CN113423652B

CN113423652B - Device for packaging two products separately

Info

Publication number: CN113423652B
Application number: CN201980090932.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 薛公豪; V·谢勒加; 尹现俊; 金鎭钖
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2019-01-31
Filing date: 2019-01-31
Publication date: 2023-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-31
Also published as: US20220024672A1; EP3917858A4; WO2020155035A1; CN113423652A; EP3917858A1

Abstract

An apparatus (100, 200, 400) for individually packaging two products (a, B) and dispensing the resulting mixture (M) at first use, the apparatus comprising a stopper (300) arranged between a lower container (110, 210) forming a first product cavity (115) and an upper container (120, 220) forming a second product cavity (125), the stopper (300) having: a base (310) fixedly secured to one of the lower container (110, 210) or the upper container (120, 220) and presenting a communication channel (314) opening on both the first and second cavities; and a rotatable head (350) engaged with the other of the upper or lower containers, the head being rotatable between a closed position in which the head covers the channel in the base to prevent fluid communication between the first and second cavities, and an open position in which the head is rotated away from and at least partially uncovers the channel to allow mixing of the products contained in the first and second cavities.

Description

Device for packaging two products separately

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for packaging two products which must be kept separate during transport and storage and which will be mixed at the first use before the resulting mixture is dispensed.

More specifically, the invention relates to a device comprising two superposed containers which can be rotated one with respect to the other and are suitable for communicating with each other.

Background

One advantageous application of the invention is the use of a multi-compartment device for packaging a multi-component cosmetic product comprising a first component to be mixed with a second component before use. The cosmetic product may be a care product or a hair coloring or make-up product, which in particular comprises reactive components that will remain separated before their use.

Other advantageous applications of the invention may be the use of multi-compartment containers for storing non-cosmetic products, such as adhesive products, polymer coatings, flavored liquids, etc., comprising reactive components that will remain separate until their use.

The components may preferably be in the form of a fluid powder or liquid. In particular, the components may be one fluid powder and one liquid or two liquids.

The expression "cosmetic product" should be understood to mean the product defined in clause 1223/2009 (EC) on cosmetic products by the european parliament and the european council 2009 on day 11/30.

Reference may be made to document JP2010/083534 which describes an apparatus for packaging two separate components comprising a container body, a powder storage chamber fitted in a non-rotatable manner with respect to the container body, a stopper member for closing said powder storage chamber prior to first use and a nozzle member configured to impart a rotational movement to said stopper member. The stopper member is rotatable relative to the container body and can be screwed down as the nozzle member is rotated relative to the container body until falling into the container body.

However, such devices comprise a large number of parts and are particularly difficult to manufacture.

Reference may also be made to document US5944175, which describes an apparatus for packaging two separate components, having a lower container containing a first product, an upper container containing a second product and a shutter for closing the upper container, the lower and upper containers being able to rotate one with respect to the other. The gate includes a plug connected to the retaining member by a hinge forming bridge. The apparatus further comprises means for preventing rotation of the holding member relative to the containers when the containers are rotated relative to each other.

Thus, when the upper container is rotated relative to the lower container in a first rotational direction, the retaining member of the gate translates upward causing the stopper to pivot about the hinge from a first position closing the upper container to a second position opening the upper container.

However, since the retaining member is axially retained on the lower container by the annular rim, when the user rotates the upper container in a second rotational direction, opposite to the first rotational direction, the retaining member of the gate translates downwards until said annular rim bears on the inner shoulder of the lower container, which may cause the stopper to pivot from the second position back to the first position.

Thus, the upper container may be inadvertently closed by a user, resulting in improper use of the apparatus.

Finally, reference may also be made to document US20180127171, which discloses a mixing vessel for heterogeneous contents, more specifically, a mixing vessel for heterogeneous contents, which is configured to include a vessel body storing a first content and a pipette member storing a second content separately from each other. The pipette member is coupled to the lower portion of the container body, and when the rotating body is rotated, the second contents stored in the pipette member are moved to the container body, and then the first and second contents are mixed.

Although it is claimed that such a device is easy to fill and assemble, it still has a large number of parts and requires multiple operations by the user.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for packaging two separate products which is simple in construction, easy to manufacture and easy to use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for individually packaging two products and dispensing the resulting mixture on first use. The apparatus includes a lower container defining a first product cavity containing a first product and an upper container defining a second product cavity containing a second product, the containers being rotatable one relative to the other without being axially movable.

The apparatus also includes a stopper disposed between the first product chamber and the second product chamber.

According to the application, the plug has: a base fixedly secured to one of the lower or upper containers and presenting a communication channel opening on both the first and second cavities; and a rotatable head engaged with the other of the upper or lower containers.

The head is rotatable between a closed position in which the head covers the channel in the base, thereby preventing fluid communication between the first and second cavities, and an open position in which the head is rotated away from and at least partially uncovers the channel, thereby allowing mixing of the products contained in the first and second cavities.

By providing a plug with a rotatable head that can selectively cover or uncover a communication channel in the head, the device remains simple and does not require complex movements to actuate. In contrast to several prior art devices implementing stoppers with complex movements combining rotation and translation, the head of the base requires only a rotational movement and is directly activated by the relative rotation of the two containers. Furthermore, this configuration can operate in both directions (clockwise or counterclockwise rotation), which also facilitates the operation by the user.

Since the activating movement is very simple, the stopper can be made in one piece, for example by injection moulding. It can also be easily adapted to the usual type of container.

Preferably, the head of the stopper is secured to the base of the stopper by a frangible connection in its closed position prior to first use. Such a feature may be advantageous as a tamper-resistant feature.

In a first preferred embodiment, the base is made integrally with the lower container. The container with integrated stopper may be filled through an open end opposite said stopper, which open end is closed by a lid after filling.

Alternatively, in a second preferred embodiment, the base of the stopper is mounted inside the open end of the container (preferably the open neck portion of said container). Preferably, the base is mounted on a lower container, which is a vial, preferably unitary.

In an alternative embodiment, the lower container has an open end located opposite the stopper, which open end is closed by a lid after filling with the second product.

Preferably, the upper container is a dispensing container, such as a pipette closed by a removable cap or an ampoule closed by a frangible top neck.

Furthermore, the upper container may also be used for applying a product and may carry application and/or massage elements, such as massage balls or comb teeth.

It is also preferred that the upper or lower container with which the head portion of the plug engages comprises at least one internal transverse groove configured to receive and cooperate with a corresponding transverse projecting protrusion of said head portion of the plug. Thus, by simply sliding the protruding tabs of the head along the corresponding transverse internal grooves, the container carrying the base of the plug can be connected to another container simply like a bottom cap or plug, the other container thus being rotationally engaged with the head of the plug with respect to the base of said plug.

Preferably, the head has no rotational symmetry, i.e. has an oval shape.

The present application also relates to a method of using the device according to the invention, comprising the step of rotating the upper container with respect to the lower container, so as to force the head of the stopper to rotate with respect to said base of the stopper and expose the passage in the base, thus allowing communication between the first and second cavities.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood by studying the detailed description of an embodiment considered by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

figures 1 to 6 are schematic views of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention,

figures 7 to 9 are schematic views of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention,

fig. 10 is a schematic view of a supplementary embodiment equipped with an application element.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a device 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention, showing various components of the device 100.

Fig. 2 is a view of the assembled device 100 along a longitudinal section.

The device 100 is intended for packaging two products a, B individually and dispensing a mixture M of these two products at the first use.

The apparatus 100 includes a lower container 110 defining a first product cavity 115 containing a first product a and an upper container 120 defining a second product cavity 125 containing a second product B.

The lower receptacle 110 and the upper receptacle 120 are arranged such that they can rotate one relative to the other about the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 100 without moving axially.

To this end, in the exemplified embodiment, the lower container 110 is a vial comprising a peripheral wall 111, a closed bottom 112 and an opposite open neck 113, which together define a first cavity 115. The lower container 110 is integrally made of a thermoplastic material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the neck 113 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the body of the lower container 110, and includes two outer annular shoulders 113a on its outer surface that define an annular groove 113 b.

The upper container 120 is in the form of a cap and includes a central dispensing chimney or conduit that forms a second cavity 125 and contains the second product B.

The upper container 120 includes a terminal dispensing orifice 126 covered with a removable terminal cap 123.

Alternatively, the upper container 120 may present an upper portion shaped with a frangible end piece. In use, the frangible member is broken to open a dispensing orifice in fluid communication with the internal cavity.

The upper container 120 is rotatably mounted on the lower container 110 by means of a fitting peripheral skirt 122, the fitting peripheral skirt 122 being provided on its radially inner surface with an annular bead 122a, the annular bead 122a cooperating with the annular groove 113b of the lower container by means of a snap-fit attachment, so that the upper container 120 is axially retained with respect to the lower container 110, while allowing a rotational movement of one with respect to the other.

The upper container 120 has an annular sealing lip 128, which sealing lip 128 extends substantially along the longitudinal axis X-X' down into the neck 113. The sealing lip 128 is annular and bears tightly against the radially inner surface of the neck 113, which is annular, to provide a seal between the lower container 110 and the upper container 120.

According to the invention, the device further comprises a plug 300, shown separately in fig. 3, the plug 300 being arranged between the first cavity 115 and the second cavity 125.

The stopper 300 has a base 310 to be fixedly secured to the lower container 110. More specifically, the base is mounted inside the neck of the lower container 110. The base may be press-fitted inside the neck and prevented from rotating by a longitudinal rib 311 arranged around said base, which longitudinal rib 311 is intended for cooperation with a corresponding longitudinal groove on the inner surface of the neck 113. The base 310 may also be blocked longitudinally by a peripheral annular rib 312, which annular rib 312 is intended to be clamped inside a corresponding inner groove of the neck.

Furthermore, the base 310 is hollow and presents a communication channel 314 that opens on both the first cavity 115 of the lower container 110 and the second cavity 125 of the upper container 120.

It should be noted that the opening directed towards the second cavity 125 is biased in the longitudinal direction of the packaging device. It should also be noted that the opening to the second cavity is non-circular, i.e. slightly oval. The inclination of the opening may vary depending on the desired magnitude of the elevation, as will be explained below.

The plug 300 further comprises a rotatable head 350, the head 350 being mounted on the base and arranged such that the head 350 can be rotated between a closed position (fig. 4) in which the head 350 covers the channel in the base, thereby preventing fluid communication between the first and second cavities, and an open position in which the head 350 is rotated away (fig. 5) and at least partially uncovers the channel, thereby allowing mixing of the products contained in the first and second cavities.

More specifically, the head 350 is mounted on the base 310 in an opening oriented towards the second cavity. To this end, the head 350 is also provided with longitudinal prongs 351, the prongs 351 bearing against the inner ridge of the opening of the base. The tines 351 help guide the head during its rotation.

In the exemplified embodiment, the head is oval shaped, such that when its shape substantially corresponds to the shape of the opening to be covered. As shown in fig. 5, when the head is rotated 90 deg., it exposes an oval opening through the passageway 314 of the base.

Furthermore, the head 350 presents two lateral projections 352 intended for each cooperating with a corresponding internal longitudinal groove of the upper container. In this way, the head mechanically engages the upper receptacle 120. Rotation of the upper container 120 relative to the lower container 110 will cause the head to rotate relative to the base of the plug, partially uncovering the opening of the base, allowing fluid communication between the lower container 110 and the upper container 120.

Since the opening of the base 310 towards the second cavity 120 is biased in the longitudinal direction, the head 350 will also rise during rotation, increasing the gap between the base and the head and thus facilitating flow between the two cavities. The magnitude of the rise will depend on the inclination of the opening.

The plug 300 may be integrally made of a thermoplastic material. Furthermore, in order to improve the seal in the closed position and provide tamper-resistance at the first use, the head is made integrally with the base of the stopper, while keeping the frangible peripheral skirt broken at the first rotation.

As shown in fig. 6, the use of the apparatus 100 is as follows. First, the user rotates the cap (upper container 120) on the vial (lower container 110). By doing so, the head 350 of the plug 300 (which engages the upper container 120) will also rotate and expose the channel 314 in the base 310. Thus, product B may fall into and mix with product a. After removal of the top cap 123, the mixture M is dispensed through the dispensing orifice 126.

Fig. 7 is a view of a device 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention along a longitudinal section.

The main difference between the device 200 and the device 100 is that the base of the stopper 300 is made integrally with the lower container.

It should be noted that the device 200 comprises an upper container 220, which is a frangible ampoule substantially as described in document EP 1918214.

The device 200 also comprises a lower container 210, this lower container 210 being plugged to the bottom of the ampoule forming the upper container 200, instead of the stop 5 described in document EP1918214, so as to enable the ampoule to store two products and dispense a mixture of these two products.

The lower container 210 is sealingly plugged onto the upper container 220 by means of an outer peripheral rib 218 carried by the lower container 210, the outer peripheral rib 218 being able to cooperate with a corresponding peripheral inner groove of said upper container. Of course, the reverse is also possible. Thus, according to the present invention, the upper container 210 may rotate without moving axially relative to the lower container 210. The upper receptacle 220 is equipped with lateral wings 226 intended to assist the user in rotating the upper receptacle 220. The lower container 210 may present complementary lateral wings 216.

Advantageously, in the closed position, the laterally projecting wings 226 of the upper container 220 may be aligned with the projecting wings 216 of the lower container 210. Thus, if the wings are misaligned, the user may know whether the device has been opened.

As explained, the lower container 210 integrates a stopper 300.

The inner wall of the upper container 220 is provided with a longitudinal groove capable of slidably receiving a transverse projection 352 of the head 350 of the stopper 300 when said lower container 210 is plugged to the upper container 220. Thus, once plugged, the head 350 of the stopper 300 becomes mechanically engaged with the upper container 220.

Furthermore, it is no longer equipped with a neck that allows filling of the lower container 210 before fitting the stopper 300 into said neck and must be filled from the bottom. For this purpose, the lower container is provided with an open bottom, opposite the stopper 300, and closed by a corresponding stop after filling.

As shown in fig. 10, the device 200 is used as follows. First, the user rotates the frangible ampoule forming the upper container 220. By doing so, the head 350 of the stopper 300 (which engages the upper container) will also rotate after rupturing the frangible skirt. The head then exposes the channel 314 in the base 300. Thus, product B may fall into product a and mix with product a (i.e., by shaking the device 200).

This ampoule 200 is particularly suitable for smaller quantities of product amounting to the order of about 1 to 5 ml.

Fig. 10 shows a modified container 400 which differs from the devices 100,200 in that it carries an arrangement of massage elements 401 at the dispensing orifice 126.

Claims

1. An apparatus (100, 200, 400) for packaging two products (A, B) separately and dispensing the resulting mixture (M) at first use,

the apparatus comprising a lower container (110, 210) defining a first product cavity (115) containing a first product (A) and an upper container (120, 220) defining a second product cavity (125) containing a second product (B), the upper and lower containers being rotatable one relative to the other without being axially movable,

wherein the apparatus comprises a plug (300) disposed between the first and second product cavities,

the plug has: a base (310) fixedly secured to one of the lower or upper containers and presenting a communication channel (314) that opens onto both the first and second product cavities; and a rotatable head (350) engaged with the other of the upper or lower containers,

the head is rotatable between a closed position in which the head covers the channel in the base to prevent fluid communication between the first and second product cavities, and an open position in which the head is rotated away and at least partially uncovers the channel to allow mixing of the products contained in the first and second product cavities.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the head (350) is secured to the base in its closed position by a frangible connection prior to first use.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (310) is made integrally with the lower container (210).

4. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (310) is mounted inside an open end of the lower container (110).

5. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (310) is mounted inside an open neck (113) of the lower container.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base (310) is mounted on the lower container (110), the lower container being a vial.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said lower container (210) has an open end located opposite said plug (300), said open end being closed by a lid after filling with said second product (B).

8. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper container (120, 220) is a dispensing container.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper container (120, 220) is a pipette closed by a removable cap (123) or an ampoule closed by a frangible top neck.

10. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper container (120, 220) or the lower container (110, 210) engaged with the head of the stopper comprises at least one internal transverse groove configured to cooperate with a corresponding transverse protruding protrusion (352) of the head (350) of the stopper (300).

11. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the head (350) has no rotational symmetry, i.e. has an oval shape.

12. A method of using the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11, comprising the step of rotating the upper container (120, 220) relative to the lower container (110, 210) so as to force the head portion (350) of the stopper (300) to rotate relative to the base portion (310) of the stopper and expose the channel (314) in the base portion, thereby allowing communication between the first product cavity (115) and the second product cavity (125).