DEVICE FOR PACKAGING AND APPLYING A PRODUCT

Abstract

A packaging and application device for a cosmetic product. The device may include a platform, a tube forming a housing for the product and a driving mechanism for translational movement of the platform in the tube. The movement of the platform allows dispensing of product via a dispensing opening in the tube. A side wall of the tube includes an inner cross-section having an inwards-concave portion and an inwards-convex portion. The tube is arranged in a base having an outwards-convex outer cross-section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention will be gained from reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are offered purely as a guide and by way of example, and in no way limit the invention.

FIG. 1 is an outline perspective view of an example of a device with a cap mounted;

FIG. 2 is an outline perspective view of an example device with a pushbutton in the low position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the dispensing opening of the example device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an outline perspective view of an example device with the pushbutton in a middle position;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are two exploded perspective views of an example device;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are two longitudinal sectional views of variant embodiments of an example device, during filling;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a platform of an example device;

FIG. 10 is a view during use of an example device;

FIGS. 11 to 15 are schematic top views of the dispensing opening of variant embodiments of an example device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals are utilized to designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 depicts an example packaging and application device 1 that includes a base 2 on which there is mounted a cap 3 making it possible to conceal, in the assembled position depicted in FIG. 1, an application means provided in the device 1.

According to this example, the assembly including the device 1 and the cap 3 defines a cylinder that is generally centered on an axis X of translational movement of the cap 3 relative to the base 2, during mounting of this cap 3 on the device 1. The cap 3 can be limited in size to the maximum cross-section of the base 2. In this example, a section transverse to the axis X of the assembly has an outwards-convex outline, for example of ovoid shape. For example, the transverse section is elliptical with major axis Y.

Along the axis X, in the assembled position, the base 2 has a height H1, and the cap a height H2. The ratio of the height H1 to the sum of the heights H1 and H2 corresponds substantially to the height of the assembly in the assembled position. This ratio can be, for example, between 0.3 and 0.4, and can be, for example, preferably of the order of ⅓. According to a preferred example, the height H1 corresponds to the thickness of a thumb. This is because the base can be, configured to be picked up by gripping between two fingers, for example between the thumb and the index finger. H1 can be, for example, between 1 and 3 centimeters, and, in a preferred example, between 1.5 and 2 cm.

In order to make it possible to apply the contained product, the user removes the cap 3 from the base 2, which results in the device 1 appearing in the form shown in FIG. 2. The cap 3 is, for example, held on the base by latching means 4. Advantageously, the cap 3 can also include an annular lip 5 force-fitted in an annular space 6 defined by the base 2. The annular space 6 is defined at the level of an edge 7 of a side wall 8 of the base 2. The side wall 8 is arranged on a bottom 9 defined transversely to the axis X. A first outer annular skirt 10 is arranged on the edge 7, and has an external perimeter defined according to the generator of the external perimeter of the cylindrical side wall 8. The annular space 6 is defined between this first outer annular skirt 10 and a second inner annular skirt 11, extending according to the generator of the cylindrical internal perimeter of this side wall 8.

In this example, visible in particular in FIG. 2, the latching means 4 are in the form of a transverse flange 12 protruding towards the outside of the base 2, from the second inner annular skirt 11. The second inner annular skirt 11 has a height along the axis X greater than that of the outer annular skirt 10. In a preferred example, the inner annular skirt 11 has two transverse flanges such as 12, and these two flanges advantageously extend substantially parallel to the major axis Y of the ellipse formed by the external perimeter of the inner annular skirt 11. These latching means 4 are configured to cooperate with a complementary raised part provided inside the cap 3. Axial immobility of the cap 3 relative to the base 2 is thus obtained.

In order to provide the sealing of the closure, the annular lip 5 is gripped between the internal perimeter of the first outer annular skirt 10 and an annular bead 13 provided protruding from the second annular skirt 11 into the annular space 6. The cap 3 assembled on the base 2 thus makes it possible to define a sealed internal volume, static sealing being provided between these two parts. The product contained in the assembly is protected with regard to the external environment.

A tube 14 is arranged inside the base 2, the tube 14 being fitted inside the latter. Such a tube 14 then projects relative to said base 2. This tube 14 defines a product housing, and includes a dispensing opening 15 axially opposite the bottom 9.

In FIG. 3, an inner cross-section of the tube 14 is “bean”-shaped. This is because this inner cross-section comprises an inwards-concave portion 16 and an inwards-convex portion 17, as shown in FIG. 3. These concave 16 and convex 17 portions extend along a larger-sized side of a cross-section of the device. For example, these concave and convex portions can extend generally along the major axis Y, and either side of this axis. The dispensing opening 15 then has a cross-section substantially identical to that of the tube 14. Preferably, the portions 16 and 17 are facing each other so that the dispensing opening forms a slit extending along a curve C.

The portions 16 and 17 have different radii of curvature so that the width of the slit measured perpendicular to the curve C passes through a maximum in a middle area, at a distance from the ends of the portions 16 and 17. In the example depicted, the inwards-concave portion 16 has a smaller radius than the inwards-convex portion 17, so that at the ends there is a small radius which makes it possible to make up the eyelashes of the corner of the eye, and at the centre there is a larger width in order to allow filling and obtain a large volume of product.

The tube 14 can be cylindrical and generally parallel to the axis X. A side wall 18 of this tube has an outer face having an outwards-convex profile 19 and an outwards-concave profile 20 in correspondence with the concave 16 and convex 17 portions respectively. The side wall 18 has, in this example, a substantially constant thickness. The outwards-convex profile 19 also extends substantially along the curve C. It is placed in contact with the internal perimeter of the inner annular skirt 11. Preferably, this curve C extends along the major axis Y of the ellipse formed by the cross-section of the base 2. A space 21 therefore exists between the outwards-concave profile 20 and the internal perimeter of the side wall 8.

A driving mechanism 22 is partly disposed in this space 21. The driving mechanism 22 includes a pushbutton 23 housed in the space 21 and cooperating with a platform disposed inside the tube 14, such that a movement of the pushbutton along the axis X allows a translational movement along this axis of the platform in the tube 14 with a view to the dispensing of product via the dispensing aperture 15. The pushbutton 23 can be limited in size to the maximum cross-section of the base 2, and can even be limited in size to the maximum cross-section of the annular bead 13.

In a variant example, the inwards-concave portion 16 can have an identical radius of curvature, and therefore be superposable on that of the inwards-convex portion 17. In another variant example, depicted in FIG. 11, the radius of curvature of the inwards-concave portion 16 can be greater than that of the inwards-convex portion 17. In a variant example illustrated in FIG. 12, the external perimeter of the base 2 defines a semi-circle, inside which the tube 14 delimiting the housing for the product P is disposed. The internal and external perimeter of the tube 14 represents a half-ring.

In a variant example shown in FIG. 13, the tube 14 has an entirely inwards-concave profile, and is arranged in a base 2 having two concavities outwards, forming respectively two inwards-convex portions 101 and 102. In this example embodiment the driving mechanism 22 is housed in the space 21 defined between the external perimeter of the side wall 18 and the concavity inwards defined by the wall 8 between the two convex portions 101 and 102. In another variant example, depicted in FIG. 14, the tube 14 includes two inwards-convex portions 111 and 112, and the base 2 has an inwards-convex portion 113. The convex portion 113 of the base 2 is disposed opposite the convex portion 111 of the tube 14, the driving mechanism 22 being disposed between the second convex portion 112 of the tube 14 and the base 2.

In a variant of the example in FIG. 14, FIG. 15 depicts the tube 14 including two inwards-convex portions 111 and 112 opposite respectively two inwards-convex portions 113 and 114 of the base 2. A space 21 is nevertheless made between the wall 18 and the base 2 in which the bulk of the driving mechanism 22 can be placed.

According to an example, the outer cross-section of the base is not homothetic with the inner cross-section of the tube 14.

The pushbutton 23 has an outline and/or a surface effect for facilitating its handling. For example, the pushbutton includes a hollow configured to cooperate with the pad of the end of the thumb.

The side wall 18 includes guide rails 24 for cooperating with the pushbutton 23. In FIG. 4, the pushbutton is in a middle position between a free edge of the second inner skirt 11 and the dispensing opening; the product presented here in the form of a solid cake is sticking out partly outside the dispensing opening 15.

The pushbutton 23 is movable relative to the tube 14 between a low position and a high position. In the low position, as can be seen in FIG. 2, a free axial end of the pushbutton, relative to its translational movement axis X, protrudes from the base 2 and is situated in proximity to the free edge of the second inner skirt 11. On the other hand, in the high position, the free axial end is disposed substantially in the plane of the dispensing opening 15, and for example at the level of the free edge 25 of the side wall 18 of the tube 14.

Separating/combing elements such as a row of tapered teeth 26, of conical structure with circular base, can be distributed regularly over the free edge 25, for example. They can be arranged substantially parallel to the axis X, for example. Even in the high position, the pushbutton remains below the plane in which the free ends of the teeth 26 are defined. The teeth 26 can be conical and have a circular base of diameter 0.8 mm, the diameter at the free end being of the order of 0.3 mm, and a height of the order of 3 mm. Advantageously the teeth 26 are spaced apart from one another by approximately 1.4 mm.

The pushbutton 23 includes a wall forming a screen 27 (depicted in FIG. 5) which comes out progressively from the base, when it is brought from the low position to the high position. This screen 27 is initially concealed in the base 2 in the low position. This screen 27 includes, as can be seen in the exploded views of FIGS. 5 and 6, a lug 29 arranged transversely to this screen, at a free end opposite to the free end of the pushbutton configured to be manipulated.

The lug is configured to pass through a slot 28 formed in an axial portion 30 of the side wall 18. For example, the slot 28 is formed in the outwards-concave face 20. The slot 28 guides the sliding of the pushbutton along the tube 14. Advantageously, the slot 28 is formed in the portion of the tube 14 contained in the base. It is concealed by both the base and the pushbutton 23, for example by the screen 27 of the pushbutton 23. The slot 28 opens out at an axial end opposite to the one defining the dispensing opening 15. Thus the lug 29 can be inserted into the slot 28 by translational movement along the slot 28.

The lug 29 includes an end 31 (shown in FIG. 6) fitted into an aperture 32 formed in a rod 33 sticking out from a bottom 34 of the platform 35 on which the product is disposed. The rod 34 sticks out in a direction opposite to the direction of the low position towards the high position along the axis X. The end 31 can be latched, or else clamped. Alternatively, given the confinement of the pushbutton and the platform relative to the tube, the fitting can be flexible, the only mobility permitted being axial along the axis X.

As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rod 33, which is inside the tube, is situated in the portion concealed by the base 2 when the pushbutton 23 is in the low position. The slot 28, in cooperation with the bottom 9, forms a first limit stop B1 for translational movement of the pushbutton relative to the tube. The low position is thus determined.

It is possible in this low position to provide the platform 35 with sealed fitting with the internal perimeter of the tube 14. To that end, the external perimeter of the platform can have a perimeter identical to the transverse section of the internal perimeter of the side wall 18, for example. On the other hand, there is preferably no dynamic sealing provided between the platform and the internal perimeter of the tube when the platform is driven translationally inside the tube 14. This is because the internal perimeter of the side wall widens out slightly in the direction of its dispensing opening 15.

The platform 35 includes an annular lip 36 for delimiting the seat intended to receive the product to be dispensed. This annular lip 36 can come into sealed elastic contact with the internal perimeter of the side wall, for example in the low position.

The slot 28 includes a second limit stop B2 axially opposite the first limit stop B1, this second limit stop being situated below the level of the annular lip 36 when the pushbutton is in the low position. Therefore the height of product H3 before the first use can correspond to the distance between the platform 35 in the low position and the plane of the free edge 25. This height H3 is for example of the order of 3 cm. The total height H4 between the bottom 9 of the base and the free edge 25 of the tube 14 when the latter is mounted is substantially equal to twice the height H3. The ratio R of the height H3 to the height H4 is of the order of 0.5, as depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In a variant embodiment of the platform 35 as depicted in FIGS. 1 to 6, where the bottom 34 is solid, in FIGS. 7 to 9 the bottom 34 is permeable to the product. To that end it includes wide apertures 40. These apertures 40 (shown in FIG. 9) can be, for example, provided to allow filling with product via the bottom, the base 2 not being disposed around the tube. For filling the devices according to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper lip of the platform 35 being gripped in the tube 14, it prevents the pushbutton from sliding by gravity in the direction of its high position. A plug 41 is also provided, arranged inside the tube in order to close up the housing and shape the free end of the product hot-cast in its housing. The plug 41 has a gripping means protruding into the cap to facilitate its withdrawal upon first use.

The distance between the two limit stops B1 and B2, reduced by the axial height of the lug 29 at the level of the slot 28, defines the permitted axial travel of the platform 35 in the tube and corresponds substantially to the distance between the low position and the high position. Advantageously, when the pushbutton is in the high position, the platform 35 is situated substantially at the level of the dispensing opening 15.

In a variant, not depicted, a member permeable to the product can be disposed at the dispensing opening 15. This permeable member can be porous, fibrous, cellular, or with several channels running through it. Thus the rate and dispensing of the product at the opening can be modified. A more liquid formula can thus be dispensed. In this case, provision is made for the platform to be in sealed contact with the tube 14 over the entire height between the low position and the high position. For example, where the device is devoid of teeth such as 26, then the device 1 can be used for the application of lipstick or deodorant.

In a non-limiting variant of the invention, the free edge 25 might not include any separating/combing elements 26.

The base 2, cap 3, tube 14, pushbutton 23 and platform 35 are for example obtained by moulding. They are for example respectively made from polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides, polyacetal and polystyrene. Preferably, the platform 35 and the tube 14 will not be made from the same material in order to avoid friction between two components with the same coefficient of friction. Thus the movement of the platform 35 relative to the tube 14 can be fluid and without causing a grating noise.

As depicted in FIG. 10, the device 1 according to the invention can be, for example, configured for applying a paste-like product onto the eyelashes. This device is innovatory for the users, as is the movement for use. This is because the use of such a device takes place preferentially by bringing the device into contact with the base of the eyelashes, positioning the major axis Y substantially tangential to the cornea, and the path that the user imposes on the device in order to obtain the desired coating of their eyelashes follows a loop according to a movement whereof the components are defined in a plane perpendicular to the cornea and parallel to the bridge of the nose. The movement breaks down into three stages, and corresponds to the movements F1, F2 and F3 shown schematically in FIG. 10.

According to this application movement, the user preferably positions the curve C defined by the dispensing opening 15 substantially parallel to the curve formed by the free edge 100 of the eyelid where the eyelashes are located.

Advantageously, the edges defined at the junction between the portions 16 and 17 respectively allow improved treatment of the edges of a row of eyelashes, for example for coating the eyelashes of the inner and outer edge of the eye, including localized touching up. In this case, the movements of the device are still performed in the plane perpendicular to the cornea and parallel to the bridge of the nose, but in this case, the major axis Y is disposed in this plane.

Throughout the description, including the claims, expressions such as including, comprising or having should be understood to be synonymous with “including at least”, unless otherwise specified.

In the detailed description above, reference has been made to preferred embodiments and examples of the invention. However, obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A packaging and application device for a cosmetic product comprising: a platform,a tube forming a housing for said product, anda driving mechanism for translational movement of the platform in the tube, the movement of the platform allowing dispensing of product via a dispensing opening in the tube, the tube being arranged in a base,wherein at least one of an outer cross-section of the base or an inner cross-section of a side wall of the tube comprises an inwards-convex portion, and wherein the base and the tube include a non-homothetic cross-section.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the inner cross-section of the side wall of the tube includes an inwards-concave portion and an inwards-convex portion, and the base includes an outwards-convex outer cross-section.

3. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a cap configured to cooperate with the base.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the cap provides sealed closure of the base.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism is contained within the maximum cross-section of the base.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a slot in which the driving mechanism can be slid.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the slot extends through an axial portion of the side wall that is surrounded by the base.

8. A device according to claim 6, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a pushbutton protruding longitudinally from the base, and a longitudinal portion extending into the base and having a lug passing through the slot.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the lug cooperates with a distal end of a rod sticking out from a bottom of the platform, the rod extending into the tube in the direction of a bottom of the base.

10. A device according to claim 8, wherein the pushbutton comprises a free end disposed substantially at the level of the platform, the slot being configured to allow the movement of the platform as far as the level of the opening in the tube.

11. A device according to claim 6, wherein the slot comprises two axial limit stops.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the platform forms a seat for receiving a stick of said product.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the platform is in sealed contact with the side wall of the tube, in at least one position of the platform in the tube.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the height of product before a first use of the device to the total height of the device is between 0.3 and 0.8.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the platform is permeable and the tube comprises a second opening, axially opposite the first opening, so as to allow casting of the product in the housing.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing opening in the tube is closed off.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein the tube widens out in the direction of its dispensing opening.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing opening in the tube includes a perimeter inner cross-section substantially identical to that of the inner cross-section of the tube.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein separating/combing members are arranged at the periphery of the dispensing opening, the separating/combing members extending parallel to an axis of translational movement of the platform in the tube.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein the inwards-concave portion and the inwards-convex portion are substantially superposable, and disposed opposite each other so that the dispensing opening forms a curved slit.

21. A method of applying a product on the eyelashes using a device according to claim 1, the method comprising: moving the device along a defined path in a plane substantially perpendicular to a cornea of a user and parallel to the plane of the nose of the user.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the moving the device is done in an iterative loop defined in one or more planes substantially perpendicular to the cornea and parallel to the plane of the nose.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism includes a pushbutton, and wherein the driving mechanism is housed within the base such that only the pushbutton of the driving mechanism extends above the base when the driving mechanism is in a low position.

24. The device according to claim 1, wherein the driving mechanism is disposed between an area of the sidewall of the tube having an inwards-convex portion and an area of the base having an inwards-concave portion.