Abstract:
A packaging and dispensing device for a friable product, in particular a cosmetic product. The device includes a hollow base, and a cup intended to accommodate the product in a well. The cup includes at least one lug on a stem fixed below the well. The lug is flexible and engages with a helical groove in the inner wall of the base. The lug can be disengaged from the groove, in particular at the ends of the groove. The arrangement allows “free” rotation in a plane orthogonal to an axis of the spiral. The device includes a sleeve mounted in free rotation about the base, whereas it is fixed in rotation with the cup. The cup moves axially as a function of rotation of the sleeve relative to the base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This document claims priority to French Application Number 03 04431, filed Apr. 9, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/470,500, filed May 15, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to a packaging and dispensing device, and particularly to a packaging/dispensing device that is suitable for the packaging of friable solid or semi-solid cosmetic products such as lipsticks or block deodorant formulations.  
           [0004]    2. Discussion of Background  
           [0005]    Packaging devices are known in the prior art, for example, in the arrangement disclosed in FR-A-2,755,592. This arrangement includes a cup containing a friable product, in which the cup incorporates means protruding radially from its outer lateral circumference that engage with a lengthwise groove provided in a first tubular element.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,993 also describes a known packaging device for lipstick in which the protruding means on the cup exerts friction as the cup moves relative to a first tubular element. The device includes a second tubular element arranged relative to the first tubular element so that rotation of the first tubular element relative to the second tubular element causes the cup to move in a linear fashion inside the first tube and rotatably inside the second tube, thereby affording access to the product contained in the cup. This relative rotational movement is accomplished by maintaining the respective positions of the two tubular elements relative to a longitudinal axis corresponding to a principal lengthwise axis of the tubular elements.  
           [0007]    With the &#39;993 arrangement, the cup is integral in rotation with the first tubular element by virtue of the engagement of the protruding means in the longitudinal groove. The protruding means are also engaged in a helical groove provided on the inner circumference of the second tubular element. With this arrangement, the second tubular element is mounted around the first tubular element. Thus, the first tubular element is disposed inside of the second. In addition, the first tubular element includes a tubular portion extending beyond the second tubular element to provide a grasping zone. This allows the user to take hold of the outer circumference of the second tubular element to rotate it relative to the grasping zone of the first tubular element.  
           [0008]    Thus, devices are known which are capable of propelling a cup inside a tubular element from a lower position to an upper position. The product contained in the cup can be rendered inaccessible for direct application to a surface to be coated when in the lower position. The user is therefore repeatedly obliged, at each use, to move the cup from the lower position to the upper position and vice versa. However, because the user does not know the exact number of turns to be applied to the second tubular element relative to the first tubular element, he or she might be induced to force the rotational action at the limit of travel in either the upper position or the lower position, with the risk of disengaging the means protruding radially from the cup from at least one of the grooves.  
           [0009]    With devices known in the prior art, relative rotation of the tubular elements ceases to cause the cup to move when the protruding means is disengaged from the groove. The mechanism is disengaged. The protruding means are necessarily rigid elements capable of supporting this rotational and linear propelling action. If they are disengaged from their groove, irreversible deformation of the inner surfaces of the tubular elements can result, and in particular the inner circumference of the second tubular element presenting the helical groove.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    There is a need to provide a device including means capable of supporting the rotational and translational motion respectively entailed in the relative movements of two elements, for example, two tubular elements, which can at the same time be capable of allowing disengagement from a helical groove provided on the inner circumference of one of the tubular elements. The arrangement of the invention provides such a device.  
           [0011]    It is another object of the invention to provide a device for packaging and dispensing a product and which has a small number of parts which are easy to assemble.  
           [0012]    A disclosed example of the invention includes a base having an inner circumference incorporating a spiral groove, corresponding, for example, to the second tubular element. In addition, a cup is equipped with a riser stem having at least one flexible lug engaging with the spiral in the base. The device also includes a sleeve, corresponding to, for example, the first tubular element, allowing axial translational movement of the cup inside the sleeve by virtue of a cooperative action between the stem and an inner circumference of the sleeve, rendering the cup and integral in rotation. In this case, the sleeve is mounted above the base, and their position relative to a longitudinal axis is maintained even when they are rotated relative to each other.  
           [0013]    According to an illustrated example, a packaging and dispensing device for a product, such as a friable cosmetic product, is provided which includes:  
           [0014]    a hollow base having a cylindrical inner wall,  
           [0015]    a cup intended to accommodate the product, and  
           [0016]    a sleeve formed above the base and free in rotation relative to the base.  
           [0017]    The cup moves axially inside the sleeve in response to rotation of the sleeve relative to the base, and the cup is rotatably coupled to the sleeve. In addition, the cup is formed at the end of a stem which, in proximity to a free end of the stem, presents at least one lug engaging with a helical groove in the inner wall of the base. The lug is resiliently supported by the stem so as to be capable of disengaging from the groove at least at one of its ends. Further, the sleeve includes a means to limit the travel of the cup.  
           [0018]    Preferably, the cup includes a well to accommodate the product, and the stem is oriented perpendicularly to an outer surface of the bottom of this well, also referred to as the base of the cup. In particular, the stem is placed in the center of the cup base, and is oriented in a direction opposite that in which the product is presented.  
           [0019]    The lug is also capable of re-engaging in the helical groove after being disengaged therefrom.  
           [0020]    Advantageously, the arrangement to limit travel transversely obstructs the sleeve except that a space is left for an aperture so that the stem can slide through this aperture. For example, the stem has a transverse cross-section complementary with the inner circumference of this aperture so as to be integral in rotation with the sleeve. There is nevertheless a degree of play between the outer circumference of the stem and this aperture to permit unobstructed movement of the stem through the aperture so that the stem can slide or move axially through the aperture. Preferably, a transverse cross-section at the level of the lug is greater than the inner circumference of the aperture.  
           [0021]    Advantageously, the arrangement for rotational and translational movement can be, for example, molded in one piece with the sleeve, and can include fluting for example on the inner circumference of the sleeve to delineate the aperture.  
           [0022]    Furthermore, the sleeve arrangement can limit the movement of the well inside the sleeve. Thus, by way of example, the stem can preferably have a length defined between the lug and the well bottom that is substantially equal to a height of the sleeve, with this corresponding height defined between the arrangement to limit travel of the cup and a dispensing aperture in the sleeve rendering the product accessible for topical application. Also, by way of example, this stem length is preferably substantially equal to a height of the grooved wall on the center-line of the spiral, i.e., the height inside the base along which the spiral or helical groove is formed.  
           [0023]    Advantageously, the sleeve can be mounted on the base in such a way that the sleeve bears on an edge of the base delineating an access to the threaded wall. The lugs on the stem are preferably arranged relative to the stem in such a way that a separation force that is needed to be applied to the stem to cause the lugs to pass through the aperture cannot be obtained by normal manual force. Thus, at the limit of travel with the cup in an upper position inside the sleeve, if continued rotation is exerted on the sleeve relative to the base, the lug is unable to continue its travel so that the lug does not pass through the aperture and, being flexible, the lug is finally disengaged from the helical groove in the base. Furthermore, preferably only the lug(s) on the stem engages with the threaded wall.  
           [0024]    To maintain the relative positions of the sleeve in relation to the base, irrespective of the rotational movements respectively applied to them, the sleeve preferably includes a means to prevent linear movement while remaining free in rotation relative to the base. For example, the sleeve can include a flange of circular cross-section on an inner wall designed to engage with a groove provided on an outer circumference of the base.  
           [0025]    Preferably, the lug is located on a tab that is flexible relative to the stem, with this flexible tab being held at a free end of the stem opposite the well bottom. In the illustrated example, this flexible tab extends off the stem in a lengthwise axis and incorporates a boss projecting radially from the tab orthogonally to the lengthwise axis of the stem.  
           [0026]    According to a preferred example described herein, the stem advantageously has a square or polygonal transverse cross-section, and includes four flexible tabs each having a lug arranged evenly about the periphery. In addition each lug can form a protuberance in the axis of one of the faces of the stem. With this arrangement, the base respectively incorporates four helical grooves each designed to accommodate one of the lugs.  
           [0027]    By way of example, the lug can have a variable thickness in a longitudinal cross section along the lengthwise axis of the stem. This thickness diminishes in proximity to a terminal extremity of the lug, and also diminishes in proximity to the junction point between the flexible tab (on which the lug is disposed) and the stem to which the tab is attached.  
           [0028]    Further, by way of example, the illustrated example includes a helical groove having a bottom framed by two rims to accommodate the lug, and an angle formed between a first rim and the bottom is different from an angle formed between the second rim and the bottom. This arrangement of the rims is such that, when a lug disengages from its groove, it automatically re-engages into this groove if it is driven in rotation against the edge forming at least an acute angle with the bottom.  
           [0029]    Advantageously, the device preferably includes a cap capable of being retained on the base which enables the dispensing aperture on the sleeve to be closed off to render the product inaccessible. The cap preferably completely covers the sleeve and is held on the base, thus preventing rotation of the sleeve relative to the base when the cap is mounted on the device. This arrangement can prevent crushing of the product contained in the cup against the bottom of the cap.  
           [0030]    In a variant, the base can be a tube open at both ends and fitted with a bottom cap to close off an opening opposite the aperture through which the helical groove emerges.  
           [0031]    By way of example, the invention can be particularly advantageous in devices for dispensing or applying lipsticks having an outside diameter on the order of 8 millimeters.  
           [0032]    To simplify the construction of the device according to the invention, its component parts are preferably obtained by molding from thermoplastic materials, such as acrylic, cellulose, styrene or vinyl-based materials, or such as polycarbonates, polyamides, polyolefins, polyethylene terephtalate, and any mixtures of these materials in variable proportions, expanded or non-expanded. The family of materials referred to as “thermoplastic resins” generally can be used. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0033]    The invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in conjunction with the drawings in which:  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 a  is an exploded lengthwise sectional view of a device according to the invention;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 1 b  is an assembled longitudinal cross-section of a device according to the invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 2 is a view from a free end of a cup of a device according to the invention;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of a cup of a device according to the invention;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of a sleeve of a device according to the invention;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 5 is a top view of a base of a device according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]    [0040]FIG. 1 a  shows a packaging and dispensing device  1  for a product  2 . The product  2  is preferably a dispensable product, such as a cosmetic or body hygiene product. In this example, the product  2  takes the form of an oblong truncated tablet for application as lipstick.  
         [0041]    The device  1  includes a cup  3  in which the product  2  is placed. In particular, the cup  3  includes a well  4  having a recess  5  designed to hold the product  2  in a stable manner. The recess has a cylindrical shape for example and preferably includes fluting on its inner circumference to facilitate retention of the product tablet  2 .  
         [0042]    The cup  3  is also fitted with a stem  6  extending perpendicular to the bottom  7  of the well  4 . The stem  6  includes at least one lug  8  intended to engage with a groove  9  provided on an inner wall  10  of a base  11  which is recessed to at least partially accommodate the stem  6 . In effect, movement of the lug  8  in the groove  9  enables the stem  6  to penetrate more or less deeply into the base  11 .  
         [0043]    Preferably, the groove  9  has a spiral or helical shape. In the illustrated arrangement, the spiral begins at an inlet aperture  12  in the hollow base  11 . The inner wall  10  defines a recess, substantially cylindrical in shape, extending along an axis  13 . The stem  6  is inserted parallel to this axis  13  into the base  11 . The lug  8  extends radially from the stem  6  to engage with the groove  9 .  
         [0044]    The spiral formed by the groove preferably has a height  14  on the axis  13  at least equal to a length  15  of the stem  6  defined along this same axis  13  between the bottom  7  and the lug  8 . The stem  6  has a free end  16  from which extends the flexible lug  8 . With this arrangement, the lug  8  is flexible or movable relative to an axis of the stem  6 .  
         [0045]    At the inlet aperture  12 , the base  11  defines an edge surface  17  against which the bottom  7  bears. When the lug  8  engages with the groove  9 , the cup  3  is propelled upward or downward along the axis  13  relative to the base  11 . When the well  4  bears against the edge surface  17 , the cup  3  is in the lower position relative to the base  11 .  
         [0046]    To guide the motion of the cup  3  on the axis  13 , the device  1  includes a sleeve  18  mounted on the base  11  above the inlet aperture  12 . The well  4  can travel from the lower position to an upper position in this sleeve  18 . The upper position corresponds to a position of the cup  3  such that the well is in proximity to a dispensing aperture  19  from which the product  2  projects through this opening  19  in order to be applied to a surface. The aperture  19  can be bevelled or slanted for example.  
         [0047]    The upper position is limited on axis  13  in that the lug  8  is unable to leave the inlet aperture  12  because the latter is largely closed off by a means  20 , for example, one or more ledges or protrusions on the sleeve  18 . This means  20  bears against the edge surface  17 . In fact, in the lower position, the bottom  7  bears against the means  20  which itself bears against the edge surface  17 . In the illustrated arrangement, the length  15  of the stem  6  is substantially equal to a height  21  of the walls forming the sleeve, with this height  21  being defined between the means  20  and at least one edge of the aperture  19 .  
         [0048]    With the illustrated example, the sleeve  18  is fixed in the direction of linear travel relative to the base  11 , but is free in rotation about the axis  13  relative to the base  11 . To this end, the sleeve  18  incorporates a flange  22  of semi-cylindrical transverse cross-section designed to snap into a groove  23  formed on the outer circumference  24  of the base  11 .  
         [0049]    The means  20  is presented for example in the form of at least one protuberance extending radially from the inner circumference of the sleeve  18 . The means  20  is disposed at an intermediate position in that it is placed at a distance from the dispensing aperture  19 . The means  20  delineates an aperture  25  in which the stem  4  is free to travel along the axis  13 . To this end, the aperture  25  defines an opening having an inner circumference slightly larger than the outer circumference of a transverse cross-section of the stem  6 .  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 1 b  shows the device  1  of FIG. 1 a  in the assembled state with the cup  3  in the lower position relative to the sleeve  18 . The device  1  includes a cap  26  fitted around the sleeve  18  so as to close off the dispensing aperture  19 . The cap  26  is preferably retained on the outer circumference  24  so as to prevent undesired rotation of the sleeve  18  relative to the base  11 .  
         [0051]    In the illustrated example, the cup  3  is integral in rotation with the sleeve  18 . In other words, the cup  3  rotates with the sleeve. By way of example, this integral relationship can be obtained by cooperation between the inner surface of the aperture  25  which has a shape complementary to the outer surface of a transverse cross-section of the stem  6 . Preferably, the cross-section of the stem  6  is polygonal, and the inner circumference of the aperture  25  is also polygonal. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the stem  6  is square in transverse cross-section, i.e., orthogonally to the axis  13 . In a complementary manner, the aperture  25  defines a square space slightly larger than the stem  6  to permit sliding movement without friction.  
         [0052]    Thus when opposing or relative rotational movements are applied to the sleeve  18  and the base  11 , as shown in FIG. 1 b , rotation of the cup  3  relative to the base  11  is obtained. This rotation causes the lug  8  to move in the groove  9 , thereby raising or lowering the well  4  in the sleeve  18 .  
         [0053]    In a variant, in particular as illustrated in FIG. 2, the cup  3  includes four lugs such as  8  designed to engage respectively with four grooves such as  9 . These four lugs are arranged to project beyond each face of the stem, which has a square cross-section in the illustrated example. The lugs each project radially outward beyond the outer circumference relative to a principal lengthwise axis  27  of the stem  6 . This principal lengthwise axis  27  is superimposed on axis  13  in the assembled state, as illustrated in FIG. 1 b.    
         [0054]    The lugs are preferably mounted on flexible tabs such as  28  at the end  16  of the stem  6 . A flexible tab  28  is attached to an end  29 ′ of the stem  6 . This attachment is made principally as an extension of a face of the stem  6 .  
         [0055]    Preferably, at the point of attachment  29 ′, a thickness  30  of the tab in a longitudinal sectional view parallel to the lengthwise axis  27  is lessened relative to a thickness  31  of a portion of the tab  28  having a protuberance  32  intended to form the lug  8  engaging with the groove  9 . This thickness  31  also preferably diminishes in proximity to a terminal end  29 ″ of the lug. The attachment end  29  and the terminal end  29 ″ enclose the protuberance  32 , or in other words, the protuberance is formed between the attachment end and the terminal end.  
         [0056]    By virtue of the limited thickness  30  at the point of attachment  29 ′, the tab  28  may form a variable angle α relative to the axis  27 . The angle α is defined between an outer circumference connecting the protuberance  32  to the point of attachment  29 ′ and the axis  27 . This angle α is obtuse. It may vary for example between 90° and 120°, while retaining its elasticity, depending on the strain exerted on the flexible tab  28 . In FIG. 3, for example, the flexible tab such as  28  shown on the right of the stem  6  is under strain. Nevertheless, even with the protuberance  32  pushed back to this degree, the lug  8  cannot pass through the aperture  25  in the intermediate means  20 . Therefore, when the cup  3  is in the upper position, and the protuberance  32  bears against an inner rim of the aperture  25 , if rotational force continues to be applied to the sleeve  18  relative to the base  11 , the flexible tab  28  is forced back and eventually could leave the groove  9 . This therefore constitutes a disengaging mechanism.  
         [0057]    The lug  8  cannot pass through the aperture  25  under normal manual pressure. In fact, although the aperture  25  has an inner circumference greater than the outer circumference of a cross-section of the stem  6 , the aperture  25  preferably has an inner circumference smaller than the outer circumference defined by a transverse cross-section at the lug  8 . The lug  8  is formed on a flexible tab  28 , but even when this tab  28  is compressed to the maximum towards the axis  13 , the transverse cross-section at the tab  8  preferably remains larger than the cross-section defined by the inner circumference of the aperture  25 . In this position the lug  8  is held permanently under the means  20 , which positively prevents the cup  3  disengaging from the base  11  and/or from the sleeve  18 .  
         [0058]    For assembly purposes, as indicated in FIG. 4, provision can be made for the intermediate means or protrusion  20  to be formed by several folds  33  extending radially inward into the sleeve  18 . These folds, illustrated by way of example at  33 , delineate slots such as  34  communicating with the central aperture  25 . The presence of these slots  34  combined with the flexibility of the tabs  28 , enables the cup  3  to be inserted into the sleeve  18  from the dispensing aperture  19 , and ensures that the lug  8  can pass through the means  20  for assembly. Assembly is accomplished, for example, by a machine, applying a force greater than an average or normal manual forces.  
         [0059]    In order to re-engage the lug  8  on the flexible tab  28  in the groove  9  after it disengages in an uppermost position of the cup, it is simply necessary to apply an opposite rotational movement to the sleeve  18  relative to the base  11 , and the lug  8  returns to its relaxed position when it is presented at the entry to the groove  9 . In addition, by virtue of the shape of the groove  9 , the rotational movement then positively engages the lug  8  in the groove. In effect, when it is at the entry to the groove, depending on the rotation applied to it, through the sleeve  18 , the protuberance  32  on the lug may come into contact with a first edge or rim  35  or a second edge or rim  36  of the groove. These edges  35  and  36  are connected to the bottom of the groove  37  (FIG. 5).  
         [0060]    When the lug  8  rises relative to (or along) the axis  13  in the groove  9 , it bears principally against the first edge  35 , whereas when its descends in the groove  9  it comes into contact mainly with the second edge  36 . Preferably, these two edges each form a different angle in relation to the bottom of the groove  37 . The first edge  35  forms a more acute angle β than the angle γ formed by the second edge  36  (FIG. 5). Depending on the rotation applied, in the upper disengaged position, if the lug is pushed in the direction of the first edge  35 , it does not engage or catch in the groove  9 , whereas if it is pushed in the direction of the second edge  36 , it automatically engages in the groove  9 .  
         [0061]    Similarly, the entry  38  of the groove  9  on the side opposite the aperture  12  also serves to disengage and re-engage the lug  8  in this same groove  9 .  
         [0062]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.