Make-up compact comprising at least two products of different types

[0002] The invention relates to a two-part make-up compact comprising: a casing intended to contain one or more solid first product(s), and a case intended to contain a second product of solid to pasty consistency. The invention relates in particular to a make-up compact, the casing of which has a bottom. This bottom defines at least one compartment containing the first product(s) and at least one lid mounted on the bottom so as to removably cover the compartment(s). Associated with this casing is a case containing the second product, which comes in the form of a stick, for the lips, particularly a stick of lipstick.

[0003] The invention is aimed more specifically at casings of the make-up casing type comprising at least two parts articulated together about a pivot axis, of the type comprising a bottom defining at least one compartment in which the said first product(s) is/are placed, and capable of being covered with a lid, particularly a pivoting lid. The first product(s) with which the invention is concerned is/are, for example, make-up powders of the compacted or poured powder type, such as eyeshadows, foundations or blushers.

[0004] A make-up compact of the kind with which the invention is concerned is already known. Such a compact is described in FR 1,281,866. This document describes a casing secured to a case of lipstick, the opening of the casing being brought about by a translational or rotational movement of the lipstick case with respect to the casing.

[0005] The embodiment according to FR 1,281,866 has the drawback of needlessly causing the entire compact to be opened even when the user wishes only to apply make-up to her lips. An arrangement of this kind is all the more troublesome when she simply wishes to make up her lips while travelling, for example by car, train or aeroplane.

[0006] This is because, under such conditions, during the operation of applying make-up to her lips, with the casing open, the user has either to look for somewhere that she can set down the open casing or, failing that, has to hold it in one hand, in which case she runs the risk of dirtying her fingers.

[0007] Another drawback of the compact according to FR 1,281,866, lies in the fact that when carrying the make-up compact around in a handbag (where it is generally one of a number of other objects), there is the risk that the casing might accidentally open, causing the compact powder to crumble and powder residue to spill over the contents of the bag.

[0008] Furthermore, the structure of this known compact is relatively complicated, requiring an operation of fixing a pivot axle, and a spring, which increases the time and therefore costs of manufacturing the casing. A compact of this kind is therefore not suited to widespread sales.

[0009] There is also known, from U.S. Pat. No. 2,640,487, a lipstick case equipped with a device which allows this lipstick case to be attached to a make-up casing. The make-up casing has a slide, made on the outside on the bottom of the casing and capable, by snap-fastening, of receiving a tab with which the attachment device of the case of lipstick is fitted. The attachment system gives the compact an unattractive appearance. What is more, this system carries the risk of becoming caught in a handbag in which the compact is being carried.

[0010] Hence, an object of the invention is to provide a casing, of the make-up casing type, which does not have the drawbacks mentioned hereinabove with reference to the compact according to FR 1,281,866, particularly as regards the method of assembling the case with the casing.

[0011] Another object of the invention consists in providing a compact comprising a casing, in which the lid is articulated to the bottom in a simple and economical way, while at the same time offering a precision which does not deteriorate appreciably in the course of extended use. Also, the invention is advantageously aimed at a casing with an integrated hinge, such as a film hinge, which has the advantage of being simple and inexpensive to produce.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a casing which, according to an advantageous embodiment, allows the stick of lipstick to be used without the risk of losing the cap.

[0013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a make-up compact, in which the risk of accidental opening is reduced, by comparison with the aforementioned make-up compact.

[0014] Other objects of the present invention will become clear in detail in the description which follows.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the present invention, these objects are achieved by means of a two-part compact comprising:

[0016] (a) a casing comprising a bottom delimiting at least one compartment intended to contain at least a first product, such as a make-up product, and at least one lid mounted on the said bottom so as, selectively, to occupy an open position or a closed position in which the lid or lids removably covers/cover the said compartment(s);

[0017] (b) a case intended to contain a second product mounted removably on the casing.

[0018] This assembly is characterized in that the said case is mounted on the casing in such a way that it cannot be detached from the casing unless the lid (or one of the lids) is/are open.

[0019] Advantageously, the lid(s) is/are articulated with respect to the bottom about at least one axis of articulation. Preferably, this articulation is in the form of a film hinge. This allows the bottom of the casing to be moulded as a single piece with the lid(s). Through this arrangement, the casing can be manufactured at a very economical cost, requiring no particular assembly operations.

[0020] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the said case comprises catching means capable of interacting, reversibly, with complementary means belonging to the casing.

[0021] To temporarily attach the case to the casing, the catching means preferably consist of an L-shaped hook. As a preference, the catching means comprises a first portion attached to the case and a second portion which has a free edge, interacting, when the compact is in the assembled position, with the said complementary means.

[0022] Advantageously, the complementary means borne by the casing consist of a slot (or notch) capable of receiving the free edge of the said second portion of the case, the said slot or notch opening into a closure plane of the casing, facing the lid, when the latter is in the closed position. Advantageously, the slot (or notch) is made near a lateral edge of the casing, that is to say an edge that is perpendicular to the axis of articulation.

[0023] Advantageously, the said lateral edge exhibits a square-sided cut-out, located on the upper face of the bottom of the casing, and opening into the slot (or notch), it being possible for the said first portion of the catching means to pass through the said square-sided cut-out.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the case has a base in which the said second product is mounted, and has a cap mounted removably on the said base in order to protect the second product. The second product is preferably in the form of a solid stick that can be disintegrated.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the said catching means are integral with the cap. This arrangement has the advantage that the base of the case which carries the second product, can easily be removed from the compact and that this can advantageously be done in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the axis of articulation of the lid(s). During this operation, the cap remains secured to the casing (when the latter is in the closed position) and cannot therefore be lost.

[0026] Advantageously too, the said base can bear a mechanism which allows the said second product to be displaced axially between a retracted or storage position and a deployed position of use. A mechanism of this kind is conventional and is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,559, EP-A-0,491,579 and EP-A-0,658,325, all in the name of the applicant company.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the casing has a shape which is generally that of a flattened parallelepiped, of short height.

[0028] According to a particular arrangement of the invention, the bottom of the casing delimits at least two compartments capable of being covered removably with at least two separate lids, the said lids being individually articulated, with respect to the bottom, about one and the same axis of articulation. Thus, a first compartment containing, for example, a foundation, may be accessible by lifting a first lid, while a second compartment containing an eyeshadow may be uncovered by lifting a second lid.

[0029] To close each compartment, each of the lids preferably comprises a closure member capable, in the closed position, of interacting with a complementary member formed on one edge of the casing. Advantageously, the closure member is located on the opposite side of the lid to the hinge, interacting with the said complementary member. This complementary member is preferably located on the front edge of the bottom of the casing.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment, the first product(s) is/are packaged in one or more intermediate cups, each placed in a corresponding compartment. These cups may be mounted removably so that once they have been used up, a product can be refilled by removing the empty cup and fitting a new cup in its place.

[0031] The shade of a product is of prime importance in the realm of make-up. In order to be able to see the colours of the products packaged in the present compact, the casing and/or the cap may be made of a transparent or translucent plastic.

[0032] The first product placed in the compartment(s) is, for example, in the form of a solid product, such as a compact powder that can be disintegrated. Such a product that can be disintegrated may be obtained, for example, by compacting or pouring according to a well-known method.

[0033] The second product is preferably, as mentioned earlier, in the form of a stick which can be disintegrated. The second product may be a cosmetic or dermatological composition, for example a product for the lips, such as a stick of lipstick or a stick for protecting the lips against UV radiation.

[0034] As necessary, the bottom of the casing may have an additional compartment for housing an applicator member such as a brush or a puff.

[0035] In the detailed description which follows, which is given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, reference will be made to the drawings, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a make-up compact according to the present invention, in the open position, during a first stage of assembly;

[0037] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the compact of FIG. 1, during a second stage of assembly;

[0038] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the compact of FIG. 1, during use of the lip product;

[0039] FIG. 4 depicts a view of the compact of FIG. 3 in section on the plane IV—IV;

[0040] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the compact of FIG. 1, during use of a compact powder.

[0041] As depicted in the appended drawings, in one preferred embodiment of the invention, a make-up compact 1 comprises a casing 2, and a case 4. A bottom 6 forming part of the casing 2 defines a receptacle for three solid make-up products P₁to P₃. Thus, in the embodiment depicted, the bottom 6 defines three compartments 8a, 8b, 8cintended to receive a compact powder, such as an eyeshadow or a foundation. The bottom 6 may also define another housing (not depicted) of elongate shape, able to contain an applicator member of the brush or some other type. The bottom 6 is delimited by a planar upper surface 6d.

[0042] The case 2 is of parallelepipedal overall shape, fairly flattened and of short height, and defines a front face 22, two lateral faces 20, 24, a dorsal face, an upper face 6aand an underside 6b(see FIG. 4). The underside of the casing 2 may, as necessary, be formed of an attached double bottom 6c, forming a surface continuous with the bottom of the casing.

[0043] Placed in each of the three compartments 8a, 8b, 8cis a cup 36a, 36b, 36c. Placed in each cup is a corresponding product that can be disintegrated. In the example being considered, the compartment 8c, which is larger than the other two, contains a foundation. The compartments 8aand 8beach contain an eyeshadow.

[0044] The compartment 8cmay be closed by a lid 10b, the latter being articulated to the bottom 6 by a film hinge 27band pivoting about an axis A. Similarly, the compartments 8aand 8bmay be closed by a lid 10a, capable of covering these two compartments simultaneously. The lid 10ais articulated about the same axis A by a film hinge 27a. On the opposite side to the film hinges 27a, 27b, each of the lids has a closure element 32a, 32b.

[0045] Each of the closure elements 32a, 32binteracts with a complementary closure element 34a, 34bproduced on the front wall 22 of the casing, so as to keep the lid in the closed position. For this purpose, the complementary closure elements 34a, 34bbelonging to the front wall consist of a recess of parallelepipedal overall shape comprising a projecting part 35a, 35bcapable of interacting, in the closed position, with a bulge 33a, 33bproduced on the internal end of the closure elements 32a, 32b. Each of the closure elements 32a, 32bis in the form of a flexible tongue capable of flexing outwards slightly under the pulling force that the user exerts on the corresponding lid. In this way, as the lids are opened, the bulges 33a, 33bare able to pass over the corresponding projecting parts 35a, 35b.

[0046] Advantageously, the casing (and particularly the lids) is (are) made of a transparent or translucent material such as polyethylene or polypropylene so that the colour of the products P₁to P₃can be seen when in the closed position.

[0047] In particular, when the casing 2 is made of an opaque material, the internal face of one or both lids 10a, 10bmay be fitted with a mirror 38a, 38b(see FIG. 1). This allows the user to visually monitor the application of compact powder to her face.

[0048] In addition (or as an alternative), another mirror may be provided on the attached double bottom 6c(FIG. 4), and this has the advantage, over the above embodiment, that the user can watch herself when applying make-up to her lips, without having to open the casing.

[0049] None of these elements is the subject of the invention so these elements do not therefore require additional detailed description.

[0050] A slot or notch 14 is made in the upper surface 6dof the bottom 6, near the lateral edge 20. This slot or notch has an overall orientation parallel to the lateral edge 20, and constitutes a means by which the said case 4 can catch on the casing 2.

[0051] The case 4 consists of a base 28, generally cylindrical or polygonal (in section), capable of supporting a stick of product P₄. The base 28 has a portion 29 of smaller diameter (see FIG. 3), which can be capped by a protective cap 30, generally cylindrical or polygonal (in section) also. When the compact is in the assembled position, the base 28 and the cap 30 are aligned along an axis B (see FIG. 3), perpendicular to the front face 22 of the casing.

[0052] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the base 28 has a sleeve 31, which can move rotate relative to the base 28. By virtue of this sleeve 31, it is possible to position the lipstick P₄in a position in which the said stick is either retracted or deployed, by means of an appropriate mechanism well known in the prior art.

[0053] To this end, and as mentioned previously, a mechanism is provided for causing the stick to move so that the stick of product P₄can be displaced axially at will along the axis B. This kind of mechanism advantageously comprises a cup or support (not depicted) which can move axially and which carries the stick of product.

[0054] A drive mechanism of this kind is not the subject of the invention and is described elsewhere, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,559, EP-A-0,491,579 and EP-A-0,658,325. In consequence, such mechanisms require no further detailed description.

[0055] According to the invention, the cap 30 includes catching means 12 capable of being engaged in the notch or slot 14 in the bottom of the casing. Advantageously, engagement or disengagement of the catching means 12 in the notch or slot 14 is accompanied by a small amount of friction. Thus, the case 4 is retained on the casing when the lid is open, unless it is intentionally removed, and so the case is retained on the casing independent of a position of the lid. This allows the user, having opened the lid 10a, to apply her make-up in complete safety using the products P₁and/or P₂, without the fear of unintentionally losing the case 4 of lipstick.

[0056] According to one essential feature of the invention, the notch or slot 14 is not therefore accessible until after the lid 10ahas been opened. In other words, it is only when the lid 10ais in the open position that the case 4 can be caught onto the casing 2 or removed therefrom. On the other hand when the lid 10ais in a position flipped down onto the bottom 6, the case 4, and possibly the cap 30, are locked onto the casing 2 and cannot be removed.

[0057] The catching means 12 belonging to the case comprises, according to the embodiment depicted, a portion 18 extending radially outwards from the lateral wall of the cap 30. The portion 18 is bent at right angles, forming a hook with a terminal portion 16. The terminal portion 16 is shaped in such a way that (when the lid 10ais in the open position) it can enter the slit or notch 14. When the lid 10ais in the closed position, the catching means 12 belonging to the case 4 is therefore locked in place.

[0058] According to the embodiment being considered, a square-sided cut-out 26 is made on the surface 6dand in the lateral wall 20, to house the portion 18 of the catching means 12.

[0059] Advantageously, the cap is made of a transparent or translucent material, making it possible to see the colour of the stick of product P₄. This material can be selected from polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polyacrylates, etc.

[0060] The use of the compact will now be explained, particularly with reference to FIG. 3.

[0061] When the user wishes to apply make-up to her lips, she, for example using her right hand, withdraws the base 28 from the cap 30 along the axis B. By twisting the base 28 with respect to the sleeve 29, the user deploys a portion of the stick of product P₄, to a sufficient height to allow her to make up her lips. During this operation, she holds the casing in her left hand, so as to keep the lids 10a, 10bin the closed position. This procedure makes it possible, when applying make-up to the lips, on the one hand, to make sure that the cap 30 of the case 4 remains held in place on the casing 2 and also, on the other hand, allows the user not to get her hands dirty.

[0062] When the user wishes to apply some foundation P₃, as present in the compartment 8c, she opens the lid 10bby lifting it with the thumb of her left hand while holding the right-hand part of the casing in her right hand (see FIG. 5). Taking up an amount of product P₃using a finger or an appropriate applicator, she applies the said product to those areas of her face which she wishes to make up.

[0063] When the user wishes to apply an eyeshadow P₁or P₂, as present in one of the compartments 8aor 8b, the user holds the casing 2 between the thumb and index finger of her left hand. Using the thumb of her right hand she positions the lid 10ain the open position. This allows her, for example using a finger of her right hand or using an applicator, to take up an amount of product P₁and/or P₂and apply it to her eyelids.

[0064] The friction between the catching element 12 belonging to the case 4 in the slot or notch 14 in the casing is great enough to prevent the case 4 and the casing 2 from separating during the operation of applying make-up to the eyelids (FIG. 2).

[0065] The make-up compact 1 as described, has the advantage of being refillable separately and individually in the case of each of the products P₁to P₄. Thus, a cup of product P₁to P₃, the contents of which have been used up, can be replaced by a new cup containing the same product or a product of a different shade.

[0066] When the stick of lipstick P₄has been used up, all that is required is for the base 28 with the used-up stick to be withdrawn and replaced with a new base carrying a new stick. Likewise, simply by replacing the base 28, the user can always have the desired colour of lipstick at her disposal.

[0067] Furthermore, at the actual sales outlet, the user may choose the collection of products to be contained in the make-up compact: for example the shade of foundation or eyeshadows, or alternatively the colour of the lipstick.

[0068] The make-up compact thus formed is compact and takes up little space, making it particularly suited to being carried around in a handbag. It should be noted that, during transport, the risk of the casing 2 and the case 4 of lipstick becoming separated is practically nil.

[0069] The foregoing description makes reference to a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is obvious that variations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed hereinafter.