COSMETIC PRODUCT APPLICATION DEVICE WITH A RETRACTABLE SHEET

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for applying a grape (12) of cosmetic product, having a central axis (A), and comprising: - a base (14) having an external tubular wall (16), an internal cylindrical wall (18) arranged coaxially with the external wall (16); - a tubular sheath (44) received sliding axially between the internal wall (18) and the external wall (16) of the base (14), the sheath (44) having lugs (50) each cooperating with an associated groove (52) of the base (14); - the internal wall (18) of the base (14) and the sheath (44) being made of the same material; characterized in that the sheath (44) has at least three lugs (50) projecting radially towards the central axis (A) from an internal cylindrical face, the grooves (52) being made in an external cylindrical face of the internal wall (18). Figure for the summary: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: COSMETIC PRODUCT APPLICATION DEVICE COMPRISING A RETRACTABLE SHEET Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for applying a cosmetic product, in particular a cosmetic product applicator, having a central axis, said device comprising:

[0002] - a base comprising an external tubular wall and an internal cylindrical wall arranged coaxially to the outer wall and a cup intended to receive the grape, the outer wall, the inner wall and the cup being fixed relative to each other;

[0003] - a tubular sheath received sliding axially between the inner wall and the wall external to the base, the sheath has lugs each cooperating with an associated groove in the base to guide the sliding of the sheath relative to the base between an extreme deployed position in which the grape is fully covered by the sheath and an extreme retracted position in the base in which the grape is at least partially uncovered. Technical background

[0004] Prior art devices of this type used for packaging a cosmetic product, such as a cosmetic stick, particularly but not exclusively for a lipstick or lip balm stick, are known. Such a cosmetic stick will be referred to hereafter and in the claims as a "stick".

[0005] Such application devices comprise a base in which a sheath is mounted to slide between an extended extreme position and a retracted extreme position. The grape is housed in a cup in the base.

[0006] In its fully extended position, the sheath protects the grape by completely covering it. In its fully retracted position, the grape is exposed at least up to the upper limit of the cup.

[0007] To allow a person to see the grapes without having to completely retract the sleeve, it is known to make the sleeve from a transparent material. The person can thus easily see the condition or color of the grapes.

[0008] However, part of the sliding guide elements of the sheath relative to the base are generally supported by the sheath. The aesthetic appearance of the device is degraded when these guide elements are visible through the sheath when the latter is in its fully extended position. Now, in the area In cosmetics, the aesthetic appearance of the application device is a key selection criterion for customers.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable for application devices to be easily recyclable. To achieve this, it is known to make all the components of the application device from the same material so that it is not necessary to separate the components before recycling.

[0010] The sheath sliding control mechanism generally comprises a helical groove cooperating with lugs.

[0011] However, when the sheath sliding control mechanism is made of a single material, particularly a plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate, malfunctions have been observed. Specifically, when a slightly excessive rotational torque is applied to the base, the lugs tend to disengage from the associated helical groove. Such a torque is generally referred to as a stripping torque.

[0012] While such a malfunction was already known, manufacturing the components from a single, relatively flexible material significantly reduced the failure torque compared to devices made from multiple materials. Such malfunctions are likely to damage the image of quality that cosmetic product distributors generally wish to convey.

[0013] There is therefore a need for an application device that is both aesthetic and reliable. Summary of the invention

[0014] The invention proposes a device for applying a cosmetic product, in particular a cosmetic product applicator, having a central axis, said device comprising:

[0015] - a base comprising an external tubular wall, an internal cylindrical wall arranged coaxially to the outer wall and a cup intended to receive the grape, the outer wall, the inner wall and the cup being fixed relative to each other;

[0016] - a tubular sheath received sliding axially between the inner wall and the wall external to the base, the sheath having lugs each cooperating with an associated groove in the base to guide the sliding of the sheath relative to the base between an extreme deployed position in which the grape is fully covered by the sheath and an extreme retracted position in the base in which the grape is at least partially uncovered;

[0017] - the internal wall of the base and the sheath being made of the same material.

[0018] The device according to the invention is characterized in that the sheath comprises at least three lugs projecting radially towards the central axis from an internal cylindrical face, the grooves being made in an external cylindrical face of the internal wall.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, each groove in the base associated with a lug in the sheath has a helical shape, the rotation of the sheath relative to the base causing it to slide between its extreme deployed position and its extreme retracted position in the base.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, each groove in the base associated with a lug in the sheath has a straight shape with axial orientation.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the lugs are distributed regularly around the central axis.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, the sheath has a lower section which is permanently housed in the external cylindrical wall of the base regardless of the position of the sheath, the lugs being carried by said lower section.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the sheath is transparent.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the lugs are captive in the associated groove.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, a radially delimited space between the wall external wall and the internal wall is closed by a lower bottom.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the bottom is made in one piece with the outer wall.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the inner wall is attached and fixed to the bottom of the base.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the inner wall is made in one piece with the cup.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the sheath has at least four lugs distributed regularly around the central axis. Brief description of the figures

[0030] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the reading of the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings described briefly below.

[0031] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an application device made according to the teachings of the invention, with one sheath of the device in an extreme deployed position and the hood removed.

[0032] Fig. 2 is a perspective view which represents the device of Fig. 1 without its cover, the sheath occupying an extreme retracted position.

[0033] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device in Fig. 1.

[0034] Figure 4 is an axial cross-sectional view of the device in Figure 1 in which the The device is closed by its cover, with the sheath occupying its fully deployed extreme position.

[0035] Fig. 5 is an axial cross-sectional view of the device of Fig. 1 in which the hood has been removed, the grape has not been shown and the sheath occupies its extreme retracted position.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting plane 6-6 of Fig. 4.

[0037] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting plane 7-7 of Fig. 4.

[0038] Figure 8 is a perspective view representing the sheath of the device. [Fig.l].

[0039] Fig. 9 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3, which represents a variant embodiment of the invention in which grooves in the sheath have a straight shape with axial orientation. Detailed description of the invention

[0040] By convention, the "axial" direction corresponds in the figures to that of the main axis "A" of the cosmetic product application device (also called mechanism), such as a cosmetic product bullet, in particular a lipstick bullet or lip balm bullet, and the "radial" direction is directed orthogonally to the axial direction by radiating from the main axis.

[0041] A plane orthogonal to the axis "A" will be called a "radial plane" in the rest of the description and in the claims.

[0042] In the detailed description of the figures that follows, the terms "upper" and "lower" or "top" and "bottom" will be used without limitation in reference to the axial direction, the upper part of the device corresponding to that through which the cosmetic product grape exits the device for application.

[0043] Similarly, the terms "outside or external" and "inside or internal" are used with reference to the radial direction, an outside element being radially further away from axis A than an inside element.

[0044] The term "circumferential" is used to designate a direction tangent to a circle centered on the principal axis "A".

[0045] Subsequently, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same reference.

[0046] Figures show a device 10 for applying a cosmetic product. Preferably, the cosmetic product (shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4) is a cosmetic product bullet 12 and, more particularly, the cosmetic product bullet 12 is a lipstick bullet intended to be applied by rubbing, alternatively a lip balm.

[0047] The device 10 is designed to dispense the cosmetic product through at least one rotational movement.

[0048] The device 10 has an axis A, called the principal axis.

[0049] The device 10 comprises at least one first element, hereinafter referred to as base 14, as can be seen in figures 1 to 3.

[0050] As shown in more detail in Figures 4 and 5, the base 14 has an external tubular wall 16 coaxial with the principal axis A. The base 14 further has an internal cylindrical wall 18 arranged coaxially inside the external wall 16. The external wall 16 and the internal wall 18 thus radially define an annular space 19. The external wall 16 and the internal wall 18 are fixed relative to each other.

[0051] At least the annular space 19 of the base 14 is here closed at its lower end by a radial bottom 20.

[0052] By way of non-limiting example, the bottom 20 is here made in one piece with the external wall 16 of the base 14.

[0053] The base 14 further comprises a cup 22 intended to receive the grape 12. The cup 22 thus defines a recess open at the top and closed at the bottom by a radial partition 23. The recess is shaped to receive a lower end segment of the grape 12. To allow the grape 12 to be held firmly, an inner face of the cup 22 is provided with axial ribs 24.

[0054] The cup 22 is here arranged at an upper end of the inner wall 18. The cup 22 is also fixed relative to the inner wall 18.

[0055] In the example shown in the figures, the cupule 22 and the outer wall 16 belong to two separate parts.

[0056] The internal wall 18 is here attached and fixed to the bottom 20 of the base 14.

[0057] The internal wall 18 is here made in one piece with the cup 22. The wall 18 the internal structure has in particular a tubular shape, the upper end of which forms the cupule 22.

[0058] Thus, as shown in [Fig. 2], the base 14 here comprises two distinct parts, namely a first external part 14A comprising the external wall 16 and the base 20, and a second internal part 14B comprising the cup 22 and the internal wall 18. The two parts 14A, 14B are intended to be fixed to each other.

[0059] The internal wall 18 thus has a cylindrical shape having a lower opening delimited by a circular edge 25 at the lower end of the internal wall 16.

[0060] This embodiment is particularly interesting from an industrial point of view since it allows to keep an external part 14A common to several models, only the internal part 14B can be changed to vary the inclination of the grooves or the shape of the cup.

[0061] As an alternative not shown, it is possible to make the base 14 in one piece, or to make the base 14 with a larger number of separate pieces fixed to each other.

[0062] To fix the inner part 14B in the outer part 14A, the outer part 14A has a central tube 26 extending axially from the bottom 20, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The tube 26 is arranged concentrically inside the outer wall 16. The tube 26 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner wall 18 so that the central tube 26 can be inserted axially into the inner wall 18 through a lower opening in the inner part 14B.

[0063] When the inner part 14B is thus inserted into the outer part 14A, the lower end edge 25 of the inner wall 16 is in contact with the bottom 20 of the outer part 14A. In this position, an upper end of the central tube 26 is arranged just below the lower partition 23 of the cup 22.

[0064] The inner part 14B has a central skirt 28 that extends axially downwards from a lower face of the partition 23. The skirt 28 extends concentrically inside the inner wall 18. The skirt 28 is inserted axially into an upper opening of the central tube 26 when the inner part 14B is positioned in the outer part 14A.

[0065] The rotation of the external part 14A relative to the internal part 14B is blocked in both directions around the axis "A" by cooperation between circumferential stops 32A, 32B, 36A, 36B carried by each of said parts 14A, 14B, the stops 32A, 32B, 36A, 36B being eccentric with respect to the axis "A".

[0066] A non-limiting embodiment of such mist features is shown, in particular in Figures 4 to 6. Thus, the central tube 26 of the external part 14A has axial ribs 30 circumferentially delimited by two faces forming first stops 32A, 32B. The central skirt 28 of the internal part 14B has an axial slot 34 opening downwards. The slot 34 is circumferentially delimited by two faces forming second stops 36A, 36B. When the internal part 14B is positioned in the external part 14A, each rib 30 is fitted into the associated slot 34 so that the first stops 32A, 32B cooperate with the second stops 36A, 36B to block the rotation of the internal part 14B in both directions around the axis "A" relative to the external part 14A.

[0067] In addition, the internal part 14B is also axially immobilized relative to the part 14A by elastic snap-fit ​​means.

[0068] According to a non-limiting example of such elastic locking means shown in [Fig. 5], the central skirt 28 of the internal part 14B has, at its junction with the partition 23, at least one notch 38, here two opposing notches 38. The notches 38 are here formed by two windows passing through the tubular skirt 28.

[0069] The central tube 26 of the external part 14A has two opposing axial tabs 40, each with a hook 42 at its free upper end. The hooks 42 of the tabs 40 are designed to be received, by elastic flexing of the tabs 40, into an associated notch 38 in the central skirt 28. The hooks 42 thus allow the internal part 14B to be axially retained within the external part 14A. With the internal part 14B bearing axially against the bottom 20, the internal part 14B is thus completely immobilized axially in both directions relative to the external part 14A.

[0070] The internal part 14B is thus fixed to the external part 14A.

[0071] Furthermore, the application device 10 also includes a tubular sheath 44 which is received radially in the annular space 19 between the inner wall 18 and the outer wall 16 of the base 14, as shown in figures 4 and 5.

[0072] The tubular sheath 44 is controlled by axial sliding between an extreme deployed position in which the grape 12 is entirely covered by the sheath 44, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, and an extreme retracted position in the base 14 in which the grape is at least partially uncovered, as shown in Figures 2 and 5.

[0073] As shown in [Fig.4], in the fully deployed extreme position, a lower end section 46 of the sheath 44 remains housed in the space 19, while an upper end edge 48 of the sheath 44 extends over an upper end of the grape in order to protect the entire grape.

[0074] In the retracted extreme position, the lower end section 46 of the sheath 44 is against the bottom 20 of the base 14. The upper end edge 48 of the sheath 44 is advantageously arranged substantially at the same level as the upper end of the cup 22, in order to expose the entire grape 12 protruding out of the cup 22.

[0075] To control its sliding motion, the sleeve 44 has lugs 50, each of which cooperates with an associated helical groove 52 in the base 14. Rotation of the sleeve 44 relative to the base 14 thus causes it to slide between its two extreme positions. The sleeve 44 can, of course, occupy all intermediate positions between its two extreme positions. The lugs 50 are here formed as a single piece with the sleeve 44.

[0076] More specifically, the sheath 44 has at least three lugs 50 projecting radially towards the central axis from an internal cylindrical face. The helical grooves 52, in the same number as the lugs 50, are formed in an external cylindrical face of the internal wall 18. This arrangement with at least three lugs 50 provides a much more stable hold of the sheath 44 relative to the base 14, regardless of its position.

[0077] Furthermore, when the sheath 44 and the inner wall 18 are made of the same plastic material, for example polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polypropylene (PP), having at least three lugs 50 reduces the force applied by each lug 50 on the associated groove 52. As a result, the stripping torque is increased even when the lugs 50 and the inner wall 18 are made of a relatively flexible material such as PP or PET.

[0078] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the sheath 44 here has four lugs 50.

[0079] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, the lugs 50 are regularly distributed around the central axis "A". They are arranged in the same radial plane.

[0080] The lugs 50 are arranged only on the lower end section 46, which remains permanently housed in the outer wall 16. Thus, the upper end section 54 of the sheath 44, which protrudes axially beyond the outer wall 16 in the fully deployed position of the sheath 44, does not have any element for guiding or controlling the sliding of the sheath 44 relative to the base 14.

[0081] This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the sheath 44 is transparent. Indeed, a user never sees the lugs 50 in transparency since they are permanently masked by the outer wall 16 of the base 14.

[0082] The lugs 50 are captive in the associated helical groove 52. For this purpose, the upper end of the grooves 52 is axially closed. In the fully extended position, the lugs 50 are thus abutted against the upper end of the grooves 52.

[0083] Furthermore, to ensure that the sheath 44 remains in a selected position between its fully extended and fully retracted positions, the lower end section 46 is provided with friction pads 56 against an internal cylindrical face of the outer wall 16. These pads 56 are two in number and are arranged diametrically opposite. Each pad 56 is supported by an elastically flexible tab 58 formed in the lower end section 46 of the sheath 44, as shown in [Fig. 8].

[0084] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 4, when the sheath 44 is in its fully extended position, it is preferable to be able to close the device 10 with a cover 60 to prevent contamination of the grape 12 with cosmetic product. In this regard, the removable cover 60 is intended to be fixed directly to the outer wall 16 of the base 14 when the device 10 is not in use.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the outer wall 16 has an upper end section having means on its outer face 16 for attaching the cover 60, for example by fitting it into a boss 62 of the outer wall 16. The outer wall 16 more particularly has an upward-facing shoulder face 64 against which an annular edge 66 at the lower end of the hood 60 is intended to come to rest in the mounted position, as shown in [Fig.4].

[0086] The sheath 44, the base 14, i.e. the external part 14A and the internal part 14B, and the cover 60 are advantageously made of plastic material.

[0087] Preferably, the sheath 44, the base 14, i.e. the external part 14A and the internal part 14B, and the cover 60 are made of the same plastic material.

[0088] The plastic material can be selected from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyethylene (PE), such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and / or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a composite material, a post-consumer recycled (PCR) material and / or a similar material.

[0089] This includes plastic material with a hardness between 70 shore A and 90 shore D.

[0090] Preferably, it is made of recycled or non-recycled polypropylene and / or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0091] Thus, advantageously, all the components of the device 10 are made of plastic material preferably chosen from polypropylene and / or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0092] The plastic components can be easily obtained by injection and lead to a lightweight device 10.

[0093] Furthermore, the use of plastics, particularly similar plastics, for the entire device 10 facilitates recycling. In particular, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate are two plastics whose recycling cycle is well established.

[0094] During assembly of the device 10, the inner part of the base 14 is inserted into a lower opening in the sheath 44. A lower end of the grooves 52 is axially open into the lower edge 25 of the inner wall 18. Thus, the lugs 50 are inserted into their respective grooves 52.

[0095] Then the inner part and the sheath 44 thus assembled are inserted axially through the upper opening of the outer part until the tabs 40 are clicked into the notches 38. In this position, the lugs 50 of the sheath 44 are captive in the grooves 52 since the lower end of the grooves 52 is closed by the bottom 20.

[0096] The cover 60 is then arranged to close the device 10.

[0097] According to a variant of the invention shown in [Fig. 9], the grooves 52 are not helical, but have a straight, axially oriented shape. There are four grooves 52, and each cooperates with one of the lugs 50 of the sheath 44. Thus, the sliding of the sheath 44 between its two positions extremes is controlled by pushing or pulling it axially relative to the base 14. The rest of the device 10 shown in [Fig.9] is identical to what has been described previously with reference to figures 1 to 8. In particular, the sheath 44 is identical to what is shown in [Fig.8].

Claims

Demands

1. Device (10) for applying a cosmetic product, in particular a cosmetic product grape (12), having a central axis (A), said device (10) comprising: - a base (14) having an external tubular wall (16), an internal cylindrical wall (18) arranged coaxially with the external wall (16) and a cup (22) intended to receive the grape (12), the external wall (16), the internal wall (18) and the cup (22) being fixed relative to each other;- a tubular sheath (44) received sliding axially between the inner wall (18) and the outer wall (16) of the base (14), the sheath (44) having lugs (50) each cooperating with an associated groove (52) of the base (14) to guide the sliding of the sheath (44) relative to the base (14) between an extreme deployed position in which the grape (12) is entirely covered by the sheath (44) and an extreme retracted position in the base (14) in which the grape (12) is at least partially uncovered; - the inner wall (18) of the base (14) and the sheath (44) being made of the same material; characterized in that the sheath (44) has at least three lugs (50) projecting radially towards the central axis (A) from an internal cylindrical face, the grooves (52) being made in an external cylindrical face of the internal wall (18).

2. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each groove (52) of the base (14) associated with a lug (50) of the sheath (44) has a helical shape, the rotation of the sheath (44) relative to the base (14) causing it to slide between its extreme deployed position and its extreme retracted position in the base (14).

3. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lugs (50) are distributed regularly around the central axis (A).

4. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sheath (44) has a lower section (46) which is permanently housed in the external cylindrical wall (16) of the base (14) regardless of the position of the sheath (44), the lugs (50) being carried by said lower section (46).

5. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheath (44) is transparent.

6. Device (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the lugs (50) are captive in the associated groove (52).

7. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a space (19) radially delimited between the outer wall (16) and the inner wall (18) is closed by a lower bottom (20).

8. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the base (20) is made in one piece with the outer wall (16).

9. Device (10) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the internal wall (18) is attached and fixed to the bottom (20) of the base (14).

10. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the internal wall (18) is made in one piece with the cup (22).

11. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheath (44) has at least four lugs (50) distributed regularly around the central axis (A).

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