FR3116705A1 - Refill of consumable solid-pasty material to be applied to a support, in stick form, intended for a refillable sliding case, and case of material relating thereto - Google Patents

Abstract

The cup (18) for the stick holder of a refill R comprises a side wall (29), a sliding slot (14), a housing (39) for receiving the stick B, a lug (40) integral with the side wall (29) having a peduncle (17), means (55b) for forward travel relative to a refill cap (27) located towards the front end (31) of the side wall (29), where the peduncle (17) can pass through the slot (14) and is extended by a distal manipulation slider (41), an arrangement of association with the case which comprises a radially elastically deformable structure (42). Abstract Figure: Figure 6

Description

Refill of consumable solid-pasty material to be applied to a support, in stick form, intended for a refillable sliding case, and case of material relating thereto

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of refillable sliding cases for packaging and application on a support of a consumable solid-pasty material in the form of a stick, and refills of such a stick of material for such a case.

State of the prior art

In an application more specifically described, the material is a cosmetic product such as a colored or colorless lipstick, a foundation, a treatment or moisturizing composition, a care product such as a balm, a deodorant, an ornamental product such as a colored pencil for the skin. The support is then the human body, in particular the face, the nails, the hair. It can also be a different material but which, with regard to its stick shape, its packaging, its application and its implementation by means of a case, has similar technical characteristics. Thus, the invention is also applicable, in particular, to medicaments or pharmaceutical products, cleaning products, decorative products. This is how “ matter to be applied ” (or more simply “ matter ”) should be understood. The application of the material on the support means the deposition of a certain quantity of material on the support by means of a slight contact of the stick on the support, which may include sliding.

" Stick " refers to the shape given to the material to be applied and also designates the corresponding block of material. For a lipstick, the term “ grape ” is also used, for others, the term “ stick ”. The stick is cylindrical in shape with a front end for application and a rear end for attachment. " Front " refers to that which is towards or near the application medium and " rear " is opposed to front. These front and rear qualifiers also apply to the case and the refill.

In the case of a lipstick, the stick most often includes a powdery phase and a rather oily phase for ease and softness of application. As a result, the stick has a certain fragility, because touching it, grasping it, a fortiori squeezing it with the fingers, leads to its deterioration and to the dirtiness of the user's fingers.

In one application, a refillable slider case is a lipstick case. Such a case is also intended for storage, transport, presentation and marketing, storage or deposit in an ad hoc place (kit, vanity unit, etc.) as well as the implementation of the stick c' that is to say its application on a support. The term " case " refers to a means of packaging having a certain rigidity, which is adapted to the shape of its content (the stick) and which aims to protect it and allow its manipulation. The term " holster " is not exclusive of others, such as " stick " (by ellipse of " stick holster "), " sheath ", depending on the applications envisaged.

The case, which like the baton and the refill, has an extension axis (sometimes referred to as an ellipse axis), firstly comprises a body which is its main part forming a baton-bearing structure, most often including at least a hollow tubular part, a means of association of the stick, a means for the sliding of the stick with a view to its use and, secondly, an auxiliary part which is a removable closing cover. The shape of the case is adapted to that of the stick (in particular cylindrical with a circular or oval outline), generally rigid, self-supporting, transportable and manipulable by the user. The case has dimensions adapted to the stick. For example, it may have a length of the order of 6 cm to 10 cm and a diameter of the order of 2 cm to 4 cm for a lipstick. It may have a larger diameter in the case of a deodorant, or smaller in the case of a stick tip. For the application of the material of the stick, we use the main part of the case, the cover having been removed and dissociated. Thus, the case can be in two states: open (cover separated from the body), closed (cover attached to the body).

In general, the qualifier " associated " used in relation to several means must be understood as meaning that these means are structurally and/or functionally combined with a view to a certain result.

" Axial " refers to what is arranged in the axis or parallel to it (including substantially parallel), " transverse " to what is arranged perpendicular to the axis (including substantially perpendicular) and whether or not passing through it , " radial " to that which extends in a transverse direction passing through the axis. " Rim " refers to what goes around, relative to the axis. “ Peripheral ” refers to what is arranged around the perimeter. " Internal " or "inner" refers to that which is closest to the axis or facing it. " External " or " external " refers to that which is furthest from the axis or facing away from it. " Lateral " refers to what is on the side of the axis.

" Sliding " qualifying the case (or such part of the case) means that it allows, because of its layout, to slide its content (the stick) between a retracted configuration and a protruding configuration. In the retracted configuration, the stick is placed inside the hollow main part of the case, the stick not being used. In the projecting configuration, the front end of the stick and an adjoining part project outside the main part, forward, so that the stick can be used for the application of the material.

According to a first embodiment, sliding is an exclusively axial, non-rotating movement, and for this reason qualified as “ straight ”. According to a second embodiment, sliding is a combined axial and rotary movement around the axis, and for this reason qualified as “ helical ”. In this case, two cylinders mounted one inside the other, sliding and rotating, are generally provided, one comprising a straight slot or groove and the other a helical groove or slot, cooperating with a projection of a moving part.

" Refillable " qualifying a given case, means that this case can be associated as needed with new, identical or similar sticks (for example of a different color or fragrance), when this is necessary or desired, especially when a previous stick has been completely used up. “ Associated ” means here more precisely that the stick is mounted on and in the case, so that it is carried and held by it, and in doing so can be used for the application. In this configuration, the stick thus mounted constitutes or belongs to what is called “ recharging in place ”.

“ Empty case ” designates the case alone, without refill in place, therefore without stick. It is essentially a mechanical device that allows you to attach a stick to it. “ Charged case ” designates the case with which a reload in place is associated, therefore a stick, which includes the case of a reloaded case. This is what the user can use for the application of the material.

Being a cosmetic material, it is sometimes required that the case has a qualitative aspect for the buyer or the user, its external appearance being very attractive and being able to be interpreted from the first glance as a promise of quality giving confidence. Often it is desirable for the buyer or user to be able to know what exactly the contents of the case are when closed, for example the color of the grape. For this purpose, the case may include a pellet of the color of the grape, or all or part of the outer face of the case may be of this color. In other cases, such as certain everyday products, it is only necessary that the appearance be suitable.

" Refill " in relation to a stick of material, designates a structural unit (sometimes also called spare or cartridge) available to the user to have obtained it, comprising at least one stick, which is distinct from the empty case, and which is intended to associate the baton with the empty case. The operation by which a stick from a new refill is associated with a case is called “ fitting ”. The preliminary operation by which a stick which was previously associated with a case is dissociated from it is called “ removal ”. A refill can be found in several successive configurations (which means constitution, layout, arrangement). In a first configuration, the refill then qualified as “ packaged ”, is as it is presented for sale and available to the user and may include an overwrap such as a box, a sheath or an envelope. Then, in a second configuration, then described as “ unpacked ”, the user has removed the overwrapping in view of the implementation to come. In a third configuration, described as “ new and ready ”, the recharge is in the configuration just preceding the installation so as to make it possible. Between the unpacked configuration and the new and ready configuration, it is possible that the user has carried out a preparatory operation. Finally, in a fourth final configuration, then qualified as “in place”, the user has put the new and ready refill in place, so that the loaded case can then be used. In this configuration, the stick is consumed each time it is used and, once it has been used up completely, the refill is described as " consumed ", it being specified that there always remains a residual part of the stick that is not used, but practically unusable. , or that the user may not wait until the stick has been used up completely, when he wishes to use another stick. The term “ recharge ” is used without any other qualifier, when it is not required to distinguish its configuration.

A first type of lipstick case is known (US 1236846, US 1862271) which, as designed, are not refillable. When the grapes have been totally or almost used up, the user must throw away the case, which is prohibitive if this is deemed unacceptable because of the cost of the case, the user's attachment to it ( for its qualitative aspect, its design, its brand), or for ecological reasons. FR 255643, FR 2577397 and FR 2603468 describe cases of the first type comprising an inner tubular element made of metal and an outer sleeve made of molded plastic. EP 0597591 describes an applicator for cosmetic product but does not aim to propose a new arrangement for lipstick refills or the substitution of one colored ointment by another, because this is considered unhealthy, because all the materials of lipstick touch and contaminate the inside of the case. The intent is indeed to provide a system in which the case is sold separately from the set comprising the lipstick cup, and the two are combined to form a new permanent unit. There is provided a cup carrying the grapes comprising towards the rear of the clipping projections arranged so as to cooperate permanently with a transverse edge of a cup holder forming part of the case.

The invention does not belong to this first type of non-refillable case. A second type of case, rechargeable, overcomes the previous drawbacks, and comes in several families.

In a first family of refillable cases, there is provided a grape reception cup which is an integral and permanent part of the case. The refill consists of a grape and a protective coating in the form of an envelope of soft wax-like material with a removal tab. The refill does not include a cup or the like. For placement, the user takes the grapes by the coating, then, having grasped the tab, detaches the rear end of the coating so as to uncover the rear end of the grapes which can be mounted in the cup , while the stick remains protected by the coating towards its front end, which avoids damaging it and preventing the user from getting their fingers dirty. This arrangement has the disadvantage that the removal of the coating is a complicated and unsatisfactory operation. In addition, it leads to waste, which is contrary to ecological requirements. In addition, when it comes to replacing the rest of a grape with a new grape, it is necessary to clean the bucket and get rid of the residual part of the unused grape, which is a long, tedious operation. and dirty. The invention does not belong to this first family.

In a second family of refillable cases, provision is made, on the one hand, for a grape holder cup supporting the grapes and constituting the refill and, on the other hand, distinctly, a movable sliding support forming an integral and permanent part of the case. The bucket and the mobile support mutually comprise complementary removable rigid association means. According to FR 2642624, the mobile support has a thread and the grape holder has a thread and a keyway. The grape holder is screwed onto the thread of the holder. A handling cap is provided with a keying complementary to that of the grape holder, these keyings being implemented both for the screwing of installation and the unscrewing of removal by ensuring a locking against rotation. This case has the disadvantages that the operations of association and dissociation of keyings and threads are neither intuitive, nor easy, nor fast, they require care and meticulousness. It is not guaranteed that the combination of keyways and threads will be correct and effective. You must keep the manipulation cap to unscrew and remove the grape holder. The handling cap is not attached to the grape holder. According to EP 3148367, the grapes are mounted in a cup (grape holder cup), by means of an arrangement with teeth or by clamping and this cup is mounted in an integral and removable manner on the slider (moving support) by means of an assembly by screwing or cooperation of male and female or magnetic organs. A refill consists of a grape, a refill cup and a refill cap. This embodiment has the disadvantage that the operations of installation and especially of removal are complicated, long and especially that the removal requires the use of an extractor.

The embodiments according to the second family all have the disadvantage of requiring not only a bucket but also a mobile support, i.e. two parts, which is penalizing in terms of quantity of raw material, weight, cost, complexity. The invention does not belong to this second family.

In a third family, provision is made solely for a grape holder bucket supporting the grapes mounted directly in the case, without the need for an intermediate sliding mobile support belonging to the case. FR 1124179, describes a bucket, intended to be part of a refill for a lipstick stick, having the function of holding the stick. The cup is adapted to be associated with a retractable hollow case comprising on the one hand a hollow cylinder with an open front edge and a helical lateral slot and, on the other hand, a body with an axial internal groove. The slot and groove of constant width, without shrinkage, open on the front edge. The cup is arranged to be able to be put in place in the case, once filled with a stick of lipstick, to be moved by helical sliding with respect to the case between two respectively retracted and projecting configurations, and finally to be extracted and separated from the case when desired, especially when the stick has been consumed. The bucket comprises, with an axis, a peripheral side wall of cylindrical shape, having on the one hand a front part with a front end having a front opening, and a rear end, and on the other hand, an external face and a internal delimiting a space. The bucket also has a transverse partition adjoining the side wall, located in the space. The bucket thus provides a housing in the front part of the space, arranged to receive the stick by its rear part coming into abutment on the transverse partition. The slot, the groove and a lug of the cup form a suitable association arrangement so that the cup can be mounted and guided in the case, with helical sliding. This association arrangement is based on the characteristic that the lug cooperates with the slot and the groove. This is how the bucket is slidably moved and held at the slidable location where it was brought. The bucket pin is fixed to the side wall, in the middle position between the front end and the rear end, and extends radially outwards. The lug consists of a single part cooperating with the slot and the groove, having the function of guiding the bucket with helical sliding. It has no outward extension. Once the cup is in place, the lug is completely inside the case and therefore cannot be directly touched, stressed or moved by the user. Apart from the lug, the outer face of the side wall is cylindrical with no protruding portion directed radially outwards. The lug is also an end-of-travel means of the bucket, capable of cooperating with an end-of-travel means complementary to a protection and handling cap, namely a slot made in the side wall of the cap. As a result, the end-of-stroke means of the cup is moved away from the front end of the side wall and coincides with the projection. This protection and handling cap is separate from the bucket, and suitable for being mounted on it by sliding with significant engagement, up to the lug. For the installation of the refill, the bucket is introduced into the opening of the case and it comes into axial locking on its front edge, then the maneuvering head of the case is rotated until the lug enters the groove, then the slot. As a result, the placement of the cup is delicate and hazardous since the cup remains on the edge of the opening of the case until it enters the groove, which requires in particular that the case be held with its axis quite vertical, while, simultaneously, the head of the case must be rotated. The same is true of kidnapping. In addition, the arrangement described by this document is limited to helical sliding and does not allow straight sliding. As a result, the case necessarily comprises an inner cylinder and an outer body, i.e. two parts, not including the cup and the cover. This results in a high cost, a large quantity of material and a complex assembly. In addition, the user is unable to know what the exact content of the refill is once it is in place and the case is closed.

• The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks and limitations of sliding cases and refills of this third family to which it is attached. Thus, the problem underlying the invention is, in the context of this third family, to be able to have a refillable sliding case (without its own sliding support) and a refill comprising a baton holder cup, with, all at once:
  - A simple construction, few component parts, namely two main parts, namely a metal case and a plastic cup, besides of course a refill cap and a cover for closing the case. As a result, a reduced quantity of constituent materials, a simple manufacture, an acceptable cost. Minimal amount of material discarded during removal.
• An absence of play or chattering of the cup and therefore of the stick, in particular in the event of vibrations (during transport for example). And a variation of the friction value of the cup on the minimal case even in the event of changes in ambient parameters such as temperature and aging.
• The uselessness of providing lubrication (as with silicone), which is an asset from an ornamental point of view, and in the event of accidental lubrication (emanating from the stick) the absence of a negative impact on operation.
• Easy installation requiring no screwing or the application of significant force, without deterioration of the stick, and without soiling of the fingers, even when the refill is gripped with the fingers.
• During implementation, sliding of the cup is easily ensured by direct action by the user on the lug.
• Regular, " smooth " and smooth, " unctuous " sliding, easy and pleasant over the entire stroke, apart from a functional hard point, between the extreme retracted and protruding configurations with controlled braking and, simultaneously, effective maintenance of the stick in protruding configuration, without inadvertent displacement.
• The absence of squeaking during operation, the noise being low and pleasant.
• A removal requiring no disengagement tool or the cleaning of a cup that is an integral part of the case.
• A qualitative aspect.
• The possibility of identifying the nature (including also the color) of the material of the stick from the outside of the closed case provided with its hood.
• A very great flexibility of realization, the sliding can be straight or helical, the carrying structure of the sheath can have one or more slots, with one or more projections provided with a distal part for the manual entry by the user.

According to a first aspect, the subject of the invention is a stick-holder cup, intended to form part of a refill of a stick of consumable solid-pasty material to be applied to a support, having the function of holding the stick, suitable to be associated with a retractable hollow case in the empty configuration, having a body with a case front opening bounded by a case front edge and an axially extended sliding side slot with an open front end,
- the cup being arranged to be able to be put in place in the case when it is lined with a stick, to be, during use, slidably moved relative to the case between two extreme configurations retracted and projecting , and be extracted and separated from the case when desired,
- the cup, comprising, with an axis:
- a peripheral side wall of the cup, rigid as a whole, comprising on the one hand a front part of the cup with a front end of the cup having a front opening of the cup limited by a front free edge of the cup, and a rear part of the cup with a rear end of the cup, and on the other hand an outer face of the cup and an inner face of the cup delimiting an interior space of the cup,
- a front cup housing in the front part of the cup space, arranged to receive the stick by its rear part, so as to hold it,
- an association arrangement adapted so that the cup can be mounted and guided in the case,
- a lug integral with the side wall of the cup, extending radially outwards, having a proximal peduncle capable of cooperating with the sliding slot to guide the cup,
- a cup travel end means forward relative to a refill cap, belonging to the side wall of the cup, arranged to cooperate with a cap travel end means rearward relative to the cup .

This cup is such that:
- the peduncle has a length in the radial direction allowing it to pass through the through sliding slot,
- the peduncle is extended outwards by a distal handling slider arranged to be able to be touched, acted on and moved by the user in order to move the cup by sliding,
- the association arrangement comprises a radially elastically deformable structure, belonging to the side wall of the cup or associated with it, arranged to - being constrained inwards by the case - ensure contact with gentle friction and braking of the cup on the case on the stroke between the retracted and protruding extreme configurations, controlled so that the cup is moved smoothly when the slider is moved by the user, and that in the absence of user input , the cup is maintained at the sliding location where it was brought, including during the application of the material, while the stick is in light contact on the support,
- The end of cup end of travel means forward relative to the refill cap is located towards the front end of the side wall of the cup, and separated from the lug forwards.

According to one embodiment, the radially elastically deformable structure comprises a projecting portion of the outer face of the side wall of the cup, located in the rear part, directed radially outwards, arranged so as to be able to be moved elastically inwards a once the cup is in place in the case.

According to different realizations:
- the protruding portion comprises a protruding part or several protruding parts, and/or
- the protruding portion is arranged over all or only part of the periphery of the side wall of the cup, and/or
- several protruding parts are arranged around the periphery of the side wall of the cup in a continuous or discontinuous manner, adjoining, or adjacent or spaced apart.

According to one embodiment, a protruding portion is provided on at least one peripheral sector of the side wall of the cup in the hollow rear part that it limits, between two axially extended continuity solutions of a length capable of allowing the radial deformation of the peripheral sector towards the inside clean to ensure contact with gentle friction and braking of the cup and the maintenance of the cup at the sliding location where it has been brought.

According to one embodiment, the lug is arranged outside the elastically deformable structure radially, in particular is arranged in the vicinity between the front part and the rear part of the cup.

According to the embodiments, the cup comprises a single lug, or two lugs, or at least three lugs, with a peduncle and a slider, regularly distributed around the axis in the event of a plurality of lugs, with the same plurality of sliding slots .

According to the embodiments, the slider is characterized in that:
- either it is an integral part of the cup to be integral with it, or it is attached to it, using a means of association such as screwing, gluing, clipping, pressing in, and/or
- it is bulged to facilitate its touch, its solicitation and its movement by the user, and/or
- it has an appearance, in particular a shade of color, corresponding to the characteristics, in particular the shade of color, of the stick.

According to one embodiment, the means for the end of the cup travel forward relative to the cap comprises the front free edge of the cup.

According to one embodiment, the cup also comprises a means of removable rigid association of the cup with the cap, belonging to the side wall of the cup and located towards the front end of the cup, capable of cooperating with a removable rigid association means of cap to the cup, in such a way, on the one hand, that the cup and the associated cap form a unitary assembly allowing manipulation of the cup with a view to positioning it via the cap, on the other hand, that the cup and the cap can be dissociated from each other after placement. In particular, the means for removable rigid association of the cup with the cap comprises a relief provided on the external face of the side wall of the cup in the vicinity of the front opening of the cup. According to achievements:
- the relief comprises a portion of relief or several portions of relief, and/or
- the relief is arranged over all or only part of the circumference of the side wall of the cup, and/or
- several parts in relief are arranged around the periphery of the side wall of the cup in a continuous or discontinuous manner, adjoining, or adjacent or spaced apart, and/or
- the relief is hollow, in particular a groove, or part of a groove.

According to one embodiment, the peduncle has a dimension in the transverse direction chosen so as to be:
- slightly less than the width of the main section of the sliding slot, except for the clearance necessary to guide the cup in the case with smooth sliding, over the course of the main section of the slot between the extreme retracted and protruding configurations,
- Slightly greater than the width of a narrowing of the sliding slot in the absence of request for widening of the latter or request for narrowing in the transverse direction of the peduncle.

According to the embodiments, the cup is made of plastic material in whole or in part, or else in metal in whole or in part.

According to a second aspect, the subject of the invention is a recharging of a baton, in its new and ready configuration just preceding the installation of the baton to associate it with an empty case, comprising, with an axis:
- a pole holder cup as previously described,
- a stick of material whose rear part is received in the front housing of the cup, so as to hold it, and whose front part protrudes forwards from the front housing,
- a refill cap, rigid as a whole, having a peripheral casing comprising a lateral part and a top part opposite a base having an opening, an external face and an internal face delimiting an internal housing for the protruding part of the stick, and comprising:
- a end cap end of travel means towards the rear relative to the cup, located towards the opening of the cap and arranged to cooperate with the cup end of travel means forward relative to the cap,
- A cap stroke end means rearward relative to the case, adapted to cooperate with a case end stroke means forward relative to the cap.

According to one embodiment, the end cap end of travel means towards the rear relative to the cup comprises a transverse recess of the internal face of the lateral part of the casing of the cap, located towards the opening of the cap by means of a spacing axial with it, and facing the opening of the cap. Specifically :
- the recess comprises a recess part or several recess parts, and/or
- the recess is arranged over all or only part of the periphery of the side part of the casing of the cap and/or
- Several recess parts are arranged on the periphery of the side part of the casing of the cap continuously or discontinuously, adjoining, or adjacent or spaced.

According to the embodiments, the cap end-of-stroke means towards the rear relative to the case is, in the case of a cylindrical cap base, the edge limiting the opening of the cap and, in the case of a base of the cap flared towards the opening of the cap, the part of the internal face of the cap adjacent to the edge limiting the opening of the cap.

According to one embodiment, the new and ready refill further comprises a means of removable rigid association of the cap to the cup, belonging to the internal face of the lateral part of the casing of the cap, located towards the opening of the cap by means of a axial spacing therewith, capable of cooperating with a means of removable rigid association of the cup to the cap, so that, on the one hand, the cap and the cup can form a unitary assembly allowing manipulation of the cup in view of the establishment via the cap, on the other hand, that the cap and the cup can be separated from one another after the establishment.

According to one embodiment, the means for removable rigid association of the cap to the cup is arranged between the recess of the cap end-of-stroke means towards the rear with respect to the cup and the opening of the cap.

According to the embodiments, the removable rigid cap-to-cup association means comprises a relief such as:
- the relief comprises a portion of relief or several portions of relief, and/or
- the relief is arranged over all or only part of the circumference of the side part of the envelope of the cap, and/or
- several parts in relief are arranged around the periphery of the side part of the casing of the cap in a continuous or discontinuous manner, adjoining, or adjacent or spaced apart,
- the relief is projecting, in particular a boss, bead or part of a bead.

According to the embodiments, the base of the refill cap towards the edge limiting its opening is either cylindrical like the remaining part of the cap or flared towards the opening.

According to a third aspect, the subject of the invention is a refill in its configuration in place, with the stick associated with a case, which is similar to that previously described, but without a refill cap, the latter having been separated from the cup stick holder at the end of the setup.

According to a fourth aspect, the subject of the invention is a refillable, hollow sliding case, in empty configuration, comprising, with an axis, in addition to a removable closing cap, a case body having:
- a peripheral side wall of the case, rigid as a whole, comprising on the one hand a front part of the case with a front end of the case having a front case opening limited by a front free edge of the case, and a rear part of the case with a rear end of the case provided with a bottom, and on the other hand an external face of the case and an internal face of the case delimiting an internal housing of the case, capable of receiving the baton ,
- an axially extended sliding side slot formed in the side wall of the case, with an open front end and a closed rear end.

This empty case is such that:
- it is specially adapted to be associated with a baton with a new and ready refill as previously described,
- apart from the closing cap, it essentially consists of the side wall of the case with its bottom, excluding any other cylinder, sheath, slider or cup holder,
- the slot is through and able to cooperate with the peduncle which passes through it, to guide the cup,
- the internal face of the case side wall is provided to cooperate with the radially elastically deformable structure of the cup, so - the elastically deformable structure being constrained inwards by the internal face of the case side wall - , to ensure contact with gentle friction and braking of the cup on the case over the stroke corresponding to the extreme retracted and protruding configurations, controlled so that the cup is moved with smooth sliding when the slider is moved by the user, and that in the absence of user input, the cup is maintained at the sliding location where it was brought, including during the application of the material, while the stick is in light contact on the support,
- It comprises means for the case end of travel forward relative to the refill cap, capable of cooperating with the means for the end of the cap stroke rearward relative to the case.

According to one embodiment, the sliding slot has a narrowing of smaller width located towards – but away from – the front end of the slot.

According to one embodiment, the empty case further comprises an axially extended widening side slot formed in the side wall of the case, with an open front end, intended to allow the narrowing to be slightly widened when the peduncle passes through it.

According to one embodiment, the sliding slot has a flared open front end, able to facilitate the axial introduction of the peduncle.

According to the embodiments, the sliding slot is either straight or helical, the sliding of the stick being either straight or helical.

Depending on the embodiment, the empty case comprises a single sliding slot, or two sliding slots, or at least three sliding slots.

According to one embodiment, the end of travel means of the case forward relative to the cap is the edge of the front opening of the case.

According to one embodiment, the case side wall is made of metal by machining, including drilling or turning, the internal face of the side wall being devoid of draft or undercut.

According to a fifth aspect, the subject of the invention is a case loaded with a stick of solid-pasty material, comprising an empty refillable sliding case as previously described, and a refill in place as it was previously described, in which the cup is associated directly with the case.

According to one embodiment, the width of the narrowing is slightly less than the dimension in the transverse direction of the peduncle, which during sliding:
- can come into abutment forwards against the rear edge of the constriction, thus forming a hard point, so that the cup and the case, once associated, cannot be dissociated unexpectedly, but can be with a stress enough of the slider forwards to cross the hard point, the main slot section, between the rear edge of the narrowing and the closed rear end of the slot defining the race between the retracted and protruding extreme configurations,
- can come into abutment towards the rear against the front edge of the constriction, thus forming a hard point, which can be crossed with sufficient pressure from the cap or the slider towards the rear.

According to one embodiment, the rear edge of the constriction is separated in the axial direction from the open front end of the sliding slot by a distance close to or slightly less than the distance in the axial direction between the peduncle and the front free edge of the cup or the means of removable rigid association of the cup to the cap, so that in the extreme protruding position, the cup protrudes slightly from the case.

According to one embodiment, the main slot section, between the rear edge of the constriction and the closed rear end of the slot corresponds to the length of the new stick section outside the cup.

According to one embodiment, apart from the closure cap, the loaded case essentially consists of the side wall of the case, the cup and the stick.

According to one embodiment, the side wall of the case and the cup, arranged to slide straight or helically, are in plastic-metal contact.

According to a sixth aspect, the subject of the invention is a method for placing a stick of a new and ready refill as it has been described, in a refillable sliding case, empty as it has been described. , in which :
- we have such an empty case available,
- such a new and ready refill is available,
- the empty case and the new and ready refill are seized by the refill cap, and the rear part of the cup is brought opposite the front opening of the case, coaxially and with the lug of the cup opposite the front opening of the sliding slot,
- the rear part of the cup is made to penetrate into the front part of the case and the lug into the sliding slot,
- a relative movement of the cup filled with the stick and associated with the refill cap, and of the case, is ensured, so as to cause the stick to penetrate into the interior housing of the case,
- and the refill cap and the cup are separated.

According to one embodiment, to separate the refill cap and the cup, the peduncle is brought to the second hard point against the front edge of the constriction, then the edge of the opening of the cap is brought into abutment against the edge of the opening of the case by forcing the passage of the front edge of the constriction, then the slider is urged rearwards so as to dissociate the respective removable rigid association means of the cap and the cup.

According to one embodiment, an operation to remove a refill consumed in place has previously been carried out and, for this purpose, the cursor is moved forwards so as to cause the cup to slide forwards, and make it cross the narrowing until completely extracting the cup from the interior housing of the case, and this without the need for an extractor or the like.

is a front elevational view of a closed loaded case showing its side wall and its closure cap and the slider for handling the cup placed in the case;

and the ;

are two respectively front side and top views of the case loaded with the ;

is a front elevational view of an open loaded case with the cover removed. The figure shows the side wall of the case, a sliding slot here on the right, the part of the cup protruding from the side wall of the case, the stick of material to be applied, the manipulation slider allowing the cup to slide ;

and ;

are two cross-sectional views of the loaded case along the VV and VI-VI sectional planes of FIGS. 2 and 1. These figures show in particular the stick in the extreme retracted position and the manipulation slider allowing the cup to slide. They illustrate the radially elastically deformable structure of the cup in contact with the internal face of the peripheral side wall of the case;

is a side elevational view of a refill in its new and ready configuration, showing the cup with its slider and the refill cap mounted on the cup in its variant embodiment with the end part towards the edge limiting its flared opening towards the 'opening ;

is a front elevational view of the refill of the .

is a front elevational view of the refill in its alternative embodiment with the end part towards the edge limiting its cylindrical opening;

is a section view according to the IX-IX section plane of the , of the refill new and ready, showing the cup with its slider, the material stick and the refill cap mounted on the cup. It illustrates the radially elastically deformable structure of the cup;

is a front elevational view of the side wall of the open empty case, without the closure cap, showing the sliding slot, here a straight slot. It also shows a means of removable rigid fastening of the wall to the cover;

is a front rear elevational view of the side wall of the open empty case, without the closure cap, showing the expansion slot;

is a top view of the side wall of the open empty case of Figures 10 and 11, showing the slide slot and the expansion slot;

is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the side wall of the open empty case, without the closure cap, showing the sliding slot and its narrowing.

is an enlargement of the showing the narrowing of the sliding slot;

is a front elevational view of the cup showing its side wall, its distal manipulation slider, its radially elastically deformable structure, and the removable rigid means of association of the cup with the cap, here in the form of a groove;

is a side elevational view of the cupula of the ;

is a top view of the cupule of the and 15, showing the proximal spur peduncle and stick grip reliefs;

is a sectional view according to the XVII-XVII sectional plan of the , of the cup showing its side wall, its slider, its radially elastically deformable structure, the means of removable rigid association of cup and cap, here in the form of a groove, the proximal peduncle of the spur and reliefs of holding the stick;

is a front elevational view of the refill cap in its variant embodiment with the end part towards the edge limiting its opening flared towards the opening;

is a sectional view of the refill cap of the , according to the line XIX-XIX, showing its peripheral envelope with its lateral part and its top part, its base having an opening, an interior housing, a cap end-of-stroke means backwards with respect to the cupule here under the shape of a transverse recess, a cap end of travel means rearward relative to the case, and a means of removable rigid association of the cap to the cup here a relief comprising several bosses.

is a partial enlargement of the ;

;

;

;

;

; and

; are six diagrams in front elevation illustrating successive steps in placing a baton refill into an empty case;

; and

are two detail diagrams illustrating the placement of a baton refill in an empty case, namely more specifically the disengagement of the refill cap;

is a side elevational view analogous to the , of a cup variant comprising two pushers.

Claims (29)

Stick holder cup (B) (18), intended to form part of a refill (R) of a stick (B) of consumable solid-pasty material to be applied to a support, having the function of holding the stick (B ), able to be associated with a retractable hollow case (E) in the empty configuration, having a body (1) with a case front opening (6) limited by a case front edge (7) and a side slot of slide (14) extended axially with an open front end,
- the cup (18) being arranged to be able to be put in place in the case (E) while it is lined with a stick (B), being, during use, slidably moved relative to the case (E) between two extreme retracted and protruding configurations, and to be extracted and separated from the case (E) when desired,
- the cup (18), comprising, with an axis (A):
- a cup peripheral side wall (29), rigid as a whole, comprising on the one hand a cup front part (30) with a cup front end (31) having a cup front opening (32) limited by a cup front free edge (33), and a cup rear part (34) with a cup rear end (35), and on the other hand a cup outer face (36) and a cup inner face (35) delimiting an interior cup space (38),
- a front cup housing (39) in the front part of the cup space (38), arranged to receive the stick (B) by its rear part, so as to hold it,
- an association arrangement adapted so that the cup (18) can be mounted and guided in the case (E),
- a lug (40) integral with the side wall (29), extending radially outwards, having a proximal peduncle (17) capable of cooperating with the sliding slot (14) to guide the cup (18),
- a means (55b) for the end of the cup travel forward relative to a refill cap (R), belonging to the side wall (29), arranged to cooperate with a means (55a) of the end of the cup travel cap backwards relative to the cup,
characterized in that:
- the peduncle (17) has a length in the radial direction allowing it to pass through the sliding slot (14) passing through,
- the peduncle (17) is extended outwards by a distal manipulation slider (41) arranged to be able to be touched, acted upon and moved by the user in order to move the cup (18) sliding,
- the association arrangement comprises a radially elastically deformable structure (42), belonging to the side wall (29) or associated with it, arranged to - being constrained inwards by the case (E) - ensure contact with gentle friction and braking of the cup (18) on the case (E) on the stroke between the extreme retracted and protruding configurations, controlled so that the cup (18) is moved with smooth sliding when the slider (41) is moved by the user, and that in the absence of user input, the cup (18) remains at the sliding location where it was brought, including during the application of the material, while the stick (B) is in light contact on the support,
- the means (55b) of the end of cup travel forward relative to the refill cap (R) is located towards the front end (31) and spaced from the lug (40) forward. Cup (18) according to Claim 1, in which the radially elastically deformable structure (42) comprises a projecting portion (42a) of the external face (36), located in the rear part (34), directed radially outwards, arranged so as to be able to be moved elastically inwards once the cup (18) has been placed in the case (E). Cup (18) according to claim 2, in which a protruding portion (42a) is made on at least one peripheral sector of the side wall (29) in the hollow rear part (34) which it limits, between two solutions of continuity (44a, 44b) extended axially of length capable of allowing the radial deformation of the peripheral sector inwards suitable for ensuring contact with gentle friction and braking of the cup (18) and the maintenance of the cup (18) at the location of the slide where it was brought. Cup (18) according to one of claims 1 to 3, which comprises a single lug (40), or two lugs (40), or at least three lugs (40), with a peduncle (17) and a slider (41) , regularly distributed around the axis (A) in the case of a plurality of lugs (40), with the same plurality of sliding slots (14). Cup (18) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the slider (41) is characterized in that:
- either it is an integral part of the cup (18) to be integral with it, or it is attached to it, using a means of association such as screwing, gluing, clipping, pressing in, and/or
- it is bulged to facilitate its touch, its solicitation and its movement by the user, and/or
- it has an appearance, in particular a shade of color, corresponding to the characteristics, in particular the shade of color, of the stick (B). Cup (18) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the means (55b) for terminating cup travel forward relative to the cap (27) comprises the front free edge (33). Cup (18) according to one of claims 1 to 6, which further comprises a means (57b) of removable rigid association of the cup to the cap, belonging to the side wall (29) and located towards the front end (31 ), capable of cooperating with a means (57a) of removable rigid association of the cap to the cup, so that, on the one hand, the cup (18) and the cap (27) associated form a unitary assembly allowing manipulation of the cup (18) with a view to positioning via the cap (27), on the other hand, that the cup (18) and the cap (27) can be separated from each other after installation. Cup (18) according to Claim 7, in which the means (57b) for removable rigid association of the cup with the cap comprises a relief provided on the external face of the lateral wall (29) in the vicinity of the opening (32), and in which the relief is recessed, in particular a groove, or part of a groove. Cup (18) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the peduncle (17) has a dimension in the transverse direction chosen so as to be:

• slightly less than the width of the main section (14a) of the sliding slot (14), except for the clearance necessary to guide the cup (18) in the case (E) with a smooth sliding, over the course of the main section ( 14a) of the slot (14) between the retracted and protruding end configurations,
• slightly greater than the width of a narrowing (19) of the sliding slot (14) in the absence of a request to widen the latter or a request to narrow in the transverse direction of the peduncle (17).

Cup (18) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, which is made of plastic material in whole or in part, or else in metal in whole or in part. Refill (R) of a stick (B) of consumable solid-pasty material to be applied to a support, in its new and ready configuration just preceding the setting up of the stick (B) to associate it with a case (E) retractable hollow having a body (1) with a case front opening (6) and an axially extended side sliding slot (14) with an open front end (15), comprising, with an axis (A):
- a cup (18) pole holder (B) according to one of claims 1 to 10,
- a stick (B) of material whose rear part is received in the front housing (39) of the cup (18), so as to hold it, and whose front part protrudes forwards from the front housing (39) ,
- a refill cap (27), rigid as a whole, having a peripheral casing (46) comprising a lateral part (47) and a top part (48) opposite a base (49) having an opening ( 50), an external face (52) and an internal face (53) delimiting an internal housing (54) for the protruding part of the stick (B), and comprising:
- a means (55a) for end of cap stroke rearward relative to the cup, located towards the opening (50) and arranged to cooperate with the means (55b) of end of stroke of cup forward relative to the cap,
- a means (56a) end cap race rearward relative to the case, adapted to cooperate with a means (56b) end case case forward relative to the cap. Refill (R) new and ready, according to claim 11, in which the means (55a) of end of cap travel towards the rear with respect to the cup comprises a transverse recess of the internal face (53), located towards the opening (50) with an axial distance therefrom, and facing the opening (50). Refill (R) new and ready, according to one of Claims 11 and 12, in which the means (56a) of end of cap stroke towards the rear with respect to the case is, in the case of a base (49) of cylindrical cap, the edge (51) limiting the opening (50) and, in the case of a base (49) flared towards the opening (50), the part of the internal face (53) adjacent at the edge (51). Refill (R) new and ready, according to one of claims 11 to 13, which further comprises a means (57a) of removable rigid association of the cap to the cup, belonging to the internal face (53) of the cap (27 ), located towards the opening (50) by means of an axial separation therefrom, able to cooperate with a means (57b) of removable rigid association of the cup with the cap, so, on the one hand, that the cap ( 27) and the cup (18) can form a unitary assembly allowing the handling of the cup (18) with a view to positioning it via the cap (27), on the other hand, that the cap (27) and the cup (18) can be separated from each other after placement. New and ready refill (R), according to one of Claims 11 to 14, in that it depends on Claim 12, in which the means (57a) for the removable rigid association of the cap with the cup is arranged between the recess (55a) of the cap end-of-travel means towards the rear with respect to the cup and the opening (50) of the cap (27). New and ready refill (R) according to one of Claims 14 and 15, in which the removable rigid cap-to-cup association means (57a) comprises a projecting relief, in particular a boss, bead or part of a bead . Refill (R) of a stick (B) of consumable solid-pasty material to be applied to a support, in its configuration in place, with the stick (B) associated with a retractable hollow case (E) having a body (1) with a case front opening (6) and an axially extended side sliding slot (14) with an open front end (15), comprising, with an axis (A):
- a cup (18) pole holder (B) according to one of claims 1 to 10,
- a stick (B) of material whose rear part is received in the front housing (39) of the cup (18), so as to hold it, and whose front part protrudes forwards from the front housing (39) , and comprising
- an end-of-travel means (55a) intended for a cap which has been dissociated from the cup (18) pole holder (B) at the end of the positioning, towards the rear with respect to the cup, located towards the opening (50),
- an end-of-travel means (56a) intended for the cap having been dissociated from the cup (18) pole holder (B) at the end of the installation, towards the rear relative to the case (E) . Refillable sliding case (E), hollow, in empty configuration, comprising, with an axis (A), in addition to a removable closing cap (2), a case body (1) (E) having:
- a peripheral side wall of the case (3), rigid as a whole, comprising on the one hand a front part of the case (4) with a front end of the case (5) having a front case opening (6 ) limited by a front free edge of the case (7), and a rear case part (8) with a case rear end (9) provided with a bottom (10), and on the other hand a face outer case (11) and an inner face of the case (12) delimiting an inner housing of the case (13), capable of receiving the baton (B),
- an axially extended side sliding slot (14) formed in the side wall (3), with an open front end (15) and a closed rear end (16),
characterized in that:
- it is specially adapted to be associated with a stick (B) of a new and ready refill (R) according to one of claims 11 to 16,
- apart from the closing cap (2), it essentially consists of the side wall (3) with its bottom (10), excluding any other cylinder, sheath, slider or cup holder,
- the slot (14) is through and capable of cooperating with the peduncle (17) which passes through it, to guide the cup (18),
- the inner face (11) is provided to cooperate with the radially elastically deformable structure (42) of the cup (18), so - the elastically deformable structure (42) being constrained inwards by the inner face (12) d case (E) -, to ensure contact with gentle friction and braking of the cup (18) on the case (E) over the stroke corresponding to the extreme retracted and protruding configurations, controlled so that the cup (18) is moved with gentle sliding when the slider (41) is moved by the user, and in the absence of user input, the cup (18) remains at the sliding location to which it was brought, including when applying the material, while the stick (B) is in light contact on the support,
- it comprises means (56b) for the case end of travel forward relative to the refill cap, capable of cooperating with the means (56a) for the end of the cap stroke rearward relative to the case . Empty case (E), according to claim 18, in which the sliding slot (14) comprises a narrowing (19) of smaller width located towards – but spaced away – from the front end (15). Empty case (E) according to claim 19, which further comprises an axially extended side widening slot (23) made in the side wall (3), with an open front end (24), intended to allow a slight widening the narrowing (19) when the peduncle (17) crosses it. Case (E) empty, according to one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the sliding slot (14) is either straight or helical, the sliding of the stick (B) being either straight or helical. Case (E) empty, according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that it comprises a single sliding slot (14), or two sliding slots (14), or at least three sliding slots (14 ). Empty case (E) according to one of Claims 18 to 22, in which the case end-of-travel means (56b) forwards relative to the cap is the free edge (7) of the opening of the case (E). case (6). Empty case (E) according to one of Claims 18 to 23, in which the side wall (3) of the case is made of metal by machining, including drilling or turning, the internal face (12) of the side wall ( 3) being devoid of undercut or undercut. Case (E) loaded with a stick (B) of consumable solid-pasty material to be applied to a support, comprising an empty refillable sliding case (E) according to one of Claims 18 to 24, and a refill (R) in place, in which a new and ready refill according to one of claims 11 to 16 is in place in the case (E), in which the cup (18) is associated directly with the case (E). Filled case (E) according to Claim 25, in which the width of the constriction (19) is slightly less than the dimension in the transverse direction of the peduncle (17), which during sliding:

• can come into abutment forwards against the rear edge (21) of the constriction (19), thus forming a hard point, so that the cup (18) and the case (E), once associated, cannot be dissociated unexpectedly, but can be with sufficient forward pressure of the slider (41) to cross the hard point, the main slot section (14a), between the rear edge (21) and the closed rear end ( 16) of the slot defining the race between the retracted and protruding extreme configurations,
• can come into abutment towards the rear against the front edge (20) of the constriction (19), thus forming a hard point, which can be crossed with sufficient biasing of the cap (27) or of the slider (41) towards the rear.

Case (E) charged according to one of claims 25 and 26, in which the side wall (3) and the cup (18), arranged to slide straight or helically, are in plastic-metal contact. Method for placing a stick (B) of a new and ready refill (R) of consumable solid-pasty material to be applied on a support according to one of Claims 11 to 16, in a sliding case (E) rechargeable, empty, according to one of claims 18 to 24, in which;
- an empty case (E) according to one of claims 18 to 24 is available, the cover (2) of which has been removed,
- a new and ready refill (R) according to one of claims 11 to 16 is available,
- the empty case (E) and the new and ready refill (R) are seized by the refill cap (27), and the rear part (34) of the cup (18) is brought opposite the front opening case (6), coaxially and with the lug (40) of the cup (18) facing the front opening (15) of the sliding slot (14),
- the rear part (34) is made to penetrate into the front part (4) of the case (E) and the lug (40) into the sliding slot (14),
- a relative movement of the cupule (18) lined with the stick (B) and associated with the refill cap (27), and of the case (E), is ensured, so as to cause the stick (B) to penetrate into the housing interior (13) of the case (E),
- And the refill cap (27) and the cup (18) are separated. Method according to claim 28, in which, to dissociate the refill cap (27) and the cup (18), the peduncle (17) is brought to the second hard point against the front edge (20) of the constriction (19), then the edge (51) of the opening (50) of the cap (27) is brought into abutment against the edge (7) of the opening (6) of the case (E) by forcing the passage of the front edge (20 ) of the constriction (19), then the slider (41) is pressed backwards so as to dissociate the means (57a, 57b) of respective removable rigid association of the cap (27) and of the cup (18).