WO2020083640A1

WO2020083640A1 - Personalizable pallet having assemblable cases

Info

Publication number: WO2020083640A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/077290
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chloe Cabon; Lionel Drugeon
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2018-10-24
Filing date: 2019-10-09
Publication date: 2020-04-30
Also published as: FR3087758B1; FR3087758A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cosmetic pallet (30) comprising a first case (1) intended to be assembled in a removable manner with a second case (2), a first external lateral face (11) of the first case (1) comprising a slide guide (3) and a second external lateral face (21) of the second case (2) comprising a slide (4) that is able to slide in the slide guide (3), the slide guide (3) having a flexible positioning tab (5) that is able to be fitted in a complementary relief (6) formed on the slide (4).

Description

PERSONALIZABLE PALLET HAVING ASSEMBLABLE CASES

The present invention relates to devices for packaging a cosmetic product, in particular in the form of a cream, powder, in particular a compact, or paste.

Within the meaning of the present invention, a“ cosmetic product” is understood to be a cosmetic product intended to be applied to a human being, for example a liquid or a cream. A“ cosmetic product” is more generally a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

PRIOR ART AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

Numerous packaging devices comprising one or more cases inserted into a container are known, for example from the publications US2011024316, DE102008037371, US3871543, US2005258126.

Such devices can be personalizable, meaning that the cases can be sold separately, for example with products of different shades. The consumer can buy cases with shades that she wants and can assemble the cases herself as she prefers, in order to form her own cosmetic pallet. If she does not want one of the shades, she can replace the case with another. She can also organize and reorganize the position of her cases in her pallet as she desires.

Such pallets of removable cases are already known.

The document EP2266431 discloses a makeup pallet comprising a plurality of cases having identical top surfaces and identical bottom surfaces. Peripheral areas of the top surfaces have a shape complementary to peripheral areas of the bottom surfaces. Each case can be fitted together in a separable manner with the other cases above or below, by the complementary peripheral areas being engaged with one another.

The document FR2631928 discloses cases that each have a body, the lateral external sides of which are provided with complementary assembly slides for joining the cases together. A frame is provided, the internal walls of which themselves have slides that are able to be assembled with the existing slides on the external sides of the cases. The frame stabilizes the structure formed by the mutually assembled cases.

The document US20090044827 discloses a pallet formed of removable cases joined together by a dovetailed lateral slide system. In figures 11 to 14, the stud of a first case contains a protruding central zone in which a vertical slot is formed. The latter is designed to receive a rib molded at the bottom of the groove in a second case. Thus, the two cases are kept aligned when they are joined horizontally.

There is a need to reduce the number of parts that require precise dimensioning.

There is a need to benefit from a personalizable packaging device, with cases that can be assembled easily and disassembled as desired.

There is a need to produce such a device that is inexpensive.

There is a need to provide makeup pallets having cases that are assembled with one another as desired with precise positioning.

There is a need to make assembly easier, and optionally to accompany it with an audible click when the cases arrive in position. Pre-positioning of the cases before assembly may be carried out.

DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to meet this objective and achieves this by virtue of a cosmetic pallet comprising a first case intended to be assembled in a removable manner with a second case, a first external lateral face of the first case comprising a slide guide and a second external lateral face of the second case comprising a slide that is able to slide in the slide guide, one of the first external lateral face and the second external lateral face having a flexible positioning tab that is able to be fitted in a complementary relief formed on the other of the first external lateral face and the second external lateral face.

By virtue of the flexible tab positioned on an external lateral face, the movement of the slide in the counter-slide is made easier by pre -positioning and guidance, via an upper clearance taken up by the flexibility of the tab. The two cases are held durably in position when the flexible tab, optionally equipped with a hook, is in its counterpart housing.

Moreover, it is possible to obtain an audible“click” as sensory indicator when the hook engages in its counterpart housing.

The invention also relates to a case intended to be assembled in order to form a pallet as defined above.

Finally, the invention relates to a cosmetic method comprising the steps of:

providing a first case and a second case as defined above,

engaging the slide of the second case in the slide guide of the first case, sliding the slide in the slide guide, optionally generating a first tactile sensation when the flexible locking tab arrives in a first assembled position with the second case, and optionally generating a second tactile sensation when the flexible locking tab arrives in a second assembled position with the second case,

if necessary, separating the first case from the pallet,

if necessary, replacing the first case with a third case in order to form a new pallet.

The invention also relates to a device for play compensation between a first case and a second case that are intended to be assembled so as to be removable from one another, a first external lateral face of the first case comprising a slide guide and a second external lateral face of the second case comprising a slide that is able to slide in the slide guide, the device for play compensation having a flexible positioning tab formed on one of the first external lateral face and the second external lateral face, the tab being able to be fitted in a complementary relief formed on the other of the first external lateral face and the second external lateral face.

KEY DEFINITIONS

The“X axis” means a longitudinal axis.

The“ longitudinal axis of an element” is the line connecting all of the centers of mass of the cross sections of this element. The longitudinal axis may be a central axis, or even an axis of symmetry for this element, notably when the latter has a cross section which is circular or in the overall shape of a regular polygon. The longitudinal axis may be rectilinear or curved and may be contained in a plane, which may be a plane of symmetry for some or even for all of the cross sections of the element. Preferably, the longitudinal axis is rectilinear.

A“ cross section” of an element is a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of this element.

For simplification, “ cross section” is written for “ cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the assembly”.

The term“case” means a receptacle, in particular a container, a dish, a cup, a refill, a plate or a pot.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferably, the assembly according to the invention has one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination:

One of the slide guide and the slide has a flexible positioning tab that is able to be fitted in a complementary relief formed on the other of the slide and the slide guide.

The flexible positioning tab is equipped with a hook. Fastening of the cases is improved.

The flexible positioning tab is cut out of the first external lateral face. Production is simplified.

The flexible positioning tab defines a thinned part of the first external lateral face. The movement of the tab is improved.

The complementary relief comprises a notch forming an insertion zone for the flexible positioning tab. The structure is compact. The complementary relief may have a geometry different than that of the flexible tab, in order to leave a free space between the flexible tab and the complementary relief. The slide guide has guide ramps defining a groove, the flexible positioning tab partially defining a bottom wall of the groove.

The complementary relief defines a cutout in the slide. The locking of the tab is improved.

The complementary relief has two lateral flanks that converge toward one another, in order to make it easier to position and guide the flexible positioning tab. The locking position is precise.

The flexible tab is attached to one of the first external lateral face and the second external lateral face. In particular, the tab can be fastened in a housing made in one of the lateral faces, the fastening being effected in particular by clip-fastening or adhesive bonding.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention may be understood better from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting exemplary implementations thereof, and from studying the appended schematic and partial drawing, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first case according to the invention,

- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second case according to the invention,

- Figure 3 shows a view in cross section AA perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the case in figure 1,

- Figure 4 shows a top view of the case in figure 2.

Figure 1 shows a first case 1 according to the invention, which extends along a longitudinal axis X. This case 1 can form a refill intended to be removably fastened to the case in figure 2. Each case 1, 2 forms a hollow body intended to contain a cosmetic product and has an opening 14, 24 for picking up or dispensing the cosmetic product.

Each case 1, 2 can have a cover or a heat- sealed film to be removed upon first use.

Each case 1, 2 comprises a body with a cross section defining for example a square contour delimiting four lateral walls having respective external lateral faces perpendicular to a bottom wall 15, 25. The visible lateral walls are referenced 26 and 27 in figure 1 and 28 and 29 in figure 2. The visible external lateral faces are referenced 11 and 110 in figure 1 and 21 and 210 in figure 2.

The cross section of each case 1, 2 can also be for example circular, noncircular, elongate, oval, elliptical, polygonal or rectangular.

Each case 1, 2 can be formed integrally by molding plastics material, in particular by injection-molding for example polypropylene, PYC or PET. The cases 1, 2 can be molded in one piece. They can be made of a material from the following list: elastomer material, thermoplastic elastomer material, thermoplastic, LDPE, HDPE, PP, PU, EPDM, PDM, EVA, SEBS, SBS, POM, PA, latex, silicone, ABS, PBT, POM, PET, PETG, this list not being limiting. The cases 1, 2 can be formed from several materials.

In the example shown, two opposite lateral external faces 11 and 110 of the case 1 have a slide guide 3, 30 and two opposite lateral external faces 21, 210 of the case 2 have a slide 4, 40. This does not have to be the case. For example, each case could have a slide and a slide guide.

The slide guide 3 of the case 1 is provided with a flexible positioning tab 5 having a hook 55 that can form a relief complementary to the notch 6 formed in the slide 4 of the case 2 or vice versa and that defines an insertion zone with convergent walls 61, 62 for the hook 55 of the tab 5. The flexible positioning tab 5 could be formed on the slide 4. It could be placed perpendicularly to the slide 4. The shape of the flexible positioning tab 5 may be complementary to that of the notch 6. Nevertheless, a space may be provided between the tab 5 and the notch 6. The tab 5 may be made of two materials. It may be attached to the lateral face.

Each slide guide 3, 30 comprises two guide ramps 31, 32 that are mutually symmetric with respect to a median transverse plane of the case 1, the two ramps being separated by a groove 33, the bottom wall 34 of which is partially formed by the flexible positioning tab 5.

In the example shown, the notch 6 is in the shape of a straight prism with a triangular base, but it could have any other shape, for example a hemispherical, pyramidal, cubic shape.

During the assembly of the cases 1, 2, the slide 4 of the case 2 is guided by the slide guide 3 of the case 1. By exerting a generally shearing movement between the two hands, the user slides the case 2 relative to the case 1 along a translation path extending along the sliding axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the case 1. The sliding axis Y could be positioned differently with respect to the axis X; for example, it could be parallel to the axis X.

The first portion 43 of the slide moves in the first portion 53 of the slide guide 11 and, continuing the fitting trajectory, the tab 5 starts to cross the portion 43, optionally generating a tactile sensation that is perceptible to the user. It slides over the portion 43, bending perpendicularly to the plane XY.

Continuing the movement, the tab 5 passes through a position starting to obstruct the notch 6 corresponding to the time at which the tab 5 starts to relax in order, optionally, to drive the hook 55 against the walls 61, 62. The hook 55 is then released into the bottom of the insertion zone in the position locking the case. At this time, the portions 42 and 43 of the slide face the portions 52 and 53 of the slide guide, this movement optionally being accompanied by another tactile sensation that is perceptible to the user.

In the locked position, the hook 55, by butting against the walls 61, 62, prevents the relative movement of the cases 1, 2 over a sufficient distance along the axis Y to cause their detachment.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and it is possible in particular to combine the features of these different examples with one another as parts of variants that are not illustrated. The pallet could have more cases, for example 10 or 20 cases, in order to present an extensive range of shades.

Claims

1. A cosmetic pallet comprising a first case (1) intended to be assembled in a removable manner with a second case (2), a first external lateral face (11) of the first case (1) comprising a slide guide (3) and a second external lateral face (21) of the second case (2) comprising a slide (4) that is able to slide in the slide guide (3), characterized in that one of the first external lateral face (11) and the second external lateral face (21) has a flexible positioning tab (5) that is able to be fitted in a complementary relief (6) formed on the other of the first external lateral face (11) and the second external lateral face (21).

2. The cosmetic pallet as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that one of the slide guide (3) and the slide has a flexible positioning tab (5) that is able to be fitted in a complementary relief (6) formed on the other of the slide (4) and the slide guide (3).

3. The cosmetic pallet as claimed in either one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible positioning tab (5) is equipped with a hook (55).

4. The cosmetic pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible positioning tab (5) is cut out of the first external lateral face (11).

5. The cosmetic pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible positioning tab (5) defines a thinned part of the first external lateral face (11).

6. The cosmetic pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the complementary relief (6) comprises a notch forming an insertion zone for the flexible positioning tab (5).

7. The cosmetic pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slide guide (3) has guide ramps (31, 32) defining a groove (33), the flexible positioning tab (5) partially defining a bottom wall (34) of the groove (33).

8. The cosmetic pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the complementary relief (6) defines a cutout in the slide (4).

9. The cosmetic pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the complementary relief (6) has two lateral flanks (61, 62) that converge toward one another, in order to make it easier to position and guide the flexible positioning tab (5).

10. A case (1, 2) intended to be assembled to form a pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

11. A device for play compensation between a first case ( 1 ) and a second case (2) that are intended to be assembled so as to be removable from one another, a first external lateral face (11) of the first case (1) comprising a slide guide (3) and a second external lateral face (21) of the second case (2) comprising a slide (4) that is able to slide in the slide guide (3), characterized in that it has a flexible positioning tab (5) formed on one of the first external lateral face (11) and the second external lateral face (21), the tab (5) being able to be fitted in a complementary relief (6) formed on the other of the first external lateral face (11) and the second external lateral face (21).

12. A cosmetic method comprising the steps of:

(1) providing a first case (1) and a second case (2) as defined in any one of the preceding claims,

(2) engaging the slide (4) of the second case (2) in the slide guide (3) of the first case

(1), (3) sliding the slide (4) in the slide guide (3), optionally generating a first tactile sensation when the flexible locking tab (5) arrives in a first assembled position with the second case (2), and optionally generating a second tactile sensation when the flexible locking tab (5) arrives in a second assembled position with the second case (2),

(4) if necessary, separating the first case (1) from the pallet,

(5) if necessary, replacing the first case (1) with a third case in order to form a new pallet.