Mechanism for deploying a stick of cosmetic product, associated device and process

The mechanism comprises an inner hollow sleeve (60) and an outer sleeve (62) rotatably mounted around the inner sleeve (60). The outer sleeve (62) delimits an helical track (105), the inner sleeve (60) delimiting an axial track (72) intersecting the helical track (105). The mechanism comprises a cup (64) for holding the stick (12). The cup (64) is able to be actuated from an initial configuration, in which its axial movement between a retracted inner position and a deployed outer position is prevented when the inner sleeve (60) is rotated relative to the outer sleeve (62), and a use configuration, in which relative rotation between the inner sleeve (60) and the outer sleeve (62) induces an axial movement of the cup (64) between its inner retracted position and its outer deployed position.

PRIORITY

Priority is claimed as a national stage application, under 35 U.S.C. §371, to PCT/CN2010/000047, filed Dec. Jan. 12, 2010. The disclosure of the aforementioned priority application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to a mechanism for deploying a stick of cosmetic product, comprising:an inner hollow sleeve having a longitudinal axis;an outer sleeve rotatably mounted around the inner sleeve, one element among the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve delimiting an helical track, the other element among the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve delimiting an axial track intersecting the helical track;a cup for holding the stick, the cup having a protrusion engaged in the helical track and in the axial track, the cup being axially movable within the inner sleeve between an inner retracted position and an outer deployed position.

A cosmetic product is in particular a product as defined in Directive 93/35 EEC of the Council, dated Jun. 14, 1993.

The cosmetic product is advantageously a pasty product in the form of a stick which is self supporting. The stick is advantageously a product for make-up of the skin and/or the keratinic fibers of a user. In particular, the stick is a lipstick intended to be deposited on the lips of the user to cover at least partially the lips.

The mechanism is intended to be removably mounted in a hollow base of a holding device or casing. A cover is usually engaged around the hollow base to cover the mechanism when the device is stored, for example in the hand bag of a user.

When the mechanism is mounted in the hollow base, the hollow base usually engages the inner sleeve of the mechanism, to be jointly movable with the inner sleeve in rotation relative to the outer sleeve.

Before using the stick of cosmetic product, the user opens the cover. Then, the user seizes the outer sleeve with one hand and the hollow base with the other hand. The user subsequently rotates the hollow base relative to the outer sleeve to deploy the stick out of the mechanism.

The mechanism being removable, it is possible to replace it by another similar mechanism after the stick is depleted or when the user wishes to use a different stick, e.g. with a different color.

Such a device is therefore economical and allows for a great flexibility of use.

However, this device is not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, the mechanism being supplied independently of the hollow base, there is a possibility that the inner sleeve is accidentally rotated around the outer sleeve before the mechanism is inserted in the hollow base.

The uncontrolled rotation of the inner sleeve with regard to the outer sleeve can lead to a deployment of the stick outside of the inner sleeve, with potential drawbacks such as breaking the stick and/or pollution of the hand bag carrying the mechanism.

In order to overcome this difficulty, WO 95/01743 discloses a removable stick deployment mechanism, in which access to the rotating knob of the inner sleeve is hindered by provision of an external protection skirt delimited on the outer sleeve. As a consequence, the inner sleeve is almost entirely covered by the outer sleeve. This restricts access to the inner sleeve and reduces the risk of accidental deployment of the stick.

This solution is however not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, rotation of the stick remains possible by accessing axially through the lower opening in the outer sleeve.

Moreover, the hollow base must be devised to accommodate the protection skirt of the outer sleeve, which complicates its structure and increases its cost.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide a removable stick deployment mechanism which can be safely handled before its first use, and which can be easily used upon insertion of the mechanism in a holding device.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a stick deployment mechanism with a low cost and a simple structure.

To that end, the invention relates to a mechanism of the above-mentioned type, characterized in that the cup is able to be actuated upon insertion of the mechanism in the hollow base, from an initial configuration, in which its axial movement between the retracted inner position and the deployed outer position is prevented when the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the outer sleeve about any angle of relative rotation, and a use configuration, in which relative rotation between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve beyond a given angle of relative rotation induces an axial movement of the cup between its inner retracted position and its outer deployed position.

The mechanism according to the invention can comprise one or more of the following feature(s), taken in isolation or in any technical possible combination(s):the cup is axially movable relative to the inner sleeve and to the outer sleeve along the longitudinal axis between the initial configuration and the use configuration;the mechanism comprises preventing means for preventing the axial displacement of the cup between its inner retracted configuration and its outer deployed position, the preventing means cooperating with the cup in the initial configuration;the helical track comprises a first helical region in which rotation of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve induces axial displacement of the cup when the protrusion is received in the first region, the preventing means comprising a second retaining region of the helical track in which rotation of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve about any angle of relative rotation maintains the axial position of the cup when the protrusion is received in the second region;the helical track is delimited by a lower edge, the lower edge being inclined relative to the longitudinal axis in the first region, the lower edge extending approximately axially in the second region;the second region is located at the lower end of the first region;the mechanism comprises guiding means for guiding the cup between its initial configuration and its use configuration;the guiding means comprise a guiding region of the axial track able to drive the protrusion from the second region of the helical track to the first region of the helical track when the cup is moved from its initial configuration to its use configuration;the axial track comprises a main axial region extending in a first axial direction, a lower transverse region extending transversely relative to the main axial region, the guiding region extending axially in a second axial direction from the lower transverse region.

The invention also relates to a device for holding a stick of cosmetic product comprising:a hollow support base defining a cavity;a mechanism as defined above, the mechanism being movable relative to the hollow base between a position apart from the hollow base and a position inserted in the cavity of the hollow base, the cup being actuated between its initial configuration and its use configuration upon insertion of the mechanism in the cavity of the hollow base.

The device according to the invention can comprise one or more of the following features, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination(s):the hollow base comprises an actuating projection able to engage one element among the cup, the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve to induce a relative movement between the cup, and at least one of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve, to actuate the cup from its initial configuration to its use configuration;the actuating projection contacts the cup upon insertion of the mechanism in the hollow base to move the cup between its initial configuration and its use configuration;one among the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve comprises a knob, the hollow base defining an actuating surface able to engage the knob when the mechanism is inserted in the hollow base, the hollow base and the one among the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve being jointly movable in rotation around the longitudinal axis relative to the other among of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve;the device comprises a removable cover engageable on the hollow base, the cover and the hollow base defining an inner space receiving the mechanism.

The invention additionally relates to a process for preparing a stick of cosmetic product in order to apply the cosmetic product on a body surface of a user, comprising the following steps:provision of a device as defined above, the mechanism being in its position apart from the hollow base, the cup being in its initial configuration in which its axial movement between its inner retracted position and its outer deployed position is prevented;insertion of the mechanism in the cavity of the hollow base, the insertion inducing the actuation of the cup from its initial configuration to its use configuration;relative rotation between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve around the longitudinal axis to induce an axial sliding of the cup between its inner retracted position and its outer deployed position.

In the following description, the orientations must be understood relative to the representation on the Figures.

A first device10for holding a stick12of cosmetic product according to the invention is shown inFIGS. 1 to 9. The device10generally extends along a longitudinal axis A-A′ which is vertical inFIG. 1.

The cosmetic product is advantageously a pasty product which is intended to be applied on a body surface of a user. The body surface is for example a keratinic fiber or the skin of a user, in particular a tissue such as the lips.

The stick12is formed by a self-supporting block of cosmetic product.

Upon contact with the body surface of the user, a superficial area of the stick is able to be deposited on the body surface.

The product is advantageously a lipstick, potentially with a color, or uncolored.

Before its first use, the stick12has a general bullet shape with a cylindrical base14and a tapered upper end16, having potentially a flat18.

The holding device10comprises a hollow base20, a removable cover22, and a mechanism24for storing and deploying the stick. According to the invention, the mechanism24is removable from the hollow base20as will be explained in details below.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the hollow base20comprises a lateral wall26, a bottom wall28, the lateral wall26and the bottom wall28defining an insertion cavity30for receiving the mechanism24.

The hollow base20also comprises gripping elements32for gripping the mechanism24and retaining elements34for axially retaining the mechanism24inside the cavity30.

According to the invention, the hollow base20also comprises an axial projection36for activating the mechanism24as will be described below.

The lateral wall26is generally tubular, for example cylindrical around the axis A-A′. It defines, around its upper end, an outer shoulder38for supporting the cover22and a plurality of retaining spuds40, which protrude radially form the outer surface of the lateral wall26above the annular outer shoulder38.

The lateral wall26and the bottom wall.28define an outer surface of the device10.

The bottom wall28defines a flat lower surface42for laying the device10in an upright position and a concave inner surface44defining the bottom of cavity30. The bottom wall28and the lateral wall26define an inner shoulder46located inside cavity30, along the lower edge of the peripheral wall26.

The cavity30is laterally delimited by lateral wall26and is axially delimited downwardly by the inner surface44of the bottom wall28.

The cavity30opens out upwardly through an upper opening48for insertion of the mechanism24.

The gripping elements32comprise several teeth50which are angularly distributed around axis A-A′. Each tooth50protrudes radially towards the axis A-A′ inside cavity30above the inner shoulder46. In the example shown, the hollow base20comprises four teeth50angularly separated by approximately 90°.

The retaining elements34are formed by radial bulges52which protrude radially inside cavity30on the inner surface of the lateral wall26.

The bulges22are located above the teeth50and are distributed angularly around the axis A-A′. The radial thickness of each bulge52is lower than the radial thickness of the wall26, to allow a removal of the mechanism24when the stick12is depleted.

The actuating projection36is formed by an elongate pin54. The elongate pin54protrudes axially inside cavity30along axis A-A′ from the concave inner surface44of the bottom wall28.

The elongate pin54has an upper transverse surface56intended to cooperate with the mechanism24. The upper surface56is located above the retaining elements34and below the outer shoulder38and the upper opening48. The height of the pin54, taken along the axis A-A′ is generally comprised between 0.2 times and 0.5 times the maximum height of cavity30, taken along the axis A-A′.

The cover12defines an upper cavity59able to receive the upper portion of the mechanism24.

The mechanism24is removably mounted in the hollow base20. It is movable relative to the hollow base20between a position located apart from the hollow base20, outside of cavity30, and a position in which the mechanism24has been inserted inside cavity30through the upper opening48.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1,3and4, the mechanism24comprises an inner sleeve60, an outer sleeve62mounted rotatably around axis A-A′ around the inner sleeve60and a cup64having a guiding lug65, the cup64being slidable axially inside the inner sleeve60.

The inner sleeve60extends generally along axis A-A′. It comprises a tubular upper wall66and a lower knob68intended to be gripped by the hollow base20.

The inner sleeve60defines an inside lumen70for the sliding of the cup64and a sliding axial track72, visible inFIG. 5, for guiding the movement of cup64inside the lumen70.

The mechanism24has a total height, taken along axis A-A′, which is higher than the height of the stick12. The height of mechanism24is at least 1.2 times higher than the height of the stick12before its first use.

The tubular wall66has a height which is approximately equal to the height of the stick12before its first use. It extends axially between the knob68and an upper collar74defined at its upper end.

The upper collar74protrudes radially away from axis A-A′.

The knob68has a height which is lower than the height of the tubular wall66. The tubular wall66and the knob68define an outer annular step76for rotatably supporting the outer sleeve62.

The knob68comprises a peripheral wall78, a transverse bottom wall80, corrugations82and an annular rib84for cooperating with the hollow base20.

The transverse bottom wall80defines a central opening86for insertion of the actuating projection36inside the lumen70.

The corrugations82extend around the bottom edge of the peripheral wall78. The corrugations82define a series of axial adjacent notches88which open downwardly. Each notch88has a shape complementary to the shape of a tooth50. When the mechanism24occupies its inserted position, each tooth50is therefore complementary received in a complementary notch88for mutual engagement.

The annular rib84extends around axis A-A′. The rib84is intended to cooperate with the retaining elements34which are applied on and above rib84when the mechanism24occupies its position inserted inside the hollow base20.

The lumen70is laterally delimited by the tubular wall66and transversely delimited by the transverse wall80.

It opens upwardly through an extraction opening89delimited by the collar74at the top edge of tubular wall66. The lumen70also opens downwardly through the central opening86defined in the transverse wall80.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the axial guiding track72is formed by a slot extending through the upper tubular wall66. The track72comprises an upper slit90for insertion of the cup64inside the lumen70, an upper transverse region92, an intermediate axial region94, a lower transverse region96, and a lower guiding axial region98.

The upper slit90splits the upper collar74. It opens upwardly and it opens downwardly in the upper transverse region92.

At rest, the width of the slit90is lower than the maximum transverse dimension of the guiding lug65. The slit90can be widened by elastic deformation of the upper collar74to insert the guiding lug65into the axial guiding track72.

The upper transverse region92extends circumferentially around axis A-A′ in a first circumferential direction D1. The length of transverse region92is approximately equal to the maximum transverse dimension of the guiding lug65.

The upper transverse region92extends in the vicinity of the upper collar74. Its maximal height is advantageously inferior to 1.5 times the height of the guiding lug65.

The intermediate axial94region extends parallel to axis A-A′. Its width is approximately equal to the width of the guiding lug65. Its height is higher than 50% of the height of the upper tubular wall66.

The lower transverse region96extends from the lower end of the intermediate axial region94in a circumferential direction D2opposite to direction D1.

The circumferential length of the lower transverse region is advantageously lower than three times the maximum transverse dimension of the guiding lug65.

The lower guiding axial region98extends from the free end of the lower transverse region96. The region98is spaced apart and parallel to the intermediate axial region94. It extends downwardly in an axial direction D3opposite to the axial region94.

The height of the lower guiding axial region98is higher than the height of the guiding lug65.

The upper tubular wall66also defines several windows100which extend through wall66above the outer annular step76.

As shown inFIGS. 1,4and6, the outer sleeve62comprises a peripheral wall102defining a through hole104for insertion of the inner sleeve60and an helical track105for guiding the sliding of the cup64inside the peripheral wall102.

The peripheral wall102delimits a top inner annular shoulder106around its upper edge and delimits a bottom inner annular shoulder108around its lower edge.

The height of peripheral wall102is approximately equal to the height of the upper tubular wall66.

The inner surface of the peripheral wall102defining the through hole104has a shape complementary to the outer surface of the upper tubular wall66.

The inner sleeve60is therefore mounted rotatable around axis A-A′ inside the peripheral wall102. The upper collar74is received in the top annular shoulder106and the outer annular step76is received in the bottom annular shoulder108.

The helical track105is delimited inside the peripheral wall102. It extends in a helix shape around axis A-A′. The helical track105comprises an upper helical region110for lifting of the cup64inside the lumen70. According to the invention, the helical track105also comprises a lower retention region112, for axial retention of the cup64before its first use.

The track105is delimited by a groove defined between an upper helical edge114and a lower edge116. The track105opens radially towards the axis A-A′.

The upper region110extends over more than 50% of the height of the peripheral wall102. The helical region110extends angularly about an angle above 360° and advantageously above 720° around the axis A-A′.

The minimum width of the upper region110is approximately equal to the maximum transverse width of the guiding lug65. In the upper region110, both the lower edge116and the upper edge114are helical.

The lower retention region112has a height, taken parallel to the axis A-A′, which is higher than the maximum height of the guiding lug65. The height of the retention region112is lower than the height of the lower axial guiding region98. The lower edge116of track105in the lower region112extends axially and defines an axial abutment portion117, which is parallel to axis A-A′.

In this example, the lower retention region112has a square triangle shape, the square angle of the triangle being defined between the axial abutment portion117and the bottom annular shoulder108.

The axial guiding track72and the helical track105are located facing one another in at least an intersecting region118visible inFIGS. 7 to 9. This intersecting region118moves axially along the axial guiding track72upon relative rotation between the inner sleeve60and the outer sleeve62around axis A-A′.

The cup64has a height lower than half the height of lumen70. The cup64comprises an outer peripheral wall130, a bottom supporting wall132and optionally ribs134for holding the stick12.

The outer peripheral wall130has an outer surface with a transverse section complementary to the inner section of the lumen70to allow the cup64to be guided by the inner sleeve68when it translates along axis A-A′.

The bottom supporting wall132is located in the vicinity of the lower edge of the outer peripheral wall130. It defines an upper housing136, which opens upwardly for receiving the stick12. The bottom supporting wall132also defines a lower cavity138.

The ribs134extend radially inside the upper housing136from the outer peripheral wall130to the bottom supporting wall132. They have a generally triangle shape.

The guiding lug65extends radially with respect to axis A-A′. It protrudes from the outer surface of the peripheral wall130. In this example, the lug65is cylindrical in shape its radial thickness, taken radially from the peripheral wall130is approximately equal to the sum of the depth of the axial track72and of the depth of the helical track105.

Its diameter, representing its maximum transverse dimension, is approximately equal to the width of the axial track72in the intermediate axial region94and is approximately equal to the width of the helical track105in the first helical region110.

As it will be explained below, the cup64is axially movable inside the lumen70of the inner sleeve68between a lower initial configuration, shown inFIG. 4, in which any relative rotation between the inner sleeve60and the outer sleeve62around the axis A-A′ does not induce an axial movement of the cup64, and an use configuration shown inFIG. 1from which the cup is slidable within the lumen70between an inner retracted position, shown inFIG. 1, and an outer deployed position (not shown), upon relative rotation of the inner sleeve60and the outer sleeve62.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, in the initial configuration, the lug65is located in the second retention region112of the helical track105and at the bottom of the lower axial guiding region98of the axial guiding track72.

In this configuration, the cup64is prevented from axially moving along the axis A-A′, whatever the angle of relative rotation between the inner sleeve60and the outer sleeve62. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 8, beyond a given angle of rotation of the outer sleeve62with respect to the inner sleeve60, the lug65abuts the axial region117.

In the use configuration, the cup64has been pushed axially upwards by the actuating projection36towards the inner retracted position.

In this position, the lug65has been lifted to the top of the lower axial guiding region98. The lug65is maintained in contact against the upper edge of the helical track105, above the second retention region112.

The stick72remains totally contained in the lumen70, without projecting out of the extraction opening89.

Rotation of the inner sleeve60with regard to the outer sleeve62beyond a given angle induces a contact of the lug65against the inclined lower edge116of the helical track105, which induces a camming effect on the cup64. The cup64is subsequently lifted in the axial track72towards the outer position.

In the outer position, the cup64has been raised inside the lumen70by sliding of the lug65inside the first region110of the helical track105, and successively, in the lower transverse region96, in the intermediate axial region94and in the upper transverse region92.

The cup64is located in the vicinity of the upper collar74in the lumen70.

In this upper position, the stick72projects out of the lumen70, which allows its contact with a body surface of a user.

The assembly of the device10will be described below.

Initially, the mechanism24is assembled. To that aim, the inner sleeve60, the outer sleeve62, and the cup64are provided separately. The cup64is first inserted in the lumen70of the inner sleeve60through the opening89defined by the upper collar74.

The upper tubular wall66is deformed to increase the width of the upper slit90and to insert guiding lug65into the axial guiding track72.

The cup64is then driven downwards inside lumen70by sliding along the axis A-A′. The guiding lug65slides down through the intermediate axial region94, through the lower transverse region96and through the lower axial guiding region98.

Then, the outer sleeve62is rotatably mounted around the inner sleeve60.

The lower end of the outer sleeve62is engaged around the upper end of the inner sleeve60and the outer sleeve62is pushed down until the bottom annular shoulder108of the peripheral wall102abuts the outer annular step76on the lower knob68. Simultaneously, the upper collar74of the upper tubular wall66enters the top annular shoulder106made in the peripheral wall102of the outer sleeve62.

The outer sleeve62is fixed in translation along the axis A-A′ with respect to the inner sleeve60. The outer sleeve62is also rotatable around the axis A-A′ with respect to the inner sleeve60.

In this initial configuration of the cup64, the guiding lug65of the cup64is located in the retention region112of the helical track105.

As shown inFIG. 8, even if the outer sleeve62and the inner sleeve60accidentally rotate one with respect to another around the axis A-A′, the cup64remains in the same axial position due to the configuration of the lower edge116and due to the abutment of the guiding lug65against the axial portion117of the lower edge116. This is the case for any angular movement of the inner sleeve60with respect to the outer sleeve62.

The stick12is then inserted within the cup64through lumen70. The stick12is fixed in the cup64by insertion of the ribs134in its body14.

The mechanism24can then be carried separately from the hollow base20without any risk of undesired axial movement of the cup64inside the lumen70.

The stick12can be held totally and safely in the lumen70, until the mechanism24is inserted in the hollow base20, which suppresses the risk of breaking the stick12or the risk of pollution during storage of the mechanism24for example in a hand bag.

Use of the holding device10for applying a cosmetic product on a body surface of a user will be now described.

When needed, the user grabs the mechanism24and inserts its lower end into the insertion cavity30delimited by the hollow base20.

The lower knob68moves downwardly towards the bottom wall28until the teeth50located on the inner shoulder46enter corresponding notches88on the corrugated end of the lower knob68.

The mechanism24is fixed in the insertion cavity30by engagement of the retaining elements34on and above the annular rib84located around the peripheral wall78of the knob68.

During insertion of the lower knob68in the cavity30, the actuating projection36enters the lumen70through the center opening86defined in the transverse bottom wall80of the knob68.

The upper transverse surface56of the elongate pin54abuts against the bottom supporting wall132of the cup64, which pushes the cup64upwardly along the axis A-A′ relatively to the inner sleeve60and the outer sleeve62towards its use configuration.

In the course of the axial movement of the cup64, the guiding lug65slides upwards in the lower axial guiding portion98to reach the lower transverse region96of the axial guiding track72.

At the same time, the guiding lug65exits the second retention region112of the helical track105and passes above the axial portion117of the lower edge116. The lug65is located in register with the inclined region of the lower edge116in the helical region110of the helical track105, as shown inFIG. 9.

The cup64occupies its inner retracted position in the lumen70.

In this position, the user is free to actuate a relative rotation between the outer sleeve62and the inner sleeve60around axis A-A′ to raise the cup64towards its outer position.

Accordingly, the user seizes the outer sleeve62with fingers of one hand and seizes the hollow base20with the fingers of another hand.

The teeth50of the gripping elements32being engaged in corresponding notches88in the lower knob68, relative rotation of the hollow base30with respect to the outer sleeve62around the axis A-A′ induces a corresponding rotation of the inner sleeve60.

Beyond a given angle, corresponding to the angular extent of the lower transverse region96, the rotation moves the intersecting area118between the axial guiding track72and the helical track105upwardly along the axial track72, which leads to a sliding of the cup64towards the upper end of the mechanism24, by camming effect of the lower inclined edge116on the guiding lug65.

In the course of this movement, the stick12projects out of the lumen70.

When the guiding lug65reaches the upper transverse region92, the cup64is locked in its outer deployed position. The user can then apply the external surface of the stick12on a body surface to deposit cosmetic product on this body surface.

The user can then retract down the stick12and the cup64in the mechanism24after use, by rotating relatively the inner sleeve60and the outer sleeve62in an opposite relative direction.

The mechanism24is therefore extremely easy to use, once it has been inserted in the hollow base20.

If needed, the user can remove the mechanism24when the stick12is depleted or in case the user wishes to change the cosmetic product dispensed by the holding device10.

In a variation, the axial track72does not have a lower transverse region96. The guiding region98extends along the same axis as the main axial region94.

Upon passage of the cup64in its use configuration, the cup64is able to be raised in the axial region94after a rotation of the inner sleeve60with respect to the outer sleeve62about an angle which is approximately null.

The terms “a” or “one” must be understood as “at least a” or “at least one” unless the contrary is specified.