CUPULE FOR A COSMETIC PRODUCT GRAPE CONTAINING AT LEAST ONE FLEXIBLE LEG

Abstract

The invention relates to a cup (10) having a housing (18) for receiving a cosmetic product pod (14) delimited by a cylindrical lateral wall (16), at least one tab (26) of which has a projecting portion (32) on its outer face, each tab (26) being flexible between: - an open position in which it is outside the housing (18); - a locked position in which each tab (26) penetrates radially into the housing (18); characterized in that the tab (26) extends circumferentially with respect to the lateral wall (16) from its connecting end (28) to its free end (30). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: CUP FOR A COSMETIC PRODUCT GRAPE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE FLEXIBLE LEG Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a cup intended to be inserted into a guide of a device for applying a grape of cosmetic product, having a central axis, the cup having a housing for receiving the grape of cosmetic product delimited radially by a cylindrical side wall having an upper end edge which borders a passage for the grape of cosmetic product, at least one tab formed in the side wall and having an end for connection to the side wall and a free end, the tab having on an external face a protuberance, each tab being flexible between:

[0002] - an open position in which each leg is outside the housing and in which the protrusion projects radially outwardly relative to an external cylindrical face of the side wall;

[0003] - a locking position in which each tab penetrates radially into the housing so as to sink into the grape when the latter is inserted into the housing and towards which each leg is intended to be pushed by contact between the protuberance and a guide. Technical background

[0004] Application devices used for packaging a cosmetic product, such as a cosmetic product stick, in particular but not exclusively for a lipstick stick, are known from the state of the art. Such a cosmetic product stick will be designated hereinafter and in the claims by the term "grape".

[0005] The grape is held by its base in a cup. In most application devices, the cup slides axially between at least one retracted position and a position for applying the cosmetic product in which at least a portion of the cosmetic product grape extends axially out of the device.

[0006] Several methods are known for forming the cosmetic product grape.

[0007] One method involves preforming the cosmetic product grape, then inserting, or "stinging," the grape into the cup after mounting the device. This method is particularly effective when the cosmetic product constituting the grape has sufficient mechanical strength.

[0008] The grape is generally held in the cup by reliefs hooks present inside the cup.

[0009] For this reason, the attachment reliefs are generally in the form of radial ribs, solid and straight, extending axially inside the cup.

[0010] However, such solid gripping reliefs extending axially from the bottom of the cup do not always allow the grape to be effectively retained in the cup in the axial direction.

[0011] It has already been proposed to equip the cup with flexible legs which extend axially from a lower connecting end to an upper free end. These flexible legs are controlled towards a position for locking the grape after it has been stuck into the cup.

[0012] However, it is necessary to equip the cup with numerous legs to allow it to be gripped around its entire circumference. As a result, the production of these cups is complex and expensive.

[0013] In addition, these numerous legs are narrow and fragile.

[0014] Furthermore, these tabs are likely to rub against a guide of the device when the cup slides. This produces a braking force on the cup which may prove inconvenient in use. Summary of the invention

[0015] The invention provides a cup intended to be inserted into a guide of a device for applying a grape of cosmetic product, having a central axis, the cup having a housing for receiving the grape of cosmetic product delimited radially by a cylindrical side wall having an upper end edge which borders a passage for the grape of cosmetic product, at least one tab formed in the side wall and having an end for connection to the side wall and a free end, the tab having an external face, each tab being flexible between:

[0016] - an open position in which each leg, in an unconstrained state, is at the exterior of the housing and in which at least a portion of the external face projects radially outwardly relative to an external cylindrical face of the side wall;

[0017] - a locking position in which at least a portion of each leg penetrates radially in the housing so as to sink into the grape when the latter is inserted into the housing and towards which each tab is intended to be pushed by contact between the projecting portion and a guide;

[0018] characterized in that the tab extends circumferentially relative to the side wall from its connecting end to its free end.

[0019] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, each leg has the same curvature as the face of the side wall, the projecting portion being formed by a protrusion of the leg which projects outwardly relative to the side wall.

[0020] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, in their unstressed state, the legs are spaced radially outwards relative to the side wall.

[0021] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, each leg has a length, taken in the circumferential direction, greater than its width, taken in the axial direction.

[0022] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, an upper edge of the tab extends in the extension of the upper end edge of the side wall.

[0023] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, each tab is made from a single piece with the side wall.

[0024] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, the tab is formed by a slot made in the side wall.

[0025] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, the slot has an “L” shape having an axial branch and a circumferential branch and an upper end of the axial branch of which opens into the upper edge of the side wall.

[0026] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, the internal face of the side wall and the internal wall of each tab are smooth so that the housing does not have any radial projection when the tabs occupy their open position so as not to interfere with the grape when it is inserted into the housing.

[0027] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, the legs have an internal face which is equipped with at least one hooking relief which projects radially into the housing to hook the grape.

[0028] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, it has at least two legs distributed regularly around the main axis.

[0029] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, the housing is delimited axially downwards by a bottom which extends radially inwards from the side wall, the bottom being pierced with an orifice.

[0030] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, it is produced by molding.

[0031] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, it is made of a plastic material, such as polypropylene or po- ethylene terephthalate.

[0032] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, it is produced by a three-dimensional printing manufacturing process, such as laser sintering or resin photopolymerization processes.

[0033] According to another characteristic of the cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, the cup comprises a bridge of material which axially connects the tab near its free end with the side wall to retain the tab axially, the bridge of material being elastically deformable to allow the bending of the tab between its two positions.

[0034] The invention also provides a device for applying a cosmetic product, in particular a stick of cosmetic product, said device comprising:

[0035] - a cup intended to receive the grapes made according to the teachings of the invention and comprising at least one radial lug;

[0036] - at least one guide comprising a tubular body which comprises an opening su upper exit of the grape, in which the cup is mounted to slide axially, the guide comprising at least one axial slot extending from the bottom of the guide which is crossed by the at least one associated lug of the cup;

[0037] - a tubular sheath in which the body is rotatably mounted, the sheath internally comprising at least one helical groove for receiving at least one lug of the cup, the rotation of the guide relative to the sheath causing an axial movement of the cup between an extreme deployed position and an extreme retracted position;

[0038] characterized in that in the open position of each tab and when a lower portion of the cup is inserted into the guide, each projecting portion is arranged axially in line with an upper end edge of the guide.

[0039] According to another characteristic of the application device produced according to the teachings of the invention, at least one of the cup, the guide and the sheath is made of plastic material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0040] According to another characteristic of the application device produced according to the teachings of the invention, at least one of the cup, the guide and the sheath is made of metallic material, such as aluminum.

[0041] According to another characteristic of the application device produced according to the teachings of the invention, the cup, the sheath and the guide are made of the same material.

[0042] The invention also proposes a method for producing a cup produced according to the teachings of the invention, characterized in that the cup is produced by a three-dimensional printing manufacturing method, such as laser sintering or resin photopolymerization methods.

[0043] According to another characteristic of the method carried out according to the teachings of the invention, it comprises:

[0044] - a first step of developing a digital model of the cup;

[0045] - a second stage of conditioning a powdery or liquid material;

[0046] - a third stage of solidification of the material in slices defined from the digital model. Brief description of the figures

[0047] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings.

[0048] [Fig.l] is a perspective view showing a cup made according to a first embodiment of the invention comprising flexible legs.

[0049] [Fig.2] is a top view of the cup of [Fig.l] in which the flexible legs occupy an open position.

[0050] [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2] in which the legs of the cup occupy a locking position.

[0051] [Fig.4] is an axial sectional view along section plane 4-4 of [Fig.1] which represents the interior of the cup.

[0052] [Fig.5] is an axial sectional view along section plane 5-5 of [Fig.2] which represents the interior of the cup.

[0053] [Fig.6] is a sectional view similar to that of [Fig.4] which represents a cup made according to a variant of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0054] [Fig.7] is an exploded perspective view showing a device for applying a grape of cosmetic product equipped with the cup of [Fig.1].

[0055] [Fig.8] is a sectional view along section plane 8-8 of [Fig.7].

[0056] [Fig.9] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2] which represents a variant of construction of the cup in which the lugs are offset by 90° in relation to the legs.

[0057] [Fig. 10] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l] which represents a second embodiment of the cup in which the leg is connected to the wall by an axial material bridge.

[0058] [Fig. 11] is a top view of the cup made according to the second embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0059] By convention, the “axial” direction corresponds in the figures to that of the main axis A of the device (also called mechanism) intended to be mounted on an actuation base of a cosmetic product application receptacle, such as a grape of cosmetic product, in particular a lipstick grape, and the "radial" direction is directed orthogonally to the axial direction by radiating from the main axis.

[0060] In the detailed description of the figures which follow, the terms “upper” and “lower” or “top” and “bottom” will be used in a non-limiting manner with reference to the axial direction, the upper part of the device corresponding to that through which the grape of cosmetic product exits the device for its application.

[0061] Similarly, the terms "outer or external" and "inner or internal" are used with reference to the radial direction, an outer element being radially further from the axis A than an inner element.

[0062] Hereinafter a “circumferential direction” means in a direction rotating around the main axis “A” of the cup.

[0063] Subsequently, the expression “to the right of” means above and at a distance in an axial direction parallel to the axis “A”.

[0064] Subsequently, when two elements are made "in one piece", this means the two elements are made of the same material and are part of the same part produced in a single manufacturing operation, such as a molding operation or a three-dimensional printing manufacturing operation.

[0065] Figures 1 to 8 show two examples of embodiments of a cup 10 for a device 12 for applying a stick 14 of cosmetic product. The stick 14 has been shown in broken lines.

[0066] Preferably, the cosmetic product stick 14 is a lipstick stick intended to be applied by rubbing, or alternatively a lip care balm.

[0067] The cup 10 is generally designed to be slidably mounted relative to a base of the application device 12. A non-limiting example of such an application device 12 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0068] The cup 10 can also equip an application device in which it is mounted fixed relative to the base of the application device.

[0069] The cup 10 comprises a lateral wall 16 which extends along an axis “A”.

[0070] The side wall 16 here has the shape of a right cylinder whose generator can have a circular shape, or any other shape, for example prismatic with rounded corners. The side wall 16 therefore forms a cylindrical wall here.

[0071] An internal face 16A of the side wall 16 radially delimits a housing 18 for receiving a lower part of the grape 12. The internal face 16A has a cylindrical shape of circular section and axis A.

[0072] The side wall 16 further has an external face 16B which also has a cylindrical shape with axis A. The external face 16B also has a circular section.

[0073] The housing 18 is open upwards by a passage 20 allowing a part on upper end of the grape 14 to extend axially towards the outside of the housing 18. The side wall 16 has an upper end edge 22 which borders the passage 20.

[0074] The housing 18 is delimited axially downwards by a base 24. The base 24 comprises at least one orifice 25. The base 24 is here pierced with a central orifice 25. Thus, the base 24 extends radially inwards from the side wall 16. In the case of a cup 10 in which the grape 14 is intended to be inserted after its molding, the orifice 25 makes it possible to expel air from the housing 18 during the insertion of the grape 14 through the passage 20.

[0075] To enable the grape 14 to be effectively blocked in the cup 10 after it has been inserted into the housing 18, the cup 10 comprises at least one tab 26 formed in the side wall 16.

[0076] The cup 10 comprises at least two legs 26 which are regularly distributed around the axis A. The cup 10 here has two legs 26.

[0077] Each leg 26 has an end 28 for connection to the wall 16 and a free end 30.

[0078] According to the teachings of the invention, each tab 26 extends circumferentially relative to the cylindrical side wall 16 from its connecting end 28 to its free end 30. In the example shown in the figures, each tab 26 extends from the connecting end 28 to the free end 30 in the same direction of rotation around the axis A, here in a clockwise direction.

[0079] Each tab 26 is thus delimited axially in both directions by an upper edge 27A and by a lower edge 27B. Each tab 26 is also delimited radially, in the thickness direction, by an internal face 29A and by an external face 29B.

[0080] Each tab 26 has a length, taken in the circumferential direction between its connecting end 28 and its free end 30, which is greater than its width, taken in the axial direction between its upper edge 27A and its lower edge 27B.

[0081] Each leg 26 is thus flexible by pivoting around an axis parallel to the main axis A between:

[0082] - an open position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which each leg 26, in an unstressed state, is outside of housing 18;

[0083] - a locking position, as shown in [Fig.3], in which a section free end of each leg 26 penetrates radially into the housing 18 so as to sink into the grape 14 when the latter is inserted into the housing 18.

[0084] This configuration makes it possible to tighten the grape 14 in the manner of a belt, substantially around its entire circumference, with a small number of tabs 26, for example two tabs 26.

[0085] Each leg 26 is here elastically flexible so as to be elastically returned- tically towards its open position.

[0086] Furthermore, each tab 26 has a portion 32 of its outer face 29B which extends radially outwardly relative to the outer face 16B of the side wall 16. The projecting portion 32 preferably extends at least partly close to the free end 30 of the tab 26. In the example shown in the figures, the projecting portion 32 extends circumferentially over the entire length of the tab 26.

[0087] Preferably, the projecting portion 32 of the tab 26 preferably has a lower section forming a ramp 34 which has a lower edge axially aligned with the lateral wall 16 in the open position of the tab and which extends in an inclined manner to the most projecting section of the projecting portion 32 of the external face 29B. As will be explained in more detail later, this ramp 34 makes it possible to automatically control the tabs 26 towards their locking position.

[0088] Preferably, the legs 26 are arranged as close as possible to the passage 20 in order to effectively block the grape 14 by preventing it from tipping into the cup 10.

[0089] In the examples shown in the figures, the upper edge 27A of each tab 26 extends in the same plane as the upper end edge 22 of the cylindrical side wall 16. In other words, the upper edge 27A is arranged in continuity with the upper edge 22 of the side wall 16. Thus, the circumferential clamping of the grape 14 is carried out at the passage 20.

[0090] Each tab 26 is made from a single piece with the cylindrical side wall 16. In the example shown in the figures, each tab 26 is thus formed by a slot 36 made in the cylindrical side wall 16. The slot 36 here has an “L” shape having:

[0091] - an axial branch of which an upper end opens into the edge 22 su upper part of the cylindrical side wall 16 to delimit the free end 30 of the tab 26;

[0092] - and a circumferential branch which delimits the lower edge 27B of the tab 26.

[0093] The tab 26 is thus produced in the end edge 22 of the side wall 16.

[0094] The circumferential branch is longer than the axial branch.

[0095] According to a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 9, in its open position, the internal face 29A of each tab 26 has the same curvature as the face 16A of the side wall 16. Thus, each tab 26, in an unstressed state, extends axially in the extension of the side wall 16.

[0096] The tab 26 has a protrusion on its external face 29B relative to the side wall 16, such that the external face of the protrusion forms said portion 32 projecting from the external face 29B of the tab 26. The protrusion here has a rectangular shape.

[0097] In a variant not shown, it can have a half-sphere shape or any other shape as long as it has a face forming said projecting portion 32 fulfilling its function of constraining the tabs 26 in the closed position when it is inserted into the guide, as will be explained later.

[0098] Each tab 26 has, at least at its lower edge 27B, a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the side wall 16. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the outer face 29B of the tab 26 preferably has a lower portion forming the ramp 34 which makes it possible to join in an inclined manner the lower edge 27B of the tab 26 to the projecting portion 32 of the outer face 29B.

[0099] In the open position of each tab 26, the portion 32 projects radially outwards relative to the external cylindrical face 16B of the side wall 16.

[0100] Each tab 26 is intended to be pushed by contact between the projecting portion 32 and a guide 46 of the application device 12 as will be explained later.

[0101] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the internal face 16B of the cylindrical side wall 16 and the internal face 29A of the legs 26 are smooth so that the housing 18 has no radial projection when the legs 26 occupy their open position. Thus, the insertion of the grape 14 into the housing 18 is done without interference.

[0102] According to a variant of the first embodiment of the invention shown in [Fig.6], at least the internal face 29A of each tab 26 has at least one attachment relief 38 which projects radially into the housing 18 in the open position to attach the grape 14. The tab 26 and the attachment relief 38 are here produced in a single piece.

[0103] In this variant embodiment, the internal face 16A of the side wall 16 also has at least one relief 40A, 40B for attaching the grape 14 of cosmetic product which extends radially in projection towards the interior of the housing 18.

[0104] Certain attachment reliefs 40A have the shape of a rib which extends axially upwards from the bottom 24 of the cup 10.

[0105] Other attachment reliefs 40B here have the shape of an axial rib whose lower end is arranged at a distance above the bottom 24. These said attachment reliefs 40B thus have a lower face 42 facing towards the bottom 24 of the cup 10. The lower face 42 is thus arranged axially at a distance from the bottom 24. Such a lower face 42 makes it possible to participate very effectively in the retention of the grape 14 inside the housing 18, in particular against an axial tearing force.

[0106] The side wall 16 and the attachment reliefs 40A, 40B are made in a single piece.

[0107] According to a second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 10 and 11, each tab 26 has the same thickness as the side wall 16. On the other hand, in their unstressed state, the tabs 26 are spaced radially outwards by relative to the side wall 16. Thus, the inner face 29A of the legs 26 has a radius of curvature larger than that of the inner face 16A of the side wall 16. In this way, the entire outer face 29B of each leg 26 forms said portion 32 projecting radially relative to the outer face 16B of the side wall 16.

[0108] When each tab 26 occupies its closed position, the internal face 29A of each tab 26 extends in the extension of the internal face 16A of the side wall 16. At least the internal face 29A of each tab 26 therefore has at least one hooking relief 38 which projects radially into the housing 18 in the closed position to hook the grape 14. Preferably, the hooking reliefs 38 do not project into the housing 18 in the open position of the tabs 26.

[0109] The cup 10 further comprises a bridge 72 of material which axially connects the tab 26 near its free end 30 with the wall 16. In the example shown in [Fig. 10], the bridge 72 of material extends axially downwards from the lower edge 27B of the tab 26 to the edge of the lateral wall 16 which delimits the slot 36 downwards. Thus, the bridge 72 of material crosses the circumferential branch of the slot 36.

[0110] The external face of the bridge 72 of material is here inclined so as to form the ramp 34 making it possible to guide the bending of each leg 26.

[0111] As shown in all embodiments, the side wall 16 delimiting the housing 18 is entirely solid. This makes it possible to obtain a strong and solid cup 10.

[0112] For all embodiments, the cup 10 is preferably made in a single piece from the same material.

[0113] The cup 10 is for example made by molding. In this case, it is for example made of a plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0114] Alternatively, the cup 10 is advantageously produced in a single piece by applying a three-dimensional printing manufacturing process, such as laser sintering or resin photopolymerization processes. The cup 10 can also be produced by an additive manufacturing process.

[0115] Such a method is in fact suitable for mass production of such cups 10.

[0116] Such a method generally comprises:

[0117] - a first step in developing a digital model of the cup

[0118] - a second stage of conditioning a powdery or liquid material;

[0119] - a third stage of solidification of the material in slices defined from the digital model.

[0120] Said powdery or liquid material is capable of being solidified by photopolymerization, in particular by means of a light source comprising a laser.

[0121] Alternatively, the powdered or liquid material is capable of being solidified by sintering, in particular by means of a heat source comprising a laser.

[0122] The liquid or powdered material is generally placed in a receptacle provided with a support for the solidified material and the support is moved in steps equal to the thicknesses of the slices defined from the digital model.

[0123] The liquid or powdery material comprises at least one component, mixed where appropriate with an additive, this component being chosen from a photopolymer resin, a sintering resin, a metal and / or a metal alloy.

[0124] Such a method is particularly suitable for producing cups 10 because the number, geometry and arrangement of the attachment reliefs 26 are all parameters which must be adapted to the composition and texture of the cosmetic product grape, as well as to its method of insertion into the cup, by pricking or by molding. The digital model of the cup is thus produced according to these parameters.

[0125] This makes it easy to obtain a wide variety of cups without having to make a mold for each one.

[0126] Among the three-dimensional printing processes that can be implemented for producing the cup 10, mention may be made of selective laser sintering or SLS, acronym for “Selective Laser Sintering”, which is a technology that uses powder materials, generally made of plastic or metal. The cup is obtained layer by layer from the powder that is sintered or fused using the energy of a high-power laser that heats the powder beyond the glass transition point, which causes the particles to agglomerate.

[0127] According to another example of a three-dimensional printing process that is likely to be implemented for the production of the cup 10, we can also cite stereolithography or SLA, acronym for StereoLithography Apparatus, which uses a liquid resin that hardens by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. A UV laser beam scans the surface of the resin and thus hardens the material on a section of the product to create, layer by layer, the cup 10, from bottom to top.

[0128] According to another example of a three-dimensional printing method which is likely to be implemented for the production of the cup 10, mention may also be made of DLS technology, acronym for “Digital Light Synthesis”. This technology is similar to that of stereolithography described above, however, the hardening of the resin is obtained by projection of radiation directly onto the entire surface of liquid resin, which makes it possible to produce a cup 10 even more quickly.

[0129] These three three-dimensional printing technologies are given as non-limiting examples, other three-dimensional printing technologies already known which can of course be used.

[0130] According to another aspect of the invention, the cup 10, whatever its embodiment, comprises at least one translational drive member in the application device 12.

[0131] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 6, the drive members are formed by lugs 44 extending radially outwardly from the external face 16B of the side wall 16. The lugs 44 are thus made in a single piece with the side wall 16 delimiting the housing 18.

[0132] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 8, the lugs 44 extend axially below the legs 26.

[0133] In the variant shown in [Fig.9], the lugs 44 are offset by 90° relative to the legs 26.

[0134] In a variant of the invention not shown, the at least one drive member is carried by a separate part which is attached to the side wall 16 delimiting the housing 18. This variant is particularly interesting in that it allows the same cup 10 to be used with several types of application devices by simply changing the separate part carrying the drive members.

[0135] In a variant of the invention not shown, the drive member is formed by a screw.

[0136] A non-limiting example of an application device 12 is now described in which the cup 10 produced according to any one of the embodiments is capable of being mounted.

[0137] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the device 12 which is intended to be mounted on an actuation base of a cosmetic product application receptacle.

[0138] The device 12 is designed to expel the cosmetic product by at least one rotational movement.

[0139] The device 12 has a main axis which is coaxial with the axis “A” of the cup 10.

[0140] The device 12 comprises at least a first element, conventionally and hereinafter called guide 46. The guide 46 mainly comprises a tubular body 48 which extends axially from a base 50 forming the lower end of the guide 46 to an upper end edge 52 delimiting an outlet opening intended to be crossed by the grape 14 of cosmetic product.

[0141] Preferably, the guide 46 comprises at least one slot passing radially through the wall of the body 48. Each slot forms a slide. The guide 46 here comprises a first slot 54 and a second slot 56 passing radially through the wall of the body 48. The slots 54, 56 are arranged diametrically opposite each other.

[0142] The slots 54, 56 extend axially in the body 48 of the guide 46, the first slot 54 is axially closed at its upper end while the second slot 56 is open. The slots 54, 56 are closed at their lower end located on the side of the base 50.

[0143] The slots 54, 56 each have straight and parallel edges. The first slot 54 has at one of its axial ends an upper notch 58a and at the other of its ends a lower notch 60a, said notches 58a, 60b extending circumferentially.

[0144] In both embodiments, the second slot 56 also includes upper and lower notches 58b, 60b.

[0145] In conventional systems, the notches 58a, 58b, 60a, 60b are intended to form means for locking the end of travel of the cup 10.

[0146] The device 12 comprises the cup 10 produced according to the teachings of the invention which receives the grape 14 of cosmetic product.

[0147] The cup 10 is intended to be mounted to slide axially in the guide 46, between an extreme retracted position and an extreme deployed position.

[0148] The retracted extreme position corresponds to a position in which the grape 14 is inside the device 12 for its protection and storage and the cup 10 is in the lower end-of-travel position.

[0149] The deployed extreme position corresponds to a position in which the grape 14 is deployed axially upwards so that its upper part extends out of the device 12 through the opening delimited by the upper end edge 52 and the cup 10 is in the upper end position.

[0150] The cup 10 can also be in intermediate positions between its two extreme retracted and deployed positions, called intermediate application positions.

[0151] Each lug 44 of the cup 10 is engaged in one of the slots 54, 56 of the guide 46 and passing through them to extend radially outwards beyond the external cylindrical surface of the body 48 of the guide 46.

[0152] The device 12 comprises a second element, conventionally and hereinafter called the sheath 62. As shown here, the sheath 62 has a cylindrical shape with the main axis A.

[0153] The sheath 62 can receive an external jacket (not shown) inside which the sheath 62 is introduced and immobilized in rotation due to the force fitting or for example the use of glue to fix the sheath 62 and the jacket together.

[0154] Preferably, the sheath 62 internally comprises at least one groove receiving the free end of a lug 44 associated with the cup 10. The sheath 62 here comprises two grooves 64, 66, diametrically opposed, with which the free ends of the lugs 44 of the cup 10 cooperate in operation. The sheath 62 comprises an internal wall provided with said grooves 64, 66. The grooves 64, 66, here have a helical shape.

[0155] The sheath 62 comprises respectively an upper edge 68 located at its upper axial end and a lower edge 70 located at its lower axial end.

[0156] The sheath 62 is intended to be mounted by snap-fastening onto the guide 46 to obtain, after assembly, the device 12.

[0157] The guide 46 is mounted in rotation in the sheath 62 around the main axis "A". The guide 46 is thus received concentrically inside the sheath 62. For this purpose, the body 48 of the guide 46 has an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the sheath 62.

[0158] In such a device 12, the rotation of the guide 46 by means of its base 50 relative to the sheath 62 causes an axial movement of the cup 10, more precisely an upward movement or a downward movement of the cup 10 according to the direction of rotation by cooperation between the lugs 44, the slots 54, 56 and the grooves 64, 66.

[0159] The cosmetic product grape 14 moves axially with the cup 10 between the extreme deployed position and the extreme retracted position.

[0160] The guide 46, the cup 10 and the sheath 62 are advantageously made of plastic and / or metal.

[0161] To simplify the recycling of the device 12, the cup 10, the sheath 62 and the guide 46 are advantageously made of the same material.

[0162] Preferably, the guide 46, the cup 10 and the sheath 62 are made of identical plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0163] The cup 10 produced according to the teachings of the invention can of course be applied to other types of application device.

[0164] In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the cup 10, the guide 46 and the sheath 62 is made of metallic material, such as aluminum.

[0165] For each of these embodiments, the grape 14, previously molded, is stuck into the cup 10. Preferably, the cup 10 is already mounted in the application device 12.

[0166] For the stitching operation, the cup 10 is controlled in its extreme deployed position in which the legs 26 extend out of the guide 46. A lower portion of the cup 10, carrying the lugs 44, is inserted into the guide 64. In this position, the legs 26 occupy their open position. The projecting portion 32, and more particularly the ramp 34, of each leg 26 is arranged axially in line with the upper end edge 52 of the guide 46.

[0167] After the grape 14 has been pricked into the cup 10, the latter is commanded towards its retracted position. When the ramp 34 comes into contact with the upper end edge 52 of the sheath 46, they act in the manner of a cam to push the legs 26 radially towards their locking position in which they grip the grape 14.

[0168] The ramp 34 here has a rectilinear slope in axial section. The slope can be more or less inclined, as long as it fulfills its cam function.

[0169] In a variant not shown, the ramp may have a concave or convex curvature.

[0170] When the cup 10 is fully retracted into the guide 46, the tabs 26 are held in their locking position against the elastic return force by contact between the projecting portions 32 and the internal face of the guide 46.

[0171] During normal use of the application device 12, the cup 10 remains entirely inside the guide 46. Each time the cup 10 slides, the projecting portions 32 rub against the internal face of the guide 46. Due to the small number of tabs 26, here two, the braking produced by this friction is advantageously very low.

[0172] Furthermore, the position of the legs 26 near the passage 20 makes it possible to hold the grape 14 very firmly in the cup 10 after it has been pricked by enclosing it around almost its entire circumference.

[0173] In the case of the second embodiment, the bridge 72 of material has great flexibility in flexion to allow the flexing of the tab 26 between its two positions without substantially opposing it.

[0174] On the other hand, the bridge 72 of material has a high stiffness in axial traction. Thus, it makes it possible to limit the axial displacement of the free end 30 of the tab 26 axially against an axial component force when the cup 10 is inserted into the guide 46. In addition, even when the tab is slightly bent axially, it makes it possible to elastically return the tab 26 axially to its initial position. This makes it possible to limit a bending of the tab 26 around a tangential axis when the axial friction force against the guide 46 is too high.

Claims

Claims

1. Cup (10) intended to be inserted into a guide of a device (12) for applying a grape (14) of cosmetic product, having a central axis (A), the cup (10) having a housing (18) for receiving the grape (14) of cosmetic product delimited radially by a cylindrical lateral wall (16) having an upper end edge (22) which borders a passage (20) for the grape (14) of cosmetic product, at least one tab (26) formed in the lateral wall (16) and having an end (28) for connection to the lateral wall (16) and a free end (30), the tab (26) having an external face (29B), each tab (26) being flexible between: - an open position in which each tab (26), in an unstressed state, is outside the housing (18) and in which at least a portion (32) of the external face (29B) is projecting radially outwardly relative to an external cylindrical face (16B) of the side wall (16);- a locking position in which at least a portion of each tab (26) penetrates radially into the housing (18) so as to sink into the grape (14) when the latter is inserted into the housing (18) and towards which each tab (26) is intended to be pushed by contact between the projecting portion (32) and a guide (46); characterized in that the tab (26) extends circumferentially relative to the lateral wall (16) from its connecting end (28) to its free end (30).;

2. Cup (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each tab (26) has the same curvature as the face (16A) of the side wall (16), the projecting portion (32) being formed by a protuberance of the tab (26) which projects outwards relative to the side wall (16).

3. Cup (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, in their unstressed state, the legs (26) are spaced radially outwards relative to the side wall (16).

4. Cup (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each tab (26) has a length, taken in the circumferential direction, greater than its width, taken in the axial direction.

5. Cup (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that an upper edge (27A) of the tab (26) extends in the extension of the upper end edge (22) of the side wall (16).

6. Cup (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each tab (26) is made from a single piece with the side wall (16).

7. Cup (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tab (26) is formed by a slot (36) made in the side wall (16).

8. Cup (10) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 5, characterized in that the slot (36) has an “L” shape having an axial branch and a circumferential branch and an upper end of the axial branch of which opens into the upper edge (22) of the side wall (16).

9. Cup (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal face (16A) of the side wall (16) and the internal wall (29A) of each tab (26) are smooth so that the housing (18) has no radial projection when the tabs (26) occupy their open position so as not to interfere with the grape (14) when it is inserted into the housing (18).

10. Cup (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the legs (26) have an internal face (29A) which is equipped with at least one hooking relief (38) which projects radially into the housing (18) to hook the grape (14).

11. Cup (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least two legs (26) distributed regularly around the main axis (A).

12. Cup (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (18) is delimited axially downwards by a base (24) which extends radially inwards from the side wall (16), the base (24) being pierced with an orifice (25).

13. Cup (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is produced by molding.

14. Cup (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is made of a plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

15. Cup (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is produced by a three-dimensional printing manufacturing process, such as laser sintering or resin photopolymerization processes.

16. Cup (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cup (10) comprises a bridge (72) of material which axially connects the tab (26) near its free end (30) with the lateral wall (16) to retain the tab (26) axially, the bridge (72) of material being elastically deformable to allow the bending of the tab (26) between its two positions.

17. Device (12) for applying a cosmetic product, in particular a stick (14) of cosmetic product, said device (12) comprising: - a cup (10) intended to receive the stick (14) produced according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising at least one radial lug (44); - at least one guide (46) comprising a tubular body (48) which comprises an upper outlet opening (52) for the stick (14), in which the cup (10) is mounted to slide axially, the guide (46) comprising at least one axial slot (54, 56) extending from the bottom of the guide (46) which is crossed by the at least one associated lug (44) of the cup (10);- a tubular sheath (62) in which the body (48) is rotatably mounted, the sheath (62) internally comprising at least one helical groove (64, 66) for receiving the at least one lug (44) of the cup (10), the rotation of the guide (46) relative to the sheath (62) causing an axial movement of the cup (10) between an extreme deployed position and an extreme retracted position; characterized in that in the open position of each tab (26) and when a lower portion of the cup (10) is inserted into the guide (46), each projecting portion (32) is arranged axially in line with an upper end edge (52) of the guide (46).;

18. Device (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the cup (10), the guide (46) and the sheath (62) is made of plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

19. Device (12) according to any one of claims 17 or 18, characterized in that at least one of the cup (10), the guide (46) and the sheath (62) is made of metallic material, such as aluminum.

20. Device (12) according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the cup (10), the sheath (46) and the guide (62) are made of the same material.

21. Method of producing a cup (10) according to any one of the re- claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the cup (10) is produced by a three-dimensional printing manufacturing process, such as laser sintering or resin photopolymerization processes.

22. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises: - a first step of developing a digital model of the cup (10); - a second stage of conditioning a powdered or liquid material; - a third stage of solidification of the material in slices defined from the digital model.

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