EP3878310B1

EP3878310B1 - Case for lipstick, lip gloss, deodorant or cosmetics

Info

Publication number: EP3878310B1
Application number: EP20162849.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean Paul Corbeil; Jochen Praster
Original assignee: Corpack GmbH
Current assignee: Corpack GmbH
Priority date: 2020-03-12
Filing date: 2020-03-12
Publication date: 2024-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-12
Also published as: WO2021180348A1; KR20220150976A; EP4117484A1; EP3878310C0; CN115348828A; US20230090363A1; EP3878310A1

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a case for lipstick, lip gloss or makeup (or indeed other materials), and to a product including lipstick, lip gloss, cosmetics, deodorant, glue, etc., and such a case.

Background

US 2019/0328110 A1 discloses a lipstick vessel with a cylindrical upper cover, cylindrical member with (i) a shoulder (the upper and lower parts of which are open) insertable into a lower opening of the upper cover and (ii) a lower cover (with an open upper part and a closed lower part), and the upper opening portion thereof is inserted into the lower outer circumference of a circumferential protrusion protruding outward at a center of the shoulder; a rotating body of a cylindrical member, which is inserted into the lower cover to rotate integrally with the lower cover; a lipstick holding member for holding a lipstick at the upper part thereof, which is inserted into the center of the rotating body and moves up and down while rotating integrally with the rotating body; a guide member, of which the upper and lower parts are opened and the outer circumference is tapered, which is provided between the rotating body and the lipstick holding member for guiding the lipstick to be lifted and lowered when the lipstick holding member moves up and down vertically; and a lipstick receiving member of a cylindrical member, the upper and lower parts of which are opened and fixed to the tapered outer circumference of the guide member so that the upper opening is tapered to protect the lipstick inside the lipstick receiving member.
EP 0 178 188 A2 discloses a stick holder device for holding a stick of consumable material such as lipstick. A cover sleeve is axially movable relative to a handle in which the stick can be held selectively to conceal or expose the stick. The sleeve is manually engageable and can be manipulated as required for the axial movement.

Summary

It is an object of the present invention to provide a case for an applicable material (that is, a material for application to another material or object) with a simple mechanism for facilitating access to or for protecting the material.
According to a first aspect, the invention provides a case for an applicable material, comprising:

an elongate outer casing comprising a base, a peripheral wall and an open upper periphery;
a material mount located within and supported by the outer casing; and
an elongate inner sleeve comprising a peripheral wall and an open upper periphery, the inner sleeve being located at least in part within the outer casing and surrounding the mount at least in part;
wherein the mount is fixed relative to the outer casing;
the inner sleeve is slidable longitudinally between a retracted position and an extended position such that, when in the retracted position, the inner sleeve is configured to expose an applicable material (that is, an elongate portion or whatever cross-sectional shape) for use and, when in the extended position, the inner sleeve is configured to at least partially surround (so as to at least partially protect) the applicable material when not in use;
the inner sleeve is manipulable by a user (such as with a single digit) so as to slide the inner sleeve between the retracted position and the extended position; and
the case includes one or more elements (such as legs or ribs) that extend from the mount to the peripheral wall of the outer casing and support the mount, or the mount includes a skirt configured to extend below the material mount and the case includes one or more elements (such as legs or ribs) that extend from the skirt to the peripheral wall of the outer casing and support the mount.

The material-to be 'applicable' from the case-should be of relatively high viscosity and hence may comprise, for example, lipstick or lip gloss (in the form of a bullet of lipstick or lip gloss), a cosmetic (such as foundation in the form of a 'chubby stick'), glue (in the form of a 'glue stick') or deodorant. It is envisaged that the material will typically be in generally cylindrical form, but other cross-sectional shapes are possible. In many embodiment, the material will be in the form of a stick (e.g. lipstick, a glue stick or a stick of deodorant).
The mount is fixed relative to the outer casing in normal use so the material, when mounted on or in the mount, is also generally fixed relative to the outer casing. This does not preclude the option of the mount being removable from the outer casing for replacement or refurbishment (such as by having the mount engaging the outer casing by snap-lock engagement), but the mount and outer casing are fixed relative to one another when the inner sleeve is extended and retracted. Indeed, it is envisaged that the mount and the outer casing may be manufactured so as to be integral in some embodiments. As a consequence, a cap sized to accommodate the intended applicable material-if placed carefully over the material to engage the outer casing-cannot compress or crush the material.
In an embodiment, the peripheral wall of the outer casing defines a longitude slot through which projects a projection (such as a tab or boss) provided externally on the peripheral wall of the inner sleeve, the projection and hence the inner sleeve being manipulable by the user so as to slide the inner sleeve between the retracted position and the extended position.
In an embodiment, the case includes a cap configured to removably engage the outer casing, such as a cap removably locatable about the upper periphery of the outer casing. The engagement may be, for example, threaded engagement or snap-lock engagement.
The base of the outer casing need not be closed, but in some embodiments is at least partially closed by one or more elements provided to support the mount within the outer casing.
In an embodiment, the peripheral wall of the outer casing is internally generally cylindrical and the peripheral wall of the inner sleeve is externally generally cylindrical (that is have generally circular cross sections). It will be appreciated, however, that other cross-sectional shapes are possible, such as polygonal (e.g. square, triangular, rectangular), elliptical or irregular.
In an embodiment, the case is of a plastics material.
In an embodiment, the mount is supported in part or fully by the base of the outer casing. In an embodiment, the mount is supported in part or fully by the peripheral wall of the outer casing. In certain embodiments, the mount is supported in part by the base of the outer casing and in part by the peripheral wall of the outer casing.
The mount may have a floor. Thus, the material can be impeded from being pushed further into the mount than desired and/or supported by the floor.
In an embodiment, the mount is configured to support the material at a circumference or periphery of the material, at a base of the material, or at both the periphery and base of the material.
In an embodiment, the inner sleeve is configured to engage a portion of the outer casing or a portion of the mount when in the extended position, so that the inner sleeve resists being moved beyond the extended position. The inner sleeve may, for example, be provided with a detent or tab that abuts the outer casing or the mount when in the extended position.
In an embodiment, the case includes a locking mechanism (such as a catch or snap-lock element) provided on the inner sleeve, and configured to engage a cap (such as at a complementary recess or snap-lock element provided therein) when the inner sleeve is in the extended position. Hence, the locking mechanism serves to resist dislodgement of such a cap and displacement of the inner sleeve from the extended position, when such a cap is in use.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides a product, comprising:

a case according to the first aspect; and
a quantity of applicable material mounted to said mount.

The material may comprise, for example, lipstick, lip gloss, a cosmetic (such as foundation), deodorant or glue.
It should be noted that any of the various individual features of each of the above aspects of the invention, and any of the various individual features of the embodiments described herein including in the claims, can be combined as suitable and desired.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be more clearly ascertained, embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lipstick product according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2A is a schematic perspective view of the lipstick product of figure 1 with cap removed and inner sleeve extended;
Figure 2B is a schematic perspective view of the lipstick product of figure 1 with cap omitted and inner sleeve partially extended;
Figure 2C is a schematic perspective view of the lipstick product of figure 1 with cap omitted and inner sleeve retracted;
Figure 3A is a plan view of the outer casing and mount of the lipstick product of fig-ure 1;
Figure 3B is a perspective view of the outer casing and mount of the lipstick product of figure 1;
Figure 3C is a further perspective view of the outer casing and mount of the lipstick product of figure 1;
Figures 4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of the lipstick product of figure 1 viewed obliquely from underneath (with cap omitted), with figure 4A depicting the inner sleeve retracted and figure 4B depicting the inner sleeve extended;
Figures 5A and 5B are further views of the outer casing and mount of the lipstick product of figure 1;
Figures 6A and 6B are views of the inner sleeve of the lipstick product of figure 1; and
Figures 7A to 7D are cross-sectional views through a vertical mid-plane of the lipstick product of figure 1.

Detailed description

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a lipstick product 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Lipstick product 10 includes a case 12 (of a plastics material) and a bullet of lipstick (not shown in this view).
Case 12 includes an elongate, generally cylindrical outer casing 14 and a cap 16; cap 16 engages an upper periphery of outer casing 14 in snap-lock engagement, and is removed when it is desired to access the bullet of lipstick. Outer casing 14 includes a peripheral wall 18 and a base 20.
Peripheral wall 18 defines an elongate longitudinal slot 22. Case 12 includes a projection in the form of a tab 24 (provided on the peripheral wall of an inner sleeve, not shown) that is slidably moveable along slot 22 between the position shown in this figure and a position adjacent base 20.
Briefly, lipstick product 10 functions in the following manner. Figure 2A is a schematic perspective view of lipstick product 10 after removal of cap 16. A first snap-lock element 26 (comprising a flange) of a snap-lock mechanism is apparent at the upper periphery of peripheral wall 18; cap 16 includes a complementary snap-lock element (not visible in this view) within its lower periphery, configured to engage first snap-lock element 26 when cap 16 is in situ on outer casing 14.
Case 12 includes and partially houses a generally cylindrical inner sleeve 28, which is exposed by removal of cap 16. As illustrated, inner sleeve 28 is in its extended position. It should be noted that tab 24 is provided on inner sleeve 28 (and, in this example, is formed integrally with inner sleeve 28). The bullet of lipstick is largely concealed by inner sleeve 28 such that, with inner sleeve 28 in the illustrated extended position, inner sleeve 28 provides protection for the bullet of lipstick.
Figure 2B is a comparable view to that of figure 2A, with cap 16 omitted for clarity and with inner sleeve 28 partially longitudinally retracted thereby exposing a portion of lipstick bullet 30. As is described in greater detail below, lipstick bullet 30 is mounted on a mount of case 12 (not visible in this view) within outer casing 14; the mount is in turn supported by outer casing 14.
Figure 2C is a comparable view to that of figure 2B, but with inner sleeve 28 in its retracted position. In this configuration, tab 24 is in its lowest position, which can be defined either by the lowest point of travel permitted inner sleeve 28 (such as by the aforementioned mount or by outer casing 14), by slot 22 or by base 20. It will be noted that tab 24 may include, optionally, a concavity in the form of a recess 32 to facilitate its manipulation with, for example, a thumb or forefinger.
Tab 24 or inner sleeve 28 may also optionally include a locking mechanism for engaging cap 16 when cap 16 is located on outer casing 14, provided on inner sleeve 28. This locking mechanism may be in the form of, for example, an extension or completion of first snap-lock element 26, or a simple boss or tab (such as tab 34, on inner sleeve 28 above tab 24) that forms a degree of friction engagement with cap 16 to thereby resist the displacement of cap 16 and of inner sleeve 28 when the latter is in its extended position.
Figure 3A is a plan view, and figures 3B and 3C are perspective views, of outer casing 14 and mount 40 of lipstick product 10. Referring to these figures, mount 40 is configured to receive lipstick bullet 30. Hence, in this embodiment, mount 40 has a generally cylindrical peripheral wall 42 and a floor 44. Floor 44 prevents lipstick bullet 30 from being pushed further into mount 40-such as during manufacture or use-than desired.
Mount 40 optionally includes one or more blades 46 for retaining lipstick bullet 30, inwardly projecting from peripheral wall 42. In other embodiments, spikes, corrugations or other projections may be employed, or omitted (such as if lipstick bullet 30 is instead retained within mount 40 with a friction fit between lipstick bullet 30 and peripheral wall 42). In this example, mount 40 includes six such blades 46, evenly distributed about peripheral wall 42.
Mount 40 includes ribs 48 which are attached to outer casing 14 whereby outer casing 14 supports mount 40 (and hence lipstick bullet 30) fixed relative to outer casing 14. As is most clearly apparent in figure 3C, mount 40 includes a lower skirt 50, which amounts to a downwardly depending extension of peripheral wall 42 beyond floor 44 of mount 40.
It will be noted that the volume of mount 40 that accommodates lipstick bullet 30 is defined by peripheral wall 42 and floor 44, and is shallow compared with peripheral wall 18 of outer casing 14; this is because lipstick bullet 30 is fixed relative to mount 40 and peripheral wall 18 of outer casing 14, so the portion of lipstick bullet 30 within peripheral wall 42 of mount 40 is essentially unusable. The floor 44 is thus positioned as high in mount 40 as possible, consistent with the secure retention of lipstick bullet 30 within mount 40 during transportation and use.
It will also be apparent from figure 3C that, in this embodiment, outer casing 14-though generally cylindrical-has a recessed portion 52 (as viewed from outside outer casing 14) in which slot 22 is located. Being recessed relative to the generally cylindrical form of outer casing 14, recessed portion 52 is-in this example-gener-ally flat such that slot 22 is located within a generally flat portion of outer casing 14. (It should be noted that such a portion, recessed relative to the general profile of the outer casing, may also be provided in other embodiments.) Recessed portion 52 allows tab 24 to likewise be recessed relative to the general profile of outer casing 14, to reduce the risk of inadvertent displacement of tab 24 and hence of inner sleeve 28.
Figures 4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of lipstick product 10 viewed obliquely from underneath (with cap 16 omitted for clarity). Figure 4A depicts inner sleeve 28 in its retracted position, while figure 4B depicts inner sleeve 28 in its extended position, thus exposing the upper portion of lipstick bullet 30.
These figures also depict the lower extremities of ribs 48, which-as is visible in the figures-are connected directly to one another in this embodiment, as well as to mount 40. The lower periphery of inner sleeve 28-though generally cylindrical-terminates in four portions 54 that define slots therebetween for accommodating ribs 48 when inner sleeve 28 is in its retracted position (as described in greater detail below).
Figures 5A and 5B are further views of outer casing 14 and mount 40. The upper register of figure 5A is an elevational rear view, in which only the very upper periphery of mount 40 is visible; the lower register of figure 5A is a perspective view, in which a further portion of mount 40 is visible through longitudinal slot 22.
The upper register of figure 5B is also an elevational view (rotated 90 degrees relative to the upper register of figure 5A), with recessed portion 52 of outer casing 14 shown from the side. The lower register of figure 5B is a plan view comparable to that of figure 3A, with recessed portion 52 oriented-as in upper register-to the left.
Figures 6A and 6B are views of inner sleeve 28. In figure 6A, the upper register is an elevational view and the lower register is a perspective view, while in figure 6B, the upper register is a further elevational view (rotated 90 degrees relative to the upper register of figure 6A) and the lower register is a plan view. In these figures, portions 54 of inner sleeve 28, which define slots 56 for accommodating ribs 48 when inner sleeve 28 is in its retracted position, are more clearly visible. One of these portions 54' is shorter than the others portions 54: this shorter portion 54' supports tab 24.
Figures 7A to 7D are cross-sectional views of lipstick product 10 through a vertical mid-plane. Figure 7A shows cap 16 in place on outer casing 14 and inner sleeve 28 in its extended position. Figure 7B shows cap 16 in place on outer casing 14 and inner sleeve 28 in its extended position. Figure 7C shows cap 16 removed from outer casing 14 and inner sleeve 28 in its extended position (hence protecting the otherwise exposed lipstick bullet 30). Figure 7D shows cap 16 removed from outer casing 14 and inner sleeve 28 in its retracted position, hence facilitating access to lipstick bullet 30.
In these figures, first snap-lock element 26 of a snap-lock mechanism is visible, as is a second and complementary snap-lock element 60 (comprising a recess for receiving first element 26) of a snap-lock mechanism, provided inside the lower periphery of cap 16.
It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

A case for an applicable material, comprising:
an elongate outer casing (14) having a base (20), a peripheral wall (18) and an open upper periphery;

a material mount (40) located within and supported by the outer casing (14); and

an elongate inner sleeve (28) having a peripheral wall and an open upper periphery, the inner sleeve (28) being located at least in part within the outer casing (14) and surrounding the mount (40) at least in part;

wherein the mount (40) is fixed relative to the outer casing (14);

the inner sleeve (28) is slidable longitudinally between a retracted position and an extended position such that, when in the retracted position, the inner sleeve (28) is configured to expose the applicable material (30) for use and, when in the extended position, the inner sleeve (28) is configured to at least partially surround the applicable material (30) when not in use; and

the innersleeve (28) is manipulable by a user so as to slide the innersleeve (28) between the retracted position and the extended position;

characterized in that

the case (12) includes one or more elements (48) that extend from the mount (40) to the peripheral wall (18) of the outer casing (14) and support the mount (40), or the mount (40) includes a skirt (50) configured to extend below the material mount (40) and the case (12) includes one or more elements (48) that extend from the skirt (50) to the peripheral wall (18) of the outer casing (14) and support the mount (40).
A case as claimed in claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall (18) of the outer casing (14) defines a longitudinal slot (22) through which projects a projection (24) provided externally on the peripheral wall of the inner sleeve (28), the projection (24) and hence the inner sleeve (28) being manipulable by the user so as to slide the inner sleeve (28) between the retracted position and the extended position.
A case as claimed in either claim 1 or 2, wherein the case includes a cap (16) configured to removably engage the outer casing (14).
A case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the peripheral wall of the outer casing (14) is internally generally cylindrical and the peripheral wall of the inner sleeve (28) is externally generally cylindrical.
A case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mount (40) is supported in part or fully by the base (20) of the outer casing (14)
A case as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mount (40) is supported in part or fully by the peripheral wall (18) of the outer casing (14).
A case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mount (40) is supported in part by the base (20) of the outer casing (14) and in part by the peripheral wall (18) of the outer casing (14).
A case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner sleeve (28) is configured to engage a portion of the outer casing (14) or a portion of the mount (40) when in the extended position, so that the inner sleeve (28) resists being moved beyond the extended position.
A case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case includes a locking mechanism (34) provided on the innersleeve (28), and is configured to engage a cap (16) when the inner sleeve (28) is in the extended position.
A case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, configured for use with an applicable material (30) in the shape of a stick or a bullet.
A product (10), comprising:
a case (12) according to any one of the preceding claims;

a quantity of applicable material (30) mounted to said mount (40).
A product (10) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the material (30) is selected from a group comprising lipstick, lip gloss, a cosmetic, deodorant, glue or the like materials.
A product (10) as claimed in either claim 11 or 12, wherein the material (30) is in the shape of a stick or a bullet.