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(11) | EP 3 738 478 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| published in accordance with Art. 153(4) EPC |
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| (54) | DEVICE FOR DISPENSING SAMPLES OF COSMETIC PRODUCTS |
| (57) The device of the invention is comprised of a main housing equipped with slots for
the cosmetics to be sampled, which can be moved by means of guides towards a sampling
area, and arranging in this area a roll of pre-cut or stacked intertwined sampling
labels of a glossy material, such as plastic, paper or another similar material that
can be suffused one at a time with the cosmetics to be sampled, so that said cosmetics
cannot be extracted at any time from the housing they are linked to, making it possible
for potentially numerous clients to try on the cosmetics without incurring any risk
of contagion between them. |
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention refers to a device for dispensing samples of cosmetics for the lips, face and mouth, with the purpose of making it possible to apply certain cosmetics on the lips in a completely hygienic way.
[0002] The object of the invention is to provide a device applicable to any conventional lipstick, lip pencil and eye liner, so that said product can be tried on by a large number of potential clients without any risk of contagion between them.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Currently in the market of cosmetics, each brand provides make-up stands for clients at the points of sale in order to convince potential clients to buy their products based on a free sample of the product.
[0004] Therefore, make-up stands allow clients to try on cosmetics in order to choose the one that best suits them.
[0005] In the case of conventional lipsticks and other containers for applying cosmetics on the face, mouth and eyes, the situation is the same.
[0006] Consequently, each brand provides all the products offered by the brand in their make-up stand, with said products being available for the consumer, who handles them and tries them on.
[0008] More specifically, this type of practices can cause herpes contagion, as well as the spread of numerous bacteria.
[0009] This causes certain clients to outright reject these services, which results in loss of sales and reputation, or alternatively, clients apply the products on their hands, with a result that has nothing to do with the final appearance of the product applied on the area where it is designed to be applied on, and also does not address the problem from the point of view of hygiene.
[0010] The present invention answers a demand of clients and makes it possible to address their concerns about hygiene in a simple and efficient way, giving confidence and peace of mind.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The device for dispensing samples of cosmetics for the lips and eyes described completely solves the drawbacks mentioned above, with a simple but efficient solution that is applicable to any pre-existing lipsticks in the market, either as a lipstick or a lip pencil, making it possible to try on any existing product and completely guarantee the hygiene thereof.
[0012] In order to do so, the device of the invention is comprised of a housing with the upper part thereof featuring a series of guides made of one or more main slots, with complementary slots arranged laterally, which comprise different types of lipstick, lip pencils and eye liners.
[0013] More specifically, the conventional lipsticks or lip pencils are coupled with a ring that prevents them from being extracted, with said ring being movable along the aforementioned guides.
[0014] In this way, as mentioned above, the lateral slots of the main slot comprise lipsticks or lip pencils of different colours, so that
users can choose the lipstick or lip pencil they find more interesting, in such a way that they simply select said lipstick or lip pencil and slide it along the length of the main slot to the rear end of said main slot. In correspondence with the rear end of said main slot, and located under said slot, a clamp is arranged to block the lower body of the lipstick, which makes it easier to turn the base thereof in order to extract the lipstick contained therein.
[0015] A feeding device of a roll of pre-cut labels of a glossy material, such as plastic, paper, or another similar material, is arranged inside this area of the housing.
[0016] The user will pull from the sampling sheet, so that the movement of the sheet itself causes the sheet to be suffused in the longitudinal direction, obtaining in this way a single use sample.
[0017] The tray will comprise a series of stops that prevent the tray from being fully extracted, and that also position the tray correctly once it is closed.
[0018] Therefore, once the sample has been obtained, the user will need to turn the base of the lipstick in the opposite direction in order to retract the lipstick, and move again said lipstick by means of the guiding means to one of the lateral slots of the device.
[0019] Using the sample obtained, the user will be able to apply said product directly on their lips, using a finger, or apply it on the skin of one hand, based on their preference, with all options providing 100% safety from the point of view of hygiene.
[0020] The device described is equally applicable to lip pencils and eye liners, so that said lip pencil will be connected in a way akin to the lipsticks described above, with a ring preventing it from being extracted and guided towards the sampling area, with the particularity that the horizontal guide for said lip pencil in said testing zone will instead move vertically in order to be able to move said lip pencil downwards until it comes into contact with the sampling sheet or label, limiting the upward movement thereof in order to prevent the theft thereof and maintaining the hygiene of the corresponding lip pencil.
This configuration with limited vertical movement of the guiding means for the ring of the lip pencil could be equally applicable to one of the lateral slots, preferably the one most proximate to the sampling area, so that a pencil sharpener is provided at the bottom thereof in order to be able to sharpen the lip pencil and eye liner.
[0021] In order to optimise the consumption of said lip pencil, the ring is designed to be fixed proximate to the upper end thereof, so that the assembly is complemented with a tubular element that can operate as a base for gripping.
[0022] In an embodiment, the main housing can be selectively moved in relation to a "sampling area", or vice versa, so that said housing can have a circular configuration with one or more concentric rings where different cosmetics are placed, or alternatively it can have an elongated configuration, so that the containers are aligned longitudinally, and in which the container selected can selectively be facing the sampling area.
[0023] In this way, users can choose the lipstick or container with the cosmetics they are most interested in, so that they simply have to select said lipstick or container and move the sampling area, or alternatively move the housing carrying said lipstick until it is facing the sampling area.
[0024] The sampling area comprises a slot that is arranged facing the slot in which the container with the product to be sampled is arranged, so that there is continuity between the slots, making it possible to slide the container towards the sampling area. Said sampling area may be in front, behind or even below the area for placing the containers.
[0025] Similarly to the aforementioned embodiments, a feeding device of a roll of pre-cut labels is arranged inside this sampling area, or alternatively, said labels can be stored in prismatic groups or bundles.
[0026] Similarly, the user will pull from the sampling sheet so that the movement of said sheet causes it to be suffused in the longitudinal direction, obtaining in this way a single use sample, with the possibility of also suffusing the sheet in the opposite way, that is, by means of the movement of the container along the length of the sampling sheet.
[0027] Several solutions have been designed for this special configuration of the housing, regarding the application of the product on the sampling sheet.
[0028] Similarly to the first type of housing provided, in an embodiment, the lipsticks are coupled with a ring that prevents the extraction thereof, and that can be moved along the length of the aforementioned guides.
[0029] In correspondence with the rear end of said main slot, and located under said slot, a clamp or holding element is arranged to block the lower body of the lipstick, which makes it easier to turn the base thereof in order to extract the lipstick contained therein.
[0030] In another embodiment, the body of the lipstick, in addition to preventing the extraction thereof by including the aforementioned ring, could be aided by a cogwheel that is engaged with a rack arranged on the slot placed in the sampling area, so that just the movement of the chosen lipstick from the main housing to the sampling area would extract said lipstick until it is pressed against the sampling sheet, so that the manoeuvre to retract said lipstick into the main housing retracts said lipstick, preventing the lipstick from drying up, all of which happens automatically without having to turn the body of the lipstick as is common practice, since this manoeuvre is carried out by the rack connected to the slot of the sampling area. This mechanism could be replaced for any other mechanical means that facilitates rotating the lipstick, such as for example, a silicon strip that causes the corresponding area to turn when brushing against it, as well as to hide when it is retracted.
[0031] This same mechanism would be useful for applying it on containers in order to make it possible to temporarily remove the lid thereof, which would be connected to the corresponding cogwheel, with the guiding means of said container having a certain vertical movement, making it possible to get the container proximate to the sampling sheet and then placing it again in the area in which the lid is disconnected in order to connect it again.
[0032] In another embodiment, the guiding means can move slightly downward, aided by means of a spring, in order to prevent the movement of the containers from staining more than one sampling sheet when they are used.
[0033] When the sampling sheet is arranged below the housing, it is possible for the lipstick or container to be fixed horizontally in the housing, only being able to be moved downwards.
[0034] By means of springs or any other elastic means, the lipstick is pressed towards a stopping area where the lipstick is turned in order to reach the sampling label and obtain a sampling point, with the label with the sample being removed afterwards.
[0035] In said case, the lipstick or container can be rolled out permanently or it can be rolled in and out by means of the user manually turning said lipstick, or it can even incorporate some kind of mechanism that makes it turn automatically by means of a helical guide in which one or more lugs connected to the body of the lipstick would be involved.
[0036] This elastic retraction solution by means of a spring or a similar element would also be applicable to the embodiment of the containers describe above.
[0037] This structure provides the following advantages:
- It makes it possible to provide a dispenser adaptable to any type of conventional lipstick or lip pencil and eye liner, as well as to other containers.
- The device remains closed, only being accessible to the personnel of the shop.
- It is able to provide 100% guaranteed hygiene to the clients, since the clients are not able to directly touch the product with their lips and eyes.
- The intermediary support (paper/plastic) can be adapted to any shape or measurement according to the needs of the brand, and it can have the logo of the brand printed in said support.
- It improves the management of cosmetics make-up stands in points of sale and allows salespeople to save time.
- It optimally controls the consumption of cosmetics in make-up stands and makes it possible to significantly extend the shelf life of the make-up stand.
- It prevents thefts.
- It makes significant savings.
- It allows brands to promote their cosmetics, which results in greater sales.
- The device allows brands to use the same action protocols in every point of sale.
- The dispenser is adapted to any design of the brands and makes it possible to see the colours of the different products.
- It can be adapted directly to the existing stands/display cases of the brands.
- It can be placed on a table, hung to a wall or incorporated directly to the stands/display cases of the brands.
- It is easy to use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] To complete the invention described below and in order to give a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, this description is accompanied by a set of drawings in which the figures described below have been represented, for purely illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting:
Figure 1. Shows a perspective view of a device for dispensing samples of cosmetics for the lips, in an inactive position, designed according to the object of the present invention.
Figure 2.- Shows a similar view as Figure 1, but in which one of the lipsticks has been moved to the sampling area, extracting a suffused sample.
Figure 3. Shows a profile cross-section view of the device at the level of the guiding means included in said device for lipsticks.
Figure 4. Shows a detailed plant view of the device at the level of the sampling area, showing the presence of a clamp or clip that makes it easier to turn the base of the lipstick in order to extract said lipstick and make it enter into contact with the sampling sheet.
Figures 5 and 6.- Show respective views similar to Figure 4, but for an embodiment in which the device is designed for lip pencils and eye liners, and in two different operative phases.
Figure 7.- Shows a plan view of a dispenser for samples of cosmetics designed according to the object of the present invention.
Figure 8.- Shows a lateral elevation view of the dispenser of Figure 1.
Figure 9.- Shows a plan view of a second embodiment of the dispenser.
Figure 10.- Shows a profile cross-section view of the device at the level of the sampling area.
Figures 11 and 12.- Show respective views similar to Figure 10, but for an embodiment in which the sampling area is available under the area for placing the containers.
Figures 13 and 14.- Show respective views similar to Figures 11 and 12 but corresponding to an embodiment in which the container to be sampled is a container.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0039] In light of the drawings described above, it can be observed that the device of the invention is comprised of a housing (1), with the upper part thereof featuring a series of guides made in a main slot defining a horizontal and a longitudinal guide (2), with complementary slots (3) arranged laterally, which comprise lipsticks (4) of different colours.
[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the lipsticks (4) are fixed with a ring (5) that prevents the extraction thereof, and that can be moved along the length of the aforementioned guides. The device with the lipsticks (4) can be loaded though a door (6) giving access to the main slot, with the correspondent lock or closure means thereof preventing said lipsticks from being removed.
[0041] As shown in Figure 4, in correspondence with the rear end (7) of said main slot, and located under said slot, a clamp (8) is arranged to block the lower body (9) of the lipstick, which makes it easier to turn the base (10) thereof in order to extract the lipstick (11) contained therein.
[0042] A roll (12) of pre-cut labels (13) of a glossy material, plastic or another suitable material, is arranged inside this area of the housing.
[0043] As explained above, once the lipstick (11) has been extracted until it makes contact with the label (13), pulling said label causes it to be suffused (14) in the longitudinal direction, obtaining in this way a single use sample.
[0044] The labels (13) are extracted through a slot (15) provided with cutting means (16) on the outlet thereof.
[0045] According to the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, the device is equally applicable to lip pencils, eye liners (17) and similar items, so that said lip pencil will be connected in a way akin to the lipsticks described above, with a ring (5) secured to the upper end thereof preventing it from being extracted and guiding it towards the sampling area, aided by a tubular element (10') operating as a grip in order to be able to make the most out of said lip pencil.
[0046] In this case, the horizontal guide (2) in the sampling area or rear end (7) will move vertically in order to be able to move said lip pencil downwards until it comes into contact with the sampling sheet or label (13), limiting the upward movement thereof in order to prevent the theft thereof.
[0047] This configuration with limited vertical movement of the guiding means for the ring (5) of the lip pencil (17) could be equally applicable to one of the lateral slots (3, 3'), as shown in Figure 4, so that a pencil sharpener is provided at the bottom thereof in order to be able to sharpen said lip pencil (17).
[0048] In an embodiment shown in Figure 7, the main housing (101) can be selectively moved in relation to a sampling area (103), or vice versa, so that said housing can have a circular configuration as shown in Figure 7, with one or more concentric rings where different cosmetics are arranged so they can move along guides, or alternatively it can have an elongated configuration as shown in Figure 9, so that the containers are aligned longitudinally, and in which the container (104) selected can be selectively facing the sampling area (103).
[0049] The sampling area (103) comprises a slot (103') that is arranged selectively facing the slot (102) in which the container (104) with the product to be sampled is arranged, defining a continuous area between the slots that makes it possible to slide the container or lipstick towards the sampling area.
[0050] A feeding device of a roll (112) of pre-cut labels (113) of a glossy material, such as plastic, paper or a similar material, is arranged at the bottom of said sampling area, or alternatively, said labels can be stored in prismatic groups or bundles intertwined or connected to any means of dispensing existing in the market.
[0051] With this structure, and as mentioned above, the user will pull from the sampling sheet or label (113) so that the movement of said sheet causes it to be suffused in the longitudinal direction, obtaining in this way a single use sample, or alternatively moving the container (104) and causing the sheet to be suffused in the longitudinal direction, without affecting the essence of the invention.
[0052] Once the sample has been extracted, the user will be able to apply said product directly on their lips, eyes or face, in a completely safe way from the point of view of hygiene.
[0053] As mentioned above, several solutions have been designed when applying the product on the sampling sheet.
[0054] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 9 and according to the section shown in Figure 4, the lipsticks (104') are fixed with a ring (105) that prevents the extraction thereof, and that can be moved along the length of the aforementioned guides.
[0055] In correspondence with the rear end of the slot (103') of the sampling area (103), and located under said slot, a clamp (108) is arranged to block the lower body (109) of the lipstick (104'), which makes it easier to turn the base (110) thereof in order to extract the lipstick (111) contained therein.
[0056] A roll (112) of pre-cut labels (113) of a glossy material, plastic or another suitable material, is arranged inside this area of the housing.
[0057] As explained above, once the lipstick (111) has been extracted until it makes contact with the label (113), pulling said label causes it to be suffused in the longitudinal direction, obtaining in this way a single use sample.
[0058] The labels (113) are extracted through a slot (115) provided with cutting means (116) on the outlet thereof.
[0059] According to the embodiment of Figures 11 and 12, the sampling area (103") could be arranged below the housing (101') so that it would not be necessary to move the containers or lipsticks (104'), and instead these would move vertically against the tension of a spring (117) resting on a guide or stop (108'), so that arranging them under the sampling area (103") makes it possible to suffuse the sampling sheet (113) by pressing the container (104) and pulling from said sampling sheet, with the upper movement thereof being limited by the ring (105) in order to prevent the theft thereof.
[0060] The lipstick or container (104, 104") can be rolled out permanently or it can be rolled in and out by means of the user manually turning said lipstick, or it can even incorporate some kind of mechanism that makes it turn automatically, by means of a helical guide in which one or more lugs connected to the body of the lipstick would be involved.
[0061] In an embodiment, the one shown in Figures 13 and 14, in addition to comprising the aforementioned ring (105) for the same purposes of providing guidance, the flexible container (104") has been designed with a lid (104'") connected to a cogwheel (118) that is engaged with a rack (119) arranged on the slot (103') placed in the sampling area, so that just the movement from the main housing to the sampling area would turn said lid (104'") until it is disconnected, and in said area the guide (103') will comprise a double L-shape in order for the container to avoid the stopper and gain access to the area where the sampling labels or sheets (113) are located, making it possible to press the applicator of the flexible container (104") against the sampling sheet, so that the manoeuvre to retract said container into the main housing has to go through the area where the lid is threaded back on, thus making said manoeuvre completely automatically.
1. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics, such as lipsticks, lip pencils or containers,
characterised in that it is comprised of a main housing equipped with slots for the cosmetics to be sampled,
which can be moved by means of guides to a sampling area wherein a feeding device
is arranged, comprising a roll of pre-cut or stacked intertwined labels, said labels
being of a glossy material, such as plastic, paper or a similar material, which can
be suffused one at a time with the cosmetics to be sampled.
2. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 1, characterised in that it is comprised of a housing (1) with the upper part thereof featuring one or more
main slots as guiding means (2), with complementary slots (3) arranged laterally,
which comprise different types of lipsticks (4) or lip pencils (17) of different colours,
with said slots being equipped with guides on which a ring (5) fixed to the main body
of the relevant lipstick (4) or lip pencil (17) is able to move, with the particularity
that in correspondence with one of the ends (7) of the main slot or main slots, a
clamp (8) or similar element is arranged at the bottom thereof to block the body of
the lipstick or lip pencil, and arranging at the rear end of the housing a roll (12)
of removable pre-cut sampling labels (13) of a glossy material, plastic or another
suitable material, on which the cosmetics are applied.
3. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 2, characterised in that the device can be loaded/unloaded through a door (6) giving access to the main slot,
comprising a corresponding lock.
4. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 2, characterised in that when the device is applicable to lip pencils and eye liners (17), the top of the
ring (5) is fixed to a tubular element (10') operating as a grip, with the horizontal
guide (2) in the sampling area or rear end (7) comprising a vertical movement in order
to vertically move the ring (5) connected to the lip pencil (17).
5. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claims 2 and 4, characterised in that one of the complementary or lateral slots (3, 3') comprises a vertical movement in
order to vertically move the ring (5) connected to the lip pencil (17), with said
slot comprising a pencil sharpener at the bottom area thereof.
6. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 1, characterised in that the sampling area can be arranged in front, behind or below the area for placing
the cosmetics, with this area being selectively movable in relation to the main housing
or vice versa, and arranging at the rear end of the sampling area (103) a roll (112)
of removable pre-cut or stacked intertwined sampling labels (113) of a glossy material,
such as plastic, paper or another suitable material, that can be suffused one at a
time with the cosmetics to be sampled.
7. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 6, characterised in that when the device comprises as many sampling areas (103) as cosmetics to be sampled,
the sampling area is immovable in relation to the main housing (101).
8. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 6, characterised in that the guiding slots are made into a plurality of slots in which the cosmetics or containers
(104) equipped with guiding rings (105) are arranged, so that a slot (103') is defined
in the sampling area (103), which selectively faces the slot (102) of the guiding
slots in which the container (104) with the contents desired to be sampled is arranged,
defining a continuous area between slots that allows the container (104) to slide
towards the sampling area (103).
9. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 6, characterised in that the housing (101) comprises a circular configuration.
10. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 6, characterised in that the housing (101) comprises an elongated configuration in which the containers are
aligned longitudinally.
11. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claims 6 and 8, characterised in that the housing (101) comprises one or more concentric rings in which the guiding slots
(102) for receiving the cosmetics or containers (104) to be sampled are arranged.
12. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 5, characterised in that when the device is applicable to lipsticks (104'), a clamp (108) or similar element
for blocking the body of the lipstick is arranged in correspondence with the end of
the guiding slot (103') of the sampling area (103), which ends up facing a roll (112)
or stack of removable pre-cut sampling labels (113) on which the cosmetics are applied.
13. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claims 6 and 8, characterised in that the horizontal guide (102) in the sampling area or the rear end (103) comprises a
vertical movement in order to vertically move a ring (105) connected to the cosmetics
to be sampled.
14. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 6, characterised in that the guiding means of the container (104) have a small downward vertical movement,
aided by means of a spring (117).
15. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claims 6 and 14, characterised in that the container (104) or lipstick is susceptible to incorporate some kind of mechanism
that makes it rotate automatically during the vertical movement thereof, such as for
example, by means of a helical guide in which one or more lugs connected to the body
of the lipstick would be involved.
16. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 6, characterised in that when the device is applicable to flexible containers (104") with a lid (104"'), a
cogwheel (118) is engaged with a rack (119) arranged on the slot (103') arranged in
the sampling area as a means of temporarily removing said lid.
17. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claim 6, characterised in that when the device is applicable to lipsticks (104'), the body thereof is connected
to a cogwheel (118) that is engaged with a rack (119) arranged in correspondence with
the slot (103') arranged in the sampling area (103) as a means of extracting/retracting
the lipstick contained therein.
18. Device for dispensing samples of cosmetics according to claims 6, 16 and 17, characterised in that the rack (119) is susceptible of being replaced by a silicon strip or a similar element
that causes the lid (104'") to turn as it moves over the slot (103'), as well as causing
the lipstick contained therein to be extracted/retracted.