EP1669002A1 - Cosmetic packaging, preferably a box, with improved handling and one hand opening - Google Patents

Abstract

Compact comprises a cover (10) provided with an inner mirror (60), and a base (20) provided with an intermediate support for cup(s) of cosmetic product (70). The base and cover each have a sidewall and are connected to each other through a hinge (30). The compact gripping area comprises two areas which are located on the base sidewall and on each side of the median plane of the hinge, and which are higher than the remainder of the base sidewall.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to the field of packaging of cosmetic products, and more particularly that of housings containing a product for facials, typically in the form of gel, powder, pressed or not, foam or cream.

STATE OF THE ART

The housings concerned by the invention are packaging of cosmetic products of generally flat shape, their function being to present the user at all times with a large surface of product to facilitate the sampling with the aid of a finger or an applicator. This surface, substantially flat, is called thereafter distribution surface.

In general, the housings typically comprise a recessed lid generally provided with an inner mirror and a recessed base, typically provided with a grid or intermediate support of one or more buckets intended to receive said cosmetic product. The lid and the base are said to be "recessed" in that they have side walls substantially perpendicular to the dispensing surface and which lie in the extension of one another when the lid and the base are in contact with each other. closing position, so that the closed housing is in a form substantially close to a cylinder or prism of low slenderness.

Generally, the lid pivots around a hinge which is placed at the periphery of the base and the lid and which constitutes the connecting member between said lid and said base. This hinge allows the articulation of the cover and the opening of the housing. The lid and the base are provided with complementary means of locking and unlocking the cover relative to the base, so as to ensure the opening and closing of said housing. These means are for example the elements of a clasp, typically push button. This clasp, located generally opposite the hinge of the housing, is usually formed by the cooperation of a clasp member of the lid with a clasp member of the base or grid secured to the base, so as to ensure that the enclosure will remain closed at all times except where the user intentionally opens.

• le brevet FR 2 661 080 qui décrit un boîtier de maquillage à fermoir de faible encombrement,
• le brevet FR 2 725 958 qui concerne un boîtier à fermeture jointive à assistance à l'ouverture,
• le brevet FR 2 737 192 qui décrit un boîtier à couvercle pivotant pourvu d'une articulation à pattes souples,
• le brevet FR 2 755 352 qui décrit un boîtier à ouverture assistée,
• le brevet FR 2 755 353 qui décrit un boîtier à poussoir de déverrouillage et pré-ouverture,
• le brevet FR2 794 723 qui décrit un boîtier à pré-ouverture améliorée,
• et le brevet FR 2 844 434 qui décrit un boîtier à fermoir latéral.

There are many types of packages, which can relate to one or more components of the housing, including the clasp or the opening of the housing. Thus, with regard to the patents on behalf of the plaintiff, mention may be made of:

• patent FR 2 661 080 which describes a make-up case with clasp of small size,
• patent FR 2,725,958 which relates to a close-coupled case with assistance to the opening,
• patent FR 2,737,192 which describes a casing with a pivoting lid provided with a hinge with flexible tabs,
• patent FR 2 755 352 which describes a box with assisted opening,
• patent FR 2 755 353 which describes an unlocking push-button and pre-opening box,
• patent FR 2 794 723 which describes an improved pre-open housing,
• and patent FR 2 844 434 which describes a casing with a lateral clasp.

Whether simple or assisted opening, the housings have a generally flat shape that fits more or less in one hand and is therefore more or less well adapted to the conditions of use sought for this type of conditioning, that is to say at any time of the day and in any place. It is indeed necessary, whatever the place and the time of the day chosen, to have a stable housing base which can be held firmly, but without tension, with one hand, the other hand being called for other handling functions: opening of the lid, positioning and orientation of the mirror, taking and depositing on the skin of the product with or without the aid of an applicator.

The object of the invention is to arrange a housing so as to guarantee high operational safety and high stability, while maintaining reasonable production costs.

In addition, when the housings according to the state of the art comprise assisted opening means - these means allow, typically, the rotation of a certain angle or the automatic tilting of the lid when exerted on the push button the pressure d opening -, the manual opening gesture and / or that of the manual gripping of the housing can interfere with the assisted or automatic opening of the lid, the fingers being instinctively placed at the front and rear of the housing to seize it .

Finally, the Applicant has also looked for a way to offer housings that are different from the housings of the state of the art, including, in addition to their aesthetic appearance, by their "grip" or their "touch", it that is to say by the tactile perception of the manual effort to exercise to hold them or to open them.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the invention is a box for the packaging of cosmetic products for facials, typically in the form of gel, powder, pressed or not, foam or cream, said housing comprising a lid generally provided with an interior mirror and a base, typically provided with an intermediate support of at least one bucket for receiving a cosmetic product, said base and said lid being each provided with a side wall and being interconnected by a hinge, characterized in that the gripping zone said housing comprises two areas which are located on the side wall of the base and placed on either side of the plane (P) mediator of said hinge and which have a height greater than that of the remainder of the side wall of the base.

According to the invention, the gripping zone of the housing comprises two zones located on the side wall of the base of the housing and placed on either side of the median plane of the hinge, which is in general also the plane of symmetry of the housing . These gripping areas can be placed perfectly symmetrical but can also choose even more ergonomic locations, adapted from one side to the thumb and the other to the knuckles of the other fingers. To further improve the gripping conditions, these areas have a particular extent, including a height greater than that of the rest of the side wall of the base.

Preferably, the wall of the first zone, intended to receive the base and the inside of the thumb and that of the second zone, intended to be held by the ends of the phalanges of the other fingers, at least the annular and middle fingers, are made of an elastomeric material.

Elastomeric plastic materials are known as macromolecular materials which return rapidly and approximately to their original shape and size after cessation of the application of a low stress likely to have produced significant deformation. They are also known for their tribological properties that, even with a smooth surface, allow a firm grip ("grip") without the need to exert excessive support and do not hurt the skin of the fingers or the skin. hand. They also have an impression of softness and warmth to the touch.

Among the elastomeric materials that can be envisaged, mention may be made especially of butadiene-nitrile acrylic copolymers, polychloroprenes, isobutylene-isoprene copolymers, organic polysulfides and isobutylene polymers or isobutenic elastomers. But, preferably, thermoplastic elastomeric polymers which have the advantage of being moldable and / or extruded, such as a styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBS) or a styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SEBS), will preferably be chosen or a blend of PP (polypropylene) and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the open end of the side wall is saddle-shaped, with the tops of the saddle on the side of the gripping areas and the lower parts at the hinge and the zone diametrically opposite said hinge, possibly provided with a clasp. Preferably, the end of the side wall of the cover also fits perfectly complementary saddle shape so that there is perfect continuity when the housing is closed. In this way, on the one hand the housing remains an airtight container for the cosmetic product and on the other hand the cover can be opened without the fingers holding it.

The elastomeric material constituting the gripping area of the side wall of the base is of particular interest for housings with pivoting lid because it greatly improves the grip of the housing with one hand during its opening and thus limits the risks of overturning or flight of its contents whatever the conditions of use of said housing.

Advantage can be taken of the high elasticity of the elastomeric material to provide the side wall of the base of a clasp at the gripping area and cover the clasp with a thin elastomeric layer. The clasp, in lateral position, as in applications GB 2,088,335 and FR 2,844,434, is thus protected from any contact with other products, for example the cosmetic product contained in the housing and can perform a large amount of number of openings without the mechanism being affected by the presence of foreign bodies.

The flexibility of the elastomeric material also makes it possible to envisage a new conception of the means of assisted opening. In the preferred embodiment presented in the example below, the pusher does not have the same spatial configuration and is no longer moved in the locking direction by a separate elastic means, coil spring type. The pusher considered in this preferred embodiment of the invention is itself an elastic means, used not for closing but for opening.

According to this modality, the base of the housing comprises several distinct parts, made of different materials: a flat base, typically a rigid plastic material, non-elastomeric, on which is fixed the bucket or bucket holder bucket, a lip flexible, partially or totally elastomeric sidewall office, and a pusher in the shape of an arc or ellipse or U-shaped, placed symmetrically with respect to the median plane of the hinge, which is generally the plane of symmetry of the case. The shape of the pusher is chosen according to the general shape of the case: arc if it is more than one cylinder (circular or elliptical section), U if it is more square or rectangle. This pusher wife therefore recessed, the general shape of the side wall of the housing outside the area adjacent to the hinge, so that the branches of the U or the "edges" of the arc have a certain flexibility in terms of gripping areas. It is made of a flexible material, elastic, which is resistant to repeated solicitations: a metal or a plastic material of the POM (polyoxymethylene) type. Its ends are immobile relative to the base and it comprises, in the middle, that is to say at the plane of the hinge plane, a locking means, typically a snap-fitting bead which cooperates with a locking means linked to the cover, typically also a snap-on bead. By a slightly stronger pressure of the hand holding the casing (this pressure is exerted on the edges of the arc or the branches of the U), the pusher deforms elastically and this elastic deformation results in a significant displacement of said locking means, which comes out of the housing that traps it and this, thanks to a motor element generally associated with the hinge, causes the opening of the lid. The pusher returns to its initial position as soon as the pressure of the hand falls below a certain value, which makes it possible, when closing, to bring the locking means into contact with one another so that they can again cooperate to ensure said locking.

In the preferred embodiment described below, the pusher is an elastic piece which is placed on the rigid base, its ends abutting against protuberances formed on said base and which is trapped in an annular cavity of the lip which acts as a flexible side wall, when it is fixed on said base. The lip thus has, outside the zone of the hinge, a generally toric shape with a U-shaped section, the toric cavity intended to collect the pusher being delimited by the saddle-shaped top wall, the flexible side wall and a skirt. internal. It is fixed substantially irreversibly on the base by means of anchoring means, typically a set of beads associated with the inner skirt of the lip snapping into cavities formed on a rigid inner skirt integral with the base. This rigid inner skirt also allows, with the outer rim of the base, to guide and hold the pusher when it is placed on the base and trapped inside the lip.

FIGURES

Figure 1a illustrates a right view of a housing according to the invention. Figure 1b illustrates a front view of the same housing according to the invention.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates the grip of the housing of Figure 1 for use, before opening the lid.

Figure 3 illustrates an axonometric view of a housing according to the invention, cut along a diametral plane perpendicular to the hinge, hereinafter plane of symmetry of the housing.

Figure 4 illustrates a section of the same housing according to the front view.

Figure 5a shows an axonometric view of the lid of the same housing. Figure 5b illustrates a section in the left view (cut by the plane of symmetry). Figure 5c illustrates a front view.

Figure 6a shows an axonometric view of the base of the same housing. FIG. 6b illustrates a section along the front view (diametral section plane perpendicular to the plane of symmetry). Figure 6c illustrates a section in the left view (cut by the plane of symmetry). Figure 6d illustrates a view from above.

Figure 7a illustrates an axonometric view of the lip as a flexible sidewall. Figure 7b illustrates a section according to the front view (diametral cutting plane perpendicular to the plane of symmetry). Figure 7c illustrates a section in the left view (cut by the plane of symmetry).

Figure 8a illustrates an axonometric view of the pusher of the same housing. Figure 8b illustrates a rear view. Figure 8c illustrates a section along the left view (cut by the plane of symmetry). Figure 8d illustrates a view from above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (FIGS. 1-8)

The casing 1 is intended for the packaging of a cosmetic product for facials in the form of pressed powder. The housing 1 comprises a lid 10 provided with an inner mirror 60 and a base 20 with a cup of cosmetic product 70 . The base 20 and the cover 10 are each provided with a side wall (respectively 21 and 11 ). The outer surface of the side wall 21 of the base 20 is, in particular in the gripping zone of the housing ( 22 and 23 ), in SEBS, a thermoplastic elastomeric material.

The lid 10 , made of ABS (acrylobutadiene styrene), pivots around a hinge 30 , which constitutes the connecting member between the lid 10 and the base 20 .

The gripping zone consists of two zones 22 and 23 , located on the side wall 21 of the base 20 and placed on either side of the diametral plane P perpendicular to the hinge, also referred to herein as the plane of articulation of the hinge 30 and plane symmetry of the housing. Here, the wall of the first zone 22 , intended to receive the base and the inside of the thumb and that of the second zone 23 , intended to be held by the ends of the phalanges of the other fingers, are distributed symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry P of the case. These walls are covered with SEBS.

To further improve the gripping conditions, these areas have a height greater than that of the rest of the side wall 21 of the base 20 . As a result, the open end 24 of the side wall is saddle-shaped with the tops of the saddle on the side of the grip areas 22 and 23 . The open end 14 of the side wall 11 of the lid 10 conforms to a shape perfectly complementary. In this way, the lid can be opened without the fingers holding it.

The base 20 of the housing comprises a flat base 25 of ABS on which is housed a cup of cosmetic product 70 , a lip 50 in SEBS which serves as a flexible side wall 21 , and a plunger 40 in the form of a circular arc placed symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry of the housing, perpendicular to the hinge 30 . The edges 42 and 43 of the bow of the pusher 40 have a certain flexibility at the gripping zones 22 and 23 . The pusher 40 is made of POM (polyoxymethylene). It comprises, in the middle, that is to say at the plane of symmetry of the housing, a snap-fitting bead 41 which cooperates with the bead 12 of the cover. By a slightly stronger pressure of the hand holding the casing (this pressure is exerted on the edges 42 and 43 of the arc), the pusher 40 is deformed elastically and this elastic deformation results in a significant displacement of the bead 41 , which leaves the housing which traps it and this, thanks to the motor element (not shown) included in the hinge 30 , causes the lid 10 to open . The automatic opening of the lid 10 is in fact provided by a mechanism of springs located in the hinge 30 , such as that described in patent FR 2 844 434. Other mechanisms, such as that described in EP 1 403 460, can be used. The pusher 40 returns to its initial position as soon as the pressure of the hand falls below a certain value, which makes it possible, when closing, to place the beads 41 and 12 in contact with each other so that they can again cooperate to ensure said locking. The stiffness of the pusher is defined so that the critical value of the force from which the bead protrudes from its housing is substantially greater than the standard value of a holding force without tension, typically a force holding force. 0.1 Newton order, while remaining easy to exercise by the user, typically an opening force of between 5 and 10 newtons.

The pusher 40 is placed on the rigid base 25 , its ends 44 abutting protuberances 28 formed on said base. It is trapped in an annular cavity 53 of the lip 50 which acts as a flexible side wall, when it is fixed on said base. The lip 50 thus has, outside the region of the hinge, a generally toric shape with a U-shaped cross-section, the toric cavity 53 intended to collect the pusher being delimited by the saddle-shaped top wall 24 , the flexible side wall. 21 and an inner skirt 54 . It is fixed substantially irreversibly on the base with the aid of beads 51 which snap into the cavities 29 formed on the rigid inner skirt 26 secured to the base 25 . This rigid inner skirt 26 and the outer rim 27 of the base also make it possible to guide and hold the pusher 40 during its placement on the base and its trapping inside the lip 50 which serves as the flexible sidewall.

Claims (10)

Casing (1) for the packaging of cosmetic products for facials, typically in the form of gel, powder, pressed or not, foam or cream, said casing comprising a lid (10) generally provided with an internal mirror (60) and a base (20), typically provided with an intermediate support of at least one cup for receiving a cosmetic product (70), said base and said cover being each provided with a side wall (11 and 21 ) and being interconnected by a hinge (30), characterized in that the gripping area of said housing comprises two zones (22 and 23) which are located on the side wall (21) of the base and placed on the side and side. other of the plane (P) mediating said hinge and having a height greater than that of the remainder of the side wall (21) of the base Housing (1) according to claim 1 wherein the side wall (21) of the base (20) is, at least in the gripping area (22 and 23) of the housing, an elastomeric plastic material. Housing (1) according to claim 2 wherein said elastomeric plastic material is a thermoplastic elastomer, typically a styrene - butadiene - styrene copolymer (SBS) or a styrene - ethylene - butadiene - styrene copolymer (SEBS) or a PP blend (polypropylene EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). Housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the open end (24) of the side wall (21) of the base (20) has a saddle shape complementary to that presented by the open end (14) of the side wall (11) of the lid (10). Housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the side wall (21) of the base (20) is provided with a clasp at the gripping area, said clasp being covered by said material elastomeric which is present, at least at said push button, in the form of a thin film easily deformable. Housing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the base of the housing comprises a flat base (25), typically a rigid plastic material, a lip (50) acting as a side wall (21) partially or completely elastomeric, and a pusher (40) typically in the shape of an arc or ellipse or U-shaped, placed symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry of the housing, said pusher wedging, recessed, the shape general of the side wall of the housing outside the area adjacent to the hinge, so that it has a certain flexibility in the gripping areas, the ends (44) of said pusher being immobile relative to said base (25) and said pusher comprising in its middle a locking means (41), typically a ratchet bead, which cooperates with a locking means (12) connected to the cover (10). Housing (1) according to claim 6 wherein the pusher (40) is an elastic piece trapped between the base (25) and the lip (50) which acts as a flexible side wall (21), its ends (44) coming into abutment against protuberances (28) formed on said base. Housing (1) according to claim 7 wherein the pusher (40) is trapped in an annular cavity (53) of the lip (50) when the latter is fixed on said base. Housing (1) according to claim 8 wherein the lip (50) has, outside the region of the hinge, a generally toroidal shape with a U-shaped section, the toric cavity (53) for collecting the pusher (40) being delimited by the saddle-shaped top wall (24), the flexible side wall (21) and an inner skirt (54), and wherein said lip is fixed substantially irreversibly on said base by means of anchoring means, typically a set of beads (51) formed on the inner skirt (54) and snapping into cavities (29) formed on a skirt (26) integral with the base (25). Housing (1) according to claim 9 wherein the hinge (30) is provided with a mechanism for automatically opening the lid (10).

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