WO2012019316A1

WO2012019316A1 - Supporting device for cosmetic product and associated method

Info

Publication number: WO2012019316A1
Application number: PCT/CN2010/001215
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jian Yan; Hisayo Yoshikawa; Stephan Bezy; Xue Mcgrady
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2010-08-10
Filing date: 2010-08-10
Publication date: 2012-02-16
Also published as: CN103153126B; CN103153126A

Abstract

A supporting device (10) comprises a base (14) and a cover (18) movable between a closed position and an open position. One of the base (14) and the cover (18) delimits a slot (16) opening externally. The device (10) comprises a reversibly removable pan (24) for holding a block of cosmetic product. The removable pan (24) is movable along a first axis (A-A') between a position inserted in the slot (16) and a position located totally apart from the slot (16). The device (10) comprises a closing member (26) for maintaining the removable pan (24) in the slot (16). The closing member (26) can be movable between a closing position in which the slot is closed transversally relative to the first axis (A-A') and a refill position in which the pan (24) can be inserted in the slot (16) or extracted out of the slot (16).

Description

SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR COSMETIC PRODUCT AND

ASSOCIATED METHOD

The present invention concerns a supporting device for a cosmetic product, comprising:

- a base ;

- a cover movable with regard to the base between a closed position in which the base and the cover delimit an inside volume, and an open position for accessing to the inside volume, the base delimiting an external surface of the supporting device in the closed position, one of the base and the cover delimiting a slot opening externally,

- a reversibly removable pan for holding a block of cosmetic product, the removable pan being movable along a first axis between a position inserted in the slot and a position located totally apart from the slot.

A "cosmetic product" is in particular a product as defined in Directive

93/35 EEC of the Council, dated June 14, 1993.

The cosmetic product is advantageously a self-supporting block of cosmetic product which has its own mechanical strength. The product is for example made of a cast or compacted solid, such as a compacted powder.

The cosmetic product is intended to be applied on a body surface of a user, advantageously on the face of the user or on the hairs of a user, such as the eyelashes. The cosmetic product is in particular a make-up product.

Make-up products are usually placed in casings or compacts for their storage and transportation by the user.

Usually, the casing comprises a base and a cover defining an internal volume for storing the product.

In order to apply make-up, the cover is opened and a cosmetic tool or a finger is generally used to remove a quantity of cosmetic product inside a pan containing the product, in order to apply it on the body surface of the user.

A supporting device of the preceding type is for example disclosed in US 3 637 278.

The supporting device has a base defining a slot for inserting two lateral trays. Each of the lateral trays defines a pan for holding a block of cosmetic product. The trays are permanently mounted in the base. This device is easy to handle. It can accommodate a variety of products.

However, when the product contained in the supporting device is depleted, the user must dispose of the whole supporting device.

Due to the present environmental constrains, such a disposal is not desirable. Moreover, the disposal of the supporting device must be made according to environmental standards to remove the different materials composing the device and to treat them separately.

Another drawback of such a device is that the user purchases a supporting device with a predetermined type of cosmetic products, e.g. a predefined number of colors, and cannot easily modify the color combination contained in the device.

In order to solve this problem, JP 2007 32 5756 discloses a supporting device in which an internal drawer is inserted in the base to maintain a pan of cosmetic product in place.

This device is quite complex to handle and has a complicated structure which increases its cost.

EP 1 459 646 discloses another supporting device. JP 2003-19 9614 discloses a packaging for handling a removable pan intended to be placed in a supporting device.

One object of the invention is to provide a supporting device for supporting a cosmetic product which has a low impact on environment, and which is nevertheless easy to use and cheap. One other object of the invention is to provide a supporting device having a content which can be easily modified to adapt to the user needs.

To this aim, the invention concerns a supporting device of the preceding type, characterized in that the supporting device comprises a closing member for closing the slot and for maintaining the removable pan in the slot, the closing member being movable at least in the open position of the cover between a closing position, in which the slot is closed transversally relative to the first axis and in which the closing member delimits an external surface of the supporting device and a refill position in which the pan can be inserted in the slot or extracted out of the slot.

The device according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken isolately, or according to any technically possible combinations:

- the closing member is able to pass from the closing position to the refill position in the closed position of the cover;

- in the refill position, the closing member is totally apart from the one of the base and of the cover defining the slot, and is advantageously totally apart from both of the base and the cover ;

- the one of the base and of the cover defining the slot comprises a bottom wall and a lateral wall, the slot opening in a side region of the lateral wall ;

- the closing member is movable from the closing position to an intermediate position along a second axis forming an angle with the first axis, advantageously substantially perpendicular to the first axis ;

- it comprises retaining means for retaining the closing member in its closing position ;

- the retaining means comprise a projecting member, protruding from one of the base and of the closing member and a retaining housing defined in the other of the base and of the closing member, the retaining housing comprising at least a first region for inserting the projecting member and at least a second region for holding the projecting member in place;

- the closing member comprises an elastic member able to push the pan in the slot in the closing position ;

- the closing member comprises a tray which is inserted in the slot in the closing position, the pan being removably received on the tray ; ^■

- the tray comprises a pan holding means, advantageously a flexible lug for holding the pan in place on the tray ;

- the tray holds two adjacent pans, the pans being independently movable relative to one another in the refill position of the closing member ;

- the tray delimits a bottom wall for carrying the pan, the bottom wall defining a through opening placed opposite the pan when the pan is carried on the tray ;

- the one of the base and of the cover defining the slot comprise a longitudinal flange delimiting the slot, the pan having a base wall and a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall being partially covered by the flange when the pan is inserted in the slot ;

- the closing member has at least a gripping portion having a transverse section greater than the transverse section of the slot ;

- the cover delimits a slot, the pan being removably inserted in the slot defined in the cover.

The invention also concerns a method for filling a device as defined above, the method comprising the following steps:

- moving the closing member relative to the slot between the closing position and the refill position;

inserting a removable pan in the slot between the position totally apart from the slot and the position inserted in the slot ; closing the slot by passing the closing member from the refill position to the closing position.

The invention will be better understood upon reading of the following description, given purely as an example, and made in reference with the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first supporting device according to the invention, the cover being in its closed position;

- Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 , the cover being in its open position;

- Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, in which the closing member has been partially moved;

- Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 in which the closing member has been totally removed and the pan has been partially extracted;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the base of the device of Figure 1 ; - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the closing member for closing the slot;

- Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a second supporting device according to the invention;

- Figure 8 is a perspective view of the closing member of the device of Figure 7;

- Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pan intended to be placed in the device of Figures 1 to 5 and 7 to 9;

- Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 7 of a third supporting device according to the invention; and

- Figure 1 1 is an upper view of the closing member of the third supporting device shown in Figure 10.

A first supporting device 10 for holding a cosmetic product 12 is shown in Figures 1 to 6. The cosmetic product 12 held by the supporting device 10 is advantageously a self-supporting block of cosmetic product. The product is for example made of a cast solid or of a compacted solid, such as a compacted powder, pressed eye shadow, wet process powder, cream or gel-type formula (e.g. hot poured) for the eyes, the cheeks, the lips area or more generally for any body surface located in particular on the face of a user. The cosmetic product could be a corrector.

The cosmetic product is intended to be applied on a body surface of a user, advantageously on the face of the user or on the hairs of the user, such as the eyelashes. The cosmetic product 12 is for example a make-up product.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the supporting device 10 comprises a base 14 defining a slot 16, a cover 18, and an articulation mechanism 20 connecting the cover 18 to the base 14, the cover 18 being movable relative to the base 14 between a closed position, in which the base 14 and the cover 18 delimit a closed inside volume, and an open position for accessing to the_^ inside volume.

The supporting device 10 further comprises latching means 22 for holding the cover 18 in the closed position against the base 14, a removable pan 24 holding the cosmetic product 12, the pan 24 being removably inserted in the slot 16, and a slot closing member 26 for maintaining the pan 24 in position in the slot 16.

The supporting device 10 additionally comprises releasable retaining means 28 (visible in Figure 4), for maintaining the closing member 26 against the base 14.

In reference to Figure 5, the base 14 comprises a bottom wall 30 and a lateral wall 32 protruding upwardly from the bottom wall 30. The bottom wall 30 defines a lower external surface of the supporting device 10 intended to be placed in contact with a holding surface, in a storage configuration of the supporting device 10.

The lateral wall 32 comprises an end portion 36 extending along an edge of the bottom wall 30, a front portion 38 and a back portion 40. The portions 38, 40 extend from the end portion 36 along respective opposite edges of the bottom wall 30 until a free end surface 42 A, 42B.

The front portion 38 is facing the back portion 40. Each of the front portion 38 and the back portion 40 defines a retaining flange 44 A, 44B which protrudes internally towards the opposite portion 40, 38.

Each flange 44A, 44B has a thickness inferior to the thickness of the lateral wall 32. The flange 44 A, 44B extends apart from the upper surface of the bottom wall 30.

In this particular example, the end portion 36, the back portion 40, and the front portion 38 define an upper bearing surface 46 which is flush.

The slot 16 is delimited in the base 14. It extends along an axis A-A' and opens upwardly in an opening 48 for removing the cosmetic product. The slot 16 opens laterally in the base 14 through a pan insertion opening 50 defined between the end faces 42 A, 42B of the respective portions 38, 40.

The slot 16 is delimited downwardly by the bottom wall 30. It is partially delimited upwardly by the flanges 44A, 44B extending along the edges of the removing opening 48.

The slot 16 is delimited laterally by the front portion 38 and by the back portion 40 under the flanges 44A, 44B. It is delimited transversally in reference with axis A-A' by the end portion 36, opposite the pan insertion opening 50.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the cover 18 comprises a panel 54 which defines an upper external surface 56 of the device 10. The panel 54 has a section which is higher than the section of the base 54 when the cover 54 is applied on the base 14. The panel 54 may hold a cosmetic accessory such as a mirror on its inner surface.

The articulation mechanism 20 comprises an arm 60 which is integral with one of the cover 18 and the base 14, a cavity 62 for receiving the arm 60, which is defined in the other of the cover 18 and the base 14, and an articulation axis 64 rotatably connecting the arm 60 to the other of the cover 18 and the base 14.

In this example, the arm 60 is integral with the panel 54 of the cover 18: The cavity 62 is defined in the base 14, advantageously in the back portion 40 of the lateral wall 32.

The articulation axis 64 is inserted through the back portion 40 along a longitudinal axis B-B' which is parallel to axis A- A'.

As mentioned above, the cover 18 is movable relative to the base 14 between a closed position, shown in Figure 1 , and an open position for accessing to the interior volume defined in the supporting device 10. In this example, the cover 18 is rotatable around the axis B-B' relative to the base 14, between the open position and the closed position.

In the closed position, the cover 18 is applied on the upper bearing surface 46 of the base 14. Access to the slot 16 through the cosmetic removing opening 48 from the outside of the supporting device 10 is prevented.

In the open position, the cover has been pivoted by at least 30°, advantageously by at least 90°, to access the space located above the cosmetic removing opening 48 from the outside of the supporting device 10.

The user is able to insert a finger or a cosmetic tool between the base 14 and the cover 18 to remove a quantity of cosmetic product 12 from the pan 24.

The releasable latching means 22 comprise for example a hook-like protrusion 70, integral with the cover 18, a latching cavity 72 defined in the front portion 38 of the base 14, and a holding stop 74 protruding in the latching cavity 72.

In the closed position of the cover 18, the hook-like protrusion 70 is received in the latching cavity 72 and is latched on the holding stop 74 to retain the cover 18 in place on the base 14. The hook-like protrusion 70 can be manually pulled out of engagement from the holding stop 74, e.g by deformation, to allow a movement of the cover 18 towards its open position.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the pan 24 defines a housing 80 for receiving the block of cosmetic product 12. ^:*

The pan 24 thus comprises a base wall 82 able to rest on the bottom wall 30 of the base 14 and a peripheral wall 84 having lateral portions 86A, 86B able to be received respectively in the guides defined between the flanges 44A, 44B and the top surface of the bottom wall 30.

In this example, the shape of the pan 24 is complementary to the shape of the slot 16, in particular in the space defined below the flanges 44 A, 44B and above the bottom wall 30.

The width of the pan 24, taken perpendicularly to axis A-A', when the pan 24 is at least partially inserted in the slot 16, is approximately equal to the distance separating the front portion 38 from the back portion 40, taken perpendicularly to axis A-A', under the flanges 44 A, 44B.

The width of the pan 24 is lower than the distance separating the flanges 44A, 44B, taken perpendicularly to axis A-A'. The pan 24 is thus retained in position between the bottom wall 30 and the flanges 44 A, 44B when the pan 24 is received in the slot 16.

The height of the pan 24 is approximately equal to the distance separating each flange 44 A, 44B and the bottom wall 30, taken perpendicularly to a top surface of the bottom wall 30. The pan 24 holding the cosmetic product 12 is reversibly movable relative to the base 14 between a position inserted in the slot 16, shown in Figures 2 and 3, and a position totally extracted from the slot 16.

In the position inserted in the slot, the pan 24 is held vertically between the flanges 44A, 44B and the bottom wall 30. The pan 24 is totally received in the slot 16.

The ends of the pan 24 do not protrude out of the slot 16 beyond the end surfaces 42A, 42B. Advantageously, the pan 24 abuts the end portion 36.

Extraction of the pan 24 out of the slot 16 through the cosmetic removing opening 48 is impossible due the top surface of the front portion 38 and of the back portion 40 extending in the inner direction covering the lateral portions 86A, 86B of the pan 24. Moreover, the lateral portions 86A, 86B of the pan 24 are masked by the flanges 44A, 44B, which provide a satisfying visible aspect for the device 10, when the cover 18 is in the open position.

In the extracted position, the pan 24 has been totally moved out of the slot 16, in translation along the axis A- A', through the pan insertion opening 50. The insertion of the pan 24 in the base 14 is totally reversible, i.e it can be totally extracted out of the base 14 to its extracted position simply by opening the closing member 26, without having to disassemble the base 14.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, the closing member 26 comprises a bar-shaped block 90 which is intended to extend transversally in the continuation of the base 14 along axis A- A^*. The block 90 forms a gripping member.

The thickness and the width of the block 90, taken perpendicularly to axis A- A', are approximately equal to the thickness and the width of the base 14, taken along the end surfaces 42 A, 42B.

The block 90 defines an upper surface 92 and a lower support surface 94 which defines an external surface of the supporting device 10 when the cover is in the closed position. The surfaces 92 and 94 are connected together by an inside lateral surface 96 which is intended to bear against the base 14 in order to close the slot 16.

The transverse section of the closing member 26, taken along the lateral

>' surface 96 in a plane generally perpendicular to axis A-A', is superior to the transverse section of the slot 16, taken in the same plane.

Advantageously, the closing member 26 comprises at least one pan pushing member 100 able to cooperate with the pan 24 to maintain the pan 24 still in the slot 16.

The pan pushing member 100 is for example made of an elastic lug 102.

The lug 102 is received in a cavity 104 defined in the block 90, the cavity 104 opening in the lateral surface 96. In the example shown in Figure 4, the closing member 26 comprises two pan pushing members 100 located on two opposite sides of axis A-A'.

The retaining means 28 comprise at least one projecting member HQ projecting from one of the base 14 and the closing member 26, and a retaining housing 1 12 defined in the other of the base 14 and the closing member 26.

In the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, the retaining means 28 comprise a plurality of projecting members 1 10, advantageously two projecting members 1 10, each member 1 10 being received in a respective retaining housing 1 12.

Each projecting member 1 10 comprises a thin base 1 14 and a thicker retaining head 1 16, the base 1 14 and the retaining head 116 defining a T-shape. In the particular example of Figures 5 and 6, the projecting members 1 10 protrude from the base 14. Each projecting member 1 10 projects in a direction parallel to axis A-A' from a respective end surface 42A, 42B on each side of the pan insertion opening 50. The corresponding retaining housings 1 12 are delimited in the closing member 26. As illustrated in Figure 6, the retaining housing 1 12 defines an internal part (non visible) which is able to accommodate the head 1 16 over its whole length and an external part 1 18 which comprise a head insertion region 120 and a constriction region 122 for retaining the projecting member 1 10.

The insertion region 120 is of dimension adapted to allow the insertion of the head 1 16 into the retaining housing 112, and to allow the movement of the head 1 16 in the internal part of the retaining housing 112, and thej extraction of the head 116 out of the retaining housing 1 12.

The constriction region 122 is able to receive the thin base 1 14 of the projecting member 1 10 and to retain the head 1 16 of the projecting member 1 10 in the internal part of the housing. The head 1 16 cannot pass trough the constriction region 122.

The external part 118 therefore has a T-shaped section which allows the closing member to be inserted in a correct direction.

A retaining stop 124 can be placed in the constriction region 122 to cooperate with the projecting member 1 10.

Moreover, the two heads 1 16 have different shapes corresponding to

I

different shapes of the respective retaining housings 1 12 to avoid a mounting of the closing member 26 in a wrong direction.

As illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the closing member 26 is movable relative to the base 14 between a refill position shown in Figure 4, in which the closing member 26 is totally apart and independent from the base 14, an intermediate engagement position, shown in Figure 3, in which the closing member 26 is applied against the base 14, without being held in position relative to the base 14, and a closing position, shown in Figure 2, in which the slot 16 is closed transversally by the closing member 26.

In the refill position, the closing member 26 is totally apart from the base 14. The slot 16 is accessible through the pan insertion opening 50. A pan 24 can be inserted in the slot 16 or extracted out of the slot 16.

In the intermediate position shown in Figure 3, the pan 24 has been pushed into the slot 16.

The closing member 26 has been moved along axis A-A' towards the end surfaces 42 A, 42B, defined on the base 14. The projecting members 1 10 have been inserted in the insertion regions 120 of the corresponding housings 1 12.

The lateral surface 96 of the closing member 26 is applied against the end surfaces 42 A, 42B. The closing member 26 is located off center relative^ to the axis A-A'.

In the example shown in Figure 3, the front end of the block 90 projects transversally relative to the front portion 38 of the lateral wall 32. The back end of the block 90 is recessed relative to the back portion 40 of the lateral wall 32.

In this position, the closing member 26 is free to move in translation along axis A-A' towards the refill position.

In the closing position shown in Figure 2, the closing member 26 has been shifted transversally with regard to axis A-A' to center it with the base 14. The front end of the block 90 is flush with the front portion 38 and the back end of the block 90 is flush with the back portion 40. I The base 1 14 of the projecting member 1 10 has entered the constriction region 122 of the insertion region 120.

The thin base 1 14 is retained in position by engagement of the retaining stop 124 on the base 1 14 of the projecting member 1 10.

In the closing position, the closing member 26 is locked in position against the base 14.

Movement of the closing members 26 along axis A-A' is prevented by cooperation between the projecting member 1 10 and the constriction 122. In the closing position, the pan pushing members 100 are in contact with the peripheral wall 84 of the pan 24 to push the pan against the end portion 36.

The pan 24 is therefore immobilized in translation along axis A-A' between the lateral surface 96 of the block 90 and the end portion 36.

The assembly and the use of the first supporting device 10 will now be described.

Initially, the base 14, on which the cover 18 is articulated through the articulation means 20 is supplied. The closing member 26 is provided separately from the base 14.

The closing member 26 occupies its refill position, independent from the base 14.

The pan 24, filled with cosmetic product 12, is then provided. The pan

24 is placed in register with the pan insertion opening 50 of the slot 16. It is guided in translation into the slot 16 along axis A-A'.

The movement of the pan 24 in the slot 16 is guided along axis A-A' by the front portion 38 and by the back portion 40 and is guided horizontally by the bottom surface 34 on the one hand and by the protruding flanges 44 A|

44B on the other hand.

Once the pan 24 is inserted in the slot 16, the lateral surface 96 of the closing member 26 is placed opposite to the end surfaces 42A, 42B defined on the lateral wall 32 of the base 14.

The insertion region 120 of each retaining housing 1 12 is brought in register with the head 1 16 of a corresponding projecting member 1 10.

As explained above, the projecting members 1 10 are then fully inserted into the retaining housing 112 by movement of the closing member 26 along axis A-A' towards the base 14 to place the lateral surface 96 advantageously in contact with the end surfaces 42 A, 42B. The closing member 26 then occupies the above described intermediate position.

Then, the closing member 26 is moved transversally relative to axis A-A' to insert the thin bases 1 14 of the projecting members 1 10 in the constrictions 122 defined in the insertion regions 120.

The closing member 26 then occupies the above described closing position, in which it is locked against the base 14. In this position, the closing member 26 blocks the pan 12 into the slot 16 and closes the slot 16. Movement of the closing member along axis A-A' is prevented.

The cover 18 is subsequently moved towards its closed position and maintained in the closed position by engagement of the latching means 22.

In order to use the supporting device 10 to apply cosmetic product 12 on a body surface, such as the skin and keratinic fibers, the user first manipulates the cover 18 from the closed position to the open position.

Accordingly, the user frees the latching means 22 and then pivots the cover 18 around axis B-B' to open the space located above the cosmetic removal opening 48 to access the content of the pan 24. _¾

Then, the user removes cosmetic product 12 through the cosmetic removing opening 48 defined between the flanges 44 A, 44B, the end portion 36 and the lateral surface 96 of the closing member 26.

The user can then close the supporting device 10 by moving the cover back to its closed position.

If the cosmetic product 12 located in the pan 24 is depleted, or if the user wishes to change the type of cosmetic product 12 contained in the supporting device 10, the user can place the cover 18 in its open position.

Then, the user moves the closing member 26 from its closing position, shown in Figure 2, to its intermediate position shown in Figure 3.

The user displaces the closing member 26 apart from the base 14 along axis A- A' by gripping the closing member 26 with his fingers to extract the projecting members 1 10 out of the retaining housings 1 12, as shown in Figure 4.

Subsequently, the user is free to grip the pan 24 and to pull it out of the slot 16 along axis A- A', in order to replace it by another pan 24 containing either the same cosmetic product 12 or a different cosmetic product 12.

The supporting device 10 according to the invention is therefore very simple to use. Nevertheless, there is no need to totally dispose of the device 10 after the product 12 is depleted, which limits the amount of disposal produced.

The supporting device 10 can also be adapted to the user needs, in particular when the user needs a specific cosmetic product to be placed in the supporting device 10.

Advantageously, the closing member 26 is able to pass from its closure position to its intermediate position and then to its refill position when the cover 18 is in its closed position.

A second "quad" supporting device 150 according to the invention is shown in Figures 7 and 8.

The second supporting device 150 differs from the first supporting device 10 in that the cover 18 holds a cosmetic article 152 on its inner face 154. In the example shown in Figure 7, the cosmetic article 152 is a mirror.

In a variation, the cosmetic article 152 is a cosmetic tool which is intended to apply the cosmetic product 12 contained in the pan 24 on a body surface.

The second supporting device 150 also differs from the first cosmetic device 10 in that the closing member 26 comprises a tray 160 for holding a pan 24. The tray 160 protrudes longitudinally from the lateral surface 96 of the block 90. The tray 160 has a length which is approximately equal to the length of the slot 16, taken along axis A- A'.

The width of the tray 160 is approximately equal to the width of the slot 16 and is lower than the width of the block 90. The width of pan 24 is slightly lower than the width of the slot defined by the gap between the front portion 38 and the back portion 40, e.g at least 2% lower.

The tray 160 comprises a bottom wall 162 and two lateral retaining walls 164 A, 164B defining an intermediate space 166 for accommodating the pan 24.

In the present example, the tray 160 is able to accommodate a plurality of pans 24.

The width of the intermediate space 166 defined between the lateral walls 164 is approximately equal to the width of a pan 24.

The bottom wall 162 defines at least one through opening 168 which allows the insertion of a finger or of a tool to remove a pan 24 applied on the bottom wall 162.

At least one of the retaining walls 164A, 164B comprises pan pushing members 170 to secure the pan 24 on the tray 160. Each pan pushing member 170 is received in a hole 172 defined through the retaining wall 164B.

In the example shown in Figure 8, each pushing member 170 is formed by an elastic lug 174 which can be elastically deformed when a pan 24 is inserted between the walls 164 A, 164B.

As a difference with the first cosmetic device 10, the releasable retaining means 28 comprise at least one stop 180 which protrudes externally from a lateral retaining wall 164 A, 164B in the vicinity of the block 90. The retaining stop 180 is intended to cooperate with the lateral wall 32 of the base 14 inside the slot 16 to lock the closing member 26 in position in the slot 16.

In the refill position, the closing member 26 with the block 90 and the tray 160 is totally extracted out of the slot 16. At least one pan 24 can be placed in the intermediate space 166 between the lateral retaining walls 164 A, 164B. f Advantageously, the intermediate space 166 is totally filled with several pans 24.

Each pan 24 is held in position in the intermediate space 166 by cooperation with the pushing members 170.

The closing member 26 loaded with the pans 24 of cosmetic product 12 is then inserted inside the slot 16 through the pan insertion opening 50.

At first, the free edge of the tray 160 is introduced into the slot 16. The tray 160 carrying the pans 24 is translated along axis A- A' of the slot 16.

The movement of the tray 160 and of the pans 24 is guided by the shape of the slot 16.

When one of the pans 24 must be changed, either for a refill or for placing a pan with a different cosmetic product 12, the user extracts the tray 160 out of the slot 16 toward the refill position. To this aim, the user grips the block 90 and pulls the closing member 26 apart from the base 14.

The user then inserts a finger or a tool through an appropriate through opening 168 to push the pan 24 out of engagement with the pushing members 170 independently or the other pans 24 carried by the tray 160.

The opening 168 allows the removal of the pan 24 apart from the tray

160 without touching the cosmetic product 12 placed in the pan 24.

The pan 24 is then extracted out of the intermediate space 166, totally apart from the tray 160 and is replaced by another pan 24.

The user subsequently inserts the tray 160 carrying the pans 24 back in the slot 16 and locks the closing member 26 in position by means of the retaining means.

An individual removable pan 24 intended to be placed in the second supporting device according to the invention 150 is shown in Figure 9. This pan could also be placed in the other supporting devices shown on the Figures.

A third supporting device 190 according to the invention is shown in Figure 10. _j The third supporting device 190 differs from the second supporting device 150 in that the closing member 26 comprises an intermediate longitudinal partition wall 192 located between the first lateral retaining wall 164 A and the second lateral retaining wall 164B.

The partition wall 192 defines with each of the opposite lateral retaining wall 164A, 164B an intermediate space 166A, 166B for receiving a pan 24.

A larger number of pans 24, potentially of different shapes, can be accommodated in the tray 160. Each pan 24 has a width which is lower than the inner width of the bottom wall 162.

The third device 190 also comprises a cover 18 defining a slot 16A which is similar to the slot 16A defined in the base 14. The slot 16A defined in the cover 18 receives a removable cosmetic article 152 which is in this example a mirror. The cosmetic article 152 is held by a closing member 26A similar to the closing member 26 inserted in the base 14. The closing member 26 A comprises a block 90A for closing the slot 16A and a tray 160A for holding the cosmetic article 152.

In a variation, the closure member 26A holds at least one pan 24 containing a cosmetic product 12.

In a variation of the first device 10 and the second device 150, the cover 18 also comprises a slot 16A receiving a closing member 26A holding a cosmetic article 152 or at least one pan 24 receiving a cosmetic product.

The terms "one", "two", etc... must be understood as "at least one", "at least two", unless the contrary is specified.

Claims

CLAIMS •i

1. - Supporting device (10; 150; 190) for a cosmetic product, comprising:

- a base (14) ;

- a cover (18) movable with regard to the base (14) between a closed position in which the base (14) and the cover (18) delimit an inside volume, and an open position for accessing to the inside volume, the base (14) delimiting an external surface of the supporting device in the closed position, one of the base (14) and the cover (18) delimiting a slot (16) opening externally,

- a reversibly removable pan (24) for holding a block of cosmetic product, the removable pan (24) being movable along a first axis (Α-Α') between a position inserted in the slot (16) and a position located totally apart from the slot (16),

characterized in that the supporting device (10; 150; 190) comprises a closing member (26) for closing the slot and for maintaining the removable pan (24) in the slot (16), the closing member (26) being movable at least in the open position of the cover (18) between a closing position, in which the slot (16) is closed transversally relative to the first axis (Α-Α') and in which the closing member (26) delimits an external surface of the supporting device and a refill position in which the pan (24) can be inserted in the slot (16) or extracted out of the slot (16).

2. Device (10; 150; 190) according to claim 1 , characterized in that in the refill position, the closing member (26) is totally apart from the one of the base (14) and of the cover (18) defining the slot (16), and is advantageously totally apart from both of the base (14) and the cover (18).

3. - Device (10; 150; 190) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one of the base (14) and of the cover (18) defining the slot (16) comprises a bottom wall (30) and a lateral wall (32), the slot (16) opening in a side region of the lateral wall (32).

4. - Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing member (26) is movable from the closing position to an intermediate position along a second axis forming an angle with the first axis (Α-Α'), advantageously substantially perpendicular to the first axis (Α-Α').

5. - Device (10; 150; 190) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises retaining means (28) for retaining the closing member (26) in its closing position.

6- Device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the retaining means comprise a projecting member (1 10), protruding from one of the base (14) and of the closing member (26) and a retaining housing (1 12) defined in the other of the base (14) and of the closing member (26), the retaining housing (1 12) comprising at least a first region for inserting the projecting member (1 10) and at least a second region for holding the projecting member (1 10) in place.

7. - Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing member (26) comprises an elastic member (100) able to push the pan (24) in the slot (16) in the closing position.

8. - Device (150; 190) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing member (26) comprises a tray (160) which is inserted in the slot (16) in the closing position, the pan (24) being removably received on the tray ( 160).

9.- Device (150; 190) according to claim 8, characterized in that the tray

(160) comprises a pan holding means (170), advantageously a flexible lug for holding the pan (24) in place on the tray (160).

10.- Device (150; 190) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the tray (160) holds two adjacent pans (24), the pans (24) being independently movable relative to one another in the refill position of the closing member (26).

1 1. - Device (150; 190) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the tray (160) delimits a bottom wall (162) for carrying the pan (24), the bottom wall (162) defining a through opening (168) placed opposite the pan (24) when the pan (24) is carried on the tray (160).

12. - Device (10; 150; 190) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one of the base (14) and of the cover (18) defining the slot (16) comprise a longitudinal flange (44 A, 44B) delimiting the slot (16), the pan (14) having a base wall (82) and a peripheral wall (84), the peripheral wall (84) being partially covered by the flange (44A, 44B) when the pan (24) is inserted in the slot (16).

13. - Device (10; 150; 190) according to any one of the preceding claims j characterized in that the closing member (26) has at least a gripping portion

(90) having a transverse section greater than the transverse section of the slot (16).

14. - Device (190) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (18) delimits a slot (16A), the pan (14) being removably inserted the slot (16A) defined in the cover (18).

15. - Method for filling a device (10; 150; 190) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps:

moving the closing member (26) relative to the slot (16) between the closing position and the refill position;

- inserting a removable pan (24) in the slot (16) between the position totally apart from the slot (16) and the position inserted in the slot (16);

closing the slot (16) by passing the closing member (26) from the refill position to the closing position.