GB2143212A

GB2143212A - A lipstick holder cup and sleeve of a lipstick unit and lipstick unit comprising it

Info

Publication number: GB2143212A
Application number: GB08416752A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Herve Bouix
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 1983-07-11
Filing date: 1984-07-02
Publication date: 1985-02-06
Also published as: DE3425591A1; IT8467703A1; ES278160U; FR2548880A1; GB2143212B; IT1179013B; GB8416752D0; FR2548880B1; IT8453628V0; JPH041601B2; IT8467703A0; DE3425591C2; JPS6036010A

Abstract

A stick holder cup for a lipstick has outwardly projecting camming studs 24 and wall portions 26 which project outwardly of the general envelope of the holder cup 19 in the relaxed state but deform radially inwardly of the holder cup, to grip the stick 30 of lip rouge better, when the holder cup is forced into a cooperating surrounding sleeve 9. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A lipstick holder cup and sleeve of a !ip- stick unit and lipstick unit comprising it The present invention concerns the holder cups of lipstick units wherein sticks of the lipstick composition are mounted. More parti cularly the invention relates to such a cup wherein the lipstick is in contact at its foot with the bottom of the holder cup so the lipstick is partially engaged in the holder cup; generally the holder cup has two radially outwardly projecting studs which each pass through a slot whose two ends each have a notch extending in the opposite circumferential direction to the notch of the other end, the said slot being arranged in the lateral wall of the sleeve within which the cup is axially displaceable; moreover, these studs are each engaged in a helical groove arranged in a cylindrical liner which is externally sheathed by a case and within which the sleeve is axially retained whilst being free for rotation around its axis. The rotary drive, in relation to the liner, of one end of the sleeve projecting out of the liner entails, by way of the displace ment of the studs guided in the slots and in the grooves, a helical displacement of the holder cup in the liner between two extreme positions, that is to say: a totally retracted position and a totally extended position of the lipstick; these end positions are reached when the studs come to bear against the ends of the slots and/or grooves which are situated respectively on the side of the bottom of the holder cup and on the opposite side.

In such lipstick units, the holder cup has a cross section substantially corresponding to the cross section of the base of the lipstick; the base of the lipstick being generally cylindrical so the holder cup has a cylindrical surface envelope, but provision may be made for it to be prismatic as long as the holder cup would not be subject to any movement of rotation in the course of its axial displacement. In any case, the sleeve which is associated with the holder cup has, save for the sliding clearance, the same cross section as the cup.

These lipstick units are quite satisfactory as long as the user takes the precaution of storing them in such a way that the point of the lipstick in the totally retracted position is directed upwards. But since these lipsticks are frequently put into the handbags of women using them, it is practically impossible for this condition to apply. It follows from this, particularly because of bumps and jolts, that the lipstick tends to be pulled out of its cup, in spite of the initial force fitting of the base of the lipstick within the cup when tlie lipstick is positioned in its cup.It should, moreover, be noted that the tight grip of the lipstick in the cup is somewhat illusory, since iipstick is a relatively soft product at the temperature at which it is used; moreover, the more tightly the lipstick is gripped by the cup, the more difficult becomes the positioning of the stick by pushing it home.

One of the objects of the invention is therefore to provide a cup for a lipstick which ensures, in every position of the lipstick, a proper hold of the base of the lipstick in the cup.

Another object of the invention is to propose a cup which is simple and inexpensive to make and which moreover allows an easy positioning of the stick in the cup.

Accordingly the present invention provides the combination of a lipstick holder cup of a lipstick unit, and a sleeve of a lipstick unit in which sleeve the holder cup is slidable, wherein the holder cup is intended to receive a stick of a lipstick composition, said stick holder cup is of a generally cylindrical or prismatic shape, and at least a part of the lateral wall of the holder cup projects outwardly in relation to the cylindrical or prismatic surface envelope of the general shape of the stick holder cup and is capable of being pushed back radially upwardly when the stick holder cup is engaged in the sleeve. The radially inward deformation of the holder cup projecting portion may be partly plastic but preferably, this deformation is entirely elastic.

To obtain this advantageous effect, the outwardly projecting portion of the lateral wall of the cup is an outwardly flared undercut portion of its edge at the opposite end to the bottom. Moreover, the lateral wail of the holder cup has at least one substantially axially extending slit opening at the said cup edge.

This configuration makes it possible, on the one hand, to facilitate an elastic deformation of each undercut portion of the edge to ensure a proper tight grip of the lipstick in the holder cup therefor and on the other hand, to introduce the stick into the holder cup during assembly, thanks to the flared shape presented by the inlet of the holder cup.

Preferably, each slit of the holder cup opens out via an enlarged neck on said opposite edge so as to avoid the presence of projecting corners which might form striations in the stick as well as in the lateral sleeve wall and prevent a proper functioning of the lipstick by braking, or even preventing any displacement of, the holder cup within the sleeve.

An excellent elastic grip of the stick is obtained if each undercut flared portion of the cup wall is on said opposite edge of the cup delimited between the enlarged mouths of two successive slits on the cup periphery.

Moreover, the elastic characteristics of the flared portions thus delimited are improved still further if each slit extends from the said opposite edge of the holder cup as far as an axial position situated substantially at the level of the studs of the holder cup.

The hold of the lipstick, in particular against any rotation within the holder cup around its longitudinal axis, is reinforced if moreover the cup comprises at least one substantially axially extending radially inwardly projecting rib on the lateral cup wall.

The presence of the ribs does not disturb the effect of the slits if said rib extends between two successive slits on the cup peri phery and is substantially equidistant from these two slits and if, moreover, each rib extends from the cup bottom as far as the axial position situated slightly beyond the studs of the cup.

Another advantage of the stick holder cup and sleeve according to the invention, whose outwardly projecting part or parts are delim ited on said opposite cup edge is that it is possible to ensure the tight grip of the lipstick in a very favourable position at the maximum position from the bottom, taking into account the effective height of the holder cup between its bottom and its free edge on the said opposite end.

Advantageously the advantages of simple manufacture and great efficiency can be combined if the cup is tulip-shaped with its outwardly flared edge at the said opposite end divided into three undercut portions delimited between three regularly interspaced slits on the periphery of the holder cup.

The invention also provides a lipstick unit whose stick holder cup and sleeve conform to the invention.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the lipstick unit according to the invention, the cup has two radially outwardly projecting studs which (a) each pass through a slot each of whose two ends has a respective notch extending along a circumferential direction opposite to the direction of the notch of the other end, this slot being arranged in the lateral wall of the cylindrical sleeve within which the cup is displaced in a substantially axial direction, and (b) each engage in a helical groove arranged in the inner wall of a cylindrical liner which is sheathed on its outside by a case, the sleeve being axially held in relation to the case and being mounted for rotation around its axis.

In such a lipstick unit, the said edge of the cup which is opposite its bottom may advantageously move out of the sleeve when the lipstick is displaced to the maximum protruding position so that the tight grip ensured by the outwardly projecting part or parts is not at all, or only incompletely, ensured in this position because on the one hand the lipstick is rarely used in this maximum protruding position and on the other hand, such a position can only be used when the stick is used up and is only constituted by a small piece of lipstick composition.But preferably, the respective axial distances separating the studs from on the one hand, the said opposite edge of the cup and on the other hand, the axial position of the ends of the slots and/or the grooves,on the sleeve and/or the liner from said opposite end, are such that in the maxi mum protruding position of the lipstick,the opposite edge to the cup bottom does not emerge from the sleeve so that the grip should be properly ensured whatever the residual length of the lipstick may be.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood there will now be described an embodiment thereof, represented in the attached drawings by way of a purely illustrative and non-restrictive example. In these drawings: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a lipstick unit; Figure 2 is an exploded, partly cross sectional and partly elevational view of the constituents of the lipstick unit of Figure 1, with the exception of the stick of lip rouge which for reasons of clarity has not been shown; Figure 3 is an axial cross sectional view of the lipstick unit of Figure 1, again without the lipstick; and Figure 4 is a partial cross sectional view illustrating the cooperation of the lipstick, the stick holder cup, and the sleeve to ensure the tight grip of the stick in the holder cup.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, it will be seen that the lipstick unit comprises an outer protective metallic case 1 of cylindrical shape and circular cross section with its upper edge turned down in the shape of an inwardly rounded collar delimiting a central circular passage 3. Within the case 1, a thin liner 4 of a plastic material, and also of a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section but with a lower height than case 1, is fixed in an axial position so as to delimit on the one hand, with the rounded collar 2 of the case 1, an upper compartment 5 and on the other hand, together with the lower end of the case 1, a lower annular housing 6. On the inner side of liner 4, are two helical grooves 7 which are identical but diametrically opposed so as not to open at their respective upper and lower ends in the upper and lower circular edges of liner 4.

Within the coaxial unit constituted by case 1 and liner 4, is a plastics sleeve 8 mounted substantially coaxially and for rotation around its axis, but fixed in its axial position. The sleeve 8 comprises a cylindrical main tubular portion 9 having a circular cross section with a slightly smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the liner 4 and an upper end shaped as an axial retaining catch 10 which is engaged in the upper compartment 5 when the tubular portion 9 is disposed within the liner 4. Two identical slots 11 extend axially over practically the whole height of the tubular portion 9 with their upper and lower ends constituted by notches 12 and 1 3 extending in opposite circumferential directions, and ar ranged in the diametrically opposed parts of the tubular portion 9.At its lower end, the tubular portion 9 is joined via an external radial shoulder 14 to a cylindrical end fitting 1 5 whose internal diameter is equal to the internal diameter of the tubular portion 9 and whose external diameter is practically equal to the external diameter of the case 1. At its lower end, the end fitting 1 5 has an inner radial rebate 1 6 provided with a peripheral axial flange 1 7 directed towards the tubular portion 9 and defining a central circular pas sage 18.

When the sleeve 8 is in position within the liner 4 and the case 1, the external radial shoulder 14 is accommodated in the lower annular housing 6 so that the sleeve 8 is axially held within the liner 4, against the ends of which it bears by its projection 10 and by its shoulder 14. On the other hand, sleeve 8 may be driven in rotation around its axis within liner 4 by manipulating end fitting 1 5 which, projecting under liner 4 and case 1 is freely accessible.

A holder cup 1 9 for a stick of lip rouge has a generally cylindrical shape and is mounted within the sleeve 8. This cup 1 9 has a main tubular portion 20 and an auxiliary tubular portion 21 separated from each other by a bottom 22 having a small diameter central passage 23. The height of the main tubular portion 20 greatly exceeds that of the auxiliary tubular portion 21, and the main tubular portion 20 has, on the outer side of its lateral wall, two outwardly projecting cylindrical radial studs 24 whose height is such that each one passes through a slot 11 of sleeve 8 and is engaged in a groove 7 of the liner 4 when the holder cup 1 9 is in an appropriate position in the sleeve 8.

It will be understood that when the sleeve 8 is driven in rotation around its longitudinal axis in relation to the liner 4 and to the case 1, and thanks to the guidance of studs 24 ensured by the slots 11 and grooves 7, the holder cup 1 9 is axially displaced in the tubular portion 9 of the sleeve 8 by being induced to rotate with this sleeve, and along a helical motion within the liner 4, between two end positions, one of which is the lower or retracted position represented in Figure 3, where the studs 24 are located in the lower end of the groove 7 and slots 11, with notches 1 3 making it possible to lock the holder cup in this position at the end of the rotational travel in one direction.The other end position is the upper position where the studs 24 are located at the upper ends of grooves 7 and slots 11, with notches 1 2 also making it possible to lock the holder cup 1 9 in this position at the end of the rotational travel in the other direction.

As has been shown in Figure 3, in the retracted position of the holder cup 19, the auxiliary tubular portion 21 is accommodated within the end fitting 1 5 and its lower end is accommodated in the annular space delimited by (a) the end fitting 15,(b) the internal rebate 16 and (c) the axial flange 1 7. This design makes it possible to ensure a better guidance for the holder cup 1 9.

As is apparent in Figure 2, the edge 25 of the main tubular portion 20 which is at the opposite end to the bottom 22, is flared outwardly to project in relation to the external lateral surface of this main tubular portion 20 so as to form a convergent inlet facilitating the introduction of the base of a stick 30 of lipstick composition, when this latter is caused to penetrate into the cup 1 9 until the base of the stick comes into contact with bottom 22 of the stick holder cup 1 9. This edge 25 is divided into three identical parts 26, each undercut towards the outside, by three axial slits 27 arranged on the lateral wall of the main tubular portion 20 and regularly interspaced on the periphery of cup 1 9 and extending from the edge 25, wherein each one of them opens out via an enlarged neck 28, as far as an axial position situated substantially at the level of the studs 24. Moreover, three axial ribs 29, each of which is situated midway between two successive slits 27 extending from the bottom 22 as far as an axial position situated slightly beyond the studs 24, project on the inner surface of the side wall of the main tubular portion 20.

Lipstick 30 is introduced by its base into the stick holder cup 1 9 when the holder cup has not yet been mounted in the sleeve 8.

Then, when the holder cup 1 9 and stick 30 are introduced into the tubular portion 9 of the sleeve 8, the undercut parts 26 whose external diameter in the free state exceeds the internal diameter of sleeve 8, are elastically pushed back radially inwardly by coming into contact with the inner surface of the sleeve 8 so that stick 30 is held tightly and gripped in position in the holder cup 1 9 as has been shown in Figure 4. This Figure shows that the inward deformation of the undercut parts 26 of the main tubular portion 20 of the holder cup 19, which bear elastically against the tubular portion 9 of sleeve 8, ensures a tight hold of the stick 30. The distance separating the studs 24 from the edge 25 of the main tubular portion 20, and the distance separating the upper ends of the grooves 7 and the slot 11 from the top end of the sleeve 8, are such that the undercut parts 26 do not project outwardly of the sleeve 8 when, due to the rotation of end fitting 1 5 within the dot dash frame A of Figure 1, the lipstick 30 mounted in the cup 1 9 is displaced from the totally withdrawn position to the totally protruded position such as is shown in the dot dash frame of region B of Figure 1, so that the tight grip of the stick 30 is ensured in all the positions of cup 1 9 in sleeve 8 and of the end fitting 1 5 in relation to liner 4 and case 1 over the whole effective length of the stick 30. It should, moreover, be noted that the ribs 29 improve the locking of the stick 30, in particular against any rotation in the stick holder cup 1 9.

Claims

1. The combination of a lipstick holder cup of a lipstick unit, and a sleeve of a lipstick unit, in which sleeve the holder cup is slidable, wherein the holder cup is intended to receive part of a stick of a lipstick composition, said stick holder cup is of a generally cylindrical or prismatic shape, and at least a part of the lateral wall of the holder cup projects outwardly in relation to the cylindrical or prismatic surface envelope of the general shape of the stick holder cup and is capable of being pushed back radially inwardly when the stick holder cup is engaged in the sleeve.

2. A holder cup and sleeve according to claim 1, wherein each outwardly projecting part of the lateral wall of the holder cup is an undercut outwardly flaring part of its edge at the opposite end to the bottom, the lateral wall of the cup also having at least one slit which extends substantially in an axial direction and which opens out in said edge of the holder cup.

3. A holder cup and sleeve according to claim 2, wherein each said slit of the holder cup opens out via an enlarged mouth in said edge.

4. A holder cup and sleeve according to claim 3, wherein each undercut flared part is delimited on said edge of cup between the enlarged mouths of two successive said slits on the periphery of the holder cup.

5. A holder cup and sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein it comprises externally two projecting studs, the said studs being intended to actuate displacement of the stick holder cup.

6. A holder cup and sleeve according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each said slit extends from said edge of the holder cup as far as an axial position substantially at the level of a stud of the holder cup.

7. A holder cup and sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cup comprises at least one substantially axially extending rib projecting radially inwardly of the lateral wall of the cup.

8. A holder cup and sleeve according to claim 7, taken in conmbination with any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each said rib extends between two successive said slits of the holder cup substantially equidistant from said two slits.

9. A holder cup and sleeve according to claim 5 and 7, taken together, wherein each said rib extends from the bottom of the cup as far as an axial position situated slightly above the studs of the holder cup.

10. A holder cup and sleeve according to claim 3 alone, or in combination with any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the stick holder cup has the shape of a tulip whose said outwardly flared edge is divided into three undercut parts delimited between three said slits which are regularly interspaced on the periphery of the cup and whose part near the bottom defines the cylindrical surface envelope of the stick holder cup.

11. A lipstick unit comprising a stick of lipstick composition whose base is engaged in a holder cup according to claim 1, said holder cup actuating the displacement of the stick in relation to an external case.

1 2. A iipstick unit according to Claim 11, wherein the holder cup has two radially outwardly projecting studs which (i) pass through a slot whose two ends each have a respective notch which extends in a circumferential direction opposed to the direction of the notch at the other end of the slot, said slot being arranged in the lateral wall of the sleeve wherein the said holder cup is substantially axially displaceable and (ii) each engage in a helical groove arranged in the inner wall of a cylindrical liner externally sheathed by a case, said sleeve being axially held in relation to the case and being mounted for rotation around its axis.

1 3. A lipstick unit according to Claim 1 2, wherein the holder cup has radially outwardly projecting studs and the axial distances separating (a) the studs from the edge of the holder cup at the opposite end to the bottom thereof and (b) the axial position of the ends of slots and/or of grooves on said opposite end respectively on the sleeve and/or the liner are such that when the stick is in its maximum protruded position, said end edge opposite to the bottom of the holder cup does not project from the sleeve.

14. A stick holder cup and sleeve for a lipstick unit constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawing.

1 5. A lipstick unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.