CN108471861B

CN108471861B - Closure assembly for a container containing a product, related packaging device and method

Info

Publication number: CN108471861B
Application number: CN201680073278.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯蒂芬·勒鲁
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2015-12-16
Filing date: 2016-12-16
Publication date: 2021-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-16
Also published as: WO2017103165A1; FR3045575B1; FR3045575A1; CN108471861A

Abstract

The assembly comprises a cover (30) defining a cavity, a movable portion (32) movably rotatably mounted in the cavity of the cover (30), the movable portion (32) having an inner surface defining an insertion space of the part to be closed, said inner surface comprising at least one selective fastening element for engaging with a corresponding complementary fastening element fixed to the part to be closed. The closure assembly comprises an actuating member (36) connected to the movable portion (32) via the lid (30), the actuating member (36) being adapted to be operated from outside the lid (30) to change the movable portion (32) from a locked position to an unlocked position of the container (12).

Description

Closure assembly for a container containing a product, related packaging device and method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a closure assembly for a container containing a product, comprising a lid defining an inner cavity, a movable portion movably rotatably mounted in the inner cavity of the lid, the movable portion having an inner surface defining an insertion space for the portion to be closed, said inner surface comprising at least one selective fastening element for engaging with a corresponding complementary fastening element fixed to the portion to be closed.

Such an assembly is particularly intended to be mounted on a container containing a cosmetic product.

Background

The cosmetic is applied on human body surface. It is present in solid form such as a powder, liquid form, gel form or emulsion form, for example.

More generally, cosmetics are products defined in the cosmetic-related EC regulation N ° 1223/2009 made by the european parliament and council on 30/11 of 2009.

When some cosmetic formulations come into contact with air, they are prone to degradation over time, such that the shelf life of the product may be shortened. In order to maintain the properties of the cosmetic over time, the container of the cosmetic should generally provide an at least partial seal with the surrounding air.

Such sealing of the container often interferes with the ease with which the user can open and close the container.

US2011/0266297 describes a sealed container for containing a cosmetic product. The container includes a cosmetic reservoir disposed in a base connected to a closure device. The closure device comprises a ring pivoting with respect to the base and an axisymmetric outer lid adapted to be rotated by the user to open and close tightly the container. The tightness of the container is provided by a sealing layer arranged on an inner lid attached to the guide ring, the coating being pressed against the surface of the neck of the container when the closure device is in the closed position.

Such a device makes it possible to obtain a certain tightness, but is complex in design and has an axisymmetric geometry. It requires pivoting the lid about an axis, which is not possible with geometries other than axial symmetry.

WO2008/050926, US005908037, WO2015/038871, US1672417, US1818409 describe other packaging devices.

These devices are not entirely satisfactory. In fact, none of these devices successfully combines an attractive cosmetic container with a compact and easy-to-handle closure system.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a closure assembly for a cosmetic container that enables long-term storage of the cosmetic product and ease of use of the closure assembly, while maintaining a pleasing attractive appearance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a closure assembly that is easy to fit on a container and that destroys as little as possible the filling and packaging operations.

To this end, the invention relates to an assembly of the above-mentioned type comprising an actuating member connected to the movable portion via the lid, the actuating member being adapted to be operated from outside the lid to change the movable portion from the locked position to the unlocked position of the container.

The assembly according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features taken alone or in any technically feasible combination:

the actuation member comprises an actuation button protruding from the cover;

the cover defines a circulation path of the actuating member, the actuating member comprising an arm inserted via the circulation path, the arm connecting the push button to the movable portion;

the actuating member comprises at least one guide element for guiding the rotation of the movable part in the cover between the unlocked position and the locked position;

the guide element comprises at least one tab extending circumferentially around the rotation axis;

-the selective fastening element comprises a thread;

-a first base partially closing the inner cavity of the cap at the periphery of the cap, the first base defining an access aperture for accessing the insertion space;

-a second base for mounting on the container, the lid being hinged on the second base, the second base defining a passage for accessing the internal volume of the container;

-a neck forming part to be closed, and at least one complementary fastening element adapted to engage with the selective fastening element in a locked position.

The cover has a non-circular, advantageously polygonal or pseudo-polygonal outer contour, and the movable part has a circular outer contour.

The present invention also relates to a product packaging unit comprising a container defining an interior volume for receiving a product and a closure assembly as described above mounted on the container.

The device according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features considered alone or in any technically feasible combination:

the closure assembly comprises a second base for mounting on the container, the lid being hinged on the second base, the second base defining a passage for accessing the internal volume of the container, the second base being fixedly mounted on the container, the part to be closed being a neck of the second base;

the lid is connected to the container by a hinge, the portion to be closed being formed by the neck of the container.

The invention also relates to a method for opening a container containing a cosmetic product, comprising the following steps:

-providing a device as described above, the movable part of the closure assembly being in its locked position, wherein the selective fastening element is engaged on the complementary fastening element;

-operating the actuating member from outside the cover without moving the cover to change the movable part from the locked position to the unlocked position;

-opening the lid to access the contents of the container.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a product packaging unit, comprising the following steps:

-providing a container defining an inner volume for receiving a product, the container being devoid of a closure assembly;

-filling the internal volume with a product;

-after the filling step, mounting the closure assembly as described above on the container.

The method according to the invention may comprise the following features:

the closure assembly is in the closed configuration during its mounting on the container.

Drawings

The invention will be more readily understood from the following description, provided by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a three-quarter perspective view of a cosmetic packaging device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of various parts of the cosmetic packaging according to the invention;

figure 3 is a view similar to figure 2, from below;

fig. 4 is a top view of a closure assembly of the cosmetic packaging device according to the invention.

Detailed Description

In the following, the orientations are given with respect to the orientation selected in the figures. Furthermore, the terms "front" and "rear" are understood to be relatively closer to the user and relatively further from the user, respectively, when the user is using the device 10 while holding the device 10 in his/her hand.

In fig. 1 to 4, a cosmetic packaging device 10 according to the present invention is shown.

The device 10 is used to store cosmetic products in a substantially compact manner. The cosmetic product is, for example, a make-up product or a care product. It is formed from a liquid, gel, solid or powder.

Referring to FIG. 1, a packaging device 10 includes a container 12 and a closure assembly 14 for the container 12.

Referring to fig. 2, the container 12 is a can. It includes a sidewall 16, a base 18, and a neck 20. The container 12 defines an interior volume 22 containing a cosmetic product.

A neck 20 projects upwardly from the sidewall 16 and defines an opening 24 for accessing the interior volume 22.

Neck 20 includes a cylindrical outer surface 26 that includes threads 28 for attaching closure assembly 14.

The neck 20 includes a tab 27 at its base for locking the closure assembly 14 in place.

The closure assembly 14 includes an outer lid 30, a removable sealing portion 32 disposed in the lid 30, and a first base 34 for retaining the removable portion 32 in the lid 30. In this example, the closure assembly further comprises an actuating member 36 of the movable portion 32, a second base 38 mounted on the container 12 and a hinge 40 for hinging the lid 30 on the second base 38.

The lid 30 thus forms a lid for closing the container 12.

Here, the cover 30 has a non-circular outer contour. Advantageously, the cover 30 has a polygonal or pseudo-polygonal outer contour.

The lid 30 includes side walls 42 and a top wall 44 that define an interior cavity 46 for receiving the movable portion 32 that opens toward the container 12 when the lid 30 closes the container 12.

The side wall 42 frontally defines a circulation passage 48 for the actuating member 36. Advantageously, the circulation path 48 is a horizontal slot.

The side wall 42 includes an internal recess 50 that opens into the internal cavity 46 for attachment of the first base 34.

The movable part 32 has a cylindrical hollow shape with an axis a-a', as shown vertically in fig. 2.

The movable portion 32 includes an upper partition 52 and a cylindrical side partition 54 that defines an insertion space 56 of a portion of the second base 38. The movable portion is fully inserted into the interior chamber 46 of the cap 30.

The movable portion 32 is movably mounted in the interior chamber 46 of the cap 30 for rotation about the axis a-a' between a locked position and an unlocked position of the container 12.

The side dividers 54 define a lower opening 58 around their free bottom edges for access to the insertion space 56.

As seen in fig. 4, the interior surface 60 of the side divider 54 includes selective fastening elements 62 that lead to the second base 38.

The outer surface 64 of the side divider 54 also includes a tab 66 for guiding the rotation of the movable portion 32 within the cover 30. The guide protrusion 66 is disposed on the outer periphery of the side partition 54. The guide projection 66 is circumferential.

Advantageously, the bottom face of the upper partition 52 is equipped with a sealing member 68, here formed by a compressible disc attached below the upper partition 52 in the insertion space 56. As will be seen hereinafter, the sealing member is adapted to be applied over the free edge of neck 20 to provide a seal.

The first base 34 includes a peripheral ring 70 defining an access aperture 72 for accessing the insertion space 56.

The first base 34 also includes a fastening lug 74 associated with the cover 30, a tab 76 for guiding rotation of the movable portion, and a groove 78 for guiding rotation of the actuating member 36.

The peripheral ring 70 is arranged along the free edge of the side wall 42 of the cover 30 below the movable portion 32.

The fastening lugs 74 project from the ring 70 into the inner cavity 46. The fastening lugs 74 are received in the recesses 50 of the cap 30.

The guide tabs 76 cover the guide projections 66 of the movable portion 32.

A groove 78 for guiding the rotation of the first base 34 extends between two end stops 80 (see fig. 4) to the rear of the passageway 48.

The first base 34 partially closes the inner cavity 46 of the cap 30 at the periphery of the cap 30. The first base 34 closes the circulation path 48 at the bottom below the actuating member 36.

The access aperture 72 allows for insertion of a portion of the second base 38 and the neck 20 into the insertion space 56.

The first base 34 holds the movable portion 32 in place in the internal cavity 46. The guide projections 66 of the movable portion 32 circulate under the guide lugs 76 of the first base 34.

Referring to fig. 2 and 4, the actuation member 36 includes an arm 82 inserted via the circulation passage 48, an actuation button 84 accessible from the exterior of the cover 30, and a guide element 85 for guiding the actuation member 36 in rotation.

The arms 82 of the actuating member 36 project radially with respect to the axis a-a' at the periphery of the cylindrical side partition 54 of the movable portion 32. The arm 82 is inserted through the circulation path 48.

The guide element 85 for guiding the rotation of the actuating member 36 is here a tab 86. The tab 86 is received in the guide groove 78.

The tabs 86 of the actuating member 36 extend circumferentially on either side of the arm 82.

The stop 80 of the first base 34 limits the angular travel of the tab 86, and therefore the travel of the actuating member 36 about the axis a-a'.

A button 84 projects from the passage 48 to the free end of the arm 82. The button 84 is accessible by a user from outside the circulation path 48 of the lid 30 from outside the closure assembly 14.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the second base 38 includes a finished outer skirt 88, an inner sleeve 90 for mounting on the neck 20 of the container 12, and a neck 92 defining a passage 94 for accessing the interior volume 22 of the container 12.

The outer skirt 88 has a non-cylindrical outer shape, such as a polygon or pseudo-polygon. Alternatively, the outer skirt 88 is cylindrical.

Advantageously, the outer skirt 88 is flush with the side wall 16 of the container 12.

The inner sleeve 90 internally includes complementary threads 98 that are complementary to the threads 28 of the neck 20 of the container 12. The inner sleeve 90 defines a notch 96 that engages the attachment tab 27 for securing the second base 38 to the container 12.

The second base 38 is screwed onto the container 12 by engaging the threads 28 with complementary threads 98 of the inner sleeve 90 of the second base 38.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the second base 38 is snapped onto the neck 20 of the container 12.

The neck 92 of the second base 38 includes at least one complementary fastening element 100 on its outer side surface 99. Each complementary fastening element 100 is for engagement with the selective fastening element 62 of the movable portion 32 in the locked position.

In this example, the selective fastening element 62 of the movable portion 32 is threaded with the complementary fastening element 100 of the second base 38.

The neck 92 of the second base 38 has a shape complementary to the shape of the insertion space 56 for insertion through the access aperture 72 of the first base 34.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the hinge 40 for hinging the lid 30 to the second base 38 comprises a gusset 102 carried by the lid 30, two receiving posts 104 carried by the second base 38, and a hinge pin (not shown) inserted into the gusset 102 between the receiving posts 104. Two or more hinge pins are also envisaged.

The gussets 102 of the hinge 40 here project towards the container 12 towards the rear of the lid 30 at the periphery of the lid 30.

Receiving post 104 of hinge 40 projects along the rear edge onto second base 38 toward lid 30. The gusset 102 is interposed between the posts 104.

The pin is inserted into gusset 102 and held in place in receiving post 104 at its end. As seen in fig. 1, the pin defines a horizontal pivot axis between a closed position folded down on the second base 38 and an open position pivoted rearward relative to the second base 38 of the movable assembly formed by the lid 30, the movable portion 32 and the first base 34 relative to the second base 38 mounted on the container 12.

A torsion spring 108 is mounted about the axis to continuously actuate the movable assembly to the open and/or closed positions.

The ends of the torsion spring 108 are attached to the gusset 102 and the receiving post 104.

The operation of the device 10 according to the invention will now be described.

Initially, the device 10 containing the cosmetic product in the interior volume 22 is provided to the user.

The closure assembly 14 of the device 10 is mounted on the container 12 and is in a closed and locked configuration.

In this configuration, the lid 30 is folded down over the second base 38 of the closure assembly 14, with the first base 34 resting on the second base 38. The neck portion 92 of the second base portion 38 is inserted into the insertion space 56 of the movable portion 32. The user has no complete access to the movable portion 32 from the exterior of the cap 30.

The actuation button 84 extends between the cover 30 and the first base 34 to the exterior of the circulation passage 48 formed in the cover 30.

The selective fastening elements 62 on the inner surface 60 of the movable portion 32 engage with complementary fastening elements 100 of the neck 92.

The sealing member 68 arranged inside the insertion space 56 of the movable portion 32 is kept in contact with the neck 20 of the container 12. Which sealingly closes the access opening 24 of the container 12. The cosmetic product contained in the internal volume 22 is therefore tightly confined in this volume, ensuring a satisfactory shelf life thereof.

When the user wishes to apply the cosmetic contained in the container 12 to a body surface, for example, to the face, the user operates the actuation button 84. He/she moves the button 84 from one edge of the circulation path 48 to the opposite edge of the circulation path 48 about the axis a-a'.

Movement of the actuation button 84 is transferred to the movable portion 32 via the actuation arm 82.

The guide projection 66 of the movable portion 32 travels under the tab 76 of the first base 34, rotating the movable portion 32 in the lid 30 about the axis a-a'.

Rotational movement of the movable portion 32 about the axis A-A 'rotationally moves the selective fastening element 62 of the inner surface 60 of the movable portion 32 about the axis A-A'.

The engagement between the selective fastening element 62 and the complementary fastening element 100 also translates the movable portion 32 to separate it from the second base 38, according to the inclination of the

fastening elements

62, 100 along the axis a-a'.

The rotational movement of the movable portion 32 about the axis a-a' further circumferentially actuates the tabs 86 of the actuating member 36 in the guide grooves 78 of the first base 34.

At a given angular position of actuating member 36 and movable portion 32 with respect to second base 38, sealing member 68 stops in contact with neck 20 of container 12. The selective fastening element 62 is further disengaged from the complementary fastening element 100.

In an alternative embodiment, the angular position at which the cap 30 and second base 38 are separated is different from the angular position at which the sealing member 68 is separated from the neck 20 of the container 12.

The movable portion 32 is then in the unlocked position.

The user then holds the lid 30 and pivots the lid 30 about a horizontal axis relative to the second base 38.

The cover 30 pivots about the axis of the hinge 40, actuating the movable portion 32 and the first base 34 in an openable motion.

The opening 24 for accessing the interior volume 22 is then clearly visible. The user accesses the cosmetic product contained in the container 12 via the access passage 94 of the second base 38.

Once the cosmetic product has been applied to the body surface, the user folds the lid 30 containing the movable portion 32 down onto the second base portion 38 along with the first base portion 34.

The user then operates the actuating member 36 in a movement opposite to that required to open the packaging device 10.

The actuating member 36 transmits the operating movement to the movable portion 32.

As described above, the movable portion 32 is guided for rotation by the engagement of the guide projections 66 of the movable portion 32 with the guide tabs 76 of the first base 34. This defines a rotational movement of the movable portion 32 about the axis a-a' opposite to the movement required to open the device 10.

The selective fastening element 62 is engaged on the complementary fastening element 100 and the movable portion 32 is translated along the axis a-a' towards the container 12 in a direction opposite to the direction required to open the device 10.

The sealing member 68 arranged inside the insertion space 56 of the movable portion 32 is again in contact with the neck 20 of the container 12. The sealing member 68 sealingly closes the access opening 24 of the container 12. The movable part 32 is in its locked position.

By means of the present invention and the relative method, thanks to the presence of the movable portion 32 equipped with the sealing member 68, it is possible to obtain a packaging device 10 for a cosmetic container 12 having a very satisfactory seal, which ensures a long shelf life of the cosmetic product.

This tightness does not hinder the ease of use of the closure assembly 14 due to the presence of the actuating member 36 accessible from outside the lid 30, so as to ensure simple operation between the locked and unlocked configurations.

Furthermore, the movable portion 32 is completely hidden in the cover 30, and the shape of the cover 30 is independent of the shape of the movable portion 32, maintaining a very pleasing visual appearance.

In addition, because the container 12 can be filled with cosmetics directly prior to assembly of the closure assembly 14, packaging of the cosmetics on an industrial production line is greatly facilitated. Thus, the lid does not interfere with filling, and the closure assembly 14 can be handled separately from the container.

In particular, the closure assembly 14 may be snapped or screwed onto the container 12 directly in the closed position.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the packaging device 10 does not have the second base 38.

The closure assembly 14 is directly engaged with the container 12.

The neck 20 of the container 12 is inserted into the insertion space 56 of the movable portion 32.

The selective fastening element 62 of the movable portion 32 directly engages the thread 28 of the neck 20 of the container 12. The threads 28 form complementary fastening elements.

Hinge 40 for hinging lid 30 on container 12 comprises a gusset 102 carried by lid 30, two receiving posts carried by container 12 and a hinge pin inserted into gusset 102 between the posts.

Further, the operation of the packaging device is similar to that described above.

Claims

1. Closure assembly (14) for a container (12) containing a product, comprising:

-a cap (30) defining an inner cavity (46);

-a movable portion (32) movably rotatably mounted in the inner cavity (46) of the cover (30), the movable portion (32) having an inner surface (60) defining an insertion space (56) of the portion to be closed, the inner surface (60) comprising at least one selective fastening element (62),

characterized in that the closure assembly (14) comprises an actuating member (36) connected to the movable portion (32) via the lid (30), the actuating member (36) being adapted to be operated from outside the lid (30) to change the movable portion (32) from a locked position to an unlocked position of the container (12), and

the closure assembly (14) comprises a second base (38) for mounting on the container (12), the lid (30) being hinged on the second base (38), the second base (38) defining a passage (94) for accessing the internal volume of the container (12), and

the second base (38) comprises at least one complementary fastening element (100) for engagement with a selective fastening element (62) of the movable portion (32) in the locking position.

2. The assembly (14) of claim 1, wherein the cover (30) defines a circulation path (48) for the actuation member (36), the actuation member (36) including an arm (82) inserted through the circulation path (48), the arm (82) connecting a button (84) to the movable portion (32).

3. Closure assembly (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuating member (36) comprises at least one guiding element (85) for guiding the movable part (32) in the cap (30) in rotation between the unlocked position and the locked position.

4. Closure assembly (14) according to claim 3, wherein the guide element (85) comprises at least one tab (86) extending circumferentially around the rotation axis.

5. Closure assembly (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selective fastening element (62) comprises a thread.

6. Closure assembly (14) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a first base (34) partially closing the inner cavity (46) of the cap (30) at the periphery of the cap (30), the first base defining an access aperture (72) for accessing the insertion space (56).

7. Closure assembly (14) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second base (38) comprises a neck (92) forming said portion to be closed, said neck (92) comprising said complementary fastening element (100) adapted to engage with said selective fastening element (62) in said locking position.

8. Closure assembly (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap (30) has a non-circular outer contour and the movable portion (32) has a circular outer contour.

9. Closure assembly (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover (30) has a polygonal or pseudo-polygonal outer contour and the movable portion (32) has a circular outer contour.

10. Product packaging unit (10) comprising:

-a container (12) defining an inner volume for receiving a product;

-a closure assembly (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, mounted on the container (12).

11. The device (10) of claim 10, wherein the closure assembly (14) includes a second base (38) for mounting on the container (12), the lid (30) being hinged on the second base (38), the second base (38) defining a passage (94) for accessing an interior volume of the container (12), the second base (38) being fixedly mounted on the container (12), the portion to be closed being a neck (92) of the second base (38).

12. Device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the lid (30) is connected to the container (12) by a hinge (40), the portion to be closed being formed by a neck (20) of the container (12).

13. Method for producing a product packaging unit (10), comprising the steps of:

-providing a container (12) defining an inner volume for receiving a product, said container (12) being devoid of a closure assembly;

-filling the inner volume with a product;

-mounting a closure assembly (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 on the container (12) after the filling step.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the closure assembly (14) is in a closed configuration during its mounting on the container (12).