Improved refillable applicator for cosmetics

Abstract

The invention relates to a refillable applicator (10) for a cosmetic product, the applicator being designed to comprise a cartridge (13) that is movable between an initial position and an ejected position, the applicator (10) comprising: - a case (12) housing the cartridge (13), and - a push button (14) designed to eject the cartridge, the push button (14) being movable between an idle position wherein it is designed to enable the cartridge (13) to be in the initial position in the case, and an ejection position wherein it is designed to eject the cartridge (13) from the case.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of refillable applicators for cosmetics, such as refillable lipsticks or deodorants.

[0002] Typically, refillable applicators comprise a cartridge configured to trap a cosmetic product (see for example WO2007 / 064723). This cartridge is generally arranged in a housing and can be manually ejected by a user, so that it can be replaced by another cartridge. The ejection of such cartridges is, for example, carried out by a user, by applying an axial translation force to the cartridge, upwards or downwards, relative to the housing. Alternatively, the ejection of such cartridges can be carried out by applying an axial translation and rotation force to the cartridge, upwards or downwards, relative to the housing.

[0003] A disadvantage of this type of system is that it can be difficult to eject the cartridge. In addition, the user must directly handle the cartridge in order to eject it and may therefore come into contact with the cosmetic product, which could stain, for example.

[0004] The invention aims to remedy these aforementioned drawbacks by proposing, as an alternative, a refillable applicator for a cosmetic product, configured to comprise a cartridge movable between an initial position and an ejected position, the applicator comprising: a housing for the cartridge, and a push button configured to eject the cartridge, the push button being movable between a rest position in which it is configured to allow the cartridge to be in the initial position in the housing, and an ejection position in which it is configured to eject the cartridge from the housing.

[0005] A cosmetic product means any product intended to be placed in contact with parts of the human body in order to clean them, perfume them, change their appearance, protect them, keep them in good condition or correct body odors, and more particularly solid products.

[0006] In the initial position, the cartridge is configured to be disposed in the housing, and in the ejected position the cartridge is configured to be disposed at least partially outside the housing.

[0007] Thus, the rechargeable applicator according to the invention allows the cartridge to be ejected in order to replace it, in a simple manner while limiting contact with the cartridge and therefore with the cosmetic product.

[0008] The cartridge is configured to hold the cosmetic product. It can also be called a refill.

[0009] The applicator comprises sealing means between the push button and the housing, when the push button is in the rest position and / or when the push button is in the ejection position. Thus, the push button cooperates with the housing in a sealed manner, to allow the ejection of the cartridge.

[0010] This ensures the applicator is watertight. It is preferable for the applicator to be watertight so that no liquid or gas can affect the cosmetic product in the cartridge.

[0011] According to other characteristics of the invention, the applicator of the invention comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics, considered alone or in all possible combinations.

[0012] According to one feature, the push button includes sealing means between the push button and the housing.

[0013] According to one characteristic, the sealing means between the push button and the housing comprise at least one boss arranged on the push button and clamping against the housing, and preferably several bosses.

[0014] According to another characteristic, the sealing means between the push button and the housing comprise a part overmolded on the push button, for example made of elastomer thermoplastic material, clamping against the housing.

[0015] According to one characteristic, the overmolded part comprises at least one boss, and preferably several bosses.

[0016] According to one feature, the applicator has a longitudinal central axis, and the housing comprises an axial tab directed towards the longitudinal central axis, the axial tab being configured to cooperate with the sealing means between the push button and the housing.

[0017] According to one characteristic, the housing includes the sealing means between the push button and the housing.

[0018] According to one characteristic, the applicator has a longitudinal central axis, and the housing comprises an axial tab directed towards the longitudinal central axis, the axial tab comprising the sealing means between the push button and the housing.

[0019] According to one characteristic, the sealing means between the push button and the housing comprise at least one boss arranged on the housing and clamping against the push button, and preferably several bosses.

[0020] According to one characteristic, the sealing means between the push button and the housing comprise a part overmolded on the housing, for example made of elastomer thermoplastic material, comprising at least one boss clamping against the push button, and preferably several bosses.

[0021] According to one feature, the sealing means between the push button and the housing comprise an O-ring disposed between the housing and the push button.

[0022] According to one feature, the applicator comprises a cartridge movable between an initial position in which the cartridge is fixed to the housing, and an ejected position in which the cartridge is detached from the housing.

[0023] Thus, the push button is configured to detach the cartridge from the housing when it is in the eject position, in order to allow the cartridge to be ejected from the housing.

[0024] According to one feature, the cartridge includes clipping means for attaching the cartridge to the housing.

[0025] According to this feature, the push button is configured to unclip the cartridge from the case when it is in the eject position.

[0026] According to one feature, the axial tab of the housing comprises a cavity and the cartridge clipping means comprise a protrusion configured to cooperate with the cavity of the axial tab of the housing, so as to retain the cartridge in the housing.

[0027] According to one feature, the case is made of plastic material. Thus, the case has a certain flexibility.

[0028] According to one feature, the cartridge includes: A ring having a recess configured to include a cosmetic product, A cup movable in axial translation in the recess in order to cause the cosmetic product to come out of the recess or cause the cosmetic product to enter the recess, the cup having a stem with a screw thread, and An insert comprising the clipping means, the insert having a screw thread complementary to the screw thread of the stem of the cup, the ring being movable in rotation relative to the housing and cooperating with the cup in order to drive it in axial translation.

[0029] More particularly, the ring is configured to drive the cup in rotation, and the cup cooperates with the insert, thanks to the complementary screw threads, so as to be driven in axial translation.

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows and on examining the appended figures in which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a schematic view in partial section of a refillable applicator according to one embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] is a partial sectional schematic view of the refillable applicator of the figure 1 , comprising a cartridge and a cover, [ Fig. 3 ] is a partial sectional schematic view of a sealing area of ​​the applicator of the figure 2 , [ Fig. 4 ] is a partial sectional schematic view of the applicator of the figure 2 , the cartridge being in the initial position, [ Fig. 5 ] is a partial sectional schematic view of the applicator of the figure 2 , the cartridge being in the ejected position, [ Fig. 6 ] is a partial sectional schematic view of the applicator cartridge of the figure 2 , [ Fig. 7 ] is a partial sectional schematic view of a refillable applicator according to another embodiment, [ Fig. 8 ] is a schematic view of the applicator push button of the figure 7 .

[0031] In the following description and in the claims, identical, similar or analogous components will be designated by the same reference numerals in order to facilitate the description.

[0032] There figure 1 represents a refillable applicator 10 for cosmetic product, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0033] The refillable applicator 10 is configured to include a cartridge 13 ( figure 6 ). The applicator 10 comprises a housing 12 for the cartridge, and a push button 14 configured to eject the cartridge.

[0034] The push button 14 is movable between a rest position ( figure 4 ), in which it is configured to allow the cartridge 13 to be attached to the housing 12, and an ejection position ( figure 5 ) in which it is configured to eject the cartridge 13 from the housing 12.

[0035] The housing 12 is advantageously configured to cooperate with the push button 14 in a sealed manner, to allow the ejection of the cartridge 13.

[0036] The applicator 10 may comprise sealing means 18 between the push button 14 and the housing 12. The sealing means 18 make it possible to ensure a sealed cooperation between the housing 12 and the push button 14. In this way, the sealing of the applicator 10 is guaranteed. The sealing means are described in more detail with regard to the figure 3 which corresponds to a detailed view of the sealing zone III of the figure 2 .

[0037] As shown by the figures 2 , 4 And 5 , the applicator 10 may comprise a cartridge 13 movable between an initial position ( figure 4 ) in which the cartridge 13 is fixed to the housing 12, and an ejected position ( figure 5 ) in which the cartridge 13 is detached from the housing 12. Thus, the push button 14 is configured to detach the cartridge 13 from the housing 12 when it is in the ejection position, in order to allow the ejection of the cartridge 13 from the housing 12.

[0038] In the initial position, the cartridge 13 is configured to be disposed in the housing 12, and in the ejected position the cartridge 13 is configured to be disposed at least partially outside the housing 12.

[0039] The cartridge 13 is configured to contain a product such as a cosmetic product or a care product, preferably solid. It may also be called a refill.

[0040] As shown more particularly by the figure 3 , the sealing means 18 between the push button 14 and the housing 12 may comprise a boss 24 arranged on the housing 12 and clamping against the push button 14.

[0041] The sealing means 18 between the push button 14 and the housing 12 may comprise several bosses 24 arranged on the housing 12 and clamping against the push button 14. By way of example, the sealing means 18 between the push button 14 and the housing 12 may comprise two bosses 24 arranged on the housing 12 and clamping against the push button 14.

[0042] The sealing means 18 between the push button 14 and the housing 12 may comprise a part 26 overmolded on the housing 12, for example made of elastomeric thermoplastic material, comprising a boss 24 clamping against the push button 14.

[0043] Alternatively, the overmolded part 26 may comprise several bosses 24 which clamp against the push button 14. For example, the overmolded part 26 may comprise two bosses 24 which clamp against the push button 14.

[0044] In a variant not shown, the sealing means 18 between the push button 14 and the housing 12 may comprise an O-ring disposed between the housing 12 and the push button 14.

[0045] The applicator 10 may have a central longitudinal axis A.

[0046] Furthermore, the housing 12 may comprise an axial tab 22 directed towards the longitudinal central axis A. The axial tab 22 may comprise the sealing means 18 between the push button 14 and the housing 12.

[0047] The axial tab 22 may comprise the boss(es) 24 which clamps against the push button 14.

[0048] The axial leg 22 may comprise the overmolded part 26.

[0049] The O-ring, not shown, can be arranged between the axial tab 22 of the housing 12 and the push button 14.

[0050] There figure 6 illustrates the cartridge 13 of the applicator 10 of the figures 2 , 4And 5 .

[0051] The cartridge 13 has an outlet orifice 19 through which the cosmetic product is configured to exit.

[0052] The cartridge 13 may comprise clipping means 20 making it possible to fix the cartridge 13 to the housing 12. The push button 14 is configured to unclip the cartridge 13 from the housing 12 when it is in the ejection position.

[0053] The clipping means 20 can cooperate with the axial tab 22 of the housing 12 to retain the cartridge 13 in the housing 12.

[0054] The axial tab 22 of the housing 12 may comprise a cavity 27, and the clipping means 20 of the cartridge 13 may comprise a protuberance 21 configured to cooperate with the cavity 27 of the axial tab 22 of the housing 12, so as to retain the cartridge 13 in the housing 12.

[0055] Cartridge 13 may include: a ring 28 having a recess 30 configured to include a cosmetic product, a cup 32 movable in axial translation in the recess 30 in order to cause the cosmetic product to come out of the recess or cause the cosmetic product to enter the recess, the cup having a rod 34 with a screw thread, and an insert 36 comprising the clipping means 20 so as to be secured to the housing 12 when the cartridge 13 is in the initial position, the insert 36 having a screw thread complementary to the screw thread of the rod 34 of the cup 32.

[0056] The ring 28 can be movable in rotation relative to the housing 12 and cooperate with the cup 32 in order to drive it in axial translation, as shown in figures 4 And 5 .

[0057] The housing 12 may be made of plastic material. Thus, the housing has a certain flexibility.

[0058] The cartridge may include a cap 38 configured to close the outlet orifice 19 of the cosmetic product.

[0059] Further, the cartridge may include an orifice 39 opposite the outlet orifice 19, and a shutter 40 configured to close the orifice opposite 39.

[0060] The cosmetic product can be poured liquid into the recess 30 of the ring 28 either through the outlet orifice 19 or through the opposite orifice 39. The cosmetic product is then configured to solidify.

[0061] The push button 14 may comprise a housing 42 in which the rod 34 of the cup 32 is configured to be housed. The rod 34 of the cup is free in axial translation in the housing 42.

[0062] The cup 32 may comprise an annular hook 44 configured to cooperate with the ring 28 in order to retain the cup 32 in the cartridge 13, when the cartridge is in the ejection position.

[0063] As shown by the figures 4 And 5 , when ejecting the cartridge 13, the push button 14 pushes the insert 36 so as to release the clipping means 20. In this way, the cartridge 13 is ejected from the housing 12.

[0064] The insert 36 may comprise at least one longitudinal rib 45 configured to cooperate with the push button 14 in order to push the insert 36 so as to release the clipping means 20. The insert 36 may comprise several longitudinal ribs 45. The push button 14 may bear on the rib(s) 45.

[0065] In a variant not shown, the applicator 10 may comprise an application head fixed to the housing 12 opposite the push button. The application head may, for example, comprise a brush or a metal element.

[0066] Furthermore, the applicator 10 may comprise a cover 46 configured to cooperate with the housing 12 in order to close the applicator 10 in a sealed manner.

[0067] The applicator can be tubular.

[0068] There figure 7 represents a refillable applicator 10 for cosmetic product, according to another embodiment of the invention. The applicator 10 is configured to comprise a cartridge 13 as described previously. It comprises a housing 12 for the cartridge 13, and a push button 14' ( figure 8 ) configured to eject cartridge 13.

[0069] Unlike the embodiment of the figure 2 , in this embodiment the sealing means 18 between the push button 14' and the housing 12 may comprise a boss 24' arranged on the push button 14' and clamping against the housing 12.

[0070] The sealing means 18 between the push button 14' and the housing 12 may comprise several bosses 24' arranged on the push button 14' and clamping against the housing 12. By way of example, the sealing means 18 between the push button 14' and the housing 12 may comprise two bosses 24'.

[0071] The sealing means 18 between the push button 14' and the housing 12 may comprise an overmolded part 26' on the push button 14', for example made of elastomeric thermoplastic material, clamping against the housing 12. The overmolded part 26' may comprise at least one boss(es) 24'.

[0072] Furthermore, in the variant according to which the housing 12 comprises an axial lug 22 directed towards the longitudinal central axis A. The boss(es) of the push button 14' can clamp against the axial lug 22. Furthermore, the boss(es) of the overmolded part 26' can clamp against the axial lug 22. The axial lug 22 can be configured to cooperate with the sealing means 18 between the push button 14' and the housing 12.

Claims

1. A refillable applicator (10) for a cosmetic product, configured to include a cartridge (13) movable between an initial position and an ejected position, the applicator (10) including: - a housing case (12) for the cartridge (13), and - a push button (14, 14') configured to eject the cartridge, the push button (14, 14') being movable between a rest position in which it is configured to allow the cartridge (13) to be in the initial position in the case, and an ejection position in which it is configured to eject the cartridge (13) out of the case, characterized in that the applicator includes - sealing means (18) between the push button (14, 14') and the case (12), when the push button (14, 14') is in the rest position and / or when the push button is in the ejection position.

2. The applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the push button (14') comprises the sealing means (18) between the push button (14') and the case (12).

3. The applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the sealing means (18) between the push button (14') and the case (12) include at least one boss (24') disposed on the push button (14') and clampingly bearing against the case (12), and preferably several bosses.

4. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the sealing means (18) between the push button (14') and the case (12) include an overmolded part (26') on the push button (14'), for example made of elastomeric thermoplastic material, clampingly bearing against the case (12).

5. The applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the overmolded part (26') includes at least one boss (24'), and preferably several bosses (24').

6. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the applicator (10) has a longitudinal central axis (A), and the case (12) comprises an axial tab (22) directed towards the longitudinal central axis (A), the axial tab (22) being configured to cooperate with the sealing means (18) between the push button (14') and the case (12).

7. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the case (12) comprises the sealing means (18) between the push button (14) and the case (12).

8. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 or 7, wherein the sealing means (18) between the push button (14) and the case (12) include at least one boss (24) disposed on the case (12) and clampingly bearing against the push button (14), and preferably several bosses.

9. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 or 7, wherein the sealing means (18) between the push button (14) and the case (12) include an overmolded part (26) on the case (12), for example made of elastomeric thermoplastic material, including at least one boss (24) clampingly bearing against the push button (14), and preferably several bosses.

10. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 or 7 to 9, wherein the applicator (10) has a longitudinal central axis (A), and the case (12) comprises an axial tab (22) directed towards the longitudinal central axis (A), the axial tab (22) comprising the sealing means (18) between the push button (14) and the case (12).

11. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing means (18) between the push button (14, 14') and the case (12) comprise an O-ring disposed between the case (12) and the push button (14, 14').

12. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, including a cartridge (13) movable between an initial position in which the cartridge (13) is fastened to the case (12), and an ejected position in which the cartridge (13) is detached from the case (12).

13. The applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the cartridge (13) comprises clipping means (20) making it possible to fasten the cartridge (13) to the case (12).

14. The applicator according to the preceding claim, in combination with any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the axial tab (22) of the case (12) includes a cavity (25) and the clipping means (20) of the cartridge include a protrusion (21) configured to cooperate with the cavity (25) of the axial tab of the case, so as to retain the cartridge in the case (12).

15. The applicator according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the cartridge (13) comprises: - A ring (28) having a recess (30) configured to comprise a cosmetic product, - A cup (32) movable in axial translation in the recess (30) in order to bring the cosmetic product out of the recess (30) or to bring the cosmetic product into the recess (30), the cup having a stem (34) with a thread pitch, and - an insert (36) comprising the clipping means (20), the insert (36) having a thread pitch complementary to the thread pitch of the stem (34) of the cup (32), the ring (28) being movable in rotation relative to the case (12) and cooperating with the cup (32) in order to drive it in axial translation.

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