary.

[0060] Reference numerals list

[0061] 1 Preform

[0062] 2 Applicator element

[0063] 3 Container section, sometimes called container segment

[0064] 3a Pipe section

[0065] 4 Free loading openings

[0066] 5

[0067] 6 Handle

[0068] 7 First Board

[0069] 8 Thin sections or bridges of thin material for tearing off

[0070] 9 Applicator mechanism

[0071] 10 Second board

[0072] 11 bevel

[0073] 12 Remove the opening

[0074] L Longitudinal axis of the rod

[0075] K Cosmetic substances.

Claims

1. A preform (1) for a cosmetic unit to be filled with a cosmetic substance, comprising a container part (3), the tube being open on the lower side and being dimensioned so that after being filled with the cosmetic substance (K) to be stored by the tube, it can be closed by welding without being affected by the cosmetic substance (K) and then forming a complete cosmetic container, the container part (3) providing an opening (12) on the upper side which is subsequently removed, and an applicator part which consists at least of a rod (5) which is equipped or can be equipped with an applicator element (2), the rod (5) of the preform (1) being partially arranged on the inside of the container part (3) and partially protruding outwards through the opening (12) which is subsequently removed, wherein The rod (5) is connected to the inner edge of the subsequently removed opening (12) via a thin material bridge (8), so that the thin material bridge tightly closes the subsequently removed opening, and the rod (5) and the container part (3) are an integral one-piece component, wherein the rod (5) has a second plate (10) whose outer diameter is greater than the maximum clear inner diameter of the removal opening (12), wherein the plate (10) and the removal opening (12) cooperate with each other so that the plate (10) can still be forced through the removal opening (12) and then rests sealingly from the inside against the inner surface of the container part (3) surrounding the removal opening (12), Therein, the plate (10) has bevels (11) on its upper and lower sides and ideally extend from the largest outer circumference of the plate (10) to directly adjacent to the rod (5).

2. The preform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The container portion (3) forms a tube (3a).

3. The preform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The rod (5) forms a first plate (7) extending radially outwards, which closes the later-removed opening (12) and is connected to the inner edge of the later-removed opening (12) via a thin material bridge (8).

4. The preform (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The thin material bridge (8) is part of a circumferential annular groove, the opening of the thin material bridge facing the interior of the container part (3).

5. The preform (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The circumferential annular groove is V-shaped.

6. The preform (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that One side wall of the groove is an integral part of the rod (5) or the first plate (7) of the rod, and the other side wall of the groove is an integral part of the container part (3).

7. The preform (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The bottom of the groove is the thin material bridge (8) which allows the user to break open the "ready to use" cosmetic unit by removing the one-piece feature of the stem (5) and the container portion (3).

8. The preform (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The clear diameter of the removal opening (12) created during the opening process is smaller than the outer diameter of the applicator trim, so that the applicator trim is wiped off when passing through the removal opening (12).

9. The preform (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The edge of the removal opening (12) which defines the inner diameter of the removal opening (12) forms a cone which narrows from the inside of the container part (3) towards the outside of the container part.

10. The preform (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The bevel (11) makes an angle of between 30° and 50° with the longitudinal axis (L) of the rod.

11. The preform (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The stem (5) has a coupling for coupling an applicator element (2) equipped with an applicator member, which coupling enables the applicator element (2) to be coupled to the stem through the lower opening of the container part and thus to be permanently fixed to the stem.

12. The preform (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The end of the rod (5) outside the container portion is integrally formed in one piece with the handle (6).

13. The preform (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that The ends of the rod (5) are in the form of plates protruding radially from the rod (5) on two opposite sides.

14. A cosmetic unit having a container filled with a cosmetic composition, into which is inserted an applicator having a stem and an applicator element carried thereby, said applicator tightly sealing said container and said container being tightly welded on its side facing away from an opening for subsequent removal, characterized in that The cosmetic unit comprises a preform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

15. The cosmetic unit of claim 14, wherein: The container portion forms a substantially inherently dimensionally stable tube which has been flattened and welded into itself at its open end.

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