Patent Publication Number: US-8534946-B2

Title: Container for propelling cosmetic pencils, process for assembling such container and propelling cosmetic pencil

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a container for propelling cosmetic pencils, to a process for assembling such a container and to a propelling cosmetic pencil comprising such a container. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     The propelling cosmetic pencils are used for applying a cosmetic substance onto the body, usually the face, for instance for the purpose of highlighting the eye contour, eyebrows, lip contour, and so on. 
     Cosmetic pencils are known which comprise an outer body made of wood or plastic material and a core (the lead) consisting of a decorative cosmetic substance rigidly and fixedly introduced into the body and substantially extending over the whole length of the body. As the lead tip is being used, it is necessary to sharpen the pencil in order to remove part of the wood or plastic material and to uncover a new lead portion. Pencils of the described type become increasingly shorter with use until they reach such a length that their use becomes so difficult that they often are thrown away without any possibility of fully utilising them. In addition, the lead is only protected by a cap that is removed and put back. During both operations, a casual interference between cap and lead tip can damage said tip and/or soil the cap. 
     Also known are propelling pencils like the one disclosed in document GB 516,189. The pencil of this document comprises an outer casing provided at one end thereof with a tapering nozzle through which the lead of cosmetic material is drawn out. The lead is retained by a lead-holder which is prevented from rotating at the inside of the outer casing. The lead-holder can be moved to and fro in the outer casing by a threaded rod connected to a rotary head placed on one end of the casing opposite to the tapering nozzle. The threaded rod is fitted in a threaded housing of the lead-holder that is at the opposite end of the lead. The pulling-out device enables the lead tip to be drawn out of the outer casing only when the pencil is being used. 
     The Applicant has found that the production cost of the propelling pencils of the type described above is greatly affected by the manufacture complexity of the individual elements (usually obtained by moulding of plastic materials) and the complexity of the operations for assembling said elements. In fact, for the assembly of each piece, a lot of time is required as well as use of expensive machines and/or qualified manpower. 
     The present invention aims at eliminating the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a container for propelling cosmetic pencils that is of simple structure and allows easy and quick assembly of the elements forming it. 
     It is a further aim of the invention to propose a process for assembling this container which enables use of simple and inexpensive machines and/or non-specialised manpower. 
     Another aim of the invention is to propose a propelling cosmetic pencil ensuring correct conservation of the lead until complete use of same. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing and still further aims are achieved by a container for propelling cosmetic pencils, a process for assembling a container for propelling cosmetic pencils and a propelling pencil in accordance with the present invention. 
     More particularly, in a first aspect the present invention relates to a container for propelling cosmetic pencils as claimed in claim  1 . 
     In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a process for assembling a container for propelling cosmetic pencils according to claim  12 . 
     In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a propelling cosmetic pencil as claimed in claim  11 . 
     The present invention, in at least one of the aforesaid aspects, can in addition have one or more of the preferred features claimed in the dependent claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be now described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a propelling cosmetic pencil, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partly sectioned view of a propelling cosmetic pencil according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the pencil seen in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a longitudinal section of a first element of the pencil seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a cross-section view of the first element, taken along line in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3   b  shows a portion of  FIG. 3  to an enlarged scale; 
         FIG. 4  shows a second element of the pencil seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , partly in section; 
         FIG. 4   a  is a cross-section view of the second element, taken along line IV-IV in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a third element of the pencil seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 5   a  is an enlarged portion in longitudinal section of the third element seen in  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 5   b  shows a further enlarged portion of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the accompanying drawings, a propelling cosmetic pencil according to the present invention has been generally identified by reference numeral  1 . 
     The cosmetic pencil  1  comprises a container  2  and a lead  3  mounted in the container  2  in an axially movable way. 
     In the present specification and in the claims, by “lead” it is intended a cylindrical bar of cosmetic material. 
     Container  2 , shown in an assembled condition in  FIG. 1 , comprises a holding body  4  of a tubular shape and circular section, which extends along a longitudinal axis X-X and has a first opening  4   a  placed at a first, preferably tapering, axial end and a second opening  4   b  placed at a second axial end opposite to the first one  4   a.    
     On an inner surface of the holding body  4  there are ribs  5  extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X and preferably disposed angularly spaced apart around said axis X-X (as shown in  FIG. 3   a ). In the embodiment given by way of example and not for limiting purposes, the axial ribs  5  are three in number. Radially internal ends of the axial ribs  5  are tangent to a circle substantially having the same diameter as that of lead  3 . The axial ribs  5  extend as far as the first opening  4   a , preferably starting from an intermediate portion of the holding body  4  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     First annular ridges  6  delimiting annular recesses ( FIG. 3   b ) are shaped on the inner surface of the holding body  4  and in the region close to the second opening  4   b . In the embodiment given by way of non-limiting example there are three first annular ridges  6 . 
     The inner surface of the holding body  4  has a conical shape getting narrower from the second end  4   b  to the first one  4   a , for performing a function that will be described below. 
     This conical shape is preferably restricted to the only portion extending from the second end  4   b  to the beginning of ribs  5 . More preferably, this conical shape is restricted to the only portion C located not very far from ribs  5  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     Container  2  comprises a lead-holder  7  ( FIGS. 4 and 4   a ) which in turn comprises a cylindrical wall  8  delimiting a seat  9  for lead  3 . Formed on a radially internal surface of the cylindrical wall  8  are axial ridges  10  adapted to interfere with the soft material of lead  3  so as to keep the latter in place once it has been axially inserted in said seat  9  (no translation and no rotation relative to the lead-holder  7 ). Preferably, the axial ridges extend from a blind bottom of seat  9  until about half-way along wall  8 . In the non-limiting embodiment shown, the cylindrical wall  8  is formed with three arched walls disposed in mutual side by side relationship. The side-by-side walls delimit three grooves or axial cuts  11  between each other. The lead-holder  7  further comprises a threaded body  12 . Preferably, the threaded body  12  is in the shape of a rod provided with an outer threading extending along an axis Y-Y coincident with the longitudinal axis X-X, once the lead-holder  7  has been mounted in the holding body  4 . Said axis Y-Y is also coincident with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body  8 . The threaded body  12  extends starting from a portion of the lead-holder  7  that is close to the blind bottom of seat  9 . 
     Container  2  also comprises a driving element  13  ( FIGS. 5 ,  5   a  and  5   b ) preferably of a tubular type, extending along a longitudinal axis Z-Z. The driving element  13  at a first end thereof  13   a  comprises a first portion or operating portion  14  having an outer diameter that is substantially identical with the outer diameter of the holding body  4 . The driving element  13  comprises a second portion  15  having an outer diameter adapted to enable the same to be inserted into the holding body  4  and an inner diameter capable of enabling the threaded body  12  to be inserted in said second portion  15 . Formed at a second end  13   b  of the driving element  13 , in the wall of the second portion  15 , are tabs  16  that are flexible, preferably in an elastic manner, along radial directions. Each tab  16  is delimited by a U-shaped notch (partly shown in  FIG. 2 ) formed through the wall of the second portion  15  and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis Z-Z starting from a junction region with the remaining part of said wall towards the second end  13   b  of the driving element  13 . In the embodiment shown, the driving element  13  comprises two opposite tabs  16 . Each tab  16 , on a radially internal surface thereof, has threaded portions  17  ( FIG. 5   a ) suitable for engagement with the thread of the threaded body  12  belonging to the lead-holder  7 . 
     Preferably, each tab  16  is further provided, on a radially external surface thereof, with protrusions  18  ( FIG. 5   a ) interacting with the inner wall of the holding body  4 . On an outer wall of the second portion  15  and close to the first portion  14  there are second annular ridges  19  confining annular recesses ( FIG. 5   b ). In the non-limiting embodiment shown, there are three second annular ridges  19 . Preferably, in addition, an annular seat  20  is formed between the second annular ridges  19  and the first portion  14 , for housing a seal  21  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     Mounting of container  2  is carried out by first inserting a free end  12   a  of the threaded body  12  into the second end  13   b  of the driving element  13  and making said threaded body  12  axially slide within the second portion  15  until bringing the edge of the second end  13   b  in abutment against an annular surface  22  ( FIGS. 2 and 4 ) transverse to axis Y-Y and belonging to the cylindrical wall  8  of the lead-holder  7 . During this relative sliding, the threaded portions  17  of the flexible tabs  16  slide on the threading of the threaded body  12  with a slight interference that in any case does not hinder sliding due to the elastic radial deformability of said tabs  16 . 
     Subsequently, the threaded body  12  together with the driving element  13  are mounted in the holding body  4  by inserting the tubular body  8  through the second opening  4   b , seat  9  facing the first opening  4   a.    
     Due to the conical shape of the inner surface of the holding body  4 , when tabs  16  come close to the given axial portion C of the holding body  4 , they enter into contact with the inner surface which radially forces them towards the threaded body  12 , thus ensuring mutual engagement of the threads. 
     Ribs  5  enter the axial cuts  11  of the tubular body  8  so as to prevent mutual rotation between the lead-holder  7  and holding body  4 . 
     The insertion takes place until bringing an annular surface  23  ( FIGS. 2 and 5 ) transverse to axis Z-Z and belonging to the operating portion  14 , in abutment against the edge of the second opening  4   b.    
     The second annular ridges  19  step over the first annular ridges  6  with a snap-engagement, until the annular ridges of one of the two elements is brought in register with the annular recesses of the other, and they axially lock the driving element  13  in the holding body  4 . The driving element  13  is at all events free to rotate in the holding body  4  around the longitudinal axis X-X. 
     Seal  21  remains interposed between the inner surface of the holding body  4  and the annular seat  20  of the driving element  13 . 
     In the mounted configuration, tabs  16  are maintained in contact with the threaded body  12  by the inner wall of the holding body  4  so that mutual engagement of the threads is ensured. As a result, by rotating the operating portion  14 , the lead nut-worm screw coupling between the lead-holder  7  and the driving element  13  causes translation along axis X-X of the lead-holder  7  and the lead  3  installed thereon. 
     Lead  3  is preferably mounted when assembly of container  2  has been completed, and it is inserted from the first opening  4   a  and locked in seat  9  through the interference with the axial ridges  10  and also taking advantage of the radial elasticity of the three arched walls of the cylindrical wall  8 . 
     The elements are such sized that seat  9  for lead  3  can be brought as far as the first opening  4   a , so that lead  3  can be drawn out even when it is very short. 
     In accordance with an alternative embodiment not shown, the externally threaded rod is integral with the operating portion  14  and therefore is part of the driving element  13 , while the flexible tabs  16  are disposed on a tubular body integral with seat  9  and are therefore part of the lead-holder  7 . The operating principle does not change. 
     Container  2  can also be provided with accessories. For instance, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a small sponge  24  and a pencil sharpener suitable for sharpening the lead  3  alone are inserted in a housing  26  formed in the operating portion  14 . The pencil sharpener  25  is protected by a cap  27 . 
     In the embodiments in which the small sponge and pencil sharpener are not present, housing  26  is closed by a suitable plug, not shown. 
     Preferably, irrespective of the specific embodiment, container  2  comprises a cap  28  disposed on the first end of the holding body  4  for protection of the lead tip or, if the lead tip is fully retracted, for preventing dust or other substances from penetrating through the first opening  4   a.    
     The present invention reaches the intended purposes and achieves important advantages. 
     First of all, the present invention allows the container to be easily and quickly assembled, because all couplings are obtained through relative linear movements between the components and by snap-fit or friction-fit. In addition, all components of the container are inserted from one end alone of the holding body. Therefore, the assembly times can be reduced and use of less complicated machines and/or less qualified manpower can be provided and, as a result, the assembly costs are reduced. 
     Mounting of the lead is simple too, because the lead-holder made up of arched walls provided with axial ridges enables the lead to be locked by a mere axial movement. 
     The present invention possibly allows the final user to disassemble the container for internally cleaning it before replacing the lead with a new one. 
     The cap can be removed and put back while the lead tip lies within the holding body and therefore cannot be damaged. 
     In addition, the seal together with the cap make the user sure that the volatile substances of the cosmetic material are not dispersed and help in maintaining the cosmetic quality over time. 
     The axial ribs not only prevent the lead-holder from rotating, but also avoid the lead tossing about in the container so that it cannot be damaged during handling or transport, when carried in a handbag for example.