EP1510148A1 - Case with drawer and mirror hinged on the drawer - Google Patents

Abstract

The case has a drawer (3) moving along a longitudinal axis with respect to a case body between open and closed positions. An elastic unit is arranged for forcing the drawer to move towards the open position. An opening control unit (4) controls movement of the drawer from its closed position to open position under the effect of the elastic unit. A decelerator slows down the movement of the drawer at the time of opening.

Description

The present invention relates to housings intended to contain at least one cosmetic product and an applicator.

Patent FR 707 361 discloses a housing which comprises a body and a movable drawer along a longitudinal axis relative to the body between an open position and a position closed, this drawer having a housing that can receive a cosmetic product. A spring urges the drawer to move to the open position. A locking member allows keep the drawer closed when not in use. The housing further comprises a shutter hinged on the drawer and carrying a mirror, this flap away from the housing containing the produced at the opening of the drawer, so as to take a position inclined towards the rear.

In this known case, the locking member that keeps the drawer in closed position is constituted by a hook, and proves both unattractive and impractical to manipulate.

Another housing comprising a drawer and an articulated flap carrying a mirror is described in US Pat. No. 3,586,010. In this case, the drawer must be moved manually towards its open position and proves impractical to use.

Finally, many known housings have a housing body on which is articulated a closure lid carrying a mirror. These boxes are difficult to open a only hand.

There is a need to benefit from a housing that is both aesthetic and convenient to use while remaining simple enough to manufacture to be able to marketed on a large scale.

There is also a need to have a housing that can be opened easily, if necessary, with one hand.

The invention aims to meet all or part of these needs.

• un corps de boítier,
• un tiroir mobile selon un axe longitudinal par rapport audit corps entre une position ouverte et une position fermée, ce tiroir comportant au moins un logement pour recevoir un produit cosmétique ou un applicateur,
• un organe élastique agencé pour solliciter en déplacement le tiroir vers la position ouverte.

The object of the invention is, according to a first of its aspects, a housing comprising:

• a housing body,
• a drawer movable along a longitudinal axis relative to said body between an open position and a closed position, this drawer comprising at least one housing for receiving a cosmetic product or an applicator,
• an elastic member arranged to urge the slide towards the open position.

The housing may further comprise a retarder arranged to slow down the drawer movement when opening.

The housing may also include an opening control member disposed laterally on the body of the housing, to control the opening of the drawer and the passage of it from its closed position to its open position under the effect of the elastic member.

The opening control member may in particular be movable along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Thanks to the positioning on the side of the housing of the control member opening, the housing can easily be opened with one hand, which makes it convenient to use.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises in in addition to a pivoting flap, hinged to the drawer, arranged to fold towards the drawer when it takes its closed position and can pivot back when it takes its position opened.

The flap advantageously comprises, on an inner face, a mirror.

The shutter can be articulated in many ways on the drawer and for example be articulated on the drawer in a region close to a longitudinal median plane thereof.

The flap may have an outer face that defines a portion of the surface outer housing. In this case, the flap may comprise for example a curved wall which defines the aforementioned outer surface portion.

The retarder can provide an exit from the drawer and a pivoting of the flap carrying the mirror relatively slow, giving an impression of luxury to the user.

The retarder may comprise, for example, a rotary member rotated when moving the drawer relative to the body of the housing.

The body of the housing may comprise for example a rack on which meshes with a pinion coupled to this rotary member. Rotating member may be partially submerged in a viscous fluid, this fluid exerting a braking force all the greater as the speed is high, and the greater the force of the elastic organ is great.

The elastic member can be made of various shapes and comprise for example a spring, in particular a helical spring working in compression.

The flap may comprise a slide and the body of the housing a relief, for example a lug, engaged in this slide. The slide can be, for example, rectilinear.

The control member is advantageously made in one piece by molding of plastic material with an elastic return member, allowing, when the body of command is released, to recall it to an initial position.

The control member may comprise for example a locking tab flexible and the drawer having at least one relief arranged to cross the locking tab by elastic deformation of the latter, when the drawer is moved to its position of closing.

The locking tab may include an opening allowing the passage of this relief, when the control member is actuated.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the locking lug is made in one piece by plastic molding with the control member opening.

The housing may have for example a discoid shape when the drawer is closed.The drawer can hold a cosmetic product, including care.

• un corps de boítier,
• un tiroir mobile selon un axe longitudinal par rapport audit corps entre une position ouverte et une position fermée, ce tiroir comportant au moins un logement pour recevoir un produit cosmétique ou un applicateur,
• un organe élastique agencé pour solliciter en déplacement le tiroir vers la position ouverte, et
• un volet pouvant pivoter, présentant une face extérieure qui défmit une portion de la surface extérieure du boítier.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, a housing comprising:

• a housing body,
• a drawer movable along a longitudinal axis relative to said body between an open position and a closed position, this drawer comprising at least one housing for receiving a cosmetic product or an applicator,
• an elastic member arranged to urge the slide towards the open position, and
• a pivotable flap, having an outer face which defines a portion of the outer surface of the housing.

• un corps comportant une crémaillère,
• un tiroir mobile relativement au corps entre une position ouverte et une position fermée, ce tiroir comportant au moins un logement pour recevoir un produit cosmétique ou un applicateur,
• un organe élastique pour solliciter en déplacement le tiroir vers sa position ouverte,
• un ralentisseur porté par le tiroir,

ce ralentisseur comportant un organe rotatif entraíné par un pignon engrènant sur la crémaillère.The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, a housing comprising:

• a body including a rack,
• a drawer movable relative to the body between an open position and a closed position, this drawer comprising at least one housing for receiving a cosmetic product or an applicator,
• an elastic member for displacing the slide towards its open position,
• a retarder carried by the drawer,

this retarder comprising a rotary member driven by a pinion meshing on the rack.

• un corps,
• un tiroir mobile relativement au corps entre une position ouverte et une position fermée, ce tiroir comportant au moins un logement pour recevoir un produit cosmétique ou un applicateur,
• un organe élastique pour solliciter en déplacement le tiroir vers sa position ouverte,
• un volet articulé sur le tiroir, ce volet comportant dans une région médiane une patte ayant sensiblement une forme de L, cette patte étant traversée par un axe reçu à ses extrémités dans des logements du tiroir. Le tiroir peut comporter, sur sa face inférieure, une rainure, ayant par exemple une section demi-circulaire, permettant la mise en place de l'axe.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, a housing comprising:

• a body,
• a drawer movable relative to the body between an open position and a closed position, this drawer comprising at least one housing for receiving a cosmetic product or an applicator,
• an elastic member for displacing the slide towards its open position,
• a flap hinged to the drawer, this flap having in a median region a lug having substantially an L shape, this lug being traversed by an axis received at its ends in the housing of the drawer. The drawer may comprise, on its underside, a groove, having for example a semicircular section, allowing the establishment of the axis.

• les figures 1 et 2 représentent en perspective, de manière schématique, le boítier lorsque le tiroir est respectivement fermé et ouvert,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale du boítier lorsque le tiroir est ouvert,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique et partielle du boítier, en perspective de dessous, avec arrachement du corps du boítier laissant apparaítre le mécanisme d'entraínement du tiroir, ce dernier étant en position ouverte,
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 4, le tiroir étant en position fermée,
• la figure 6 représente isolément, de manière partielle et schématique, le corps du boítier,
• la figure 7 représente, de manière partielle et schématique, un détail de réalisation de l'articulation du volet sur le tiroir,
• la figure 8 représente isolément, en perspective, l'organe de commande d'ouverture, et
• la figure 9 représente, de manière partielle et schématique, l'organe de commande d'ouverture, en place dans le corps du boítier.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of a nonlimiting example of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• Figures 1 and 2 show in perspective, schematically, the housing when the drawer is respectively closed and open,
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of the housing when the drawer is open,
• FIG. 4 is a schematic and partial view of the housing, in perspective from below, with tearing of the body of the housing revealing the drive mechanism of the drawer, the latter being in the open position,
• FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, the slide being in the closed position,
• FIG. 6 represents, in isolation, partially and schematically, the body of the housing,
• FIG. 7 represents, partially and schematically, a detail of embodiment of the articulation of the flap on the drawer,
• FIG. 8 represents, in perspective, the opening control member, and
• Figure 9 shows, in a partial and schematic manner, the opening control member, in place in the body of the housing.

The housing 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in particular comprises a body 2, having a generally flattened shape, a drawer 3 movable along a longitudinal axis X relative to the body 2 and an opening control member 4 which can be depressed according to a Y axis substantially perpendicular to the X axis to control the opening of the drawer 3 and the automatic passage from the closed position illustrated in Figure 1 to the open position shown in Figure 2.

The body 2 is for example formed by the assembly of a lower part and a upper part essentially made each by plastic molding. The assembly can be performed for example by snapping, welding or gluing.

The housing 1 further comprises a flap 5 which is articulated on the drawer 3 around a geometric axis of rotation R which is perpendicular to the axis X.

This flap 5 carries, on an inner face, a mirror 6.

The drawer 3 comprises a housing 7 receiving in the illustrated example a reserve at least one product P, in particular a cosmetic product such as, for example, a complexion, a blush, a make-up, an eye shadow or a mascara made of bread to be disintegrated.

Of course, the invention is not limited to a particular product P and the housing 7 can also receive an applicator such as for example a brush, a comb, a brush, a sponge or a foam, this list not being limiting.

If necessary, the drawer 3 may comprise both a housing for containing a stock of at least one product and at least one housing for receiving at least one applicator allowing to apply this or these products on a surface of the human body.

The angle α that the mirror 6 makes with the plane of the front part 3a of the drawer 3 when the latter is in the open position, is obtuse, as can be seen in FIG. being for example of the order of 120 °.

The flap 5 has, in the example under consideration, a tab 10 having a general shape of L and whose base extends generally perpendicular to the plane of the mirror 6 forward, as can be seen in Figure 7 in particular. This tab 10 is received in a housing 12 made in the drawer 3 in a region close to a median plane longitudinal axis, containing the X axis.

An axis 14, for example metal, passes through the lug 10 along the axis R, this axis 14 being engaged at its ends in bosses 60 of the drawer 3, visible in FIG. 4, by example made with the drawer 3 by plastic molding, laterally on the side and other of housing 12.

The lower face 17 of the drawer 3 may comprise, as can be seen in particular in Figure 4, a groove 16 of semicircular section, allowing the establishment of the axis 14 through the bosses 60 and the tab 10.

The casing body 2 comprises at least one relief, such as for example a lug 18, as can be seen in particular in Figures 3 and 6, which cooperates with a slide 20 of flap 5, so as to cause pivoting towards the rear of it when the drawer 3 passes from the closed position to the open position and the reverse movement when the drawer is closed.

In the example considered, the slide 20 is rectilinear and extends since substantially the lower end of the tab 10 to about half-way of the mirror 6, as can be seen in Figure 7.

The slide 20 is made in a wall 22 which extends substantially in a median plan of component 5.

The lug 18 is carried, in the example considered, by a wall 23 made of a single holding by molding of plastic material with an upper part of the casing body 2. A corresponding notch 61 is made in the flap 5, as can be seen in Figure 1.

The longitudinal axis of the slide 20 is oriented substantially parallel to the plane mirror 6, in the illustrated example.

The housing 1 also comprises an elastic member 30, which is apparent on the Figures 4 and 5, to bias the drawer 3 to its open position.

This elastic member 30 is for example, as illustrated, in the form of a helical spring having its longitudinal axis parallel to the X axis and working in compression, this spring 30 pressing at one end against the rear part of the drawer 3 and pressing the opposite end against the casing body 2.

A housing 31 is made in the drawer 3 to receive the spring 30 in the state compressed, when the housing is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 5.

Maintaining the drawer 3 in the closed position can be obtained thanks to an organ of 40 which is made in the example considered in one piece by molding of plastic material with the opening control member 4.

This locking member 40 is in the example in the form of a flexible tab which is arranged on the side of the lower face 17 of the drawer 3 and against which can support a relief 43 made on the lower face 17 of the drawer 3, as illustrated in Figure 5.

This relief 43 is in the form of a tooth having a front face 44 extending substantially perpendicular to the X axis and to the plane of the lower face 17, bearing against an end portion 46 of the locking tab 40 when the drawer is in the closed position and the control member 4 at rest, so as to maintain the drawer 3 stationary despite the return action of the spring 30.

The relief 43 also has an inclined rear face 45, opposite to the face before 44 and able to cross the tab 40 when the drawer 3 is pushed by the user to his closed position, the tab 40 having a certain elasticity which allows it to rise at relief passage 43.

A recess is made on the tab 40, this recess being positioned thereon so as to face the relief 43 when the opening control member 4 is fully depressed along the Y axis. The front face 44 of the tooth 43 then ceases to bear on the leg 40 and the drawer 3 can gain its open position under the action spring recall 30.

Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 8, the control member opening 4 comprises an elastic return member 49 for bringing it back into its initial position when the user stops pressing.

This return member 49 is for example made in one piece with the body of opening control 4 in the form of a flexible blade bent U-shaped, which is supported by top of the U against a range made on the body of the housing.

The opening control member 4 is prevented from leaving the housing by example by abutment of the end of the tab 40 opposite the drawer against a scope of the party upper body 2.

In order to slow down the movement of the drawer 3 as it moves from its closed position at the open position under the spring return effect 30, a retarder 70 is planned.

This retarder 70 comprises in the example in question a rotary member 50, rotated by a pinion 51, and a housing 52 fixed in a corresponding housing of the rear part of the drawer 3.

The rotary member 50 rotates, in the illustrated example, an element located at inside the housing 52, the latter being filled with a viscous liquid, for example an oil of silicone, so that a braking torque is created all the more than the speed rotation is high. The geometric axis of rotation of the rotary member is in the example considered perpendicular to the axis X and also perpendicular to the plane of the drawer 3.

The body 2 of the housing includes a rack 55 oriented parallel to the X axis and on which the pinion 51 meshes.

The displacement of the slide 3 in translation along the axis X is accompanied by a rotation of the pinion 51 and therefore of the rotary member 50 of the retarder 70, which makes it possible to brake the drawer 3 in its opening movement.

The operation of the housing 1 is as follows. We assume drawer 3 in position closed as shown in Figure 1. The flap 5 covers the product P.

To use the housing 1, the user presses the control member opening 4 along the Y axis. This releases the drawer 3, which can slowly gain its position. opening by the expansion of the spring 30, thwarted by the retarder 70.

Once the housing is open, the user can take the product and make-up in using the mirror 6.

To close the drawer 3, the user pushes it along the X axis until engagement of the relief 43 behind the leg 40.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the example just described. We may in particular still realize the opening control member, the drawer or the articulation of the shutter on the drawer and otherwise slow the opening movement of the drawer.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the phrase "comprising a "must be understood as being synonymous with" having at least one "unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (19)

Housing (1) comprising: a body (2) housing, a drawer (3) movable along a longitudinal axis (X) with respect to said body between an open position and a closed position, this drawer comprising at least one housing (7) for receiving a cosmetic product (P) or an applicator, an elastic member (30) arranged to urge the slide towards the open position in displacement, an opening control member (4), arranged laterally on the body of the housing, for controlling the opening of the drawer and the passage from its closed position to its open position under the effect of the elastic member, and a retarder (70) arranged to slow the movement of the drawer (3) during opening. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a pivoting flap hinged to the drawer and arranged to fold towards the drawer when it takes its closed position and can pivot back when it takes its open position. Housing according to claim 2, characterized in that the flap (5) is articulated on the slide (3) in a region close to a longitudinal median plane thereof. Housing according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flap (5) has on an inner face a mirror (6). Housing according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the flap (5) has an outer face which defines a portion of the outer surface of the housing. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retarder (70) exerts a braking force even greater than the speed of the drawer is high. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retarder comprises a rotary member (50) driven in rotation during the displacement of the drawer. Housing according to claim 7, characterized in that the body of the housing comprises a rack (55) on which meshes a pinion (51) coupled to the rotary member (50). Housing according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the rotary member (50) is partially immersed in a viscous fluid. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic member (30) comprises a spring, in particular a helical spring working in compression. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flap (5) comprises a slide (20) and the casing body a relief, in particular a lug (18), engaged in this slide. Housing according to claim 11, characterized in that the slide (20) is rectilinear. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening control member (4) is made in one piece by molding plastics material with an elastic return member (49) arranged to bring back the opening control member in an initial position when it is released by the user. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening control member (4) comprises a flexible locking tab (40). Housing according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one relief (43) is arranged to cross the locking tab (40) by elastic deformation of the latter when the drawer is moved to its closed position. Housing according to one of claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the locking lug (40) has a recess (47) allowing the passage of said relief (43) when the control member is actuated. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control member (4) is movable along an axis (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X). Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a disc shape when the drawer (3) is closed. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drawer contains a cosmetic product (P).

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