TITLE: Cosmetic product packaging device

The present invention relates to the field of the packaging of cosmetic products.

The term “cosmetic product” is understood, notably within the meaning of the present invention, to mean a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 relating to cosmetic products.

More particularly, the packaging device according to the present invention is intended for packaging a cosmetic product, such as a make-up product, for example an anhydrous make-up product, in the form of a compact powder, or a non-anhydrous formulation, for example a hot-pour formulation, intended to be applied, for example, to the user’s epidermis, such as a foundation or a face powder.

Such a cosmetic product packaging device may, for example, be in the form of a case comprising a receptacle delimiting an internal cavity, and a lid that is hinged to said receptacle between a position closing said case, in which it cooperates with the receptacle to close the internal cavity, and a position opening the case, in which it is spaced apart from the receptacle to free up access to the internal cavity.

It is known practice to equip such a packaging assembly with a support member intended to receive at least one cosmetic product. The support member is mounted in the internal cavity of the receptacle and forms an insert arranged in the latter. Such a design comprising a receptacle and a support member that are separate from one another makes it possible to use two different materials for these elements, such that the receptacle/support member assembly can provide the mechanical and aesthetic functions for which it is intended, while having an optimal manufacturing cost.

The known product packaging assemblies are not entirely satisfactory in terms of weight.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a device for packaging a cosmetic product that is lighter than the known packaging devices while maintaining satisfactory stiffness of the device.

Specifically, making cosmetic product packaging devices lighter is an essential concern during the design thereof, both in order to reduce the amount of material, in particular plastics material, used to make the device, thereby reducing its manufacturing cost, but also the resources and energy necessary for the manufacture, transport and recyclability thereof, thereby also responding to an issue of reducing the ecological impact thereof during the lifetime thereof.

However, this objective has to be reconciled with the need to ensure integrity and structural stiffness of these new-generation cosmetic product packaging devices, at least equivalent to those of the previous generation.

A subject of the invention is a device for packaging a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising:

- a receptacle extending along an elevation axis and comprising an internal volume, for example delimited by a lower wall and a peripheral wall;

- a lid that is hinged with respect to said receptacle between a closing position, in which said lid cooperates with the receptacle and closes off access to the internal volume of said receptacle, and an opening position, in which said lid is pivoted away from the receptacle to allow access to said internal volume.

The device comprises a stiffening member mounted in the lid. One of the stiffening member or the lid comprises at least one stiffening element that extends along the elevation axis from one of the stiffening member or the lid towards the other of the lid or the stiffening member and is rigidly secured to the other of the lid or the stiffening member.

In other words, the stiffening member may comprise the stiffening element extending towards the lid, or the lid may comprise the stiffening element extending towards the stiffening member.

By virtue of the stiffening member, it is possible to significantly reduce the thicknesses, in particular of the lid, and thus the weight and the amount of material used to make the product packaging device, while maintaining constant stiffness of the assembly formed by the lid and the stiffening member.

Preferably, the lid and/or the stiffening member is/are made of plastic, in particular a thermoplastic polymer.

Advantageously, the lid and/or the stiffening member is/are made of a polyolefin, for example polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), high or low density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE), or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).

The lid and/or the stiffening member may also be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or another copolyester, or even a thermoplastic polymer with good impact resistance, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer or another styrene polymer.

In general, the lid and/or the stiffening member is/are made of a polymer selected from the group comprising polyolefins, polyesters or styrene polymers.

When the lid and the stiffening member are made of a polyolefin, for example, there is a considerable weight saving for the lid/stiffening member assembly.

To be specific, the density of polypropylene is 0.9 whereas the density of a thermoplastic polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is 1.05.

Thus, for the same amount of plastic, the weight of the lid/stiffening member assembly is lower.

The weight saving observed is between 15% and 50% compared with a packaging device that does not have a stiffening member in the lid.

Moreover, thermoplastics, in particular polyolefins, copolyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or styrene polymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer are highly recyclable and their use thus meets environmental requirements.

The lid and/or the stiffening member may thus be made of recycled polyolefins, recycled copolyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or recycled styrene polymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer.

The lid and the stiffening member are advantageously made of the same material so that they can be recycled together.

Advantageously, the stiffening element comprises a network of ribs or stiffening protrusions comprising at least one plurality of ribs extending along the elevation axis from one of the stiffening member or the lid towards the other of the lid or the stiffening member.

The ribs of the network of ribs are advantageously connected to one another.

The stiffening member comprises a base in which the stiffening element extends along the elevation axis from an upper surface of the base towards a lower surface of an upper wall of the lid.

According to one embodiment, the stiffening element is made as one piece with the base of the stiffening member.

In other words, the stiffening element and the base of the stiffening member form a single piece formed from a single material during a single moulding operation. According to one embodiment, the stiffening element is mechanically secured to the lid, for example by ultrasonic welding.

According to one embodiment, the upper end of each of the ribs of the network of stiffening ribs is mechanically secured or rigidly secured to the lower surface of the upper wall of the lid, for example by ultrasonic welding. As a variant, any other securing means could be provided, such as adhesive bonding or laser welding, for example.

According to another embodiment, the stiffening element is made as one piece with the lid. In this case, the lower end of each of the ribs of the network of stiffening ribs is mechanically secured or rigidly secured to the upper surface of the base of the stiffening member, for example by ultrasonic welding.

The network of stiffening ribs forms a mesh comprising a plurality of contiguous shapes.

For example, the mesh comprises a plurality of contiguous polygonal shapes.

The mesh is advantageously symmetrical with respect to a median plan passing through the centre of the stiffening member.

The mesh may be a grid comprising a plurality of contiguous quadrilaterals, for example rectangles, squares or any other four-sided polygon.

The term “grid” means a set of two families of horizontal and vertical lines in one plane.

For example, the grid comprises a first group of substantially identical quadrilaterals and a second group of quadrilaterals arranged on each side of the first group, the quadrilaterals of the second group having different dimensions.

The grid is advantageously symmetrical with respect to a median plan passing through the centre of the stiffening member.

For example, the mesh comprises a plurality of contiguous hexagons, for example in a honeycomb arrangement.

According to one embodiment, the network of stiffening ribs comprises a central protrusion and a plurality of radial protrusions extending radially outwards from the central protrusion.

The central protrusion has, for example, a closed or non-closed contour.

Advantageously, the radial protrusions are spaced apart regularly around the central protrusion. As a variant, a different disposition of the radial protrusions around the central protrusion could be provided.

The number of radial protrusions may be greater than or equal to four.

Purely as an example, the radial protrusions may extend from the central protrusion as far as the contour of the base. As a variant, the radial protrusions could extend radially over part of the base.

For example, the radial protrusions extend radially between the central protrusion and the contour of the base while being connected to the central protrusion. Such a configuration may in particular be advantageous when the stiffening member is secured to the lid by adhesive bonding.

As a variant, a space could be provided in the radial direction between each end of the radial protrusions and the central protrusion. Such a configuration may in particular be advantageous when the stiffening member is secured to the lid by ultrasonic welding, erratic behaviour of the material being liable to occur at the junction between the radial protrusions and the central protrusion during such a process if these were connected together.

Only radial protrusions and no central protrusion or, as a variant, only a central protrusion and no radial protrusions could also be provided.

As a variant or in addition, provision could likewise be made for the central protrusion and/or one or more radial protrusions to form part of the lid and to extend along the elevation axis towards the stiffening member.

Advantageously, the height of the stiffening element is adapted such that the outer surface of said stiffening element has a shape matching the shape of the inner surface of an upper wall of the lid.

For example, the height of the stiffening element increases gradually towards the centre of the stiffening element, in such a way as to form a domed outer surface following the shape of the inner surface of the upper wall of the lid.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a reflective surface mounted on a lower surface of the stiffening member, on the side opposite the stiffening element.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a support member mounted in the internal volume of the receptacle and intended to receive at least one cosmetic product. For example, the internal volume of the support member is intended to receive a dish comprising at least one compartment of cosmetic product.

Further aims, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, which is given only by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[Fig 1] shows a perspective view of a product packaging device according to one embodiment of the invention, in a closed configuration;

[Fig 2] is a view in cross section on a median plane M of the device in Figure 1, in which the lid is in a closed position;

[Fig 3] shows a view in cross section of the device in Figure 1, in which the lid is in an open position;

[Fig 4] is an exploded perspective view of the device in Figure 1 ;

[Fig 5] is a top view of a stiffening member of the device in Figure 1;

[Fig 6] is a view in cross section on the line VI- VI of the stiffening member in Figure 5;

[Fig 7] is a perspective view of a stiffening member according to another embodiment;

[Fig 8] is a view in cross section on a median plane Pl of the stiffening member in Figure 7 ;

[Fig 9] is a perspective view of a stiffening member according to another embodiment;

[Fig 10] is a view in cross section on a median plane P2 of the stiffening member in Figure 9;

[Fig 11] shows a view in cross section of a support member of the device in Figure 1; and

[Fig 12] shows a perspective view of a support member according to another embodiment.

A device 1 for packaging a product is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4.

A “product” means a cosmetic product such as, for example, a finely ground, compacted solid product, in the form of compact powder, that is intended to be applied, for example, to the user’s epidermis. The compact powder may be foundation, face powder or eyeshadow that is taken up, for example, directly with the finger or with a powder puff or with a brush. However, the invention is not limited to a cosmetic product. Other types of products, such as anhydrous paint, for example, could also be provided.

In the rest of the description, reference will be made to an orthonormal system X, Y, Z, where Z corresponds to an elevation axis representing the vertical direction. The median section plane M in Figures 2 and 3 is a plane (Y, Z) of symmetry of the device.

The device 1 is for example a make-up case and comprises a receptacle 10 and a lid 20 that is hinged with respect to said receptacle 10 between a closing position, visible in Figure 2, and an opening position, visible in Figure 3.

As shown, the device 1 comprises a support member 30 or dish intended to receive at least one cosmetic product.

As a variant, provision could be made for the device 1 not to comprise a support member 30 and for the cosmetic product to be placed directly inside the receptacle 10.

The device 1 further comprises a stiffening member or insert 40 intended to be mounted in the lid 20 and a reflective wall 50, such as a mirror, rigidly secured to the stiffening member 40.

As a variant, provision could be made for the device 1 not to have a reflective wall 50.

The receptacle 10 comprises a body with a parallelepiped overall shape extending along an elevation axis Z-Z’ that is presumed to be vertical in the figures. Any other shape could be provided for the body, for example cylindrical.

The body of the receptacle 10 comprises an internal volume 11 for receiving a cosmetic article. The internal volume 11 is delimited by a lower wall 12 or bottom that is substantially flat and disposed in a plane XY containing the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y, two side walls 13, a front wall 14 and a rear wall 15. Said side walls 13, front wall 14 and rear wall 15 form a substantially square or rectangular contour. Other, regular or irregular, contour shapes are also possible, in particular circular, polygonal or elongate shapes.

The lid 20 is mounted on the support member 30 by means of a hinge comprising the same axis of rotation Al, parallel to the longitudinal axis X. As a variant, provision could be made for the lid 20 to be mounted directly on the receptacle 10, in particular the rear wall 15 thereof, by means of a hinge. The lid 20 comprises an internal volume 21 delimited by an upper wall 22, two side walls 23, a front wall 24 and a rear wall 25.

The rear wall 25 of the lid is rotatably mounted on said axis of rotation Al.

The front wall 24 of the lid 20 may comprise a retaining member protruding in the continuation of said front wall, along the vertical axis Z in the closing position of the lid. The retaining member is intended to cooperate, for example by snap-fitting, with a corresponding retaining member 17 of the receptacle 10, in order to retain the lid 20 on said receptacle 10 in the closing position of said lid.

The lid 20 is movable between a closing position, shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which the lid 20 cooperates with the receptacle 10 and closes off access to the internal cavity 11, and an opening position, shown in Figure 3, in which the lid 20 is pivoted away from the receptacle about the axis Al to allow access to the internal volume 11.

In the closing position, the lid 20 is disposed above the receptacle 10.

The support member 30 is mounted in the internal cavity 11 in the receptacle 10 and is intended to receive a dish (not shown) containing the cosmetic product. The dish forms an insert or refill that can be removed so as to be replaced once used up or to change the cosmetic product. When the dish is replaced, the support member 30 is secured in the receptacle 10.

Since the support member 30 is separate from the receptacle 10, it is possible to use two different materials, namely a first material for the receptacle 10 and a second material for the support member 30. The second material is of lower quality than the material of the receptacle 10. Thus, the second material can have a density and thus a price lower than those of the first material, making it possible to obtain a support member that is less expensive and lighter than the receptacle 10.

The support member 30 comprises an internal volume 31 for receiving a cosmetic product (not shown), contained in the dish. As shown, the internal volume 31 comprises a single compartment for receiving the dish. As a variant, provision could be made for a support member 30 comprising a plurality of compartments, for example four, each intended to receive a dish containing a cosmetic product, as shown in Figure 12. Provision could be made for an internal volume 31 of the support member 30 comprising at least two separate compartments. Provision could also be made for the cosmetic product(s) to be contained directly in the receptacle 10. The support member 30 further comprises two housings 33; 34 for receiving an accessory, for example a brush.

The two housings 33; 34 are each arranged on one side of the internal volume 31. As shown in Figures 4 and 11, each of the housings 33; 34 comprises an extrusion or central reinforcement 33a, 34a protruding outwards from the bottom of the corresponding housing. This reinforcement is generally created during moulding, for example injection-moulding, of the material for forming the support member 30 and makes it possible to locally stiffen the support member 30.

As a variant, provision could be made for the support member 30 to have only one housing for receiving an accessory or not to have such a housing.

The internal volume 31 of the support member 30 is delimited by a bottom wall 35 and a peripheral wall 36 forming a closed contour.

The stiffening member 40 is mounted in the internal cavity 21 in the lid 20 and forms a block on which the reflective surface 50, such as a mirror, may be secured.

Since the stiffening member 40 is separate from the lid 10, it is possible to use two different materials, namely a first material for the lid 20 and a second material for the stiffening member 40. The second material is of lower quality than the material of the lid 20. Thus, the second material can have a density and thus a price lower than those of the first material, making it possible to obtain a stiffening member 40 that is less expensive and lighter than the lid 20.

The stiffening member 40 comprises a substantially flat base 41 delimited axially by an upper surface 41a and a lower surface 41b. The stiffening member 40 further comprises a network 42 of ribs or stiffening protrusions extending along the vertical axis Z from the upper surface 41a of the base 41 towards the lower surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20.

The upper end of each of the ribs 42a of the network 42 of stiffening ribs is mechanically secured or rigidly secured to the lower surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20, for example by ultrasonic welding.

As a variant, the network 42 of stiffening ribs could form part of the lid 20 and could extend along the elevation axis towards the stiffening member 40. In this case, the lower end of each of the ribs 42a of the network 42 of stiffening ribs would be mechanically secured or rigidly secured to the upper surface 41a of the base 41 of the stiffening member 40, for example by ultrasonic welding. As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7, the height of the ribs 42a of the network 42 of stiffening ribs increases towards the centre of the base 41, in such a way as to form a domed outer surface 43 following the shape of the inner surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20.

In general, the height of the ribs 42a of the network 42 of stiffening ribs is adapted such that the outer surface 43 of said network 42 of stiffening ribs has a shape matching the shape of the inner surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20.

The ribs 42a and the stiffening member 40 form a single piece formed from a single material during a single moulding operation.

As shown, the network 42 of stiffening ribs forms a grid, i.e. an arrangement of contiguous rectangles. In general, the grid comprises a plurality of contiguous quadrilaterals, for example rectangles, squares or any other four-sided polygon.

As shown in Figure 5, the grid comprises a first group of substantially identical rectangles and a second group of quadrilaterals arranged on each side of said first group. The quadrilaterals of the second group have different dimensions.

Provision can be made for the rectangles of the first group of the grid to have different dimensions.

The grid is symmetrical with respect to a median plan passing through the centre of the stiffening member 40.

The term “grid” means a set of two families of horizontal and vertical lines in one plane.

The embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 in which the same elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 and 6 only by the shape of the network of ribs 42.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the stiffening member 40' comprises a substantially flat base 41 delimited axially by an upper surface 41a and a lower surface 41b. The stiffening member 40' further comprises a network 42 of ribs or stiffening protrusions extending along the vertical axis Z from the upper surface 41a of the base 41 towards the lower surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20.

The network 42 of stiffening ribs of the stiffening member 40' further comprises a central protrusion 42a with a closed contour extending along the vertical axis Z from the upper surface 41a of the base 41 towards the lower surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20. The upper end of said central protrusion 42a is mechanically secured to the lower surface 22a of the wall 22 of the lid 20, for example by ultrasonic welding. As a variant, the network 42 of stiffening ribs could form part of the lid 20 and could extend along the elevation axis towards the stiffening member 40'. In this case, the lower end of the central protrusion 42a of the network 42 of stiffening ribs would be mechanically secured or rigidly secured to the upper surface 41a of the base

41 of the stiffening member 40', for example by ultrasonic welding.

As a variant, a central protrusion with a non-closed contour could be provided. The stiffening member 40' also comprises a plurality of radial protrusions 42b extending radially outwards from the central protrusion 42a.

The radial protrusions 42b extend along the vertical axis Z from the upper surface 41a of the base 41 towards the lower surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20.

The upper end of each of the radial protrusions 42b is mechanically secured to the lower surface 22a of the wall 22 of the lid 20, for example by ultrasonic welding.

As shown, the radial protrusions 42b are spaced apart regularly around the central protrusion 42a. As a variant, a different arrangement of the radial protrusions 42b around the central protrusion 42a could be provided.

As shown, the number of radial protrusions 42b is equal to 24. As a variant, a different number of radial protrusions, for example greater than or equal to four, could be provided.

Purely as an example, the radial protrusions 42b extend from the central protrusion 42a as far as the contour of the base 41. As a variant, the radial protrusions 42b could extend radially over part of the base 41.

As shown in Figure 8, the height of the radial protrusions 42 of the network

42 of stiffening ribs increases towards the central protrusion 42b arranged at the centre of the base 41, in such a way as to form a domed outer surface 43 following the shape of the inner surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20.

In general, the height of the radial protrusions 42b of the network 42 of stiffening ribs is adapted such that the outer surface 43 of said network 42 of stiffening ribs has a shape matching the shape of the inner surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20.

In the embodiment shown in particular in Figures 7 and 8, the radial protrusions 42b extend radially between the central protrusion 42a and the contour of the base 41 while being connected to the central protrusion 42a. Such a configuration may in particular be advantageous when the stiffening member is secured to the lid by adhesive bonding.

As a variant, a space could be provided in the radial direction between each end of the radial protrusions 42b and, on the one hand, the central protrusion 42a. Such a configuration may in particular be advantageous when the stiffening member 40' is secured to the lid 20 by ultrasonic welding, erratic behaviour of the material being liable to occur at the junction between the radial protrusions 42b and the central protrusion 42a during such a process if these were connected together.

Only radial protrusions and no central protrusion or, as a variant, only a central protrusion and no radial protrusions could also be provided.

As a variant or in addition, provision could likewise be made for the central protrusion and/or one or more radial protrusions to form part of the lid 20 and to extend along the elevation axis towards the stiffening member 40'.

The central protrusion 42a, the radial protrusions 42a and the stiffening member 40' form a single piece formed from a single material during a single moulding operation.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10, in which the same elements bear the same references, the stiffening member 40" differs from the stiffening member 40 shown in Figures 2 to 6 only by the shape and the arrangement of the stiffening protrusions.

The stiffening member 40" comprises a substantially flat base 41 delimited axially by an upper surface 41a and a lower surface 41b. The stiffening member 40" further comprises a network 42 of ribs or stiffening protrusions extending along the vertical axis Z from the upper surface 41a of the base 41 towards the lower surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20.

The upper end of each of the ribs 42a of the network 42 of stiffening ribs is mechanically secured or rigidly secured to the lower surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20, for example by ultrasonic welding.

As a variant, the network 42 of stiffening ribs could form part of the lid 20 and could extend along the elevation axis towards the stiffening member 40". In this case, the lower end of each of the ribs 42a of the network 42 of stiffening ribs would be mechanically secured or rigidly secured to the upper surface 41a of the base 41 of the stiffening member 40", for example by ultrasonic welding. As shown in Figure 10, the height of the ribs 42a of the network 42 of stiffening ribs increases towards the centre of the base 41, in such a way as to form a domed outer surface 43 following the shape of the inner surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20.

In general, the height of the ribs 42a of the network 42 of stiffening ribs is adapted such that the outer surface 43 of said network 42 of stiffening ribs has a shape matching the shape of the inner surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20.

The ribs 42a and the stiffening member 40" form a single piece formed from a single material during a single moulding operation.

As shown, the network 42 of stiffening ribs forms a mesh, i.e. an arrangement of contiguous shapes.

As shown, the mesh comprises a plurality of contiguous polygonal shapes, in this case hexagons. As a variant, an arrangement of contiguous circles could be provided.

Preferably, the polygons of the mesh are substantially identical. The elements of the mesh could have different dimensions.

In this case, the mesh has a honeycomb shape.

The mesh is symmetrical with respect to a median plan passing through the centre of the stiffening member 40".

Note that the invention is not limited to the shape of the protrusions of the network of stiffening ribs. To be specific, other shapes could be provided, for example circular, polygonal, radial, protrusions with a closed contour, protrusions with an open contour, or a combination of protrusions of different shapes.

In general, the packaging device 1 comprises a stiffening element formed by at least one protrusion that extends along the vertical axis Z from the base of the stiffening member 40, 40', 40" towards the lower surface 22a of the upper wall 22 of the lid 20 and is mechanically secured to said surface 22a in order to form mechanical connections between said stiffening member and said lid.

The lid 20 and/or the stiffening member 40, 40', 40" may be made of plastic, such as polyolefin, for example polypropylene (PP), high or low density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE), or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).

The lid 20 and/or the stiffening member 40, 40', 40" may also be made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or another copolyester, or even a thermoplastic polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymer or another styrene-based material.

When the lid 20 and the stiffening member 40, 40', 40" are made of a polyolefin, there is a considerable weight saving for the lid/stiffening member assembly. To be specific, the density of polypropylene is 0.9 whereas the density of a thermoplastic polymer such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is 1.05.

Thus, for the same amount of plastic, the weight of the lid/stiffening member assembly is lower.

Furthermore, polyolefins are recyclable and their use thus meets environmental requirements.

The lid 20 and/or the stiffening member 40, 40', 40" may thus be made of recycled polyolefins.

The lid 20 and the stiffening member 40, 40', 40” are advantageously made of the same material so that they can be recycled together. By virtue of the invention, and in particular of the stiffening ribs, it is possible to significantly reduce the wall thicknesses of the lid and thus the weight of the product packaging device as a whole.