EP1417904A1 - Case comprising sealing means - Google Patents

Abstract

The base (2), closed by a cover (3), holds the product (P). A seal (12) contains the product, at least when the lid is closed. The seal (12) is supported by an articulation (13), permitting rotation about two perpendicular axes (X, Y).

Description

The present invention relates to housings intended to contain a product cosmetic or care product, comprising a basic part receiving a reserve of product, by example a cup containing a compacted powder or a cast product, and a cover for closing the base part.

It has been proposed in French patent application 2,803,993 to report on the cover a sealing member articulated on the cover around a geometric axis of rotation parallel to that of a hinge connecting the cover to the base part.

We know from document US-5,988,185 a packaging device comprising a base part receiving a reserve of product and a cover provided with a protective element, the protective element comprising an elastically element deformable and being able to removably cover a free surface for the withdrawal of the product from said product reserve. The protective element is then in elastic support against the free surface of the product reserve.

There is a need to further improve the tightness of the closure of the housings.

• une partie de base recevant une réserve de produit,
• un couvercle de fermeture de la partie de base, et
• un organe d'étanchéité agencé pour fermer de manière étanche un espace contenant le produit, au moins lorsque le couvercle est fermé, l'organe d'étanchéité étant supporté par une articulation comportant une rotule lui conférant une possibilité de basculement autour d'au moins deux axes géométriques de rotation perpendiculaires entre eux.

The invention therefore relates, according to one of its aspects, to a housing comprising:

• a base part receiving a reserve of product,
• a cover for closing the base part, and
• a sealing member arranged to seal a space containing the product, at least when the cover is closed, the sealing member being supported by a hinge comprising a ball joint giving it a possibility of tilting around at least two geometric axes of rotation perpendicular to each other.

The invention makes it easier to obtain a tight contact between the member sealing and a corresponding surface of the base part or of a housed cup in the basic part, and in particular to compensate for differences in positioning of the cup in the base part or extra thicknesses likely to be caused by glue dots used to fix the cup on the base part.

The articulation can advantageously include or be supported by a elastically deformable part, which can further improve sealing.

The sealing member can be fixed to the device with a possibility of displacement along a third axis perpendicular to said axes.

The reserve of product can be contained in a cup, in particular metallic, supported by the base part. This cup can in particular be glued to the basic part.

The cup may have a free edge, for example a rolled edge, against which can be applied to the sealing member.

By ball joint means any articulation allowing rotation around a point. This arrangement allows greater mobility of the whole of the surface of the sealing member relative to the cover. The patella can, for example, consist in having an engagement of a head in a receptacle. Alternatively, the patella can also be carried out differently, and in particular include a material elastically deformable, for example an elastomer. The portion actually elastically deformable of the joint is then preferably placed at a distance from the cup edges so that a point of rotation can be determined at distance from these borders. The ball formed at this point of rotation can then have a part forming an axis to connect the cover to the cover, this axis comprising a preferential bending point forming said point of rotation.

The sealing member may include a tray. This tray can be arranged to apply to the base part or the cup at least when the housing is closed. This plate can be at least partially covered by an elastomer coating or include other sealing means, for example in the form of a flexible lip.

The product may contain at least one volatile hydrocarbon solvent with room temperature, for example hydrocarbon, for example isododecane.

The cover is preferably hinged on the base part.

The sealing member can be fixed on the cover or alternatively be fixed on an element other than the cover, for example articulated on the base part.

This articulated element can define for example a housing for receiving a applicator, in particular a sponge.

According to one aspect of the invention, it may be advantageous to produce the housing of way to create a release primer reducing the force required to take off the sealing member of the surface on which it is applied sealingly, in the event of depression in the space containing the product.

The sealing member can for example be produced with an asymmetry tending to avoid a suction cup phenomenon when opening, for example by allowing inhomogeneous deformation of the sealing member at its periphery, creating one or more detachment primers.

The sealing member can in particular be produced so as to deform in bending around an axis when opening. The sealing member can for example be produced with a plate having an asymmetry, in particular a variation in thickness.

The articulation can also be carried out so as to favor a pivoting or bending movement of the sealing member facilitating opening. The joint may in particular not be symmetrical with respect to a third axis perpendicular to said geometric axes of rotation.

A support for the joint can also be produced so as to favor such a movement.

• la figure 1 représente, en coupe schématique et partielle, un exemple de boítier réalisé conformément à l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente en vue de dessus, isolément, l'organe d'étanchéité du boítier de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 représente de manière schématique et partielle une variante de réalisation dans laquelle le bord du logement contenant le produit comporte un joint contre lequel peut se plaquer l'organe d'étanchéité,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique, en perspective, d'une variante de réalisation dans laquelle l'organe d'étanchéité est mobile relativement au couvercle,
• les figures 5 et 6 illustrent de manière schématique des réalisations dans lesquelles le produit est contenu dans une coupelle rapportée dans un logement de la partie de base du boítier,
• les figures 7 et 8 illustrent des variantes de réalisation de l'articulation, et
• les figures 9 à 12 illustrent des variantes de réalisation permettant de faciliter l'ouverture en cas de dépression dans l'espace contenant le produit.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, of non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• FIG. 1 represents, in schematic and partial section, an example of a housing produced in accordance with the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents a top view, in isolation, of the sealing member of the housing of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 schematically and partially represents an alternative embodiment in which the edge of the housing containing the product comprises a seal against which the sealing member can be pressed,
• FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment in which the sealing member is movable relative to the cover,
• FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically illustrate embodiments in which the product is contained in a cup attached to a housing in the base part of the housing,
• FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate alternative embodiments of the joint, and
• Figures 9 to 12 illustrate alternative embodiments to facilitate opening in the event of depression in the space containing the product.

There is shown in Figure 1 a housing 1 comprising a base part 2 and a cover 3 articulated with respect to the base part thanks to a hinge 8 about an axis geometric rotation which is perpendicular to the plane of Figure 1.

The base part 2 has a first housing 4 which contains a reserve of a product P, for example a poured foundation or a powder, and a second housing 5 which receives an applicator 16 used for applying the product P, for example a sponge.

In the example considered, the basic part 2 is in two parts, comprising an outer shell 6 and an inner part 7 attached to the outer shell 6, this inner part 7 defining the first and second housing 4 and 5 above. The room inner 7 is fixed by any suitable means in the outer shell 6, for example by gluing, welding or snap-fastening.

The cover 3 comprises, at its end opposite the articulation 8, a clasp 9 comprising for example a tongue capable of snapping onto a relief corresponding to the base part 2, a mirror 10 and a part 11 for supporting a member sealing 12. The latter is intended to seal the housing 4 containing the product P when the case 1 is closed, in order in particular to avoid evaporation of a volatile solvent possibly contained in the product P.

According to one aspect of the invention, the sealing member 12 is connected to the support part 11 by a hinge 13 which gives it the possibility of tilting around at least two geometric axes of rotation perpendicular between them, namely an X axis parallel to the axis of the hinge 8 and a Y axis perpendicular to that of the hinge 8 and contained in the plane of FIG. 1.

In the example considered, the articulation 13 comprises a ball joint 14 which is made for example in one piece by injecting plastic with a plate 17 of the sealing member 12, and a cage 15 which is produced for example in one piece with the support piece 11 and in which the ball joint 14 is retained with a possibility of tilting around the X and Y axes.

The plate 17 can be produced with, as illustrated in FIG. 2, stiffening ribs 18 on its face opposite the product P.

The face of the plate 17 facing the product P can be completely coated or at its periphery only with an elastomer coating 19, intended to allow obtaining a contact seal by applying in the example illustrated against the edge of a rib 22 surrounding the housing 4.

As a variant, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the plate 17 can be devoid of elastomer coating and the base part may include a seal 20, by example an overmolded elastomer seal or an attached sealing lip, against which applies the plate 17 when the housing 1 is closed.

The sealing member can also be produced, in a variant not illustrated, with a sealing lip arranged to cooperate sealingly with a surface corresponding made on the base part.

The support part 11 can be produced, as seen in FIG. 1, from so as to offer a possibility of displacement of the cage 15 relative to the cover 3 along a geometric axis Z perpendicular to the X and Y axes.

The support piece 11 can for example be made with arms 23 having a certain flexibility, connecting the cage 15 to the upper part 24 of the piece of support 11 by which the latter is fixed to the cover 3.

When closing the housing 1, the sealing member 12 is applied against the edge of the housing 4 so as to close it tightly. The possibility of pivoting of the sealing member 12 relative to the cover 3 around the axes X and Y reduces the risk of an unsealed application of the sealing member 12 on the corresponding surface of the base part 2, and to take account of deviations of possible positioning of the inner part 7 within the outer shell 6.

In the example of FIG. 1, the product P is placed directly inside of the housing 4 defined by the interior part 7.

It is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the product P is contained in a cup 50, for example metallic, which is attached to the part of base 2, being for example glued thereon, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 for exemple.

The sealing member 12 may also not be articulated on a piece of support fixed on the cover but directly on the cover or on an element intermediate 60 movable relative to the cover.

In the example of FIG. 4, the intermediate element 60 is articulated on the base part 2 and defines on the side facing the cover 3 a housing for receiving a applicator 16 such as for example a sponge.

In FIG. 4, the articulation which connects the sealing member 12 to the element intermediate 60 is not apparent and this articulation can be carried out for example at by means of a ball joint 14 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The sealing member 12 can be applied against the upper edge 51 of the cup 50, which can be rolled so as not to damage the coating 19.

The articulation of the sealing member 12 relative to the element intermediate 60 allows not only to compensate for deviations related to the positioning of the cup 50 in its housing but possibly the variations in the level of the edge upper 51 of the cup, linked to the thicknesses of the glue points possibly used for fixing it on the base part 2.

As a variant, the sealing member 12 could be applied against the edge 27 of the housing receiving the cup 50, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Whether the sealing member is integral with the cover or with an element movable intermediate relative to the cover, the articulation can be realized otherwise than by means of a ball joint comprising a head 14 engaged in a cage 15.

By way of example, FIG. 7 shows a joint produced in an elastomeric material 30 molded onto the plate 17 of the sealing member 12.

It can also be seen in FIG. 7 that the material of the joint 30 can, the if necessary, extend to the periphery of the plate 17 and slightly cover the underside, in order to replace the sealing coating 19 previously described.

The articulation 30 can be fixed for example by glue 55 to the cover 3 or to the intermediate element 60.

Alternatively, the material of the joint 30 can be overmolded on both the tray 17 and on the cover 3 or a support piece fixed on it or on the element intermediate 60, and thus serve for fixing the sealing member to the rest of the housing.

The joint can also be produced using a block 70 of a material elastically deformable, for example a foam. The latter can be set by example by gluing its opposite main faces 71 and 72 respectively on the tray 17 and on a support piece or on the cover or on an intermediate element movable relative to the cover, as illustrated in Figure 8.

In cases where the joint is made of an elastomeric material 30 or when the joint is produced by means of a block 70 of an elastically material deformable, the articulation is notably materialized around a point of rotation at distance from the free edges of the sealing member. The joint is obtained by a local shrinkage of the elastomeric material, or a block of elastically material deformable with a cross section clearly smaller than the section of the member sealing. The point of rotation is for example defined at the level of the axis Z.

The sealing member, by sealingly applying to its seat, can create difficulty in opening, by suction effect.

In order to reduce this effect, the housing can be made so that the member sealing tends to peel off preferentially at a limited region of its periphery.

In other words, the sealing member and / or its seat and / or the joint and / or the support thereof can be made so as to create a primer detachment.

One can for example, as illustrated in figure 9, realize the support piece 11 of the joint with one or more arms 23 'which are more rigid because, for example, having a larger circumference or being thicker, as is the case on the drawing, so that a torque is exerted on the sealing member when opening, tending to facilitate detachment.

It is also possible, as illustrated in FIG. 10, to produce the articulation 30 of asymmetrically with an eccentric part 30 ', so as to create a distribution of asymmetric stress on the sealing member upon opening.

Quite similarly, the joint 70 of FIG. 8 can be produced. with an eccentric part 70 ′, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

We can also, as shown in Figure 12, make the sealing member so that it has a more flexible area, able to deform more during opening and to facilitate detachment of the sealing member.

In the example of FIG. 12, the plate 17 is produced with a portion 17 ' having a greater thickness, so that the breakout force transmitted by the joint is unevenly distributed around the periphery of the organ sealing, which creates a primer for detachment.

The invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiments.

In particular, we can combine different features of realization of the examples which have just been described.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the expression "Comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least a ”, unless otherwise specified.

Claims (19)

Housing (1) comprising: a base part (2) receiving a reserve of product (P), a cover (3) for closing the base part, and a sealing member (12) arranged to seal a space containing the product (P), at least when the cover is closed, housing characterized in that the sealing member (12) is supported by a joint (13; 30; 70) comprising a ball joint giving it the possibility of tilting around at least two geometric axes of rotation (X, Y ) perpendicular to each other. Housing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the articulation comprises an elastically deformable part (30; 70). Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulation (13) is supported by at least one elastically deformable element (23). Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reserve of product is contained in a cup (50), in particular metal, supported by the base part (2). Housing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cup (50) is glued to the base part. Housing according to one of the two immediately preceding claims, characterized in that the cup (50) has a free edge (51) against which the sealing member (12) can be applied. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sealing member (12) is arranged to apply to the base part (2) at least when the housing is closed. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing member comprises a plate (17). Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (3) is articulated on the base part (2). Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing member (12) is fixed to the cover. Housing according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the sealing member is fixed to an element (60) articulated on the base part (2), other than the cover. Housing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the articulated element (60) defines a housing for receiving an applicator (16), in particular a sponge. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing member (12) is fixed to the housing with the possibility of displacement along an axis (Z) perpendicular to the axes (X, Y ). Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is produced so as to create a release primer reducing the force necessary for the opening to remove the sealing member from the surface on which it s applies tightly. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulation is produced so as to favor a pivoting or bending movement of the sealing member facilitating opening. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulation is not symmetrical with respect to the third axis perpendicular to said axes which make up X, Y. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articulation is supported by a part 11 so as to promote a pivoting or bending movement of the sealing member facilitating opening. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing member comprises a plate having an asymmetry and in particular a variation in thickness, allowing an inhomogeneous deformation of the sealing member on the periphery of so as to create at least one detachment primer. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product (P) contains at least one volatile solvent at room temperature, in particular a hydrocarbon such as isododecane.

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