Paste product applicator

Abstract

A paste product applicator comprising: a base (B) forming a receiving housing and a mounting sleeve (B13), a mechanism for axially displacing a mass of paste product, the mechanism being received in the receiving housing, a cover (C) removably mounted on the mounting sleeve (B13), the cover (C) comprising an inner cover element (C1) and an outer cover element (C2) defining an internal space (C0) between them, characterized in that the cover (C) further comprises a first sealing element (C31) interposed between the inner (C1) and outer (C2) cover elements to permanently and hermetically seal the internal space (C0), and a second sealing element (C32) interposed between the cover (C) and the mounting sleeve (B13) to temporarily and hermetically seal the mechanism (M). (See Figure 7 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Paste product applicator

[0001] The present invention relates to a lipstick-type applicator for a paste product, comprising a base forming a receiving housing and a mounting sleeve, as well as a mechanism for axially displacing a mass of paste product, this mechanism being received in the receiving housing. The applicator also includes a cover, which is removably mounted on the mounting sleeve, this cover comprising an inner cover element and an outer cover element defining an internal space between them, which allows thermal insulation of the mechanism, and more particularly the mass of paste product, from the external ambient temperature.

[0002] Such an applicator is, for example, known from document DE9104639U1, which describes a conventional lipstick mechanism housed in an insulated base and covered by an insulated cap. Thermal insulation is achieved with a double wall defining an internal space between them.

[0003] This prior art document does not detail the structure of this base and this hood, both of which are thermally insulated.

[0004] The present invention aims to improve this prior art applicator in terms of sealing of the internal space and also at the contact between the cover and the base, in order to increase the overall thermal insulation of the applicator. Another objective of the invention is to achieve these seals without complicating the manufacturing and assembly process of the applicator.

[0005] To achieve these goals, the invention proposes that the hood further comprise a first sealing element interposed between the internal and external hood elements to permanently and hermetically isolate the internal space and a second sealing element interposed between the hood and the mounting sleeve to temporarily and hermetically isolate the mechanism.

[0006] Advantageously, the first sealing element is radially compressed between the inner and outer hood elements.

[0007] Advantageously, the second sealing element is radially compressed between the hood and the mounting sleeve.

[0008] Preferably, the first sealing element and the second sealing element are made in a single piece in the form of a sealing part, which is preferably made by overmolding.

[0009] According to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the internal hood element may comprise an internal hood body and a lower ring, the lower ring comprising an internal annular wall, the second element The first sealing element is located outside this internal annular wall, while the second sealing element is located inside this internal annular wall. Preferably, the first sealing element is connected to the second sealing element by material bridges that span the internal annular wall.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the mounting sleeve can form at least one snap-in profile and the internal annular wall forms internally an annular snap-in cord which comes into reversible snap-in contact with said at least one snap-in profile, below the second sealing element.

[0011] According to a practical embodiment, the lower ring can form an external annular wall which extends around the internal annular wall so as to form between them an annular housing, the first sealing element being located in this annular housing, the external hood element forming a lower edge which is received in this annular housing, establishing a permanent and airtight seal with the first sealing element and advantageously a definitive snap-fit ​​with the external annular wall.

[0012] Optionally, the sealing piece includes a lower portion extending between the lower ring and the base. This lower portion does not necessarily contribute to the sealing of the applicator, so it may serve a purely aesthetic function.

[0013] The present invention also defines a method for manufacturing the hood, comprising the following successive steps: a) Overmold the sealing piece onto the lower crown, b) Overmold the inner hood body onto the lower crown, and c) Mount the outer hood element onto the lower crown.

[0014] The design of the two-piece inner hood element, namely the lower crown and the inner hood body, makes it possible to create all the functionalities of the lower crown, and in particular the snap ring cord and the snap profile for the outer hood element, and also to overmold the sealing piece.

[0015] Advantageously, the inner hood body and the lower crown are made of the same material, advantageously polypropylene. The sealing piece can be made of thermoplastic elastomer and the outer hood element can be made of polyethylene terephthalate (transparent) or polypropylene (opaque).

[0016] The spirit of the invention can be seen in the creation of a double seal, one permanent and the other temporary, preferably radial, with a single piece, which is advantageously overmolded onto a lower ring, onto which the body of the inner cover is then overmolded. The outer cover is finally attached to the ring and fixed in place permanently, for example by irrevocable snap-fitting. reversible.

[0017] The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] In the figures:

[0019] [Fig. 1a] Fig. 1a is a perspective view of a paste product applicator according to the invention in the closed state,

[0020] [Fig.lb] [Fig.lb] is a view similar to that of [Fig.la] in a semi-open state,

[0021] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a vertical cross-sectional view through the applicator of the [Fig.1a],

[0022] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a highly enlarged cut-out perspective view of the base of the applicator according to the invention,

[0023] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is an exploded perspective view of the applicator mechanism of the invention,

[0024] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a cut-out and exploded perspective view of the hood of the applicator of the invention,

[0025] [Fig. 6] [Fig. 6] is a highly enlarged perspective view of the crown of the hood of the applicator of the invention, and

[0026] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a highly enlarged cut-out perspective view showing a detail of the hood and base of the applicator of the invention.

[0027] The paste product applicator of the invention has a general design similar to a conventional lipstick tube. Indeed, it comprises three essential components: a base B, a mechanism M, and a cap C. The mechanism M is received in the base B, and the cap C is mounted around the mechanism M on the base B. Figures 1a and 1b show the applicator respectively in its closed state, revealing only the base B and the cap C, and in its semi-open state, also revealing the mechanism M embedded in the base B.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a little more detail of the applicator. The base B includes a Receiving housing B10, into which the mechanism M is engaged. The base B also includes a mounting sleeve B13 around which the cover C is engaged, which comprises an inner cover element C1 and an outer cover element C2 defining an internal space C0 between them. The mechanism M includes a mass of paste product M6 which is axially displaceable by rotation of a part of the mechanism M, in a manner entirely conventional for a lipstick mechanism.

[0029] Figure 3 shows the base B which comprises two constituent elements, namely a base body B1 and an outer casing B2. The base body B1 can be made by injection / molding of suitable plastic material, while the casing B2 The base body B1 can be made either by injection / molding of a suitable plastic material or from metal. Other materials are not excluded. The base body B1 includes a cup B11 which internally defines the receiving housing B10 for the mechanism M. The bottom of the cup B11 forms engagement profiles B12 for attaching the mechanism M and driving its rotation. The upper end of the cup B11 forms a mounting sleeve B13, which is provided with several snap-fit ​​profiles B14, for example, in the form of outwardly projecting bosses. The base body B1 also forms a skirt B15 which extends concentrically around the cup B11. This skirt B15 includes an annular lip B16, as well as a lower contact section B17.

[0030] The housing B2 is also in the form of a cup, comprising a cylindrical side wall B21 and a flat bottom B22. The cylindrical side wall B21 forms at its upper end a snap-fit ​​profile B26, which cooperates with the lip B16 of the skirt B15. It should be noted that the annular lip 16, which is preferably flexible, also creates a seal between the housing B2 and the base body BL. The cylindrical wall B21 is also held axially by coming into contact with the section B17. Thus, the housing B21 is held in a perfectly stable, sealed, and permanent manner around the skirt B15 of the base body BL.

[0031] The essential features of the base B are the receiving housing B10, the mounting sleeve B13 and the attachment profiles B12. We recall that the purpose of the base B is to receive the mechanism M so as to be able to drive one of these constituent elements in rotation, which causes the axial displacement of the mass of paste product M6.

[0032] Figure 4 shows a non-limiting embodiment of mechanism M that can be used in the context of the applicator of the invention. It should be borne in mind that mechanism M is not a critical element of the present invention: it is sufficient that mechanism M can be received inside the receiving housing B10 of the base B. Thus, in this non-limiting example of Figure 4, mechanism M comprises several constituent elements, namely a sheath M1 that forms two axial longitudinal slots M1, a casing M2 that internally defines a spiral path M22, and a slider M3 that internally defines a receiving space M31 for the mass of paste product (not shown). This slider M3 forms two cam lugs M32 which are engaged both in the spiral path M22 of the envelope M2 and in the longitudinal slots Mil of the sheath ML The mechanism M also includes a base M4 intended to cooperate with the hook profiles B12 of the base B.The mechanism M may also include a cover sleeve M5 engaged around the casing M2. By holding the cover sleeve M5 with one hand and grasping the base M14 with the other hand, a torque can be applied, which has the effect of . Rotating the sheath M1 inside the casing M2 forces the slider M3 to move axially under the combined constraint of the longitudinal slots M1 and the spiral path M22. This is a perfectly conventional design for a standard lipstick mechanism. Instead of this mechanism M, a simpler mechanism can also be used, in which the slider M3 is simply moved manually by the user along a longitudinal slot. This essentially eliminates the casing M2 with its internal spiral path M22. Again, it should be noted that the specific design of the mechanism M is not critical to the present invention. It is sufficient that it be received in the receiving slot B10 of the base B.In the case of the mechanism M in the figures, it can be seen that the cover sleeve M5 protrudes significantly from the base B when the mechanism M is inserted into the receiving housing B10. This allows the user to grasp the cover sleeve M5 with one hand and the base B with the other, thereby applying torque to rotate the sheath M1 inside the casing M2. This results in the axial displacement of the mass of paste product M6 out of the cover sleeve M5.

[0033] Reference will now be made to Figures 5, 6 and 7 to describe in detail the design and manufacture of the cover C which covers the mechanism M and which is removably mounted on the base B. In [Fig. 5], it can be seen that the cover C comprises four constituent elements, namely a lower ring C11, an inner cover body C12, an outer cover element C2 and a sealing piece C3. The lower ring C1 and the inner cover body C12 together form an inner cover element C11. We will see below how this cover element C11 is optimally manufactured. This inner cover element C11 can be made by injection molding of plastic material, in particular polypropylene. The outer cover element C2 can also be made of polypropylene as in Figures 1a1, 1b and 2 or of polyethylene terephthalate as in [Fig. 5].[5], where the external hood element C2 is transparent, thus revealing the internal hood element Cl and partially the sealing piece C3. As for this sealing piece C3, it can be made by injection / molding of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0034] In this hood C, the lower ring C11 can be considered the essential part, since the others are successively mounted on it. Figure 6 shows in more detail the design of this lower ring C11. It comprises, first of all, an internal wall Cl11, which is annular and advantageously cylindrical. Near its lower end, this wall Cl11 forms internally a snap-fit ​​bead Cl12, which projects radially inwards. At its upper edge, the wall Cl11 forms several notches Cl13 which are open upwards. The lower ring Cl also forms an annular plate Cl 14 that extends radially outwards from the annular wall Cl 11 at its locking cord Cl 12. This annular plate Cl 14 includes several through holes Cl 15, which are arranged adjacent to the annular wall Cl 11. These through holes Cl 15 may be aligned with the notches Cl 13. The annular plate Cl 14 also includes several unpinning windows Cl 16, which are formed on the outer periphery of the annular plate Cl 14. These unpinning windows Cl 16 may extend over more than 10 degrees. The lower ring Cl 11 also includes an outer annular wall Cl 17, which extends upwards from the outer periphery of the annular plate Cl 14.Thus, this outer wall Cl 17 extends concentrically around the inner wall Cl 11, so as to define between them and the plate Cl 14 an annular housing Cl 10. The outer wall Cl 17 internally forms several ratcheting segments Cl 18, which project radially inwards. These ratcheting segments Cl 18 are aligned with the unpinning windows Cl 16: indeed, for the formation of these ratcheting segments Cl 18, it is necessary to use a pin that passes through the unpinning windows Cl 16 and which will then be withdrawn through these same windows Cl 16.

[0035] The sealing piece C3 is formed by overmolding onto the lower ring CIL. The sealing piece C3 comprises a first sealing element C31, which is in the form of a substantially cylindrical section, formed on the outside of the inner wall Cl 11, inside the annular housing Cl 10. This is visible in [Fig. 7]. This first sealing element C31 can be said to extend over the entire height of the inner wall Cl 11. The sealing piece C3 also comprises a second sealing element C32, which is formed inside the annular wall Cl 11 above the snap-fit ​​bead Cl 12. This is visible in [Fig. 7]. This second sealing element C32 extends only over approximately one-third to one-half of the height of the inner wall Cl 11.The two sealing elements C31 and C32 are connected to each other by several material bridges C312, which extend through the notches Cl 13 of the lower ring CIL. Thus, the two sealing elements C31 and C32 can be made as a single unit. The sealing piece C3 also includes a base or lower part C33, which extends below the annular plate Cl 14 and the outer wall Cl 17. This is visible in [Fig. 7]. This lower part C33 is connected to the first sealing element C31 by material bridges C313 that pass through the through holes Cl 15 of the annular plate Cl 14. This lower part C33 of the sealing piece C3 is visible from the outside and preferably does not perform a sealing function with the base B.

[0036] Thus, once the sealing piece C3 is overmolded onto the lower ring Cil, Together they constitute an inseparable entity.

[0037] The inner hood body C12 is then overmolded onto the lower ring C11. More precisely, the inner hood body C12 comprises a main shaft C121 of substantially cylindrical shape, which is closed at its upper end by a roof C122. At its lower end, the shaft 121 forms a collar Cl23 that projects radially outwards. The overmolding of the inner hood body C12 onto the lower ring C11 is achieved at this collar C123, which comes into contact with the upper edge of the inner wall Cl11, as can be seen in [Fig. 7]. Advantageously, the same material, such as polypropylene, is chosen for both the lower ring Cl1 and the inner hood body C12, in order to achieve a chemical bond between these two parts. In [Fig.7], we can see that the collar C123 extends just above the first sealing element C31.It can also be said that this first sealing element C131 extends from the collar C123 to the annular plate Cl 14.

[0038] Once the internal hood body C12 is overmolded onto the lower ring Cl1, an internal hood element Cl is obtained that is perfectly one-piece. It should be noted that the sealing piece C3 was previously overmolded onto the lower ring CIL

[0039] The external hood element C2 can then be mounted on this entity consisting of the internal hood element Cl and its sealing piece C3. This external hood element C2 also includes a substantially cylindrical shaft C21 closed at its upper end by a roof C22. The lower end of the shaft forms a snap-on edge or tab C23, which is made with an outwardly oriented snap-on profile, as can be seen in [Fig. 7]. The external hood element C2 is thus engaged around the internal hood body C12 until its snap-on edge C23 is housed in the annular recess Cl 10, as shown in [Fig. 7]. In this final and definitive mounting position, the snap-on profile of the edge 23 is engaged below the snap-on segment Cl 18 formed by the external wall Cl 17. An irreversible fixing is thus achieved.On its inner wall, the heel C23 makes a tight contact with the first sealing element C31, which advantageously forms two sealing ridges. The heel C23 can come into contact with the annular plate Cl 14 or, preferably, the lower end of the barrel C21 makes tight contact with the upper edge of the outer wall Cl 17. In this configuration, it is visible that the first sealing element C31 is compressed radially between the heel C23 and the inner wall Cl 11, without any axial component.

[0040] When the outer hood element C2 is opaque, it does not allow the inner hood body C12 to be seen. On the other hand, when it is transparent, it is possible to see through the internal hood body C12 as well as part of the first sealing element C31.

[0041] All that remains is to mount this cover C onto the base B, which receives the mechanism M. In [Fig. 7], the mechanism M is not shown. However, the interaction between the cover C and the base B can be seen. The inner wall Cl 11 and the second sealing element C32 engage with the mounting sleeve B13, which forms the snap-fit ​​profiles B14. The snap-fit ​​bead Cl 12 of the inner wall Cl 11 is engaged below the snap-fit ​​profiles B14, and the second sealing element C32 is compressed radially against the mounting sleeve B13. It can be seen that the second sealing element C32 is positioned between the lower end of the shaft C121 of the inner cover body C12 and the snap-fit ​​profile B14. Contact is possible between the second sealing element C32 and the snap-fit ​​profile B14. However, it is essential that this second sealing element C32 be compressed radially against the outer wall of the mounting sleeve B13.Contact is not sought between the lower part C33 of the sealing piece C3 and the shoulder of the base B. However, sealing at this point is not excluded.

[0042] It should be noted that two radial seals, one permanent and the other temporary, are achieved using a single sealing piece C3, which is manufactured as a single unit by overmolding onto the lower ring CIL. Although an axial component of the seal is possible, it is not required. The radial seal is primary and predominant. The permanent radial seal between the two cover elements Cl and C2 effectively and permanently isolates the internal space CO, which serves a thermal insulation function. In this respect, the internal space CO can be filled with a gas or, conversely, be empty. The temporary radial seal is achieved between the cover C and the base B at the level of the second sealing element C32. The temporary fastening is achieved between the snap-on profiles B14 and the snap-on cord Cl 12.

[0043] Although more complicated, but nevertheless possible, the lower crown and the inner hood body C12 could be molded as a single piece without overmolding. The sealing piece would then be overmolded onto this original one-piece inner hood element. Preferably, according to the invention, the sealing piece 3 is first overmolded onto the lower crown Cl 1, the inner hood body C12 is then overmolded onto the lower crown Cl 1, and finally the outer hood element C2 is mounted onto the lower crown C1L

[0044] Aesthetically, from the outside, one can see, from bottom to top, the external casing B2, the base body Bl, the lower part C33, the external wall Cl 17, and finally the external cover element C2. As explained previously, depending on its transparency, the internal cover element and the first element will be visible or not. C31 sealing.

[0045] As for the mass of paste-like product M6, it sometimes contains one or more ingredients or components that exhibit high volatility, such as 2-methylundecane, also called isododecane, which is a branched higher alkane with the molecular formula C12H26. This highly volatile component is used in cosmetics for beauty products such as mascaras, eyeshadows, foundations, etc. Thanks to the sealing provided by the second sealing element C32, the evaporation of the volatile component contained in the mass of paste-like product M6 is reduced or slowed down. The second sealing element C32 thus makes it possible both to improve thermal insulation and to reduce volatility. It should be noted that the sealing provided by the annular lip 16 also helps to prevent the evaporation of volatile components.

[0046] Thanks to the invention, using a single sealing piece C3, two seals are achieved, preferably radial, one permanent and the other temporary.

Claims

Demands

1. Paste product applicator comprising: - a base (B) forming a receiving housing (B 10) and a mounting sleeve (B 13), - a mechanism (M) for axially moving a mass of paste product (M6), the mechanism (M) being received in the receiving housing (B 10), - a hood (C) removably mounted on the mounting sleeve (B 13), the hood (C) comprising an internal hood element (Cl) and an external hood element (C2) defining between them an internal space (CO), characterized in that the hood (C) further comprises a first sealing element (C31) interposed between the internal (Cl) and external (C2) hood elements to permanently and hermetically isolate the internal space (CO) and a second sealing element (C32) interposed between the hood (C) and the mounting sleeve (B 13) to temporarily and hermetically isolate the mechanism (M).

2. Paste product applicator according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing element (C31) is radially compressed between the inner (Cl) and outer (C2) hood elements.

3. Paste product applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second sealing element (C32) is radially compressed between the hood (C) and the mounting sleeve (B 13).

4. Paste product applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sealing element (C31) and the second sealing element (C32) are made in a single piece in the form of a sealing part (C3).

5. Paste product applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner hood element (Cl) comprises an inner hood body (C12) and a lower ring (Cl1), the lower ring (Cil) comprising an inner annular wall (Cl11), the first sealing element (C31) being disposed outside this inner annular wall (Cl11), the second sealing element (C32) being disposed inside this inner annular wall (Cl11).

6. Paste product applicator according to claim 5, wherein the first sealing element (C31) is connected to the second sealing element (C32) by material bridges (C312) which pass through the internal annular wall (Cl 11).

7. Paste product applicator according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the mounting sleeve (B 13) forms at least one snap-in profile (B 14) and the internal annular wall (Cl 11) internally forms an annular snap-in bead (Cl 12) which comes into reversible snap-in contact with said at least one snap-in profile (B 14), below the second sealing element (C32).

8. Paste product applicator according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the lower ring (Cil) forms an external annular wall (Cl 17) which extends around the internal annular wall (Cl 11) so as to form between them an annular housing (Cl 10), the first sealing element (C31) being located in this annular housing (Cl 10), the external cap element (C2) forming a lower edge (C23) which is received in this annular housing (Cl 10), establishing a permanent seal with the first sealing element (C31) and advantageously a definitive snap-fit ​​with the external annular wall (Cl 17).

9. Paste product applicator according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the sealing piece (C3) comprises a lower part (C33) which extends between the lower ring (Cl 1) and the base (B).

10. A method for manufacturing the hood (C) according to claim 5, comprising the following successive steps: a) Overmolding the sealing piece (C3) onto the lower ring (Cil), b) Overmolding the inner hood body (C12) onto the lower ring (Cil), and c) Mounting the outer hood element (C2) onto the lower ring (Cil).

11. A manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein the inner hood body (C12) and the lower ring (Cil) are made of the same material, advantageously polypropylene.

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