GB2278343A

GB2278343A - Holder for containers

Info

Publication number: GB2278343A
Application number: GB9409512A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Luciano Faverio
Original assignee: INCA Industria Nazionale Cosmetici e Affini SRL
Current assignee: INCA Industria Nazionale Cosmetici e Affini SRL
Priority date: 1993-05-25
Filing date: 1994-05-12
Publication date: 1994-11-30
Also published as: DE9408435U1; FR2705540A3; ITMI930442U1; FR2705540B3; GB9409512D0; IT230240Y1; ITMI930442V0

Abstract

A holder for containers, particularly for a refill cosmetic stick mechanism or for complete cases (e.g. lipsticks, mascara, etc.) comprises a substantially tubular hollow body closed at one end by a disk (12) that has breakable areas (14) and closed at the other end by a hinged member (13). A refill mechanism (21) or a complete cosmetic case is inserted into the holder until its end engages with the disk (12). To remove refill mechanism (21), pressure is applied to the member (13), causing detachment of the disk (12) and expulsion of the refill mechanism (21). <IMAGE>

Description

"HOLDER FOR CONTAINERS, PARTICULARLY FOR REFILL COSMETIC STICK MECHANISMS OR COMPLETE COSMETIC CASES" DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a holder for containers, particularly for cosmetic stick refill mechanisms or complete cosmetic stick cases.

In the field of cosmetic packaging, particularly for cosmetics in stick form (e.g. lipsticks, mascara, etc.), the so-called "mechanism" comprises two coaxial tubular members co-operating to move a stick-holder cup axially. The mechanism is generally permanently housed and engaged in a case which has protective and decorative functions.

A patent application by the same applicant describes a refill cosmetic holder mechanism in a case and therefore provides the possibility of using a valuable case over and over again by inserting in it refill lipstick holder mechanisms.

Holders for refill mechanisms are not known on the market.

As regards lipstick or cosmetic cases, they are usually sold in normal boxtype containers of cardboard or a similar material.

For products which are subject to deterioration in the event of contamination by the outside environment or in any case which cause soiling on contact, the need is felt to have holders available that allow the product contained in refill mechanisms to be protected, isolating it from the outside environment and that are easy to handle during the refill stage with elimination of soiling.

The proposed function of the invention is precisely to solve the problem described above by providing a holder that makes it possible not to interact with the product contained in said refill mechanisms during storage and during refilling of cases suitable for housing it.

In the context of the above function, a particular aim of the invention is to provide a holder permitting storage of a refill mechanism or of a complete case that prevents contact between the environment and the product from when it is inserted in the holder until its final use.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a holder that is of simple design and can be easily obtained using elements and materials that are commonlv found on the market.

The aims mentioned and others that will later become apparent are achieved bv the holder as claimed in claim 1. Further innovative characteristics are stated in the subsequent claims. In other words the holder for the refill mechanism comprises a substantially tubular hollow body closed at one end by a disk that has breakable areas and closed at the other end by a mobile hinged top.

The new holder protects the mechanism contained inside it and the cosmetic stick from knocks or contamination until it is inserted in the case and likewise protects a complete case; it can easily be manufactured industrially and is simple for the end user to use.

Further characteristics and advantages will be made clearer by the description of a preferred, but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the help of the appended drawings: figure 1 is a section along 1-1 in figure 2, of a holder according to the invention with a mechanism inserted, shown partly in a side view, partly in a sectional view; the holder is drawn with full lines at a closed condition thereof, with dash-dot lines at an open condition for introducing the mechanism and with dashed lines at a condition during expulsion of the mechanism; figure 2 is a sectional view along 2-2 in figure 1, figure 3 is a sectional view along 3-3 in figure 1; figure 4 is a sectional view along 4-4 in figure 3; figure 5 is a partial view from 5 in figure 1 with the top open.

With reference to the figures mentioned, figure 1 shows, partly as a side view and partly as a sectional view, a holder indicated as a whole by 10 and comprising a tubular hollow body 11 which has at its ends a disk 12 and a hinged top or cover 13.

In figure 3 an integral connection can be seen between the disk 12 and the cylindrical body 11 by means of breakable teeth 14 along the perimeter of the disk, which constitute the breakable area. In figure 1 the same disk shows, on the side facing towards the hollow part of the tubular body, protruding engaging edges 15, preferably conical in shape, which, during operation, in the case of a refill mechanism 21 engage elastically, at its open end 22, preventing involuntary rotation of the mechanism during transport, whilst in the case of a complete cosmetic case (for mascara or lipstick) they rest on the upper part of the case itself.

The top or flap 13, as shown in figures 2 and 5, is hinged along its peripheral edge. corresponding to the area 23, to the cylindrical body 11. This top has, on the side facing toward the hollow part of the tubular body, a convex rounded shape, preferably made up of a plurality of projecting parts 24 placed side by side as in figures 1 and 2, suitable for engaging on a closed end 25 of the refill mechanism or cosmetic case when pressure is applied to from the outer part of the top itself. The hinge 23 is preferably obtained by moulding together the body and the top of the container and is constituted by a thinner part.The top is held in the closed position by a tooth 27 that engages on an edge 26 of an opening in the body; another edge 28 of said opening prevents it from moving or rotating towards the inside of the cylindrical body unless said resistance is overcome by means of pressure on the top itself.

The body 11 may present on its inside angularly equidistant longitudinal pilaster strips 30 to guide and position the refill mechanism or cosmetic case.

With the top 13 open, the refill mechanism 21 is inseited into the holder until the end of it engages on the engaging parts 15; the top 13 is then closed.

To apply the refill to a case, pressure is applied to the hinged top 13, longitudinally to the tubular body, causing translation of the refill mechanism; this produces breakage of the teeth, detachment of the disk 12 from the cylindrical body and expulsion of the refill mechanism provided with a removable seal formed by the detached disk. The refill mechanism can thus be manipulated for insertion into the case without the cosmetic stick being damaged or soiling the user's fingers. The disk can then be easily discarded. In the event that said holder contains a complete cosmetic case, pressure is exerted in the same wav on the hinged top 13 so that the upper part of said cases likewise causes detachment ofthe disk 12 which is therefore a disposable element.

Claims

1. A holder for containers, particularly for refill cosmetic stick mechanisms and/or complete cosmetic cases, comprising a substantially cylindrical hollow body (11) closed at one end by a disk (12) characterised by the fact that said disk has breakable areas and by the fact that at the other end the body is closed by means of a mobile top (13).

2. A holder according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said disk is integral along its perimeter with said cylindrical body by means of at least two teeth (14).

3. A holder according to claim 1. characterised by the fact that said mobile top is hinged in at least one point along its perimeter to said cylindrical body.

4. A holder according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said disk on the side facing the inside of said cylindrical body, has projecting engagement parts (15).

5. A holder according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said mobile top, on the side facing said cylindrical body, has at least one curved convex projection (24).

6. A holder according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said cylindrical body has an opening at one end, one edge (26) of which co-operates with said top in the tooth (27) for closing and another edge of which (28) co-operates with said tooth from the opposite side to prevent the top from rotating toward the inside of the holder.

7. A holder for containers, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.