EP1454558A1 - A product conditioning box with damped opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The case has a base (2) defining a compartment to receive a cosmetic product, and a cover (3) covering the base in a reversible manner. A hinge is arranged at an exterior of a legend strip which has a friction unit. The friction unit opposes the pull-back force generated by an elastic pull-back unit (26) of a hinge, to slow opening of the case. The strip is retrieved from housings (11, 12) formed by the base.

Description

The present invention relates to a housing for packaging a product, in particular a make-up or care product, of the type comprising a bottom comprising a cavity suitable for receiving the product and a cover suitable for apply to the bottom of the housing to enclose said product reversibly. The cavity defined inside the housing is generally occupied by products of makeup such as eyeshadows, blushes, blushes, compact powders or not. These makeup products can be presented in removable cups relative to the bottom of the housing.

The cover is generally mounted articulated relative to the bottom of the housing. In addition, a housing generally comprises a locking means to keep the cover on the bottom in a "closed" position, and preventing thus access to the product. This articulation may include spring means for facilitate the transition from the "closed" position to the "open" position, and Conversely. In this case, when the locking means is unlocked, the elastic return means, which is under stress in the "closed" position, automatically drives the case into the "open" position, giving access to the product.

To be able to drag the cover in the "open" position, if the user hold firmly in his hand the bottom of the case, it is necessary that the constraint in torsion applied to the spring is strong enough, to cause the lid. The force of this constraint is defined as a function of the mass of the cover to train. The problem posed in the state of the art is that the weight of this cover, directly related to gravitational forces, i.e. to forces of terrestrial attraction, depends on the position in which the user holds the housing, and how these weightless forces oppose the return force of the spring.

So that the spring element can open the case automatically which whatever the position in which the user holds the case, a spring is inserted into it highly constrained, for which the return force, or restoring force, is greater at the maximum weight of the cover. But this state of the art solution poses also a problem since then switching from the "closed" position "in the" open "position can be violent, for certain position of the case in which the weight of the cover is not maximum.

It is known from documents FR-A-2 684 962 and FR-A-2 669 370 to propose a housing provided with an elastic torsion return means with a prestress torsion in the closed position of the housing, and also comprising a means to obtain a slow, progressive and controlled opening of the case. The hinge of these housings is of the rotary type around a pivot. The pivot is mounted for allow the rotation, around an axis of rotation passing through this pivot, of the cover relative to the bottom. The pivot is a rod fixedly retained in the bottom and disposed inside a housing of the cover. This accommodation is filled with viscous fluid to create a shear stress opposing the opening, when the cover and therefore the internal wall of the housing rotate around this rod.

The problem with such types of housings is that the viscous liquid is directly offered inside the cover, and therefore the risks of leaks during use are important. The type of case according to the invention being intended for a specific use in the fields of cosmetic and body care, the leakage of a viscous liquid must be prevented maximum, because the presence of this viscous liquid near the product cosmetic or skincare product would destroy all user appeal for this product, and for this type of packaging in general. The risk of leakage is therefore totally incompatible with the scope.

In addition, since the housing according to the invention can be reusable, by simply replacing a first product cup with a second product cup, the housing is therefore intended for long and repeated use. There is a need to benefit from other boxes having reliability and duration improved lives.

In addition, the known boxes have a second drawback. The process realization of these boxes is expensive and not very adaptable. Indeed, to climb such cases, a quantity of viscous liquid must be injected into each housing intended to receive a pivot. Now if we want to mount this type of hinge on different models of cases, it is necessary for each model to adapt the tool assembly. In addition, such an assembly process requires the step of injecting the viscous fluid during the assembly line of the housing, and imposes by therefore an additional step of cleaning the housing after injection, and before depositing the cosmetic product. There is therefore a need for benefit from other boxes with greater ease of assembly.

The present invention aims to remedy at least one of the problems above. The housing according to the invention allows repeated use reliable, and giving the case a luxurious connotation due to the slowness and the automation of the opening of the case. This opening is also regular and occurs homogeneously without snags.

i) un fond définissant au moins un compartiment destiné à recevoir un produit cosmétique ;

ii) un couvercle apte à recouvrir de manière réversible au moins une partie du fond ; et

iii) une charnière disposée entre le fond et le couvercle, et définissant un axe d'articulation, la charnière comportant des moyens de rappel élastique contraints élastiquement au moins en position fermée du boítier, et disposés à l'extérieur d'une cartouche comportant un moyen de frottement qui, lors de l'ouverture du boítier, s'oppose à la force de rappel générée par les moyens de rappel élastique de manière à ralentir le mouvement d'ouverture du boítier, ladite cartouche étant rapportée à l'intérieur d'un logement formé par le fond en coopération avec le couvercle.

The subject of the invention is a housing comprising:

i) a bottom defining at least one compartment intended to receive a cosmetic product;

ii) a cover capable of reversibly covering at least part of the bottom; and

iii) a hinge disposed between the bottom and the cover, and defining an axis of articulation, the hinge comprising elastic return means elastically constrained at least in the closed position of the housing, and disposed outside of a cartridge comprising a friction means which, when the case is opened, opposes the restoring force generated by the elastic return means so as to slow down the opening movement of the case, said cartridge being attached inside a housing formed by the bottom in cooperation with the cover.

Advantageously, the housing is formed of at least a first compartment obtained from molding with the bottom, and at least a second compartment obtained from molding with the cover.

These compartments are preferably defined at the periphery of the bottom and of the cover, so that these compartments are collinear, and aligned according to the axis of the hinge.

In the invention, the elastic return means and the cartridge are elements physically independent of the cover and respectively of the bottom, they are reported there and only retained.

Advantageously, the cartridge comprises a first part and a second part, the friction means being retained between these two parts to forming a rotation damping means. These pieces have reliefs for mechanically engage each respectively in a complementary relief presented by the cover and the bottom respectively. These two pieces are then preferably inserted one into the other along the axis of the hinge. The cartridge then forms a pivot for rotation of the hinge. In this case, the reliefs can be presented on an interior wall of the housing compartments.

For example, the friction means is a viscous fluid, in particular a grease that has a shear coefficient such as the rotation of the parts of the cartridge relative to one another is at least partially hindered. This fluid is for example a silicone oil or any other comparable viscous material. The shear coefficient of the fluid is a function of its viscosity, and also function of the clearance left between the two parts. In fact, the higher the viscosity, and respectively the weaker the play, the more the force opposing the rotation is high.

In a variant, the friction means is a block cut from a elastomeric material, acting as a friction brake. The first and the second part have walls that rub directly against a outer periphery of this elastomer block.

Advantageously, the cartridge is waterproof. It includes for example a joint to seal between the first part and the second part. This sealing prevents leakage of viscous fluid.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the elastic return means is a helical spring, such as an axis of the spring is collinear with the axis of rotation. This spring preferably comprises at each of its ends a means for being fixed respectively on one side in the cover and on the other in the bottom.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first part is inserted in the second part along the axis of the hinge. Therefore, a surface of friction generated by the friction means can be defined in parallel to the axis of the hinge, and or orthogonally to the axis of this hinge. Through example, the fluid is distributed in particular in volumes defined in parallel and or orthogonally to the axis of the hinge.

Advantageously, the housing includes a means for locking the closed position. This locking means is for example a means snap-fastening of an elastic tongue with a complementary recess, one presented by the cover, and the other in correspondence presented on the bottom.

According to a preferred embodiment, a first receptacle is formed in the bottom for receiving a cosmetic product, in particular make-up or care. Optionally, a second receptacle can be formed in the bottom to receive an applicator. And or, a third receptacle can be formed in the cover to receive a mirror.

• Figure 1: une vue éclatée d'un boítier selon l'invention
• Figure 2: une vue en coupe selon un plan de coupe A-A indiqué sur la figure 1 d'un boítier selon l'invention considéré dans une position "fermée" ;
• Figure 3: une vue éclatée d'un boítier selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the appended drawings, which form an integral part of the description, and on which there are:

• Figure 1: an exploded view of a housing according to the invention
• Figure 2: a sectional view along a section plane AA shown in Figure 1 of a housing according to the invention considered in a "closed"position;
• Figure 3: an exploded view of a housing according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a housing 1 according to the invention. This case 1 includes a bottom 2 and a cover 3. The bottom 2 and the cover 3 connected by a hinge 4. This articulation 4 makes it possible to move the cover 3 relative to the bottom 2 of a so-called "closed" position to a so-called "open" position, and vice versa. closed position, the cover 3 overlaps and covers the bottom 2. The position open corresponds to a position of the cover allowing access to a product 5 contained in the housing. The cover 3 is arranged under the bottom 2, according to a maximum tolerated by the joint 4.

Product 5 is preferably a cosmetic or care product, for example example a eyeshadow, a blush, or an eye shadow, or any other solid or semi-solid make-up or care compositions. Product 5 is preferably presented at the bottom 2. For this purpose, the bottom 2 comprises at minus a receptacle 6 to receive the product 5. The product can be presented in a cup with the dimensions of receptacle 6, which is for example removable so that it can be replaced depending on the product that the user wishes to have inside the housing. The case is therefore reusable.

Preferably the joint 4 is of the pivot type about an axis articulation 7. This articulation axis 7 is defined parallel to the planes formed by the bottom 2 and the cover 3. The articulation 4 is located respectively at a border 8 of the bottom 2 located opposite a border 9 of the cover 3.

The articulation 4 comprises a pivot 10. This pivot has a shape substantially cylindrical. It is received on the one hand in a compartment 11 of the bottom 2 located at level of the border 8, and on the other hand in a compartment 12 of the cover located at the edge 9. These compartments 11 and 12 tolerate rotation of the cover and bottom relative to pivot 10.

The pivot 10 comprises a first part 13 and a second part 14 arranged one inside the other in a rotary manner. The first part 13 comprises a chamber 15 in which can be received a rotor 16 formed by the second part 14. For example, the first part 13 is mechanically retained in the compartment 11. It is then fixed in rotation with the bottom 2. Thus mounted, the rotor 16 is rotatable in chamber 15 around an axis superimposed on the axis of rotation of the hinge 4. The second part 14 is mechanically retained in the second compartment 12. It is therefore integral in rotation with the cover 3. The rotation of the cover 3 relative to the bottom 2 results in consequently the rotation of the rotor 16 in the chamber 15.

The compartments 11 and 12 define, for example, portions frustoconical which can come end to end one opposite the other along the axis of rotation 7. To insert the pivot 10 into these compartments, one of the compartments has a side opening 17. According to Figure 2, the opening side 17 is presented by the first compartment 11.

When inserting the pivot 10 in these compartments, one engages by example a first mechanical fastening means 18 of the second part 14 in a first complementary relief 19 presented in the background of the second compartment 12. Once completely inserted in these compartments, closes the lateral opening 17 with a plug 20. This plug 20 includes first means 21 to be kept fixed on the first compartment 11, and second means 22, forming reliefs, to be mechanically fixed on complementary reliefs 23 presented on the first piece 13. The cap 20 guarantees the attachment of the first part 13 to the first compartment 11 and therefore the bottom 2.

The first means 21 is for example a lug 21 intended to be received in a receptacle 21 b adapted from the first compartment 11. The first reliefs 19 and second reliefs 22 of the compartments are arranged so that the rotation of parts 13 and 14 relative to the compartment to which they are respectively fixed is not possible.

The pivot 10 is made so as to serve as a damping means for rotation. Consequently, the rotation of the cover 3 relative to the bottom 2 must be damped by the pivot 10. For this purpose, the pivot 10 determines a force of friction opposing rotation. This friction force is obtained thanks to a friction means 24 disposed between the two parts 13 and 14. The pivot 10 thus forms a cartridge.

For example, this friction means 24 is a fluid placed in the chamber 15 and filling all the space left free between the rotor 16 and this chamber 15. Preferably, a viscous fluid is chosen according to criteria such as its shear coefficient to obtain a frictional force predetermined and reproducible during these rotations. The chosen fluid is by example a silicone oil.

To vary the friction force which can be obtained thanks to the cartridge 10, a friction surface corresponding to a surface coated with this viscous fluid and for which there is a portion of the first part 13 facing at least a portion of the second part 14. This friction surface can be defined along the axis 7, parallel to this axis 7, on the periphery of the cylindrical rotor 16, inside the chamber 15 also cylindrical, the rotor 16 being mounted with a play inside the chamber 15, to precisely leave room for this viscous fluid. This surface of friction can also be defined in a plane orthogonal to axis 7, as this is mainly the case in the variant presented in Figure 3.

The first part 13 is mounted in a sealed manner around the second part 14. For example, the engagement of the first part 13 on the second part 14 is made by means of a collar coming to cooperate with a throat presented opposite. In addition, an O-ring 25 can be provided at the junction between these two parts. This seal 25 preferably includes lips allowing the rotation of the second part inside the first while ensuring the sealing of the cartridge.

The housing 1 has in parallel, to facilitate opening of the housing, a elastic return means 26 favoring the rotation of the cover relative to the bottom 2, in the sense of "opening", namely to drive the housing of a closed position to an "open" position. Preferably the means 26 is arranged to inside compartments 11 and 12, so as to be retained by a first end 27 in the cover 3 and by a second end 28 in the bottom 2. The elastic return means 26 is for example a helical spring placed under torsional stress between the cover 3 and the bottom 2. In the "closed" position, the two ends 27 and 28 are then arranged relatively to each other of so that the spring propeller is under stress. The propeller extends along an axis collinear with the axis of rotation.

To maintain the housing in the closed position, because it comprises at the times a rotation damping means 10 and an elastic return means 26, the housing includes a locking means 29. This locking means 29 comprises for example a tab 30 presented on the cover 3 and intended to cooperate with a recess 31 provided in the bottom 2. The cooperation can be of the snap type. The engagement or disengagement of leg 30 of offset 31 can be controlled via a push button 32 accessible from outside the housing 1. Preferably, the means of locking 29 is provided on an edge of the housing opposite edges 8 and 9.

Thus, when the locking means 29 are released, the spring 26 is released from the torsional stress to which it is subjected. This release of the spring 26 causes in particular a repositioning of its ends 27 and 28 one by compared to each other. These ends 27 and 28 driving the cover 3 relative to the bottom 2, the spring is released within the limits of the respective positions that can take the cover 3 relative to the bottom 2 in the "open" position. In Indeed, the position of the cover relative to the housing can be limited to a certain opening angle, for example of the order of 120 °. Angle limitation opening can for example be obtained by a step of one of the compartments which have freedom of rotation in a complementary window shown on the other compartment.

Alternatively, the housing includes a housing defined by more than two compartments, and in particular these compartments may have lengths respective along axis 7 different depending on whether they are integral compartments the bottom 2 or the cover 3. In all cases, the compartments are defined collinearly with each other along the axis 7. The distribution of the lengths of these compartments is optimized so that the housing 1 does not fall from the hands of the user when it is opened, especially when this user holds the box 2 at the edge 8.

In a first variant, presented in Figures 1 and 2, the return means 26 elastic is defined around the cartridge 10. In a second variant, shown in Figure 3, the elastic return means 26 is juxtaposed with the cartridge 10. In this second variant, the first part 13 is mounted in the second compartment 12 while the second part 14 is engaged in the first compartment 11. Obviously this inversion does not alter in any way the operation of the joint 4 described above. In addition, in this variant, the complementary relief 23 ′ presented by the first part extends radially to cooperate with a complementary relief 22 'presented on a wall inside 33 of the second compartment 12. The spring is then completely contained in the second compartment 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the bottom 2 has a second receptacle 34 for receiving an applicator 35 therein, this applicator making it possible to take the product 5. And for an optimized application of the product 5, the cover 3 comprises a third receptacle for presenting therein a mirror 36, the cover being in this case and preferably locked in an angular position of the order of 120 °.

Claims (14)

Housing (1) comprising: i) a bottom (2) defining at least one compartment intended to receive a cosmetic product; ii) a cover (3) capable of reversibly covering at least part of the bottom; and iii) a hinge (4) disposed between the bottom and the cover, and defining a hinge pin (7), the hinge comprising elastic return means (26) elastically constrained at least in the closed position of the housing, and arranged to the outside of a cartridge (10) comprising a friction means (24) which, when the case is opened, opposes the restoring force generated by the elastic return means so as to slow the movement d opening of the housing, said cartridge being attached to the interior of a housing (11, 12) formed by the bottom in cooperation with the cover. Housing according to claim 1 characterized in that the housing is formed of a first compartment (11) obtained by molding with the bottom, and a second compartment (12) obtained by molding with the cover. Housing according to claim 2 characterized in that the first compartment (11) is defined at the periphery (8) of the bottom and the second compartment (12) is defined at the periphery (9) of the cover, these compartments being collinear. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the elastic return means and the cartridge are hidden inside the housing, in particular provided at the periphery of the housing. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the cartridge comprises a first part (13) and a second part (14), the friction means being disposed between these two parts. Housing according to claim 5 characterized in that the first part is inserted into the second part along the axis of the hinge. Housing according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the first part and the second part of the cartridge each have a relief (18, 23) for engaging mechanically in respectively a complementary relief (19, 22) of the cover or bottom. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the friction means is a viscous fluid, for example a grease, retained in leaktight manner (25) in the cartridge. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the friction means is a brake comprising an elastomer in friction against the walls of the cartridge. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the elastic return means is a helical spring, such that an axis of the spring is collinear with the axis of rotation. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that it comprises a locking means (29) of the closed position, for example the cover is assembled to the bottom by snap-fastening. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 11 characterized in that a first receptacle (6) is formed in the bottom to receive a cosmetic product (5), in particular for make-up or care. Housing according to one of claims 1 to 12 characterized in that a second receptacle (34) is formed in the bottom to receive an applicator (35). Housing according to one of claims 1 to 13 characterized in that a third receptacle is formed in the cover to receive a mirror (36).

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