Automatic opening and closing system for a cosmetic product packaging and application device for people with reduced mobility

Abstract

This system (1), for opening a cosmetic product packaging device comprising a cosmetic product storage container and a lid screwed and / or clipped onto the storage container, includes an internal housing (9) defining an internal volume (11) for receiving the storage container, and an external housing (15) on which the internal housing (9) is mounted, movably rotatable in two directions of rotation about the longitudinal axis (X-X') of the internal housing (9). The system (1) includes a motor (17) for rotating the internal housing (9) and retaining means (21) configured to maintain the storage container fixed to the internal housing (9) during rotation of said internal housing (9). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Automatic opening and closing system for a cosmetic product packaging and application device for people with reduced mobility. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the unscrewing and screwing of a device for conditioning and applying a cosmetic product.

[0002] The conditioning device is, for example, a conditioning device for a makeup composition, a makeup base (or "base coat"), a composition to be applied over another product (or "top-coat"), or even a cosmetic treatment composition.

[0003] The conditioning and application device is for example intended for the application of a cosmetic product, in particular makeup or skincare, onto a keratinous material and / or keratinous fibers, and is in particular intended for the application of mascara to eyelashes.

[0004] By "keratinous materials", we preferably mean human keratinous materials, in particular hair and nails, and more particularly keratinous fibers.

[0005] The term "keratin fibers" refers in particular to eyelashes and / or eyebrows, and preferably eyelashes. The term "keratin fibers" as used in this application also includes synthetic false eyelashes.

[0006] By “mascara”, we mean a composition intended to be applied to eyelashes or false eyelashes.

[0007] The conditioning and application device can also be intended for the application of a fluid lip product such as a gloss or a lip lacquer, or for other fluid products such as eyeshadows, concealer, liquid foundation, or nail polish.

[0008] In particular, the present invention relates to facilitating the opening and closing of a packaging device comprising a storage container and a lid intended to be screwed on to close said storage container, particularly for persons with reduced mobility who cannot perform a rotational movement with their hands to close or open such a packaging device.

[0009] In general, the invention applies to the opening and closing of any object in two parts that can be screwed or clipped together. Previous techniques

[0010] Devices for conditioning and applying cosmetic products such as mascara, lip balm or pencil, as well as others, generally comprise two parts that can be screwed or clipped together, in this case a storage tank and a cover screwed or clipped onto said storage tank.

[0011] Such commercially available conditioning devices are generally used by manually opening them with a rotational or pulling motion of the hand to unscrew or unclip the caps or applicators.

[0012] However, such a movement is sometimes not feasible for some people with reduced mobility, who, due to an accident or illness, can no longer perform it and, consequently, use such conditioning devices.

[0013] The production of packaging specific to each particular morphology could be a solution to allow the use of a mascara packaging device by people with reduced mobility but is difficult to envisage on a large scale and would involve significant production costs.

[0014] In addition, people with reduced mobility, in a problem of inclusion and simplicity of purchase, are looking for solutions that can allow them to use the same packaged cosmetic products as people with full mobility. Description of the invention

[0015] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a system allowing the unscrewing and screwing or, more generally, the easy opening, closing and gripping of a commercially available packaging device.

[0016] The present invention relates to an automatic opening and closing system for a cosmetic product packaging and application device comprising a cosmetic product storage container and a cap screwed and / or clipped onto the storage container, the system comprising an internal housing defining an internal volume for receiving the storage container of said device and being provided with an opening for accessing the internal volume, and an external housing on which the internal housing is mounted movable for rotation in two directions of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the internal housing, the system comprising a motor for rotating the internal housing and holding means configured to keep the storage container fixed in rotation with the internal housing during the rotation of said internal housing.

[0017] Thus, the storage container of a cosmetic product packaging and application device inserted into the inner housing can be held and rotated by the motor and via said inner housing. At the same time, the device's cover can be held fixed by a user. The cover can thus be screwed onto or unscrewed from the storage container without the user having to perform a The present invention is particularly effective for unscrewing and screwing a lid onto a container, but can also be used to unclip a lid from a container.

[0018] Advantageously, the retaining means are configured to keep the storage container of said device rotationally fixed to the internal housing by friction.

[0019] Advantageously, the internal housing includes a peripheral wall radially defining the internal volume, the retaining means including the peripheral wall of the internal housing.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the peripheral wall of the inner casing comprises an elastomeric material or any other material that can adhere to the cosmetic product packaging device.

[0021] Alternatively or in combination, the retaining means comprise at least one membrane made of elastically deformable material supported by the internal housing and positioned in the internal volume, said membrane comprising a slot in its center for the passage of the storage container of said device.

[0022] The membrane is capable, by virtue of the material used, of deforming under the action of the pressure exerted by the storage container of said device, and of returning by elasticity to its initial position when the storage container is removed.

[0023] The membrane is for example made of elastomeric material or any other material that can adhere to the cosmetic product packaging device.

[0024] The membrane increases the contact area with the storage container, and therefore increases adhesion and / or friction in order to more easily maintain said storage container in the inner casing.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment, the retaining means comprise at least two membranes supported by the internal housing and positioned in the internal volume arranged to be axially spaced apart from each other, the slit of the membrane located axially on the side of the access opening having a larger passage section than the slit of the other membrane.

[0026] The presence of several membranes promotes stable alignment of the device along the longitudinal axis of the internal housing, while also providing friction to facilitate this alignment during rotation. Furthermore, the varying cross-sectional area between the different slots of the different membranes allows the system to be adapted to different shapes and sizes of cosmetic product packaging and application devices.

[0027] Advantageously, the internal housing comprises a base delimiting the bottom of said internal housing, a neck defining the access opening and at least one intermediate part located axially between the base and the neck.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the base, said intermediate part and the neck are stacked axially.

[0029] Alternatively, the base, said intermediate part and the neck are made from a single piece.

[0030] Advantageously, the neck, said intermediate part and the base each define a cross passage section of decreasing diameter, the neck defining the largest passage section and the base defining the smallest passage section.

[0031] Advantageously, the base is provided with at least one through orifice for the evacuation of said cosmetic product.

[0032] This opening is made so as to allow the evacuation of a liquid, in particular the cosmetic product, in the event of a leak from the storage container.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the system includes a contactor positioned axially under the base and configured to send a signal to activate the rotation of the motor when an external axial pressure is transmitted to said contactor by deformation and / or displacement of the base.

[0034] According to a particular embodiment, when two external axial pressures are transmitted in a short time interval to the contactor, for example in less than one second, the rotation of the motor is activated in the opposite direction of rotation, compared with a single pressure.

[0035] Advantageously, the system includes a battery and / or a rechargeable battery positioned in the external housing for powering the motor.

[0036] In a particular embodiment, the system includes a light source configured to indicate the direction of rotation of the inner housing, the light source being positioned on the outer housing.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the system includes a button configured to send a signal to activate the rotation of the motor and / or to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor, the button being positioned on the external housing and / or on a remote control.

[0038] The invention also relates to a kit comprising a system as defined above and a gripper for a device for conditioning and applying a cosmetic product.

[0039] The invention also relates to a method of using the system as defined above, said method comprising a step of inserting the storage tank of the device for conditioning and applying a cosmetic product, a step of holding the fixed cover outside the system by the user, a step of rotating the motor, the internal housing and the storage tank held securely to the internal casing by the holding means, and a step of stopping the rotation of the motor once the device is opened or closed.

[0040] The system may further include at least one human-machine interface communicating with a control unit. The human-machine interface may include a display screen, in particular an LED screen, and / or control buttons and / or control keys, located for example on a chair and / or on a ring and / or on a bracelet and / or on a diabolo.

[0041] The interface can offer various functions and / or programs allowing, for example, the adjustment of certain operating parameters of the system, or the indication of certain information to the user, such as battery level, usage time, product level, user-specific information, or information relating to the safety and / or conditions of use of the system.

[0042] The interface can allow the selection of an operating mode to treat different body areas.

[0043] The interface can communicate via a wired or wireless connection, for example via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, with a terminal such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a computer in order, for example, to receive updates or to send data related to the use of the system.

[0044] The system may be equipped with a stabilizing device as described in US patent 11458062B2, capable of stabilizing the system in response to a user-induced movement, comprising: a receiver configured to be coupled to the system; at least one sensor configured to detect a user-induced movement; circuits configured to determine a compensating movement to offset the detected movement; and at least one motion-generating device integrated into the receiver configured to control a movement of the system based on the determined compensating movement. Brief description of the drawings

[0045] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0046] [Fig.1] is a perspective view in transparency of a system according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;

[0047] [Fig.2] is a perspective cross-sectional view of the system in [Fig.1];

[0048] [Fig.3] is a schematic side view of a kit according to an example embodiment of the invention comprising the system of [Fig.1] and a gripper of a device for conditioning and applying a cosmetic product;

[0049] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of a box containing the kit from [Fig. 3]; and

[0050] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the steps in a process for using the system of [Fig.1],

[0051] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0052] Figures 1 and 2 schematically represent a system 1 for the automatic opening and closing of a device 3 for conditioning and applying a cosmetic product (represented in Figures 3 and 4), also called a conditioning article 3.

[0053] In particular, system 1 is an automatic unscrewing and screwing system of a device 3 for conditioning and applying a cosmetic product.

[0054] In particular, the device 3 for conditioning and applying a cosmetic product includes a storage container 5 for the cosmetic product and a cap 7 screwed or clipped onto the storage container 5.

[0055] The cap includes a thread adapted to cooperate with a corresponding thread on the container. By "thread," we mean a screw thread or a snap thread to secure the cap to the container by screwing or clipping.

[0056] The cap 7 can for example be equipped with an applicator located inside the storage container 5 in the screwed position of the cap 7 on the storage container 5. The device 3 can be a mascara packaging device, or a lip stick, or any other device 3 comprising two parts intended to be screwed together.

[0057] The unscrewing and screwing system 1 includes an internal housing 9 defining an internal volume 11 for receiving the storage container 5 of said device 3. The internal housing 9 is also provided with an access opening 13 to the internal volume 11.

[0058] The system 1 further comprises an external housing 15 on which the internal housing 9 is mounted to rotate in two directions about the longitudinal axis X-X' of the internal housing 9, as will be described in more detail later. The internal housing 9 is mounted inside the external housing 15.

[0059] System 1 optionally includes a base 16 on which it can rest. In particular, the external housing 15 is fixed to the base 16 at one end of the system 1 opposite to the end comprising the access opening 13, the longitudinal axis X-X' passing through the base 16 and through the access opening 13.

[0060] The system 1 includes, for example, a bearing positioned between the inner housing 9 and the outer housing 15 in order to allow rotation of one relative to the other while limiting friction.

[0061] The system 1 includes a motor 17 for rotating said inner housing 9 by means of a geared motor 19. The motor 17 and the geared motor 19 are positioned on the outer housing 15 or mounted on the base 16. More precisely, they are positioned in the space 20 between the outer housing 15 and the inner housing 9.

[0062] The system 1 further includes holding means 21 configured to hold the storage container 5 of the cosmetic product conditioning and application device 3 securely in rotation with the inner casing 9 during the rotation of said inner casing 9. The hood 7 of the device extends axially outside the system 1.

[0063] In particular, the retaining means 21 are configured to keep the storage container 5 of said device 3 rotationally fixed to the internal housing 9 by friction, preferably by adhesion.

[0064] The inner casing 9 comprises a peripheral wall 23 radially defining the internal volume 11, the retaining means 21 comprising the peripheral wall 23. The friction between the peripheral wall 23 and the storage container 5 generates a frictional force which makes it possible to keep the storage container 5 fixed in rotation with the inner casing 9.

[0065] According to a particular embodiment, the peripheral wall 23 of the internal housing 9 comprises an elastomeric material, preferably elastic, allowing the adhesion and / or grip and / or friction between the storage container 5 and the peripheral wall 23 to be increased.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining means 21 also include at least one membrane 25 made of elastic material supported by the internal housing 9 and positioned in the internal volume 11, said membrane 25 including a slot 27 in its center for the passage of the storage container 5 of said device 3.

[0067] Preferably, the slot 27 is cruciform, allowing it to adapt to storage container sections 5 of any shape, including round, rectangular, triangular, or other shapes, and of any dimensions. The section of the device 3 shown in [Fig. 3] is, for example, rectangular.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, particularly in [Fig. 2], the retaining means 21 comprise three membranes 25 supported by the internal housing 9 and positioned within the internal volume 11, more precisely arranged by being axially spaced apart from each other, the slot 27 of the membrane 25 located axially on the side of the access opening 13 having a larger passage cross-section than the slot 27 of the membrane 25 located towards the center of the internal volume 11, itself having a slot 27 with a larger passage cross-section than the slot in the membrane 25 located opposite the access opening 13.

[0069] Alternatively, it is possible to provide for a different number of membranes 25, for example a single membrane or two membranes.

[0070] In the embodiment shown, the internal housing 9 comprises a base 29 delimiting the bottom of said internal housing 9, a neck 31 defining the access opening 13 and at least one intermediate part 33 located axially between the base 29 and the neck 31. Here, the internal housing 9 is equipped with two intermediate parts 33.

[0071] In an alternative embodiment, the collar 31 could be part of the external housing 15 and is fixed relative to the internal housing 9 formed by the base 29 and the intermediate part(s) 33.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the base 29, the intermediate parts 33 and the neck 31 are independent elements stacked axially, and for example fixed together by any suitable means for example by gluing or snap-fitting. The membranes 25 can then be interposed between each element, in particular respectively between the base 29 and an intermediate part 33, between two intermediate parts and / or between an intermediate part 33 and the neck 31.

[0073] Alternatively, the base 29, the intermediate part(s) 33 and the neck 31 are made in one single piece, the membranes 25 being for example taken from the material of the internal housing 9 or fixed by any suitable means for example by gluing.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the neck 31, the intermediate part(s) 33, and the base 29 each define a cross-section of decreasing diameter, with the neck 31 defining the largest cross-section and the base 29 defining the smallest. In a preferred embodiment, the peripheral wall 23 of the internal housing 9, defining the cross-sections of the neck 31, the intermediate parts 33, and the base 29, has a generally conical shape. The decreasing cross-sections allow for the insertion and retention, during screwing or unscrewing, of devices 3 of different diameters, with the larger devices 3 being inserted up to the neck 31 or up to an intermediate part 33, and the smaller devices 3 being inserted up to the base 29.

[0075] In an advantageous embodiment, the base 29 is provided with at least one through-hole 35 for draining the cosmetic product. The hole 35 thus allows for drainage at the bottom of the internal volume 11 so as to evacuate a liquid from the packaging device 3. A second hole or a drainable reservoir may be provided in the external housing 15 in order to definitively drain the liquid from the system 1. The system 1 is removable and washable for cleaning the system 1 in the event of such incidents.

[0076] In the embodiment shown, the system 1 includes a contactor 37 positioned axially under the base 29 and configured to send a signal to activate the rotation of the motor 17 when an external axial pressure is transmitted to said contactor 37 by deformation and / or displacement of the base 29. In one embodiment, the contactor 37 is mounted on the base 16.

[0077] Thus, a user simply inserts a device 3 into the internal volume 11 and presses on it by deforming the bottom of the base 29 or by translating the base 29 in order to transmit pressure to the contactor 37. As long as this pressure is maintained, the motor 17 rotates and allows the device 3 to be screwed or unscrewed.

[0078] According to a particular embodiment, when two external axial pressures are transmitted in a short time interval to the contactor 37, for example in less than one second, the rotation of the motor 17 is activated in the opposite direction of rotation, compared with a single pressure.

[0079] Advantageously, the system 1 includes a rechargeable battery 39 positioned in the external housing 15 for powering the motor 17. More precisely, the battery 39 is positioned in the space between the external housing 15 and the internal housing 9. In a particular embodiment, the battery 39 is mounted on the base 16.

[0080] Alternatively, system 1 includes a mains power supply and / or charging module.

[0081] In a particular embodiment, notably represented in [Fig.3], the system 1 includes a light source 41 configured to indicate the direction of rotation of the inner housing 9, the light source 41 being positioned on the outer housing 15. For example, the light source 41 is a ring of light-emitting diode positioned on the outer surface of the outer housing 15. The light is, for example, green during a clockwise rotation, and red during a counterclockwise rotation.

[0082] Furthermore, the system 1 may include a button 43 configured to send a signal to activate the rotation of the motor 17 and / or to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor 17, the button 43 being positioned on the external housing 15, as illustrated, and / or on a remote control. In this particular embodiment including a button 43, the contactor 37 may be omitted.

[0083] Thus, when using system 1 by a user, in particular to unscrew a device 3 comprising a storage tank 5 and a cover 7 screwed onto said storage tank 5, said user inserts the storage tank 5 fully into the internal volume 11 during a first insertion step 11. The user also holds the cover 7 outside of system 1 during a second step E2. By pressing a button 43 or by applying pressure to the contactor 37 by the device 3, the motor 17 begins to rotate in step E3, and with it the inner housing 9, as well as the storage container 5 held securely attached to the inner housing 9. The parts that do not rotate are the outer housing and the cover 7, the latter being held in place by the user. After a few moments of rotation of the inner housing 9, the cover 7 is unscrewed from the storage container 5, and the motor 17 can stop its rotation in step E4. The cosmetic product can then be applied using the applicator supported by the cover 7.

[0084] Conversely, once the cosmetic product has been applied, it is possible to screw the cover 7 back onto the storage container 5 by placing the latter back into the internal volume 11 and then by rotating the motor 17 in the opposite direction.

[0085] Figure 3 also shows a kit 45 comprising a system 1 and a gripper 47 for a device 3 for packaging and applying a cosmetic product. The gripper 47 allows a user, in particular a user with reduced mobility, to more easily manipulate the device 3.

[0086] The gripper 47 is for example made up of a tip 49 connected to a ring 51 intended to surround and support the hood 7 of the cosmetic product packaging device 3.

[0087] Alternatively, the gripper 47 includes a tip 49 and a ferromagnetic washer (not shown) while a magnet is positioned on the device 3, the washer and the magnet attracting each other under the effect of a magnetic field.

[0088] The invention also relates to a case 53 comprising a container 55 and a lid 57, illustrated in [Fig. 4], the case 53 being intended to store in its container 55 a screw-on system 1, one or more grippers 47, and one or more devices 3 for packaging and applying a cosmetic product. Thus, by opening the case 53, the user has access to all their cosmetic products as well as to means of using them, namely the screw-on system 1 and the gripper 47.

Claims

Demands

1. A system (1) for the automatic opening and closing of a device (3) for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising a storage container (5) for the cosmetic product and a cap (7) screwed or clipped onto the storage container (5), characterized in that the system (1) comprises an internal housing (9) defining an internal volume (11) for receiving the storage container (5) of said device (3) and being provided with an access opening (13) to the internal volume (11), and an external housing (15) on which the internal housing (9) is mounted, movably rotatable in two directions of rotation about the longitudinal axis (X-X') of the internal housing (9), the system (1) comprising a motor (17) for rotating the internal housing (9) and retaining means (21) configured to maintain the storage container (5) in rotation with the internal housing (9) during the rotation of said internal housing. (9),the retaining means (21) comprising at least one membrane (25) of elastically deformable material supported by the internal casing (9) and positioned in the internal volume (11), said membrane (25) comprising a slot (27) in its center for the passage of the storage container (5) of said device (3).

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means (21) are configured to keep the storage container (5) of said device (3) rotationally fixed to the internal housing (9) by friction.

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner casing (9) comprises a peripheral wall (23) radially defining the internal volume (11), the retaining means (21) comprising the peripheral wall (23) of the inner casing (9).

4. System (1) according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral wall (23) of the inner housing (9) comprises an elastomeric material.

5. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least two membranes (25) supported by the internal housing (9) and positioned in the internal volume (11) arranged to be axially spaced apart from each other, the slot (27) of the membrane (25) being located axially on the side of the access opening (13) presenting a larger passage section than the slit (27) of the other membrane (25).

6. System 1 according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner housing (9) comprises a base (29) delimiting the bottom of said inner housing (9), a neck (31) defining the access opening (13) and at least one intermediate part (33) located axially between the base (29) and the neck (31).

7. System (1) according to claim 6, wherein the base (29), said intermediate part (33) and the neck (31) are stacked axially.

8. System (1) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the neck (31), said intermediate part (33) and the base (29) each define a cross passage section of decreasing diameter, the neck (31) defining the widest passage section and the base (29) defining the narrowest passage section.

9. System (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the base (29) is provided with at least one through orifice (35) for the evacuation of said cosmetic product.

10. System (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, comprising a contactor (37) positioned axially under the base (29) and configured to send a signal to activate the rotation of the motor (17) when an external axial pressure is transmitted to said contactor (37) by deformation and / or displacement of the base (29).

11. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a rechargeable battery and / or cell (39) positioned in the external housing (15) for powering the motor (17).

12. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a light source (41) configured to indicate the direction of rotation of the inner housing (9), the light source being positioned on the outer housing (15).

13. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a button (43) configured to send an activation signal for the rotation of the motor (17) and / or to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor (17), the button (43) being positioned on the external housing (15) and / or on a remote control.

14. Kit (45) comprising a system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and a gripper (47) of a device (3) for packaging and applying a cosmetic product.

15. A method of using the system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, said method comprising a step (E1) of inserting the storage tank (5) of the cosmetic product conditioning and application device, a step (E2) of the user holding the hood (7) fixed to the outside of the system (1), a step (E3) of rotating the motor (17), the internal housing (9) and the storage tank (5) held together with the internal housing (9) by the holding means (21), and a step (E4) of stopping the rotation of the motor (17) once the device (3) is opened or closed.

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