Pin for cosmetic product case

Abstract

The invention proposes a pin 1 for a cosmetic product case 17, making it possible to create a pivot connection between a base 18 of the case and a pivoting part of the cover type 19 of the case 17, said pin 1 having a hollow cylindrical body 2 extending longitudinally along a central axis X and having a longitudinal slot 4 over its entire length, characterized in that it is designed in a plastic material of the PET and / or PP type, and in that it has a plurality of external radial ribs 5 projecting from the body 2, and a plane of symmetry P passing through the center of the slot 4 and through the axis X. Figure for the abstract: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Pin for cosmetic product housing Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a pin for a cosmetic product case, making it possible to create a pivot connection between a base of the case and a pivoting part, of the cover type, of the case.

[0002] The invention also relates to a case for a cosmetic product comprising such a pin.

[0003] And finally the invention relates to a method of manufacturing such a pin. Technical background

[0004] Metal pins are known which provide a good pivot connection in makeup cases. In this case, these pivot connections generally operate between a base of the case and a pivoting part, such as the cover and / or platform of the case. These parts have coaxial orifices inside which the pin is inserted. The base, the cover, and the platform are generally made of a plastic material.

[0005] The metal has a particular functional interest, namely that of allowing a stable hold in the intermediate position of the pivoting part, whatever its opening angle relative to the base. Indeed, the metal of the pin in contact with the plastic of the base and of the pivoting part creates a constraint which allows this holding in position. In other words there is an interference between the parts of different materials. This is particularly practical to prevent the cover from falling heavily onto the base when the user is putting on makeup, and looking at themselves for example in the mirror placed inside the cover.

[0006] With a view to optimal recycling of the case, it is now essential that all parts of the case are henceforth designed in an identical material. The metal pin has thus been replaced by a plastic pin.

[0007] With a plastic pin, it is possible to create interference with the base and the pivoting part, by playing on the dimensional aspect. However, these interferences do not last in the long term, because the plastic tends to conform after several openings / closings, unlike metal. This means that there is a limitation on the pin's ability to have elastic deformation of the plastic. The pin can no longer return to its initial shape, before deformation.

[0008] So after a few uses, the positioning of the pivoting part no longer works. In addition, after wear, the plastic pin tends to come out of the holes provided in the base and the pivoting part.

[0009] To solve this wear problem, plastic pins with ears have been developed. The ears allow interference to be created, and have excess material that can wear out and conform less quickly in the long term.

[0010] The disadvantage of these plastic ear pins is that their insertion into the holes is not easy, especially since there are burrs at the level of the ears which induce dimensional variations from one pin to another, making their insertion even more difficult.

[0011] Thus, split plastic pins, without ears, offering more flexibility and therefore ease of insertion, were then used. The addition of the slot allows for greater bending stress (unlike crushing). The slot allows for greater elasticity (like a spring) to maintain the stress and prevent the pin from conforming and therefore there being no more tightening at the end at the pivot connection. But the risk of the pin coming out of the holes is always present. Summary of the invention

[0012] The objective of the present invention is to provide a plastic pin which offers good interference with the base and the pivoting part, regardless of their angular position, and in the long term. This pin must also be able to be inserted easily, therefore have sufficient elasticity to be deformed during insertion, while having sufficient rigidity to ensure its role as a pivot connection, and this while being captive.

[0013] The pin according to the invention is designed for a cosmetic product case, and makes it possible to create a pivot connection between a base of the case and a pivoting part of the case.

[0014] This pin has a hollow cylindrical body extending longitudinally along a central axis X and has a longitudinal slot along its entire length.

[0015] This pin is mainly characterized in that it is made of a plastic material of the PET and / or PP type, and in that it has a plurality of external radial ribs projecting from the body, and a plane of symmetry passing through the center of the slot and through the X axis.

[0016] The main idea of ​​this invention is to provide radial projections around a plastic split pin.

[0017] The longitudinal slot of the pin allows it to be relatively flexible and elastically deformable when inserted into the holes of the base and the pivoting part. Indeed, the pin can be constrained or compressed during its insertion, being deformed with a reduction in the width of the slot to decrease its external diameter. Insertion is therefore easy. Once the pin is put in In place, it can partially redeploy inside the pivot connection holes, exerting stress against the inner walls of the holes.

[0018] More specifically, the radial ribs are projections that create interference with the inner walls of the holes in the pivot connection. Since the ribs are oriented radially, therefore going around the pin, they are in permanent contact with the inner walls of the holes.

[0019] The ribs are areas that are ready to be worn over time. But these ribs, combined with the deployment of the pin which is eternally trying to return to its initial state, that is to say its initial slot width, compensates for this wear, and means that the ribs, even when worn, will always be in contact with the interior walls of the orifices. There will therefore always be interference, even in the long term.

[0020] These radial external ribs prevent the pin from coming out of its housing. The projections act as axial stops limiting any movement of the pin along the X axis in the holes. Thanks to these ribs, the pin does not come out of the holes and is therefore captive.

[0021] The use of PET and / or PP plastic makes it possible to confer both a certain flexibility to the pin to facilitate its insertion into the housing, and a certain robustness to the pin, so that it is rigid once in place, and that it ensures its pivot connection function.

[0022] Finally, the pin is symmetrical, which presents a certain advantage for its elastic deformation, and for its molding, as will be explained in the rest of the description.

[0023] According to the different embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately: - each rib extends around the entire circumference of the body. - each rib extends over at least two parts of the body's perimeter. - the pin has two diametrically opposed longitudinal external flats extending along its entire length, the flats being devoid of ribs. - each flat is oriented at 90° to the slot. - the pin has a third longitudinal flat at the level of the slot. - each rib has a pointed section. - each rib has a rounded section. - each rib has a crenellated section. - the pin has two chamfered longitudinal ends. - the body is made of PET and the ribs are made of PP. - the pin diameter is in the range between 1 mm and 1.5 mm. - the pin diameter is 1.2 mm. - the pin is tinted in the mass. It may, for example, have a color corresponding to the color of the case, in this case the cover or the base of the case. - the pin is obtained by plastic injection.

[0024] The invention also relates to a case for a cosmetic product, comprising a base and a pivoting part, typically a cover or a platform, connected by a pivot connection. Said pivot connection comprises a pin as described above, inserted into orifices provided for this purpose in the base and the pivoting part, the ribs of the pin being in contact with internal walls delimiting said orifices.

[0025] This case is made entirely of PP and / or PET plastic.

[0026] The pin has a shade close to or identical to that of the base and / or the pivoting part.

[0027] Finally, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a pin as described above, by plastic injection, with a mold composed of two shells movable in translation relative to each other and defining between them an internal cavity into which the plastic is injected to form the pin, the mold also comprising a cylindrical rod positioned inside the cavity for the formation of the hollow inside the pin.

[0028] Preferably, the cavity has two diametrically opposed longitudinal internal flats to form the two external flats of the pin, the mold having two junction zones between the two shells when they are brought into contact, these two junction zones being located at the level of the two internal flats. Brief description of the figures

[0029] 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 appended drawings in which:

[0030] [Fig.l] is a side view of a pin according to a first configuration of the invention;

[0031] [Fig.2] is a detail view of the right side end of the pin as framed in [Fig.l];

[0032] [Fig. 3] is a cross-sectional view along AA of the pin of [Fig. 2] at a radial projection;

[0033] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a pin according to a second configuration of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.5] is a front view of the pin of [Fig.4];

[0035] [Fig.6] is a side view of the pin of [Fig.4], showing the slot;

[0036] [Fig.7] is an axial sectional view along BB of the pin of [Fig.6], with a detail view at the level of a radial projection;

[0037] [Fig.8] shows the mold for molding two pins according to the first or second configuration;

[0038] [Fig.9] shows more precisely one of the plates of the mold of [Fig.8];

[0039] [Fig. 10] illustrates a housing with two pins according to [Fig.l];

[0040] [Fig. 11] is an enlarged view of a pivot connection of the housing of [Fig. 10]. Detailed description of the invention

[0041] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same references.

[0042] By convention, the “axial” direction corresponds to that of the main extension of the pin, illustrated by the X axis in the figures, and the “radial” direction is orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0043] In the detailed description of the figures which follows, the terms “external or external” and “internal or internal” will be used in a non-limiting manner with reference to the radial direction, an external element being radially further from the X axis than an internal element.

[0044] Figures 1 to 3 show a first configuration of pin 1, and Figures 4 to 7 show a second configuration of pin 1, specific to the invention.

[0045] The general description below is valid for both pin configurations 1.

[0046] This is a plastic pin 1 which is used to make a pivot connection between two parts belonging to a cosmetic case 17, of the makeup case 17 type.

[0047] In this type of housing 17, as illustrated for example in [Fig. 10], there is generally a base 18 on which a pivoting part is fixed. Here it is a pivoting cover 19.

[0048] The housing 17 deploys when the cover 19 is opened.

[0049] A mirror may be located on the internal face of the cover 19. The user is thus accustomed to opening the case by lifting the cover 19, in order to have access both to the makeup products contained in the base 18, as well as to the mirror fixed to the cover 19 or to any other pivoting part.

[0050] The pivoting of the pivoting part relative to the base 18 is achieved by means of a pivot connection, illustrated in [Fig.l 1], formed by the pin 1 of the invention which is inserted into orifices 20 provided for this purpose in the base 18 and in the pivoting part.

[0051] Thus the pin 1 is in contact with the walls defining the orifices 20 of the pivot connection.

[0052] The pin 1 of the invention extends longitudinally along a central axis X. The length of pin 1 can vary according to needs.

[0053] In the cases illustrated in figures 1 and 4, the pin 1 is rather characterized as “long”, given its length to diameter ratio.

[0054] The pin 1 consists of a hollow cylindrical body 2. Thus the body 2 is crossed by a central orifice 3 which opens on either side of the pin 1.

[0055] The body 2 has an outer wall 2a, and an inner wall 2b which delimits this central orifice 3.

[0056] The thickness el of the pin 1 corresponds to the distance separating the inner wall 2b from the outer wall 2a. This thickness el is sufficiently large to provide robustness to the body 2 of the pin 1. Indeed, it is important that the pin 1 is rigid to ensure a good mechanical connection.

[0057] The pin 1 is split longitudinally by a longitudinal slot 4, clearly visible in figures 3 and 5. This slot 4 extends over the entire length of the pin 1.

[0058] This longitudinal slot 4 consists of an empty longitudinal slice within the body 2. This slice is delimited by two longitudinal walls 2d, 2c arranged opposite each other, each of them connecting the outer wall 2a of the body 2 to the inner wall 2b of the body 2.

[0059] Thus, when the user pinches the pin 1 to elastically deform it before inserting it into the orifices 20, the thickness of the empty slice decreases, and therefore the external diameter of the pin 1 also decreases, which facilitates its insertion into the orifices 20 of the pivot connection. In other words, this means that the two longitudinal walls 2d, 2c move closer to each other.

[0060] This elastic deformation of the pin 1 is notably permitted thanks to the central orifice 3. Indeed, it is the combination of this central recess with the slot 4 which allows the body 2 to be radially flexible.

[0061] The pin 1 according to the invention has a plane of symmetry P passing through the center of the slot 4 and through the axis X. This plane is illustrated in Figures 3 and 5.

[0062] By center of the slot 4, we mean the middle of the distance separating the two longitudinal walls 2d, 2c delimiting the slot 4.

[0063] Since the pin 1 is symmetrical, and the slot 4 is clearly visible from the outside, the user easily understands that he can deform the pin 1 with two fingers, each finger being arranged on the body 2 at 90° relative to the slot 4, the two fingers being diametrically opposed.

[0064] This symmetry therefore makes it easier to deform the pin 1 when it is placed in the orifices 20 of the pivot connection.

[0065] Preferably, the two longitudinal ends 6 of the pin 1 are chamfered, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, which promotes easier insertion of the pin 1 into the orifices 20.

[0066] Once the pin 1 is placed in the orifices 20 of the pivot connection, it tends to want to return to its initial shape, and its body 2 thus attempts to redeploy. The longitudinal walls 2d, 2c of the slot 4 move apart until the outer wall 2a of the pin 1 comes to bear against the walls of the orifices 20. The pin 1 is dimensioned so that its body 2 permanently exerts a stress against the walls of the orifices 20. In other words, this means that the longitudinal walls 2d, 2c of the slot 4 do not return to their initial spacing, and remain in an intermediate configuration, close together.

[0067] This permanent interference makes it possible to ensure a pivot connection in which the pivoting part 19 does not fall back onto the fixed part 18, but remains in the angular position desired by the user thanks to the constraint between the different parts.

[0068] Preferably, the plastic material used to ensure both the flexibility of the pin 1 at the time of its installation and the rigidity of the pin 1 once it is installed, is of the PET and / or PP type. These are polymers commonly used in the field of cosmetic cases.

[0069] Advantageously, the entire housing 17 is made of PET and / or PP.

[0070] In addition, plastic, compared to metal, has the advantage of being able to be tinted. Thus the pin can have the same color as the other parts of the case. This results in a more aesthetic case, especially since the plastic pin is larger in diameter than a metal pin of the prior art to ensure a good pivot connection.

[0071] On the body 2 of the pin 1, there extend a plurality of radial ribs 5 clearly visible in figures 1 and 6. More precisely, these are external radial ribs 5, extending from the outer wall 2a of the body 2.

[0072] These radial ribs 5 consist of an excess thickness of material which goes around the pin 1.

[0073] After inserting the pin 1 into the orifices 20 of the pivot connection, these radial ribs 5 come into contact with the walls of the orifices 20 when the body 2 redeploys. These radial ribs 5 act as brakes or axial stops, preventing the pin 1 from coming out of the orifices 20 of the pivot connection in the short and long term.

[0074] Preferably, these radial ribs 5 are arranged regularly along the pin 1. Two adjacent ribs 5 are always spaced apart by a length 11.

[0075] The distance between one end 6 of the pin 1 and the nearest rib 5 is referenced 12.

[0076] Preferably, each pin 1 comprises between two and fifteen radial ribs 5.

[0077] In the two configurations illustrated, eight radial ribs 5 are observed.

[0078] For example, for a total length of the pin 1 of 20 mm, the length 11 is 2 mm. Thus, the spacing between two adjacent ribs 5 is of the order of 10% of the total length of pin 1.

[0079] This is a non-limiting example, and other spacing values ​​are within the scope of the present invention.

[0080] Similarly, radial ribs 5 arranged irregularly along the pin 1 can also be envisaged within the framework of the present invention.

[0081] As is clearly visible in figures 2 and 7, the profile of each radial rib 5 is pointed.

[0082] Each rib 5 extends over a length 13, in the direction of the X axis, and over a thickness e2 in a direction perpendicular to the X axis.

[0083] Other shapes of rib profiles 5 fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the ribs 5 could have a rounded profile. For example again, the ribs 5 could have a rectangular profile, therefore in the shape of a crenel. Other shapes are also conceivable.

[0084] These ribs 5 consist of an excess thickness of material which is made to come into contact with the walls of the orifices 20 of the pivot connection.

[0085] When the pivoting part 19 pivots relative to the base 18, these ribs 5 will rub against the walls of the orifices 20.

[0086] Thus, there is no plane contact between the walls of the orifices 20 and the pin 1, but only linear contacts at the level of the ribs 5.

[0087] With this friction, the ribs 5 will tend to wear. The thickness of material e2, whatever the shape of the projection, is therefore chosen so that it is sufficient to fulfill its role as an axial stop, even after long-term wear.

[0088] For example, for a thickness el of the body 2 equal to 0.4 mm, the thickness e2 of the rib 5 is equal to 0.07 mm. Thus the thickness e2 of the rib 5 corresponds to 17.5% of the thickness el of the body 2.

[0089] More generally, the thickness e2 of the rib 5 is of the order of 10 to 25% of the thickness el of the body 2.

[0090] Preferably, the body 2 of the pin 1 is made of PET and the ribs 5 are made of PP. Indeed, PP is more rigid and less brittle than PET, which makes it possible to slow down the wear of the ribs 5 in the long term.

[0091] The two configurations of the invention, however, have differences which will be mentioned below in the description.

[0092] In the first configuration of the invention, each rib 5 extends around the entire circumference of the body 2.

[0093] In the second configuration of the invention, each rib 5 extends over at least two parts of the periphery of the body 2, because the pin 1 has at least one longitudinal external flat which interrupts the radial extension of the ribs 5.

[0094] In the illustrated case, the pin 1 has two flats 7,8.

[0095] Indeed, as illustrated in figures 4 and 5, the pin 1 has a first upper longitudinal flat 7, arranged at 90° relative to the slot 4. The pin 1 also has a second lower longitudinal flat 8, arranged at 90° relative to the slot 4, and diametrically opposite relative to the first upper longitudinal flat 7.

[0096] These flats 7,8 extend over the entire length of the pin 1. They are devoid of ribs 5.

[0097] These two upper and lower flats 7, 8 correspond to the support zones of the fingers of a user who wishes to deform the pin 1 before its insertion into the orifices 20 of the pivot connection.

[0098] These upper and lower flats 7,8 thus allow the user to better grip the pin 1.

[0099] These upper and lower flats 7,8 also make it possible to obtain a reduction in the external diameter of the pin 1 in a plane perpendicular to the plane of symmetry P, to further assist in the insertion of the pin 1 into the orifices 20 of the pivot connection.

[0100] Indeed, the external diameter d4 at the level of the flats is less than the diameter d2 at the level of the external wall 2a of the body 2, excluding the flats and excluding the ribs 5.

[0101] The indicated diameter d3 corresponds to the external diameter of the body 2 at the level of a rib 5.

[0102] And the indicated diameter dl corresponds to the internal diameter of the body 2 at the level of the central orifice 3.

[0103] The upper and lower flats 7, 8 also have another advantage, which is that of preventing any dimensional influence of the burrs, which appear during demolding, when inserting the pin 1 into the orifices 20. Indeed, the pin 1 is traditionally molded using a two-part mold, and burrs appear at the junction between the two parts, in particular during demolding of the ribs 5.

[0104] These burrs modify the external diameter d3 of the pin 1, in particular they increase the external diameter of the pin 1, which makes the pin 1 sometimes even more difficult to insert into the orifices 20 of the pivot connection.

[0105] The idea of ​​the invention is to automatically reduce the external diameter of the body 2 of the pin 1 at the junction between the two parts thanks to the flats 7, 8, so that any burrs which would appear at this junction would be of no importance, and would have no dimensional impact on the pin 1, therefore no negative impact on its insertion into the orifices 20.

[0106] Advantageously, a third longitudinal external flat 9 is produced on the pin 1, this time at the level of the slot 4. Indeed, burrs may appear at the level of the longitudinal walls 2d, 2c defining the slot 4, and it is therefore advantageous to produce a flat 9 at the level of the slot 4.

[0107] Preferably, each longitudinal wall 2d, 2c is connected to the flat 9 by an oblique wall 10 in order to have a clean finish.

[0108] The pin 1 is manufactured by molding, preferably by plastic injection, because the radial ribs 5 cannot be produced by extrusion.

[0109] This molding is carried out using a mold 11 as illustrated in figures 8 and 9.

[0110] This mold is composed of two shells 12, 13 movable in translation relative to each other and defining between them an internal cavity 15 into which the plastic is injected via an injection orifice 14, to form the pin 1.

[0111] This is a mold 11 having two cavities 15, in which two pins 1 are manufactured in parallel.

[0112] This mold 11 also comprises two cylindrical rods 16 positioned inside the cavities 15 for the formation of the central orifice 3 inside the pin 1. These rods 16 are movable in translation, perpendicular to the movement of the shells 12, 13, in order to be able to be removed during demolding.

[0113] Advantageously, the pin 1 is obtained by bi-injection of material, in this case an injection of PET for the body 2 and an injection of PP for the ribs 5.

[0114] Preferably, for the manufacture of the pins according to the second configuration, each cavity 15 has two longitudinal internal flats (not shown) diametrically opposed to form the two external flats of the pin 1, the mold 11 having two junction zones between the two shells 12, 13 when they are brought into contact, these two junction zones being located at the level of the two internal flats.

[0115] The configurations shown in the cited figures are only possible examples, in no way limiting, of the invention which on the contrary encompasses the variants of shapes and designs within the reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims

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13. Claims Pin (1) for a cosmetic product case (17), making it possible to create a pivot connection between a base (18) of the case (17) and a pivoting part (19) of the case (17), said pin (1) having a hollow cylindrical body (2) extending longitudinally along a central axis X and having a longitudinal slot (4) over its entire length, characterized in that it is made of a plastic material of the PET and / or PP type, and in that it has a plurality of external radial ribs (5) projecting from the body (2), and a plane of symmetry P passing through the center of the slot (4) and through the axis X. Pin (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each rib (5) extends around the entire circumference of the body (2). Pin (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each rib (5) extends over at least two parts of the periphery of the body (2). Pin (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it has two diametrically opposed longitudinal external flats (7, 8) extending over its entire length, the flats (7, 8) being devoid of ribs (5). Pin (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each flat (7, 8) is oriented at 90° relative to the slot (4). Pin (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is mass-tinted. Pin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each rib (5) has a pointed section. Pin (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each rib (5) has a rounded and / or notched section. Pin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an external diameter of between 1 and 1.5 mm. Pin (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it has a diameter equal to 1.2 mm. Pin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has two chamfered longitudinal ends (6). Pin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (2) is made of PET and the ribs (5) are made of PP. Case (17) for a cosmetic product, comprising a base (18) and a pivoting part (19), typically a cover or a platform, connected by a pivot connection, characterized in that said pivot connection comprises a pin (1) according to one of the preceding claims, inserted into orifices (20) provided for this purpose in the base (18) and the pivoting part (19), the ribs (5) of the pin (1) being in contact with internal walls delimiting said orifices (20).

14. Housing (17) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is made entirely of PP and / or PET plastic.

15. Housing (17) according to one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the pin has a color close to or identical to that of the base and / or the pivoting part.

16. Method of manufacturing a pin (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, by plastic injection, with a mold (11) composed of two shells (12, 13) movable in translation relative to each other and defining between them an internal cavity (15) into which the plastic is injected to form the pin (1), the mold (11) also comprising a cylindrical rod (16) positioned inside the cavity (15) for the formation of the hollow inside the pin (1).

17. Method according to the preceding claim, when it depends on claim 4, characterized in that the cavity (15) has two diametrically opposed longitudinal internal flats to form the two external flats (7, 8) of the pin (1), the mold (11) having two junction zones between the two shells (12, 13) when they are brought into contact, these two junction zones being located at the level of the two internal flats.

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