Packaging, application and / or dispensing device

Abstract

Packaging, Application and / or Dispensing Device The invention relates to a device (1) for packaging, applying and / or dispensing a cosmetic refill (2) comprising: a cosmetic refill (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) comprising: a refill body (4) defining at least partially a reservoir (44) of cosmetic product, and a cap (6) for closing the refill body (4), the refill body (4) having an external surface having at least one first ridge (10), a case (3) having a receiving compartment (31) for the cosmetic refill (2), said case (3) having an internal surface having at least one second ridge (53) arranged to prevent the cosmetic refill (2) from rotating around the longitudinal axis (X) within the case (3) by cooperation with said at least one first ridge (10) when the cosmetic refill (2) is in the compartment (31). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Packaging, application and / or dispensing device

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of devices for packaging, applying and / or dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, more particularly that of devices comprising a product refill. Technical field

[0002] The proposal of eco-responsible, environmentally friendly solutions whose design and development take environmental issues into account is becoming a major concern to help meet global challenges.

[0003] It is therefore essential to design products that reduce the quantity of materials used and / or replace them with more environmentally friendly materials and / or use recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the product.

[0004] In this context, it is important to develop packaging that generates less waste, in particular optimized for the quantity of products transported, in particular by redesigning and / or resizing them in order to reduce the volume and weight of the quantity of packaging.

[0005] The objective is to offer reusable eco-responsible containers, particularly those that can be refilled at home or in stores, in order to reduce the carbon footprint of packaging.

[0006] In order to reduce the manufacturing costs of cosmetic packaging, and to reduce the impact on the environment, devices for packaging, applying and / or dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising a product refill and a case for receiving the refill have been developed. In this approach, the question arises of the configuration of the device to allow the refill to be changed into a product and the refill to be kept in the case during use, in particular depending on the type of product contained in the refill.

[0007] There is a growing need to gradually replace existing packaging with packaging, application and / or dispensing devices receiving cosmetic refills. This allows the case to be kept once the cosmetic product has been used, with only the refill being discarded. Once the refill is empty, the user simply removes the refill to replace it with a new or different refill.

[0008] In this context, it is important that the packaging, application and / or dispensing device has the aesthetic qualities required by the user, whether it is easy and efficient to use as much as a device without refill and that the procedures for replacing a used refill are also as simple as possible for the user, i.e. requiring little effort or attention on the part of the user.

[0009] The packaging device must therefore allow the refill to be reliably held in the case in connection with its use.

[0010] Several forms of such device have already been proposed.

[0011] It is known, in particular from the utility model CN214931380U and from the international application WO9947262A1, a pipette packaging and dispensing device comprising a ring for holding the refill in the case screwed or snapped onto the case after insertion of the refill to come to bear against a rim of the refill and thus prevent its extraction. Removing the refill requires several steps and several manipulations, which makes this change tedious.

[0012] Also known, in particular from patent application FR3126287A1, is a packaging and dispensing device comprising a system for holding the refill in position in the case by friction members configured to prevent the refill from coming out of the case under its own weight by friction against the external wall of the refill. This system is particularly described in relation to a pump dispensing device which allows the dispensing of a product by pressure without rotation of the device.

[0013] This type of system does not allow for efficient and constant maintenance of the refill within the case, even less so if the refill has a cap intended to be screwed or unscrewed from the body of the refill, when the latter is held by the case. The transmission of a torque between the refill and the case during handling of said refill or the cap for dispensing or applying the product may cause it to be extracted during handling or prevent efficient handling of the refill, in particular its cap for opening it. For example, the refill may rotate with the cap when attempting to open the latter by screwing. This could make the use of the refill received in the case complex and prevent it from being opened easily.

[0014] To overcome this latter drawback, a solution could lie in increasing the interference between the friction members and the external wall of the refill, so as to oppose an increased resistive torque at the level of the interference between the friction members and the refill; however, such an increase would have the adverse effect of penalizing the ease of axial introduction of the refill into the case, as well as of extraction of the refill from the case, and thus making these operations tedious for the user.

[0015] There is a need to benefit from a packaging, application device and / or distribution equipped with a cosmetic product refill encouraging the case to be kept for reuse for a new refill, while being attractive to the consumer.

[0016] There is also a need to improve packaging, application and / or dispensing devices comprising a product refill by proposing a solution allowing the refill to be reliably held in the case both in translation and in rotation, in order to improve the use of these devices and make use easy and pleasant for the user.

[0017] Finally, there is a need for a packaging, application and / or dispensing device offering a user experience that meets user requirements in terms of dispensing and / or applying a product, particularly a cosmetic product, in order to provide the user with a perception of the quality of the device. Summary of the invention

[0018] The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this by proposing a device for packaging, applying and / or dispensing a cosmetic refill comprising: - a cosmetic refill extending along a longitudinal axis comprising: • a refill body at least partially defining a cosmetic product reservoir, and • a cover for closing the refill body,

[0019] the refill body having an external surface having at least a first relief, - a case having a housing for receiving the cosmetic refill, said case having an internal surface, having at least one second relief arranged to lock the cosmetic refill in rotation around its longitudinal axis in the case by cooperation with said at least one first relief when the cosmetic refill is in the housing.

[0020] By "lock in rotation", it is understood that when the first relief and the second relief are engaged in cooperation, the refill cannot have any rotational movement in the case relative to the case, in particular around the longitudinal axis.

[0021] As explained previously, having a refill, which is by nature removable from the case, makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing costs of cosmetic packaging, and to reduce the impact on the environment of the packaging, application and / or dispensing devices by allowing the case to be kept and only the case to be changed when the refill reservoir is empty of cosmetic product.

[0022] This also makes it easy to change the product contained in the case by simply changing the refill.

[0023] Once the refill is empty or before, the user simply removes the refill to replace it with a new or different refill.

[0024] The presence of the first and second reliefs arranged to cooperate with each other to prevent rotation of the refill in the case makes it possible to prevent rotation of the refill relative to the case in the case where a rotational torque is applied to the refill, in particular in the case of a rotational action on the closing cap by the user. Recharge

[0025] The refill body may be elongated along a longitudinal axis. The refill body may also comprise at least one portion for insertion into the housing of the case.

[0026] The refill body may comprise, in particular along the longitudinal axis, a product reservoir and a portion for dispensing the cosmetic product. The dispensing portion may in particular be configured to extend out of the case when the refill is inserted into the case, comprising an opening towards the outside and receiving the cap.

[0027] The product reservoir may be cylindrical in shape, in particular cylindrical in shape. The main axis of the cylinder is in particular the longitudinal axis.

[0028] The distribution portion of the cosmetic product may be cylindrical in shape, in particular cylindrical of revolution, the main axis of the cylinder being in particular the longitudinal axis.

[0029] Preferably, the product reservoir has a greater cross-sectional width, in particular a diameter, greater than the greatest cross-sectional width, in particular the diameter, of the cosmetic product dispensing portion.

[0030] The refill body may comprise, in particular along the longitudinal axis, between the reservoir and the dispensing portion, a widened portion for holding on the case having, on its outer surface, the first relief. Such a widened portion having a larger transverse dimension greater than that of the reservoir makes it possible in particular to facilitate the insertion of the reservoir of the refill into the housing of the case while having an optimal quantity of product in the reservoir.

[0031] The product reservoir may be connected to the widened holding portion by a shoulder.

[0032] The refill body may comprise, between the widened holding portion and the product dispensing portion, a base configured to face a base of the case. The base may be connected to the widened holding portion by a shoulder. The base may be connected to the dispensing portion by a flat surface substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the refill body. Such a base may improve the retention of the refill in position in the case. The shoulder can improve the positioning and retention of the refill, particularly in view of manufacturing tolerances.

[0033] Preferably, the refill body is a single piece. Alternatively, the refill body may comprise several separate blocks or blocks fixed by any suitable method, for example glued, together.

[0034] The refill body may have an upper end arranged to receive the cap. The upper end may include an opening for accessing the product. The refill may include a dipping element fixed to or integral with the surface of the cap internal to the refill and configured to extend into the refill body, in particular through the opening, to the reservoir when the cap is on the refill body. The dipping element may be an application member, in particular an applicator for eyeliner, liquid lipstick, gloss, care product or mascara, or even a pipette. The dipping element may be connected to the cap directly or via a rod. The presence of a dipping element makes it possible in particular to reach the bottom of the refill more easily and thus to recover a maximum quantity of product.

[0035] The closing cap can be screwed onto the body of the refill. The closing cap makes it possible in particular to maintain the tightness of the refill and that of the product. It also allows better handling of the refill, by limiting the risk of overflow or flow of the product outside the refill, even if the user were to place the refill incorrectly in the case. The fact that the rotation of the refill in the case is prevented by the first and second reliefs makes it possible, in the case of a screwed cap, to prevent the rotation of the refill in the case when screwing or unscrewing the cap, an action which involves the exertion of a rotational torque on the refill around the longitudinal axis.

[0036] The refill may include a cosmetic product, in particular an eyeliner, a liquid lipstick, a gloss, a care product or a mascara.

[0037] Preferably, the refill body is made of a recyclable material, in particular a recyclable plastic material, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), the polypropylene being able to be virgin or recycled. The refill body can also be made of glass or even cellulosic material. Case

[0038] The case may have an upper surface arranged to receive a base of the refill body, in particular arranged in a recess.

[0039] The case may extend, in particular be elongated, along a longitudinal axis. When the refill is in the case, the longitudinal axis of the refill body and the longitudinal axis of the case can be confused.

[0040] The case may comprise a case body configured to receive the reservoir of the refill when the refill is inserted into the case and an upper joining portion, in particular attached to the case body with the refill body having the second relief, in particular on a surface inside the joining portion.

[0041] The upper portion for joining with the refill body may be a ring attached to the body of the case which is interposed between the body of the case and the refill. The ring may be fixed to the case by any means, in particular by screwing or snapping or even gluing to a neck of the body of the case. The case may include a mechanism for preventing rotation of the intermediate ring relative to the body of the case. The rotation prevention mechanism may include a plurality of notches capable of cooperating with a plurality of recesses in the body of the case, in particular in the neck of the body of the case. This rotation prevention mechanism prevents in particular the movement of the ring relative to the body of the case, in particular during insertion and handling of the refill. The ring may include a joining piece and a cover fixed together.While improving the aesthetic appearance of the device, for example by being made of a metallic material, such as aluminum, or of a plastic material having for example a metallized coating, the cover can also make it possible to limit access to the first and second reliefs. The junction piece can be made of a material having a certain elasticity, in particular an elastomeric material. Preferably, the junction piece can be made of a plastic material having a certain rigidity and a controlled and advantageous coefficient of friction with the constituent material of the refill body, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or PBT. Alternatively, the ring is in one piece and in particular made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0042] Alternatively, the upper portion joining with the refill body is a single piece of the body of the case.

[0043] Preferably, the body of the case is made of glass. The use of mineral glass provides durability, and allows possible recycling or reuse without fear of degradation of its aesthetic appearance, glass being a durable and resistant material, in particular difficult to scratch. In addition, the glass can be easily cleaned, if necessary. The glass also provides effective protection against UV, lateral and axial mechanical pressures, and ensures a cool touch to the case, pleasant during handling. First and second reliefs

[0044] The first relief may extend over the widened portion of the refill body. One of the first and second relief, preferably the second relief, is a projecting relief and the other of the first and second relief, preferably the first relief, is a recessed relief, in particular of complementary shape.

[0045] The recessed relief may be a groove, a flat or a snap-in relief.

[0046] The projecting relief may be a rib, a stud or any other cooperating element with the aforementioned hollow reliefs.

[0047] Preferably, the first and second reliefs are configured to cooperate by inserting the refill into the case by translation along the longitudinal axis of the case, after orientation or in other words after angular indexing of the refill and the case around the longitudinal axis, so that the first and second reliefs are opposite each other during insertion.

[0048] One of the first and second reliefs, preferably the first relief, is a flat and the other of the first and second reliefs, preferably the second relief, has a flat surface on which the flat comes into contact by at least part of its surface when the refill is in the case so as to form a stop opposing the rotation of the refill relative to the case around the longitudinal axis in both directions of rotation around the longitudinal axis.

[0049] Preferably, the first relief, in particular the flat, may have a plane inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the refill, in particular further from the longitudinal axis on the side of the cap than on the side of the reservoir, in particular forming a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis when the cosmetic refill is inserted into the housing, for example strictly greater than 0°, better still greater than or equal to 1°, even better greater than or equal to 2°, preferably greater than or equal to 3°, and / or less than or equal to 20°, better still less than or equal to 10°, preferably less than or equal to 5°, for example substantially equal to 3.5°. Preferably, the largest transverse dimension of the holding portion is larger than the smallest internal transverse dimension of the joining portion. This inclination and this difference in dimension allows the refill to be held on the case at the joining portion and the holding portion.Moreover, such an inclination is a good compromise between the aesthetics of the product and the effectiveness of holding the refill in position in the case.

[0050] Furthermore, the first relief, in particular the flat, may have a plane inclined relative to a plane of the second relief with which it comes into contact, in particular further from the plane of the second relief on the side of the cap than on the side of the reservoir, in particular forming a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis when the cosmetic refill is inserted into the housing, for example strictly greater than 0°, better still greater than or equal to 1°, even better still greater than or equal to 2°, preferably greater than or equal to 3°, and / or less than or equal to 20°, better still less than or equal to 10°, preferably less than or equal to 5°, for example substantially equal to 3.5°. This inclination allows to facilitate insertion by translation along the longitudinal axis of the case. This inclination also allows for adjustment of the contact between the refill and the case to compensate for any play that may exist in the radial direction due to manufacturing tolerances. It also helps to maintain the refill on the case.

[0051] Alternatively, the flat may be parallel to the flat surface when the cosmetic refill is inserted into the housing.

[0052] The second relief may also have a plane inclined relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0053] The flat may have a greater depth of between 1% and 15%, in particular between 2% and 10% of the external diameter of the external surface of the refill body on which it is formed, when said surface is cylindrical.

[0054] The flat and the planar surface may be of identical angular extents. Alternatively, the flat and the planar surface may be of different angular extents, in particular the flat may be of greater angular extent than the planar surface.

[0055] The first and / or second relief, in particular the flat, may have at their insertion edge, in particular the upper edge of the second relief or the lower edge of the first relief, a fillet or a chamfer. Said fillet or said chamfer makes it easier to insert the refill into the case.

[0056] Alternatively, the flat may be without a fillet or chamfer.

[0057] The device may comprise a plurality of first and second reliefs, in particular an even number of first and second reliefs, for example two first and second reliefs arranged opposite each other, in particular diametrically opposite relative to the longitudinal axis, arranged to cooperate with each other when the cosmetic refill is in the housing to prevent the cosmetic refill from rotating around the longitudinal axis in the case.

[0058] In the case of an even number of complementary reliefs, preferably, the reliefs are arranged in opposition in pairs.

[0059] The first and second reliefs are preferably regularly distributed around the longitudinal axis, in particular diametrically opposed in the case of two, respectively on the external surface of the refill and on the internal surface of the case.

[0060] The first and second reliefs may have a height measured along the identical longitudinal axis, in particular substantially equal to the height of the portion for holding the refill, in particular between 2 mm and 20 mm, in particular between 5 mm and 15 mm, for example approximately 10 mm.

[0061] Alternatively, the first and second reliefs may have different heights measured along the longitudinal axis. In particular, the first relief may have a height measured along the longitudinal axis greater than the height of the second relief measured along the longitudinal axis.

[0062] For example, the first relief may have a height measured along the longitudinal axis of between 2 mm and 20 mm, in particular between 5 mm and 15 mm, for example approximately 11 mm, and the second relief may have a height measured along the longitudinal axis of between 1.5 mm and 18 mm, in particular between 3 mm and 14 mm, for example approximately 9 mm.

[0063] The first relief may extend over an angular range of between 10° and 70°, in particular between 40° and 60°, for example 55°.

[0064] The second relief may extend over an angular range of between 10° and 60°, in particular between 35° and 55°, for example 50°. Friction element

[0065] The device may further comprise at least one friction element, better still a plurality of friction elements, extending between the body of the refill and the case when the refill is inserted into the case and configured to hold the refill body in the case by friction. The friction element(s) may each be a relief projecting in the radial direction from the inner surface of the case, in particular the joining portion, or from the outer surface of the refill body, in particular the widened holding portion. Preferably, the friction element(s) are reliefs projecting from the inner surface of the case, in particular the joining portion. This makes it possible in particular to reduce the material required for manufacturing the refill and therefore the quantity of material to be discarded each time the refill is changed.

[0066] The friction element(s) are preferably separate from the first and second reliefs when the refill is inserted into the case, in particular extending over an angular portion of the device around the longitudinal axis, separate from that of the first and second reliefs, each angular portion possibly not comprising first and second reliefs. Each angular portion may further comprise at least one, preferably at least two, better still at least three friction elements. The friction elements may be regularly distributed in each angular portion not comprising first and second reliefs. The friction element(s) may each be a relief projecting from the internal surface of the case or from the external surface of the refill body.

[0067] Preferably, the refill body and the case may comprise a plurality of first and second reliefs. The friction element(s) may be arranged on an angular portion devoid of first and second reliefs when the refill is in the case. The device may comprise a plurality of angular portions devoid of first and second reliefs, in particular two opposite angular portions devoid of first and second reliefs, at least one, preferably two, better still three friction elements being arranged in each angular portion of the device devoid of first and second reliefs.

[0068] The internal surface of the case, in particular of the joining portion, and / or the external surface of the enlarged portion for holding the refill may have a height measured along the longitudinal axis greater than that of the friction element(s). The device may have, in particular the case, and in particular the joining portion, when the refill is in the case • a first axial portion without a friction element and comprising at least part of the second relief(s) and the first relief(s) and, • a second axial portion comprising at least part of one or more friction elements.

[0069] The second axial portion may comprise a part of the second relief(s) and of the first relief(s).

[0070] In the case where the friction elements are carried by the case, in particular by the joining portion of the case, the second portion preferably extends between the first portion and the reservoir of the refill. In the case where the friction elements are carried by the refill, in particular by the widened holding portion, the first portion preferably extends between the second portion and the reservoir of the refill. Thus, when assembling the refill and the case, the user will seek to firstly make the longitudinal axes of the refill and the case coincide, then in a second time make the first and second reliefs coincide by rotating the refill relative to the case around the longitudinal axis, then in a third time engage the first and second reliefs between them by the first portion by translation along the longitudinal axis to finally engage the friction elements of the second portion against the facing surface.This facilitates assembly by limiting friction during the step of angular indexing the first and second reliefs with each other. Furthermore, this makes it possible to reduce wear on the friction elements by only engaging friction contact once the angular indexing of the refill and the case has been carried out and the relative rotation of these elements has been blocked by the first and second reliefs.

[0071] Preferably, the total number of friction elements is even. In this case, said friction elements may be arranged in opposition to the longitudinal axis of the device in pairs.

[0072] Each angular portion not comprising first and second reliefs may comprise at least one, preferably at least two, better still at least three, friction elements. The friction elements may be regularly distributed in each angular portion not comprising first and second reliefs. The friction elements are equally distributed from one another around the longitudinal axis. This allows better maintenance of the refill within the case by distributing the friction forces.

[0073] Each friction element may have a maximum thickness of between 0.45 mm and 1.2 mm, for example 0.7 mm.

[0074] Each friction element can extend over an angular range of between 10° and 40°, better between 15 and 30°, for example 22°.

[0075] The friction elements may be substantially identical. Alternatively, they are different, in particular of different angular ranges, shapes and / or sizes.

[0076] The friction elements may comprise at least one elastically deformable flexible portion capable of flexing when the refill is inserted and bulging when the refill is extracted. The friction elements may thus provide flexibility to the device when inserting or extracting the refill, facilitating its use.

[0077] The friction elements may be integral with the surface from which they extend, in particular integral with the joining portion of the case or the enlarged portion for holding the refill. This makes it possible in particular to limit the quantity of material required for manufacturing and thus facilitates manufacturing. Joint

[0078] The device may also comprise a seal or a portion of a seal, extending between the refill and the case when the refill is in the case, in particular between the joining portion of the case and the enlarged portion for holding the refill.

[0079] Said seal may be a projecting relief extending from one of the internal surface of the case, in particular the joining portion of the case, or the external surface of the refill body, in particular at the widened holding portion. Said seal may extend circumferentially over the entire circumference of the internal surface of the case, in particular at the joining portion, or the external surface of the refill body, in particular at the widened holding portion, configured to come into contact with the other of the internal surface of the case or the external surface of the refill body. Such a seal may make it possible to ensure better contact, and consequently better holding between the refill and the case.

[0080] Alternatively, the seal extends only outside the first and second reliefs, in particular at the level of the first axial portion.

[0081] The seal may be integral with one of the inner surface of the case or the outer surface of the body. The seal may be a circumferential rib extending from one of the inner surface of the case or the outer surface of the body over at least a portion of the circumference.

[0082] The seal may extend over the internal surface of the case at the level of the upper edge of the second reliefs.

[0083] The device, in particular the first surface, may comprise a snap-on relief opposite the seal or the seal portion, in particular a circular groove when the refill is in the case. This in particular facilitates the snap-on of the refill in the case. Snap-in

[0084] The device may also comprise one or more snap-on reliefs on the case and one or more complementary snap-on reliefs on the refill. The snap-on relief(s) may be arranged on the second relief(s) and the complementary snap-on relief(s) may be arranged on the first relief(s). The first relief(s) and / or the second relief(s) may comprise notches extending over a portion of their height and defining between them an elastic portion, the snap-on relief(s) and / or the complementary snap-on relief(s) preferably extending over the elastic portion. This may improve the retention of the refill in the case and provide a particular sensation or noise when snapping, which may make it easier for the user to identify that the refill is properly secured in the case.

[0085] The first relief(s) and / or the second relief(s) may include a friction overthickness. This may improve the retention of the refill.

[0086] The invention also meets this need using a refill, belonging to a device as described previously, comprising a refill body and a cover comprising an element plunging into the refill body, the refill body comprising a widened portion for holding on a case, the widened portion for holding comprising a first relief configured to cooperate with a second relief of the case to block the refill from rotating in the case. The characteristics described of the refill described previously in the context of the device can be applied to the present refill independently of the device. Brief description of the drawings

[0087] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is an overall view of the device according to the invention.

[0088] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is an exploded view of the different elements of the device according to the invention.

[0089] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a sectional view along a plane containing the longitudinal axes (X) or (Y) dimensions of the entire device when the latter is assembled.

[0090] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a sectional view along a plane containing the longitudinal axes tudinals (X) and (Y), similar to [Fig.3], when the hood, the plunging element and the wringing element are separated from the device.

[0091] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a perspective view, seen from above, of the case ring.

[0092] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a top view along VI of the ring of [Fig.5],

[0093] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a sectional view along VILVII of the ring of [Fig.6],

[0094] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a side sectional view of the refill body of Figures 1 to 4, and

[0095] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a sectional view at the ring with a refill in the ring.

[0096] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a cutaway perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the ring according to the invention.

[0097] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] is a partial side view of the refill according to the same embodiment variant of [Fig. 10].

[0098] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] is a top view along XII of the ring according to the same variant embodiment of [Fig. 10]. Detailed description

[0099] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a packaging device 1 according to the invention. The device comprises a cosmetic refill 2 with a longitudinal axis X containing a cosmetic product and a case 3 with a longitudinal axis Y having a housing 31 for receiving the refill 2. When the device 1 is assembled, the longitudinal axes X and Y are the same.

[0100] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the cosmetic refill 2 comprises a refill body 4 containing the cosmetic product and a cap 6 for closing said refill body 4. The refill body may comprise a dispensing portion 41 on which the cap 6 is mounted and a reservoir 44 configured to extend into the case 3. The reservoir may be substantially cylindrical around the longitudinal axis X.

[0101] A dipping element 7 is attached to the cap 6 of the refill. In the illustrated embodiment, the dipping element is a pipette 7 attached to the cap 6 and associated in a manner known per se with a suction and expulsion device arranged in the cap and making it possible to load the pipette with product and to expel the loaded product from the pipette for application to a body surface. The invention is however not limited to a dipping element in the form of a pipette; the dipping element may be any other element configured to collect cosmetic product in the reservoir, in particular in the bottom of the reservoir, in particular an application member mounted on a rod, in particular a mascara brush or a lip or eyeliner applicator. The cosmetic product may be an eyeliner, a liquid lipstick, a gloss lipstick, a care product or a mascara.

[0102] The cover 6 can be mounted on the refill body 4, in particular on the dispensing portion 41, in particular on an opening of a neck 49 of the dispensing portion 41, by screwing onto the dispensing portion 41 of the refill body 4. The cover 6 can have on its inner surface a thread of shape and screw pitch complementary to a thread 48 present on the neck 49 of the dispensing portion 41 of the refill body 4.

[0103] The refill body may be elongated as shown, along the longitudinal axis X.

[0104] The refill body 4 may have a widened holding portion 42 between the dispensing portion 41 and the reservoir 44 and a base 43 connecting the dispensing 41 and holding 42 portions of the refill body 4. The base 43 may be connected to the widened holding portion 42 by a shoulder 47. The widened holding portion 42 may have a greater width p, in particular a diameter, greater than that of the dispensing portion d and the reservoir r, as can be seen in [Fig. 8]. This makes it easier to insert the refill into the case and to hold the refill securely on the case.

[0105] Preferably, the refill body 4 is a single piece. It may be made of a recyclable and / or recycled material, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), the polypropylene being able to be virgin or recycled, glass or even cellulosic material.

[0106] Furthermore, the refill 2 may comprise a funnel-shaped wiping element 9 inserted and fixed inside the refill body 2, at the neck 49 of the portion of the dispensing 41 of the refill body 4. The wiping element 9 is of a type known per se and its fixing to the neck 49 is also known.

[0107] The case 3 may comprise a case body 4 arranged to receive, through an opening 33, the refill reservoir 21 when the refill 2 is inserted into the case 3. The case 3 may comprise a joining portion 5 which may take the form of an attached ring. The attached ring 5 may be fixed by snap-fastening to the body of the case 35. Alternatively, the ring may be glued to the case. According to another embodiment, the joining portion 5 may be integral with the case and be a single piece with the latter. The body of the case may be made of glass.

[0108] The reservoir 44 of the refill body 4 may have a substantially cylindrical shape of revolution with a rounded bottom 40, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The refill body 4 is arranged to be inserted within the case 3 so that the reservoir 44 extends into the case and the widened holding portion 42 cooperates with the ring 5 of the case at least by flats 10 which cooperate with second reliefs 53 extending on the ring. The bottom of the refill body 40 may not come into contact with the bottom 32 of the case 3, leaving an empty space, this in order to allow the refill to have a variable distance from the bottom according to the manufacturing tolerances or to have a refill of variable height. Furthermore, the outer surface of the refill body 4 preferably does not come into contact with the inner surface of the case body, leaving an empty space between these two elements of the device.Such provisions make it possible in particular to protect the refill when it is inserted into the case, in particular in the event of the device being accidentally dropped.

[0109] The ring 5 may comprise a joining piece 51 configured to come into contact with the enlarged holding portion 42 of the refill and a cover 52 fixed to the joining piece 51 as illustrated in figures 5 to 7. The joining piece 51 is inserted inside the cover 52 of the ring 5, the ring itself being fixed, for example snapped onto or glued to the case 3. The joining piece and the cover can be made of the same plastic material, which can in particular be recyclable and / or recycled.Alternatively, the junction piece is made of a first material, for example a plastic material, such as an elastomer or preferably a plastic material having a certain rigidity and a controlled and advantageous coefficient of friction with the constituent material of the refill body, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and the cover is made of a second material, in particular plastic, having in particular a surface finish, such as a metallized finish, or of a metallic material, such as aluminum.

[0110] The ring 5 may have between the junction piece 51 and the cover 52 a housing for receiving the neck 34 of the body of the case, the cover 52 being able to comprise one or more snap-on reliefs on the neck of the body of the case.

[0111] The widened holding portion 42 of the refill body 4 may have at least one first relief, here two first reliefs in the form of flats 10, only one of which is visible in [Fig.2]. In the example illustrated, the first reliefs are in the form of flats 10, but it could be otherwise. Any relief allowing the refill to be blocked in rotation by the case by cooperation with the case is possible. The two flats 10 are here symmetrically distributed on the widened holding portion 42, on either side of the longitudinal axis X.

[0112] At the level of the flats 10, a portion of the base 43 can be trimmed in its width to provide a chamfer 101. The flats 10 are planes inclined relative to the longitudinal axis X by an angle α, for example between 3° and 10°, being in particular substantially equal to 3.5°. Alternatively, the flats 10 could be parallel to the longitudinal axis X. The flats 10 have a substantially trapezoidal outline but they could be of different shapes.

[0113] The flats may also include a chamfer 102 at their lower insertion edge to facilitate the insertion of the holding portion 42 of the refill into the joining portion.

[0114] The joining portion 51 comprises second reliefs 53 configured to cooperate with the first reliefs 10, in particular the flats 10, of the holding portion 42 of the refill. The second reliefs 53 may have a flat surface on which the flats 10 come into contact, the flats 10 preferably having an angular extent 0 substantially greater than that [3 of the flat surfaces, when the refill 2 is inserted into the case 3. The flats 10 and the flat surfaces of the second reliefs 53 thus form a stop which opposes rotation around the longitudinal axis X of the refill 2 relative to the case 3.

[0115] The second reliefs 53 may be bordered laterally by a fillet 105 which makes it easier to engage between the second reliefs 53 and the first reliefs 10 without damaging them. According to an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, there are two flats and second reliefs, but it could be otherwise.

[0116] The second reliefs 53 may comprise a chamfer 104 in their upper part forming the insertion edge to facilitate the insertion of the holding portion 42 of the refill into the joining portion.

[0117] Each flat 10 extends over an angular range 0 between 10 and 70°, for example substantially equal to 55°.

[0118] Each second relief 53 extends over an angular range [3 substantially less than that of the flat 10, here approximately 50°.

[0119] The flats 10 may have a height measured along the longitudinal axis of approximately 11 mm and the second reliefs 53 may have a height H, illustrated in [Fig.7] measured along the longitudinal axis, slightly lower than that of the flats 10, of approximately 9 mm.

[0120] The flats 10 may be formed from a flat cutout of the outer surface of the holding portion 42.

[0121] The flat surfaces may be vertical as illustrated in the figures. Alternatively, they may form a non-zero angle α with the vertical.

[0122] In the example illustrated, the flats 10 therefore form a non-zero angle α with the flat surface when the refill is inserted into the housing of the case.

[0123] As can be seen in Figures 5 to 7, the junction piece 51 may comprise, on its internal surface configured to come into contact with the widened portion for holding the refill, friction elements 12. The friction elements 12 may have a height f less than the height H of the second reliefs 53.

[0124] According to an embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 7, the joining piece 51 may have a first axial portion 51a on which the second rotation-locking reliefs 53 extend and devoid of friction elements and a second axial portion 51b on which the second reliefs 53 extend in continuity with the first axial portion 51a and the friction elements 12 extend. The fact that the first axial portion is devoid of friction elements 12 makes it possible to preserve them and limit their wear during insertion and in particular angular indexing around the longitudinal axis of the refill in the case to make the flats 10 and the flat surfaces 53 coincide, and thus to prolong their effectiveness over time. Preferably, the second axial portion 51b extends between the first portion 51a and the reservoir 44 of the refill. The two axial portions 5la and 51b can be of heights measured along the longitudinal axis X substantially identical or not.

[0125] The friction elements 12 may be projecting reliefs configured to bear against the widened holding portion and hold the widened holding portion in the neck of the case by friction. It is then necessary to exert a force greater than the friction force generated by the friction elements 12 to extract the refill from the case. Preferably, this friction force is greater than the gravity force of the full refill to prevent the latter from being able to come out of the case under its own weight when the device is handled, in particular turned over. The junction piece 51 may comprise an even number of friction elements 12 and identical arranged symmetrically on circumferential portions of the junction piece 51 outside the flats 10 between the latter.They can be regularly distributed on each circumferential portion outside the flats 10. .

[0126] As illustrated in [Fig.10], each friction element 12 extends over an angular range X of between 10 and 30°, here approximately 22° from the second axial portion 51b. Each friction element may protrude by a thickness e of approximately 0.7 mm. Each friction element 12 may have on its upper edge a fillet 103 which makes it easier to engage the refill holding part with these friction elements when it is inserted into the case.

[0127] Preferably, the friction elements 12 extend between the second reliefs 53 without overlapping them angularly. In the example illustrated, the ring 5 comprises six identical friction elements 12 extending between the two second reliefs 53 in the two angular portions without second reliefs 53 while being angularly distributed around the longitudinal axis with the second reliefs 53.

[0128] Thus, when assembling the refill 2 and the case 3, the user will first seek to make the longitudinal axes X and Y of the refill and the case coincide, then secondly make the first and second reliefs coincide by rotating the refill relative to the case around the longitudinal axis, push the refill in translation downwards at the axial portion 51a, then continue the translation downwards in the axial portion 51b to put the friction elements 12 into friction.

[0129] According to an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], the device may comprise an additional seal. The seal 11 is a projecting relief which extends between the joining portion 5 of the case 3 and the widened holding portion 42 of the refill body 4. Said seal 11 extends circumferentially over the entire circumference of the internal surface of the joining portion 5 and is configured to come into contact with the refill body 4 at the external surface of the widened holding portion 42 of the refill body, at the shoulder 47 between the widened holding portion 42 and the dispensing portion 41 of the refill body 4, in particular at the untrimmed portion by the chamfer 101 adjacent to the flat 10.

[0130] Such a seal makes it possible to ensure better contact between the enlarged holding portion 42 of the refill body and the joining portion 5 of the case and consequently better general holding between the refill 2 and the case 3.

[0131] According to the illustrated embodiment, the friction elements 12 are carried by the case 3, in particular by the joining portion 5 of the case, but as a variant, the friction elements can be carried by the refill, in particular by the enlarged holding portion preferably extending between the second portion and the reservoir 44 of the refill. In this case, the first axial portion 51a preferably extends between the second portion 51b and the reservoir 44 of the refill.

[0132] According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 10 to 12, the device may be without a seal. According to this alternative illustrated in Figures 10 to 12, the device may comprise on each second relief 53, a snap-in relief 60. According to this embodiment, the second relief 53 may comprise two notches 62 extending over a portion of the height H of the second relief 53 defining between them a snap-in portion of the second relief. The snap-in relief 60 may extend over the snap-in portion of the second relief. The presence of the notches 62 makes it possible to provide the snap-in portion of the second relief with a certain elasticity promoting snap-in. The snap-in relief 60 may be formed by a projecting relief extending between the two notches 62.

[0133] As illustrated in [Fig.l 1], each flat 10 of the refill may have a complementary projecting snap-in relief 64, in particular of substantially oval shape. The snap-in relief 60 may be arranged to snap into place with the corresponding snap-in relief 64 when the refill is inserted into the case. This cooperation ensures good axial retention of the refill 2 in the case 3, complementing the friction elements 12 to limit the risk of the refill being removed. The elasticity of the snap-in portion provided by the notches 62 makes it easier to snap into place.

[0134] Furthermore, this makes it possible to provide the user with a tactile and / or audible sensation when snapping in so that he can be assured that the refill 2 is properly held in the case 3.

[0135] The notches 62 may be bordered, on the side opposite the snap-on portion of the second relief, by an excess thickness 63 of the second relief. Such an excess thickness may act as a complementary friction element promoting the retention of the refill in the case and / or form at least in part the flat surface of each second relief 53 adapted to cooperate with a corresponding flat 10 of the refill body 4.

[0136] When inserting the refill 2 into the case 3, the excess thickness 63 of each second relief 53 comes into contact with each flat 10 of the refill body 42 in order to ensure the angular indexing of the refill 2 in the case 3 and can also participate in the frictional holding of the refill.

[0137] Obviously, the elements which have just been described are applicable in reverse to the first relief. The snap-in portions with the snap-in reliefs can be arranged on the first reliefs and the second reliefs can include the complementary snap-in reliefs.

[0138] In the case where the device was devoid of a friction element 12 distinct from the second reliefs 53, the latter could, in addition to the function of locking the refill in rotation in the case by cooperation with the first reliefs 10, also ensure the function of holding the refill in the case by friction along the longitudinal axis X, by providing tight contact between the first and second reliefs when the refill 4 is in place inside the case 3.

[0139] Numerous modifications can be made to the device which has just been described, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0140] Thus, in a variant not illustrated, the number of first and / or second reliefs, the number and / or the nature of the friction elements can also be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0141] The location of the seal may also be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for packaging, applying and / or dispensing a cosmetic refill (2) comprising: - a cosmetic refill (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) comprising: • a refill body (4) defining at least partially a reservoir (44) of cosmetic product, and • a cover (6) for closing the refill body (4), the device being characterized in that the refill body (4) has an external surface comprising at least a first relief (10), and in that it comprises a case (3) having a receiving housing (31) for the cosmetic refill (2), said case (3) having an internal surface, having at least a second relief (53) arranged to lock in rotation about its longitudinal axis (X) the cosmetic refill (2) in the case (3) by cooperation with said at least a first relief (10) when the cosmetic refill (2) is in the housing (31).

2. Device according to claims 1, in which the refill body (4) comprises a reservoir (44) of product, a dispensing portion (41) of the cosmetic product and an enlarged holding portion (42) on the case extending between the dispensing portion (41) and the reservoir (44) and having, on its outer surface, the first relief (10).

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the closing cap (6) is screwed onto the refill body (4), the device comprising in particular a plunging element (7) fixed to or integral with the surface of the cap (6) internal to the refill and configured to extend into the refill body (4) when the cap (6) is on the refill body (4).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the case (3) comprises a case body (35), configured to receive the reservoir (44) of the refill when the refill is inserted into the case, and an upper joining portion (5), in particular attached to the case body (35) with the refill body having the second relief (53), in particular on a surface inside the joining portion (5).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in wherein one of the first and second reliefs (10, 53), preferably the second relief (53), is a projecting relief and the other of the first and second reliefs (10, 53), preferably the first relief, is a recessed relief, in particular of complementary shape.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which one of the first and second reliefs, preferably the first relief (10), is a flat and the other of the first and second reliefs, preferably the second relief (53), has a flat surface on which the flat (10) comes into contact by at least part of its surface, when the refill (2) is in the case (3), so as to form a stop opposing the rotation of the refill (2) relative to the case (3) around the longitudinal axis (X) of the refill in both directions of rotation.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first relief (10), in particular the flat, has a plane inclined relative to a plane of the second relief (53) on which it comes into contact, in particular further from the plane of the second relief (53) on the side of the cover (6) than on the side of the reservoir (44), in particular forming a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis when the cosmetic refill is inserted into the housing, strictly greater than 0°, better still greater than or equal to 1°, even better still greater than or equal to 2°, preferably greater than or equal to 3°, and / or less than or equal to 20°, better still less than or equal to 10°, preferably less than or equal to 5°, for example substantially equal to 2 50

8. 3, J Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of first (10) and second reliefs (53), in particular an even number of first and second reliefs, for example two first and second reliefs arranged opposite each other, arranged to cooperate with each other when the cosmetic refill (2) is in the housing to prevent rotation of the cosmetic refill (2) in the case (3).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first relief (10) extends over an angular range (0) between 10° and 70°, in particular between 40° and 60°, for example 55°.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and / or second relief (10, 53), in particular the flat, have at their insertion edge, a fillet or a chamfer.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one friction element (12), better still a plurality friction elements (12), extending between the refill body (4) and the case (3) when the refill (2) is inserted into the case (3) configured to hold the refill body (4) in the case (3) by friction.

12. Device according to claim 11, in which the friction element(s) (12) are separate from the first (10) and the second relief (53) when the refill (2) is inserted into the case (3), in particular extending over an angular portion of the device around the longitudinal axis (X), separate from that of the first and second relief, each angular portion not comprising first and second reliefs (10, 53) may comprise at least one, preferably at least two, better still at least three friction elements (12), preferably regularly distributed in each angular portion not comprising first and second reliefs.

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, in which the case (3), and in particular the joining portion (5), comprises: - a first axial portion (51a) without a friction element (12) and comprising at least a part of the second relief(s) (53) and of the first relief(s) (10) and, - a second axial portion (51b) comprising at least a part of one or more friction elements (12).

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the refill body and the case respectively comprise a plurality of first (10) and second reliefs (53), the device comprising angular portions devoid of first and second reliefs, in particular two opposite angular portions devoid of first and second reliefs, at least one, preferably two, better still three friction elements (12) being arranged in each angular portion of the device devoid of first and second reliefs.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, having a seal (11) or a portion of a seal, extending between the refill (2) and the case (3) when the refill (2) is in the case (3), in particular the seal (11) being a projecting relief extending from one of the internal surface of the case (3) or the external surface of the refill body (4), in particular circumferentially over the entire circumference of the internal surface or the external surface, configured to come into contact with the other of the internal surface of the case (3) or the external surface of the refill body (4).

16. Refill (2) belonging to a device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a refill body (4) and a cover (6) comprising a plunging element (7) in the refill body (4), the refill body comprising a widened holding portion (42) on a case (3), the widened holding portion (42) comprising a first relief (10) configured to cooperate with a second relief (53) of the case (3) to block the refill (2) from rotating in the case (3).

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