EP0726042B1

EP0726042B1 - Improvements introduced in cases for lipsticks

Info

Publication number: EP0726042B1
Application number: EP96500011A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luis Castells Ribas; Carlos Marzabal Martinez
Original assignee: Industrias Metalicas Castello SA
Current assignee: Industrias Metalicas Castello SA
Priority date: 1995-02-04
Filing date: 1996-02-01
Publication date: 2002-01-02
Anticipated expiration: 2016-02-01
Also published as: ATE211368T1; EP0726042A1; DE69618260D1

Abstract

They consist in providing to the classical spiral (4) four helicoidal grooves (8) for the stubs (6) of the cup (5) carrier of the cosmetic stick, maintaining two of these helicoidal grooves (8) their upper end (11) closed, as a conventional case, while the other two have their corresponding ends (12) opened, and at the same time that the longitudinal grooves (7) of the barrel (2) of the base body (1), have their upper end (10) also opened, all of it in such a way that in normal conditions of the case use the stubs (6) of the cups move in the couple of grooves (8) of the spiral with their ends (11) closed, by which such cup (5), and consequently the cosmetic stick associated thereof, have a limited run between the emergency and retraction end positions, while with the forcing of the rotating relative movement between the spiral (4) and the base body (1), the stubs (6) pass to the second set of helicoidal grooves of the spiral (4), the ones of the upper end (12) opened, by which the cup (5) is independent from the rest of the case, for its substitution by another spare piece, carrier of a new cosmetic stick. <IMAGE>

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a series of improvements introduced in the field of cases for crayons or lipsticks, improvements oriented to allow the change of cosmetic sticks as many times as it is required, so that the cosmetic stick could be commercialized independently of the classic case applicator, or in the same way, the same applicator case could be used indefinitely, periodically changing the cosmetic stick, after the use up of the same, by a new one, with the relevant repercussion that supposes in the economic aspect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally the applicator cases for lipsticks are formed on the basis of three pieces, a base body, cylindrical, hollow, and opened in one of their ends, of constant internal diameter and variable external one, presenting two sections, one pertaining to the majority and near to its nozzle, of relief diameter, in which a second piece moves, commonly called spiral, consisting of a cylindrical bushing capable of rotating on the base body, this spiral body having, in its internal face, a pair of helicoidal grooves, in which both stubs move emerging radially from the third and last piece, consisting of a cup containing the cosmetic stick, with the peculiarity that these cup stubs have access to the helicoidal grooves of the outer spiral, through a couple of longitudinal grooves, arranged in the same way as their generants, existing in the barrel or relief diameter section of the base body.
In this way, as the stubs are in the cup carrier of the cosmetic stick located at the same time in the straight grooves of the base body and in the helicoidal grooves of the encircling spiral, the relative rotation between these two pieces originates the axial displacement of the cosmetic stick, so that this emerges to the outside or remains retracted and protected in the case cavity.
Due to the aesthetic and quality that the market demands of this type of cases for crayons and lipsticks, most of the time the cost of the case is substantially higher than the cosmetic cost, and nevertheless such case must be eliminated when the cosmetic is used up, since the present cases of this type have some structural characteristics that don't allow the changing of such cosmetic, or at least they don't allow to carry it out easily by the user.
Apparently the solution is easy, since it would be enough to open by its upper end both the spiral helicoidal grooves as well as the straight grooves of the barrel, through which the cup carrier of the cosmetic stick would totally be independent of the rest of the case structure, in order to proceed to its substitution, but nevertheless this implies in practice that this uncoupling is carried out in many occasions in accidental or undesirable manner, which would bring with it such level of uncomfortable handling of the case-applicator, which in practice has determined that such solution is not adopted.
US-patent n° 2,913,103 discloses a case for lipstick that permits removal and loading of a cup containing the lipstick, thanks to means to partially close the end of the straight longitudinal grooves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The improvements that the invention proposes has been designed to solve the previously explained problem in a completely satisfactory way, so that the cosmetic stick of a case-applicator of this type may be easily substituted by a new one, by the user, in a quick and simple operation, and without having the least effect in the functional character of the case-applicator in its normal use as such.
For this reason and in a more precise way, starting from a basic structure for the case as the one previously described, it has been foreseen according to one of the characteristics of the invention, on one hand, that the barrel grooves or the operative section of the base body are opened towards the nozzle thereof, and on the other hand, that in the encircling spiral there are, instead of two classic helicoidal grooves, four helicoidal grooves, distributed in an equiangular way, all of them opened by their lower end and from which two of them are closed by their upper ends, as the two only helicoidal conventional grooves, while the other two are also opened.
According to this structure the classic stubs of the cup carrier of the cosmetic stick will move normally in two of the spiral grooves, precisely in the two grooves closed by their ends corresponding to the nozzle of the case, which in normal conditions of use such cup can't be independent from the rest of the case structure, maintaining an absolutely identical functional character which is conventional in this type of cases, while when the stubs occupy the other two helicoidal grooves, that is, the ones that are opened by their upper end, and as the linear grooves of the barrel are also opened in the upper end, the cup can be uncoupled from the rest of the case for its substitution by another one carrying a new cosmetic stick.
In order to achieve this change from one couple of grooves to another spiral helicoidal grooves, it was foreseen to take advantage of the elastic deformability of the materials forming the case, and more precisely to provide the cup and in correspondence with the stubs thereof, with cuttings that allow an elastic retraction of such stubs, as for example a couple of cuttings arranged in parallel in both sides of each stub, or one only cutting in U that framing the corresponding stub defines a tongue elastically deformable which allows the necessary retraction of the stubs when, for example in retraction limiting condition for such cup, the relative rotation is forced between the spiral and the body, by which such stubs are retracted to jump over the existing space of a couple of helicoidal grooves to the other one.
This forced jump of the stubs, from a couple of grooves to another one, can be optionally produced with an adequate profile in the lower inner part of the spiral, as for example a dentate profile between grooves which facilitates a soft jump from one groove to another, both in only one way or in both.
According to another characteristic of the invention the spare piece, that will be obviously structured on the basis of a new cup and a new cosmetic stick, will be supported by a container equipped with a sealed closing cover, in such a way that after moving away such cover the container is coupled to the open end of the case applicator, so that the stubs of the cup have access to the open grooves of such case, without requiring a manual contact with the cosmetic product, which is maintained perfectly protected during this operation thanks to that part of the cup that precisely fits into the container, remaining immobilized in reference to the last one.
According to another characteristic of the invention, and as an alternative solution to the one previously explained, it was foreseen that the spiral has exclusively two helicoidal grooves, opposed, opened by both ends, and that the barrel linear grooves, also opened by their corresponding end to the nozzle of the case.
The retention of the cup is produced by a reduction in depth in the end area of the spiral helicoidal grooves, in such a way that this reduction in depth defines a stop for the cup stubs, notwithstanding the stubs can overpass such stop, when a force is applied to the relative rotating movement between the spiral and the base body, through an elastic deformation of such spiral and/or by the elastic retraction of the stubs, as in the first case.
Finally it was foreseen to set up in each spare piece a container that besides properly housing and fixing the cosmetic stick support cup, or simply acting as protector for such cosmetic stick, or such container having a formal section coinciding in dimensions with the cosmetic stick, simultaneously acting as mould for obtaining the same by injection. In this last case it has been foreseen the possibility that the closing cap of such container counts with a wide axial opening for the introduction of the product, sealable afterwards with the collaboration of an adhesive label or by any other similar means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complement the description which is being carried out and with the purpose of a better understanding of the invention characteristics, it is accompanied to the present descriptive memory, as integral part thereof, a set of drawings in which with an illustrative and not limiting character, the following has been represented:
Figure 1.- Shows a schematic representation in lateral view and in diametral section of the case for lipsticks made according to the improvements object of the present invention.
Figure 2.- Shows a transversal section of the same case according to the dotted line A-B of figure 1.
Figure 3.- Shows a lateral view and view in section of the same case, similar to figure 1, but in which the body appears rotating 90° in respect to the spiral, in reference to the position in figure 1.
Figure 4.- Shows a detail in section similar to the one in figure 2, but corresponding to an alternative embodiment in which the lower end of the spiral helicoidal grooves is related through sawtooth which facilitates the passage from some grooves to the other ones for the cup stubs.
Figure 5.- Shows a lateral view and diametral section view of the cup which participates in the case of the previous figures.
Figure 6.- Shows a lateral view of the same cup of figure 5, rotating 90° with reference to such figure.
Figures 7 and 8.- Show similar views as in figures 5 and 6 of the same cup carrier of the cosmetic lipstick, with a different solution in order to achieve the retractility of their stubs.
Figure 9.- Shows a breakdown of pieces in lateral view and in section view of the foreseen container to house the cosmetic stick that, with its corresponding cup, form the spare piece for the case.
Figure 10.- Shows, according to a similar representation as in the previous figure, a similar container but provided with different closing cap.
Figure 11.- Shows the same container as in figure 9, duly closed and housing a cup in its interior with its corresponding cosmetic stick.
Figure 12.- Shows, according to a similar representation as in figure 11, an alternative for the embodiment of the container in which the cap thereof has an opening for the access of the cosmetic product access to the interior of the container.
Figure 13 and 14.- Show similar views as the ones in figures 1 and 3, but corresponding to the other practical embodiment in which the retention means for the cup stubs are formed by stops defined by extreme elevations of the bottom of the spiral helicoidal grooves.
Figure 15.- Finally shows a new alternative of the embodiment for the spare piece, according to one similar representation as in figure 12, in which the container of such spare piece was foreseen exclusively as protector for the cosmetic stick and not as mould for obtaining this last one.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of these figures, and specially of figures 1 to 3, it can be seen in which way a case which is produced according to the mentioned improvements is structured, as any other conventional case of this type, by a base body (1) in which a lower bedplate, which corresponds to the reference itself (1), that prolongs itself axially in a barrel (2), dimensionally pertaining to the majority, which internal diameter coincides with the one of the bedplate (1), while its external diameter is substantially in relief, with the exception of a raised edge end (3), defining a housing in which a spiral (4) remains axially immobilized, materialized in a cylindrical bushing, which external diameter coincides with the external diameter of the bedplate (1), while its internal diameter is adapted at the same time to the external diameter of the barrel (2), with reference to which, in principle, can freely rotate, establishing at the same time in the cavity of the base body (1) a cup (5), which appears at the same time represented in detail in figures 5 to 8, the cup is provided with two lateral stubs (6), in diametral opposition, which moves in the cavity of the longitudinal grooves (7), moving simultaneously in helicoidal grooves (8) of the spiral (4), in such a way that the relative rotation between the spiral (4) and the barrel (2), originates the cup axial displacement (5) in the case cavity, and consequently an axial displacement of the cosmetic stick (9), from a total retraction or inoperative position, in which it remains properly protected, towards a situation of projection to the outside for its use as such cosmetic.
Well then, starting from this conventional structure and according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal grooves (7) of the barrel (2) are opened by their upper end (10), that is, by the corresponding end to the case nozzle, at the same time that in the spiral (4) two couples of helicoidal grooves (8) are defined or set up internally, in such a way that the grooves of a couple have their upper end closed (11), as it is conventional, while the other two grooves show their upper end opened (12), as it is specially shown in figure 1.
Obviously and as the carrier cup (5) of the cosmetic stick (9) has only two stubs (6), these will move in the couple of grooves (8) of the blind end (11), as in the case represented in figure 1, in which the functional character of the case is absolutely identical to the one in the conventional case, or will move in the couple of grooves (8) of the open free end (12), in which case and due that the end of the grooves (7) of the barrel is also opened, the cup (5), with the rest of the cosmetic (9), after the using up thereof, may have total independence from the rest of the case, for its substitution by a new spare piece, as the one shown in figure 11.
Normally and as it is obvious, the stubs (6) of the cup (5) will be located in the grooves (8) of the closed end (11), and when the cosmetic stick needs to be substituted (9) the stubs (6) of the cup (5) should change from grooves, passing to the ones with the open end (12). This can be conveniently achieved forcing the rotation of the spiral (4) in reference to the base body (1) so that the stubs (6) jump from some grooves to others by elastic deformation of the material, commonly in plastic, forming the case. For this reason and in a more precise way the cup (5) may be equipped with a couple of cuttings (13) framing each stub (6), as it is shown in figures 5 and 6, or of only one cutting which configuration is in U, that is also framing each stub (6), as in the case of figures 7 and 8, in such a way that in any case the stubs (6) remain located on the tongues elastically deformable which can be elastically retracted in each operation of the grooves change (8) in the spiral (4).
As an option and in a complementary manner this change can be favored by setting up profile slopes (15) in sawtooth or in other types, as the ones represented in figure 4, set up in the lower end area of the spiral, being related the helicoidal grooves (8) thereof, in such a way that in these slopes (15) the "jump" of the stubs (6) is produced, in only one way, as in the example of the practical embodiment represented in the mentioned figure 4, or in both ways, in which case such teeth will define a double slope.
In this way it is achieved, as previously mentioned, that in normal conditions the case offers a functional characteristic identical to a conventional case of this type, and that at a given time and through a slight forcing of the relative rotation movement between the integrating elements thereof, the carrier cup of the rests of the cosmetic may be substituted by a new spare piece, in order to keep using, indefinitely, the fundamental and more expensive elements of the case.
As we have previously mentioned, this same effect may be achieved in such a way that a strangling is produced in the spiral, as it is shown in figures 13 and 14. In this case, as in the previous one, the barrel (2) pertaining to the base body (1) counts with two longitudinal grooves (7) opened by their ends (10) corresponding to the nozzle of the case, not having in this case the strangling (16) previously mentioned, and the spiral (4) also has two helicoidal grooves (8) equally equipped with an opening (12) oriented towards the nozzle of the case, but with the exception that in the cavity of this helicoidal fluting (8) and near the end (12) previously mentioned, a small bulging (17) is set up, specially visible in the enlarged detail in the figure 15, which constitutes a run limiting stop for the stubs (6) of the cup (5) along such helicoidal grooves, and as in the previous case may be overpassed by a relative forcing between the spiral (4) and the base body (1), precisely by elastic retraction of the stubs (6) of the cup, as its is also seen in the mentioned enlarged detail in figure 14.
And finally it only remains to be emphasized that, as at the same time it is seen in figures 9 and 11, the spare piece formed by the cup (5) and the cosmetic stick (9), will be supported by a container (18), with a section that corresponds with the reference itself (18), formal and dimensionally appropriate or not to the cosmetic stick (9), with a neck (18') that at the same time closely adjusted receives the end corresponding to the cup (5), and with an overdimensioned section (18''), which principally receives the cup (5) and the stubs (6) of this last one, as well as a sealed closing cap (19), which may be plugged in as the one shown in figures 9 and 11, even though it may be materialized in a simple sheet (20) as the one represented in figure 10 and fixed to the nozzle of the container (18) by thermowelding.
Optionally and as it is shown in figure 12, the cap (19) may incorporate in its base a large opening (21), preferably circular and centred, with adequate dimensions to allow to bring forward the cosmetic product formed by the stick (9) to the interior of the container (18), to be carried out through the cap itself (19), that is with such cap conveniently associated to the container (18) and, consequently, in optimal conditions of fixation for the cup (5), which assures the impossibility that such cup could suffer an oscillating or basculating lateral movement during the operation of the filling of the container. Obviously the existence of this opening for filling (21) compels, that after the filling up, to the completion of the cap (19) with a label (22) or other similar element that, for example, through adhesive, is fixed in the external side of the cap base (19), hermetically closing the opening (21) and establishing the necessary sealing for the container (18) as a whole.
It may be that, by any reason, it is not interesting to directly mould the cosmetic stick (9) in the cavity of the container (18), in which case such container (18) acts only as such for the cup (5), to which it adapts itself through the neck or strangling (18') while by its lower end or external one receives the same cap (19), provided or not with the opening (21), in which case and as protector of the cosmetic stick (9) a cap or hood acts (22), intended to adapt itself externally to the support (18), properly dimensioned to protect conveniently such cosmetic stick (2), without entering in contact with it, as it is clearly seen in figure 15, being at the same time overdimensioned the perimetric lip of such cap (19), to receive not only the support (18) but also the nozzle of this hood (22), as it is also seen in figure 15.
The hood (22) and the support (18) will be dimensioned with the sufficient adjustment so that after the installation of the cosmetic lipstick (9) and the covering of the same with the hood (22), such hood remains strongly fixed to the support (18), also maintaining this stable position during the opening operation, that is during the cap eliminating operation (19), the whole set formed by these two pieces and the cup (5) with its cosmetic stick (9), is easily coupled to the case for lipstick, previous the elimination of the worn out spare piece, and after the access of the stubs (6) to the corresponding grooves of such case, easily removable of the set cover (22) - support (18).
In any case and after the elimination of the cap (19) or (20), the container (18), with its content, is interlinkable to the nozzle of the case (1-4), for the setting up of the spare piece (5-9) by an operation contrary to the extraction of the previous residual set, and without being required manual contact on the cosmetic stick (9), which is maintained protected all the time.

Claims

Case for lipstick based on a body (1) provided with a barrel (2), in which interior slides a cup (5) carrier of a cosmetic stick (9) and provided with a couple of stubs (6), in diametral opposition, movable simultaneously in longitudinal grooves (7) of the mentioned barrel (2) and in the bottom of a first pair of helicoidal grooves (8) established in the internal side of a spiral (4) coaxially assembled on the barrel (2) of the base body, said longitudinal grooves and said helicoidal grooves (8) having an open end at the open end of said lipstick case, characterised in that:

a) it comprises, besides the first pair of helicoidal grooves having an open end (12), a second pair of helicoidal grooves (8), in diametral opposition and in equiangular position with the previous ones, having a closed end (11) at the open end of said lipstick case, the cup (5) being prevented from the uncoupling of the case when the stubs (6) move in the second pair of helicoidal grooves (8) having a closed end (11),

b) it comprises means to allow the elastic retraction of the stubs (6) in order to enable the transition of the stubs from said second pair to said first pair, and vice versa, by forcing the relative rotation of the spiral (4) in reference to the base body (1), the cup being freely independent from the rest of the case for its substitution by a spare piece comprising a cup (5) with a new cosmetic stick (9), when said stubs (6) move in said first pair of helicoidal grooves having an open end (12).
Case according to claim 1 characterised in that the cup (5) incorporates to its lateral wall, framing its stubs (6), cuttings (13,14) determining elastically deformable tongues, so as to form said means allowing the elastic retraction of stubs (6).
Case according to any one of claims 1 to 2 characterised in that the internal end of the helicoidal grooves have a slope or inclined plane (15) which facilitates the stubs (5) smooth jumping of the cup (5) from a pair of grooves to the other.
Case based on a body (1) provided with a barrel (2), in which interior slides a cup (5) carrier of a cosmetic stick (9) and provided with a couple of stubs (6), in diametral opposition, that moves simultaneously in longitudinal grooves (7) of the mentioned barrel (2) and in the bottom of helicoidal grooves (8) established in the internal side of a spiral (4) coaxially assembled on the barrel (2) of the base body, said longitudinal grooves and said helicoidal grooves (8) having an open end at the open end of said lipstick case, characterised in that:

a) said helical grooves comprise, near to the open end (12), small bulges (17) in its bottom, forming a retention stops for the stubs (6) of the cup,

b) said stubs (6) are elastically retractable thanks to cuttings (13,14) of the lateral wall of the cup, framing said stubs (6) and determining elastically deformable tongues which supports them, in such a way that said stubs are only capable of overpassing said bulges (17) by forcing the relative movement between the spiral (4) and the base body (1), so as to make the cup freely independent from the rest of the case for its substitution by a spare piece comprising a cup (5) with a new cosmetic stick (9).
Case according any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that each spare piece, comprising a cup (5) and the corresponding cosmetic stick (9), comprises a container (18), typically acting as a mould for said cosmetic stick, which prolongs itself in a short fixation neck (18') co-operating with said cup (5) and which is finished up in a section (18") diametrally overdimensioned in reference to the cup (5) and the stubs (6) thereof, capable of receiving a sealed closing cap (19,20), all of it in such a way that after elimination of such cap (19,20) the container (18) is coupled to the nozzle of the case (1) for implantation of the spare piece without manual contact on the cosmetic stick (9).
Case according any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that each spare piece, comprising a cup (5) and the corresponding cosmetic stick (9), comprises a container (18), typically acting as a support adapted and removably fixed to said cup (5), and comprising a neck or strangling (18') placed in correspondence with the internal end thereof, while in the other end it receives a closing cap (19,20), such container (18) collaborating with a second cap (22), substantially overdimensioned with regard to the cosmetic stick (9), with the special characteristic that said second cap (22) is externally adapted to said container (18) and is fixed to it in such a way that said cap is maintained joined to it after elimination of the cap (19,20) and during the operation of the cup coupling with its cosmetic stick (9) to the case for lipstick.
Case according to any one of claims 5 or 6 characterised in that said closing cap (19) of the container (18) is provided with an opening (21), preferably circular and centred, dimensionally appropriate to allow the access of the cosmetic product to the interior of such container (18) through the cap itself, for the formation of the stick (9), a label (22), preferably of the adhesive type being used to close the opening (21), once said container is filled with said stick.