Article for packaging fusible substances, a package obtained with said article, and a method for the manufacture of said package

• US 5,092,700 A
• Filed: 12/11/1990
• Issued: 03/03/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Reboul-Smt
• Original Assignee: Reboul-Smt
• Inventors: Susini, Claude, Mejean, Pascal
• Primary Examiner(s): DeMille, Danton D.
• Application Number:
  US07/628,964
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 401/49, 401/88, 401/98, 401/68, 401/72, 132/320
• US Class Current: 401/98
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/0087 for samples
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/16 Refill sticks; Moulding devices for producing sticks

Abstract

A single-use article for packaging fusible substances, in particular for sampling purposes, can be formed in one piece and has a tubular stem. One end of the stem terminates in a perforated dome which supports a thin layer of substance to be sampled and carries a removable cover.

Claims

1. A single-use article for the individual packaging of a small quantity of fusible substance to be applied on a surface by manual friction, wherein said article comprises a tubular stem open at one end and terminating at the other end in a perforated dome for supporting the substance in a thin layer over its entire surface, the base of said dome being provided externally with means for supporting a removable cover in a fluid-tight manner, the internal ogival cavity of said cover being located in spaced relation to the external surface of the dome at a short distance which determines the thickness of the layer of substance.

2. An article according to claim 1, wherein the cover is molded in one piece with the tubular stem and joined thereto by means of an articulation tongue which is capable of folding and unfolding so as to permit engagement of the cover on the base of the dome and subsequent disengagement of said cover in order to use the article.

3. An article according to claim 1, wherein said article comprises a plug for sealing the open end of the tubular stem.

4. An article according to claim 3, wherein the seal plug is molded in one piece with the tubular stem and joined thereto by means of a folding articulation strip.

5. An article according to claim 3, wherein the seal plug is inserted within and at the inner end of the tubular stem.

6. An article according to claim 3, wherein the seal plug is constituted by an external decorative case which covers the tubular stem, said case being associated with a complementary decorative cap which is placed over the cover and fixed thereon.

7. An article according to claim 1, wherein said article is associated with a display base which offers a plurality of supports for a corresponding number of articles.

8. An article according to claim 1, wherein the ogival cavity of the cover has the same shape as the molded end of a cosmetic stick and especially a lipstick.

9. An article according to claim 1, wherein at least the cover is of transparent material.

10. A package, in particular for sampling a small quantity of fusible substances to be applied on a surface by manual friction, especially of cosmetics, pharmaceutical products and household cleaning products, wherein said package is constituted by an article according to claim 1, wherein the space between the cover and the dome as well as at least part of the interior of the dome are filled with the packaged substance.

11. A method of fabrication of the package according to claim 10, wherein the substance to be packaged is fluidified, wherein said substance is poured into the article with the cover engaged on the dome, until the space between the cover and the dome as well as the interior of the dome are filled so as to leave the remainder of the tubular stem empty, and wherein the substance is allowed to solidify by cooling within the article.