Abstract:
A cosmetic product replacement unit for a base stick module of a cosmetic stick has a replacement housing in which the cosmetic product is present in the form of a refill. A cap or sealing an extension opening for the refill is attached onto the replacement housing. The refill is in push connection with a piston guided in the replacement housing. A piston connecting component, connected to the piston, may be used with a complementary push rod connecting component of a piston push rod as part of a feed device of the base stick module to withdraw the refill. It is possible to bring the piston push rod into push connection with the piston and to position it on the side of the piston remote from the refill. In addition to the cosmetic product replacement unit, a set also has a plurality of base stick modules which have feed devices for the cosmetic product which differ from one another in their mechanical operating principles. There results a replacement unit which has reduced production costs, and this is also an advantage for the set.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a cosmetic product replacement unit for a base stick module of a cosmetic stick with a replacement housing in which the cosmetic product is present in the form of a refill, with a cap attached onto the replacement housing, for sealing a refill extension opening, configured in the replacement housing, for the refill, wherein the refill is in push connection with a piston guided in the replacement housing. The invention also relates to a set consisting of a cosmetic product replacement unit of this type and a plurality of base stick modules. 
     2. Background Art 
     A generic cosmetic product replacement unit is known through prior public use. As soon as the cosmetic product is used up or is not intended to be used any further, the known replacement unit is used as a replacement for a corresponding stick unit, the replacement unit, together with the base stick module, reproducing the complete cosmetic stick. 
     The replacement units known in the art are expensive to produce. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to develop a replacement unit of the type mentioned at the outset, such that the production costs for said replacement unit are reduced. 
     The object is achieved according to the invention by a replacement unit having a piston connecting component, connected to the piston, for cooperating with a complementary push rod connecting component of a piston push rod as part of a feed device of the base stick module for extending the refill, the piston connecting component being designed to bring the piston push rod into a push connection with the piston and to position the piston push rod on the side of the piston remote from the refill. 
     According to the invention, it has been found that it is unnecessary to install mechanical operational components of the feed device of the cosmetic stick in the replacement unit. These operational components of the feed device are omitted in the replacement unit according to the invention and are fully installed in the base stick module. A simply constructed replacement unit results which accordingly may be produced in a cost-effective manner. The replacement units may be filled, stored and sold separately from the base stick modules with the feed devices. The base stick modules may be completed to produce the complete cosmetic sticks when they reach the customer or immediately before dispatch. The use of the replacement units allows the feed devices to be configured as high-quality mechanisms which may be sold at a suitable price. Mechanisms of this type may be produced, for example, from anodised aluminium. The high-quality mechanisms may be used repeatedly in that new replacement units are reused in each case to replace used-up stick units and are connected to the feed device of the base stick module. It is also possible to provide the replacement units with different cosmetic products, in particular also with different dimensions, for example with different refill diameters. Therefore, when consumers purchase only a single base stick module, they are able to choose between various cosmetic products, for example various colours and also various refill diameters, without purchasing in each case a completely new base stick module for this purpose. 
     A holding design of the refill being held in a cup-shaped seat in the piston is secure. 
     A cap which seals the replacement housing on the side of the piston connecting component to store the replacement unit protects the piston. 
     Connection devices being configured as complementary components of a bayonet connection or of a snap-in connection are secure and are also easily used by an end customer. A further object of the invention is to make the advantages of a replacement unit more comprehensively usable without complex components of feed devices. 
     This object is achieved according to the invention by a set consisting of a cosmetic product replacement unit having a piston connecting component, connected to the piston, for cooperating with a complementary push rod connecting component of a piston push rod as part of a feed device of the base stick module for extending the refill, the piston connecting component being designed to bring the piston push rod into a push connection with the piston and to position the piston push rod on the side of the piston remote from the refill and consisting of a plurality of base stick modules which have feed devices, which differ from one another in their mechanical operating principles, for the cosmetic product. 
     According to the invention, it has been found that for a replacement unit which no longer has operational components of a feed device for advancing the refill, it is possible to freely select the type and manner of mechanical construction of these operational components of the feed device. The replacement unit may therefore be used with base stick modules of different mechanical operating principles. The single crucial requirement is to provide compatibility in the connection between the replacement unit and the base stick module. 
     A feed device of one of the base stick modules which has, in addition to the piston push rod: an actuating push rod in push connection with an actuating element positioned on an end of the actuating push rod opposite the refill extension opening, wherein the actuating push rod is in push connection with the piston push rod via a pair of stops consisting of a first stop positioned on one of the two push rods and a plurality of second stops positioned in succession at an equal distance from one another axially along the other push rod, wherein a stop alternating device using which to advance a refill, the first stop is alternated between a second momentary stop of the second stops, with which the first stop momentarily cooperates, and an axially adjacent second target stop, comprising a driver body, to which the actuating push rod, is attached at least one ramp which is secured to the housing and cooperates with the driver body and the ramp incline of which is such that in an actuating position of the actuating push rod, the first stop disengages from the momentary stop as soon as the driver body has traveled a distance of advancement which at least equals the distance between two adjacent second stops, a pretensioning spring which pretensions the actuating push rod relative to the housing in an unactuated rest position, in which the actuating element is pushed out of the housing, allows a secure feed which may be produced in a convenient manner. 
     A distribution of the stops, the first stop being positioned on the actuating push rod and the second stops being positioned on the piston push rod, provides a construction of the feed device which may be carried out structurally at low cost. Alternatively, it is possible to provide the first stop on the piston push rod and the second stops on the actuating push rod. 
     A set in which the driver body has the first stop provides a compact construction of the feed device, since the functions of “ramp guidance” and “first stop” are combined in a compact manner on the driver body. 
     Contact portions being formed between the push rods such that a return of the actuating push rod from the actuating position into the rest position is provided by the push rods sliding past one another, without the piston push rod being axially displaced relative to the housing as a result ensure that when the actuating push rod returns from the actuating position into the rest position, the piston push rod is not entrained, in an undesirable manner. Securing the piston push rod in this respect may be further assisted by a suitable friction effect of the piston push rod in a guide provided through a passage opening in a component fixed to the housing. 
     A pretensioning spring being configured as a plastics material spring provides a simple construction of the cosmetic stick. The plastics material spring may also be produced as an injection moulded part and may integrate various functions. Thus, the plastics material spring may in particular feature an intermediate base into which the passage opening is guided for guiding the movement of the piston push rod. When a plastics material pretensioning spring is used, a bayonet catch in particular is possible for joining on the one hand a cosmetic product housing portion, i.e. a refill housing portion, with on the other hand a feed housing portion, without openings of this connection which are caused for production reasons being visible from outside. A metal spring is not needed. 
     A ramp according being formed integrally with the pretensioning spring also enhances the compact nature of the arrangement, since an additional function integration takes place. 
     A guide device for guiding axial movement of the push rods relative to one another provides a reliable and defined relative movement of the push rods during the feed activation. 
     A feed device of another base stick module comprises in addition to the piston push rod an actuating wheel which projects with a portion of its circumference out of a stick housing of the base stick module and is in push connection with the piston push rod via a deflection gearing. Such a feed device is particularly simple to produce and allows continuous feed of the refill. Actuation of this feed device is also simple. 
     The construction of the feed device wherein axle journals of the actuating wheel are snapped into snap-in seats of a housing portion which surrounds the actuating wheel and which for its part is connected to the stick housing, and in particular is snapped-in provides particularly easily moulded individual parts. These may be readily produced as injection moulded components. 
     Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail in the following with reference to the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a cosmetic stick; 
         FIG. 2  shows a longitudinal section through the cosmetic stick according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows comparable to an exploded view, all the individual components for assembling the cosmetic stick according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a cosmetic product replacement unit for a base stick module of the cosmetic stick according too  FIG. 1 to 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows an axial longitudinal section through the cosmetic product replacement unit according to  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a view similar to that of  FIG. 1  of the cosmetic product replacement unit; 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective side view of another cosmetic stick with a different base stick module which has a feed device for the cosmetic product, which feed device differs in respect of its mechanical operating principles from the feed device of the base stick module of the cosmetic stick according to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows an axial longitudinal section of the cosmetic stick according to  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9  shows a view, similar to  FIG. 3 , of the individual components of the cosmetic stick according to  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A cosmetic stick  1  has a stick housing  2  with a cosmetic product housing portion  3  and a feed housing portion  4 . The stick housing  2  with the cosmetic product housing portion  3  and the feed housing portion  4  is manufactured from SAN-ABS. The cosmetic product housing portion  3  has a cone housing body  5  which is covered by a cap  6 , for example when the cosmetic stick  1  is stored.  FIG. 2  shows the cap  6  pushed onto the cone housing body  5 , the cap  6  abutting against a peripheral collar  7  of the cone housing body  5 . A slight undercut (not shown in more detail) of the cone housing body  5  and of the cap  6  ensures that the cap  6  is held with a positive fit, and thus secured, on the cone housing body  5  when resting on the peripheral collar  7 . At the same time, a user may easily remove the cap  6  from the cone housing body  5 . 
     Adjacent to the peripheral collar  7 , the cone housing body  5  has bayonet segments  8  which face the feed housing portion  4  and catch in a corresponding inner peripheral recess in the feed housing portion  4  when the cone housing body  5  is assembled. The bayonet segments  8  form together with the corresponding bayonet seat in the feed housing portion  4  a bayonet catch for joining these two housing components. A latching or snap-in connection is also possible instead of a bayonet catch. 
     A cosmetic product in the form of a refill  9  is positioned in the cone housing body  5 . Said refill  9  may be moved out of the cone housing body  5  through a refill extension opening or refill opening  10  therein. A feed device  11  which is housed in the feed housing portion  4  and will be described in more detail hereinafter is used to extend or withdraw the refill  9 . 
     The refill  9  is in a push connection with a piston  12  guided in the cone housing body  5 . In this respect, the refill  9  is held in a cup-shaped seat in the piston  12 . The refill  9  has a diameter of 6 mm. The seat in the piston  12  has an inner diameter corresponding thereto. Other refill diameters are also possible. A refill diameter of 8 mm in particular is also possible. Formed integrally with the piston  12  is a piston connecting component  13 , the outer diameter of which is reduced in comparison to the outer diameter of the rest of the piston  12 . Peripheral seats in a sleeve-shaped connecting component  14  of a piston push rod  15  are formed in a complementary manner to bayonet segments of the piston connecting component  13 . The piston push rod  15  is manufactured from POM. The piston push rod  15  is in push connection with the piston  12  and is positioned on the side of the piston  12  remote from the refill  9 . A positive, secure connection between the piston  12  and the feed device  11 , to which the piston push rod  15  belongs, is produced via the bayonet connection formed by the connecting components  13  and  14 . 
     An actuating push rod  16  also belongs to the feed device  11 . Said actuating push rod  16  is in push connection with the piston push rod  15 . The actuating push rod  16  is manufactured from POM. Said push connection is produced via a pair of stops consisting of a first stop  17  positioned on the actuating push rod  16  and a plurality of second stops  18  positioned in succession at an equal distance from one another axially along the piston push rod  15 . In the feed position shown in  FIG. 2 , the first stop  17  of the actuating push rod  16  cooperates with the second stop  18  arranged furthest to the left as shown in  FIG. 2 , so that the refill  9  is in a starting position with the piston  12  fully retracted into the stick housing  2 . 
     Overall, there are two rows of second stops  18  at the same height, between which runs the actuating push rod  16 . 
     Where the actuating push rod  16  runs between the two rows of second stops  18  up to the end of the piston push rod  15  facing the stop point  19 , the two push rods  15 ,  16  are guided towards one another so that a defined relative movement of the two push rods  15 ,  16  with respect to one another is possible. This guidance is carried out by a complementary cross-sectional configuration of adjacent portions of the push rods  15 ,  16 . This guide means is a T groove guide. 
     On its side remote from the piston  12 , the actuating push rod  16  has a contact peripheral collar  19 . The outer diameter of the contact peripheral collar  19  corresponds to the inner diameter of the feed housing portion  4 . A free end  20 , adjacent to the contact peripheral collar  19 , of the actuating push rod  16  bears an operating button  21  as actuating element which is latched or snapped onto the free end  20 . The operating button  21  protrudes, like an operating button for a ballpoint pen, out of the end, opposite the refill  9 , of the feed housing portion  4 . Latched into a housing opening in the feed housing portion  4 , from which the operating button  21  protrudes, is a stopper  22  which is shaped like a sleeve and is penetrated by the operating button  21 . The operating button  21  is made of SAN-ABS, as is the stopper  22 . An inner end wall of the stopper  22  rests against the contact peripheral collar  19  of the actuating push rod  16 . A plastics material pretensioning spring  23  rests against the contact peripheral collar  19  on the side opposite the stopper  22 . The plastics material pretensioning spring  23  is made of POM. At its opposite free end, the plastics material pretensioning spring  23  is supported against an inwardly projecting peripheral collar  24  of the feed housing portion  4 . This peripheral collar  24  is closely adjacent to a dividing line between the feed housing portion  4  and the cone housing body  5 . 
     The plastics material pretensioning spring  23  has an intermediate base  25  adjacent to the end wall of the free end, carrying the bayonet segments  8 , of the cone housing body  5 . The intermediate base  25  has an approximately rectangular passage opening  26  through which the piston push rod  15  passes. 
     A stop alternating device  27  is a component of the feed device  11 . To advance the refill  9 , the stop alternating device alternates the first stop  17  between one of the second stops  18 , with which the first stop  17  momentarily cooperates and which is also called the second momentary stop, and an axially adjacent further second stop  18  which is also called the target stop. The stop alternating device has a driver body  28  formed integrally on the free end, facing the piston  12 , of the actuating push rod  16 . The driver body  28  supports the two first stops  17 , positioned at the same height, on both sides like wing stumps. 
     A ramp  29  cooperates with the driver body  28 . Said ramp  29  is configured in the intermediate base  25  of the plastics material pretensioning spring  23  which in turn is fixed on the feed housing portion  4 . The ramp  29  is therefore fixed on the stick housing  2 . 
     The plastics material pretensioning spring  23  also belongs to the stop alternating device  27 . 
     The second stops  18  positioned axially in succession at an equal distance from one another are configured in the manner of saw teeth. The flank of this saw tooth configuration which is steep in each case and vertical in practice forms the second stops  18 . Oblique wall portions  30  run between these vertical wall portions. The incline of these oblique wall portions  30  with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stick housing  2  is sufficiently low for the wing stumps of the driver body  28  to be able to slide on the oblique wall portions  30  in a direction opposite the feed direction, without the piston push rod  15  being axially displaced relative to the stick housing  2  as a result. 
     The cosmetic stick is assembled as follows: 
     First of all, the plastics material pretensioning spring  23  is pushed into the feed housing portion  4  until it meets the stop collar  24 . A ridge on the stopper side of the feed housing portion  4  cooperating with a corresponding groove in the periphery of the plastics material pretensioning spring  23  ensures that the plastics material pretensioning spring  23  can be pushed into the feed housing portion  4  only in a predetermined orientation. The inner diameter of the feed housing portion  4  is coordinated with the outer diameter of the plastics material pretensioning spring  23 , such that both parts easily clamp together in the final assembly position. The piston push rod  15  is then introduced into the plastics material pretensioning spring  23 . This is carried out from the left-hand side in  FIG. 2 . In this respect, the position and the cross-section of the passage opening  26  allow only a correct introduction orientation of the piston push rod  15  into the plastics material pretensioning spring  23 . The piston push rod  15  is introduced into the plastics material pretensioning spring  23  until the push rod connecting component  14  of the piston push rod  15  abuts the intermediate base  25  of the plastics material pretensioning spring  23 . The actuating push rod  16 , already provided with the attached operating button  21 , is then inserted into the feed housing portion  4  from the right-hand side in  FIG. 2  and threaded in a guiding manner into the complementary guide of the piston push rod  15 . 
     When the actuating push rod  16  is pushed into the feed housing portion  4 , the first stop  17  of the actuating push rod  16  engages initially with the second stop  18 , located furthest to the right as shown in  FIG. 3 , of the piston push rod  15 . During further insertion, the actuating push rod  16  pushes the piston push rod  15  ahead of it until the driver body  28  of the actuating push rod  16  runs onto the ramp  29 . In so doing, the first stop  17  disengages from the second momentary stop  18 . The piston push rod  15  may then be pushed back toward the right as shown in  FIG. 2  until it reaches the starting position. The stopper  22  is then pushed and latched into the feed housing portion  4 . In so doing, the plastics material spring is pretensioned slightly between the peripheral collar  19  and the peripheral collar  24 . 
     When the operating button  21  is actuated, in other words when the operating button is pushed into the stick housing  2 , the piston push rod  15  is advanced by the actuating side rod  16  through the engagement of the first stop  17  with the second momentary stop  18 , initially by a distance of advancement which at least equals the distance between two second stops  18 . After this distance of advancement, the driver body  28  has run onto the ramp  29  to such an extent that the first stop  17  disengages from the second momentary stop  18 . Further advancement of the piston push rod  15  therefore does not take place, irrespective of whether the operating button  21  is pressed further into the stick housing  2 . When the operating button  21  is released, it is pushed back again into the rest position shown in  FIG. 2  due to the pretension of the plastics material pretensioning spring  23  until the peripheral collar  19  rests against the stopper  22 . During this pushing back action, the driver body  28  slides on the oblique wall portions  30  of the piston slide rod  15 . In so doing, the piston slide rod  15  is not displaced axially relative to the stick housing  2 , such that in the rest position of the operating button  21 , the first stop  17  is then able to engage with the second target stop  18  which is axially adjacent to the previous second momentary stop  18 , more specifically is axially adjacent on the right-hand side in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4 to 6  show a cosmetic product replacement unit  31  for a base stick module  32  of the cosmetic stick  1 . The base stick module  32  includes all the components of the cosmetic stick  1  except for the cosmetic product housing portion  3 , the piston  12  and the refill  9 . 
     The cosmetic product replacement unit  31  has a replacement housing  33  which is identical to the cosmetic product housing portion  3 , i.e. it has the cone housing body  5  and the cap  6 . A sealing cap  34  attached to the replacement housing  33  and secured thereto via a bayonet catch seals the replacement housing  33  on the side of the piston  12 . The sealing cap  34  is made of polypropylene (PP). A support  35  formed integrally with the base of a sealing cap  34  in the region of the stick housing longitudinal axis is used for the defined contact positioning of the piston connecting component  13 . Positioned in the replacement housing  33  of the cosmetic product replacement unit  31  are the refill  9  and the piston  12  in the same orientation and position to the cone housing body  5  as in the cosmetic product housing portion  3  of the cosmetic stick  1 . 
     The cosmetic product replacement unit  31  is assembled as follows: 
     First of all, the piston  12  is pushed, with the guiding seat opening, into the cone housing body  5 , more specifically from the side on which the bayonet segments  8  are located in the cone housing body  5 . Ridges  36  formed integrally with the outer wall of the piston  12  run in axial grooves in the inner wall of the cone housing body  5 , such that the piston  12  is safeguarded against twisting in the cone housing body  5 . A latching formed by complementarily formed snap-in elements on the piston  12  on the one hand and on the cone housing body  5  on the other hand indicates the assembly end position of the piston  12  in the cone housing body  5 . The sealing cap  34  is then fitted on the cone housing body  5  via the bayonet connection. The refill  9  is then introduced into the seat of the piston  12  and finally the cap  6  is placed on the cone housing body  5 . 
     To replace a cosmetic product housing portion  3  with a new cosmetic product replacement unit  31  when the refill  9  is used up, the bayonet connection between the cosmetic product housing portion  3  and the feed housing portion  4  is released. The sealing cap  34  is removed from the cosmetic product replacement unit  31  and the replacement unit  31  is connected to the feed housing portion  4  of the cosmetic stick  1 . In so doing, a bayonet connection is simultaneously produced between the replacement housing  33  and the feed housing portion  4  on the one hand and between the piston connecting component  13  and the push rod connecting component  14 . The cosmetic stick  1  is then ready for use again with a new refill  9 . 
       FIG. 7 to 9  show another variant of a cosmetic stick in which the cosmetic product replacement unit  31  may also be used. Components corresponding to those previously described with reference to  FIG. 1 to 6  have been given the same reference numerals and will not be described again in detail. 
     A base stick module  37  of the cosmetic stick according to  FIG. 7 to 9  has a feed device  38  with an actuating wheel  39 . A portion of the circumference of the actuating wheel protrudes out of a feed housing portion  40  of the cosmetic stick  1  according to  FIG. 7 to 9 . The actuating wheel  39  is made of SAN-ABS, as is the feed-housing portion  40 . Gear wheels  42  are formed integrally in each case with the actuating wheel  39  on axle journals  41  guided on both sides out of the actuating wheel  39 . The gear wheels  42  mesh with two rack portions  43  running parallel to each other of a piston push rod  44  of the cosmetic stick  1  according to  FIG. 7 to 9 . The piston push rod  44  is made of POM. Formed integrally with the rack portions  43  facing the piston  12  is the push rod connecting body  14  which is configured identically to the push rod connecting body  14  of the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 to 3 . The piston push rod  44  here again passes through the passage opening  26  in the plastics material pretensioning spring  23 . 
     The axle journals  41  of the actuating wheel  39  are latched into snap-in seats  45  of a screen housing portion  46 . The screen housing portion  46  is made of SAN-ABS. The screen housing portion  46  which surrounds the actuating wheel  39  is here again latched into a seat in the feed housing portion  40 . 
     For the assembly of the cosmetic stick  1  according to  FIG. 7 to 9 , the plastics material pretensioning spring  23  is also initially introduced into the feed housing portion  40 , as described in connection with the assembly of the cosmetic stick  1  according to  FIG. 1 to 3 . The stopper  22  is then pushed from the right-hand side in  FIG. 8  into the feed housing portion  40  and is latched or snapped-in therein. The piston push rod  44  is then introduced into the plastics material pretensioning spring  23  through the passage opening  26  from the left-hand side in  FIG. 8 . The actuating wheel  39  is latched into the snap-in seat  45  in the screen housing portion  46  and the screen housing portion  46  is then latched into the seat in the feed housing portion  40 . By turning the actuating wheel  39 , the refill  9  may be pushed out of the refill opening  10  or may be pushed back again into the stick housing  2 . 
     In both embodiments, i.e. in the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 to 3  with the operating button  21  to advance the refill and in the embodiment according to  FIG. 7 to 9  with the actuating wheel  39  to advance the refill, the profile cross-section of the piston slide rod  15  and  44  respectively is coordinated with the inner cross-section of the passage opening  26  in the plastics material pretensioning spring such that a friction action occurs in the guide through the passage opening  26  during the movement of the piston push rods  15  and  44  respectively. In the embodiment according to  FIG. 1 to 3 , this friction is greater than the friction between the piston push rod and the actuating push rod  16 . This helps so that during the return of the actuating push rod  16  from the actuating position into the rest position, the piston push rod  15  is not entrained by the actuating push rod  16  in an undesirable manner. In the embodiment according to  FIG. 7 to 9 , the effect of the friction between the piston push rod  44  and the inner wall of the passage opening  26  is that a certain axial pressure may be exerted on the refill  9  during use, without this resulting in the refill  9  being pushed back undesirably into the stick housing  2 . 
     In a variant of the cosmetic stick  1  according to  FIG. 7 to 9  (not shown), the actuating wheel  39  does not have two lateral gear wheels  42 ; instead there are provided two rotationally engaged wheel portions which are positioned parallel to one another and between which is positioned a gear wheel portion which is rotationally engaged with both wheel portions. The gear wheel portion then meshes with an associated rack portion of a piston push rod of the alternative cosmetic stick. Unlike the piston push rod  44  of the cosmetic stick according to  FIG. 7 to 9 , the piston push rod of this alternative variant has precisely one rack portion. A comparable actuating wheel with two wheel portions is known from EP 0 714 638 B1 and is used in that publication for an applicator for dental restorative material.