Device for packaging a cosmetic product

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for packaging a cosmetic product, the device (10) comprising: - a cup (14) intended to receive the cosmetic product, - a guide (16) comprising an upper outlet opening (18) for the cosmetic product and in which the cup (14) is slidably mounted, - a base (20) in which the guide (16) is slidably mounted, - a flexible strip (62) extending from a first end (62a) connected to the base (20) to a second end (62b) connected to the cup (14), the sliding of the guide (16) relative to the base (20) causing the cup (14) to slide between a retracted end position and a deployed end position, and vice versa.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: COSMETIC PRODUCT PACKAGING DEVICE

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a cosmetic product packaging device comprising a cup containing the cosmetic product. Specifically, the device may be an dispensing and inlet device for the cosmetic product, or an application and / or dispensing device for the cosmetic product. The cosmetic product may be, for example, a stick of cosmetic product.

[0005] Technical background

[0006] The state of the art is known regarding packaging devices for cosmetic products, such as cosmetic sticks, particularly but not exclusively for lipstick sticks. Such a cosmetic stick can also be referred to as a "grape".

[0007] The stick is held by its base in a cup. In most packaging devices, the cup slides axially between at least one retracted position and a cosmetic product application position in which at least part of the cosmetic product stick extends axially out of the device.

[0008] Typically, the cup slides by applying a rotational movement to an external sheath of the device or to a base relative to an internal guide. Outwardly projecting radial lugs on the cup engage in an axial slot and a helical groove of the guide, so that rotation of the sheath or base causes the cup to slide and the cosmetic product stick to be dispensed or dispensed.

[0009] There are also other mechanisms in which the cup slides by an axial movement of an external pin operated by the user. The user thus extends or inserts the cosmetic product stick by manually moving the pin up or down.

[0010] In both cases, the mechanisms are complex and include many parts cooperating with each other, making the manufacture of the conditioning device complex.

[0011] Furthermore, the cosmetic product stick can be unintentionally dispensed when the packaging is not open, i.e., when a cap is in place. The cosmetic product stick can then be damaged by contact with the bottom of the cap.

[0012] Thus, there is a need for a solution that addresses at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] The invention proposes a device for packaging a cosmetic product, said device comprising:

[0015] - a cup designed to hold the cosmetic product,

[0016] - a guide comprising a top opening for the dispensing of the cosmetic product and in which the cup is mounted to slide

[0017] - a base in which the guide is mounted to slide,

[0018] - a flexible band extending from a first end attached to the base to a second end attached to the cup,

[0019] The sliding of the guide relative to the base causes the cup to slide between an extreme retracted position and an extreme deployed position, and vice versa. The cup is defined as any element that supports and / or holds the cosmetic product.

[0020] In other words, the flexible band connected at one end to the cup and at the other end to the base allows the sliding of the guide to the cup which moves from the extreme retracted position to the extreme deployed position, and vice versa, bringing the cosmetic product out or in.

[0021] The guide, accessible only when the device is open, allows the cosmetic product to be dispensed and / or inserted. This prevents unintentional activation of the cup when the device is closed and avoids the risk of damaging the cosmetic product.

[0022] Furthermore, the flexible band is attached at one end to a moving element, the cup, and at the other end to a fixed element, the base, rather than to a second moving element, the guide. This provides better support for the flexible band. It also prevents unnecessary friction, for example between the flexible band and the base, which could lead to premature wear of the band and result in device malfunction.

[0023] According to different modes of implementation, which may be taken together or separately:

[0024] - the device is an output and / or input device for the cosmetic product,

[0025] - The device is a cosmetic product application device, - The device is a cosmetic product dispensing device.

[0026] - The sliding of the cup from the retracted extreme position to the deployed extreme position and vice versa is driven by the sliding of the guide from a retracted extreme position to a deployed extreme position.

[0027] - The flexible strip is mounted to slide relative to the guide and slides within a guiding means; - the guiding means is at least partly a groove made in the guide.

[0028] - the guiding means is at least partly a groove made in the base,

[0029] - the flexible band extends in a U shape,

[0030] - The first end of the flexible band is fixed to the base, - the second end of the flexible band is flexibly attached to the cup and slides relative to it.

[0031] - the cup includes a slide in which the second end of the flexible band slides,

[0032] - the second end of the flexible band slides in the cup's guide along a dead travel in which the cup is stationary until the flexible band is in contact with an upper or lower stop of the guide,

[0033] - the sliding of the cup from the extreme retracted position to the extreme deployed position takes place after the flexible band is in contact with the upper stop of the slide, - the sliding of the cup from the extreme deployed position to the extreme retracted position takes place after the flexible band is in contact with the lower stop of the slide, - the device includes a top cap intended to close a top opening for the cosmetic product outlet of the guide.

[0034] - the top cap is clipped to the guide,

[0035] - the device further includes a cosmetic product stick mounted on said cup

[0036] - at least one of the following components (cup, guide, sheath, lower cap, and upper cap) is made by molding, - at least one of the following components (cup, guide, base, and upper cap) is made of plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), - at least one of the following components (cup, guide, base, and upper cap) is made of metallic material, such as aluminum,

[0037] - at least one of the cup, the guide, the base, the top cap are made of the same material.

[0038] Brief description of the figures

[0039] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the reading of the detailed description that follows, for the understanding of which reference should be made to the attached drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view representing a cosmetic product packaging device according to the invention.

[0041] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device in Figure 1. Figure 3 is another cross-sectional view of the device in Figure 1.

[0042] Figure 4 is an enlargement of Figure 2.

[0043] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a base of the device in Figure 1.

[0044] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a guide to the device in Figure 1.

[0045] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cupule of the device in Figure 1.

[0046] Figure 8 is another perspective view of the cup of the device in Figure 1.

[0047] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the cup of Figures 7 and 8 assembled to a flexible band of the device of Figure 1. Figure 10 is another perspective view of Figure 9.

[0048] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 with an open cap, a retracted cosmetic stick, and the cup in an extreme retracted position. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 with the open cap, the retracted cosmetic stick, and the cup in an intermediate position.

[0049] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the device in Figure 1 with the cap open, the cosmetic product stick extended, and the cup in an intermediate position.

[0050] Detailed description of the invention

[0051] By convention, the "axial" direction in the figures corresponds to that of the main X axis of the device 10 (also called mechanism) for packaging a cosmetic product, such as a stick of cosmetic product, in particular a stick of lipstick, and the "radial" direction is directed orthogonally to the axial direction by radiating from the main axis.

[0052] In the detailed description of the figures that follows, the terms "upper" and "lower" or "top" and "bottom" will be used without limitation in reference to the axial direction, the upper part of the device corresponding to that through which the stick of cosmetic product comes out of the device for application.

[0053] Similarly, the terms "outside or external" and "inside or internal" are used with reference to the radial direction, an outside element being radially further from the X axis than an inside element.

[0054] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an example of a conditioning device 10, in particular here a device for distributing and applying a cosmetic product, extending, here, along a main longitudinal axis X.

[0055] The cosmetic product is more specifically a stick 12 (or grape) of cosmetic product, in particular a stick of lipstick, gloss or lip balm, or even a deodorant or solid perfume. The device 10 comprises:

[0056] - a cup 14 intended to receive the cosmetic product, here the stick 12,

[0057] - a guide 16 comprising a top opening 18 for the dispensing of the cosmetic product, here the stick 12, and in which the cup 14 is mounted to slide,

[0058] - a base 20 in which the guide 16 is mounted to slide. The term "cup" refers to any element that supports and / or holds the cosmetic product.

[0059] The cup 14 is thus mounted movably in the guide 16. Here, the cup 14 is mounted movably axially in the guide 16, that is to say along the main X axis.

[0060] The cup 14, visible in particular in Figures 7 and 8, has a cylindrical wall 22 extending axially. The wall 22 defines a recess 24 which receives a lower part of the cosmetic product stick 12, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3. In this embodiment, the cup 14 further includes a leg 26 extending axially from a transverse base 28 of the recess 24.

[0061] Leg 26 has an inner face and an outer face.

[0062] The leg 26 further includes a slot 30 extending axially and radially through the thickness of the leg 26. The slot 30 is oblong in shape. It has two straight and parallel edges and is closed at each of its upper and lower ends 30, 30b.

[0063] The outer face comprises two ribs 32 extending axially along each of its vertical edges. The two ribs 32 define between themselves an axial groove 34, the bottom of which is the leg 26 comprising the slot 30.

[0064] The inner face comprises two opposing brackets 36 extending along each of its vertical edges to the transverse bottom 28 of the housing 24. In other words, the brackets 36 connect the leg 26 to the housing 24 of the cup 14. The brackets 36 help to reinforce the leg 26, in particular to prevent it from being damaged during assembly for example.

[0065] The guide 16 is particularly visible in figure 6. The guide 16 includes a wall 38, here tubular, which extends axially from a lower end 39 to its upper outlet opening 18 intended to be traversed by the stick 12 of cosmetic product.

[0066] Guide 16 is tubular in shape here, but any other shape, cylindrical or not, with any cross-sectional shape can be considered.

[0067] The wall 38 delimits an upper internal volume 40 in which the cosmetic product stick 12 is housed and in which the cup 14 slides and a lower portion 42 which extends to the lower end 39.

[0068] As shown in Figure 2, the lower portion 42 includes an internal surface having a flat area 44 extending axially downwards from an inclined shoulder 46 forming a stop for the cup 14.

[0069] The lower portion 42 includes an internal groove 48, illustrated in figures 2, 4 and 6, extending radially in a curve inside the guide 16 from a first end 48a opening into the internal volume and in the extension of the flat area 44 to a second diametrically opposite end 48b opening into the wall of the guide 16. In other words, the groove 48 extends in a U shape.

[0070] The lower portion 42 of the guide 16 further includes two diametrically opposed cavities 50, arranged on either side above the groove 48. Each of the cavities 50 has a lower wall of curvature similar to the groove 48, a straight upper wall and a flat inner bottom.

[0071] The cavities 50 reinforce the lower portion 42 of the guide 16. The base 20, visible in Figure 5, is tubular in this embodiment. It has an axial wall 52 extending from a closed bottom 54 to an exit opening 56 of the guide 16 and defines an internal volume 58 in which the guide 16 slides.

[0072] In other words, the base 20 partially encloses the guide 16 which slides inside it.

[0073] In this embodiment, the base 20 is in two separate pieces, an upper piece 20a and a lower piece 20b, which are assembled together.

[0074] The lower part 20b is a tube closed at its lower bottom 54 and open at its upper end.

[0075] The upper part 20a is a sleeve open at each of its ends.

[0076] Each end of the upper part 20a has an external diameter smaller than the external diameter of a central portion of the upper part 20a extending between its two ends. In this way, the lower end of the upper part 20a can be assembled to the lower part 20b by inserting it into the upper end.

[0077] The central part having an external diameter identical to the external diameter of the lower part 20b, once the lower part 20b and the upper part 20a are assembled, the base 20 has a tubular external appearance.

[0078] The upper part 20a further has an internal surface comprising a flat area 60 diametrically opposite the flat area 44 of the guide 16 when the guide 16 and the base 20 are assembled and the device 10 is formed. This flat area 60 is located more particularly at the second end 48b of the groove 48.

[0079] The device 10 further includes a flexible band 62 extending from a first end 62a linked to the base 20 to a second end 62b linked to the cup 14. The flexible band 62 is visible in figures 9 and 10 assembled to the cup 14.

[0080] The flexible band 62 extends here in a U-shape, thus presenting a first portion 64 and a second portion 66, opposite and connected by a rounded central portion 68. The first portion 64 comprises the first end 62a of the flexible band 62 and is connected to the base 20, and the second portion 66 comprises the second end 62b of the flexible band 62 and is connected to the cup 14.

[0081] The flexible band 62 comprises an inner face 62i and an outer face 62e. The outer face 62e is smooth, while the inner face 62i comprises, at one end 62a, 62b (here the second end 62b), a tenon 70 projecting inwards. The tenon 70 is notably split along its length and includes a hooked end.

[0082] As seen in figures 9 and 10, the tenon 70 cooperates with the slot 30 of the leg 26 of the cup 14. Indeed, the tenon 70 is held in the slot 30 by means of the hooked tip and can slide axially in it.

[0083] In the position illustrated in figures 9 and 10, the first portion 64 has a greater length than the opposite second portion 66.

[0084] Once assembled, the base 20, the cup 14, the guide 16, and the flexible band 62 form the cosmetic product device 10. In the embodiment shown here, the base 20 partially encloses the guide 16, the upper portion of which remains accessible to the user. The cup 14 is located inside the guide 16, resting on the inclined shoulder 46 of its inner surface when it is in its fully retracted position as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0085] The flexible band 62 is connected at the first end 62a to the base 20 and its first portion 64 is sandwiched between the inner surface of the base 20 and an outer surface of the guide 16 up to the second end 48b of the groove 48 of the guide 16. Then, the curved portion 68 of the flexible band 62 is housed in the groove 48 of the guide 16. Finally, the second portion 66 of the flexible band 62 exits into the inner volume of the guide 16 along the flat area 44 of its inner surface up to the second end 62b including the tenon 70 which allows its attachment to the cup 14.

[0086] According to the invention, the sliding of the guide 16 relative to the base 20 causes the cup 14 to slide between an extreme retracted position and an extreme deployed position, and vice versa.

[0087] In other words, the flexible band 62, connected at one end to the cup 14 and at the other end to the base 20, allows the sliding of the guide 16 to cause the cup 14 to slide from its fully retracted position to its fully extended position, and vice versa, extending or retracting the cosmetic product, in this case the cosmetic stick 12. Actuating the guide 16, accessible only when the device 10 is open, thus allows the cosmetic product, in this case the cosmetic stick 12, to be extended and / or retracted. This prevents unintentional activation of the cup 14 when the device 10 is closed and avoids the risk of damaging the cosmetic product, in this case the cosmetic stick 12.

[0088] Furthermore, the flexible band 62 is connected at one end 62b to a movable element, the cup 14, and at the other end 62a to a fixed element, the base 20, and not to a second movable element, the guide 16. The flexible band 62 is thus better held in place. This also avoids unnecessary friction, for example between the flexible band 62 and the base 20, which could lead to premature wear of the flexible band 62, resulting in malfunction of the device 10. Advantageously, the sliding of the cup 14 from the retracted extreme position to the extended extreme position, and vice versa, is driven by the sliding of the guide 16 from a retracted extreme position to an extended extreme position.In other words, the user slides the guide 16 from its extreme retracted position, i.e. the position in which the base 20 covers the largest volume of the guide 16, to its extreme deployed position, i.e. the position in which the base 20 covers the smallest volume of the guide 16, and vice versa, which causes the cup 14 to slide and the cosmetic product to exit or enter.

[0089] The guide 16 thus emerges from the opening 56 of the base 20, then the cosmetic product stick 12 emerges from the upper outlet opening 18, and vice versa for the stick 12 to enter. This is an entry and exit movement similar to that of a conventional packaging device. The operation is therefore intuitive for the user.

[0090] Advantageously, the flexible band 62 is mounted to slide relative to the guide 16.

[0091] In particular, to facilitate the sliding of the flexible band 62, it can slide in a guide means.

[0092] Here, the internal U-shaped groove 48 located in the lower portion 42 of the guide 16 through which the flexible band 62 passes serves as a means of guiding the latter.

[0093] Advantageously, the first end 62a of the flexible band 62 can be fixedly attached to the base 20, as illustrated in the embodiment shown. This facilitates the movement of the flexible band 62 during the sliding of the guide 16 and the drive of the cup 14.

[0094] The flexible band 62 can be glued and self-locking or directly molded with the base 20, in particular with the upper part 20a of the base 20. Advantageously, the second end of the flexible band 62 can be movably linked to the cup 14 and slides relative to it, as illustrated in the embodiment shown.

[0095] Preferably, the second end of the flexible band 62 slides along a dead stroke L in which the cup 14 is stationary until the flexible band 62 is in contact with an upper stop or a lower stop of the slide 34 (figure 12).

[0096] In the embodiment shown, the tenon 70 of the flexible band 62 cooperates with the slot 30 of the leg 26 of the cup 14, each of whose upper end 30a and lower end 30b serve as stops for the sliding of the flexible band 62. To facilitate the sliding, in particular to prevent the flexible band 62 from becoming crosswise, advantageously, as mentioned previously, the cup 14 includes the slide 34 in which the second end of the flexible band 62 slides.

[0097] Thus, the sliding of the cup 14 from the extreme retracted position (figure 11) to the extreme deployed position (figure 13) takes place after the flexible band 62 is in contact with the upper stop of the slide 34, that is here when the tenon 70 is in contact with the upper end 30a of the slot 30 of the cup 14.

[0098] Conversely, the sliding of the cup 14 from the extreme deployed position (figure 13) to the extreme retracted position (figure 11) takes place after the flexible band 62 is in contact with the lower stop of the slide 34, that is here when the tenon 70 is in contact with the lower end 30b of the slot 30 of the cup 14.

[0099] In an intermediate position illustrated in Figure 12, only the flexible band 62 slides during the sliding of the guide 16; in other words, the flexible band 62 has completed its dead travel L and the cup 14 has remained fixed. The cosmetic product stick 12 is then retracted inside the guide 16. It is only after this position that the cosmetic product stick 12 will extend (Figure 13).

[0100] In the embodiment shown here, the device 10 includes a cap 72 for closing the upper opening 18 of the exit of the rod 12 of the guide 16.

[0101] Preferably, the cap 72 is clipped to the base 20. For this purpose, the cap 72 includes an annular ridge 74 on its inner surface which cooperates with an annular groove 76 on the outer surface of the base 16. Thus, this prevents the risk of actuating the guide 16 and the exit of the cosmetic product stick 12.

[0102] Advantageously, at least one of the cup 14, the guide 16, the sheath, the cap 72 is made by molding.

[0103] Preferably, at least one of the cup 14, guide 16, base 20, flexible band 62, cap 72 is made of plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and / or of metallic material, such as aluminium.

[0104] Preferably, the flexible band 62 is made of polypropylene to ensure flexibility and good force transmission. Preferably, at least one of the following components—cup 14, guide 16, base 20, flexible band 62, and cap 72—are made of the same material.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Device (10) for packaging a cosmetic product, said device (10) comprising: - a cup (14) intended to receive the cosmetic product, - a guide (16) comprising a top opening (18) for the outlet of the cosmetic product and in which the cup (14) is slidably mounted, - a base (20) in which the guide (16) is mounted to slide, - a flexible band (62) extending from a first end (62a) attached to the base (20) to a second end (62b) attached to the cup (14), the sliding of the guide (16) relative to the base (20) causing the cup (14) to slide between an extreme retracted position and an extreme deployed position, and vice versa.

2. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sliding of the cup (14) from the extreme retracted position to the extreme deployed position and vice versa is driven by the sliding of the guide (16) from an extreme retracted position to an extreme deployed position.

3. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the flexible band (62) is mounted to slide relative to the guide (16) and slides in a guiding means.

4. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the guiding means is at least partly a groove (48) made in the guide (16).

5. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible band (62) extends in a U-shape.

6. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end (62a) of the flexible band (62) is fixedly connected to the base (20).

7. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second end (62b) of the flexible band (62) is movably linked to the cup (14) and slides relative to it.

8. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the cup (14) includes a slide (34) in which the second end of the flexible band (62) slides.

9. Device (10) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the second end (62b) of the flexible band (62) slides in the slot (34) of the cup (14) according to a dead stroke (L) in which the cup (14) is stationary until the flexible band (62) is in contact with an upper stop or a lower stop of the slot (34).

10. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the sliding of the cup (14) from the extreme retracted position to the extreme deployed position takes place after the flexible band (62) is in contact with the upper stop of the slide (34).

11. Device (10) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the sliding of the cup (14) from the extreme deployed position to the extreme retracted position takes place after the flexible band (62) is in contact with the lower stop of the slide (34).

Images