HK1097707B - Container for a liquid, solid, pasty or powdery cosmetic product, with retractable applicator - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a container for a liquid, solid, pasty or powder cosmetic product containing an application element which is enclosed, outside the application periods of the product, in a tubular storage element. It applies in particular, but not exclusively, to lipstick cases and mascara bottles, as well as to gloss bottles, tinted bottles, eyelash or cheek bottles, or even to nail polish bottles.

Lipstick containers typically have an application element with a support bearing a lipstick stick, a tubular body (circular or otherwise) into which the support can move axially at will to either pull the stick out or to slide it into the tube body, and a tubular storage element consisting of a hood or cap that cooperates with the tube body to enclose and protect the stick when not needed by the user.

Various structures have been proposed for such lipstick containers, which can be distinguished according to whether the moving control of the carrier is controlled directly or indirectly.

In the category of lip-red containers with direct control of the support, we can mention those which have a spring compressed between the bottom of the tubular body and the bottom of the support in order to constantly apply pressure to the support to the outside of the tubular body, which requires the control of the effect of this spring. In this regard we can cite document US - A-2 486 960, which describes a support maintained at friction in an elliptical body whose clamping force is reduced at each closing of the bonnet, which allows the spring to move the support towards the exit of the tubular body.

Alternatively, direct action on a side protrusion is performed without the intervention of a spring, as shown in particular in document US - A - 3 954 114 (in which a lid must be opened in synchrony with the translation of the stick) or document US - A - 4182945.

Instead of a side protrusion supporting the support, US - A - 3 989 392 proposes a fixed axle wheel, accessible from the outside through an opening in the body wall, and cooperating with a support supporting rack.

The disadvantage of these solutions with a side protrusion that moves longitudinally or a crane is that they offer no protection against untimely manoeuvring, for example by the protrusion or crane being attached to some adjacent object inside a bag or pocket.

Another principle of direct control of the movement of the stick is described in document US - A - 4 621 935, in which the output of the stick is controlled by direct support on the bottom of the stick support, through a hole cut into the bottom of the tubular body, which requires that the latter be of large section, to avoid the user having to use a tool at the end of the life of the stick.

In the more common case of indirect control of the movement of the stick, the tubular body, sometimes called cartridge, has a wall and a movable base whose rotation vis-à-vis the wall controls, by means of appropriate guiding nerves, the axial translational movement of the support and the stick inside this wall.

Reference can be made in this connection to documents GB-834-486 or US-3-515-493 and, more recently, EP-1293-146.

In general, indirectly controlled containers involve the enlarged base of the tubular body remaining outside the hood, so as to remain accessible to the user, which leaves the risk of an untimely separation between the hood and this base. To avoid this risk and ensure an effective closure of the hood on the tubular body, it is usual to provide for a locking of this hood, either by screwing or by clipping; but opening the container then requires combined movements of the user. In the case of the above document GB-834 486, it is noted that the one whose body is filled can then cover a completely closed hood with a cover which prevents the body from protruding in error; the hood is completely covered by a screwdriver and the entire body is then covered by a screwdriver, but the hood is completely covered by a tubing whose action is not to be neglected.

One way of defining the difference between mascara bottles and lipstick cases is that whereas in the case of lipstick cases the solid product to be applied is contained in the applicator, in the case of mascara bottles the product to be applied is liquid and contained in the tubular element into which the off-set applicator enters.

In mascara bottles, the applicator element has a cap on which the user acts to manipulate the mascara application end. Furthermore, the fact that the mascara is liquid implies that effective sealing must be achieved outside the mascara application periods, when the cap is engaged on the neck of the bottle; this sealing is in practice achieved by closing the cap by screwing or clipping the cap on the neck of the bottle.

Other configurations of mascara bottles are known, for example from GB - A - 2 132 883 or US - A - 6 371 129 where the applicator is mounted in a way that is elongated in the tubular element, completely immersed in the product, and subjected to the action of a spring tending to push the application end out of this tubular element, which presents in particular the disadvantages mentioned above about spring-operated lipstick cases.

Analysis of other known containers for cosmetic products, such as gloss, dyes, eyelashes, cheek pads and even nail polishes, reveals similar drawbacks.

The invention concerns a container for a solid, liquid, paste or powder cosmetic product, comprising an application element and a tubular storage element suitable for the application element, which is both simple and reliable in use without significant risk of untimely opening, while allowing a very clean aesthetic, and without leading to a clutter of the container.

The invention proposes for this purpose a container for a solid, liquid, paste or powder cosmetic product, comprising, on the one hand, an application element of this product with a transverse face and, on the other hand, a tubular storage element elongated in a longitudinal direction and having a bottom and an annular end, the application element being mounted in the storage tubular element, this application element being engaged in friction in the storage tubular element, supporting against a moving part mounted sliding in this tubular element and connected to it by an elastically compressible device, characterized by the fact that this device is elastically configured in two axial compression configurations with respect to a reculsion axis,This axial settlement corresponding to a settlement of the application element in which it is pushed downwards on the said cross-section and these two axial settlements of receding are stable and define respectively a first settlement of the application element in which its cross-section protrudes from the annular end of the tubular element and a second settlement in which this cross-section protrudes from this annular end of the tubular element, over a given distance which is significantly greater than the axial settlement stroke of the compressible elastic device between the first axial settlement of the axle and the receding configuration,the elastically compressible device passing from one to the other of the axial receding configurations by sinking the application element until the elastically compressible device reaches its axial sinking configuration, in that the elastically compressible device has a spring interposed axially between a first solid span of a closed guide track in the shape of a heart, situated in a plane roughly parallel to the axis of the tubular element, and a solid span of a second transverse tracer finger, intended to follow this guide track during relative movements between these spans, this guide track and this finger being arranged axially between the moving part and the bottom of the tube storage in the volume of the spring.

It will be appreciated that the provision that the application element can be completely inserted into the tubular storage element prevents any untimely extraction of this element by hanging it by any adjacent object in a handbag or pocket. The risk of accidental sinking of the application element into the tubular element is in practice very low; moreover, if such an untimely insertion were to occur, the fact that the application element is protruding due to the presence of the elastically compressible device in its maximum recess configuration does not appear to be sufficient to configure a significant risk of extraction by any adjacent object.

Moreover, since the application element is completely concealed in the tubular storage element, the appearance of the container is no longer determined by the tubular element alone (only the free transverse side of the tubular element is visible, provided in particular that the container is not placed on a table or other support) and it is in particular possible to give it a very clean appearance, without any breakage along its side wall, which gives a great deal of freedom to decide on the aesthetics of the container, which can be a very significant selling point in the cosmetics sector.

However, such a folding may seem a priori incompatible with the need to be able to easily extract the application element, when desired, by simple gestures. Moreover, it may seem paradoxical to start the extraction of such an application element by a sinking motion. In fact, devices that can be elastically compressed in two axial configurations backwards are already known, in areas far removed from that of cosmetics and beyond any notion of mounting, such as in the case of retractable ballpoint pens, but there is usually a mechanical restraint that prevents the attachment of the pawn on which such ballpoint pens are operated at the back,The Court held that the fact that the applicant had not been able to demonstrate that the applicant had not been in possession of a device which was capable of being used in the manufacture of cosmetics was not sufficient to dissuade the applicant from taking an interest in such devices.The Court held that the Commission had failed to fulfil its obligations under Article 85 (1) of the Treaty by failing to adopt within the prescribed period the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 17 December 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the safeguarding of employees' rights in the event of transfers of undertakings, businesses or parts of businesses.

According to preferred features of the invention, possibly combined: The application element is applied in a female portion of the movable part,the application element has a ring range suitable for cooperation with a complementary range of this movable part,which allows the position of the application element to be determined in the storage tube in the off-line configuration,depending on the position of this movable part,the application element has a ring end suitable for support against a bottom portion of this movable part,the first solid track range is the solid track of the storage tube gloss,while the second solid track range is the solid track of the player's solid finger,the first solid track base is the solid track of the player's solid finger,while the second solid track base is produced from a solid solid track of the movable part,while the second solid track base is produced from a solid solid solid tube gloss,which is produced from a solid tube gloss,while the second solid track base is produced from a solid solid tube gloss,which is produced from a solid tube gloss,while the second solid track base is produced from a solid solid tube gloss,which is produced from a solid tube gloss,which is produced from a solid tube gloss,while the second solid track base is produced from a solid tube gloss,while the solid track base is produced from a solid tube gloss,while the second solid track base is produced from a solid solid tube gloss,while the solid track base is produced from a solid tube gloss,while the solid track base is produced from a solid tube gloss is produced from a solid tube gloss,while the second solid tube gloss is produced from a solid tube gloss is produced from a gloss,while the movable tube gloss is produced from the movable tube gloss is produced from the movable part of the movable part,whole is produced from the movable part is produced from the movable part is produced from the movable part,whole is produced from the movable part is produced from the movable part is produced from the movable part is produced from the movable part,wovid or movable part is produced from the movable part of the movable part is produced from the movable part is produced from the movable part

The following description, which is given for guidance only and not as a limitation, of the objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention is given in relation to the attached drawings on which: Figure 1 is a split perspective view with partial tears of a container according to the invention, in the case of lipstick,Figure 2 is a perspective view of this container, with partial tears of the outer wall of the storage tubular element, at a time when the application element is barely separated from the case,Figure 3 is another perspective view, at a time when the application element is tucked against the free edge of the case but partially protruding,Figure 4 is a partial perspective view showing, without the spring, the compressible elastic device in the maximum reclining position,Figure 5 is a partial perspective view showing, without the spring, the device in the minimum reclining position,Figure 6 is a perspective view of the container in Figures 1 to 5, in closed configuration,Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the sinking movement to move the compressible elastic device from the configuration in Figure 5 to that in Figure 4,Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the protruding application element from the tubular storage element,Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the application element completely removed from the tubular element,Figure 10 is a perspective view of another lip balm-type container, having a cylindrical section overall,Figure 11 is another perspective view where the application element is partly removed from the storage tubular element,Figure 12 is a perspective view of yet another lip balm-type container, having a more complex section,Figure 13 is another perspective view where the application element is partly removed from the storage tubular element,

Figures 1 to 9 show a container of the invention, of the lipstick type, which, as a whole, has an application element 11 and a tubular storage element 12 which are elongated in a longitudinal direction and are suitable for the application element.

This application element has a rear transverse face 11 A with the section being the maximum section of this element 11 and the tubular element 12 has a bottom 12A and a ring end 12B.

More specifically, this application element consists here, as is known, of a rotating base 13 and a tube 14 containing a lipstick stick mounted on a support (not shown) suitable for sliding in order to take out or re-enter the stick, depending on the angular position of the base; it is the back of this base which constitutes the aforementioned transverse face.

A sliding case 15 is mounted in this tubular storage element and the application element 11 is suitable for friction engagement in this case.

Preferably, the application element, here the base, has a ring span 11 B suitable to come in front of a free edge 15 B of the sheath.

The advantage is that this application element is supported against the bottom of the sheath by its front end.

This tubular element 12 forms a protective hood over the casing and defines the container cladding.

Between this sheath and the bottom of the tubular element is an elastically compressible device 16 with two axial receding configurations.

It consists of a spring 17 interposed axially between a first span 18 of a guide track 19 closed here in the shape of a heart, situated in a plane parallel to the axis of the tubular element and a second span 20 connected to a transverse tracker finger 21 to follow this guide track during movements between these relative beams.

In the example considered here, the first span is solid from the bottom of the tubular element while the second span is solid from the bottom of the sheath.

The guide track 19 is here a groove forming a closed loop and a plate 22 runs along the finger so as to prevent it from exiting this groove.

This finger is mounted on the end of a 23 rod with a degree of freedom bending parallel to the plane containing the runway, thus allowing the finger to follow the sinuousness of the runway.

The shape of the guide track at the centre is reversed so as to present angular sections 19A and 19B (see Figure 4) which point outwards from the tubular element.

To pass from one angular portion to the other, the finger must pass through one of the 19C and 19D bulging portions and it is easy to understand that the axial level of these bulging portions therefore defines the depth of penetration of the finger which must be reached to pass from one receding position to the other.

It may be noted that the sinking stroke h required to move from the minimum receding position (corresponding to the heart cavity) to the other position is much less than the axial distance between these receding positions.

The cooperation between the application element and the casing is such that, when the finger is in its minimum receding configuration (corresponding to the steadiest position of the casing - see Figure 5), the transverse face of the application element protrudes along the edge of the annular end of the tubular element.

It is within the skill of the craftsman to define the detail of the track and finger geometry. In particular, it is within the skill of the craftsman to provide for an inclination of the core axis to ensure that when a sheath sinks and a bulging portion is crossed, the finger follows the track to the other reversing position instead of returning to the reversing position it has just left. Another way to ensure this good track course is to provide for the location of the bulging portions of the detachments deep into the groove forming the track, prohibiting a return.

It is noted that in the closure configuration (the axially compressible device is in the minimum reclining position) in Figure 6 the container has an outer surface defined by the tubular storage element, except for the rear transverse face of the application element.

A slight movement of the sink (Figure 7) corresponding to the distance h above is sufficient to move the axially compressible device from its minimum receding position to its maximum receding position (Figure 8) in which the application element protrudes at a distance equal to the distance H above and well above the sink stroke.

In the examples above, the general container section is generally square with rounded corners, but it should be understood that the fact that the invention only uses translational movements allows for a wide variety of shapes for the container section, from a circular section, as represented by container 50 in Figures 10 and 11, to a more complex shape, as represented by container 70 in Figures 12 and 13, with a clove-like shape, to intermediate shapes such as elliptical, polygonal, etc.

It is appreciated that the invention proposes a discrete system due to the concealment of the application element in the casing of the tubular storage element and the possibility of obtaining an external shape without any break or joint line. This system is also easy to use since it involves, in addition to the movements necessary for the extraction and handling of the application element from known containers, only a moderate pushing effort, on a low stroke. Finally, this system provides optimum safety since, in the position of minimum reclusion, the product is protected while preventing a passive extraction (there is no protrusion, no roughness or scaracteristic that can be accreted by an adjacent object).

Additional functions can be achieved by simply adapting the tubular storage element, e.g. protection against temperature changes, shock, humidity, etc.

The above lessons are understood to apply to a wide variety of products: The Commission has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to chemical substances.

Claims (10)

1. Container for a solid, liquid, paste or powder cosmetic product, comprising a product applicator element (11) having a transverse face (11A) and a tubular storage element (12) elongate in a longitudinal direction and having a bottom and an annular end, the applicator element being mounted in the tubular storage element, this applicator element being a friction fit in the tubular storage element and bearing against a mobile part (15) slidably mounted in this tubular element and connected thereto by an elastically compressible device (16), characterised in that this elastically compressible device (16) has two axial retraction configurations relative to an axial depression configuration, this axial depression configuration corresponding to a configuration of the applicator element (11) in which it depressed toward said bottom by pushing said transverse face (11A) and these two axial retraction configurations being stable and respectively defining a first configuration of the applicator element (11) in which its transverse face is flush with the annular end of the tubular element (12B) and a second configuration in which this transverse face projects relative to this annular end of the tubular element over a given distance that is significantly greater than the axial depression travel of the elastically compressible device between the first axial retraction configuration and the axial depression configuration, the elastically compressible device (16) passing from one to the other of the axial retraction configurations by depression of the applicator element until this elastically compressible device is brought into its axial depression configuration, in that the elastically compressible device (16) comprises a spring (17) disposed axially between a first bearing surface attached to a heart-shaped closed guide track (19) globally situated in a plane parallel to the axis of the tubular element (12) and a second bearing surface attached to a transverse follower finger (21) adapted to follow this guide track on relative movement between these bearing surfaces, this guide track (19) and this finger (21) being disposed axially between the mobile part and the bottom of the tubular storage element within the spring volume.
2. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that there are only one guide track and only one follower finger inside this container.
3. Container according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the first bearing surface attached to the guide track is attached to the tubular storage element and the second bearing surface attached to the follower finger is attached to the mobile part.
4. Container according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the first bearing surface attached to the guide track is attached to the mobile part and the second bearing surface attached to the follower finger is attached to the tubular storage element.
5. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the friction fit of the applicator element is obtained in a female portion (15) forming part of the mobile part.
6. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the applicator element includes an annular bearing surface adapted to cooperate with a complementary bearing surface of this mobile part (15A, 15B).
7. Container according to claim 6, characterised in that the applicator element has an annular end adapted to bear against a bottom portion (15A) of this mobile part.
8. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the product is a stick of lipstick.
9. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said product is a foundation.
10. Container according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that said product is a blusher or an eye shadow.