REFILL FOR A COSMETIC PRODUCT DISPENSING RECEPTACLE MADE OF A SINGLE PLASTIC MATERIAL

Abstract

A refill for a cosmetic product dispensing receptacle, includes a base defining a housing suitable for receiving a cup containing the cosmetic product and a platform for holding the cup in position, the platform being movable in rotation with respect to the base between a closed position capable of clamping the cup and an open position allowing the cup to be removed, this platform being connected to the base by a pivot connection. The refill includes a system for positioning the cup to limit any relative movement of the cup with respect to the base, this positioning system including a bearing surface of the platform capable of coming to rest against an upper rim of the cup, this bearing surface having at least one positioning means.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to French patent application number 2110076, filed on Sep. 27, 2021, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a refill for a cosmetic product dispensing receptacle, such as a care cream or make-up powder and more particularly to a refill that is removably placed in a dispensing receptacle.

Description of the Related Art

Receptacles for dispensing cosmetic product are known, which are generally made of plastic, and include a support connected to a cover via a pivot connection with a metal stud. A cup filled with cosmetic product is traditionally glued to the bottom of the support, so that it does not move relative to the base when the user is dispensing product.

A mirror may also be glued to the cover so that the user can look at themselves when applying make-up.

When the cover is folded back onto the base, and preferably closed by snap-fitting, then the product in the cup is protected, and the receptacle is easily transportable.

When the cover is open, the product is accessible, as is the mirror.

One of the disadvantages of this type of receptacle is that it is not recyclable, in particular because of the presence of the glue, and also because of the diversity of the materials used (plastic and metal) to manufacture it.

To remedy this disadvantage, it is known to hold the cup in the support by a means other than glue, in this case by a pivoting platform inserted between the support and the cover, and resting against the cup to hold it in position in the support. The platform has a large central window through which the product is accessible. In the same way, it is possible to fix the mirror without glue.

It is also known to replace the metal stud with a plastic stud, in order to have the entire receptacle (excluding the cup) made of plastic, in one material for recyclability purposes. However, the plastic stud is more fragile and causes the cover (and platform) to rotate freely, without constraint due to the plastic to plastic contact.

However, when the platform is resting against the cup, it can damage the cup if the pressure is too great when the platform or cover is closed, or if it is not centred correctly. In this case, the powder may crack.

If the pressure is not sufficient, then the cup may still move within the support, which is not recommended.

It is known to place flexible legs in the bottom of the support to press the cup against the platform, and thus prevent any rotational movement of the cup, or more generally any movement of the cup relative to the support, but this does not result in the centring of the cup.

In addition, there may be slight variations in the cup's height and diameter. The platform does not take these variations into account and presses the cup down evenly.

Finally, when closing the platform on the support, the platform may be slightly offset according to the different support points it encounters and due to the flexibility of the plastic hinge, and may be positioned too far forward, for example, which makes it impossible for the platform to snap-fit onto the support. The platform can thus be opened unintentionally.

Receptacles for dispensing cosmetic product are also known which include a refill disposed in the support. This refill includes a base defining a housing for the cup, and a pivoting platform for holding the cup in position. However, the same disadvantages as those described above arise.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to overcome the various disadvantages set out above, by means of a receptacle containing a removable refill, in which there is a removable cup, without the use of glue, this refill including a platform which allows the centring and clamping of the cup, without damaging it, with reliability in the closing of the platform.

The refill for a cosmetic product dispensing receptacle according to the invention includes, in a conventional manner:

• • a base defining a housing suitable for receiving a cup containing the cosmetic product, and
  • a platform for holding the cup in position, the platform being movable in rotation with respect to the base between a closed position capable of clamping the cup and an open position allowing the cup to be removed, this platform being connected to the base by a pivot connection.
    The refill includes a system for positioning the cup in order to limit any relative movement of the cup with respect to the base, this positioning system including a bearing surface of the platform capable of resting against an upper rim of the cup, this bearing surface having at least one positioning means.

One idea of the disclosure presented herein is the addition of a system for positioning the cup within the refill thanks to the platform, in order to avoid any relative movement of the cup with respect to the base. These means allow to compensate for any dimensional variations of the cup, and to ensure optimal positioning of the cup within the base, in particular the centering, so that the clamping is then performed uniformly around the entire circumference of the cup, and in order to ensure the integrity of the cup and of the product contained therein.

This positioning system cooperates with a hanging system provided between the platform and the base, in order to prevent the platform from being shifted and incorrectly locked to the base. This ensures that the platform can be reliably closed. It also allows to prevent too much pressure when the platform is closed. The different systems are linked, and work in synergy to achieve the objective.

According to the various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

• • the bearing surface is inclined, this inclination constituting a positioning means.
  • the bearing surface has clamping lugs protruding in the direction of the base and capable of resting against the upper rim of the cup, these clamping lugs constituting a positioning means.
  • two clamping lugs are arranged on either side of the front part of the refill, and one clamping lug is arranged at the rear part of the refill.
  • the positioning system includes a plurality of pins protruding from a bottom of the base and adapted to support the cup, the pins being rigid.
  • the inclined bearing surface flares radially outwards.
  • the refill has a flexible geometry between the base and the platform.
  • the hanging system consists of a snap-fit cooperation between flexible legs provided on the platform and windows provided on the base.
  • the base has an inner skirt dimensioned to surround and laterally contain the cup, the inner skirt having a plurality of windows into which the flexible legs provided for this purpose are inserted on the platform.
  • each leg has an inclined wall in sliding contact with an edge of the window after snap-fitting, allowing to keep a clearance in the closing of the platform according to the clamping of the cup.
  • the base has two lateral tabs for gripping the cup, the lateral tabs being fitted in an internal skirt of the base.
  • the pivot connection between the base and the platform corresponds to a film hinge.
  • the refill has a rear part with a gripping tab for the user to grip the refill.
  • the base has two lateral tabs for gripping the cup, the lateral tabs being fitted in the inner skirt in the central part of the base.

The invention also relates to a receptacle for dispensing cosmetic product including:

• • a support;
  • a cosmetic product refill as described above, removably housed inside the support;
  • a cover which can be rotated between a position in which the receptacle is closed and a position in which the receptacle is open, connected to the support by a first pivot connection.

According to the various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

• • this receptacle includes means for snap-fitting the refill into the support.
  • the receptacle has a rear part provided with means for wedging the cover in predefined inclination positions after opening.
  • all the parts making up the receptacle are designed in the same plastic material.
  • the plastic used is PET.
  • all the parts making up the receptacle are obtained by moulding, by means of plastic injection.
  • the receptacle includes means for assisting the extraction of the refill by rotating the cover through a predefined angle.
  • the receptacle includes a hook-type closing system between the cover and the support.

The invention also relates to an assembly including a cosmetic product dispensing receptacle as described above and a cup housed in the refill of the receptacle

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the closed receptacle according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a general perspective view of the open receptacle according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a general perspective view of the open receptacle with the refill ready to be extracted;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support, front side;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the support, rear side;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cover;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the cover;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the closed refill, front side;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the closed refill, rear side;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the open refill with the cup;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the open refill without the cup;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the pivot connection of the cover at the 1st hard point when the cover is opened;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the cover pivot connection at the 2nd hard point when the cover is opened;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the cover pivot connection at the 2nd hard point when the cover is opened, without the refill;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the cover pivot connection at the 3rd hard point when the cover is opened;

FIG. 16 is another enlarged perspective view of the pivot connection of the cover at the 3rd hard point when the cover is opened;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the pivot connection of the cover at the 3rd hard point when the cover is opened;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the contact between the cover and the refill for the refill extraction aid when the cover is opened;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the closed receptacle with a cup;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the hanging system between the base and the platform;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the cup positioning system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, elements with identical structure or similar functions will be designated by same references.

By convention, the “axial” direction corresponds to the main extension of the receptacle, illustrated by the axis X in FIG. 1, and the “radial” direction is orthogonal to the axial direction.

In the following detailed description of the figures, the terms “upper” and “lower” or “top” and “bottom” will be used without limitation in reference to the axial direction. Thus, the term “upper” refers to a part located in the vicinity of a cover of the receptacle, and the term “lower” refers to a part located in the vicinity of a bottom of the receptacle.

Similarly, the terms “outer or external” and “inner or internal” are used with reference to the radial direction, an outer element being radially further from the axis X than an inner element.

FIG. 1 shows the receptacle 1 in the closed position.

This is a receptacle 1 particularly adapted for containing make-up products of the compacted make-up powder type. This cosmetic product is contained in a cup 34 located inside the receptacle 1.

This receptacle 1 is cylindrical.

This receptacle 1 traditionally consists of a support 5 to which a cover 3 is connected via a first pivot connection.

This pivot connection is located at the rear part AR of the receptacle 1, while the front part AV of the receptacle 1, located opposite the rear part, has a clasp.

This cover 3 is movable between a closed position as shown in FIG. 1 and an open position as shown in FIG. 2 where the cosmetic product is then accessible.

In this FIG. 2, the cover 3 is open to 130°.

A removable refill 0 is arranged inside the support 5. This refill 0 contains the cup 34.

This refill 0 is best seen in FIGS. 8 to 11.

It consists mainly of a base 2 defining a housing for receiving a cup 34, and a platform 4 for holding the cup 34 in position.

The cup 34 is thus interposed between the base 2 and the platform 4.

The platform 4 has a central window through which it is possible to perceive the cosmetic product contained in the cup 34.

The cup 34 may have any type of shape, and any particular technical area. In the illustrated figures, the cup 34 is cylindrical.

The cup 34 is made of treated steel or aluminium. Any other material may be considered within the scope of the present invention.

The platform 4 is connected to the base 2 via a second pivot connection. In effect, the platform 4 is pivotable between a closed position as in FIGS. 8 and 9, where the cup 34 is held in position, and an open position as in FIGS. 10 and 11, where the cup 34 is released, allowing the user to have access to the cup 34, particularly if they wish to replace it.

The second pivot connection is located at the rear part AR of the refill 0, which coincides with the rear part AR of the receptacle 1.

The front part AV of the refill 0 also coincides with the front part AV of the receptacle 1.

The platform 4 has an annular shape, with the large central window 22 allowing free access to the cup 34 inserted in the base 2.

The refill 0 is nested in the support 5 by means of snap-fit means.

In this case, the rear part of the refill 0 has a bevelled rear face 14 on which there are two snap-fit protrusions 13. These two protrusions 13 protrude from the base 2 of the refill 0.

The support 5 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 mainly includes a bottom 52 and a peripheral wall 51. At its rear part, the support 5 has a plurality of snap-fitting notches 55 directed towards the inside of the support 5 and which cooperate with the protrusions 13 of the refill 0.

Thus, when the refill 0 is placed on the support 5, the user only has to press the refill 0 into the support 5 until the protrusions 13 snap-fit into the notches 55.

In order to ensure optimal and balanced snap-fitting in the receptacle 1, snap-fitting means are also provided at the front of the receptacle 1.

In this case, the support 5 has a snap-fit notch 54 in its peripheral wall 51 at the front, into which a snap-fit protrusion 20 provided for this purpose at the front of the refill 0, on the platform 4, is inserted.

The front part and the rear part of the refill 0 are snap-fitted into the support 5 simultaneously when the refill 0 is pushed into the support 5 by an axial translation movement along the axis X.

After snap-fitting, the refill 0 is locked axially within the receptacle 1.

The notches 55 of the support 5 are made on ribs arranged in a rear plane inside the support 5, this plane being parallel to the bevelled rear face 14 of the refill 0. Thus, once the refill 0 has been snap-fitted in, it is locked in rotation thanks to the presence of the rear bevel.

The refill 0 is thus completely held in position within the support 5.

The refill 0 includes a base 2 on which the platform 4 is articulated.

As can be seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, this base 2 includes a bottom 15 and an inner skirt 8 defining a housing for the cup 34. This skirt 8 thus enables to contain the cup 34 laterally.

In this inner skirt 8, there are two lateral tabs 7 allowing the user to hold the cup 34 when inserting it into the housing, and also when removing it from the housing, when the user wishes to replace the cup 34 with another.

At the rear part of the base 2 is the second pivot connection 12 between the base 2 and the platform 4. This pivot connection 12 may correspond to a film hinge. It may also correspond to a hinge with a stud, preferably a plastic stud, so that the materials used to manufacture the refill are identical for recyclability purposes.

The refill 0 according to the invention includes a system for positioning the cup 34 to limit any relative movement of the cup 34 with respect to the base 2. These means enables to compensate for any dimensional variations of the cup 34, and to ensure optimal positioning of the cup 34 within the base 2, in particular centring of the cup 34, so that clamping is then carried out uniformly around the entire perimeter of the cup 34, and so as to ensure the integrity of the cup 34 and of the product contained within.

This positioning system is carried by the base 2 and the platform 4, and cooperates with a hanging system provided between the platform 4 and the base 2 in the front part of the refill 0.

This cooperation allows to prevent the platform 4 from being shifted and incorrectly locked to the base 2. This ensures that the platform 4 can be reliably closed, and prevents unintentional opening when handling and transporting the receptacle 1. It also prevents too much pressure being applied when closing the platform 4. The different systems are linked, and work in synergy to achieve the objective.

The the positioning system includes a bearing surface 25 of the platform 4 which rests against an upper rim of the cup 34, this bearing surface 25 having at least one positioning means.

In the example shown, the bearing surface includes two positioning means.

The first positioning means is the inclination of the bearing surface 25. Indeed, the bearing surface 25 has an inclined lower face 38 which comes into contact with the upper rim of the cup 34, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 to 21.

This inclined lower face 38 forms a ramp along which contact can be made with the cup 34, depending on the dimensions of the cup 34. Since this ramp extends around the entire circumference of the cup 34, it directly causes the cup 34 to be centred within the housing of the base 2. This inclined bearing surface 25 thus orients the cup towards the middle of the base 2.

This bearing surface 25 may be truncated conical, or spherical, or similar to a chamfer.

This inclined bearing surface 25 flares radially outwards.

The second positioning means consists of clamping lugs 23 protruding from the bearing surface 25 in the direction of the base 2, and therefore a fortiori in the direction of the cup 34.

These lugs 23 are very small and allow small dimensional variations of the cup 34 to be compensated for, in particular variations in the height of the cup along its peripheral wall, in order to ensure optimum clamping.

These lugs 23 can be seen in FIGS. 10, 11, 21 for example.

The clamping lugs 23 come to rest against the upper rim of the cup 34, and the platform 4 can deform slightly.

In the example shown, there are two clamping lugs 23 arranged on either side of the front part of the refill 0, and one clamping lug 23 arranged at the rear part of the refill 0. There could be more clamping lugs 23 distributed differently, ideally evenly distributed along the bearing surface 25.

In the example shown, the bearing surface 25 has the two positioning means together, namely the clamping lugs 23 arranged on the inclined lower face 38. This is the optimal example with a very precise positioning of the cup 34.

However, it is possible to have only one positioning means on the bearing surface, namely a straight (non-inclined) bearing surface with lugs 23, or an inclined bearing surface 25 without lugs.

The positioning system according to the invention also includes a plurality of pins 6 protruding from the bottom 5 of the base 2 and on which the cup 34 rests. These pins 6 are rigid and not flexible. These pins 6 ensure that the cup 34 is positioned and wedge in height in the base 2.

The cup 34 is thus wedged between the rigid pins 6 and this inclined bearing surface 25, in a centred manner, thus limiting any rotation of the cup 34 within the base 2 during the handling of the receptacle 1 and during the removal of the cosmetic product. In particular, the rigid pins 6 act as means for blocking the rotation of the cup 34.

Moreover, these pins 6 enables to make the locking of the cup 34 functional even if cosmetic powder comes under the cup 34, which would not be the case if the cup rested directly on the bottom of the refill 0, as it could slide on the powder.

Still with a view to compensating as well as possible for the dimensional variations of the cup 34, once the latter is centred, it is preferable to provide flexibility between the base 2 and the platform 4. Thus, a flexible geometry is provided to absorb the dimensional variations of the cup 34.

This flexible geometry is made possible by a hanging system consisting of a snap-fit cooperation between flexible legs 24 provided on the platform 4 and windows 9 provided on the base 2.

In the present case, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the inner skirt 8 of the base 2, which is dimensioned to surround and laterally contain the cup 34, has windows 9 into which flexible legs 24 provided for this purpose on the platform 4 are inserted.

Once the legs 24 are inserted into the windows 9, the platform 4 remains flexible with respect to the base 2.

Indeed, as illustrated in FIG. 20 where the cut is made at the level of a window 9/leg 24 assembly, the legs 24 have an inclined wall 49 along which contact can be made with the upper edge 50 of a frame 19 of the window 9.

Thus, the platform 4 can be lowered more or less in relation to the base 2, depending on the height of the cup 34 to be clamped and centred.

This flexibility enables to avoid clamping the cup 34 too tightly, and thus to avoid cracking the powder it contains.

A closing system is provided between the cover 3 and the support 5 at the front of the receptacle 1.

This closure system consists of hooks. For example, at least one protuberance 30 provided at the front of the support 5 is able to snap-fit into at least one groove 39 provided for this purpose at the front of the cover 3. The reverse could be envisaged, i.e. a projection in the cover and a groove in the support.

FIG. 19 shows this snap-fitting between the protrusion 30 and the groove 39.

It can be seen that the protrusion 30 has an inclined wall in sliding contact with another inclined wall of the groove 39 after snap-fitting. This sliding contact allows to maintain a clearance or flexibility, in the closure of the cover 3.

The sinking of the cover 3 into the support 5 is independent of the clamping of the cup 34 by the platform 4.

In order to be able to lift the cover 3 correctly, the support 5 has, at the front, a recess 53 in which the closing element 29 of the cover 3 is housed, while leaving the lower part of the recess 53 free. The user can insert his finger in the lower part of the recess 53 to be able to easily lift the cover 3 by pulling on the closing element 29.

In order to be able to correctly lift the platform 4, the base 2 has a front closure wall with a front tab 10 rounded towards the bottom 15 of the refill 0, above which the protrusion 20 provided in the front part of the platform 4 is positioned. The user can insert his finger into the front tab 10 to be able to easily lift the platform 4 by pulling on the protrusion 20. The closing wall extends perpendicular to the bottom 15.

This closing wall is made in the form of a recess 21 in the front part, in which the recess 53 of the support 5 is housed. The recess 21 is made over the entire height of the refill 0, i.e. in both the base 2 and the platform 4. The front tab 10 is made in the recess 21.

In order for the user to be able to easily remove the refill 0 from the support 5, in particular when the cup 34 has to be replaced, a gripping tab 56 is provided in the peripheral wall 51 of the support 5, at the rear part.

This tab is made in the rear bevelled area.

The snap-fitting notches 55 are arranged on either side of this tab 56.

Thus, the user can insert his finger into the tab 56 and directly reach the refill 0 to take it out of the support 5. Indeed, the refill 0 cannot be gripped elsewhere because the peripheral wall 51 of the support 5 surrounds the entire refill 0 and the refill 0 does not protrude from the peripheral wall 51 in height.

The receptacle 1 includes, at the rear part, means for wedging the cover 3 in predefined inclined positions after opening.

These means for wedging the cover 3 when it is opened are very practical so that the user can incline the cover 3 into different positions without it falling back due to its weight, especially as the first pivot connection is made between two plastic parts and therefore induces a smoother and easier pivoting than between a plastic part and a metal part (e.g. a metal stud), due to the differences in friction coefficients.

In this case, the cover 3 is equipped with a mirror 26 (visible in FIG. 2), which further increases its weight. Hence the interest in having predefined opening positions that hold the cover 3.

In this case, there are three predefined positions in the example shown.

There could be more predefined positions within the scope of the present invention.

The first predefined position is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 12.

The second predefined position is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The third predefined position is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 15 to 18.

In order to reach these predefined positions, the cover 3 and the support 5 have the various elements set out below, which consist of stops forming hard points that can be passed by forcing the rotation of the cover 3.

The cover 3 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The cover 3 has a hinge element 28 located at the rear. This hinge member 28 extends orthogonally from the cover 3, parallel to the axis X, from a rear border of the cover 3.

This hinge element 28 has a through hole in which a stud 33, preferably plastic, is inserted.

The hinge element 28 has at least one forwardly directed protrusion 31 and at least one rearwardly directed protrusion 32. In the present case, there are two protrusions 31 bordering the hinge element 28, and one protrusion 32 located in the centre of the hinge element 28.

The hinge element 28 also has a rear support face 27, parallel to the axis X.

The support 5 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The support 5 has a leg 35 extending from the bottom 52 of the support, in the middle of the rear tab 56, towards the top of the receptacle 1.

This leg 35 has a nose 57.

This leg 35 also has an inclined trunk 11.

The tab 56 is cut into the peripheral wall 51 of the support 5 as explained above. This tab 56 is delimited by two side walls 59 connecting the peripheral wall 51 to the bevelled, or truncated, area inside the support 5.

On each side wall 59 there is a projection 58. There are thus two projections 58 facing each other.

In the first predefined position, the cover 3 is open to 130°.

When the cover 3 reaches 130°, the protrusions 31 of the hinge element 28 of the cover 3 come to rest against the projections 58 of the side walls 59 of the support 5.

Thus the pivoting of the cover 3 is stopped by these projections 58 acting as a stop.

These projections 58 are so small that they form a first hard point which can be passed if the user forces the rotation of the cover 3.

After forcing this first hard point, the cover 3 reaches a second predefined position of 180°. In this case, the cover 3 lies flat with respect to the support 5.

The cover 3 is held in this 180° position by the central protrusion 32 of the hinge element 28 of the cover 3, which abuts against the nose 57 of the leg 35 of the support 5.

Thus the pivoting of the cover 3 is stopped by this nose 57 acting as a stop.

This nose 57 is small enough to form a second hard point which can be passed if the user forces the rotation of the cover 3.

After forcing this second hard point, the cover 3 reaches a third predefined position at 225°.

The cover 3 is held in this 225° position by the rear bearing surface 27 of the hinge element 28 of the cover 3, which abuts against the inclined trunk 11 of the leg 35 of the support 5.

Thus, the pivoting of the cover 3 is stopped by this inclined trunk 11 acting as a stop. This flat contact is illustrated in FIG. 17. It is not possible to rotate further without breaking parts. This is therefore the maximum opening position of the cover 3.

When this maximum opening position of the cover 3 is reached, the refill 0 is pre-lifted. This is therefore a position of the cover 3 used when the user wishes to remove the refill 0 in order to change the cup, for example.

In the present case, the receptacle 1 is provided with means for assisting the extraction of the refill 0 by rotating the cover 3 through a predefined angle, in this case 225°. Another angle could be used to ensure this function.

These extraction aids consist of a contact between the hinge element 28 of the cover 3 and a rear element 17 of the refill 0, when the cover 3 is rotated by reaching the angle of 225°, which causes a lifting of the rear part of the refill 0, as is well illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 18.

In FIG. 16, it can be seen that the rear part of the refill 0 is no longer flush with the peripheral wall 51 of the support 5, but protrudes slightly from the peripheral wall 51. This makes it easier for the user to grasp the refill 0 to extract it from the support 5.

In FIG. 18, the contact between the cover 3 and the refill 0 can be seen clearly, which causes the refill 0 to be lifted. In this case, the rear bearing face 27 of the hinge element 28 of the cover 3 comes to rest against the edge 18 of the rear element 17 of the refill 0. The edge 18 therefore slides along the bearing face during pivoting, and the refill 0 then lifts off the bottom 52 of the support 5.

The rear element 17 is located under the hinge connection 12 of the refill 0.

In particular, the present invention focuses on a receptacle 1 that can be fully recyclable. For this purpose, all the parts that make up the receptacle 1 are designed from a single material, so that the consumer can dispose of the receptacle 1 in a single bin, and does not have to disassemble the parts to sort them into different recycling bins.

For recyclability purposes, it is understood that the cup 34 is removable, and must be removed prior to throw the receptacle 1.

Thus, the support 5, the cover 3 and the refill 0 are all made of the same plastic material.

The plastic material may be selected from polypropylene (PP), recycled polypropylene (R-PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyethylene (PE), such as low density polyethylene (LDPE) and/or high density polyethylene (HDPE), a composite material, post-consumer recycled material (PCR and/or the like).

Preferably, it is polypropylene and/or polyethylene terephthalate recycled or not.

Thus, advantageously, all the parts, namely the support, the refill and the cover are made of a plastic material selected from polypropylene and/or polyethylene terephthalate.

In addition, the use of plastics material, in particular similar plastics for the entire receptacle allows to facilitate recycling. In particular, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are two plastics whose recycling cycle is well known.

The receptacle can be made using 3D printing.

The support, cover and refill can be obtained by moulding, by means of plastic injection.

Alternatively, the base, cover and platform can be made by 3D printing. In particular, such a printing method allows these parts with particular patterns and shapes to be produced very freely. The plastic stud 33 can also be made by 3D printing.

The configurations shown in the cited figures are only possible examples, in no way limiting, of the invention which, on the contrary, encompasses the variations of shapes and designs within the reach of the person skilled in the art.

Of note, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As well, the corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims as follows:

Claims

1. A refill for a cosmetic product dispensing receptacle, comprising:

a base defining a housing suitable for receiving a cup containing the cosmetic product,

a platform for holding the cup in position, the platform being movable in rotation with respect to the base between a closed position capable of clamping the cup and an open position allowing the cup to be removed, this platform being connected to the base by a pivot connection, and

a system for positioning the cup in order to limit any relative movement of the cup with respect to the base, the positioning system comprising a bearing surface of the platform capable of resting against an upper rim of the cup, the bearing surface having at least one positioning means.

2. The refill according to claim 1, wherein said bearing surface is inclined, this inclination constituting a positioning means.

3. The refill according to claim 1, wherein the said bearing surface has clamping lugs protruding in the direction of the base and capable of resting against the upper rim of the cup, these clamping lugs constituting a positioning means.

4. The refill according to claim 1, wherein said positioning system cooperates with a hanging system provided between the platform and the base.

5. The refill according to claim 1, wherein said positioning system comprises a plurality of pins protruding from a bottom of the base and adapted to support the cup, the pins being rigid.

6. The refill according to claim 2, wherein said inclined bearing surface flares radially outwardly.

7. The refill according to claim 4, wherein said hanging system consists of a snap-fit cooperation between flexible legs provided on the platform and windows provided on the base.

8. The refill according to claim 7, wherein the base has an inner skirt dimensioned to surround and laterally contain the cup, said inner skirt having a plurality of windows into which the flexible legs provided for this purpose are inserted on the platform.

9. The refill according to claim 1, wherein the base has two lateral tabs for gripping the cup, said lateral tabs being fitted in an internal skirt of the base.

10. A receptacle for dispensing a cosmetic product comprising:

a support;

a cosmetic product refill removably housed inside the support and comprising a base defining a housing suitable for receiving a cup containing the cosmetic product, a platform for holding the cup in position, the platform being movable in rotation with respect to the base between a closed position capable of clamping the cup and an open position allowing the cup to be removed, this platform being connected to the base by a pivot connection, and a system for positioning the cup in order to limit any relative movement of the cup with respect to the base, the positioning system comprising a bearing surface of the platform capable of resting against an upper rim of the cup, the bearing surface having at least one positioning means;

a cover which can be rotated between a position in which the receptacle is closed and a position in which the receptacle is open, connected to the support by a first pivot connection.

11. The receptacle according to claim 10, further comprising means for snap-fitting the refill into the support.

12. The receptacle according to claim 10, further comprising has a rear part provided with means for wedging the cover in predefined inclination positions after opening.

13. The receptacle according to claim 10, wherein all parts making-up the receptacle are designed in the same plastic material.

14. The receptacle according to claim 10, further comprising means for assisting extraction of the refill by rotation of the cover through a predefined angle.

15. An assembly consisting of a receptacle for dispensing cosmetic product and of a cup housed in a refill of the receptacle, the refill comprising a base defining a housing suitable for receiving the cup, a platform for holding the cup in position, the platform being movable in rotation with respect to the base between a closed position capable of clamping the cup and an open position allowing the cup to be removed, this platform being connected to the base by a pivot connection, and a system for positioning the cup in order to limit any relative movement of the cup with respect to the base, the positioning system comprising a bearing surface of the platform capable of resting against an upper rim of the cup, the bearing surface having at least one positioning means.