EP0002443A1 - Closure for containers, in particular for containers for cosmetic products - Google Patents

Abstract

The fastener according to the present invention comprises a first part (4) fixed in a recess of the bottom of the case, this first part being connected by means of an elastic junction part (7) to a second part (6) comprising a hook (10) ensuring the retention of the cover (12), and a projection (8) with an actuating surface. When the said actuating surface is pressed, the said second part bends in relation to the said first part and its hook (10) releases the cover (12). The invention is used for fasteners for cases of cosmetic products. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a retaining device or clasp for shoemakers, in particular for shoemakers for cosmetic products.

The bootmakers of cosmetic products currently used are generally thin and are made of plastic, the retention of the cover on the body of the bootmaker being ensured by slight bulges made respectively on the body of the bootmaker and on its cover or on tongues made of projecting, the two bulges cooperating mutually so as to ensure, by mutual snap-fastening, on the cover and the body of the shoemaker. Such known retaining devices are not very reliable, because the locking of the cover is only ensured by the elasticity of the hinges and / or the tongues and possibly of the walls or parts of side walls on which said bulges are arranged, said bulges having to have a rounded shape so that one does not have to force too much when closing or opening the bootmaker. In mass production, it is difficult to maintain the same quality of elasticity for all hinges and / or tabs. In addition, over time, the tongue, which is generally thin, can lose its elasticity and no longer ensure proper closure of the boot. In addition, in the case of flat bootmakers, it is often difficult to ensure sufficient grip of the body of the bootmaker and of the cover to allow easy opening of the bootmaker. In some cases to facilitate gripping, a front projection is provided on the body of the housing and another on the cover, but such projections can be considered unsightly or inconvenient and often fragile.

In addition, if the tongues and / or the hinge are not sufficiently flexible, there may be wear of their parts which rub against each other, which is another cause of the reduction in quality of the retainer.

The subject of the present invention is a clasp or retaining or hooking device for shoemakers, in particular for shoemakers for cosmetic products, which is easy to produce, which ensures a constant quality of retention for all the parts of the same production series. and constant over time.

The present invention also relates to a clasp of the aforementioned type which is easy to handle.

The present invention also relates to a clasp. aforementioned type which practically does not protrude outside the case, and even provide a decorative effect.

The clasp according to the present invention is characterized in that it consists essentially of an insert on the body of the shoemaker, this part comprising a first part fixed in said body of the shoemaker and connected elastically to a second part comprising a surface actuation on which the user presses to obtain the closure or the opening of the case, as well as a hook device cooperating with a corresponding depression of the case cover to ensure its retention, said hook device being released entirely from said depression when said actuation surface is sufficiently depressed, thereby preventing the free opening or closing of the case.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body of the shoemaker has a recess in which said first part of the clasp is appropriately fixed, as well as a recess adjacent to said recess, recess whose bottom serves as a stop means for said second part when the user presses on said actuating surface, in order to delimit the travel of said hook device to release it entirely from said depression.

Advantageously, the clasp is real _! .é in one piece, preferably made of plastic, said first and second parts being connected to each other by a junction part having elastic characteristics allowing its bending when one presses on said actuating surface, and allowing the hooking out of said hook in said depression when the housing is closed and said actuation surface is released.

• - les figures 1 et 2 sont deux vues d'un premier mode de réalisation du fermoir conforme à l'inventior la figure 1 étant une vue en perspective du fermoir et d'une partie du corps du bortrer dans laquelle vient se fixer ledit fermoir, et la figure 2 étant une vue en coupe du fermoir de la figure 1 à l'état assemblé ; et,
• - les figures 3 à 5 sont des vues en coupe d'autres modes de réalisation du fermoir conforme à la présente invention.

The present invention will be better understood using the detailed description of several embodiments taken as nonlimiting examples and illustrated by the attached deasin in which:

• - Figures 1 and 2 are two views of a first embodiment of the clasp according to the invention, Figure 1 being a perspective view of the clasp and of a part of the body of the bortrer in which said clasp is fixed, and FIG. 2 being a sectional view of the clasp of FIG. 1 in the assembled state; and,
• - Figures 3 to 5 are sectional views of other embodiments of the clasp according to the present invention.

The clasp shown in Figures 1 and 2 is constituted by a clasp body 1 made in one piece, for example of plastic such as polyacetal or polypropylene.

The body of the clasp 1 is attached to a recess 2 in the body or bottom of the housing 3, the latter having only been shown partially in the drawing. In the embodiment shown, the recess 2 is made substantially in the middle of the front side wall of the shoemaker, but could also be located on another side wall of the body of the shoemaker. In general, a single clasp device is sufficient for a shoemaker, but one could also provide two or more, provided of course that they can be manipulated simultaneously to be able to easily open the shoemaker.

The body of the clasp 1 comprises a first part 4 having a general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, intended to engage in the recess 2 which has a corresponding shape. To ensure secure fixing of the part 4 in the recess 2, two notches are practiced on two of its opposite lateral faces cooperating with a locking device (not shown) provided in the recess 2 and being for example under the form of flat springs having a convex part cooperating with said notches 5, in a manner known per se. However, any other device for fixing the part 4 in the recess 2 may be suitable. One can for example provide an adhesive.

As best seen in Figure 2, the recess 2 opens towards the lower surface of the boot body 3, but one could also provide a blind recess. In the embodiment shown, the dimensions of the part 4 are chosen so that its lower face is exactly at the bottom of the boot 3, for aesthetic reasons, but such a characteristic is not absolutely necessary.

The clasp body 1 comprises a second part 6 connected to the first part 4 by a junction part 7 having a thickness less than the thickness of the part 4, thus constituting a weakening zone allowing the elastic bending of the part 6 relative to the part 4, the latter being firmly held in the recess 2 of the body of the shoemaker 3. However, the joining part 7 can be made differently: it can for example have the same thickness as the pa ie 4 and include one or more rows of holes, or else for example it can be made of a material other than that constituting the parts 4 and 6 of the body 1: it can for example be a steel blade.

The second part 6 of the clasp body 1 comprises, in the vicinity of the junction zone 7, an initial portion of the same thickness and · same width as the part 4. The part 6 then comprises a front projection 8 also having a general shape of rectangular parallelepiped, the front surface of this projection 8 serving as an actuating surface for the user of the clasp. However, the general shape of the projection 8 may be any, the main condition to be fulfilled being that it has a front actuating surface easily accessible to the user, and possibly good aesthetic characteristics.

Beyond the projection 8, the part 6 comprises an end portion 9 also preferably having a general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, this end portion 9 being substantially in the extension of the part 4 as well as said initial portion of the part 6. The front face of the end portion 9 has the shape of a beak or hook 10 cooperating with a corresponding depression or groove 11 in the cover 12 of the shoemaker in order to block said cover 12 in the closed position. The clasp 1 therefore has, in section, a general shape of I, without taking into account the projection. The width of the projection 8 and of the terminal part 9 may be the same as that of the part 4, or may be different.

In order to allow the closure of the clasp, therefore the tilting back (with respect to the user, that is to say towards the inside of part 6 of the bootmaker), the side wall of the body of shoemaker 3, above the recess 2, a recess 13 whose dimensions allow the complete release of the hook 10 relative to the depression 11 of the cover 12 and whose bottom serves as a stop for the part 6.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the clasp 1 is fixed in the recess 2 and which shell is closed, only the front part of the projection 8 with its actuating surface slightly protrudes from the shell, but this can be avoided in the case of other embodiments, as will be seen below.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 5, identical reference numerals have been used for similar elements, these numerical references being assigned indices b and c respectively.

In the embodiment of Figure 3 the clasp has, in section, a general shape of "h". The first part 4a of the clasp la is housed in a recess 2a of the boot body 3a, the fixing of this first part 4a in the recess 2a being effected by a lug 14 provided on one of the faces of the recess 2a, this lug 14 cooperating with a corresponding notch 15 formed in the face opposite part 4a of the clasp. The lug 14 can extend over the entire width of the recess and the clasp, or even only over part of this width. However, other means of fixing the clasp can be provided in the body of the shoemaker 3b, as specified above with regard to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The first part 4a of the clasp la is connected to the second part 6a by a junction part 7a having a thickness that is thinner than that of the parts 4a and 6a, the part 7a constituting the generally horizontal part of the "h".

Part 6a is substantially parallel to part 4a of the clasp 1a, and comprises an actuating surface 16 on the front face of its lower portion, and, at its upper portion, a hook 10a cooperating with a corresponding notch 11a formed in the cover 12a of the housing to ensure its retention, the hook 10a projecting from said upper portion of part 6a towards the interior of the case.

The front surface of the part 6a can advantageously be in the extension of the front surface of the cover 12a, the front surface of the bottom of the shoemaker 3a then comprising a housing 17 for encasing the part 6a of the clasp la. In order to better identify the clasp, one can either make, for example at the lower part of its fron mle face, a slight projection 18 which will be easily perceptible to the structure without detrimentally affecting the aesthetics, or make the clasp in a different cofear from that of the bootmaker.

In order to allow the release of the hook 10a to produce the opening and the closing of the shoemaker, a recess 13a is practiced on the front face of the housing 17 of the body of the shoemaker 3a, this hook having a practically zero depth at the height of the junction pa 7a, and having, at the base of the body of the shoemaker 3a a pr ondeur allowing sufficient movement of the bearing surface 16 to disengage the hook 10a from the cover 12a.

The clasp embodiment of Figure 4 has, in transverse section, a general shape of U and is fixed in the recess 2b of the body of the bootmaker 3b, from the underside of the bootmaker, unlike the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3, but its operating principle remains the same.

The first part 4b of the clasp 1b is received in the recess 2b of the boot body 3b, this fixing being ensured by means of a lug 14b projecting from one of the faces of the recess 2b and cooperating with a notch 15b formed on the corresponding face of part 4b of the clasp lb.

The first part 4b of the clasp 1b is connected by a junction zone 7b to the second part 6b which has a projection 8b, the front surface of which constitutes an actuation surface. The front face of the part 6b is in alignment with the front face of the front side wall of the cover 12b, only the projection 8b projecting from these two aligned surfaces. However, when the part 6b is sufficiently high, the projection 8b can be eliminated, the user then pressing directly on the upper portion of the front face of the part 6b which has on the front face of its upper part a hook 10b cooperating with a notch llb made in the inner face of the front side wall of the cover 12b.

As in the embodiments described above, the width of the projection 8b, when it exists, can be less than the width of the clasp lb. When this projection does not exist, the clasp can be identified either by making it from a material having a color different from that of the shoemaker, or by producing a slight concave depression on its front face, or by striating at least part of this front face, either by using any other means of location.

In the embodiment. in FIG. 4, given that the clasp 1b has a general shape of U and that the bearing surface is very close to the hook 10b and moves in the same direction as it, the junction area 7b does not have to have to be of thickness thinner than the parts 4b and 6b, the bending then taking place rather at the level of the lower portion of the part 6b.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is similar to that of FIG. 3, the essential difference residing in the dimension of the part 6c of the clasp lc, this part 6c having, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 5, a height substantially equal to the total height of the housing, that is to say that the upper face of the upper portion 9c of the part 6c arrives at the upper face of the cover 12c, while in the case of the mode In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the upper part 9a of the part 6a does not reach the level of the front face of the cover 12s. Of course, for the same shoemaker, the depression 13a is deeper than the depression 13c, the length of the sink arm formed by the portion 9c relative to the portion 7c being more substantial than that formed by the portion 9a relative to part 7a.

In all the embodiments described above, it is possible, to facilitate the opening of the shoemaker, in particular for very flat shoemakers, to produce the body of the shoemaker so that its front surface is set back relative to that of the cover , or vice versa, about 1 to 2 tenths of a millimeter, which does not harm the aesthetics. and allows you to easily open the case. Instead of this or in addition to this, one can provide in the case a spring device opening the cover as soon as the hook of the clasp is released from the corresponding depression of the cover.

The clasp device according to the invention is very easy to mount, and can be mounted either by unskilled labor, or even automatically.

In the case where the shoemaker is intended to contain an elastic body requesting its opening, such as for example a powder coating, there is practically no risk of accidental opening because the beftier can only be opened when it is released the hook to close, ca which can not be caused by said elastic body, so die dess dtait possible in the case of housings of the prior art.

Claims (11)

1. Clasp or retaining device for shoemakers, in particular for shoemaking cosmetic products, essentially consisting of an insert on the body or bottom of the shoemaker, this part comprising two parts connected together by a junction part with elastic characteristics, the first part of the clasp comprising an actuating surface on which the user presses in order to obtain the closure or opening of the shoemaker, as well as a hook device cooperating with a corresponding depression in the shoemaker's cover to ensure its retention, said hook device completely disengaging from said depression when said actuation surface is sufficiently depressed, characterized in that said junction part has a thickness less than that of said first part and that which said second part has at vicinity of said junction part, which allows elastic bending of said second part by comparison rt to said first part. 2. Clasp or retaining device for shoemakers, in particular for shoemaking cosmetic products, essentially consisting of an insert on the body or bottom of the shoemaker, this part comprising two parts connected together by a junction part with elastic characteristics, the first part of the clasp comprising an actuating surface on which the user presses to obtain the closing or opening of the shoemaker, as well as a hooking hook device with a corresponding depression in the shoemaker's cover to ensure its retention, said hook device which emerges entirely from said depression when said actuated surface is sufficiently depressed, characterized in that said joining part has the same thickness as said first part and comprises one or more rows of holes, which allows elastic bending of said second part relative to said first part. 3. Clasp or retaining device for shoemakers, in particular for shoemaking cosmetic products, essentially consisting of an insert on the body or bottom of the shoemaker, this part comprising two parts connected together by a junction part with elastic characteristics, the first part of the clasp comprising an actuating surface on which the user presses to obtain the closing or opening of the shoemaker, as well as a hook device c: trant with a corresponding depression'of the shoemaker's cover to ensure the retained, said hook device completely disengaging from said depression when it is pressed enough said actuating surface, characterized in that said joining part is made of a material other than that constituting said first and second parts, this joining part being for example a steel blade, said first and second parts being made made of plastic, which allows the elastic bending of said second part relative to said first part. 4. Clasp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the body of the shoemaker has a recess in which said first part of the clasp is appropriately fixed, as well as a recess adjacent to said recess, recess whose bottom serves abutment means to said second part when the user presses on said actuating surface, in order to limit the stroke of said hook device to release it entirely from said depression, characterized in that the recess has a depth practically zero at the height of said junction part and has, at its other end, a depth allowing sufficient movement of the bearing surface to disengage the hook from the cover. 5. Clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made in a color different from that of the bootmaker. 6. Clasp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that its front face has a slight concave depression or striations to allow identification. 7. Clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has, in cross section, a general shape of "h". 8. Clasp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has, in cross section, a general shape of U. 9. Clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, because '.. terérized in that its front face is aligned with the front face of the housing. 10. Clasp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has, in cross section, a general shape of I, with a projection whose front face serves as an actuating surface. 11. Clasp according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is fixed by interlocking and locking in a recess in the body or bottom of the boot.

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