Cosmetic packaging device with refillable packaging

Abstract

The cosmetic packaging device (10) includes a cosmetic refill (14) comprising a reservoir (28) having a neck (40) fitted with a male thread (42) and a plug (46) having a female thread (50) for screwing into the neck (40) of the reservoir (28), and a sleeve (60) rotatably mounted around the plug (46). The device further comprises a cap (16) fixed to the plug. The plug (46) and the cap (16) have complementary reliefs (70, 72, 80) that cooperate to make the plug (46) and the cap (16) a single unit when rotating around the axis (A14) of the male thread (42) and the female thread (50).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of refillable packaging devices for cosmetics.

Background Art

[0002] Particularly in the field of cosmetics, users are particularly sensitive to the beauty of packaging. However, the cost of aesthetically pleasing packaging is high, significantly increasing the price of cosmetics commercially sold in this form.

[0003] The idea of providing a packaging device with an aesthetically pleasing casing and a refill has emerged. This has a more affordable packaging, although it is not as aesthetically pleasing as the casing. Advantageously, the refill is removable, and as a result, the packaging device is refillable by simply replacing the removable refill within the casing.

[0004] Such a refillable packaging system can improve the environmental footprint as only the refill is discarded when the cosmetics are used up.

[0005] However, in such cases, there are also users who try to use the cosmetic product refill without a case, which inadequately protects the cosmetics. In fact, the refill is not designed to withstand a large impact as the casing protects the refill when it is inside the complete packaging system.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0007] Therefore, it is necessary to restrict, or even prevent, the use of cosmetic refills without the associated casing of the packaging system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] For this purpose, a cosmetic packaging apparatus is proposed that includes the following: - Cosmetic refill product, -- A reservoir adapted for housing cosmetics, the reservoir having a neck with a male thread, -- A plug with a female thread for screwing into the neck of the reservoir, -- A sleeve mounted to rotate freely around the plug, Cosmetic refills equipped with, - A cap fixed to the plug, Equipped with, The plug and cap have complementary reliefs, which cooperate to form a single unit as the plug and cap rotate around the axes of the male and female threads.

[0009] Therefore, advantageously, the cosmetic refill cannot be easily opened until it is received into the cap of the packaging device. This ensures that the user can only use the cosmetic refill when it is contained within the cap of the cosmetic packaging device.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the packaging device may have one or more of the following features, either individually or in combination: - The plug has a substantially cylindrical shape with male and female threads extending along the axial direction; - The sleeve has a substantially cylindrical shape that extends along the axial direction of the male and female threads, and the cylindrical surface of the sleeve covers the entire cylindrical surface of the plug; - The plug has at least one first relief near its first longitudinal end, and the sleeve preferably has at least one second relief near its first longitudinal end, and the first and second reliefs cooperate to restrict or even prevent the movement of the plug relative to the sleeve in a first direction along the axes of the male and female threads; - One of the first and second reliefs is a radially projecting circular edge, and the other of the first and second reliefs is a complementary circular recess; - The plug has at least one third relief near its second longitudinal end, and the sleeve preferably has a fourth relief near its second longitudinal end, and the third and fourth reliefs cooperate to restrict or even prevent the movement of the plug relative to the sleeve in a second direction along the axes of the male and female threads, and a second direction opposite to the first direction; - One of the third and fourth reliefs is a radially projecting circular edge, and the other of the third and fourth reliefs is a complementary circular recess; - The reservoir has at least one catch that receives into a notch in the plug to hold the plug in place once it has been screwed into the reservoir; - The complementary relief includes at least one first recessed relief on one of the plug and cap, and at least one complementary second protruding relief on the other of the plug and cap; - The complementary relief consists of a single first concave relief on one of the plug and the cap, preferably on the plug, and a single complementary second convex relief on the other of the plug and the cap, preferably on the cap. - The first and second reliefs are substantially cylindrical and extend along the axial direction of the male and female threads, and the first and second reliefs have a non-circular cross-section; - The complementary relief consists of at least one first concave relief, preferably at least two first concave reliefs, on one of the plug and the cap, preferably on the plug, and at least one complementary second convex relief, preferably at least two second convex reliefs, on the other of the plug and the cap, preferably on the cap, wherein the at least one first concave relief and the at least one second convex relief are offset with respect to the axes of the male and female threads; - Each second relief is snap-fitted or press-fitted into the corresponding first relief; - The plug is integrated with the applicator element; - The applicator element is connected to the plug by a rod so that the plug is received into the reservoir when it is screwed into the neck; - The packaging equipment does not include a cosmetic application device or a cosmetic dispensing device; - The packaging device further comprises a base formed of a decorative shell that defines a cavity for receiving a refill reservoir; - The reservoir and decorative shell are provided with complementary snap-fit ​​reliefs for securing the reservoir within the cavity of the decorative shell, in particular to restrict or even prevent the movement of the reservoir within the cavity along the axes of the male and female threads; - The reservoir and decorative shell are provided with complementary reliefs that cooperate so that the reservoir and decorative shell are integral in rotation around the axes of the male and female threads; - The complementary relief includes ribs in one of the reservoir and decorative shell, and complementary grooves in the other of the reservoir and decorative shell, the ribs and complementary grooves preferably extending parallel to the axes of the male and female threads; - The groove has a flared opening; and - The plug preferably comprises a sheath with an internal female thread formed therein, and a plug head firmly fixed to the sheath, for example by snap fit.

[0011] According to another aspect, there is provided a cosmetic refill for a packaging device of all combinations described above, the refill comprising: - A reservoir adapted to contain a cosmetic, the reservoir having a neck provided with an external thread, - A plug provided with an internal thread for screwing onto the neck of the reservoir, and - A sleeve mounted so as to rotate freely around the plug, and the plug is provided with a relief adapted to cooperate with a complementary relief of the cap of the packaging device, and the plug and the cap are integrated when rotating about the axis of the external and internal threads.

[0012] This plug may comprise a single substantially cylindrical relief extending along the axial direction of the external and internal threads, the single relief having a non-circular cross-section.

[0013] Alternatively, the plug may comprise at least one relief, each relief being substantially cylindrical and extending along an axis parallel to the axial direction of the external or internal thread, and the axis of each relief being different from the axis of the external and internal threads. The plug preferably comprises at least one first and second relief, the first and second reliefs being symmetric with respect to the axis of the external and internal threads.

[0014] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and analysis of the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a first example of a cosmetic packaging and application device. [Figure 2]Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cosmetic packaging and application device. [Figure 3] Figures 1 and 2 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the base of the casing of the cosmetic packaging and application device. [Figure 4] Figures 1 and 2 are front views of cosmetic refills used in cosmetic packaging and application devices. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cosmetic refill product. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows a detailed enlarged view of the area labeled VI. [Figure 7] Figures 1 and 2 are top views of the cosmetic packaging and application apparatus, showing the cap removed from the casing. [Figure 8] Figures 1 and 2 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of the casing cap of the cosmetic packaging and application device. [Figure 9] Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of the refill product, a schematic diagram showing the plug screwed into the reservoir. [Figure 10] This figure is similar to Figure 2, which shows a second example of a cosmetic packaging and application device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] In the following description, identical elements or elements with the same function will be given the same reference number. For brevity, identical elements appearing in multiple embodiments will not be described in detail within the detailed description of each of those embodiments. Instead, the following description will primarily focus on explaining the differences between various examples.

[0017] Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a first example of a cosmetic packaging device 10. According to this first example, the cosmetic is in a form suitable for packaging in a reservoir. For example, the cosmetic may be in the form of a liquid, gel, cream, or powder. The cosmetic may also be, in particular, a lipstick, lip gloss, skincare or lip care product, especially lip balm, sunscreen product for lips or skin, cosmetic for eyelids or eyelashes, or nail polish. The cosmetic is, in particular, mascara.

[0018] In the example described below, the device 10 is suitable for packaging and applying cosmetics, as it enables the storage and application of cosmetics. For this purpose, the packaging device 10 is equipped with a cosmetic application device, as further described below. However, instead, the packaging device 10 may be equipped with a cosmetic dispensing device, such as a pump or a dropper. In yet another alternative, the packaging device 10 is not equipped with an application device or a dispensing device.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging device 10 basically includes a casing 12 and a refill 14. The casing 12 comprises a base 15 and a cap 16, which in this case consist of these two parts. As shown in the figures, the packaging and coating device 10, and in particular the casing 12, is substantially cylindrical in shape and extends mainly along the direction of the extension axis A10 of the packaging and coating device 10. Here, the packaging and coating device 10 is substantially cylindrical and has a square cross-section with rounded corners. Of course, other common shapes of the packaging and coating device 10 are also possible. In particular, the packaging and coating device 10 can be substantially cylindrical with a circular, elliptical, or polygonal cross-section, especially a triangular or square cross-section.

[0020] A longitudinal section view of the base 15 of the casing 12 is shown in Figure 3. The base 15 of the casing 12 is formed by a decorative shell 18, which extends mainly along the direction of the extension axis A18 of the decorative shell 18, corresponding to the axis A10 of the packaging and dispensing device 10. Here, the decorative shell 18 has a substantially square cross-section. The decorative shell 18 can be made of any material that a person skilled in the art can conceive of to form a cover for the cosmetic packaging and dispensing device 10, in particular one of the following: glass, metal, in particular aluminum or aluminum alloy, in particular Zamac, ceramic, porcelain, quartz, or plastic, in particular polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, ionomer resin such as ethylene vinyl copolymer known by trade name Surlyn (registered trademark), wood, and urea-formaldehyde.

[0021] In this case, the decorative shell 18 has two ribs 20 on its radially inner surface. The two ribs are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis A18 of the decorative shell 18. Here, each rib 20 is linear and parallel to the axis A18 of the decorative shell 18. Each rib 20 is oriented along the direction of the axis A18 of the decorative shell 18 and extends over only a portion of the height of the decorative shell 18. For example, each rib 20 extends from the bottom 19 of the decorative shell 18 opposite the opening of the decorative shell 18 over at least half of the height of the decorative shell 18, preferably at least two-thirds of the height of the decorative shell 18, and more preferably at least three-quarters of the height of the decorative shell 18.

[0022] The two ribs 20 project radially into a substantially cylindrical cavity 22 defined by the decorative shell 18.

[0023] In the illustrated example, the decorative shell 18 forming the base 15 of the casing 12 also includes two snap-fitting tabs 24 ("snap-fits" or "clippings") symmetrically positioned with respect to the axis A18 of the decorative shell 18. Each snap-fitting tab 24 extends from the bottom of the decorative shell 18. The two snap-fitting tabs 24 are angularly offset around the axis A18 of the decorative shell 18 with respect to two ribs 20. Each snap-fitting tab 24 includes an elastically flexible tab extending from the bottom of the decorative shell 18 and a rigid convex relief at the free end of the flexible tab. Here, the snap-fitting tabs 24 are integrally formed with the decorative shell 18, or the snap-fitting tabs 24 are attached to the inside of the decorative shell 18.

[0024] As can be seen from Figure 2, the base 15 is shaped to receive a cosmetic refill 14, as shown in Figure 4. The cosmetic refill 14 includes a reservoir 28 having a shape adapted to be received in the cavity 22 of the base 15. The reservoir 28 has a cross-section that is complementary to, for example, the cross-section of the cavity 22 in the base 15, but with a shorter length. Here, the reservoir 28 has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0025] The reservoir 28 also has two grooves 30 on its radially outer surface that extend mainly in the direction of the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. The two grooves 30 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. Each groove 30 extends here over only a portion of the height of the reservoir 28 measured along the direction of the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill. For example, each groove 30 extends from the bottom of the reservoir 28, which is intended to be received at the bottom of the cavity 22 of the decorative shell 18, over at least half, preferably at least two-thirds, of the length of the reservoir 28.

[0026] Each groove 30 has a flared opening 32 near the bottom of the reservoir 28.

[0027] The bottom of the reservoir 28 forms a nipple 34 (cylindrical in this case), whose axis coincides with the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. A circular groove 36 is formed in the nipple 34.

[0028] Each groove 30 is fitted to receive a rib 20 located in the cavity 22 of the base 15, guiding the insertion of the reservoir 28 into the cavity 22 of the base 15. Thus, the flared opening 32 of the groove 30 facilitates the insertion of the rib 20 into the groove 30. The reservoir 28 is secured within the cavity 22 by snapping an elastic interlock tab 24 onto a nipple 34 on the reservoir 28. More precisely, the elastic interlock tab 24 is deformed during insertion of the reservoir 28 until the convex relief of the elastic interlock tab 24 is received in a circular groove 36 formed in the nipple 34. In this position of the reservoir 28 within the cavity 22, the engagement of the rib 20 in the groove 30 limits, or even prevents, the relative rotational movement of the reservoir 28 relative to the base 15 around the axis A15 of the base 15.

[0029] The reservoir 28 has an opening 38 at the end of the neck 40, opposite the bottom of the reservoir. The neck 40 has a male thread 42, which spirals around the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. Thus, the axis of the male thread 42 corresponds here to the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. Two catches 44 are located on the top and outer surfaces of the reservoir 28, which are substantially perpendicular to the direction of the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14 and surround the neck 40. The two catches 44 protrude from the top and outer surfaces of the reservoir 28 surrounding the neck 40 in the direction of the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14.

[0030] The cosmetic refill 14 also includes a plug 46 for closing the reservoir 28. Here, the plug 46 is formed from the following two parts fixed together: - A sheath 48 having a female thread 50 for screwing into a male thread 42 of the neck 40 of the reservoir 28. Thus, the female thread 50 is formed spirally around the shaft A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. In other words, the shaft of the female thread 50 corresponds here to the shaft A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. - A plug head 52 that closes the upper end of the sheath 48, the end of which is oriented away from the reservoir 28. As can be seen particularly in Figure 6, the plug head 52 is here secured to the sheath 48 by a snap fit. More specifically, the raised portion 54 of the plug head 52 snaps into a complementary recess 56 of the sheath 48. Advantageously, the plug head 52 is secured to the sheath 48 such that these two elements become a single unit when rotating about the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. To this end, the snap-fit ​​reliefs of the plug head 52 and the sheath 48 can work together to limit or even prevent the relative rotation of the sheath 48 with respect to the plug head 52. In particular, the recess 56 may have dimensions that are reduced in the radial direction orthogonal to the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14, and the recess 56 may be divided in the radial direction orthogonal to the axis A14 by longitudinal walls extending in the radial plane, which can form a stopper for the protrusion 54 to limit or even prevent the relative rotation of the sheath 48 with respect to the plug head 52 around the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, here the plug head 52 is integrated with the cosmetic applicator element 55. The applicator element 55 is connected to the plug head 52 by a rod 57, and the applicator element 55 is immersed in the reservoir 28 when the plug 46 is screwed into the neck 40 of the reservoir 28. In this case, the rod 57 extends along the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. The rod 57 can be formed integrally with the plug head 52. The rod 57 can then form a housing 58 for receiving the applicator element 55 at the rod end furthest from the plug head 52.

[0032] Therefore, the applicator element 55, the rod 57, and the plug 46 form a cosmetic application device.

[0033] The applicator element 55 is, for example, a brush, particularly a mascara brush, or, where appropriate, a pencil brush, or any other applicator element known to those skilled in the art.

[0034] Furthermore, the cosmetic refill 14 includes a sleeve 60 extending around the plug 46. Here, the sleeve 60 is cylindrical with a circular cross-section. The sleeve 60 is mounted so as to rotate freely relative to the plug 46 about the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. In other words, the sleeve 60 and the plug 46 are not a single unit when rotating about the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. Therefore, the rotation of the sleeve 60 relative to the reservoir 28 about the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14 is not transmitted to the plug 46, in particular the sheath 48.

[0035] Here, the plug 46 has radially projecting rims 62, 64 at or near each of its longitudinal ends. Each of the rims 62, 64 of the plug 46 is received in complementary recesses 66, 68 formed in the respective openings of the sleeve 60. Thus, the sleeve 60 is slightly axially movable relative to the plug 46 along the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. However, the movement of the sleeve 60 relative to the plug 46 along the axis A14 is limited or preferably blocked by receiving the rims 62, 64 of the plug 46 into the complementary recesses 66, 68 of the sleeve 60.

[0036] Finally, the plug 46 has a concave relief 70 on its upper and outer surfaces 46f that is perpendicular to the shaft A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. Here, the concave relief 70 is in the form of a housing 72 within the plug head 52. Here, the housing 72 is substantially cylindrical in shape, and its shaft is the shaft A14 of the cosmetic refill 14. However, the housing 72 has a non-circular cross-section. In the illustrated example, the housing 72 has a polygonal cross-section, particularly a rectangular cross-section, preferably a cross-section with rounded corners, as seen in Figure 7 in particular.

[0037] As particularly as seen in Figure 6 or Figure 7, the protrusions 74 extending mainly perpendicularly to the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14 are formed within the housing 72, in particular on at least two opposing walls 76 of the housing 72. Here, three protrusions 74 project into the housing 72. Two protrusions 741 are located on the longer wall 761 of the housing 72 and are offset relative to the center of these walls 761. A third protrusion 742 is located on the shorter wall 762 of the housing 72 and is centered on this shorter wall 762.

[0038] In particular, as shown in Figure 4, a decorative ring 78 can be provided between the decorative shell 18 and the reservoir 28 of the cosmetic refill 14. The decorative ring 78 can be attached to the opening of the cavity 22 of the decorative shell 18. For example, the decorative ring 78 is at least partially received on the complementary shoulder portion of the opening of the cavity 22 of the decorative shell 18. In other words, the decorative ring 78 can be snap-fitted into the reservoir 28 of the cosmetic refill 14. The decorative ring 78 can, in particular, reduce the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening of the decorative shell 18. Additionally or alternatively, the decorative ring 78 facilitates or improves the attachment of the reservoir 28 of the cosmetic refill 14 into the decorative shell 18.

[0039] Finally, the cap 16 of the packaging and application device 10 is fixed to the plug 46 of the cosmetic refill 14, and is shaped to allow the cosmetic refill 14 to be opened.

[0040] For this purpose, the cap 16 includes a relief 80 complementary to the relief 70 of the plug 46 of the cosmetic refill 14. Thus, the relief 80 on the cap 16 is a substantially cylindrical convex relief, having a substantially rectangular cross-section with rounded corners. The relief 80 of the cap 16 extends along the axis A16 of the cap 16 and is intended to correspond to the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14 when the cap 16 is attached to the cosmetic refill 14. Raised portions 82 are formed on the surface of the convex relief 80, and these raised portions are intended to cooperate with raised portions 74 of the housing 72, particularly by snap-fit, to secure the cap 16 to the plug 46 of the cosmetic refill 14.

[0041] In the illustrated example, to facilitate the manufacture of the cap 16, the cap 16 is made of two fixed parts. Here, the first part 84 is a cylindrical shell, the axis of which is the axis A16 of the cap 16, and inside it, a wall 86 perpendicular to the axis A16 of the cap 16 defines the boundary between the two housings 88, 90: - The first housing 88 is intended to be oriented toward the cosmetic refill 14, and - The second housing 90 is opposite the first housing 88. Thus, according to the illustrated example, the convex relief 80 extends from the wall 86 into the first housing 88. The first housing 88 is shaped to receive the plug 46 and sleeve 60 of the cosmetic refill 14 when the cap 16 is attached to the plug 46 of the cosmetic refill 14, preferably when the cosmetic refill 14 is fixed to the base 15. In this position, the shell 84 preferably contacts the upper and outer surfaces of the base 15 around the opening of the cavity 22. When the cap 16 is attached to the reservoir 28, the sleeve 60 is interposed between the cap 16 and the plug 46. Thus, the sleeve 60 covers the plug 46 circumferentially and is circumferentially covered by the cap 16. Furthermore, according to the illustrated example, the sleeve 60 does not extend substantially over the entire height of the plug 46 outside the neck 40 along the direction of the extension axis A10 of the packaging and dispensing device 10. If the plug 46 protrudes from the sleeve 60 along the direction of the extension axis A10 of the packaging and dispensing device 10 when it is received into the reservoir 28, this is a length such that the plug 46 is not grasped or at least difficult for the user to grasp. For example, at this position where the plug 46 closes the reservoir 28, the plug 46 protrudes from the sleeve 60 by a height of less than 5 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, and more preferably less than 1 mm. Note that the plug 46 may protrude from the sleeve at each of the longitudinal ends of the sleeve 60. In this case, the above values ​​refer to the amount of protrusion of the plug at each longitudinal end of the sleeve 60, and preferably the sum of the protrusions of the plug 46 at both longitudinal ends of the sleeve 60.

[0042] The first housing 88 has a height of, for example, less than 2 cm, preferably less than 1.5 cm, and more preferably less than 1 cm, measured along the axis A16 of the cap 16. The second housing 90 has a height of, for example, greater than 2 cm, preferably greater than 2.5 cm, and more preferably greater than 3 cm. It should be noted that the cumulative height of the first and second housings 88, 90 substantially corresponds to the length of the user's gripping area, enabling the operation of the applicator element 55. However, it is preferable to form the first housing 88 with the smallest possible height, particularly to shorten the length of the rod 57, as this may hinder the precise operation of the applicator element 55.

[0043] The second housing 90 is closed by a disc 92 attached to the first portion 84 of the cap 16. For example, the disc 92 is either snap-fitted onto the first portion 84 of the cap 16 or press-fitted into the second housing 90.

[0044] In particular, as shown in Figure 6, it is difficult to use the cosmetic refill 14 without the casing 12 of the cosmetic packaging and application device. In fact, the rotation of the sleeve 60 relative to the reservoir 28 around the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14 is not transmitted to the plug 46 of the cosmetic refill 14. Furthermore, the plug 46 of the cosmetic refill 14 is accessible only through the top and outer surfaces of the plug 46 (in this case, the plug head 52). Therefore, transmitting torque to the plug 46 is particularly difficult without the relief 70 of the plug 46 and the complementary relief 80 of the cap 16.

[0045] On the other hand, once the cap 16 is fixed to the plug 46, the rotation of the plug 46 relative to the reservoir 28 can be controlled by snapping the relief 80 of the cap 16 onto the reliefs 70 and 72 of the plug 46, thereby causing the cap 16 to pivot relative to the base 15. The reservoir 28 of the cosmetic refill 14 rotates together with the base 15 due to the engagement of the ribs 20 in the groove 30.

[0046] As indicated by arrow F in Figure 9, the plug 46, integrated with the cap 16, can then be screwed onto the neck 40 of the reservoir 28 (the cap 16 is not shown in Figure 9). As can be seen from Figure 9, the plug 46, specifically the sheath 48 of the plug 46, is provided with notches 94 intended to receive catches 44 on the top and outer surfaces of the reservoir 28. Here, the notches 94 are adjacent to an inclined surface 96 oriented in the orthogonal radial direction. The notches 94 advantageously act as end stoppers when screwing the plug 46 onto the reservoir 28. The inclined surface 96 and the catches 44 (here having an inclined surface 98 complementary to the inclined surface 96 on the plug 46) work together to allow each of the catches 44 to be received within its respective notch 94. The notches 94 also provide resistance when initiating the process of unscrewing the plug 46 (when rotating the plug in the opposite direction to arrow F). In practice, the notch 94 forms a stopper for the catch 44, which can be overcome by applying force to the plug 46. The inclined surface 98 of the catch 44 cooperating with the wall of the notch 94 significantly reduces the resistance in the direction of unscrewing the plug 46 compared to the resistance provided by the cooperation of the catch 44 and the inclined surface 96 of the plug 46 in the screwing direction F of the plug 46.

[0047] Furthermore, to remove the cosmetic refill 14 from the casing 12, it is sufficient to remove the reservoir 28 from the decorative shell 18 and the cap 16 from the plug 46. This can be achieved by applying a tensile force along the axis A18 of the decorative shell 18 that is sufficient to deform the elastic interlock tab 24. Thus, the required tensile force is not zero to prevent accidental elastic delamination of the reservoir 28 from the decorative shell 18, but is low enough that it can be applied by the user with bare hands without the need for special tools.

[0048] Figure 10 shows a modified example of the packaging device 10 described above.

[0049] Unlike the first embodiment described, in this second embodiment shown in Figure 10, the plug 46 is manufactured as a single piece. In other words, here the sheath 48 and the plug head 52 are formed integrally or as a single unit.

[0050] Furthermore, in the example of Figure 10, the plug 46 is not integrally fixed to the applicator element 55 via the rod 57. In fact, here the packaging and application device does not include any cosmetic dispensing or application device at all. Here, the plug 46, in particular the plug head 52, is partially inserted into the neck 40 of the reservoir to seal the reservoir, and a seal is provided between the neck 40 and the plug 46, in particular the plug head 52. Alternatively, the plug 46, in particular the plug head 52, is not inserted into the neck 40 of the reservoir 28 but rests on the neck 40, ensuring that the reservoir 28 is hermetically closed, and a seal is preferably interposed between the plug 46, in particular the plug head 52 and the neck 40.

[0051] Furthermore, in the first example described, the reliefs 70, 72, and 80 of the plug 46 and cap 48 are cylindrical with a non-circular cross-section and extend along the axis corresponding to the shaft A14 of the male thread 42 on the neck 40 of the reservoir 28 and the female thread 50 in the sheath 48 of the plug 46 of the cosmetic refill. However, alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, the reliefs 70, 72, and 80 may extend along axes different from the axes of the male thread 42 and female thread 50, but preferably parallel to the axes of the male thread 42 and female thread 50, as long as the cooperation of the reliefs 70, 72, and 80 causes the cap 16 and plug 46 of the cosmetic refill 14 to rotate integrally around the shaft A14 of the male thread 42 and female thread 50. In particular, the reliefs 70, 72, and 80 can extend along axes offset with respect to the axes of the male thread 42 and female thread 50. For example, the cap 16 may include two or more reliefs 70, 72 cooperating with two or more reliefs 80 of the plug 46, which are offset with respect to the axes of the male thread 42 and female thread 50. For example, the reliefs 70, 72 are equidistant from the axes of the male thread 42 and female thread 50 and spaced at equal angles around the axes of the male thread 42 and female thread 50. If the reliefs 70, 72, 80 do not extend along the axes of the male thread 42 and female thread 50, these reliefs 70, 72, 80 can be cylindrical with any cross-section, including circular. When considered as a pair, the reliefs 70, 72, 80 are preferably symmetrical with respect to the axes of the male thread 42 and female thread 50.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the examples described herein, and many modifications are possible that are available to those skilled in the art.

[0053] Therefore, in the example described, the relief 72 on the plug 46 is a concave relief, and the relief 80 on the cap 16 is a convex relief. A symmetrical reverse arrangement is also possible, in which the plug 46 has one or more convex reliefs 70 and the cap 16 has one or more complementary concave reliefs 80. However, in this case, it seems easier to insert the cosmetic refill 24 without first attaching it to the casing 12 of the packaging device 10. For example, in this case, it is possible to use tweezers to grasp the convex relief 70 of the plug and rotate the plug 46 relative to the reservoir 28 around the axis A14 of the cosmetic refill 14.

[0054] Finally, in the first illustrated example, the packaging device 10 also incorporates a cosmetic applicator element 55 provided on the cosmetic refill 14, thus enabling the application of the cosmetic. In the first alternative example, the applicator element 55 does not have to be part of the cosmetic refill 14. According to another modification illustrated in Figure 10, the packaging device 10 does not have any applicator element. Next, the packaging device 10 may include a cosmetic dispensing device, such as a pump or dropper. However, alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, the packaging device 10 is not provided with any element for applying or dispensing the cosmetic.

Claims

1. A cosmetic packaging device (10), - Cosmetic refill products (14), -- A reservoir (28) adapted for containing cosmetics, having a neck (40) provided with a male screw (42), -- A plug (46) having a female thread (50) for screwing into the neck (40) of the reservoir (28), -- A sleeve (60) is mounted so as to rotate freely around the plug (46), A cosmetic refill product (14) equipped with, - The cap (16) is fixed to the plug (46), Equipped with, The plug (46) and the cap (16) are provided with complementary reliefs (70, 72, 80) that cooperate to become a single unit when the plug (46) and the cap (16) rotate around the shaft (A14) of the male thread (42) and the female thread (50). Packaging device (10).

2. - The plug (46) has a substantially cylindrical shape that extends along the direction of the axis (A14) of the male thread (42) and the female thread (50), - The sleeve (60) has a substantially cylindrical shape that extends along the direction of the axis (A14) of the male thread (42) and the female thread (50), The packaging device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical surface of the sleeve (60) covers the entire cylindrical surface of the plug (46).

3. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the plug (46) has at least one first relief (62; 64) near a first longitudinal end, and the sleeve (60) has at least one second relief (66; 68), and the first and second reliefs (62, 64, 66, 68) cooperate to restrict the movement of the plug (46) relative to the sleeve (60) in a first direction along the axis (A14) of the male thread (42) and the female thread (50).

4. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 3, wherein one of the first and second reliefs is a radially projecting circular edge (62, 64), and the other of the first and second reliefs is a complementary circular recess (66, 68).

5. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 3, wherein the plug (46) has at least one third relief (62; 64) near the second longitudinal end, the sleeve (60) has a fourth relief (66; 68), and the third and fourth reliefs (62, 64, 66, 68) cooperate to restrict the movement of the plug (46) relative to the sleeve (60) in a second direction along the axis (A14) of the male thread (42) and the female thread (50), and in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

6. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 5, wherein one of the third and fourth reliefs is a radially projecting circular edge (62, 64), and the other of the third and fourth reliefs is a complementary circular recess (66, 68).

7. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir (28) has at least one catch (44) that is received in a notch (94) of the plug (46) to hold the plug (46) in place once the plug (46) is screwed into the reservoir (28).

8. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the complementary reliefs (70, 72, 80) include at least one first concave relief (72) on one of the plug (46) and the cap (16), and at least one complementary second convex relief (80) on the other of the plug (46) and the cap (16).

9. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 8, wherein the complementary reliefs (70, 72, 80) are a single first concave relief (72) on one of the plug (46) and the cap (16), and a single complementary second convex relief (80) on the other of the plug (46) and the cap (16).

10. The packaging device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the first and second reliefs (72, 80) are substantially cylindrical and extend along the direction of the axis (A14) of the male screw (42) and the female screw (50), and the first and second reliefs (72, 80) have a non-circular cross-section.

11. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 8, wherein the complementary reliefs (70, 72, 80) are at least one first concave relief (72) on one of the plug (46) and the cap (16), and at least one complementary second convex relief (80) on the other of the plug (46) and the cap (16), and at least one first concave relief (72) and at least one second convex relief (80) are offset with respect to the shaft (A14) of the male screw (42) and the female screw (50).

12. The packaging device (10) according to claim 9, wherein each second relief (80) is elastically snap-fitted or press-fitted into the associated first relief (72).

13. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the plug (46) is integrated with the applicator element (55).

14. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 13, wherein the applicator element (55) is connected to the plug (46) by a rod (57) so that the plug (46) is received in the reservoir (28) when it is screwed onto the neck (40).

15. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1, which does not include a cosmetic application apparatus and a cosmetic dispensing apparatus.

16. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a base (15) formed of a decorative shell (18) that defines a cavity (22) for receiving the reservoir (28) of the refill (14).

17. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 16, wherein the reservoir (28) and the decorative shell (18) are provided with complementary snap-fit ​​reliefs (24, 34, 36) for securing the reservoir (28) within the cavity (22) of the decorative shell (18).

18. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 16, wherein the reservoir (28) and the decorative shell (18) are provided with complementary reliefs (20, 30) that cooperate to make the reservoir (28) and the decorative shell (18) a single unit when they rotate around the shaft (A14) of the male screw (42) and the female screw (50).

19. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 18, wherein the complementary reliefs (20, 30) are provided with ribs (20) on one of the reservoir (28) and the decorative shell (18), and with complementary grooves (30) on the other of the reservoir (28) and the decorative shell (18).

20. The packaging device (10) according to claim 19, wherein the groove (30) has a flared opening (32).

21. The packaging apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the plug (46) comprises a sheath (48) and a plug head (52) firmly fixed to the sheath (48).

22. A cosmetic refill (14) for the packaging device (10) described in claim 1, - A reservoir (28) adapted for containing cosmetics, the reservoir (28) having a neck (40) provided with a male screw (42), - A plug (46) having a female thread (50) for screwing into the neck (40) of the reservoir (28), and - A sleeve (60) is mounted to rotate freely around the plug (46), It is equipped with, The plug (46) has reliefs (70, 72) adapted to cooperate with complementary reliefs (80) of the cap (16) of the packaging device (10), and the plug (46) and the cap (16) are integral when they rotate around the shaft (A14) of the male thread (42) and the female thread (50), in a cosmetic refill product (14).

23. The cosmetic refill (14) according to claim 22, wherein the plug (46) includes a substantially cylindrical single relief (70, 72) extending along the direction of the axis (A14) of the male thread (42) and the female thread (50), and the single relief (70, 72) has a non-circular cross-section.

24. The cosmetic refill (14) according to claim 22, wherein the plug (46) includes at least one relief (70, 72), each relief (70, 72) being substantially cylindrical and extending along an axis parallel to the direction of the axis (A14) of the male thread (42) and the female thread (50), and the axis of each relief (70, 72) is different from the axis (A14) of the male thread (42) and the female thread (50).

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