Patent Publication Number: US-9839277-B2

Title: Device for packaging a product, in particular a cosmetic product

Description:
The present invention provides a packaging device for packaging a composition, in particular a cosmetic composition, the device comprising: a casing having an open end; a composition support that is movable in the casing between a retracted position and an extended position that provides access to the composition via said open end; and a control piece that is suitable for being moved so as to cause the support to move from its retracted position to its extended position. 
     Devices of this type are known, in particular for cosmetic compositions of the lipstick, cream, and spray, e.g. mini-spray, type. This type of composition should be easy to carry, e.g. in a bag or a handbag, and should be easy to use frequently. Thus the packaging device should be light and compact, and the composition that it contains should be easy to extract, i.e. requiring little effort and being simple to do, without the user having to pay any particular attention when handling it. It should also be possible to return the device into its retracted position by means of a simple action, likewise not requiring any particular attention on the part of the user. In addition, the device must return to its retracted position and stay in this position in reliable manner, i.e. the support must not pass accidentally into its extended position. 
     Devices of this type are known in which the support is retained in its retracted position inside the casing by clipping or snap-fastening. Thus, in order to cause the support to pass into its extended position, the control piece must be actuated so as to cause one or more resilient clip or snap-fastener parts to flex until they escape from the complementary parts that hold them. Conversely, in order to return the composition into its retracted position, the support must be put back into place until it engages once again with the clip or snap-fastener means. 
     This type of device is advantageous in that it can be compact. However, the actions required are relatively complex, or, at the least, they may require a relatively large force for disengaging the clip or snap-fastener means. Conversely, if the means are adjusted so that the force required is small, there exists a risk of the means becoming disengaged unintentionally, and thus causing the composition contained in the device to become separated unintentionally from its casing. In addition, after frequent handling, the risk of wear, in particular associated with the friction involved while engaging and disengaging the clip or snap-fastener means, ends up being detrimental to the reliability of the device. 
     The invention seeks to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks by proposing a device that can be handled simply and reliably, given the above-described constraints. 
     This object is achieved by means of the fact that the device of the invention further comprises first and second magnetic elements that are secured to the support and to the control piece respectively, the fact that, when the control piece is in its first position and when the support is in its retracted position, the magnetic elements generate magnetic forces between them, which magnetic forces are suitable for holding said support in its retracted position, and the fact that movement of the control piece, moving said control piece away from its first position, reduces said magnetic forces, so as to enable the support to move towards its extended position. 
     Thus, with the device of the invention, the support is held in its retracted position by the magnetic forces that are generated between the magnetic elements. Consequently, the holding means do not make use of friction or snap-fastening forces. There is therefore no risk of wear by friction. In addition, in order cause the support to pass from its retracted position to its extended position, it suffices to move the two magnetic elements apart from each other, so that the magnetic forces weaken and cease holding the support in its retracted position. The user has an impression of movement that is continuous, without it being necessary to overcome a hard point, or the like, in order to make such movement possible. When the composition is put back into place and when the support is returned into its retracted position from its extended position, the movement of the support reaches a point from which the magnetic forces become sufficiently strong to attract the support into its retracted position. Thus, even if the user does not pay attention while handling the device and moves the support towards its retracted position without pushing it all the way into its retracted position, the support reaches its retracted position on its own as a result of the magnetic forces involved. The system is thus particularly reliable. It should also be observed that the magnetic elements may be made with very small dimensions, and consequently do not affect the overall size of the device. By way of example, the two magnetic elements may be magnets. Provision may also be made for only one of the magnetic elements to be a magnet, the other element thus being a piece made out of a material that is sensitive to the magnetic field generated by the magnet, e.g. a material containing iron. Each of the magnetic elements may be constituted by a single piece, or by a plurality of small pieces that are arranged in such a manner as to promote a uniform distribution of magnetic forces and of masses. 
     Advantageously, the support is moved between its retracted position and its extended position essentially or solely by sliding in translation. 
     Advantageously, the device further comprises thrust means that, when the control piece is moved away from its first position, are suitable for causing the support to move towards its extended position. 
     The thrust means also make it easier to handle the device for passing the support from its retracted position to its extended position. Specifically, once the magnetic forces are reduced sufficiently, the thrust means overcome them and bring the support into its extended position themselves. 
     Advantageously, the thrust means comprise a spring. It is also advantageous for the spring to be arranged between the support and the bottom end wall of the casing, which bottom end wall is remote from the open end of said casing. 
     The spring may be a helical spring that is simple to manufacture and inexpensive. 
     Advantageously, the control piece is secured to an actuator that is arranged on the outside of the casing, and that is suitable for being handled so as to move said control piece. 
     The actuator may be made in a shape that is of suitably attractive appearance, and it may project a little from the outer periphery of the casing. The control piece is moved by moving said actuator. Provision could be made for the actuator and the control piece to be made integrally as a single piece. Provision should also be made for the actuator to be a decorative portion that is fastened on the control piece and that is constrained to move therewith. Between the actuator and the control piece, movement transmission means may also be provided, e.g. using a tab or the like. 
     Preferably, the actuator is designed for moving over a limited stroke. 
     Advantageously, the actuator is a ring that is arranged around the casing. 
     Generally, the stroke of the support between its retracted position and its extended position is relatively long, since it must provide easy access to the composition housed in the support. In general, the stroke is of the order of at least 1 centimeter (cm) or 2 cm. However, it is advantageous to make provision for the actuator to be moved over a limited stroke only. For example, when the thrust means are present, provision could be made for the movement of the actuator to be just sufficient to cause a reduction in the magnetic-attraction forces between the first and second elements, making it possible for the force exerted by the thrust means to exceed the amplitude of the magnetic-attraction forces and thus making it possible, once the threshold is crossed, to cause the support to pass from its retracted position to its extended position. When the actuator is made in the form of a ring that surrounds the casing, it may be handled without any precaution, practically as a reflex action. 
     In one possibility, the actuator is suitable for being moved in translation. 
     Provision may be made for the support and the actuator to move in translation and in the same direction, thereby enabling the moving parts to be particularly simple. 
     In another possibility, the actuator, which as stated above may be a ring, is suitable for being turned. 
     This possibility is valid in particular when the first and second magnetic elements are positioned angularly relative to each other so as to be capable of facing each other in a first position of the actuator, and of being offset after turning the actuator. This variant is also simple to implement and may be made to be compact. 
     Advantageously, when the control piece is in its first position and when the support is in its retracted position, the first and second magnetic elements face each other in a segment of the device that extends transversely to the movement direction of the support, which movement is movement in translation in particular. 
     This arrangement makes it possible for the magnetic elements to occupy a small space, and to arrange for a small movement of the control piece, taking with it the second magnetic element, to cause a clear reduction in the magnetic-attraction force between the first and second magnetic elements, thereby enabling the support to pass easily from its retracted position to its extended position. 
     In this configuration, the stroke of the actuator advantageously corresponds substantially to the thickness of said segment, measured along the movement direction of the support. 
     Whatever the embodiment variant, it is also advantageous for the device to include return means for returning the control piece into its first position. 
     These means may take the form of return means of the spring type, e.g. a helical spring or a leaf spring. 
    
    
     
       The invention can be well understood and its advantages appear better on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment shown by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a section view of the device of the invention, taken parallel to the movement axis A of the support, said support being shown in its retracted position; 
         FIG. 2  is a section on plane II-II in  FIG. 1 , the line I-I on which the section in  FIG. 1  is taken, being shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a section similar to the section in  FIG. 1 , after the control piece has been moved, the support still being in its retracted position; 
         FIG. 4  is a section similar to the sections in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , but showing the support in its extended position; and 
         FIG. 5  shows a variant embodiment, in a section corresponding to the section in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     The device shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4  comprises a casing  10  having an open end  10 ′ and a bottom end wall  10 ″ that is remote from the open end. The casing  10  is generally cylindrical in shape. Specifically, it comprises a “bottom” portion  10 A and a “top” portion  10 B. The bottom end  10 B′ of the top portion  10 B is engaged in the top end  10 A′ of the bottom portion  10 A. The two portions  10 A and  10 B may be fastened together by any appropriate means, e.g. merely by force-fitting the end  10 B′ in the end  10 A′, or by adhesive-bonding, heat-sealing, or similar. 
     A support  12  of generally cylindrical shape is situated inside the casing  10 . In  FIG. 1 , the support  12  is in its retracted position. Specifically, it can be seen that it is arranged towards the bottom end wall  10 ″ of the casing  10  so that the article  14  arranged in the support  12  is itself retracted into the casing, the top end  14 A of the article  14  projecting little, or not at all, through the opening at the end  10 ′ of the casing. Specifically, the support  12  has an open top end  12 ′ and a closed bottom end  12 ″ against which the bottom end of the article  14  bears. 
     In the meaning of the present patent application, the upward direction is in direction D along which the support slides so as to pass from its retracted position shown in  FIG. 1  to its extended position shown in  FIG. 4 . The terms “bottom” and “top” are used accordingly. 
     Towards the junction between the bottom and top portions  10 A,  10 B of the casing  10 , the device includes a control piece  16  on which a decorative bushing  18  is crimped. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the support  12  carries a first magnetic element  20 , while the control piece carries a second magnetic element  22 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the support is in its retracted position, and it can be seen that the first and second magnetic elements  20  and  22  are facing each other. Magnetic forces are thus exerted between them, which magnetic forces hold the support in its retracted position. In  FIG. 3 , the control piece  16  has been moved, such that the second magnetic element  22  is spaced apart from the first magnetic element  20 , so as to enable the support  12  to pass from its retracted position to its extended position. In  FIG. 4 , the extended position is reached. 
     In the embodiment shown, the device includes a spring  24  that is arranged between the bottom end wall  12 ″ of the support  12 , and the bottom end wall  10 ″ of the casing  10 . The spring exerts a return force on the support  12  continuously, tending to urge it towards its extended position. While the first and second magnetic elements remain facing each other, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the magnetic forces generated between the elements are of amplitude that is greater than the return force exerted by the spring, such that the support remains in its retracted position. In contrast, as a result of the above-mentioned movement of the control piece  16 , the amplitude of the magnetic forces exerted between the first and second magnetic elements decreases sufficiently to be exceeded by the amplitude of the return force exerted by the spring, so as to enable the support to pass automatically from its retracted position to its extended position. This is the position shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the first magnetic element is arranged in a groove  13  in the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall of the support  12 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , in the embodiment shown it has been decided to make the first magnetic element  20  in the forms of two parts, respectively  20 A and  20 B, that are diametrally opposite and that are arranged in two groove portions  13 A and  13 B respectively in the wall of the support  12 . Likewise, the second magnetic element is made specifically in the form of two parts,  22 A and  22 B respectively, that are arranged in recesses  17 A and  17 B in the control piece  16 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , when the control piece  16  is in its first position, and when the support  12  is in its retracted position, the first and second magnetic elements face each other in an axial segment T of the device, which segment extends transversely to the sliding direction D of the support. The thickness of the segment, measured parallel to the direction D, itself parallel to the axis A, corresponds substantially to the axial height of the magnetic elements  20  and  22 . In this arrangement, the parts  20 A,  20 B,  22 A, and  22 B that form the first and second magnetic elements are specifically in the shape of circular arcs. The magnetic elements are thus compact both in the axial direction and in the radial direction of the device. 
     In the embodiment shown, the control piece  16  presents firstly an outer portion  16 A that forms a ring that is interrupted locally so as to present recesses  17 A and  17 B in which the parts  22 A and  22 B of the second magnetic element  22  are housed. The outer portion  16 A is arranged against the outer wall of the casing  10 , and thus slides against said casing while the control piece is moving. 
     The control piece also presents inner ribs  16 B that are directed radially inwards, i.e. towards the axis A. In the embodiment shown, and as can be seen better in  FIG. 2 , there are two inner ribs and they pass through slots  11 A and  11 B that are formed in the wall of the casing  10 , at the junction between its bottom and top portions  10 A,  10 B. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the inner ribs make it possible to block the control piece  16 A relative to the casing, so as to prevent it turning about the axis A, relative to the casing. 
     Correspondingly, the casing presents outer longitudinal grooves  13 A′ and  13 B′ respectively receiving the inner radial heads of the ribs  16 B. This makes it possible firstly to guide the support  12  while it is moving in translation between its retracted position and its extended position, and secondly to prevent the support and the control piece  16  from turning relative to each other. For example, the inner radial heads of the ribs  16 B may be enlarged and present a dovetail shape that thus co-operates with a corresponding shape of the grooves  13 A′ and  13 B′. 
     The ring  18  that is crimped on the control piece  16  has a decorative function. In addition, it is this ring that forms the actuator that is handled by the user so as to cause the control piece to move. Specifically, as a result of the ring  18  being crimped on, the control piece  16  and the ring  18  act as a single piece. 
     Specifically, the stroke of the actuator  18  and thus also the stroke of the control piece  16  are limited by the height of the slots  11 A and  11 B formed in the wall of the casing. As can be seen by comparing  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the stroke is sufficient for the movement of the control piece  16  to cause the second magnetic element to leave the above-mentioned axial segment T. Thus, in the position shown in  FIG. 3 , the magnetic forces between the magnetic elements  20  and  22  are reduced sufficiently to enable the support  12  to pass from its retracted position to its extended position. 
     In the embodiment shown, to enable the device  10  to be positioned naturally, with the open end  10 ′ of the casing towards the top, the device includes a ballast weight  26  that is arranged on the bottom end wall of the casing. Specifically, the ballast weight  26  is held between the bottom end wall of the casing and a cap-forming washer  28  that is arranged on the bottom end wall of the casing  10 , and that presents an inner cavity that is suitable for receiving the ballast weight. The cap  28  may be secured to the bottom end wall of the casing by any appropriate means, e.g. by force-fitting. On its peripheral portion, the washer  28  presents an annular groove  29  that opens upwards and in which the bottom end of the spring  24  is received. The top end of the spring  24  is blocked inside an annular extension  13 ″ of the bottom end wall  12 ″ of the support. Thus, the spring  24  that is a helical spring working in compression, is blocked between the casing  10  and the support  12 . 
     In the embodiment described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the control piece  16  moves in translation so as to enable the support to pass from its retracted position to its extended position. In a variant, provision could be made for the piece turn for the same purpose. 
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of this variant. In this figure, elements that correspond functionally to elements of the preceding figures, but that are modified a little, are given the same reference plus 100. The support  112  is similar to the support  12 , except that, in the embodiment shown, the first magnetic element that is carries is made specifically in the form of four parts  120  that are regularly distributed angularly in corresponding cavities of the outer wall of the support. The control piece  116  is generally the shape of a ring and carries the second magnetic element that, in the embodiment shown, is made in the form of four parts  122  that are regularly distributed angularly in correspondence with the parts that form the first magnetic element  120 . The control piece  116  presents a cylindrical outer portion  116 A and two ribs  116 B that project radially inwards, i.e. towards the axis A. The two ribs pass through slots  111 A in the casing that, as in the preceding figures, is made up of two portions, respectively a bottom portion  110 A and a top portion  110 B, the slots  111 A being formed in the junction zone between the bottom and top portions. 
     The slots cover an angular sector that is sufficient to enable the control piece  116  to turn about the axis A. In the position shown, corresponding to the retracted position of the support, the ribs  116 B are situated against respective first edges of the slots  111 A. It should be understood that by turning the control piece in the direction of arrow F, the ribs  116 B come to be positioned towards the opposite edges of the slots  111 A. Such turning takes the second magnetic element  122  with it, thus placing the second magnetic element outside the angular sector S covered by the first magnetic element  120 . More precisely, the various parts that make up the first and second magnetic elements are initially arranged facing each other in the angular sectors S. Moving the control piece causes the parts that make up the second magnetic elements to move away from the angular sectors S. This serves to reduce the magnetic-attraction forces between the first and second magnetic elements, and thus enables the support to pass from its retracted position to its extended position, in the same way as described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
     In this variant, means are advantageously provided for preventing the support from turning relative to the casing. The means may be made merely in the form of grooves and splines that are parallel to the axis A, that are provided respectively on each of the two elements, and that co-operate with each other. By way of example,  FIG. 5  shows that the casing  110 , e.g. its bottom portion, may present a spline  130 A, while the support may present a groove  130 B, the splines and grooves being oriented longitudinally and thus forming a guide track while the support is moving, also making it possible to prevent the support from turning relative to the casing. 
     As in the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the control piece may be surrounded by a crimped ring  118  that forms the actuator that is handled by the user. 
     The device of the  FIG. 5  variant may present the spring  24 , the ballast weight  26 , and the cap of the embodiment in the preceding figures. 
     In the embodiments shown, the first and second magnetic elements are magnets with opposite polarities, such that they attract each other. Provision can also be made for one of the two magnetic elements to be a piece that is sensitive to the magnetic field generated by a magnet, and, by way of example, to be made of iron that is sensitive to magnetic forces. 
     Thus, as can be seen better in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , the packaging device serves to house an article  14 . Said article is shown in extremely diagrammatic manner in the drawings. In general, the article carries a body, which is the portion  14  shown diagrammatically in the drawings, containing a cosmetic composition. The body may be a lipstick holder, or, by way of example, the body of a spray, or an applicator tube for applying cream. In the embodiment shown, the body presents two sections of diameters that are different, a bottom section  15 A that is arranged towards the bottom end wall of the support, and a top section  15 B that is arranged towards the top portion of the support. By way of example, for a lipstick holder, the portion  15 B may turn relative to the portion  15 A so as to cause the stick to extend via the open free and  14 A′ of the portion  15 B. 
     The body  14  is received in the support in removable manner. In order to avoid accidental disengagement, provision may be made for the inner periphery of the support to present resilient holder means, e.g. beads that project radially inwards and that are elastically deformed a little when the article is in place. 
     Provision could be made for the control piece  16  or  116  to be returned automatically into its first position after being operated. To this end, the spring-type resilient return means may be arranged between the rib  16 B or  116 B of the control piece  16  or  116  and the opposite edge of the slot of the casing in which it is arranged. By way of example, such a spring  19  is shown in  FIG. 1 , and a spring  119  is shown in  FIG. 5 .