Abstract:
A case incorporates a base part housing a reserve of product. A lid covers the base part. A sealing element can be arranged to close a space containing the product at least when the lid is closed. The sealing element can be supported by a pivot enabling it to rotate about geometrical axes of rotation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to French Application Nos. 02 13854, filed Nov. 6, 2002 and 02 14309, filed Nov. 15, 2002 and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/444,678 filed Feb. 4, 2003, the entire content of all three applications is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to cases designed to contain products, such as for example cosmetic or beauty care products. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Discussion of Background 
   French patent application 2 803 993 proposes to fit a sealing element on a lid in a pivoting manner around a geometrical axis of rotation parallel to that of a hinge connecting the lid to the base part. 
   Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,185 describes a known packaging device incorporating a base part designed to hold a reserve of product and a lid fitted with a protective element. The protective element incorporates an elastically deformable element and is capable of covering in a detachable manner a free surface for taking the product from the product reserve. The protective element then bears elastically against the free surface of the product reserve. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   There is a need to further improve the covering and/or sealing of the closure element of the conventional cases. 
   Thus, the object of the invention according to one preferred embodiment is a case including a base part holding a product reserve, a lid covering the base part, and a sealing element arranged to close in a leak tight manner a space containing the product, at least when the lid is closed. The sealing element can be supported by a pivot incorporating a ball joint enabling it to rotate about at least two mutually perpendicular geometrical axes of rotation. 
   The invention can provide a leak tight contact between the sealing element and a corresponding surface of the base part or of a cup seated in the base part. The invention can also accommodate differences of position of the cup in the base part or excess thicknesses caused by glue spots serving to attach the cup to the base part. 
   Advantageously, the pivot can include or be supported by a resiliently deformable part, which can further improve the sealing tightness. The sealing element can be attached to the device with the capability to move along a third axis perpendicular to the two mutually perpendicular axes. 
   The product reserve can be contained in a compartment defined in the base part, or in a cup, for example made of metal, supported by the base part. This cup can be glued to the base part. The compartment or cup can have a free edge, for example a rolled edge, against which the sealing element can bear. 
   The term “ball joint” is understood to mean any pivoting element allowing rotation around a point. This arrangement can increase mobility of the whole surface of the sealing element relative to the lid. The ball joint can, for example, involve the engagement of a head in a receptacle. Alternatively, the ball joint can also be obtained in a different manner, and can notably include an elastically deformable material, for example an elastomer. The portion of the pivot that is actually elastically deformable is then preferably placed at a distance from the edges of the cup such that a point of rotation can be defined at a distance from these edges. The ball joint formed at this point of rotation can then include a part forming an axis to connect the lid to the seal, this axis including a preferential point of flexure forming the point of rotation. 
   The sealing element can include a plate. This plate can be arranged to bear on the base part or the cup at least when the case is closed. This plate can be at least partially covered by an elastomer coating or include other sealing mechanisms, for example in the form of a flexible lip. 
   The product can contain at least one hydrocarbon-based solvent that is volatile at ambient temperature, for example hydrocarbon, for example isododecane. 
   The lid can be pivotably coupled to the base part. The sealing element can be attached to the lid. In an other embodiment, the sealing element can be attached to an element other than the lid, for example pivotably coupled to the base part. 
   This pivoting element can define, for example, a compartment to receive an applicator, notably a sponge. 
   According to an embodiment of the invention, it can be advantageous to make the case in such a manner as to create an initial lift effect to reduce the force needed to detach the sealing element from the surface against which it bears in a leak tight manner. This feature can be useful to reduce “suction-cup” effects due to a relatively low pressure in the space containing the product. 
   The sealing element can, for example, be made with an asymmetrical arrangement tending to avoid the “suction cup” effect on opening. For example, the sealing element can unevenly deform at its periphery, creating one or more areas of initial lift. 
   The sealing element can also be made so as to deform by bending about an axis on opening. The sealing element can, for example, be made with a plate having an asymmetrical feature, such as a variation in thickness. 
   The pivot can also be made so as to favor a pivoting or bending movement of the sealing element to facilitate opening. For example, the pivot can be asymmetrical relative to a third axis perpendicular to the geometrical axes of rotation. 
   A pivot support can also be made so as to favor such a movement. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic partial cross-section of an example of a case made according to the invention, 
       FIG. 2  shows a top view, in isolation, of the sealing element of the case in  FIG. 1 , 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic and partial view of an alternative embodiment wherein the rim of the compartment containing the product includes a seal against which the sealing element can bear, 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view, in perspective, of an alternative embodiment wherein the sealing element is mobile relative to the lid, 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are schematic illustrations of embodiments wherein the product is contained in a cup fitted into a compartment in the base part of the case, 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate alternative embodiments of the pivot, and 
       FIGS. 9 to 12  illustrate alternative embodiments designed to facilitate opening in case of a relatively low pressure in the space containing the product. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a case  1  including a base part  2  and a lid  3  pivoted relative to the base part by a hinge  8  about a geometrical axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane in  FIG. 1 . 
   The base part  2  includes a first compartment  4  which can contain a reserve of a product P, for example a foundation or a powder make-up, and a second compartment  5  designed to house an applicator  16  for application of the product P, for example a sponge. 
   In the example in question, the base part  2  comprises two elements, including an outer shell  6  and an inner element  7  fitted into the outer shell  6 . The inner element  7  defines the first and second compartments  4  and  5  described above. The inner element  7  can be fixed in the outer shell  6  by any suitable mechanism, for example by gluing, soldering or snap-on fixing. 
   The lid  3  includes, at its end opposite the pivot  8 , a closure  9  incorporating, for example, a lug capable of latching onto a counterpart projection on the base part  2 , a mirror  10  and a supporting element  11  for an element  12 . The element  12  is designed to cover the compartment  4  containing the product P when the case  1  is closed. In a preferred embodiment, the element  12  seals the compartment  4  in a leak tight manner in the closed lid position. This feature can be useful, for example, to avoid evaporation of a volatile solvent which may be contained in the product P. 
   According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the element  12  is connected to the support element  11  by a pivot  13 . The pivot  13  allows the element  12  to pivot about an axis passing through the pivot  13 . In a preferred embodiment, the element  12  rotates about at least two mutually perpendicular geometrical axes of rotation, such as an axis X parallel to the axis of hinge axis Y perpendicular to that of hinge  8  and contained in the plane of  FIG. 1 . In another embodiment, the element  12  pivots about at least one axis, e.g. axis Y, which makes an angle with the axis of the hinge  8 . 
   In the illustrated example, the pivot  13  includes a ball joint  14  in a receptacle or cage  15 . The ball joint  14  can rotate about the axes X and Y within the cage  15 . The sealing element  12  includes a plate  17 . The ball joint  14  can be made, for example, in one piece by plastic injection molding with the plate  17  of the sealing element  12 . The cage  15  can be made, for example, in one piece with the support element  11 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the plate  17  can be made with stiffening ribs  18  on its opposite surface from the product P. The surface of the plate  17  facing towards the product P can be covered in its entirety or around its periphery only by an elastomer coating  19 . The coating  19  can provide a leak tight contact by bearing, in the example shown, against the edge of a rib  22  surrounding the compartment  4 . 
   As a variant illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the plate  17  need not be covered with elastomer and the base part can include a seal  20 , for example a molded elastomer seal or fitted sealing lip against which the plate  17  bears when the case  1  is closed. In another variant (not shown), the sealing element  12  can also be made with a sealing lip arranged to engage in a leak tight manner with a counterpart surface on the base part. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the support element  11  can be made to enable the cage  15  to move relative to the lid  3  on a geometrical axis Z perpendicular to the axes X and Y. The support element  11  can, for example, be made with arms  83  having a degree of flexibility, connecting the cage  15  to the upper part  24  of the support element  11  by which the latter is attached to the lid  3 . 
   When the case  1  is closed, the element  12  can bear against the rim of the compartment  4 . In a preferred embodiment, the element  12  closes the compartment  4  in a leak tight manner. The ability of the sealing element  12  to pivot relative to the lid  3  about the axes X and Y can reduce the risk of non-leak tight application of the sealing element  12  against the counterpart surface of the base part  2 , and can allow for any differences in positioning of the inner element  7  inside the outer shell  6 . 
   In the example of  FIG. 1 , the product P is placed directly in the compartment  4  defined by the inner element  7 . The scope of the present invention is not exceeded when the product P is contained in a cup  50 . The cup  50  can be made of metal, for example, fitted onto the base part  2 . The cup  50  can be, for example, glued to the base part  2 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
   Rather than being pivoted on a support element attached to the lid, the sealing element  12  can pivot directly on the lid  3  or on an intermediate element  60  that is mobile relative to the lid  3 . 
   In the example of  FIG. 4 , the intermediate element  60  pivots with respect to the base part  2 . On the side facing the lid  3 , the intermediate element  60  can define a compartment to receive an applicator  16 . The applicator  16  can be a sponge, for example. 
   In  FIG. 4 , the pivot connecting the sealing element  12  to the intermediate element  60  is not apparent. This pivot can be made, for example, with a ball joint  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The sealing element  12  can bear against the upper edge  51  of the cup  50 . The upper edge  51  can be rolled so as not to damage the coating  19 . 
   The pivoting action of the sealing element  12  relative to the intermediate element  60  can accommodate not only discrepancies attributable to the position of the cup  50  in its compartment but also any variations in the level of the upper edge  51  of the cup attributable to the thickness of the glue spots which may be used to attached the latter to the base part  2 . 
   As a variant, the sealing element  12  can bear against the rim  27  of the compartment receiving the cup  50 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
   Whether the sealing element  12  is integral with the lid  3  or with an intermediate element  60  mobile relative to the lid, the pivoting action can be achieved other than by a ball joint incorporating a head  14  engaged in a cage  15 . 
   By way of example,  FIG. 7  illustrates a pivot made in an elastomer material  30  molded onto the plate  17  of the sealing element  12 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , the material of the pivot  30  can, if desired, extend to the edge of the plate  17  and overlap slightly onto the inner face. This overlap feature can replace the leak tight covering  19  previously described. 
   The pivot  30  can be fixed, for example, by glue  55  to the lid  3  or to the intermediate element  60 . As a variant, the material of the pivot  30  can be molded both onto the plate  17  and onto the lid  3  or a support element attached to the latter or the intermediate element  60 , thus serving to attach the sealing element to the rest of the case. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the pivot can also be made by a block  70  of elastically deformable material, for example, a foam. The latter can be attached, for example, by gluing its principal opposing surfaces  71  and  72  respectively to the plate  17  and to a support element or to the lid or to an intermediate element mobile relative to the lid. 
   In the case where the pivot is made of an elastomer material  30 , or where the pivot is made using a block  70  of a resiliently deformable material, the pivot can be formed around a point of rotation at a distance from the free edges of the sealing element. The pivot is obtained by local shrinkage of the elastomer material or a block of elastically deformable material of transverse cross-section considerably smaller than the cross-section of the sealing element. The point of rotation is, for example, defined on the axis Z. 
   As it bears in a leak tight manner on its compartment, the sealing element can be difficult to open by virtue of the “suction-cup” effect. To mitigate this effect, the case can be made in a manner such that the sealing element tends to detach preferentially in a limited area on its periphery. In other words, the sealing element and/or its compartment and/or the pivot and/or the pivot support can be made so as to create an initial lift effect. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the pivot support element  11  can include one or more arms  23 ′ made stiffer by having, for example, a larger circumferential extent or by being thicker so that torque is exerted on the sealing element on opening, tending to facilitate its detachment. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the pivot  30  can include a part  30 ′ set off-centre so as to create an asymmetrical stress distribution on the sealing element on opening. Similarly, the pivot  70  of  FIG. 8  include an off-centre part  70 ′, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 12 , the sealing element can include a more flexible area capable of deforming to a greater extent on opening and facilitating detachment of the sealing element. In the example of  FIG. 12 , the plate  17  includes a portion  17 ′ of greater thickness such that the separation force transmitted by the pivot is distributed in a non-uniform manner to the periphery of the sealing element, thereby creating an initial lift effect. 
   The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. It is notably possible to combine different features of the various embodiments here described. 
   Throughout the description, including the claims, the expression “including one” should be understood to be synonymous with “including at least one”, unless otherwise specified. 
   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 can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.