EP3437512B1 - Packaging for cosmetic product - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a casing for a cosmetic product. Such cases usually include a tray for receiving cosmetics and a cover for closing or opening the case. Thus, when the cover is in the open position, the user has access to the tray.

State of the art

In general, cases for cosmetic product include a housing configured to receive the cosmetic product and a cover. The cover is conventionally closed by clipping or screwing. In the closed position, the cover protects the cosmetic product and its opening allows the user to access the cosmetic product which is in the housing.

In the case of cases closed by locking by hook, for example, opening is done conventionally by means of a push button. This involves the addition of an additional visible part which influences the aesthetics of the case.

In addition, if one wishes comfort of use and ease of opening, the push button must be of sufficient size and the size of the case must then be adapted. The use of a push-button locking system is therefore not possible for very thin housings. The thinness of the case would imply the use of a push button which is too small to be easily handled and allow the case to be opened.

Furthermore, the size of the push button influences the strength of the locking, so a push button that is too small would not ensure sufficient locking of the housing. EP 1 780 139 A1 discloses a case which is intended to contain cosmetics or the like.

There is therefore a need for a casing for a cosmetic product which makes it possible to resolve the above drawbacks and which is of simple design and easy to use.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a cosmetic case according to claim 1. Preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

• une pièce additionnelle qui est en liaison glissière ou en liaison pivot avec le couvercle,
• un moyen de verrouillage solidaire de la pièce additionnelle - respectivement de la base, ledit moyen de verrouillage étant conçu de manière à coopérer avec un logement prévu dans/sur la base - respectivement dans/sur la pièce additionnelle.

The present invention therefore provides a cosmetic case comprising a base, a cover and a closing / opening means. The base and the cover are articulated with respect to each other via a pivot connection. The housing is able to occupy two distinct positions, a closed position in which the cover is held in position on the base by the closing / opening means and an open position in which the cover is free to pivot relative to the base. Said means of closing / opening comprises:

• an additional part which is in sliding connection or in pivot connection with the cover,
• a locking means integral with the additional part - respectively the base, said locking means being designed so as to cooperate with a housing provided in / on the base - respectively in / on the additional part.

The closing / opening means are actuated by setting the additional part in motion relative to the cover so as to engage / disengage the locking means of said housing.

The additional part is designed to make virtually the entire cover inaccessible to an outside user when the housing is in the closed position, the part of the cover allowing it to pivot relative to the base when the housing is in the open position, called articulation, being the only part of the cover accessible to the touch for an external user when the housing is in the closed position.

In other words, the housing according to the invention can be opened by a simple movement of an additional part relative to the cover. Therefore, the use of a push button is not necessary.

The size of the case is therefore no longer influenced by the presence of the push button. It is possible to reduce the size of the case, in particular its thickness, and to design a very thin case with easy and efficient opening.

In addition, the cover being for the most part inaccessible to the user, the setting in motion of the additional part relative to the latter is not hampered even if the case is thin.

Furthermore, the fact of using an additional part for locking / unlocking the housing and placing this part so that the cover is almost inaccessible to the user makes it possible not to encumber the internal face of the cover and to have a mirror there, for example.

• la liaison entre la pièce additionnelle et le couvercle est assurée par une coopération de formes techniques présentes, d'une part sur la périphérie externe du couvercle, et d'autre part sur un pourtour interne de la pièce additionnelle,
• le couvercle comporte au moins une nervure configurée pour coopérer avec une rainure de la pièce additionnelle ;
• le couvercle comporte au moins un évidement configuré pour donner localement de l'élasticité au couvercle ;
• la pièce additionnelle est conçue de manière à envelopper la totalité du couvercle, à l'exception de ladite articulation,
• le boîtier comprend en outre un moyen élastique disposé entre la pièce additionnelle et le couvercle,
• ledit moyen élastique est agencé de sorte à maintenir la pièce additionnelle et le couvercle dans la configuration relative dans laquelle ils se trouvent lorsque le boîtier est en position fermée, ceci que le boîtier soit en position fermée ou en position ouverte,
• le moyen élastique est une lame ressort réalisée en matériau souple,
• la lame ressort est disposée entre la périphérie externe du couvercle et le pourtour interne de la pièce additionnelle,
• la pièce additionnelle est en liaison pivot avec le couvercle,
• le moyen élastique est un système de cames faisant saillies de la pièce additionnelle - respectivement du couvercle,
• lesdites cames sont chacune en prise avec un chemin de came réalisé en creux à la surface du couvercle - respectivement de la pièce additionnelle,
• le boîtier comprend en outre un moyen d'assistance à l'ouverture du boîtier,
• ledit moyen d'assistance se présente sous la forme d'au moins un bourrelet de matière faisant saillie de la base - respectivement du couvercle, en direction du couvercle - respectivement de la base, au voisinage de ladite articulation,
• ledit moyen d'assistance à l'ouverture du boîtier est destiné à écarter automatiquement le couvercle de la base lors du passage du boîtier de la position fermée à la position ouverte, ceci sans que l'utilisateur extérieur n'ait à intervenir,
• le moyen de verrouillage est un verrouillage en un unique point destiné à coopérer avec un unique logement,
• le moyen de verrouillage est un verrouillage multipoints,
• lesdits points de verrouillage sont régulièrement répartis sur le pourtour interne de la pièce additionnelle - respectivement sur la périphérie de la base - en étant, chacun, destiné à coopérer avec un logement dédié,
• le moyen de verrouillage comporte au moins un crochet ayant une forme technique comprenant une pente destinée à faciliter l'entrée dudit au moins un crochet dans un logement respectif lors du passage de la position ouverte à la position fermée du boîtier,
• des moyens de blocage en position sont agencés entre la pièce additionnelle et le couvercle pour bloquer la pièce additionnelle relativement au couvercle en position ouverte ou en position fermée du boîtier ;
• la base est configurée pour recevoir un produit cosmétique et/ou un applicateur de produit cosmétique,
• le couvercle est apte à recevoir un miroir, de préférence du type miroir de poche.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:

• the connection between the additional part and the cover is ensured by a cooperation of technical forms present, on the one hand on the outer periphery of the cover, and on the other hand on an internal periphery of the additional part,
• the cover comprises at least one rib configured to cooperate with a groove of the additional part;
• the cover comprises at least one recess configured to locally give elasticity to the cover;
• the additional part is designed so as to envelop the entire cover, with the exception of said hinge,
• the housing further comprises an elastic means arranged between the additional part and the cover,
• said elastic means is arranged so as to maintain the additional part and the cover in the relative configuration in which they are found when the housing is in the closed position, this whether the housing is in the closed position or in the open position,
• the elastic means is a leaf spring made of flexible material,
• the leaf spring is placed between the outer periphery of the cover and the inner periphery of the additional part,
• the additional part is in a pivot connection with the cover,
• the elastic means is a system of cams projecting from the additional part - respectively from the cover,
• said cams are each in engagement with a cam track made recessed on the surface of the cover - respectively of the additional part,
• the housing further comprises a means of assisting the opening of the housing,
• said assistance means is in the form of at least one bead of material projecting from the base - respectively from the cover, in the direction of the cover - respectively from the base, in the vicinity of said articulation,
• said means for assisting the opening of the housing is intended to automatically remove the cover from the base when the housing changes from the closed position to the open position, this without the outside user having to intervene,
• the locking means is a locking at a single point intended to cooperate with a single housing,
• the locking means is a multi-point locking,
• said locking points are regularly distributed over the internal periphery of the additional part - respectively on the periphery of the base - each being intended to cooperate with a dedicated housing,
• the locking means comprises at least one hook having a technical form comprising a slope intended to facilitate the entry of said at least one hook into a respective housing during the passage from the open position to the closed position of the housing,
• means for blocking in position are arranged between the additional part and the cover to block the additional part relative to the cover in the open position or in the closed position of the housing;
• the base is configured to receive a cosmetic product and / or a cosmetic product applicator,
• the cover is suitable for receiving a mirror, preferably of the pocket mirror type.

Presentation of figures

• la figure 1 est une vue éclatée en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un boîtier pour produit cosmétique selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une coupe longitudinale du boîtier illustré à la figure 1, en position fermée ;
• la figure 3 est une coupe longitudinale du boîtier illustré à la figure 1 en cours d'ouverture ;
• la figure 4 est une coupe longitudinale du boîtier illustré à la figure 1, en position ouverte ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective du boîtier en position ouverte illustré à la figure 4 ;
• la figure 5a est une vue en perspective du dessus du couvercle de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5b est une vue de détail de la base de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5c est une vue en coupe de face du boîtier illustré à la figure 1, en position fermée ;
• la figure 5d est une vue de face de la pièce additionnelle du boîtier illustré à la figure 1 avec coupe partielle en partie basse pour rendre visible l'intérieur ;
• la figure 6 est une vue éclatée en perspective d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un boîtier pour produit cosmétique selon l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est une coupe longitudinale du boîtier illustré à la figure 6, en position fermée ;
• la figure 8 est une coupe longitudinale du boîtier illustré à la figure 6, en cours d'ouverture ;
• la figure 9 est une coupe longitudinale du boîtier illustré à la figure 6, en position ouverte ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective du boîtier en position ouverte illustré à la figure 9 ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'une partie d'une variante du deuxième mode de réalisation d'un boîtier pour produit cosmétique selon l'invention ;
• la figure 12 est une vue en perspective d'une variante du premier mode de réalisation d'un boîtier pour produit cosmétique selon l'invention, en position ouverte ;
• la figure 13 est une vue en perspective d'une variante du deuxième mode de réalisation d'un boîtier pour produit cosmétique selon l'invention, en position ouverte ;
• la figure 14 est une vue en perspective qui représente une autre variante du premier mode de réalisation et qui illustre en éclaté une pièce additionnelle et un couvercle d'un boîtier pour produit cosmétique selon l'invention ;
• la figure 15 est une vue en coupe de face du boîtier comportant en outre la pièce additionnelle et le couvercle illustrés à la figure 14 ;
• la figure 16 est une vue dessus qui représente la pièce additionnelle mise en transparence et le couvercle selon la variante de la figure 14 et qui illustre en outre les moyens de blocage par coopération entre chacun des doigts de la pièce additionnelle avec l'un des deux crans associés solidaires du couvercle.

The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will emerge more clearly in the course of the detailed explanatory description which follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given to by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings. On these drawings:

• the figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a case for a cosmetic product according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the housing shown in figure 1 , in closed position;
• the figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the housing shown in figure 1 in the process of opening;
• the figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the housing shown in figure 1 , in open position;
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of the housing in the open position shown in figure 4 ;
• the figure 5a is a perspective view from above of the cover of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5b is a detail view of the base of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5c is a front sectional view of the housing shown in figure 1 , in closed position;
• the figure 5d is a front view of the additional part of the housing shown in figure 1 with partial cut in the lower part to make the interior visible;
• the figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a case for a cosmetic product according to the invention;
• the figure 7 is a longitudinal section of the housing shown in figure 6 , in closed position;
• the figure 8 is a longitudinal section of the housing shown in figure 6 , in the process of opening;
• the figure 9 is a longitudinal section of the housing shown in figure 6 , in open position;
• the figure 10 is a perspective view of the housing in the open position shown in figure 9 ;
• the figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of part of a variant of the second embodiment of a casing for a cosmetic product according to the invention;
• the figure 12 is a perspective view of a variant of the first embodiment of a casing for a cosmetic product according to the invention, in the open position;
• the figure 13 is a perspective view of a variant of the second embodiment of a casing for a cosmetic product according to the invention, in the open position;
• the figure 14 is a perspective view which shows another variant of the first embodiment and which illustrates in exploded view an additional part and a cover of a casing for a cosmetic product according to the invention;
• the figure 15 is a front sectional view of the housing further comprising the additional part and the cover illustrated on figure 14 ;
• the figure 16 is a top view which shows the additional part made transparent and the cover according to the variant of the figure 14 and which further illustrates the locking means by cooperation between each of the fingers of the additional part with one of the two associated notches integral with the cover.

detailed description

• une base 3,
• un couvercle 5, et
• un moyen de fermeture/ouverture 7.

The invention relates to a case 1 for a cosmetic product comprising:

• a base 3,
• a cover 5, and
• a means of closing / opening 7.

In the description which follows, reference is made to the trihedron X, Y, Z shown in the various figures. The X axis is the main direction of longitudinal extension of the housing 1, called the main direction, the Z axis is an axis orthogonal to the X axis and parallel to the plane defined by a bottom of the housing 1 and parallel to the axis of rotation of the cover 5 and finally the Y axis is an axis orthogonal to the X and Z axes.

Without limitation, the terms “upper” and “top” or “lower” and “bottom” are used with reference to the X axis. The terms “interior” and “internal” are used with respect to the housing 1 to denote an element directed towards the center of the housing 1 or located in the housing 1 and the terms "outer" and "external" are used with respect to the housing 1 to denote an element directed towards the outside of the housing 1 or located outside the housing 1. The terms “front” and “rear” are used in reference to the Y axis.

The base 3 and the cover 5 are articulated with respect to one another via a pivot connection.

• une position fermée (visible aux figures 2 et 7) dans laquelle le couvercle 5 est maintenu en position sur la base 3 par le moyen de fermeture/ouverture 7, et
• une position ouverte (visible aux figures 4, 5, 9,10, 12 et 13) dans laquelle le couvercle 5 est libre de pivoter par rapport à la base 3.

The housing 1 is able to occupy at least two distinct positions:

• a closed position (visible to figures 2 and 7 ) in which the cover 5 is held in position on the base 3 by the closing / opening means 7, and
• an open position (visible to figures 4, 5 , 9.10 , 12 and 13 ) in which the cover 5 is free to pivot relative to the base 3.

The pivot connection is obtained by a part of the cover 5, called the articulation 9, allowing it to pivot relative to the base 3 when the housing 1 is in the open position.

• une pièce additionnelle 11 qui est en liaison glissière ou en liaison pivot avec le couvercle 5, et
• un moyen de verrouillage 13 solidaire de la pièce additionnelle 11 - respectivement de la base 3, et conçu de manière à coopérer avec un logement 15 prévu dans/sur la base 3 - respectivement dans/sur la pièce additionnelle 11.

The closing / opening means 7 comprises:

• an additional part 11 which is in a sliding connection or in a pivot connection with the cover 5, and
• a locking means 13 secured to the additional part 11 - respectively to the base 3, and designed so as to cooperate with a housing 15 provided in / on the base 3 - respectively in / on the additional part 11.

• un premier mode de réalisation principal représenté aux figures 1 à 5d, 12 et 14-16 dans lequel la pièce additionnelle 11 est en liaison glissière avec le couvercle 5,
• un deuxième mode de réalisation principal représenté aux figures 6 à 11 et 13 dans lequel la pièce additionnelle 11 est en liaison pivot avec le couvercle 5.

Thus, the box 1 according to the invention has two main embodiments:

• a first main embodiment shown in figures 1 to 5d , 12 and 14-16 in which the additional part 11 is in sliding connection with the cover 5,
• a second main embodiment shown in figures 6 to 11 and 13 in which the additional part 11 is in a pivot connection with the cover 5.

Each of the two main embodiments can have variant embodiments. We will describe some of these variants later.

The closing / opening means 7 are actuated by setting the additional part 11 in motion relative to the cover 5 so as to engage / disengage the locking means 13 from the housing 15.

The additional part 11 is designed to make almost all of the cover 5 inaccessible to the touch to an external user when the housing 1 is in position. closed, the articulation 9 being the only part of the cover 5 accessible to the touch for an external user when the housing 1 is in the closed position.

In other words, the additional part 11 is designed so as to envelop the entire cover 5, with the exception of said articulation 9, this is what is meant by “almost all of the cover 5”.

A housing 1 is thus obtained in which almost only the base 3 and the additional part 11 are accessible. This provides a clean and pleasing aesthetic appearance.

In addition, by preventing the access of the cover 5 to the user in the closed position of the housing 1, the user can easily set the additional part 11 in motion relative to the cover 5, without the movement being hampered by maintaining by mistakenly the cover 5, for example.

This is particularly advantageous in the case of thin housings for which the handling and setting in motion only of the additional part 11 can be difficult if the cover 5 is accessible. In other words, the housing 1 can be opened by pushing both on the upper surface and on the edge of the additional part 11 or on its thickness.

The handling is thus easier and the gestures are facilitated. The user's fingers are less likely to slip compared to a system where opening is by sliding by pressing on the top surface of a part.

Furthermore, the opening by setting the additional part 11 in motion by the user makes it possible to apply a greater force. In addition, the housing 1 is less subject to fouling in view of the presence of the additional part.

The locking means 13 may be a locking at a single point intended to cooperate with a single housing 15 or else a multipoint locking.

In the case of a multipoint locking, the locking points 13 are regularly distributed over the internal periphery of the additional part 11 - respectively on the periphery of the base 3 - each being intended to cooperate with a dedicated housing 15 (see figures 12 and 13 ).

Preferably, the housing 15 is provided in the base 3 or the additional part 11. The housing 15 is then, for example, a hollow designed in the base 3 or the additional part 11 so as to retain the locking means 13 and hold housing 1 in the closed position ( figures 5 and 10 ).

The housing 15 can also be provided on the base 3 or the additional part 11 (not shown). The housing 15 is then, for example, in the form of a raised zone configured to receive the locking means 13 and to keep it engaged to keep the housing 1 in the closed position. By "in relief" is meant a blister, an element projecting from the base or from the additional part, such as a molding in relief, an added element (overmolded, welded or glued) in which a housing 15 is formed to receive the locking means 13.

The housing 1 further comprises an elastic return means 17 arranged between the additional part 11 and the cover 5. The elastic means 17 is arranged so as to maintain the additional part 11 and the cover 5 in the relative configuration in which they are located. when the housing 1 is in the closed position, this whether the housing 1 is in the closed position or in the open position.

In other words, when the user moves the additional part 11 to disengage the locking means 13 and open the housing 1, once the cover 5 is open, the elastic means 17 allows the additional part 11 to return alone, to be recalled. automatically, in the position in which it is when the housing 1 is in the closed position.

The elastic means 17 can be, for example, at least one leaf spring ( figure 5a ), a cam system ( figure 11 ), or any other device allowing the return of the additional part 11 in the position in which it is found when the housing 1 is in the closed position.

The elastic means 17 can be arranged between the external periphery of the cover 5 and the internal periphery of the additional part 11, in particular on the front or on the rear of the housing 1.

In other words, the elastic means 17 can be arranged between the outer edge of the rear (or front) side of the cover 5 and the inner periphery of the rear (or front) side of the additional part 11.

The elastic means 17 can also be arranged between an external surface 5a of the cover 5 and an internal surface 11a of the additional part 11. The surface here corresponds to the surface delimited by the sides of the cover 5 or of the additional part 11, in other words delimited by the periphery or the perimeter of these parts.

The type of elastic means 17 is chosen in particular as a function of the shape of the housing 1 and determines the arrangement of the elastic means 17.

Preferably, the leaf spring 17 ( figure 5a ) is disposed between the outer periphery of the cover 5 and the inner periphery of the additional part 11. The cams 17a ( figure 11 ) are arranged between the external surface 5a of the cover 5 and the internal surface 11a of the additional part 11.

The spring blade 17 may be an element made of flexible material, such as a material pad inserted between the cover 5 and the additional part 11 or even a thin blade of flexible material.

By “flexible material” or “flexible material” is meant a material / a material which can deform when a pressure is exerted and return to its initial shape when the pressure is no longer exerted.

It can be a thin blade made of thermoplastic materials, for example polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), poly-oxo-methylene (POM), poly-butylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), styrene acrylonitrile / acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (SAN / ABS) or polycarbonate / acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC / ABS) or a pad of elastomer material.

The housing 1 further comprises a means 19 for assisting the opening of the housing 1 (visible to the figures 5 and 5b ). Advantageously, the assistance means 19 may be in the form of at least one bead of material projecting from the base 3 - respectively from the cover 5, in the direction of the cover 5 - respectively from the base 3, in the vicinity of said joint 9.

Said means 19 for assisting the opening of the housing 1 is intended to move the cover 5 away from the base 3 during the passage of the housing 1 from the closed position to the open position, by maintaining a pre-opening of a few degrees, for example a pre-opening between 0.5 and 5 °, preferably 3 ° (position of the figure 3 ).

Advantageously, as in the variant embodiments of figures 12 and 13 , the housing 1 may also include a seal 21 provided on the surface of the base 3 - respectively of the cover 5 - so as to be crushed by the cover 5 - respectively by the base 3 - when the housing 1 is in closed position.

As illustrated for example in figures 12 and 13 , in the case of a housing 1 with a seal, the locking is preferably a multi-point locking so that the latter applies sufficient pressure on the seal 21 when the housing 1 is in the closed position so that the sealing against impurities and fluids between the internal and external media of said housing 1, in the closed position, either total under normal temperature and pressure conditions (CNTP), or at a temperature of 0 ° C. and a pressure of 1 atm.

Preferably, the passage from the open position to the closed position of the housing 1, and vice versa, does not cause friction on the seal 21. The seal 21 can be attached to the surface of the base 3 - conversely to the surface of the cover 5, held in position by surface bonding or else overmolded with the base 3 - conversely with the cover 5. In certain variants, the seal 21 can be a means of assisting the opening of the housing 1.

In the first embodiment shown in figures 1 to 5d and according to the variants of figures 12 and 14-16 , the housing 1 is of parallelepiped shape.

It comprises a front front side which can comprise, as here, a gripping zone 23 so as to facilitate the opening of the cover 5, a rear side AR on which the pivot connection is positioned and two opposite lateral sides extending from the rear side. AR to the front side AV.

A rectangular or square shape or any other shape, for example generally circular, could be envisaged.

In this first embodiment, the additional part 11 is in sliding connection with the cover 5.

The sliding connection between the additional part 11 and the cover 5 is ensured by a cooperation of technical forms present, on the one hand on the outer periphery of the cover 5, and on the other hand on an internal periphery of the additional part 11.

In this first embodiment, each of the lateral sides of the cover 5 comprises two ribs 25 configured to cooperate with a groove 27 extending over the entire length of each of the lateral sides of the additional part 11 ( figures 5c and 5d ).

In other words, the grooves 27 of the additional part 11 serve as guides for the ribs 25 of the cover 5, the additional part 11 thus being able to perform a translational movement along the Y axis relative to the cover 5.

This translational movement allows the actuation of the closing / opening means 7 and therefore to engage / disengage the hook 13 from the housing 15. To engage / disengage the hook 13 from the housing 15, the additional part 11 also performs a translational movement. relative to the base 3.

The cover 5 can also include at least one recess 28 so as to make the part of the cover 5 which carries the ribs 25 flexible. This flexibility facilitates the assembly of the cover 5 in the additional part 11, in particular the assembly of the ribs 25 inside the grooves 27.

Preferably, the recess (s) 28 are through and extend over the part (s) of the cover 5 adjacent to the ribs 25.

In the embodiment shown in particular in figure 5a , the cover 5 comprises four recesses 28. In other words, these recesses 28 give elasticity to the walls supporting the ribs 25 so as to facilitate the insertion, in particular by fitting, preferably by clipping, of the part of the cover 5 to the interior of the additional room 11.

In this embodiment, the articulation is located on the rear side AR of the cover 5. It is an extension of material, here in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped 9 which is received during assembly. from the cover 5 to the base 3, in a housing 29 arranged at the rear of the base 3 and formed between two extensions 30 of the base 3 located towards the outside of the housing 1 (see fig. 5b ).

The extension of material or articulation 9 is connected to the base 3 by means of at least one pin 31 connecting the base 3 and the articulation 9 of the cover 5. Here, the articulation 9 comprises two holes 33a located on the other side. on either side of the joint 9 and the pin corresponds to two pins 31.

Each of the pins 31 has a first end inserted into one of the holes 33a of the joint 9 and a second end inserted into a hole 33b formed on the rear side AR of the base 3 at each of the extensions 30. The pins 31 determine the axis of rotation of the cover 5, which is parallel to the Z axis. Any other means making it possible to fulfill this function will be included in the invention.

It is also possible to imagine, in an alternative embodiment not shown, that the only part of the cover 5 accessible to the touch for an external user when the housing 1 is in the closed position, known as the articulation 9, that is to say two extensions of material of the cover 5 located towards the outside of the box 1 on the rear side AR and forming a housing in which is placed an extension of the base 3, by example in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, or even of a cylinder, each of the extensions of the cover 5 and of the base 3 being pierced to pass at least one pin 31 to achieve the pivot connection between the base 3 and the cover 5. In other words, it is a reverse system to the one shown here.

In this first embodiment, the locking means 13 is integral with the additional part 11 and designed so as to cooperate with a housing 15 provided in the base 3.

In other variant embodiments not shown, it is also conceivable that the locking means 13 is integral with the base 3 and that the housing 15 is provided in the additional part 11. It is also conceivable that the housing 15 is designed on the base 3 or the additional part 11, that is to say carried by the base 3 or the additional part 11.

In the first variant embodiment shown in figures 1 to 5d , the locking means 13 is a locking at a single point intended to cooperate with a single housing 15.

It is more precisely, a hook 13 made from the material of the additional part 11, that is to say made in one piece, and which cooperates with a housing 15 designed in the base 3. The hook 13 and housing 15 are located on the front front part of housing 1.

Preferably, the hook 13 is elastic. It can also have a technical form comprising a slope. These two characteristics make it possible to facilitate the entry of the hook 13 into the corresponding housing 15 when passing from the open position to the closed position of the housing 1.

The term “elastic hook” is understood to mean an element whose free end is deformable, here along the Y axis, relative to a part, here relative to the additional part 11. Advantageously, the housing 15 has a projection 15a. configured to retain the hook 13 and maintain the housing 1 in the closed position.

The hook 13 can also be overmolded or attached to the additional part or to the base.

In this first embodiment, the elastic means 17 is a leaf spring arranged at the rear AR of the housing 1. It is a thin plastic blade made from the material of the cover 5 ( figure 1 ).

In this first embodiment, the means 19 for assisting the opening of the housing 1 is a bead of material projecting at the rear AR of the base 3 in the direction of the cover 5 in the vicinity of said articulation 9, more precisely at the level of the housing 29 receiving the articulation 9 of the cover 5 ( figures 1 and 5 ).

The mechanism for opening the housing 1 according to the first embodiment will now be described with reference to figures 2 to 4 .

Firstly, the user releases the hook 13 from the additional part 11 inserted in its housing 15 provided on the base 3 by a translational movement along the Y axis of the additional part 11 relative to the cover 5 and relative to at the base 3.

The hook 13 is then released and the housing 1 opens as can be seen on the figure 3 . The opening of the cover 5 is in particular facilitated by the presence of the bead 19 located at the rear of the base 3 which ensures a pre-opening of the housing 1 of approximately 3 °.

Simultaneously, the additional part 11 automatically returns to its initial position without the user needing to make an additional movement thanks to the leaf spring 17 located at the rear of the housing 1 between the cover 5 and the additional part 11.

The user can complete the opening of the housing 1 by pivoting the cover 5 assembled to the additional part 11 to the open position illustrated in figure 4 .

In the second embodiment shown in figures 6 to 11 and depending on the variant of the figure 13 , the housing 1, in particular the cover 5, is of generally circular shape.

It has a front part front where the locking means 13 is located, and an opposite rear part on which the pivot link is positioned.

As for the first embodiment, a gripping zone (not shown) could be envisaged on the front part AV of the housing 1. A parallelepipedal shape, as for the first embodiment, could also be envisaged.

In this second embodiment, the additional part 11 is in a pivot connection with the cover 5.

As for the sliding connection of the first embodiment, the pivot connection between the additional part 11 and the cover 5 is ensured by a cooperation of technical forms present, on the one hand on the outer periphery of the cover 5, and on the other hand on an internal perimeter of the additional part 11.

In this second embodiment, the internal periphery of the additional part 11 comprises ribs 25, here four of which two are visible, regularly angularly distributed and configured to cooperate with grooves 27, here two, extending on the external periphery of the cover 5 and regularly angularly distributed.

In a variant not shown, the internal periphery of the additional part 11 comprises three ribs 25 configured to cooperate with three grooves 27.

In other words, the grooves 27 of the outer periphery of the cover 5 serve as a guide path for the ribs 25 of the inner periphery of the additional part 11 ( fig. 6 ). The additional part 11 can thus move relative to the cover 5 according to a rotational movement with an axis parallel to the X axis. This rotational movement allows the actuation of the closing / opening means 7 and to engage / disengage the hook 13 from the housing 15.

The system allowing the pivot connection between the cover 5 and the base 3 is similar to that of the first embodiment. The articulation 9 of the cover 5 is connected to the base 3 by means of two pins 31 inserted in holes 33a, 33b of the articulation 9 and of the base 3. The pins 31 determine the axis of rotation of the cover 5, which is parallel to the Z axis.

In the second embodiment illustrated by the figures 6 to 10 , the locking means 13 is a locking at a single point integral with the base 3 and designed so as to cooperate with a single housing 15 provided in the additional part 11.

The locking means is a hook 13 extending in a direction parallel to the periphery of the housing 1 and also has a slope facilitating the entry of the hook 13 into the corresponding housing 15 when passing from the open position to the closed position of the housing. housing 1.

Advantageously, the housing 15 has a projection 15a configured to retain the hook 13 and maintain the housing 1 in the closed position.

This second embodiment can also include elastic means. Preferably, it is a system of cams projecting from the additional part 11 - respectively from the cover 5. The cams are each engaged with a cam track 17a made recessed on the outer surface 5a of the cover 5 - respectively to the internal surface 11a of the additional part 11.

Such an elastic means 17 is shown in the variant of the figure 11 . In this variant, the cams (not visible) protrude from the additional part 11 and are each engaged with a cam track 17a made recessed in the outer surface 5a of the cover 5. It should also be noted that in this variant, the locking means 13 is similar to that of the first embodiment. This is a hook 13 integral with the additional part 11 and designed so as to cooperate with a housing 15 provided in the base 3 (not shown).

This second embodiment may also include a means of assisting the opening of the housing 1, for example, in the form of a bead 19 of material, as shown here in the figures. figures 6 and 10 , projecting behind the base 3 in the direction of the cover 5 in the vicinity of said articulation 9, as for the first embodiment.

The opening mechanism of the second embodiment will now be described with reference to the figures 7 to 9 .

The opening mechanism is similar to that of the first embodiment, only the type of movement of the additional part 11 relative to the cover 5 differs. Indeed, in the first embodiment, the movement is a translation along the Y axis while in this second embodiment, the additional part 11 performs a rotational movement relative to the cover 5.

First, the user releases the hook 13 from the base 3 inserted in its housing 15 provided on the additional part 11 by a rotational movement with an axis parallel to the X axis of the additional part 11 relative to the cover 5 and relative to base 3.

The hook 13 is then released and the housing 1 opens as can be seen on the figure 8 . The opening of the cover 5 is in particular facilitated by the presence of the bead 19 located at the rear of the base 3 which ensures a pre-opening of the housing 1 of approximately 3 °. The user can then complete the opening of the housing 1 by pivoting the cover 5 assembled to the additional part 11 to the open position illustrated in figure 9 .

In this second embodiment, the housing 1 does not include any elastic means, this implies that the additional part 11 does not automatically return to its initial position. The user must therefore make an additional movement of rotation, in the opposite direction to that carried out to release the hook 13, in particular when closing the cover 5 and locking to engage the hook 13 in the housing 15.

In the variants of figures 12 and 13 , the locking means 13 is a multi-point locking and the housing 1 comprises a seal 21.

The seal 21 is provided here on the surface of the cover 5 so as to be crushed by the base 3 when the housing 1 is in the closed position.

In these two variants, the gasket 21 can advantageously play the role of means 19 for assisting the opening of the housing 1. The gasket is compressed when the housing 1 is closed and it relaxes when the locking means 13 are released allowing thus obtaining a pre-opening of the housing 1.

In the variant shown in figure 12 , the multipoint locking is a set of four hooks 13 distributed two by two on the lateral sides of the additional part 11 cooperating with four housings 15 distributed two by two on the lateral sides of the base 3.

The housings 15 are L-shaped to allow the engagement of the corresponding hook 13 and its locking after movement of the additional part 11.

In the variant of the figure 13 , the cover 5 is circular in shape and the additional part 11 has a generally parallelepipedal shape.

The additional part 11 is however in a pivot connection with the cover 5 and the system for releasing the locking means 13 is similar to that of the second embodiment.

In this variant, the multipoint locking is a set of four hooks 13 regularly angularly distributed on the base 3 and cooperating with four housings 15 regularly angularly distributed on the additional part 11.

Advantageously, as shown in the different variant embodiments of the two embodiments, the base 3 is intended to receive a cosmetic product and / or a cosmetic product applicator, for example by means of at least one cup 35. .

The base 3 can also include a separate bottom 37 as can be seen from figures 1 and 6 . The bottom 37 is fixed to the base 3 by any suitable means, for example by interlocking, clipping, screwing, welding or gluing. A separate bottom facilitates in particular the manufacture of the base 3 by molding, in particular in the case of a plastic case.

Advantageously, the cover 5 is able to receive a mirror 39 of the pocket mirror type. The mirror 39 is fixed to the cover 5, in particular to the internal surface 5b of the cover 5 by any suitable means, for example by fitting, clipping, screwing or gluing.

The user can thus put on make-up wherever he is by looking at himself in the mirror 39. Given the particular system of opening / closing of the case 1, a mirror 39 can be easily affixed to the internal surface 5b of the cover 5.

We represented at figures 14, 15 and 16 , another variant embodiment of a housing 1 according to the first embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 5d .

This other variant embodiment will be described below by comparison so that the same reference signs denote the same parts, means, etc.

For simplicity, we have only shown on the figure 14 , the additional part 11 and the cover 5 which, complementary, have in a nonlimiting manner a parallelepipedal shape.

As in the first embodiment, the additional part 11 is in sliding connection with the cover 5.

The housing 1 comprises a closing / opening means 7 formed by said additional part 11 and the locking means 13, the actuation of said closing / opening means 7 being effected by the setting in motion of the additional part 11 relative to the cover 5 so as to engage or disengage the locking means 13 of the housing 15 (not shown) of the base 3.

The additional part 11 is configured to make virtually all of the cover 5 inaccessible to touching an external user when the housing 1 is in the closed position, the part of the cover 5 allowing it to pivot relative to the base 3 when the housing 1 is in the open position, called the articulation 9, being the only part of the cover 5 accessible to the touch for an external user when the housing 1 is in the closed position.

Preferably, the locking means 13 is a locking made at a single point by means of a hook.

Advantageously, the hook forming the locking means 13 is arranged at the front of the additional part 11 and produced integrally, in one piece, with said additional part 11.

In this variant of the figures 14 to 16 , the housing 1 does not include elastic means 17 intended to ensure an automatic return of the additional part 11 and of the cover 5 in the relative configuration in which the additional part 11 and the cover 5 are located when the housing 1 is in the closed position , regardless of the open or closed position of the housing.

In this variant of the figures 14 to 16 , the housing 1 comprises a means of assisting the opening of the housing 1, in particular a bead 19 (not shown).

In addition, the housing 1 does not have a seal 21.

The additional part 11 and the cover 5 are mounted so as to be able to slide relative to each other, that is to say along said sliding connection.

The sliding connection between the additional part 11 and the cover 5 is ensured by a cooperation of technical forms present, on the one hand on the outer periphery of the cover 5 and, on the other hand, on the internal periphery of the additional part 11. After assembly, the additional part 11 and the cover 5 form a unitary sub-assembly, a mobile unit in rotation relative to the base 3. As in the first embodiment ( figure 5a, 5c and 5d ) and as illustrated in this variant on figures 14 to 16 , each of the external lateral sides of the cover 5 comprises two ribs 25 configured to cooperate with a groove 27 extending over all or part of the length of each of the internal lateral sides of the additional part 11.

The grooves 27 of the additional part 11 constitute slides in which slide the ribs 25 of the cover 5, the additional part 11 being mounted to move in a translational movement along the Y axis relative to the cover 5.

The translational movement along the Y axis allows the actuation of the closing / opening means 7 and more precisely to engage / disengage the hook 13 from the housing 15. To engage / disengage the hook 13 from the housing 15, the additional part 11 also performs a translational movement relative to the base 3.

The cover 5 comprises at least one recess 28 so as to make flexible the part of the cover 5 which carries the ribs 25. This flexibility facilitates the assembly of the cover 5 in the additional part 11, in particular the assembly of the ribs 25 to the. inside grooves 27.

Preferably, the recess (s) 28 are through and extend over the part (s) of the cover 5 adjacent to the ribs 25.

As shown on figures 14 and 16 , the cover 5 comprises two recesses 28, that is to say a recess 28 on each lateral side respectively provided with two ribs 25.

Each recess 28 has a first part 28a made through the upper face 5a of the cover 5 and which extends along the Y axis, preferably parallel to the side between the front and the rear of the cover 5. Each recess 28 has a second part 28b which opens out laterally into the wall on the side of the cover 5 and extends between the ribs 25.

The recesses 28 give elasticity to the walls supporting the ribs 25 so as to facilitate the insertion, in particular by fitting, preferably by clipping, of the part of the cover 5 inside the additional part 11.

As in the first embodiment and although not visible on the figures 14 to 16 , the cover 5 comprises a hinge 9 which, located on the rear side AR, is intended to be housed in a complementary housing 29 arranged at the rear of the base 3, between two extensions 30 of the base 3 located towards the exterior of housing 1.

To form a hinge, the articulation 9 comprises two holes 33a located on either side of the articulation 9 and intended to receive at least one pin, here a first end of two pins 31. The second end of each of the pins 31 is received in a hole (not shown) formed on the rear side AR of the base 3. The cover 5 is thus connected to the base 3 of the housing 1 by a pivot connection having an axis of rotation which is parallel to the axis Z.

Preferably, the bottom 37 is made in one piece, in one piece, with the base 3. As illustrated on the figure. figure 15 , the base 3 internally comprises at least one cup 35 comprising one or more cavities intended to receive at least one cosmetic product and / or an applicator.

In the variant embodiment illustrated in figures 14 to 16 , the housing 1 advantageously comprises means for blocking the additional part 11 in position relative to the cover 5.

The means for locking in position are produced by cooperation of shapes, for example between at least one locking finger 40 intended to cooperate with at least one notched portion.

Preferably, the means for locking in position here comprise two locking fingers 40 which are integral with the additional part 11, advantageously produced in one piece with said additional part 11.

As shown on the figure 14 , each locking finger 40 is arranged inside the additional part 11 and protrudes along the Z axis from a lateral edge of the additional part 11, the locking finger 40 being located generally at the bottom. middle between front and back.

The cover 5 is provided on each of its lateral sides with a notched portion arranged generally in the middle between the front and the rear of the cover 5, between each of the ribs 25.

Each of the notched portions comprises at least a first notch 42 and a second notch 44 which are respectively configured to cooperate with a locking finger 40.

The first locking notch 42 corresponds to the closed position of the housing 1, to a locked state, that is to say a configuration of the additional part 11 and of the cover 5 in which the hook 13 is engaged in the housing 15 of the base 3 so as to lock the additional part 11 (and the cover 5) with the base 3 to prevent any opening.

The second locking notch 44 corresponds to the open position of the housing 1, to an unlocked state, that is to say a configuration of the additional part 11 and of the cover 5 in which the hook 13 is released from the housing 15 of the base. 3 so as to unlock the additional part 11 relative to the base 3 to allow opening.

In the absence of elastic return means 17, the cooperation between the locking finger 40 and the first notch 42 illustrated on figure 16 advantageously makes it possible to block the additional part 11 with respect to the cover 5 and thereby avoid any unexpected opening of the housing 1.

Advantageously, the second notch 44 allows the user to know that the housing 1 is in the open position. When opening the housing 1, the user acts on the additional part 11 to move it relative to the cover 5 in a translational movement from front to rear, the sliding of the additional part 11 is accompanied by 'a movement of the locking finger 40 from the first locking notch 42 to the second locking notch 44.

Preferably, the notched portion comprising the first notch 42 and the second locking notch 44 is carried by a flexible part 46 of the cover 5 obtained by means of the first part 28a and the second part 28b forming the recess 28. Advantageously, the part 46 flexible cover 5 forming a beam is in particular capable of deforming along the Z axis so as to facilitate in this same direction the introduction and withdrawal of the locking finger 40 in each of said first notch 42 and second notch 44 of blocking.

Advantageously, the different parts are made of thermoplastic materials, for example polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), poly-oxo-methylene (POM), poly-butylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ( ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), styrene acrylonitrile / acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (SAN / ABS) or polycarbonate / acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC / ABS), preferably ABS, SAN / ABS or PC / ABS which are materials with a more aesthetic finish.

Advantageously, the seal is made of elastomer, such as rubber, silicone, expanded polyethylene, such as Tresylene®, or any other material making it possible to guarantee the tightness of the housing.

In order to obtain additional advantageous effects, the variants of the embodiments may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

In the cosmetic case according to the invention, the conventional locking, in particular by push button, is replaced by an offset of the force to be exerted.

The user activates the locking manually and it is thus possible to dispense with the push-button system. More freedom in the design of the case is possible.

It is thus possible to envisage a very thin cosmetic case, with a very refined design, without any visible locking / unlocking element.

In addition, it is also possible to provide for the integration of additional elements at the level of the cover, such as a mirror, given that the opening is triggered by the setting in motion of an additional part surrounding the cover.

Claims (15)

1. A cosmetic case (1) comprising a base (3), a cover (5) and a closing/opening means (7), the base (3) and the cover (5) being hinged with respect to one another via a pivot connection, the case (1) being capable of occupying two different positions, a closed position in which the cover (5) is held in position on the base (3) by the closing/opening means (7) and an open position in which the cover (5) is free to pivot with respect to the base (3), said closing/opening means (7) comprising :

   - an additional part (11) which is in slide or in pivot connection with the cover (5),

   - a locking means (13) integral with the additional part (11) - respectively with the base (3), said locking means (13) being designed to cooperate with a housing (15) provided in/on the base (3) - respectively in/on the additional part (11),
   actuating the closing/opening means (7) being by moving the additional part (11) with respect to the cover (5) so as to engage/disengage the locking means (13) from said housing (15), the additional part (11) being designed to render substantially all of the cover (5) inaccessible to an external user by touch when the case (1) is in the closed position, the part of the cover (5) allowing it to pivot with respect to the base (3) when the case (1) is in the open position, referred to as the hinge (9), being the only part of the cover (5) accessible to the touch of an external user when the case (1) is in the closed position.
2. The case (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the connection between the additional part (11) and the cover (5) is ensured by a cooperation of technical shapes present, on the one hand, on the external periphery of the cover (5), and on the other hand, on an inner circumference of the additional part (11).
3. The case (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the cover (5) comprises at least one rib (25) configured to cooperate with a groove (27) of the additional part (11).
4. The case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover (5) comprises at least one recess (28) configured to locally impart resilience to the cover (5).
5. The case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional part (11) is designed so as to envelop the entirety of the cover (5), except for said hinge (9).
6. The case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a resilient means (17) disposed between the additional part (11) and the cover (5), said resilient means (17) being arranged to hold the additional part (11) and the cover (5) in the relative configuration in which they are when the case (1) is in a closed position, this being irrespective of whether the case (1) is in the closed position or in the open position.
7. The case (1) according to claim 6, wherein the resilient means is a leaf spring (17) made of a flexible material, said leaf spring (17) being disposed between the external periphery of the cover (5) and the inner circumference of the additional part (11).
8. The case (1) according to claim 6, wherein, when the additional part (11) is in pivot connection with the cover (5), the resilient means (17) is a system of cams protruding from the additional part (11) - respectively from the cover (5) - said cams being each in engagement with a cam track (17a) made in hollow in the surface of the cover (5) - respectively of the additional part (11).
9. The case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a means (19) for assisting the opening of the case (1), said assisting means being in the form of at least one bead (19) of material projecting from the base (3) - respectively from the cover (5), in the direction of the cover (5) - respectively of the base (3), in the vicinity of said hinge (9), said means for assisting the opening (19) of the case (1) being intended to automatically move the cover (5) away from the base (3) when the case (1) moves from the closed position to the open position, without the external user having to intervene.
10. The case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means (13) is a lock in a single point intended to cooperate with a single housing (15).
11. The case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the locking means is a multi-point locking, said locking points (13) being evenly distributed on the inner circumference of the additional part (11) - respectively on the periphery of the base (3) - and each being intended to cooperate with a dedicated housing (15).
12. The case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means (13) comprises at least one hook having a technical shape comprising a slope intended to facilitate the entry of said at least one hook into a respective housing (15) when passing from the open position to the closed position of the case.
13. The case (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein position blocking means (40, 42, 44) are arranged between the additional part (11) and the cover (5) for blocking the additional part (11) relative to the cover (5) in the open position or closed position of the case (1)
14. The case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (3) is configured to receive a cosmetic product and/or a cosmetic product applicator.
15. The case (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (5) is adapted to receive a mirror (39) of the pocket mirror type.

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