EP0910969B1 - Casing, especially make-up case - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a case, of the make-up case type comprising at least two parts articulated one on the other around a pivot axis. The invention relates, in particular, to a housing comprising a bottom defining a receptacle for the product and a hinged cover on the bottom. As an indication, such housings are particularly suitable for certain cosmetic products, such as foundations, eyeshadows, compacted or cast powders, etc., but can also be used to keep an object, or serve as a pill organizer.

There are many types of articulation for such cases. A first commonly used articulation system is described, for example, in the document FR-A-2 546 386 in which the housing consists of a bottom, a intermediate plate carrying the product, and a cover, made respectively by injection of a thermoplastic material and articulated between them by a hinge with attached metal axis. Such an achievement presents the disadvantages of requiring an assembly operation of this axis, therefore increase manufacturing time and cost. In addition, the housing according to FR-A-2 546 386 has a closing / opening system which further complicates the mounting operation.

Furthermore, by document JP-A-8 150013, there is known a makeup case the bottom of which is hinged with the cover so that the box can be opened on its front side or on its rear side. This case has a structure complicated, in particular two added clasps, difficult to adjust and whose manufacturing and assembly costs are high.

We also know the document US-A-3 152 716 describing a housing in expanded polystyrene, having a bottom and a cover of identical shapes. In each, the bottom and the lid are arranged, at opposite ends, a magnet and a magnetizable metal part, so that at each end of the case, in the closed position, the bottom magnet cooperates with the magnetizable part of the cover, and the magnet of the cover cooperates with the magnetizable part of the background. This case can be opened either by one end or by the other, in each case, the opposite end to the open end, acting as hinge. This case has the disadvantage that this kind of hinge is of a imprecise operation. In addition, the manufacturing costs of this case are high.

This document shows the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Hinged housings have the advantage of being relatively simple. The articulation of the cover on the bottom is however generally rudimentary, the opening angle is limited, and only presents the rotation of the cover on the bottom. Furthermore, the operating clearances of these joints are generally more and more important with use.

Also, is it an object of the present invention to provide a housing, type makeup case, not having the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to conventional devices, in particular with regard to the structure of the joint and the opening / closing system and, more particularly of the operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a housing does requiring no mounting of a hinge pin.

It is in particular one of the objects of the invention to provide a housing of which the articulation of the cover on the bottom is simple and economical, this joint serving selectively as a locking system for opening / closing of the housing or articulation.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a housing consisting of two pieces only, of simple production and assembly, and the price of returns is as low as possible.

Other objects of the present invention will appear in detail in the description which follows.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved by means of a housing comprising a bottom, a lid hinged on the bottom, and lockable in a way reversible on said bottom, said bottom and said cover being formed from parts identical molds, first means and second means being arranged so that they can be used interchangeably for the articulation of the bottom on the lid or the reversible locking of the lid on the bottom. According to the invention, the articulation of the bottom on the cover and the reversible locking of the cover on the bottom are secured by snap engagement mechanics of the first means with the second means.

The fact that the bottom and the lid are strictly identical is very economically advantageous because the molding of the cover and the bottom does not requires only one mold, this mold being arranged so that the ball joints and the corresponding housings can be molded integrally with the cover (or the bottom).

Thus, said first means comprise a first member including a first end is integral with the bottom, and a second end of which forms a first articulation element capable of being inserted in a removable manner in a first recess in the cover, said first recess being such that, when said first means are used for the articulation of the cover on the bottom, the cover can pivot at least 90 ° relative to the bottom; likewise, said second means comprise a second member, a first of which end is secured to the cover, and a second end of which forms a second articulation element capable of being inserted in a removable manner in a second recess in the bottom, said second recess being such that when said second means are used to make the joint, the cover can rotate at least 90 ° from the bottom.

Advantageously, said first and second members are obtained by molding with the bottom, respectively the cover. Thus, the housing, including the hinge and locking systems, consists of only two parts. We thus obtains a make-up case comprising at least two hinges selectively separable under the pulling force exerted in one direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of the housing separating the bottom and the cover. Through example, when two articulation elements are provided on ends opposite of the housing, one of the articulation elements is dislodged under the effect of said tensile force of its housing which is associated therewith, acting as clasp, the other articulation element rotating in its associated housing, making hinge office. It is understood that the opening can be carried out in the other direction.

Specifically, the first and second articulation elements can be present in the form of a ball joint or a hinge pin.

Thus, according to a specific embodiment, the first end of the first organ is in the form of a first ball joint, capable of fitting into a second recess in the bottom, opposite the first, said second recess being such that when said first means are used to the hinge of the cover on the bottom, the cover can rotate 360 ° by report to the merits. Similarly, the first end of the second organ is presented in the form of a second ball joint, capable of fitting into a second recess formed in the cover, opposite the first, said second recess being such as when said second means are used for the articulation of the cover on the bottom, the cover can rotate 360 ° relative to the bottom.

Advantageously, each recess is delimited by two lateral edges, one at least side edges being elastically deformable so as to ability to receive, by reversible snap-in, a ball joint or hinge pin corresponding.

According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one of said lateral edges forms an elastically deformable tongue. In practice, it is advantageous to produce two tabs located on either side of the ball joint. The elasticity of the tabs is preferably chosen so that the cover maintain its position, regardless of its orientation in the open position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom has two faces main and a side edge, the recess (s) made in the bottom opening both on at least one of the two main faces, and on the edge lateral. The cover has two main faces and a side edge, the (or the) recess (s) formed in the cover opening at the same time on at least one of the two main faces, and on the lateral edge. When obviously opens on the lateral edge and on one of the main faces (in this case the internal face), you can rotate 90 °. When a recess opens on the lateral edge and on the two main faces, one can perform 180 ° swivel.

Advantageously, the cover and the bottom are molded from a material rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic, such as polypropylene, PVC (chloride polyvinyl), polycarbonates, polyesters, styrene plastics such than acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers (SAN), polystyrenes (PS), etc.

To be able to accommodate a product in the case, advantageously the bottom defines a first housing intended to receive the product in the form of a powder or a dough. Similarly, the cover can define a second housing identical to the first to receive an applicator and / or a mirror.

In addition, the housing of the invention may include means for promoting the opening of the housing, constituted, for example by gripping tabs, located in the closed position of the housing, near the ball on the side edge from the bottom and / or on the side edge of the cover.

In addition, means for indexing the opening angle of the cover relative to at the bottom can be provided. Thus, an area of the lateral edge of the cover and / or bottom can be chamfered. Thus, in addition to a privileged opening at 90 ° and at, 180 °, an additional privileged position can be provided, for example at 120 °, which is advantageous when the user wishes to place the box on a make-up table and use the mirror. It should be noted that according to certain embodiments, whatever the angle of opening of the cover relative to at the bottom, between 90 ° and 180 °, the cover can be rotated 360 ° around an axis intercepting a plane defined by the bottom, which allows to orient the mirror in any desired position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the external shape of the housing, in the closed position, is generally that of a cylindrical disc, of section circular or oval. It is possible, however to make shaped boxes general external parallelepiped, or of prismatic, polygonal section, or trapezoidal, etc.

• la figure 1 représente une vue d'un premier mode de réalisation du boítier selon la présente invention en position fermée ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue du boítier de la figure 1 en position ouverte à environ 120° ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue du boítier de la figure 1 en phase d'assemblage ;
• la figure 4 représente une vue du boítier de la figure 1 en position ouverte à environ 180° ;
• la figure 5 représente une vue du boítier de la figure 4 en position ouverte à environ 180°, le couvercle ayant subi une rotation ;
• la figure 6 représente une vue du boítier de la figure 1 en position ouverte à 180°, le couvercle étant placé en dessous du fond ;
• la figure 7 représente une vue du boítier de la figure 1, en position d'ouverture inversée ;
• la figure 8 représente une vue latérale d'un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 9 représente une vue du fond de cinq boítiers différents analogues à celui représenté sur la figure 1, les fonds étant assemblés dans un but de présentation ;
• la figure 10 représente trois fonds de boítier analogues à celui représenté sur la figure 1, fixés sur un support de conditionnement ;
• les figures 11 à 13 représentent trois autres modes de réalisation d'un boítier conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 14 représente un autre mode de réalisation d'un boítier conforme à l'invention.
• la figure 15 représente un autre mode encore de réalisation d'un boítier conforme à l'invention.

In the description which follows, reference will be made to the drawings in which:

• Figure 1 shows a view of a first embodiment of the housing according to the present invention in the closed position;
• 2 shows a view of the housing of Figure 1 in the open position at about 120 °;
• Figure 3 shows a view of the housing of Figure 1 in the assembly phase;
• Figure 4 shows a view of the housing of Figure 1 in the open position at about 180 °;
• 5 shows a view of the housing of Figure 4 in the open position at about 180 °, the cover having been rotated;
• Figure 6 shows a view of the housing of Figure 1 in the 180 ° open position, the cover being placed below the bottom;
• Figure 7 shows a view of the housing of Figure 1, in the reverse open position;
• Figure 8 shows a side view of another embodiment of the invention;
• 9 shows a view of the bottom of five different boxes similar to that shown in Figure 1, the funds being assembled for the purpose of presentation;
• Figure 10 shows three housing bottoms similar to that shown in Figure 1, fixed on a packaging support;
• Figures 11 to 13 show three other embodiments of a housing according to the invention;
• Figure 14 shows another embodiment of a housing according to the invention.
• Figure 15 shows yet another embodiment of a housing according to the invention.

Thus, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the housing 1 according to a first mode of embodiment of the invention comprises a bottom 2 defining a receptacle for a product P (see FIG. 2), such as a makeup product. In the mode of shown embodiment, the bottom 2 defines a first housing 3 intended to receive, for example, a compacted powder, or a foundation. A cover 4 is articulated on the bottom 2 using a first ball joint 5. The ball joint 5 has a free end in the form of a spherical portion 6 connected to the cover by a rod 7 (see Figure 3). The bottom 2 has latching means 8 for the elastic snap-fitting of the ball joint 5 into a recess 9.

The recess 9 opens onto the main faces 2a and 2b of the bottom, as well as on the side face 2c. Laterally, the recess 9 is delimited by two tabs 9a and 9b, flexible so as to exert an elastic clamping on the ball joint 5 in place in the housing 9. The two tabs 9a and 9b hold their elasticity the presence of two slots 10a and 10b.

The cover 4 defines another housing 6 intended to contain a mirror M or a applicator such as an application puff (not shown).

On the main internal face 2b of the bottom 2, diametrically opposite the recess 9, is located a second ball 11 having a free end 18 of shape spherical, of geometry similar to that of the first ball 5, integral with the bottom by means of a rod 12.

The second ball joint 11 is able to be housed in a second recess 13 made in the cover 4, opposite the ball joint 5. The second recess 13, of geometry similar to that of the recess 9, is delimited by two tabs lateral 13a, 13b, elastically deformable laterally, thanks to the presence two slots 14a and 14b. The recess 13 opens onto the main faces 4a and 4b of the cover, as well as on its lateral face 4c.

Figure 3 illustrates the assembly of the housing. By snap, we have the ball joint 5 in the housing 9. We then obtain the housing as shown in FIG. 2, in the 90 ° open position. By pivoting the cover 4 towards the bottom 2, we can snap the ball 11 into the housing 13. The housing is thus closed as shown in figure 1.

To facilitate the opening of the case, a first gripping profile 15 has been formed on the side edges 2c, 4c of the bottom and of the cover, near the patella. Likewise, two portions of a second section 16a and 16b have been provided. on the lateral edges 2c, 4c of the bottom and of the cover, on either side of the recesses 9 and 13.

By bearing against the sections 15 and 16a, 16b, on one side of the housing, it is then possible to open the case. By pivoting the cover to a position approximately 120 °, we obtain the arrangement as shown in Figure 2. Continuing opening in the same direction, by pivoting 180 °, the position is obtained fully open, shown in Figure 4.

The configuration shown in Figure 5 is obtained, after having just half-opened the housing, by 180 ° rotation of the cover around an X axis, perpendicular to a plane defined by the bottom 2, and passing through the ball 5.

From the position shown in Figure 5, by pivoting 180 ° around a Z axis perpendicular to the X axis, we can obtain the configuration shown in the Figure 6, where the cover is located below the bottom.

Figure 7 shows a view of the housing of Figure 1 in the inverted position, that is to say the opening was obtained by disengagement of the ball 5 and the recess 9. Consequently, the ball joint 11 which acts as a hinge is located on the internal main face 2b of the bottom 2. In this position, the cover, and therefore the mirror M, can be oriented at will from 0 ° to 360 ° along an axis Y substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the bottom 2, and passing through the ball 11.

Figure 8 shows a side view of another embodiment, where a zone 17, located on the cover 4 near the recess 13, has a chamfer. Relative to the external face 4a of the cover, this chamfer forms a angle of about 45 °. Thus, one can obtain an opening angle positioned β about 135 °.

In Figure 9, we can see a series of five case backs 2a-2e, assembled for a display exhibition in a point of sale.

FIG. 10 shows a packaging support 20 provided with a series of ball joints 5a-5d. These ball joints serve as a means of attachment for a series of funds 2a-2c, with a view to filling their respective housings 3a-3c with product.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate two other embodiments of the housing the invention. According to the embodiment of FIG. 11, a bottom (or cover) 21 has a rectangular shape with a shaped housing 22 also rectangular. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a case back 23 has a substantially oval shape, provided with a housing 24 also oval.

Figure 13 shows another embodiment of a housing 101, comprising a rectangular bottom 102 and a cover 104 of identical shapes. The bottom 102 comprises two ball joints 105a, 105b, arranged in the vicinity of two angles neighbors. On the side opposite the ball joints, two recesses 113a, 113b are provided, suitable for receiving ball joints 111a, 111b integral with the cover 104. The cover 104 includes, similarly, two recesses 109a, 109b able to cooperate with the ball joints 105a, 105b carried by the bottom. In this case, a pair of ball joints 105a, 105b or 111a, 111b can perform the function of a swivel hinge or the function of a clasp.

Figure 14 shows a housing 201 of circular section, consisting of a bottom 202 and of a cover 204 of identical shapes. The bottom and respectively the cover are provided with two diametrically opposite recesses 209a-209b, respectively 209c-209d. The bottom and the cover are mounted together at the by means of a pair of dumbbells 205a and 205b each comprising respectively two ball joints 206a, 206b; 218a, 218b connected by a rod. So in position closed from the housing, the ball joints 206a and 218a are engaged in the recesses 209a and 209b from the bottom, and similarly, the ball joints 206b and 218b are engaged, respectively, in the recesses 209c and 209d of the cover 204. With such an embodiment, it is possible to pivot the cover by relative to the bottom of an angle of up to 360 °. One of the two ball joints of each barbell can be kept in its corresponding obviously tighter than the other, so as to avoid, when opening the case, any separation of the barbell from both the bottom and the cover.

Figure 15 shows another embodiment, according to which a housing of makeup 301 consists of a bottom 302 and a cover 304 substantially circular. The bottom and the cover are of identical structure. The bottom features a housing 303 intended to receive a makeup powder. The bottom 302 is provided with a notch 310, crossed by a hinge pin 311. On the face internal bottom, on the side opposite the notch 310 is mounted an element latching 309, intended to receive, by latching, a hinge pin 305 carried by the cover 304 and disposed in a notch 314 of the cover. The snap-in element 309 consists of two parallel tabs 309c and 309d, elastically deformable, separated by a slot 309b. In the slot 309b is hollowed out a cylindrical housing 309a, the dimension of which is chosen to so that the hinge pin 305 can be housed inside the housing 309a, slightly tight, by snap-fastening. Likewise, the cover 304 comprises a latching element 313 formed by two parallel tabs 313a and 313d, also elastically deformable, and intended to receive, during the closure of the housing, the hinge pin 311 of the bottom 302. To open this housing, it just exert a slight pulling on the bottom and the cover respectively, on the side of axis 305, (or on the opposite side, opposite of axis 311). During the traction exerted, the legs 309c and 309d defining the housing 309a slightly deviate, and the hinge pin 305 can come out by the open end of the slot 309b by pivoting around the axis 311. In spreading the bottom and the cover, the latter can be positioned at an angle opening up to about 180 °, relative to the bottom.

It should be noted that, in the case of FIGS. 1 to 13, the ball joints can be molded integrally with the bottom or the cover. The material used for the realization of these parts is a rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic material, for example polypropylenes, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polycarbonates, polyesters, styrene plastics such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile-styrene (SAN) copolymers, polystyrenes (PS), etc.

The foregoing description refers to preferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously, variations can be made without depart from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (11)

1. Case composed of a bottom (2, 102, 202) and a lid (4, 104, 204, 304) which is hinged to the bottom and can be reversibly locked against the said bottom, the said bottom and the said lid being formed from identical moulded parts, first means (5, 9, 105a, 105b, 109a, 109b, 209, 309, 313) and second means (11, 13, 111a, 111b, 113a, 113b, 205, 305, 311) being designed so as to be able to be used interchangeably for hingeing the bottom to the lid or for reversibly locking the lid against the bottom, characterized in that the hingeing of the bottom to the lid and the reversible locking of the lid against the bottom are provided by the first means being brought into engagement with the second means by mechanical snap-fastening.
2. Case according to Claim 1, characterized in that:

   a) the said first means have a first member (11), a first end (12) of which is integral with the bottom (2) and, a second end (18) of which forms a first hingeing element which can be removably inserted into a first recess (13) made in the lid (4), the said first recess being such that, when the said first means are used for hingeing the lid to the bottom, the lid can pivot through at least 90° with respect to the bottom;

   b) the said second means having a second member (5), a first end (7) of which is integral with the lid (4) and, a second end (6) of which forms a second hingeing element which can be removably inserted into a second recess (9) made in the bottom (2), the said second recess being such that, when the said second means are used for hingeing, the lid can pivot through at least 90° with respect to the bottom, the said first and second means being, in the position in which the lid is fitted to the bottom, located at opposite points on the case.
3. Case according to Claim 2, characterized in that the said first and second members are moulded with the bottom and with the lid, respectively.
4. Case according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said first and second hingeing elements consist of a ball (5, 11, 105a, 105b, 111a, 111b, 205a, 205b).
5. Case according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the hingeing element is a hinge pin (305, 311).
6. Case according to Claim 4, characterized in that:

   the first end (218a) of the first member (205b) is in the form of a first ball which can be inserted into a second recess (209b) made in the bottom (202), opposite the first, the said second recess being such that, when the said first means are used for hingeing the lid (204) to the bottom, the lid can pivot through 360° with respect to the bottom; and

   the first end (206b) of the second member (205a) being in the form of a second ball which can be inserted into a second recess (209c) made in the lid, opposite the first, the said second recess being such that, when the said second means are used for hingeing the lid (204) to the bottom, the lid can pivot through 360° with respect to the bottom.
7. Case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each recess (9, 13, 109a, 109b, 113a, 113b, 209a-209c, 309a, 313a) is bounded by two lateral edges (9a, 9b; 14a, 14b; 309c, 309d; 313c, 313d), at least one of the lateral edges being elastically deformable so as to be able to accommodate, by reversible snap-fastening, a corresponding hingeing element (6, 18).
8. Case according to Claim 7, characterized in that at least one of the said lateral edges forms an elastically deformable tongue (9a, 9b; 14a, 14b).
9. , Case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that:

   a) the bottom (2) has two main faces (2a, 2b) and a lateral edge (2c), the recess or recesses (9) made in the bottom emerging both on at least one of the two main faces and on the lateral edge;

   b) the lid (4) has two main faces (4a, 4b) and a lateral edge (4c), the recess or recesses (13) made in the lid emerging both on at least one of the two main faces and on the lateral edge.
10. Case according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises means (15, 16a, 16b) for making it easier to open the case.
11. Case according to Claim 9, characterized in that the bottom (2, 21, 23, 102, 202) defines a first housing (3, 22, 24, 103, 203) intended to accommodate a product in the form of a powder or a paste, the lid (4, 104, 204) defining a second housing (6, 106), identical to the first, in order to accommodate an applicator and/or a mirror (M).

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