EP0948915A1 - Container for a product,particulary for a stick shaped product - Google Patents

Abstract

Casing (1) for a make-up stick (18) mounted on a support (19) comprises bottom (8) with a rotating cover (2). A lateral skirt (4) selectively closes/disengages an opening (13) in the casing. A coupling peg (7) and slot (25) enable the opening to be disengaged in response to relative rotation between the bottom and the cover. The support is then driven in the direction of the opening from positions in which the stick is contained inside the casing to where it is accessible from outside the casing. Guides (15,19) provide radial translation of the support in the opening direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a housing for packaging a product, especially in the form of a stick, such as a makeup product, a care or personal hygiene. As an example, we can cite a lipstick, a lip screen, a deodorant, etc. Such products generally arise in the form of a solid or semi-solid stick, a disintegrating product. The invention also applies to the packaging and distribution of products under other forms, in particular in the form of compacted powder.

Such products may be of the direct application type, in particular in the case of a lipstick, by bringing the stick directly in contact with the lips, or for indirect application. In the latter case, the sample is taken by means an applicator, in particular a puff or a brush, which, once loaded, is brought into contact with the surface to be treated.

In the field of cosmetics in particular, we are constantly research of new packaging concepts, which must combine, at the same time originality, aesthetics, reliability and ease of use. Such concepts must also be compatible with cost requirements, which should be as low as possible. For this purpose, we are looking for devices using a minimum number of parts.

In the case of conventional lipsticks, the lipstick stick is arranged in a cup, carrying two lugs projecting radially from relative to the surface of the cup, and able to engage in a double groove helical formed on the inner surface of an outer casing, via a intermediate jacket with two grooves extending axially over substantially the entire height of the shirt. Means are provided for rotate the intermediate jacket so as to raise the lugs along the double helical groove, and thus drive the grape lipstick, until its free surface emerges from the device, so to allow the application of lipstick. Such mechanisms involve a number of important pieces. Their assembly is expensive. They sometimes suffer unreliability.

There are also other mechanisms, notably push-button, which have the same drawbacks as those mentioned above, namely: complexity, cost, and unreliability.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to provide a new device packaging and distribution, in particular for a product of make-up, care, or personal hygiene, which is simple, reliable, and economical to achieve.

It is another object of the invention to provide a housing for the packaging and distribution of a product, in particular in the form of a stick, and which allows a gesture of use, innovative and attractive for the user.

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

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by making an X-axis housing for the packaging, in particular in the form of a stick, of a product mounted on a support, the housing having a bottom, and a cover rotatably mounted on the bottom, means allowing, selectively, to close / clear an opening formed on the edge of the housing, coupling means being provided for, in the open position, in response to a rotational movement relative between the bottom and the cover, drive the support towards the opening, between a first position in which the product is contained substantially inside the housing, at a second position in which the product is accessible from outside the case, means ensuring a guiding in radial translation of the support in the direction of said opening, between said first and second positions. According to the invention, when the support is in said second position, it presses on a corresponding portion of the opening / closing means so as to immobilize them in rotation when the support is in said second position.

In other words, in response to a rotational movement around the X axis, of the cover relative to the bottom of the case, the support is driven in the direction of the opening along an axis perpendicular to the X axis. Such a design, in addition to the innovative gestures, advantageously makes it possible to create a set comprising only three parts: a bottom, a cover, and a support of the product. Such a case is therefore particularly interesting from a point of cost view. Its reliability is further increased due to the low number of parts that it implements. The support, resting on a corresponding portion of the closing element, prevents the latter from damaging the product grape when it emerges from the opening of the housing. In addition, using the support itself as a means of immobilization, we get rid of the presence of auxiliary means to fulfill this function. Finally, such characteristic allows a design of the housing in which, in position the more emerging from the grape out of the case, no portion of the support emerges visibly outside the housing.

Advantageously, the release of the opening occurs in response to a relative rotational movement between the bottom and the cover, driving the support between said first and second positions occurring simultaneously or after the release of said opening. So, it facilitates the gesture, allowing, with a single gesture, the opening of the case, and movement of the product to make it accessible for application or its removal using an appropriate applicator.

Thus, due to the radial direction of movement of the support relative to the rotational movement of the cover relative to the bottom, and due to the coupling of these two movements, a self-tightening system is produced, the closing flap being preferably carried by one or the other of the bottom or of said lid. In fact, the more you turn the closing element in one direction opposite to the "normal" closing direction (ie the opposite direction the direction of the rotational movement when opening) and the higher the support presses on the closure element, thus further opposing its rotation in this direction opposite to the "normal" closing direction. We thus prevents the closure member from damaging the product grape.

Advantageously, in said second position, the product emerges so sensitive outside the housing through said opening. So in the case of a direct application stick, the stick is moved so as to have its free emerging surface, through the window. For type products "cake" or compact powder, just bring the free surface of the product to in the vicinity of the opening, so as to allow it to be removed by means of a puff for example.

More specifically, the cover has a first wall transverse, supporting a first side skirt in which is formed a window, the bottom comprising a second transverse wall which, in position mounted cover on the bottom, is located opposite the first, said bottom comprising a second side skirt, of slightly outer diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the first side skirt, so that it can be mounted in rotation inside the first side skirt, and defining a housing for the support and the product, said second side skirt being discontinuous over at least one angular portion so as to form said opening, the clearance of the opening being obtained by facing the window of the first side skirt with said discontinuous portion of the second side skirt. In other words, the external configuration of such case is similar to that of a case type "cachou" case.

Preferably, the support, in the second position, has a portion bearing on the first side skirt so as to immobilize the bottom relative to the lid.

Said second side skirt may also have a second portion discontinuous arranged diametrically opposite with respect to said opening, said opening and said second discontinuous portion being separated by two diametrically opposite portions of said second side skirt, said housing being delimited by two parallel faces formed by said diametrically opposite portions of side skirt, said housing thus defined having an axis oriented radially with respect to said housing, the width of the support being such that, in response to a rotational movement of the cover relative to the bottom, the support, driven by the coupling means, or guided in translation along said axis, between the two parallel faces, in direction of said opening. This design allows in particular to facilitate the molding / demolding of the bottom. It also makes it easier to assemble the case, achieving a perfectly symmetrical background.

Advantageously, when the support is in said first position, a first side of the support, opposite a second side on which is mounted the product, is aligned with the second side skirt on said second discontinuous portion, said first face having a radius of curvature substantially identical to the radius of curvature of the circle in which is inscribed the second side skirt, said first face extending over a portion angular substantially identical to said second discontinuous portion. So in closed position of the opening, the support closes the second discontinuous portion the side skirt of the bottom, with which it is substantially in alignment, participating in a completely remarkable aesthetic, in any position.

In the position released from the opening, when the support is in said second position, the first side skirt may advantageously have a portion disposed opposite said second discontinuous portion, so as to seal the latter.

Advantageously, the coupling means consist of a carried lug by the bottom or by the housing cover, and oriented parallel to the X axis, said lug being suitable, in response to a rotational movement between the cover and the housing, to move in a groove formed by said support. Such a lug can be obtained by molding with the part which carries it. So does even for the groove which can also be obtained from molding with the product support.

According to a specific embodiment, the groove has a first portion of such shape that the displacement of the lug in said first portion does not cause substantially any movement in radial translation of the support in the direction of said opening, and a second portion of such shape, that the displacement of the lug in said second portion causes the displacement of the support between said first and second positions.

Preferably, when the opening is released, the lug moves essentially in said first portion of the throat. Such a characteristic makes it possible to move the support only in the disengaged position from opening, thus avoiding any risk of damage to the product.

More preferably, the lug is carried by the transverse wall of the cover, said groove being, on said first portion, concentric with the circles in which are inscribed said first and second side skirt, and on the second portion, substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement of the support between said first and second positions. So by describing a circle around the X axis of the housing, the lug, guided in an oriented groove perpendicular to the axis of movement of the support, forms a ramp for the latter, which is guided in translation towards the opening of the housing.

When the support is in said first position, the lug can be in abutment against a bottom of said groove.

Preferably, the cover is mounted on the bottom by snapping. Such an arrangement conventionally comprises a snap bead carried by one of said cover or of said bottom, and able to cooperate with a groove corresponding formed in the other of said cover or said bottom.

More preferably, the cover, the bottom, and said support are obtained from molding of a thermoplastic material, in particular a polypropylene or a polyethylene.

A case as described above can be used for the packaging of a make-up, personal hygiene or care stick, including a lipstick.

• Les figures 1A et 1B représentent deux vues en perspective d'un boítier selon un mode de réalisation avantageux de l'invention. A la figure 1A, le boítier est en position de stockage. A la figure 1B, le boítier est en position d'utilisation.
• La figure 2 représente une vue éclatée du boítier selon les figures 1A et 1B.
• Les figures 3A-3C représentent des vues en coupe d'un boítier selon les figures 1A-1B et 2, illustrant le fonctionnement d'un mode de réalisation du boítier selon l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figures 1A and 1B show two perspective views of a housing according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. In Figure 1A, the housing is in the storage position. In Figure 1B, the housing is in the use position.
• Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the housing according to Figures 1A and 1B.
• Figures 3A-3C show sectional views of a housing according to Figures 1A-1B and 2, illustrating the operation of an embodiment of the housing according to the invention.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the housing 1 (shown upside down for purposes X axis), has a cover 2 consisting of a wall cross section of circular section 3. The cover 2 comprises, slightly in withdrawal from the periphery of the transverse wall 3, a side skirt 4 having a window 5 extending over approximately 180 °, and this over substantially the entire axial height of the skirt 4, with the exception of a thin strip 6, located at opposite the transverse wall 3. A lug 7 is carried by the wall transverse 3, on the same side as the side skirt 4, and oriented parallel to the X axis of the housing. The lug is placed about half the radius of the wall transverse 3. The function of this lug 7 will be explained below in more detail.

The housing 1 also comprises a bottom 8 comprising a transverse wall 9 which, in the mounted position of the cover on the bottom, is located opposite the transverse wall 3 of the cover 2 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The bottom 8 comprises, slightly set back from the periphery of the transverse wall 9, a side skirt 10 consisting of two diametrically opposite portions 11, 12, separated by two diametrically opposite discontinuous portions 13, 14. The discontinuous portion 13 forms the opening of the housing. Each of the portions 11, 12, extends over an angle of about 100 ° to 110 °. In practice, this angle depends to a large extent on the width of the product support, which support will be discussed in more detail later. The two portions diametrically opposite 11 and 12 are inscribed in a circle presenting a external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the side skirt 4 cover 2, so that it can be inserted inside said skirt side 4, and to be able to allow the cover 2 to rotate freely in rotation relative to the bottom 8, around the axis X. A flange of breakdown (not shown) is formed on the internal wall of the skirt 4 of the cover 2, at near its free edge, and able to cooperate with a groove (not shown) provided on the outer wall of the skirt 10 of the bottom 8, at near its edge adjacent to the transverse wall 9, thus allowing a axial immobilization of the cover 2 relative to the bottom 8.

The two portions 11, 12 of skirt 10 each have an inner face 15, respectively 16. The faces 15 and 16 are parallel to each other and define a housing 17 of axis Y, opening, on the one hand on the opening 13, and on the other part, on the discontinuous portion 14. The housing 17 therefore consists of two parallel faces 15, 16 and is open at its two adjacent ends to said faces 15 and 16.

Inside the volume thus delimited by the bottom 8 and by the cover 2 is arranged the product, in the form of a stick 18, which is mounted on a support 19. The product stick 18 can be mounted on the support 19 by any means known. It can be glued, or maintained by means of attachment of the type "gadroons". The product can be poured cold or hot using a suitable molding device, as used for the production of reds for conventional lips.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3A-3C, the section perpendicular to the X axis of the assembly formed by the support and the stick is, before first use, with a slightly lower height along the Y axis, at diameter of the circle in which the side skirt is inscribed 10. The support 19 comprises a first face 20 of substantially identical radius of curvature to the radius of curvature of the circle in which is inscribed the side skirt 10 of the bottom 8. The support has a second face 21, opposite the first 20, and in which is formed a recess 22 intended to receive one end of the stick 18. The two faces 20 and 21 are connected by two parallel faces between they 23 and 24. The distance separating the two faces 23, 24 is slightly less than the distance separating the two faces 15 and 16 of the side skirt 10, forming the aforementioned housing 17, so that the support can be guided in translation along the Y axis, between the two faces 15 and 16 of said housing. The height along the X axis of the support is at most equal, and preferably slightly less than the axial height of the side skirt 10.

The support is traversed over its entire axial height by a groove 25, one of which first part 26 opens onto the face 24 of the support, and extends substantially perpendicular to the axis Y of the housing 17 defined by the side skirt 10 of the bottom 8 of the case. This substantially straight portion 26 extends over approximately half the width of the support 19. Part 26 extends at its end opposite the end opening on the face 24 of the support 19, by a portion curve 27 extending substantially to the face 23 of the support, without however lead to this face 23. On this portion 27, the groove is substantially concentric with the circles in which the side skirts are inscribed 10 and 4 from the bottom 8, respectively from the cover 2.

To assemble the assembly, after having turned the cover 2, the support, on which product 18 is mounted, is placed in the cover, inserting the lug 7 in the groove 25, in abutment against the end of the groove 25 adjacent to the side 23 of the support 19. Next, the bottom is mounted on the cover making slide the faces 15 and 16 of the side skirt 10 along the parallel faces 24 and 23 of the support, and this until the snap flange of the cover 2 fits into the corresponding groove in the bottom 8.

In this position, illustrated in Figure 3A, the housing is closed. The side skirt 4 of the cover 2 is, in part, opposite the opening 13 of the side skirt 10 of the bottom 8, and in part, facing the portion 12 of said skirt 10. The window 5 is partly facing the surface 20 of the support, which is in the extension of the side skirt 10 of the bottom 8, and partly opposite the portion 11 of side skirt 10. The assembly thus formed defines a closed volume, at inside which and disposed the stick of product 18. Such a closed position of the housing is also shown in the perspective view of Figure 1A.

To use the housing according to the invention, the user turns the cover 2 by relative to the bottom in a clockwise direction. During this movement of rotation the side skirt 4 of the cover 2 moves so as to bring part of the window 5 opposite the opening 13 so as to release the latter. On this angle of rotation, corresponding substantially to the angle over which the opening 13 extends, the lug 7 moves essentially in the curved portion 27 of groove 25, which causes substantially no translational movement of the support 19 in the housing 17. This position is illustrated in Figure 3B.

By continuing to turn the cover relative to the bottom, the lug 7 reaches the rectilinear portion 26 of the groove 25. The rotational movement around the axis X of the lug 7 in this straight portion 26 of the groove 25 causes a movement of the support 19 along the Y axis in the direction of the opening 13, it is say radially with respect to the section of the housing. The rotation of the cover 2 relative to the bottom 8 continues until the front edge 28 of the skirt lateral 4 arrives opposite the opening 13. At this time, and as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the face 21 of the support bears against the front edge 28 of the side skirt 4, which immobilizes the cover relative to the background. In this position, the rear edge 29 of the side skirt 4 of the cover is arranged so that said skirt 4 closes substantially the entire portion discontinuous 14 located opposite the opening 13. The stick emerges so sensitive outside the housing. It can then be used in a conventional manner to apply the product on the lips for example. This position of use is shown in perspective in Figure 1B.

To bring the case into the closed position of FIG. 3A, the user rotates the cover relative to the bottom, in the opposite direction to the direction opening hours. The lug 7, in engagement with the rectilinear portion 26 of the groove 25 causes the support to move in the opposite direction in the housing 17, until the lug reaches the curved portion 27 of the groove 25. In this position, the support is substantially in the bottom of the housing 17. In continuing to turn the cover relative to the bottom, we cause the closing the case by bringing, like a shutter, a portion of the skirt side 4 of cover 2 opposite opening 13.

The transverse wall 3 of the cover 2 may have on its outer surface a mirror, mounted by gluing, welding or gluing. A window transparent can be provided so that it can be viewed in position closed of the case, the color of the product it contains. The product stick can be of any section: circular, triangular, square, oval, etc.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variants may exist there. be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (16)

X-axis housing (1) for packaging, in particular in the form of a stick (18), of a product mounted on a support (19), the housing comprising a bottom (8), and a cover (2) rotatably mounted on the bottom, means (4) allowing selectively, to close / clear an opening (13) provided on the edge of the housing, coupling means (7, 25) being provided for, in the released position of the opening (13), in response to a relative rotational movement between the bottom (8) and the cover (2), drive the support (19) in the direction of the opening (13), between a first position in which the product (18) is contained substantially inside the housing, at a second position in which the product (18) is accessible from outside the housing, means (15, 16) ensuring guidance in radial translation of the support (19) in the direction of said opening (13), between said first and second positions, characterized in that, in said second position, the support (19) is supported on a portion (28) opening / closing means (4) so as to immobilize them in rotation when the support (19) is in said second position. Housing according to claim 1 characterized in that the release of the opening (13) occurs in response to a relative rotational movement between the bottom (8) and the cover (2), the drive of the support (19) between said first and second positions occurring simultaneously or later when the opening (13) is released. Housing according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that in said second position, the product (18) emerges appreciably outside the housing through said opening (13). Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the cover (2) has a first transverse wall (3), supporting a first side skirt (4) in which a window (5) is formed, the bottom (8) comprising a second transverse wall (9) which, in the mounted position of the cover (2) on the bottom (8), is located opposite the first (3), said bottom (8) comprising a second lateral skirt (10), of external diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the first side skirt (4), so as to be able to be mounted for rotation inside the first (10), and delimiting a housing (17) for the support (19) and the product (18), said second side skirt (10) being discontinuous over at least one angular portion (13) so as to form said opening (13), the clearance of the opening (13) being obtained by placing opposite the window (5) of the first skirt side (4) with said opening (13) of the second side skirt (10). Housing according to claim 4 characterized in that the support (19), in the second position, has a portion (21) resting on a portion (28) of the first side skirt (4) so as to immobilize the bottom (8) relative to the cover (2). Housing according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that said second side skirt (10) also has a second discontinuous portion (14) arranged diametrically opposite with respect to said opening (13), said opening (13) and said second discontinuous portion (14) being separated by two diametrically opposite portions (11, 12) of said second side skirt (10), said housing (17) being delimited by two faces parallel (15, 16) of said diametrically opposite portions (11, 12) of skirt side (10), said housing (17) thus defined having an axis Y oriented radially with respect to said housing, the width of the support (19) being such that, in response to a rotational movement of the cover (2) relative to the bottom (8), the support (19), driven by the coupling means (7, 25), is guided translation along said axis Y, between the two parallel faces (15, 16), in direction of said opening (13). Housing according to claim 6 characterized in that, when the support (19) is in said first position, a first face of the support (20), opposite a second face (21) on which the product (18) is mounted, is in alignment with the second side skirt (10) on said second portion discontinuous (14), said first face (20) having a radius of curvature substantially identical to the radius of curvature of the circle in which is inscribed the second side skirt (10), said first face (20) extending over a angular portion substantially identical to said second discontinuous portion (14). Housing according to claim 6 or 7 characterized in that when the support (19) is in said second position, the first side skirt (4) has a portion disposed opposite said second discontinuous portion (14) of so as to seal the latter. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling means (7, 25) consist of a lug (7) carried by the bottom (8) or by the cover (2) of the housing, and oriented parallel to the axis X, said lug (7) being able, in response to a rotational movement between the cover (2) and bottom (8), to move in a groove (25) formed in said support (19). Housing according to claim 9 characterized in that the groove (25) has a first portion (27) of such shape that the displacement of the lug (7) in said first portion (27) does not cause substantially any movement in radial translation of the support (19) towards said opening (13), and a second portion (26) of such shape that the displacement of the lug (7) in said second portion (26) causes the displacement of the support (19) between said first and second positions. Housing according to claim 10 characterized in that during the release of the opening (13), the lug (7) essentially moves in said first portion (27) of the groove (25). Housing according to claims 4 as well as any one of Claims 9 to 11 characterized in that the lug (7) is carried by the wall transverse (3) of the cover (2), said groove (25) being, on said first portion (27), substantially concentric with said first and second skirt lateral (4, 10), and on the second portion (26), substantially perpendicular to the axis Y of the movement of the support (19) between said first and second positions. Housing according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that when the support (19) is in said first position, the lug (7) is abutting against a bottom of said groove (25). Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 13 characterized in that that the cover (2) is mounted on the bottom (8) by snapping. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 14 characterized in that that the cover (2), the bottom (8), and said support (19) are obtained by molding of a thermoplastic material, in particular a polypropylene or a polyethylene. Use of a housing (1) according to any one of the claims for packaging a make-up and hygiene stick body or care, including a lipstick.

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