COMPACT CLOSED VIA A MAGNET WITH A CONCENTRATED MAGNETIC FIELD

- ALBEA SERVICES

The present invention provides for a compact for a cosmetic product that includes a base; a lid, fitted movably to the base; a container disposed in the base that is suitable for containing a cosmetic product. The base or the lid includes a magnet suitable for cooperating with a magnetic element fixed to the lid or to the base opposite the magnet in order to effect the closure of the compact. Of note, the compact includes at least one component with high magnetic permeability defining with the magnet a magnetic system in such a way as to concentrate the magnetic field of the magnetic system on a face of the magnetic system disposed opposite the magnetic element.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to French Patent Application Serial Number 1261068, filed Nov. 21, 2012, entitled “COMPACT CLOSED VIA A MAGNET WITH A CONCENTRATED MAGNETIC FIELD”, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of containers for cosmetic products, and more specifically the field of compacts.

2. Description of the Related Art

Containers for cosmetic products such as powders are transported, and must therefore be capable of being maintained in a closed position in order to protect the product that they contain. In the past, different solutions have been proposed to overcome this problem. A first type of solution consists of adding a mechanical locking means such as a hook on the lid or the base of the container, which will cooperate with a complementary means disposed on the base or the lid of the container. However, these solutions are not very popular because of the appearance of such mechanical means, which are visible as soon as the container is open and are not aesthetically pleasing, the aesthetic criterion being one of the main factors in the appeal of such products.

A second type of solution consists of using a neodymium-type magnet in one of the parts of the container (lid or base), which will thus cooperate with a metal component of the other part of the container in order to close said container. These solutions thus enable the closure means to be concealed by incorporating them into the structure of the container so that they are not visible to the user, or at least so that they do not project from the container once said container is open. However, the manufacture of such neodymium magnets requires rare earths, supplies of which are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, and the cost of which is therefore increasing significantly, in addition to the problem posed by a risk of interruption in supply.

To date, only neodymium magnets have sufficient magnetic force to perform this function. There is thus a need to find a means for closing such containers and maintaining them in a closed position, while retaining an appearance that is attractive to users.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a compact for a cosmetic product that includes a base; a lid, fitted movably to the base; a container disposed in the base that is suitable for containing a cosmetic product. The base or the lid includes a magnet suitable for cooperating with a magnetic element fixed to the lid or to the base opposite the magnet in order to effect the closure of the compact. Of note, the compact includes at least one component with high magnetic permeability defining with the magnet a magnetic system in such a way as to concentrate the magnetic field of the magnetic system on a face of the magnetic system disposed opposite the magnetic element.

As a variant, said compact may have one or more than one of the following features, taken separately or in combination:

    • the component is in contact with the magnet;
    • the magnet is a ferrite magnet;
    • the component is a metal plate;

the magnet is partially surrounded by the metal plate or plates;

the magnet is disposed in the base, the base including in addition a metal support formed by an extension of one of the metal plates partially surrounding the magnet, and the metal support forming a support for the container in the base so that the residual magnetic field of the magnet maintains the container in position in the base;

    • the face of the magnetic system disposed opposite the magnetic element of the lid is covered by a film made of a plastics material;
    • the base includes magnetic systems disposed opposite magnetic elements fixed to the lid;
    • the metal plates with high magnetic permeability are made of mild steel or mu metal;
    • the mild steel is one of the following types of steel: A37, A42, A52, A50, A60, A70;
    • the magnet, in particular of ferrite, is disposed in an internal housing of the base, and is in contact with a metal plate with high magnetic permeability disposed so that it is flush with the surface of the base in order to be opposite the magnetic element;
    • the compact comprises a plurality of magnets, in particular of ferrite, disposed in its base, said magnets being disposed so that their orientation is the same and they are separated from one another by a metal plate.

According to another variant, the base includes two sub-assemblies each including at least one magnet, in particular of ferrite, at least partially surrounded by metal plates with high magnetic permeability, the sub-assemblies being configured so as to be capable of alternating between:

    • an active configuration in which the two sub-assemblies are not connected;
    • a neutral configuration in which the two sub-assemblies are in contact in such a way as to cancel the magnetic field resulting from the magnets of the sub-assemblies.

According to a particular embodiment of this variant, at least one of the sub-assemblies is movably fitted in the base and associated with a push-button in such a way as to allow movement between the active configuration and the neutral configuration. The lid is typically fitted pivotably on the base via a hinge or via slides.

According to another variant, the compact includes a secondary base fitted movably on the base via slides allowing the secondary base to slide on the base or via hinges allowing a rotation relative to the base, the secondary base including a secondary container suitable for containing a cosmetic product and includes a magnetic element suitable for cooperating with the magnet or magnets, in particular of ferrite, of the base. The at least one magnet, in particular of ferrite, is typically of generally parallelepipedic shape, and said at least one metal plate extends so as to cover a single face of the at least one magnet, or so as to cover two opposed faces of the at least one magnet.

Advantageously, the magnetic element includes a magnetic strip intended to come into a position opposite the magnetic system. In other words, the magnetic element does not include a magnet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, aims and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description that follows, which is given purely as an illustration and is non-restrictive, and which should be read with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example of a structure of a container for a cosmetic product or compact according to an aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 2 to 5 show different views of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows another example of a compact according to an aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 7 to 10 show different views of the container shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 shows another example of a compact according to an aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 12 to 14 show different views of the container shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 shows another example of a compact according to an aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 16 to 18 show different views of the container shown in FIG. 15.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an example of a structure of a container for a cosmetic product or compact according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 2 to 5 show different views detailing the structure of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hinge 4, and defines, in particular, a plane of cross-section A-A. FIG. 3 is a view in cross-section of the compact in this plane of cross-section A-A.

FIG. 4 is a view from above of the compact shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the arrangement of the magnets, in particular of ferrite, which will be described later.

The compact 1 as shown comprises a base 2, a lid 3 connected to the base 2 by a hinge 4 so that it can be open while remaining joined to the base 2. The lid 3 is typically provided with a minor.

A container 5 is disposed in the base 2, this container 5 being for example a pot suitable for containing a cosmetic product such as make-up.

The base 2 and the lid 3 comprise complementary locking means, 6 and 7 respectively, that enable the compact 1 to be maintained in a closed configuration in the absence of an action by the user on the lid 3 or on the base 2.

The locking means 6 and 7 according to the present invention comprise one or more magnets, in particular of ferrite, disposed in the base 2 or in the lid 3, in this case two ferrite magnets, associated with a magnetic element, in this case a metal insert disposed in the lid 3 or in the base 2 so that the magnetic action of the magnet on the magnetic metal element acts to close the lid 3 on the base 2.

In the embodiment shown, the ferrite magnet constitutes the locking means 6 of the base 2, whereas the magnetic element forms the complementary locking means 7 of the lid 3, it being understood that the opposite configuration is possible.

This magnetic metal element forming the complementary locking means 7 can be formed by an insert of a suitable material, or directly by the lid 3 or the base 2.

In order to ensure that sufficient force is exerted by the magnetic field of the magnetic system, said magnetic system is partially surrounded by metal plates with high magnetic permeability thus forming a magnetic system in such a way as to concentrate the magnetic field of the magnetic system on a face of the magnetic system disposed opposite said metal insert of the lid.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the magnet 6 is for example of generally parallelepipedic shape, of which two faces 61 and 62 are surrounded by metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64.

This configuration makes it possible to concentrate the magnetic field emitted by the magnet 6, and thus the force of attraction that results therefrom on the free faces of the magnetic system, one of which, in this case the upper free face 65, is configured so that it cooperates with the magnetic insert 7 in order to act to close the lid 3 on the base 2.

In the embodiment shown, a layer of material 8, typically a plastics material, is disposed so that it covers the upper free face 65 of the magnet 6 intended to cooperate with the magnetic insert 7. This layer of material 8 thus forms a film made of a plastics material over the upper free face 65 of the magnetic system.

In addition, the base 2 covers and completely conceals the magnet 6 and the metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64, so that they cannot be seen by a user. Thus, the presence of a magnet is hidden, and the compact is given the desired appearance.

This is because a magnet is particularly difficult to colour, and having a magnet face that is not covered will adversely affect the aesthetic appeal of the compact.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, one of the metal plates with high magnetic permeability covering one of the faces of the magnet 6, in this case the plate 63 covering the face 61 of the magnet 6, extends so that it runs substantially along the bottom of the base 2. In this particular embodiment, the assembly formed by the magnet 6 and the metal plates with high magnetic permeability partially surrounding it is disposed in the base 2 of the compact 1.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as the magnet 6 has a generally parallelepipedic shape, the plate 63 comprises a first portion 66 that is substantially vertical, covering the face 61 of the magnet 6, and a second portion 67 that is substantially horizontal, extending from the lower part of the first portion 66.

This second portion 67 forms a support for the container 5 in the base 2 of the compact 1, and will thus maintain it in the base 2 because of the residual magnetic field of the magnet 6.

Because the portion 66 is placed alongside the magnet 6, it receives and partially transmits the magnetic field that it generates. As the second portion 67 is an extension of the first portion 66, the magnetic effect of the magnet 6 is propagated in this second portion 67, which therefore itself emits a residual magnetic field.

By making the receptacle 5 from magnetic material, or by incorporating inserts of magnetic material into it, said receptacle is thus maintained in position in the base 2 of the compact 1 by virtue of the residual magnetic field of the second portion 67.

The portion 67 that extends so that it serves as a support for the receptacle 5 can be sized so that it extends over all or part of the receptacle 5.

The metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64 are typically made of mild steel or mu metal.

The term ‘mild steel’ means a steel with a carbon content included in the range between 0.10% and 0.20%, such as the variant steels well known by the following names: E24 (or A37), E26 (or A42), E30 (or A47), E36 (or A52), A50, A60, A70, etc.

The term ‘mu metal’ means an alloy of nickel, iron and molybdenum, numerous variants of such an alloy being possible depending on the respective percentages of these elements that make up the alloy.

Mild steel is particularly advantageous in terms of cost compared to mu metal and other steels, of the magnetic stainless type, and enables similar effects to be obtained over the magnetic field produced by the magnet.

Different variants are possible, depending on the shape of the compact 1, the shape of the magnet 6 and the configuration of the metal plates with high magnetic permeability that partially surround it.

For example, the metal plates with high magnetic permeability can surround all the faces of the magnet 6, except for the face of the magnet intended to be positioned facing the metal insert 7 with which the magnet 6 is suitable for cooperating.

FIGS. 6 to 10 show different views of a particular embodiment, these views being similar to the views shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Thus, FIG. 6 shows an overall view of a compact according to an aspect of the invention, FIG. 7 shows a view of the compact in cross- section in a plane perpendicular to its hinge, and defines a plane of cross-section A-A used as the plane of cross-section in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows a view of the compact from above, and FIG. 10 shows a detailed view of the locking elements.

The locking elements here comprise a single magnet 6. It will be readily understood that a configuration with a plurality of magnets, similar to the variant shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, is also possible.

In this particular embodiment, one of the metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64, in this case the metal plate 63, is disposed so that it is flush with the surface of the base in order to be opposite the magnetic element 7 and thus be capable of being placed in direct contact therewith.

Thus, only a thin slice of at least one of the metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and/or 64 is visible to the user, which greatly restricts the visual impact of the magnetic closure system of the compact.

In addition, metal plates 63 and/or 64 of this kind can be painted or coloured more easily than a magnet, thus helping to achieve an overall appearance that is attractive to the user.

According to another variant, not shown, the lower face of the magnet 6, in other words, the face of the magnet 6 opposite the upper face 65 intended to face the means 7 of the lid 3 in order to close the compact 1, is also covered by a layer of metal material with high magnetic permeability similar to the material surrounding the other faces of the magnet 6.

Other variations of shape and arrangement are of course possible.

The magnetic system formed by the magnet 6 and the metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64 surrounding it may, for example, extend over all or part of the periphery of the base 2 or the lid 3, the lid 3 or the base 2 then comprising suitable complementary means 7.

FIGS. 11 to 14 show different views of another embodiment in which the compact 1 is of a generally circular shape and is provided with locking means similar to those shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 10, the shape of the magnet 6 and of the metal plates with high magnetic permeability surrounding it then being advantageously adapted, for example so as to follow the curvature of the compact.

FIG. 11 shows an overall view of the compact according to this embodiment. FIG. 12 shows a view in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hinge, and defines a plane of cross-section A-A, which is used to produce a view in cross-section of the compact 1 that is shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a detailed view of the arrangement of the ferrite magnets which will be described later.

It will be noted at this point that the magnet 6 is substantially cylindrical in shape, and extends over the entire periphery of the base 2.

The invention can, of course, be applied to compacts of other shapes, in particular elliptical or parallelepipedic shapes.

The base may also comprise a plurality of magnetic systems, each one made up of a magnet partially surrounded by metal plates with high magnetic permeability, distributed in the base 2 or in the lid 3 of the compact 1.

FIGS. 15 to 18 show different views of another embodiment of the compact according to an aspect of the invention. FIG. 15 shows an overall view, FIG. 16 shows a view in cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the hinge 4 and defining a plane of cross-section A-A used as the plane of cross-section in FIG. 17, while FIG. 18 is a detailed view of the arrangement of the ferrite magnets.

In this particular embodiment, the compact 1 comprises a secondary base 20 movably fitted to the base 2, for example using slides that enable this secondary base 20 to slide on the base 2.

The secondary base 20 comprises a secondary container 25 suitable for containing a cosmetic product in the same way as the container 5 disposed in the base 2.

The secondary base 20 comprises a secondary magnetic element 27 suitable for cooperating with the magnetic system or systems of the base 2 comprising one or more ferrite magnets, in this case via the metal plate 63 which is flush with the lower face of the base 2, so that it is opposite this secondary magnetic element 27 when the secondary base 20 is in a given configuration.

According to another variant, not shown, the base 2 comprises two sub-assemblies each comprising at least one ferrite magnet at least partially surrounded by metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64, said sub-assemblies being configured so that they are able to alternate between:

    • an active configuration in which said two sub-assemblies are not connected;
    • a neutral configuration in which said two sub-assemblies are in contact in such a way as to cancel the magnetic field produced by said magnets 6 of the sub-assemblies.

Thus, by moving one or both sub-assemblies, the user can regulate the magnetic field, and control the opening of the compact.

These sub-assemblies are for example positioned in the base 2 of a compact 1, in configurations similar to the configurations of the magnets 6 and associated plates 63 and 64 shown in the drawings explained above.

At least one of said sub-assemblies is thus fitted movably in said base and is typically associated with a push-button so as to allow movement between the active configuration and the neutral configuration.

The dimensions and positioning of the ferrite magnets 6 and of the associated metal plates with high magnetic permeability 63 and 64 may vary. The plates 63 and 64 may thus be adapted to the dimensions of the associated magnet or magnets 6, or may be of larger dimensions, the associated magnet or magnets 6 then being capable of being placed in a plurality of configurations between the plates 63 and 64.

A plurality of magnets, typically identical, can also be used and connected in series. There is thus produced an assembly in which a metal plate with high magnetic permeability alternates with a magnet, the magnets all being arranged with the same orientation so that their fields are added to one another.

The compact as shown thus makes it possible to protect the cosmetic product that it is designed to contain via the means that are intended to close it and thus prevent it from opening accidentally, while retaining an attractive aesthetic appearance, and without requiring the use of rare earths.

Claims

1. A compact for a cosmetic product comprising: said base or said lid comprising a magnet suitable for cooperating with a magnetic element fixed to the lid or the base opposite said magnet in order to effect the closure of the compact, and,

a base;
a lid, fitted movably to said base;
a container disposed in said base, suitable for containing a cosmetic product;
at least one component with high magnetic permeability defining with said magnet a magnetic system concentrating a magnetic field of said magnetic system on a face of the magnetic system disposed opposite said magnetic element.

2. The compact according to claim 1, in which said magnet is a ferrite magnet.

3. The compact according to claim 1, in which said component is a metal plate.

4. The compact according to claim 3, in which said magnet is partially surrounded by said metal plate or plates.

5. The compact according to claim 4, in which said magnet is of generally parallelepipedic shape, and said at least one metal plate extends so as to cover a single face of said magnet.

6. The compact according to claim 4, in which said magnet is of generally parallelepipedic shape, and said at least one metal plate extends so as to cover two opposed faces of said magnet.

7. The compact according to claim 4, wherein said magnet is disposed in the base, said base further comprising a metal support formed by an extension of one of said metal plates partially surrounding the magnet, said metal support forming a support for the container in the base so that the residual magnetic field of the magnet maintains said container in position in the base.

8. The compact according to claim 1, wherein said face of the magnetic system disposed opposite said magnetic element of the lid is covered by a film made of a plastics material.

9. The compact according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a plurality of magnetic systems disposed opposite magnetic elements fixed to the lid.

10. The compact according to claim 1, wherein said magnet is disposed in an internal housing of said base, and is in contact with a metal plate with high magnetic permeability disposed so that the magnet is flush with the surface of said base in order to be opposite the magnetic element.

11. The compact according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of magnets disposed in its base, said magnets being disposed so that the orientation of the magnets is the same and the magnets are separated from one another by a metal plate.

12. The compact according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises two sub-assemblies each comprising at least one magnet at least partially surrounded by metal plates with high magnetic permeability, said sub-assemblies being configured so as to be capable of alternating between:

an active configuration in which said two sub-assemblies are not connected; and,
a neutral configuration in which said two sub-assemblies are in contact so as to cancel a magnetic field resulting from said magnets of the sub-assemblies.

13. The compact according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said sub-assemblies is movably fitted in said base and associated with a push-button in such a way as to allow movement between the active configuration and the neutral configuration.

14. The compact according to claim 1, comprising a secondary base fitted movably on said base via slides allowing the secondary base to slide on the base or via hinges allowing a rotation relative to the base, said secondary base comprising a secondary container adapted to contain a cosmetic product and comprising a magnetic element adapted to cooperate with the magnet or magnets of the base.

15. The compact according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic element comprises a magnetic strip configured for placement into a position opposite said magnetic system.

Patent History
Publication number: 20140138378
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 20, 2013
Publication Date: May 22, 2014
Applicant: ALBEA SERVICES (Gennevilliers)
Inventor: Vincent LEQUEUX (Paris)
Application Number: 14/084,670
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Arrangements Of Plural Receptacles (220/23.83); Magnetic (220/230)
International Classification: B65D 43/22 (20060101); A45D 33/00 (20060101);