Packaging, typically a case, with closure by magnets

Abstract

A case, includes a lid fitted with a first hinge portion, a concave bottom possibly including an inner frame intended to receive a trough containing the cosmetic product, the bottom or inner frame being fitted with a second hinge portion, the first and second hinge portions engaging to form a hinge, elements for closing the lid relative to the bottom or inner frame wherein: a) the closure elements include two magnets such that the lid is attracted towards the bottom inner frame for an opening angle α below a maximum angle of opening α L , b) the engagement is such that the maximum angle of opening α L is between 20° and 90°, c) the magnets are fully or partially concealed.

1 . Packaging intended for the packaging of cosmetic products, typically a case ( 1 ), including a lid ( 2 ) fitted with a first hinge portion ( 20 ), a concave bottom ( 3 ) possibly including an inner frame ( 4 ) integral with said bottom ( 3 ) intended to form or receive a trough containing said cosmetic product, said bottom ( 3 ) or said inner frame ( 4 ) being fitted with a second hinge portion ( 30 ), said first and second hinge portions ( 20 ,  30 ) engaging to form a hinge ( 10 ), ensuring a rotation of said lid ( 2 ) relative to said bottom ( 3 ) or said inner frame ( 4 ), characterised in that: 
 a) said closure means ( 5 ) includes an engagement of two magnets ( 50 ,  51 ) facing each other when said packaging is closed, so as to develop a force of attraction F between said magnets ( 50 ,  51 ) and a torque c between said lid ( 2 ) and said bottom ( 3 ) or said inner frame ( 4 ), a first magnet ( 50 ) being anchored to said lid ( 2 ), a second magnet ( 51 ) being anchored to said bottom ( 3 ) or said inner frame ( 4 ), in such a way that said lid ( 2 ) is attracted towards said bottom ( 3 ) or said inner frame ( 4 ) for an angle of opening a below a maximum angle of opening aL, beyond which there no longer appears to be a significant attraction between said lid ( 2 ) and said bottom ( 3 ) or said inner frame ( 4 ),    b) said engagement is chosen in such a way that said maximum angle of opening α L  is between 20° and 90°,    c) said magnets ( 50 ,  51 ) are fully or partially concealed, so as to give packaging for which the closure means ( 5 ) are invisible from view, at least when said lid ( 2 ) is closed,    d) said engagement is such said first and second magnets ( 50 ) ( 51 ) are located, on said lid ( 2 ) and on said bottom ( 3 ) or said inner frame ( 4 ) respectively, in such a way that said force F and said torque C is exerted at an average distance L from said axis of rotation ( 11 ) of between 3 and 30 mm.    
   
   
       2 . Packaging according to  claim 1  wherein said average distance L is between 5 and 20 mm.  
   
   
       3 . Packaging according to  claim 2  wherein said average distance L is between 7 and 15 mm.  
   
   
       4 . Packaging according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second magnets ( 50 ) and ( 51 ) have a surface S that is facing, and typically in cantact, when said packaging is closed, said magnets ( 50 ) and  51 ) and said surfaces S being chosen so as to have an initial opening torque CI, for α=0, typically between 0.0015 N.m and 0.3 N.m.  
   
   
       5 . Packaging according to  claim 1  wherein said first magnet ( 50 ) is typically located in said first hinge portion ( 20 ) or in a portion of said lid ( 2 ) juxtaposing said first hinge portion ( 20 ).  
   
   
       6 . Packaging according to  claim 1  wherein said second magnet ( 51 ) is typically located in said second hinge portion ( 30 ) or in a portion of said bottom ( 3 ) or of said inner frame ( 4 ) juxtaposing said second hinge portion ( 30 ).  
   
   
       7 . Packaging according to  claim 4  wherein said surface S is between 5 and 30 mm 2 , and preferably between 10 and 20 mm 2 .  
   
   
       8 . Packaging according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second magnets ( 50 ) and ( 51 ) are anchored to said lid ( 2 ) and to said bottom ( 3 ) or said inner frame ( 4 ) respectively, typically by being fitted into a channel ( 21 ,  31 ) formed in said lid ( 2 ), said bottom ( 3 ) or said inner frame ( 4 ), or by the bonding of the magnets ( 50 ,  51 ), by means of an adhesive layer ( 2 ), onto said lid ( 2 ), said bottom ( 3 ) or said inner frame ( 4 ), possibly in said corresponding channel ( 21 , 31 ), or possibly by inserting-moulding, said first and/or second magnets ( 50 ,  51 ) being embedded in a moulded plastic material constituting said lid, said bottom or said inner frame, a layer of plastic material ( 53 ) of limited thickness then coating said magnets ( 50 ,  51 ).  
   
   
       9 . Packaging according to  claim 8  wherein said first and/or said second magnet ( 50 ,  51 ) is anchored to a support complementary to said lid, or to said bottom or said inner frame, said complementary support ( 34 ) forming a part cast in a single piece with said lid, said bottom or said inner frame, or to an insert ( 22 ,  32 ) or a part that can be anchored, typically by bonding or being snapped on, to said lid ( 2 ), to said bottom ( 3 ) or to said inner frame ( 4 ).