Case for a cosmetic care product with a flexible bottom

Abstract

A case for a product in a powdery or semi-fluid form includes a rigid body, and a flexible bottom. The rigid body and the flexible bottom define a variable volume compartment for containing the product. The case also includes a fixed screen which is capable of allowing the product to pass during simultaneous pressures on the flexible bottom and on the screen. The product can be a make-up or skin care powder. The flexible bottom can be formed by a flexible membrane, by a piston and/or a foam slab.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:  
     
       1. An apparatus comprising: 
       a rigid body; and  
       a flexible bottom, the rigid body and the flexible bottom defining a variable volume compartment which contains a product and a screen mounted inside the rigid body, a portion of the screen being fixed against movement along an axis of the rigid body,  
       said flexible bottom being configured to press the product against the screen so as to force the product to pass therethrough in response to a pressure exerted on the flexible bottom.  
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the rigid body has an emergent opening, the flexible bottom forming part of a receptacle accommodated in said opening. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle comprises a detachable protective means. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising sealing means between the receptacle and the body. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is fixedly mounted relative to the body. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexible bottom, the opening and the variable volume compartment have cross-sections that are substantially identical and aligned along the axis of the case  rigid body. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is detachably mounted in the body and constitutes a refill. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle comprises fixing means for fixing the receptacle to the body. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the fixing means comprises a frame which sandwiches the receptacle between the body and said frame, said frame comprising an opening which ensures access to the screen. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the fixing means include a peripheral flange catch engaged, welded or bonded directly onto the body. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising a sealing means between the receptacle and the body. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the fixing means is comprised of the sealing means. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the product is a make-up and/or skin care product. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the screen has a flock surface. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the body has an upper surface, on a side remote from the flexible bottom, the upper surface being substantially at the same level as or at a lower level than that of the screen. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bottom comprises a flexible membrane. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the flexible membrane has, in a rest position, a profile which projects away from the variable volume compartment, and in an actuating position with a view toward dispensing the product through the screen, a profile substantially opposed to the profile of the flexible membrane in its rest position. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein said profile in the rest position of the flexible membrane is convex outwardly of the case  rigid body, and in the actuating position is convex inwardly of the rigid body. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bottom comprises a flexible membrane which supports a piston directed towards the product and being optionally in contact with the product. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the product is a powder having a granulometric size ranging from 1 μm to 100 μm. 
     
     
       21. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the product takes a semi-fluid form and has a viscosity ranging from 10 −2  to 0.15 Pa·s. 
     
     
       22. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an applicator element. 
     
     
       23. An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the applicator element is a puff. 
     
     
       24. An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the applicator element has bristles, feathers, a flock coating, or a foam. 
     
     
       25. An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the applicator element is covered and/or impregnated with at least one additive chosen from bactericidal agents and slip agents. 
     
     
       26. An apparatus according to  claim 22 , further comprising a lid pivotably mounted on the body. 
     
     
       27. An apparatus according to  claim 26 , further comprising a sealing means between the lid and the body. 
     
     
       28. An apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the sealing means is composed of said applicator element. 
     
     
       29. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the screen is made of a material chosen from woven or non-woven materials, grills, perforated films, and their combinations, or with impregnation of a bactericidal or bacteriostatic additive. 
     
     
       30. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the screen has a mesh size ranging from 1 μm to 2.5 μm. 
     
     
       31. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the screen is spaced from a free surface of the product. 
     
     
       32. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lid pivotable mounted on the body. 
     
     
       33. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bottom has a central zone that is more rigid than a peripheral zone of the flexible bottom. 
     
     
       34. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the body has a bottom edge situated at a level at or below a level of the flexible bottom. 
     
     
       35. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible bottom constitutes a non-slip gripping zone. 
     
     
       36. An apparatus comprising: 
       containing means for containing a product;  
       perforated means, a portion of which is fixedly mounted against movement along an axis of said containing means, for permitting the product in the containing means to pass therethrough; and  
       flexible means mounted on the containing means, for applying pressure to the product in said containing means so as to cause the product to press against the perforated means and pass therethrough.  
     
     
       37. An apparatus comprising: 
       a rigid body;  
       a flexible bottom comprising a flexible membrane, said rigid body and said flexible bottom defining a variable volume compartment which contains a product and a screen configured to allow the product to pass therethrough in response to a pressure on the flexible bottom; and  
       a foam which is supported by the flexible membrane directed towards the product, and optionally in contact with the product.  
     
     
       38. An apparatus comprising: 
       a rigid body defining an emergent opening;  
       a receptacle accommodated in said emergent opening said receptacle comprising a flexible bottom, the rigid body and the flexible bottom defining a variable volume compartment which contains a product and a screen configured to allow the product to pass therethrough in response to a pressure on the flexible bottom;  
       a frame which sandwiches the receptacle between the rigid body and said frame, said frame defining an opening which permits access to the screen; and  
       an applicator element which has a peripheral bead complementary to a groove in the frame.  
     
     
       39. An apparatus comprising: 
       a rigid body;  
       a flexible bottom, the rigid body and the flexible bottom defining at least one variable volume compartment which contains a product and a screen configured to allow the product to pass therethrough in response to a pressure on the flexible bottom; and  
       a member supported by said flexible bottom and slidable within said variable volume compartment.  
     
     
       40. The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the perforated means is positioned above the containing means. 
     
     
       41. The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the perforated means delimits a top end of the containing means. 
     
     
       42. The apparatus according to  claim 36 , wherein the perforated means is in the containing means. 
     
     
       43. The apparatus according to  claim 37 , wherein the foam is in contact with the product. 
     
     
       44. An apparatus comprising: 
       
         a rigid body;  
       
       
         a flexible bottom, the rigid body and the flexible bottom defining a variable volume compartment containing a product; and  
       
       
         a screen on the rigid body, a portion of the screen being fixed against movement along an axis of the rigid body, the flexible bottom being configured to press the product against the screen so as to force the product to pass therethrough in response to a pressure exerted on the flexible bottom. 
       
     
     
       45. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the flexible bottom includes a flexible membrane. 
     
     
       46. The apparatus according to  claim 45 , wherein the flexible bottom includes a member attached to the flexible membrane, said member being slidable in the variable volume compartment. 
     
     
       47. The apparatus according to  claim 46 , wherein the member includes a foam directed toward the product. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus according to  claim 47 , wherein the foam contacts the product. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the screen is positioned above the variable volume compartment. 
     
     
       50. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the screen delimits a top end of the variable volume compartment. 
     
     
       51. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the screen is in the variable volume compartment. 
     
     
       52. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , further comprising a frame, the fixed portion of the screen being positioned between the frame and the rigid body. 
     
     
       53. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , further comprising a sealing member that attaches the flexible bottom to the rigid body. 
     
     
       54. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the product includes at least one of a make- up and a skin care product.   
     
     
       55. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the screen has a flock surface. 
     
     
       56. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the rigid body has an upper surface on a side remote from the flexible bottom, the upper surface being at a level substantially the same as or lower than a level of the screen. 
     
     
       57. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein, in a rest position, the flexible bottom is convex outwardly of the rigid body, and in an actuating position, the flexible bottom is convex inwardly of the rigid body. 
     
     
       58. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , further comprising an applicator element. 
     
     
       59. The apparatus according to  claim 58 , wherein the applicator element is a puff. 
     
     
       60. The apparatus according to  claim 58 , wherein the applicator element has at least one of bristles, feathers, a flock coating, and a foam. 
     
     
       61. The apparatus according to  claim 58 , wherein the applicator element is at least one of covered and impregnated with at least one additive chosen from bactericidal agents and slip agents. 
     
     
       62. The apparatus according to  claim 58 , further comprising a lid pivotally mounted to the rigid body, the applicator element forming a seal between the lid and the rigid body. 
     
     
       63. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , further comprising a lid pivotally mounted to the rigid body. 
     
     
       64. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the screen is made of a material chosen from woven materials, non- woven materials, grills, perforated films, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
       65. The apparatus according to  claim 64 , wherein the screen is impregnated with one of a bactericidal additive and a bacteriostatic additive. 
     
     
       66. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the screen is spaced from a free surface of the product. 
     
     
       67. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the flexible bottom has a central zone and a peripheral zone, the central zone being more rigid than the peripheral zone. 
     
     
       68. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the body has a bottom edge at a level at or below a level of the flexible bottom. 
     
     
       69. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the flexible bottom is configured to form a non- slip gripping zone.   
     
     
       70. The apparatus according to  claim 44 , wherein the screen is mounted inside the rigid body. 
     
     
       71. An apparatus comprising: 
       
         a rigid body;  
       
       
         a flexible bottom including a flexible membrane, said rigid body and said flexible bottom defining a variable volume compartment containing a product;  
       
       
         a screen configured to allow a product to pass therethrough in response to a pressure on the flexible bottom; and  
       
       
         a foam supported by the flexible membrane, the foam being directed towards the product. 
       
     
     
       72. The apparatus according to  claim 71 , wherein the foam is in contact with the product. 
     
     
       73. An apparatus comprising: 
       
         a rigid body defining at opening;  
       
       
         a receptacle in said opening, said receptacle including a flexible bottom, the rigid body and the flexible bottom defining a variable volume compartment containing a product;  
       
       
         a screen configured to allow the product to pass therethrough in response to a pressure on the flexible bottom;  
       
       
         a frame, the receptacle being between the rigid body and said frame, said frame defining an opening permitting access to the screen; and  
       
       
         an applicator element having a peripheral bead configured to be received in a groove in the frame. 
       
     
     
       74. An apparatus comprising: 
       
         a rigid body;  
       
       
         a flexible bottom, the rigid body and the flexible bottom defining at least one variable volume compartment containing a product;  
       
       
         a screen configured to allow the product to pass therethrough in response to a pressure on the flexible bottom; and  
       
       
         a member supported by said flexible bottom, said member being slidable in said variable volume compartment. 
       
     
     
       75. An apparatus comprising: 
       
         a rigid body having an opening;  
       
       
         a receptacle;  
       
       
         a flexible bottom, the receptacle and the flexible bottom defining a variable volume compartment containing a product; and  
       
       
         a screen having a portion fixed against movement along an axis of the rigid body, the flexible bottom being configured to press the product against the screen so as to force the product to pass therethrough in response to a pressure exerted on the flexible bottom. 
       
     
     
       76. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the receptacle includes the flexible bottom. 
     
     
       77. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the receptacle includes a top end opposite the flexible bottom. 
     
     
       78. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the screen is positioned at the top end of the receptacle. 
     
     
       79. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the screen is positioned above the variable volume compartment. 
     
     
       80. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the screen delimits a top end of the variable volume compartment. 
     
     
       81. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the screen is in the variable volume compartment. 
     
     
       82. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , further comprising a frame, the fixed portion of the screen being between the frame and the rigid body. 
     
     
       83. The apparatus according to  claim 75  further comprising a protective cover detachably mounted to the top end of the receptacle. 
     
     
       84. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the receptacle is detachably mounted on the rigid body. 
     
     
       85. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the flexible bottom includes a flexible membrane. 
     
     
       86. The apparatus according to  claim 85 , wherein the flexible bottom includes a member attached to the flexible membrane, said member being slidable in the variable volume compartment. 
     
     
       87. The apparatus according to  claim 86 , wherein the member includes a foam directed toward the product. 
     
     
       88. The apparatus according to  claim 87 , wherein the foam contacts the product. 
     
     
       89. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , further comprising a sealing member that attaches the receptacle to the rigid body. 
     
     
       90. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the product includes at least one of a make- up and a skin care product.   
     
     
       91. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the screen has a flock surface. 
     
     
       92. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the rigid body has an upper surface on a side remote from the flexible bottom, the upper surface being at a level substantially the same as or lower than a level of the screen. 
     
     
       93. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein in a rest position, the flexible bottom is convex outwardly of the rigid body, and in an actuating position, the flexible bottom is convex inwardly of the rigid body. 
     
     
       94. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , further comprising an applicator element. 
     
     
       95. The apparatus according to  claim 94 , wherein the applicable element is a puff. 
     
     
       96. The apparatus according to  claim 94 , wherein the applicator element has at least one of bristles, feathers, a flock coating, and a foam. 
     
     
       97. The apparatus according to  claim 94 , wherein the applicator element is at least one of covered and impregnated with at least one additive chosen from bactericidal agents and slip agents. 
     
     
       98. The apparatus according to  claim 94 , further comprising a lid pivotally mounted to the rigid body, the applicator element forming a seal between the lid and the rigid body. 
     
     
       99. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , further comprising a lid pivotally mounted to the rigid body. 
     
     
       100. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the screen is made of a material chosen from woven materials, non- woven materials, grills, perforated films, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
       101. The apparatus according to  claim 100 , wherein the screen is impregnated with one of a bacterial additive and a bacteriostatic additive. 
     
     
       102. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the screen is spaced from a free surface of the product. 
     
     
       103. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the flexible bottom has a central zone and a peripheral zone, the central zone being more rigid than the peripheral zone. 
     
     
       104. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the body has a bottom edge situated at a level at or below a level of the flexible bottom. 
     
     
       105. The apparatus according to  claim 75 , wherein the flexible bottom is configured to form a non- slip gripping zone.