Refillable container devices for cosmetics and related refills

Abstract

To provide a refillable container device for cosmetic and a related refill article.SOLUTION: A refill article 1 for a container device for cosmetic comprises a container 2 for storing a related cosmetic, and the container 2 has a side wall 3. The side wall 3 of the container 2 has a member 8 on at least a part of an external face 7, the member is formed of an elastomer material which is coupled to the container 2 and at least partially stands out in relief to the external face 7 of the side wall 3 of the container 2. The refill article can be held to a casing of a proper shape, because of the member which stands out in relief of the elastomer material formed on an external wall of the container. The invention also relates to a casing for a cosmetic container device comprising the casing and the above-mentioned refill article 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of refillable container devices for cosmetic products. [Background technology]

[0002] By cosmetics is meant all compositions intended to be applied to the body, including all products for making up the skin, including in particular the lips, and also what are called care products, such as moisturizing creams, etc. It is particularly relevant in the field of refills for refillable container devices for cosmetics.

[0003] Container device for a cosmetic generally designates any container used to contain a cosmetic product for its storage, its transportation, its merchandising, or its use. For example, pots, bottles, cases, etc. used to contain cosmetic products are so designated.

[0004] By refill is meant a removable member including a container configured to hold a cosmetic product, which can be placed within and removed from a casing that forms the exterior of the refillable cosmetic container device constituted by the casing and the refill.

[0005] When placed in the casing, the refill needs to be properly retained in the casing. In particular, it should be avoided that the refill can leak out of the casing when it is transported or used, when the pot may have any orientation, in particular when the container device is turned completely upside down, whether this occurs from an intentional act or not. Furthermore, the refill must not move within the casing when the container device is in use. The refill needs to remain fixed when the product is dispensed, for example when the user removes the product from the refill.

[0006] Nevertheless, it must be possible for the refill to be easily extracted from the casing in order for it to be replaced.

[0007] Known refillable container devices are generally equipped with systems for retaining the refill within the casing that are visible and require unaesthetic and / or industrially complex or expensive constructions.

[0008] Thus, document JP 2013-119399 discloses a pot for cosmetic products, including a refill in which the general shape of the container is that of a rotating cylinder, the matching shape providing a relief that slides in a vertical groove provided in the casing of the pot to prevent the container from rotating.

[0009] Document EP 0 661 012 also discloses a pot device with a refill, which comprises an inner container or receptacle which engages by means of a matching shape in an outer receptacle forming a casing, making it possible in particular for the inner receptacle to be provided with a peripheral ridge which cooperates with a groove formed on the inside of the neck of the outer receptacle.

[0010] Document WO 2019 / 058087 also discloses a kettle device with a refill in a closed configuration, comprising an inner container or receptacle that engages by a matching shape in an outer receptacle forming a casing, the casing comprising a peripheral ridge cooperating with a groove formed in the outer surface of the container. The upper part of the casing has a neck including a slot into which the radial ridge of the container is inserted to enable the container to be held against rotation.

[0011] Thus, container devices with refills known in the state of the art are based on a shape match between the casing and the refill, which allows the refill to be held in the casing by, for example, a snap engagement (or other relative mechanical engagement). This requires specific shapes of the casing and the refill, which prevents the use of conventionally shaped casings, such as, for example, standard glass containers, to form a refillable container device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-119399 A [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 0661012 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2019 / 058087 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks in whole or in part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The invention therefore relates to a refill of a container device for cosmetic products, comprising a container adapted to contain such a cosmetic product, the container comprising a sidewall, the sidewall of the container comprising, over at least a portion of its outer surface, a member made of an elastomeric material connected to the container and at least partially in relief relative to said outer surface of the sidewall of the container.

[0015] The refill thus formed can be held in a suitably shaped casing thanks to the embossed features of the elastomeric material formed on the outer wall of the container. The resulting holding force, which nevertheless allows the refill to be extracted, uses the elastic properties and coefficient of friction of the elastomeric material. Use of the refill is therefore very simple.

[0016] A member of elastomeric material can be molded onto the container.

[0017] The container may be made of a plastic material. The container and its associated member of elastomeric material may be integrally formed by bi-component injection molding.

[0018] Thus, the container can be manufactured by known and mastered industrial processes that provide a good bond between the container and the member of elastomeric material that it supports.

[0019] The elastomer material used may be, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone elastomer, which may have a hardness comprised between 20° Shore and 80° Shore, preferably between 40° Shore and 60° Shore.

[0020] The elastomeric material used and its hardness allow its deformation under reasonable forces, compatible with application in cosmetic refills.

[0021] The member of elastomeric material may be of varying thickness to form discrete projections distributed on the exterior surface of the side wall of the container.

[0022] The piece of elastomeric material may extend around the periphery of the side wall of the container and form at least two projections distributed around said periphery, preferably at least three projections distributed around said periphery.

[0023] The member of elastomeric material may extend across the side wall of the container in at least two strips, preferably at least three strips, which extend from the top of the container to the bottom of the container and continue across the outer surface of the bottom where they intersect each other.

[0024] Different configurations of elastomeric material members allow the support zone to be tailored for application, refill retention, retention strength, aesthetics, packaging complexity, and the like.

[0025] The refill may be in the general shape of, for example, a cylinder of revolution or a truncated cone, or a right prism.

[0026] The container may have an internal volume comprised between 10 mL and 200 mL, for example.

[0027] These are configurations that are particularly suitable for implementing the present invention.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a container device for a cosmetic product comprising a casing and a refill as defined above, wherein the casing has an opening configured to accommodate the refill and the outer surface of the side wall of the refill container has a clearance relative to the inner surface of the casing, except at the location of all or part of the elastomeric material member, such that a support zone for the elastomeric material member on the inner surface of the casing is formed.

[0029] Since retention of the refill within the casing is provided by support zones on the inner surface of the casing, the means enabling retention can be invisible (if the casing is opaque) or at least very discrete so as not to be detrimental to the aesthetics of the pot in which they are constructed.

[0030] The piece of elastomeric material may be deformed in said support zone by compression of the inner casing surface compared to the configuration that the piece of elastomeric material adopts when not acted upon externally.

[0031] Deformation of the member of elastomeric material on the support zone increases the force it exerts on the inner surface of the casing, thereby increasing the frictional force opposing extraction of the refill.

[0032] In one embodiment, the inner surface of the casing is free of irregularities such as snap rings, studs, apertures or grooves.

[0033] As it is not based on a snap-fit ​​or screw-fit principle, or on the engagement of one member with another of matching shapes, retention of the refill does not require the formation of any particular shape on the casing configured to cooperate with the retention means of the refill.

[0034] In the above defined container device, in which the refill is filled with the cosmetic product, the casing and the refill may be configured such that the force required to extract the refill is at least 2 times, preferably at least 2.5 times, greater than the weight of the refill, in particular the shape, size and configuration of the member of elastomeric material are configured to obtain the desired extraction force of the refill.

[0035] This retention allows the refill to be extracted and replaced relatively easily, which corresponds to the desired specifications of a conventional pot for cosmetic products.

[0036] The casing may be constructed from a plastic material, glass, stainless steel, aluminum, or wood.

[0037] The casing is in fact dyed, an aesthetic aspect which may be of utmost importance in the cosmetic field.

[0038] The container device may in particular be a pot, for example a cream pot.

[0039] Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description.

[0040] In the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 shows a first example of a refill according to one embodiment of the present invention in a three-dimensional view. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a second example of a refill according to one embodiment of the present invention in a three-dimensional view. [Diagram 3] 3 shows the refill of FIG. 2 in another three-dimensional view. [Figure 4] 1 shows in three-dimensional view an example of a casing that can be used to form a cosmetic container device with a refill according to the present invention. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 shows in cross-section a cosmetic container device or pot formed from the casing of FIG. 4 and the refill of FIGS. 2 and 3. [Figure 6] 6 shows, in partial cross-section, the interaction between a casing and a refill in the container device of FIG. 5; [Figure 7] The interaction between the casing and the refill of FIG. 1 in a container arrangement formed by such a refill is shown in a view similar to FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Figure 1 shows in a three-dimensional view a first example of a refill 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The refill 1 comprises a container 2 which is hollow, i.e. the shape of which forms a volume adapted to contain a cosmetic product. In the example shown here, the container 2 has a general cylindrical shape, which may be a right-angled cylinder or slightly flared (frustoconical). However, any hollow shape, in particular any right-angled prism shape, can be envisaged to form a container having a shape in particular of a square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.

[0043] In particular, the container 2 has a side wall 3 and a bottom 4 .

[0044] The container, in the example shown, comprises an upper rim 5. The rim 5 is formed around the open face 6 of the container 2.

[0045] The cosmetic product, e.g. a cream, can be contained in a volume formed in the container. The open face of the container can be covered by a removable cap, e.g. a plate for supporting the product, e.g. a rim 5 and / or shoulder 10 formed at the top of the container. The container can also be provided with a closure, e.g. heat sealed, covering the open face 6, which must be removed when the refill is first used. The open face may be transparent, directly exposing the product contained in the refill container 2, or may be provided with an adjustment device, such as a screen, net, or other device configured to dispense the product.

[0046] The container, and in particular the side wall 3 of the container 2, has on its outer surface 7 (i.e. the surface of the wall opposite to that which forms the interior volume of the container 2) an element of elastomeric material 8. The element of elastomeric material 8 is intimately connected to the container.

[0047] Typically, the piece of elastomeric material may be moulded onto the container 2 .

[0048] Overmolding of the member 8 of elastomeric material onto the refill 2 is possible, in particular on refills made from a plastic material, metal, glass, or another material compatible with overmolding.

[0049] Where the refill 2 is constructed from a plastic material, the elastomeric material piece and the refill may be formed by bi-injection molding.

[0050] The elastomeric materials that can be used to form the elastomeric material components include all thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) as well as silicone elastomers. The materials that can be used advantageously have a Shore hardness comprised between 20 degrees Shore and 80 degrees Shore, preferably between 40 and 60 degrees Shore.

[0051] The hardness of the material used is an important parameter in the optimisation of the refill and is selected in particular according to the dimensions of the refill container and the material used to form the casing for containing the refill to form a container device for the cosmetic product (e.g. a pot).

[0052] The element 8 of elastomeric material is in relief with respect to the outer surface 7 of the side wall 3 of the container. In other words, over at least a part of the element 8 of elastomeric material, the element stands out with respect to the outer surface 7 of the side wall 3.

[0053] Thus, protrusions 9 may be formed by the element of elastomeric material 8. These protrusions 9 form part of the element of elastomeric material having the function of retaining the refill within the casing, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 5 to 7. The number, size, shape and orientation of the protrusions 9 may vary depending on the application considered. More generally, there are many configurations that can be envisaged for the element of elastomeric material.

[0054] According to a first configuration, shown in FIG. 1, the element 8 of elastomeric material passes around the container 2. It thus forms a peripheral strip on the outer surface of the side wall 3 of the container 2. This strip is formed in the upper part of the container 2, here below the rim 5. This strip comprises three projections 9 distributed along the circumference of the container supporting said strip. With the exception of the projections 9, which are necessarily in relief with respect to the outer surface 7 of the side wall 3 of the container, the remaining element of elastomeric material (i.e. the band formed around the container 2) can be in relief or flush with the outer surface 7. For this purpose, grooves can be formed in the side wall 3 to receive said element 8 of elastomeric material. The distribution of the three projections 9 is preferably regular, i.e. the projections are equidistant along the strip formed by the element of elastomeric material. In the case of a container having the shape of a surface of revolution, this results in a regular angular distribution of the projections 9 with respect to the axis of rotation of the container 2.

[0055] In this embodiment, the projections 9 have a vertical arrangement, i.e. they form members in relief having an elongated shape from the top (open face 6) to the bottom (bottom 4) of the container. In the case of a container having the shape of a surface of revolution, this results in an orientation of the projections 9 parallel to the axis of rotation of the container. More generally, the projections are oriented perpendicular to the plane embodied by the bottom 4 of the container, or, if the bottom of the container does not embody a plane (for example, if the container is substantially spherical or a part of a sphere), the projections are oriented perpendicular to the open face 6 of the container 2.

[0056] The embodiment of Figure 1 has, among other advantages, the advantage that the elastomeric material element can be very unobtrusive on the container. Furthermore, the number of projections formed by the elastomeric material element may be easily adapted with little modification to the manufacturing tool.

[0057] Figures 2 and 3 present in two different views a second exemplary embodiment of a refill according to the invention. The refill of Figures 2 and 3 differs essentially from the one described above with reference to Figure 1 by the shape of the element 8 of elastomeric material. Furthermore, the container of Figures 2 and 3 does not have a shoulder 10 at the top. These two differences are independent of each other and the presence or absence of a shoulder on the container is independent of the configuration of the element 8 of elastomeric material.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment of figures 2 and 3, the elements 8 of elastomeric material are arranged in vertical strips extending on the outer surface 7 of the side wall 3 of the container 2. In this case, three vertical strips are formed by the elements of elastomeric material. The vertical strips are distributed on the outer surface 7 of the side wall 3 of the container 2, preferably in a regular distribution. In a regular distribution, the vertical strips are equidistant along the circumference of the container. In the case of a container having the shape of a surface of revolution, this results in a regular angular distribution of the vertical strips formed by the elements 8 of elastomeric material with respect to the axis of rotation of the container 2. In the example shown, three vertical strips are formed on the outer surface 7 of the side wall 3 of the container 2.

[0059] The member of elastomeric material 8 is provided with a projection 9 at the top of each vertical strip it forms, i.e. near the open face 6. As in the embodiment of Figure 1, with the exception of the projections 9 which are necessarily in relief relative to the outer surface 7 of the side wall 3 of the container, the remainder of the member of elastomeric material (i.e. the band formed around the container 2) may be in relief or flush with the outer surface 7.

[0060] Each projection 9 has a so-called horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction defined above, and therefore each projection has an elongated shape, which extends parallel to the plane embodied by the bottom 4 of the container (or by the open face 6).

[0061] Each vertical strip formed by a piece of elastomeric material on the outer surface 7 of the side wall 3 of the container 2 continues over the outer surface 11 of the bottom 4 of the container 2, at which surface they intersect each other. In the zone where said strips intersect on the outer surface 11 of the bottom 4, they can form, for example, a circular area 12 which can be provided with a text or a logo.

[0062] Thus, in the embodiment presented in Figures 2 and 3, the elastomeric material member can play an important aesthetic role by being regular or having strips forming a desired pattern (undulating, shapes reminiscent of leaves, etc.) The fact that the vertical strips of elastomeric material member intersect makes it possible to have only one elastomeric material member on the container, which is advantageous compared to separate elastomeric material members, especially when the elastomeric material members are formed by overmolding or bi-component injection molding.

[0063] FIG. 4 shows an example of a casing 13 that can be used to form a container device (here a pot) for a cosmetic product with a refill 1 according to the invention, for example the refill of FIG. 1 or the refill of FIGS. 2 and 3. The casing designates the member that is configured to accommodate the refill and in which the refill is held. The casing of FIG. 4 is a bottle that forms a volume configured to accommodate the refill 1. The casing 13 comprises a substantially prismatic body 14 with a square base with slightly convex sides. The casing 13 has an important aesthetic function, since it constitutes the visible part of the pot once it is constructed. The body 14 of the casing 13 is covered by a neck 15 with a thread 16 that allows a screw cap (not shown) to be attached in place. A shoulder 17 is formed at the mouth of the neck 15. The shoulder 17 is dimensioned such that it can support and accommodate the rim 5 of the container 2 of the refill 1 thereon.

[0064] The shoulder 17 is optional and may support the refill perpendicularly to another surface of the casing, for example the rim 5 of the refill 1 container 2 may support directly on the neck 15 or for example if there is no rim 5 of the refill container 2 the bottom 4 of the container may support the bottom of the casing if it includes a bottom. A bottomless casing may be advantageous to facilitate withdrawal of the refill.

[0065] It is noteworthy that the casing 13 does not have any irregularities at the location of the casing inner surface 18 that are provided to cooperate with the refill to hold it. By irregularities is meant volumes that are hollow or embossed members formed on a surface and of dimensions substantially greater than the possible roughness associated with the material that constitutes said surface. The casing inner surface 18 in particular does not comprise snap-fastening rings, pins, apertures or any grooves.

[0066] In the example casing shown, a casing inner surface 18 configured to cooperate with the refill to retain it constitutes the inner surface of the neck 15 .

[0067] The casing shown in Figure 4 may be made of glass. Any shade of glass may be used, in particular transparent, translucent, opaque, tinted or non-tinted.

[0068] The casing may be formed from many other materials depending on the desired appearance, volume, shape, and desired method of closure, etc. In particular, the casing may be made of a plastic material, wood, metal (such as stainless steel, tinplate, or aluminum).

[0069] In that the casing inner surface 18 does not have any indentations for the purpose of snapping, screwing, etc., of the refill, conventional forms of containers may be used, e.g., conventional glassware containers having threads, without the need for additional adaptation other than dimensions to fit the refill. Thus, the manufacturing costs of the casing (and ultimately the container device) can be reduced compared to container devices in which the casing must include specific features for securing the refill.

[0070] Figure 5 shows in cross section a container device, i.e. a pot, formed from the casing of Figure 4 and the refill of Figures 2 and 3. The cross section plane is a diametric plane of the refill container 2 and also forms the plane of symmetry (plane P) of the casing 13, as shown in Figure 4.

[0071] The pot shown in Figure 5 thus comprises a casing 13 in the form of a thick-walled glass container, which forms a volume in which the refill 1 is contained. In the example shown, the shape of the internal volume of the casing 13 thus coincides, with the only difference being the external shape of the container 2 (e.g. cylindrical or slightly frusto-conical). The depth of this volume is slightly greater than the overall height of the refill, such that the rim 5 of the refill supports a shoulder 17 formed at the mouth of the neck 15.

[0072] Figure 6 shows a detailed view of the interaction between the casing and the refill in the pot of Figure 5, based on the same cross-section as Figure 5. In particular, Figure 6 reveals the supporting relationship formed between the rim 5 and the shoulder 17.

[0073] Between the casing inner surface 18 and the outer surface 7 of the side wall of the container 2 there is a clearance J, for example of the order of 0.5 mm for a pot of cosmetic cream of conventional volume, for example of the order of 60 mL. In the example shown, the element 8 of elastomeric material is formed flush with the outer surface 7, except for the projections 9 which it forms and which project in relief relative to its outer surface 7. The same amount of clearance J is therefore present between the casing inner surface 18 and the element 8 of elastomeric material, except at the location of the projections 9. Each projection 9 forms a projection relative to the level of the outer surface 7 of the side wall 3 of the container 2 of a thickness E greater than the clearance J, if the projection is not subject to external mechanical constraints, in particular if the projection 9 is not deformed by compression. This free configuration of the projections 9 is represented by dashed lines in FIG. 6. In the example shown, the thickness E can be of the order of 1 mm, for example of the order of 0.9 mm.

[0074] In order to insert the refill 1 into the casing 13 until the rim 5 bears on the shoulder 17, the projection 9 must be deformed so that it enters the casing and bears on the casing inner surface 18. When the refill 1 is in the casing 13, the projection 9 therefore has a thickness equal to the clearance J relative to the outer surface 17 of the side wall 3 of the container 2. The projection 9 therefore fills the clearance J and, by its elasticity, exerts a bearing force on the casing inner surface 18.

[0075] Advantageously, there are a number of support protrusions distributed around the container 2 so as to distribute the support over the casing inner surface 18 and ensure an effective and uniform retention of the container 2 in the casing 13. In fact, each support zone formed at the location of each protrusion 9 forms a zone that ensures the retention of the container 2 (and therefore the refill 1) in the casing 13. When a force is applied that tries to extract the refill 1 from the casing 13, a force opposing said extraction is generated by reaction at the location of the protrusion, due to the interaction between each protrusion 9 and the casing inner surface 18 compressing said protrusion 9. This force is generated by the friction of the protrusion 9 on the casing inner surface 18. As long as the container 2 does not move in the casing 13, this is the so-called dry friction force, the strength of which is approximately equal for each protrusion 9 to the coefficient of static friction between the protrusions 9 multiplied by the force exerted between the casing inner surface 18 and the protrusion 9 by the compression of said protrusion 9. When the force attempting to extract the container from the casing 13 exceeds the sum of the maximum static friction forces applied at the locations of the projections 9, the refill will begin to move relative to the casing due to its extraction.

[0076] Thus, the number of projections, their dimensions, the elastomeric material used, as well as the material from which the casing is made and the surface condition of the inner surface of the casing will be parameters making it possible to adjust the force required to place and extract the refill 1. With regard to an elastomeric material element, the material it is made of, the total supporting surface area (sum of the supporting surface areas) between said elastomeric material element and the inner surface 18 of the casing, and the sum of the forces exerted by compression of said elastomeric material element are important parameters in determining the configuration of the elastomeric material element.

[0077] Whatever the embodiment considered, it is recommended that for cosmetic pots the force required to extract the refill is at least twice the weight of a full refill, for example around 2.5 times the weight of a full refill.

[0078] The presence of at least three regularly distributed projections, as in the example shown, also allows for central positioning of the refill within the casing 13.

[0079] In order to facilitate placing the refill 1 in place within the casing 13, the projections 9 have, in the example of FIG. 6, a so-called vertically domed or chamfered shape, which also corresponds to the direction of insertion (and withdrawal) of the refill, thereby allowing gradual compression of the projections when the refill 1 is inserted into the casing 13.

[0080] The location of the projections 9 at the top of the container 2, typically below the rim 5, allows the refill to be inserted into the casing 13 with virtually no effort and secured within the casing by compression of the projections 9 at the end of insertion.

[0081] FIG. 7 shows, in a view similar to FIG. 6, the interaction between a casing and the refill of FIG. 1 in a pot formed by such a refill.

[0082] The embodiment of Figure 7 differs from that shown in Figure 6 essentially in the configuration of the member of elastomeric material 8 and the projections 9 which it forms. Nevertheless, all the explanations given with reference to Figure 6 regarding the number of projections, the generation of the retention force by contact with the casing inner surface 18, etc., apply to the embodiment of Figure 7.

[0083] As can be seen in Figure 1, the projections 9 of the refill used in the pot of Figure 7 have a shape that is vertically elongated, i.e. parallel to the direction of insertion and withdrawal of the refill. As in the embodiment detailed with reference to Figure 6, the thickness E formed by the projections 9 relative to the outer surface 7 of the side wall 3 of the container 2 is greater than the clearance J between said outer surface 7 and the casing inner surface 18. Each projection 9 of the member 8 of elastomeric material is therefore compressed when the refill 1 is in place in the casing 13. To facilitate the insertion of the refill 1 into the casing 13, a chamfer 19 is formed on the projections 9.

[0084] Due to the vertically elongated shape of the projection 9, it is progressively inserted into the casing 13, which causes a gradual increase in the force required to place the refill 1 in place within the casing 13 (as the contact surface area between the projection 9 of the container 2 and the casing inner surface 18 increases progressively and proportionately with the length of the inserted projection) until contact is made between the rim 5 and the shoulder 17.

[0085] Although described with reference to two detailed embodiments, the invention is of course not limited to them. In particular, the configuration of the elastomeric member, the container and the casing may be very different from that described above. For example, the presence of protrusions on the member of elastomeric material is optional, provided that at least a part of said member of elastomeric material is in relief with respect to the outer surface of the casing. A very wide variety of forms of members of elastomeric material may be envisaged. Several different members of elastomeric material may be present in the same refill. The container may have various shapes and configurations depending on the application considered. Similarly, the casing may have various shapes and configurations. For example, the casing may be cubic, cylindrical, cubic or parallelepiped, spherical, with or without a bottom, or may be provided with an opening at its bottom to facilitate withdrawal of the refill.

[0086] The invention thus developed allows for the removable retention of a cosmetic refill in the casing in order to form an aesthetic and refillable cosmetic container device by replacing the refill. The retention is obtained by friction of an element of elastomeric material on the inner surface of the casing. The retention means, in particular the elastomeric element, can be completely invisible once the pot is constructed and can become unnoticeable when refilling. The element of elastomeric material can also constitute an element for visual or aesthetic identification or for tactile identification of the product.

[0087] Furthermore, the casing can have a shape that is easy to manufacture since the inner surface of the casing provided to interact with the elastomeric material member of the refill to hold it does not require the formation of any specific mechanical device, so that existing receptacles, for example conventional glassware receptacles, can be used without adaptation as the casing of the cosmetic container device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 refill 2 containers 3 side wall 4 Bottom 5 Rims 6 Open surface 7, 11 External surface 8 Elastomer material components 9 protrusions 10, 17 Shoulder 12 areas 13 Casing 14 Main unit 15 Neck 16 threads 18 Inner Surface 19 Chamfering J Clearance

Claims

1. A refill (1) for a container for cosmetic products, comprising a container (2) adapted to contain such cosmetic product, the container (2) comprising a side wall (3), the side wall (3) of the container (2) having, over at least a part of its outer surface (7), a member (8) made of an elastomeric material that is at least partially in relief with respect to said outer surface (7) of the side wall (3) of the container (2), The refill (1) is characterized in that the element (8) made of elastomeric material is connected to the container (2) by the element (8) of elastomeric material being molded onto the casing (2), or the container (2) is made of a plastic material and the container and the element (8) of elastomeric material are integrally formed by two-component injection molding.

2. 2. A refill according to claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material is a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone elastomer.

3. A refill according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastomeric material has a hardness comprised between 20 degrees Shore and 80 degrees Shore.

4. 4. A refill according to claim 3, wherein the elastomeric material has a hardness comprised between 40 degrees Shore and 60 degrees Shore.

5. A refill according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the members (8) of elastomeric material are of variable thickness so as to form distinct projections (9) distributed over the outer surface (7) of the side wall (3) of the container (2).

6. 6. Refill according to claim 5, wherein the member of elastomeric material (8) extends around the periphery of the side wall of the container (2) and forms at least two projections (9) distributed over said periphery.

7. A refill according to claim 6, in which the piece of elastomeric material (8) forms at least three projections (9) distributed over said periphery of the side wall of the container (2).

8. 7. A refill as claimed in claim 6, in which the member of elastomeric material is formed on the casing (8) and extends over the side wall of the container in at least two strips, said strips extending from the top of the container to the bottom (4) of the container (2) and continuing on the outer surface (11) of said bottom (4) where they intersect each other.

9. 9. A refill according to claim 8, wherein the member (8) of elastomeric material extends in at least three strips over the side wall of the container.

10. A refill according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said refill (1) is of the general shape of a cylinder or truncated cone of revolution, or of a right prism.

11. A refill according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2) has an internal volume comprised between 10 mL and 200 mL.

12. A container device for cosmetic products comprising a casing (13) and a refill (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the casing (13) being provided with an opening adapted to receive the refill (1), the outer surface (7) of the side wall (3) of the container (2) of the refill (1) having a clearance (J) with respect to the inner surface (18) of the casing, except at the location of all or part of the element (8) of elastomeric material, such that a support zone of the element (8) of elastomeric material on the inner surface (18) of the casing is formed, A container device for cosmetic products, in which the elastomeric material element (8) is deformed in said support zone by compression of the inner surface (18) of the casing, compared to the configuration it would adopt if it were not subjected to external influences, and retention of the refill in the casing is obtained by friction of the elastomeric material element with the inner surface of the casing.

13. 13. The container device of claim 12, wherein the inner surface (18) of the casing is devoid of irregularities such as snap-fastening rings, studs, apertures or grooves.

14. 14. A container device as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the container (2) of the refill (1) is filled with cosmetic product and the shape, dimensions and configuration of the member of elastomeric material are configured such that the force required to extract the refill (1) from the casing (13) is at least twice the weight of the refill (1).

15. Container device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the casing (13) is made of a plastic material, glass, stainless steel, aluminium or wood.

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